A lot of people like the Extreme ... er ... Balisage conference by HATE the hotel. Simply put, it is NOT a business hotel. It is not comfortable. It doesn't have room service or a decent restaurant. The rooms are TINY.

Montreal is a wonderful city with many good hotels. So, for people who want to attend Balisage but who prefer to stay in a hotel designed for business travelers I have a few suggestions. They all cost more than the Europa, but this is a business trip and there is no need to stay at a funky Best Western on an expense-report. "" My suggestions:

1. The Sheraton Le Centre Montreal is just a couple of blocks away. It isn't anything special, just a decent North American business hotel with the services I expect on a business trip.

2. The Residence Inn by Marriott Montreal Downtown is better than average, and only about a quarter mile from the Europa (where Balisage will be).

3. The Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth is a cool old hotel. It is the hotel where John Lennon and Yoko Ono recorded "Give Peace a Chance", and has all the things you expect at a business hotel: room service, restaurants, laundry service, swimming pool, and tennis courts.

4. The Hilton Montreal Bonaventure is about a half mile away and is a PRETTY hotel. The outside looks a lot like a factory or reform school, but the inside is filled with gardens and little water features, and it has the Hilton feel.

5. The Hotel le Crystal Montreal is brand new and I haven't been there. But the buzz is good and the photos on their web site are beautiful.

So, come to Montreal. Come to Balisage. Enjoy the best of both worlds: spend your days at Balisage and your nights in a luxury hotel.