AAAI 2027 Montreal: Travel Guide and Where to Stay
The AAAI Conference on Artificial Intelligence returns to Montreal in February 2027, running February 16-23 at the Palais des congrès de Montréal (Montreal Convention Centre). AAAI is A* ranked and one of the broadest AI conferences on the calendar — machine learning, knowledge representation, planning, robotics, NLP, computer vision, and AI ethics all in one program. If you’re planning the trip, there’s one thing you need to know upfront: February in Montreal is serious winter.
The venue: Palais des congrès
The Montreal Convention Centre sits in the heart of downtown at Place Jean-Paul-Riopelle, right on the edge of Old Montreal. It’s a striking building — the coloured glass facade is one of Montreal’s more recognisable landmarks — and it’s genuinely well set up for large conferences: over 55 flexible meeting rooms, four halls, and strong AV and hybrid infrastructure.
More importantly for February: the convention centre connects directly to the RÉSO, Montreal’s famous underground city. The RÉSO is a 33km network of underground pedestrian tunnels linking hotels, metro stations, shopping centres, restaurants, and office buildings across downtown. For AAAI attendees, this means you can go from your hotel to the convention centre and back without stepping outside once. In -15°C weather with wind chill, that matters.
February in Montreal
Montreal in February is cold — average lows around -14°C, average highs around -5°C, with wind chill pushing the feels-like temperature significantly lower on bad days. Snow is common. That said, Montrealers are well adapted to it and the city doesn’t shut down. The RÉSO keeps most of the downtown functional regardless of conditions.
What to pack: A proper winter coat (not just a heavy jacket), waterproof boots with grip, thermal layers, hat, gloves, scarf. If you’re coming from a warmer climate, don’t underestimate this. Conference venues and hotels are well heated — you’ll be warm indoors — but the walk between your taxi and the door requires real kit.
The upside: Montreal in winter is less busy than summer, hotel rates are generally lower than peak season, and the city has a genuinely cozy after-dark culture — warm bars, excellent restaurants, and the kind of indoor life that makes cold cities liveable.
Getting to Montreal
Flying in: Montreal-Trudeau International Airport (YUL) handles most international flights. The trip from YUL to downtown takes about 25-30 minutes by taxi or rideshare (around CAD $50-60). There’s no direct airport rail link — taxis and rideshares are the standard option. The 747 Express bus is much cheaper but slower and less practical with luggage in winter.
From the US: Amtrak’s Adirondack runs from New York Penn Station to Montreal in about 10-11 hours — a reasonable option for US East Coast attendees who prefer train travel.
Within Montreal: The STM metro is clean, reliable, and connects most of the city. The convention centre is closest to Place-d’Armes station (Orange Line) and Square-Victoria–OACI station. With the RÉSO connecting hotels near downtown, you may find you barely need the metro during the conference itself.
Where to stay
Most of the recommended hotels are within the RÉSO network or a short walk from the convention centre. For February, being connected underground is a genuine quality-of-life difference.
Splurge
InterContinental Montreal connects directly to the World Trade Centre and is close to Square-Victoria. Indoor saltwater pool, sauna, upscale rooms. One of the better luxury options in the convention district.
Le Westin Montreal blends European style with modern comforts near Old Montreal — indoor pool, hot tub, sauna. Slightly more character than a standard business hotel.
Warwick Le Crystal is a 5-star option near the Bell Centre, about 15 minutes walk from the convention centre. Worth it if you want a proper luxury stay and don’t mind the distance.
Mid-range
Hotel Monville sits about 200m from the convention centre — one of the closest hotels to the venue. Modern fit-out, free WiFi, EV charging, restaurant. Hard to beat for proximity.
Embassy Suites by Hilton Montreal is adjacent to the Palais des congrès with all-suite rooms including kitchenettes. Good for attendees who want more space or a longer stay.
DoubleTree by Hilton Montreal is in the cultural district with an indoor pool and spa services. Solid 4-star choice with good amenities for the price.
Courtyard by Marriott Montreal Downtown offers indoor pool, fitness centre, and spa with Turkish bath — more amenities than you’d expect from the brand, and well-priced.
Holiday Inn Montreal Centre-Ville Downtown sits near the Old Port with pool, sauna, and restaurant. Good mid-range option if the properties closest to the venue are sold out.
Budget
Le Dauphin Montreal Centre-Ville (3-star) is on Rue de Bleury near the convention centre — basic but well-located, with kitchenettes in some rooms.
Travelodge Montreal Centre sits 300m from Place d’Armes metro station at a genuinely low price point. No frills, but clean and central. Best option for grad students watching costs.
Full hotel listings with booking links at workwander.tech/conference/aaai_2027.
Food and neighbourhoods
Old Montreal (Vieux-Montréal): A 10-minute walk from the convention centre — cobblestone streets, historic architecture, waterfront views on the St Lawrence. In February it’s quieter than summer but still open. Good restaurants clustered around Rue Saint-Paul.
Quartier des Spectacles: The cultural district surrounding the convention centre has good bars and restaurants, and is where most of the after-conference socialising happens. Rue Sainte-Catherine runs through it.
Little Italy and Mile End: About 20 minutes by metro — worth a dinner or two if you’re extending your trip. Some of Montreal’s best independent restaurants are in this area.
The food: Montreal has a genuine food culture. Bagels (Montreal-style, wood-fired, different from New York), smoked meat sandwiches at Schwartz’s, poutine in approximately infinite variations. The restaurant scene across all price points is strong.
The CFP
The AAAI 2027 paper submission deadline is August 1, 2026, with notifications expected November 3, 2026. Abstract registration typically opens a few weeks before the full paper deadline — check aaai.org for the full timeline.
Plan your trip
Full conference details, hotel picks, and venue information: workwander.tech/conference/aaai_2027
Montreal city guide — neighbourhoods, transport, and what to do: workwander.tech/city/montreal