Valerie is a lovely host, and the apartment is as striking as it looks in the photos - large and very comfortable public spaces and a deck with a spectacular view of the Montreal skyline.

The neighborhood is convenient (about ten minutes to downtown or the old city on the Metro). It is rapidly gentrifying (construction everywhere), interesting rather than pretty. Atwater Market is the local attraction and we liked it a lot; the walk along the Lachine Canal was also pleasant.

Two notes of caution. If you are sensitive to noise, be aware that the two main bedrooms face r. Notre-Dame Ouest, and in the summer with windows open the noise from the bar across the street and the traffic is considerable well into the night. Also, the third bedroom (for children) has a skylight but no window, and the fourth sleeping space (also for children) was a futon set up in the laundry room without any opening to the outside.