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The gifted team at the Corner Collection of Montreal has been honoured as hosts with the most.

The dynamic hospitality company operates Hôtel Nelligan and Hôtel Place d’Armes, two Old Montreal superstars that recently were ranked the No. 1 and No. 2 Best City Hotels in Canada by readers of the influential Travel + Leisure magazine.

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That’s an amazing accomplishment, reflecting a wealth of talent and a ton of hard work, all based on a 50-year heritage of hospitality.  It started in 1973 when Tony Antonopolous opened Le Coin on St-Paul St. at St-Gabriel St., a modest diner popular with port workers.

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Today, the considerably expanded and cosmopolitan Corner Collection, named for Le Coin, is led by a second generation of hoteliers, siblings Dina, Anna, Dimitri and Maria Antonopoulos.

“The Travel + Leisure awards are great tributes and our family is ecstatic that we are continuing our father’s legacy,” said Maria Antonopolous, chief brand officer of the Corner Collection. “We’re truly grateful to our loyal guests and to our exceptional staff.”

The Corner Collection is a flourishing empire that includes Rainspa, Brasserie 701, Kyo Bar Japonais and Terrasse Place d’Armes, all located in Hôtel Place d’Armes; as well as Nelli Bistro, Méchant Boeuf and Terrasse Nelligan in the Hôtel Nelligan; and the French bistro, Modavie, at 1 St-Paul St.

The formula sounds so simple: Amazing cuisine, great drinks, polished service including a Clef d’Or concierge, and singular settings that epitomize both Montreal’s historic charm and the best of today.

Hotel Intel profiled Hôtel Place d’Armes in February. Here is a peek at Hôtel Nelligan.

Nelligan: The Nelligan, a merger of four buildings of the 1800s, is a boutique getaway at the heart of Old Montreal, with notable neighbours like Notre-Dame Basilica and Place Jacques-Cartier, as well as captivating views of the Old Port, Habitat ‘67 and Parc Jean-Drapeau.

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It’s a high-energy hotel, loaded with character and hopping with wildly successful dining and drinking from sidewalk to rooftop.

The street-front dinner spot, Méchant Boeuf Bar-Brasserie, has an eclectic menu that swings from Asian pork dumplings to burrata cheese floating in Andalusian tomato soup, plus pasta, fish, beef carpaccio and a vegetarian burger. House specialties include oysters and steaks, especially the dry aged T-bone, Tomahawk and Porterhouse. Tourists opt for traditional Quebec poutine and onion soup.

To wind up, sample Méchant Boeuf’s espresso bar, plus a full list of port and cognac and desserts like the Brookie, a sweet treat of hazelnut ice cream and a coulis of berries. (mechantboeuf.com; from 5 p.m. daily, valet parking, $20)

Nelli Bistro starts the day with delectable breakfasts of chia pudding or eggs benedict, and transitions into a tasty lunch-dinner menu of lamb shanks, beef, salmon, calamari, lobster spaghetti and salads. The wine bar features organic reds and whites, as well as orange wines, rosés and bubbly (nellibistro.com; breakfast, dinner daily; lunch on Mon.-Fri.; brunch on Sat.-Sun.).

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The Terrasse Nelligan is a fifth-floor rooftop heaven with exceptional Old Port vistas. When the retractable roof is open, the sky is the limit. Sporting a fresh new look, the terrasse recently was redecorated with summery rattan furniture by the design gurus at Atelier Zébulon Perron.

The sangria — red, white and bubbly — and drinks like the spicy marguerita still flow freely, but the menu has evolved. There are bar bites like shishito peppers, charcuterie and truffled fries, plus crudo choices of oysters, ceviche, tuna and beef tartare, as well as main courses of cauliflower grilled with pistachios, lobster rolls and the Wagyu burger (terrassenelligan.com; seasonal, Mon.-Wed., from 3 p.m; Thurs.-Sun., from 11:30 a.m.).

Guest rooms: The 105 rooms and suites radiate warmth with a vintage-meets-modern fusion of dark polished furniture and wooden floors and white beds set against original brick and stone walls.

You can choose your own perks and comfort level: whirlpool tubs, rain-showers, electric fireplaces, and rollaway or sofa beds for children. All the accommodations have deluxe Le Labo toiletries, bathrobes and fluffy down comforters and pillows by Marie L’Oie.

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Favourites include La Petite Suite, a romantic cocoon with a tub for two and Juliet balconies. The one- and two-bedroom penthouse suites are ideal for entertaining. You can splurge on in-room dining or use the kitchenette to dish up hors d’oeuvres for a party on the terrace.

If you go

Hôtel Nelligan: 877-788-2040, 514-788-2040, hotelnelligan.com; 106 St-Paul St. W., Montreal.

Rates: from $389, including car service in a three-kilometre radius, Nespresso, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 24-hour fitness. Seven-day advance bookings save 15 per cent. Passeport Montréal package saves 10 per cent and includes attractions. Packages also with meals, parking, champagne, RainSpa, Fitz & Follwell bike tours, children’s amenities. Extra: in-room dining, in-room spa services, movies on demand, mini-bar, valet parking.

Info: Tourisme Montréal: 514-844-5400, 877-bonjour (877-266-5687), mtl.org; Old Montreal: 514-732-8685, vieuxmontreal.ca.

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