Hotel Tips are a pratical look at hotels that a derby photography may want to consider. This would not be good for a family of six looking for a place to stay. Of course you also need to check out the other reviews of the location on things like Google Map. I do not get paid nor sponsored for any of these. I will add the dates I last stayed there. Remember things change.
The following three hotels I stayed in on various dates in 2024 and 2025. I essentially stayed at whatever had the cheapest rate at the time. All were chosen to save money on staying at the downtown hotels.
Microtel Inn & Suites Montreal Airport-Dorval QC
1695 Trans Canada Route Nord, Dorval, Quebec H9P 1J1
https://www.wyndhamhotels.com/microtel/dorval-quebec/microtel-inn-and-suites-montreal-airport-dorval-qc/overview?CID=LC:5b3ss9kd80xe5ox:55225&iata=00093796
Dorval Airport YUL is 12 minutes away by car…sorry now called the Pierre Elliot Trudeau airport.
This is the newest hotel of the three. Very clean. Parking is outside out back. They have carts you can load your gear on though it is a bit of pain to get through the doors. Rooms are quiet. Breakfast? Well what do you want. It is a free hotel breakfast. Do not be suprised at any free hotel breakfast to have yourself wondering what you just ate.
Close to West Island Mall…er that is what they called it when I was a kid…now ‘Galeries Des Sources’. The mall is kinda like most other malls that are trying to attract tenants. Sad. Yet there is an Adonis supermarket where you can pick up some prepared foods and Halal groceries. Adonis got their start in Montreal. The Scarborough store, where I shop 3-4 times a month has more selection and prices are better.
The Marathon restaurant is on the outside of the mall. Excellent souvlaki. Take out service is available and helps avoid the line ups. If you venture further north on Sources Boulevard you will find many more eateries.
A hack to avoid traffic, which can be really confusing for those who have never driven in Montreal,when going from this location to Montreal Roller Derby’s Howie Morenz venue is to head over to Boulevard Guoin Ouest then to Boulevard D’Acadie. Really slow speed limits but beats rush hour traffic. The hack on the way back. Well I will get you lost but here goes. Follow the elevated part of the Trans Canada from below. So Boulevard Cremazie to Cote-de-Liesse. You wil have to do a weird side step half way through. Get onto the Trans Canada once you get by all of the slow traffic.
Courtyard by Marriott Montreal Airport
7000 Pl. Robert Joncas, Montréal, QC H4M 2Z5
Airport YUL is 12 minutes away. I have not used it but they appear to be served by a shuttle bus to the airport.
This is the most “posh” of the three… as posh as $200ish will get you and about six years old. The safest parking but still outside. The easiest to get in and out with a loaded cart. Super clean. They have a restaurant but usually closed by the time you get back from a tournament. Otherwise you have to drive about five minutes to find food. I really liked Marriott hotels but their rewards program is a joke.
You can use the same driving hack as with Microtel.
Ruby Foo’s Hotel
7655 Bd Décarie, Montréal, QC H4P 2H2
https://www.hotelrubyfoos.com/
15 minutes from the airport.
This is the oldest of the hotels. How old? I went there when I was much younger as they had a fine Chinese restaurant called, you guessed it, Ruby Foo’s. Sadly it closed over ten years ago…maybe longer. A recent breakfast place they had closed by a May 2025 visit. Remember things change so maybe they have a replacement. When we were there last they offered year round ice skating.
The rooms are old but well kept. The rooms have been refreshed and clean. I have seen renovations going on but as far as I know never in one of the renovated rooms. Access is ok but there are long walks for the elevator or not if you figure where to park.
What Ruby Foo’s has is location. Location. Location. Especially if you are hungry.
First off it is a five minute walk to the Namur Metro (subway) station. Gets you downtown in about 35 mintues on a very quiet and clean subway. Do not worry if you do not know where you are going. Just talk to the people working the gate. They are very helpful.
Here is the best part!!! They are directly accross the street from the iconic Gibeau Orange Julip where you can get the best hot dogs and poutine with an Orange Julep drink between 8am and 4am. JJ even went back to more Orane Julep drink. All served from a giant orange. I have been there at 2am in a long line up. It goes pretty quick. Sadly it has gotten really expensive. There is a less expensive La Belle Province between the hotel and the Metro. Typically other La Belle Province locations are pretty good. Not sure how this location can screw up hot dogs so badly. (last visit autumn 2024)
There are other restaurants close by that are open later and retailers like Walmart. Marche Epicure is accross the side street (Pare St) and it is like a deli store with a lot of stuff from eastern Europe. Has prepared ready to eat food and some groceries.
Here is a bonus food tip if you like Poke. May 2025 I discovered Poke Monster. They have over 25 locations in Montreal. Really good. Even JJ who is not too adventurous with North American restaurants loved it. She keeps asking me to find her the Shrimp Tempura Bowl in Toronto. The busier locations can be a bit chaotic as they try to sort food orders. We did take out each time. The Cote Des Neiges location is open 10am to 3am. Other locations vary. Is it as good as Markham’s Makirrito Poke Bowl & Sushi Burrito? Two different approaches. Both with great results. Makirrito depends an a delicate balance to the ingredients. The only place I have been to that can add bacon to a salmon poke bowl and make it like it is supposed to be there.
Questions. Comments. Complaints. darren (at) derpbyphotos.ca Remember I post your stuff unedited except for bad language.
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Written January 3rd, 2026. Backdated for time line brevity. No AI. No sponsors.
Edits Jan 6 2026 – minor corrections. Renamed to ‘Hotel Tips’ after some feedback.
