Review: Opus Hotel, Montreal By Kathy Chin Leong While it resides in old world Montreal with a classical facade, there’s nothing ancient or stodgy about The Opus, a hotel with a hip vibe within. Sleek minimalist furnishings with a splash of vivid hues at unexpected turns makes staying at The Opus an adventure in lodging. About 30 minutes and a $40 cab ride from the Montreal Airport, the hotel is a cool resting pad for those enamoured by edgy ambiance and culture. The techno beat in the lobby sets us up for what’s to come. The entry features a myriad of conversation areas with softly lit lamps and curvaceous milky white sculptures. To add to the surprise flair, bedrooms are color coded. There are yellow rooms, blue rooms, green rooms. I happen to be staying  in the purple room. While the walls bolt with color, the hallways are painted in monochrome.  Walls are white on the left and black on the right. Word has it that this move is actually symbolic- the white represents a nod to the past while the black represents the future. According to Jacques, the resident general manager, half to the property is an historic 1930s building while the rest has been added on with new bedrooms. Evening turndowns are fun at The Opus. Instead of the traditional square of chocolate, you’ll get a lollipop at night. The candy also comes with a nicely printed weather report for the next day. ROOMS In my purple-walled room, furnishings are modern but comfy. I have a king bed with a white comforter and soft lighting that gently illumines the room. The pair of slippers and soft robe add to the aah factor. Rooms come with a flat screen TV, wired Internet with promises for WI-FI this year, CD players, and, my favorite- fancy coffee and espresso makers. Bathrooms come with glass shower stalls, and for the lucky patrons staying in suites, there are deep soaking tubs. SERVICE The room I stay in comes with a single pair of slippers and one robe. There is also one complimentary water bottle. It’s very nice, but my husband is with me, and we are staying three nights. I ask to get a second bottle of water for him and also a robe and slippers. Somehow, the message never gets to housekeeping, and the request falls through the cracks. Other requests made face to face, I’m happy to report are met with eagerness at the front desk. We get solid directions on where to go to eat, what to see, and what to do. LOCATION The hotel is situated close to the metro for easy subway transportation anywhere in the city. It is walking disance to restaurants, museums, shopping, and about one mile from Old Montreal, a shopping enclaves with charming historic buildings. FOOD The Opus operates its own restaurant, the glamorous Koko Restaurant and Lounge, which boasts fine Pan Asian cuisine, and is a hit among the locals. For dinner we indulge in a braised short rib and Chinese broccoli, cubes of tofu with pesto sauce, curry chicken with baby corn and water chestnuts, a sushi roll and yellowtail sashimi that is outstanding. The buffet continental breakfast is a hit in the Koko dining room with a generous spread of breads, Montreal bagels, fruit, jams, juices, coffee and milk. The delicious, fresh fare gives us enough energy to begin our day. THE BOTTOM LINE In summary, The Opus ranks 4 out of 5 for comfort; 5 of 5 for location, and 4 out of 5 for service. Like flirty and hip? Color and comfort? The Opus is your ticket to shopping, dining, and cultural heritage within walking and metro distance. **** DETAILS: The Opus Hotel www.opushotel.com 10 Sherbrooke Quest Montreal 514/843-6000 Room rates start at $150.