A lot of the hotel names you've listed that I recognize are in the Old Prot. It's the more swanky area of town -- lots of business travellers and rich tourists as well as local business people. Not sure if that's what you're looking for. The hotels in this area are mostly all five-star kinda stuff.
The Plateau is the sort of hip bohemian area of the city if that's what you're looking for. Mostly artsy hippy types. It's also where most of the ethnic neighbourhoods are -- Little Italy, Portugal, France, the Jewish quarter, etc. Cheap, good restaurants and pubs abound.
Personally, if I had to get a hotel I'd stay around the Latin Quarter, which is about halfway between the Plateau and Old Port, geographically speaking. It's where most the young locals go (including myself); you won't find many tourists around. The lodging around here are mostly B&Bs, although nice ones. It's also primarily French speaking. Not sure if that bothers you or not. If it does, downtown (Crescent, Bishop, de la Montange) is mostly an English speaking crowd.
Downtown is another option. Close to everything listed above, but nothing overly spectacular to see (imo).
If there's anything else I can help with (restaurants and such) just fire away. I love this city!
|