We’ve had friends stay various places near us. Today, with Airbnb, it’s even easier to find affordable places in any neighborhood you like.

For hotels in or near the Plateau, friends have liked Chateau L’Argoat on Sherbrooke, which is made up of a couple of old townhouses.

There’s a B&B on Laval, which is a beautiful street, Bienvenue B & B. Some rooms have private bath, but most are shared, which means the prices are extremely reasonable.

Mid-range and across from Square St. Louis — right over the Sherbrooke metro stop — is the Hotel de L’Institut, run by students at theInstitut de tourisme et d’hôtellerie du Québec.

For more upscale tastes, there’s the new boutique Petit Hotel in Old Montreal.

Various gay places, too. Before we bought our condo, we always used to stay at the Conciergerie, which is not far from the gay village.