Grand Prix Insider

Montreal’s W Hotel has been the talk of the town for the last year. From an amazing series of renovations to the opening of ÊAT, the W has repositioned itself as the place to see and be seen in the city. During Grand Prix is was one of the key places to party in Montreal.

Having accumulated 3 nights of parties and especially after Friday’s very late night a little pampering is just what was in order. For the first time at a major event in Montreal the W Hotel offered VIP guests, media and celebrities a gift lounge. Made popular at many major events around the world, including Toronto’s TIFF, a gifting lounge is a place where we can all gather to get our beards trimmed, our hair fix, our nails done and our make-up perfected before heading out on the town once again.

The concept was an excellent way to spend a few of the relaxed Saturday afternoon hours. We brought our outfits to the W and proceeded to race our own circuit of spray tan from Wonderblush, rejuvenating facials from Esthederm Paris, nails by CND Creative Play, hair stations from La Rousse Mobile, make-up done by none other than Maxime Poulin of Guerlain, and beard and hair care from Maison Privée featuring Groom products. We may have arrived feeling the effects of three days of partying but we left feeling light as a feather and read to tackle one more night.

After getting dolled up, we didn’t have time to sit around and chat. We had to keep moving but not before our Hollywood red carpet exit from the W. Hundreds of people cheered on either side of the red carpet as we left the hotel in style. Although the crowds may have been there for Tom Brady, Daniel Ricciardo and Didier Drogba, we lived in a moment that we won’t soon forget.

From the W we moved onto one of the biggest parties of the weekend, Le Richmond’s Cannes inspired Red Carpet party. The Richmond had been partying as long as the rest of us, getting their festivities underway starting on June 8th but it was the Red Carpet party that had everyone talking. Over the years the Richmond’s Saturday night Grand Prix party has become one of the must-attend parties of the week.

An opulent affair, the setting was as seamless as the hand sewn red carpet that covered the floor of the restaurant and the terrasse, creating one unified space. Upon our arrival the scene was awe inducing as the decadent display of glamour was nothing less than wow-inducing. Even more impressive was the effort put into each night at the restaurant. Every theme was different and every morning, starting at 4am, crews were in to change the decor for the night ahead. The thought put into the execution of each theme is why the Richmond has become one of the most important parties at Grand Prix.

Leaving the Richmond, the night was far from over. After a quick bite (where we devoured delicious Five Guys burgers) we were refuelled and ready to keep going. Our energy was beginning to dwindle but we powered through and headed back to the W for the the Pit Stop Party in the Plateau lounge. The place was packed with people but we were sitting pretty near the DJ booth in an cordoned off VIP section complete with our own champagne bar. When the W throws a party, they get it right. From the starting line to the finish, Montreal’s W Hotel was the MVP of the weekend.

Want more Grand Prix? Read about our Wednesday, Thursday and Friday nights out on the town!

Image credit: Adam Simms and Le Richmond