I’ve read all the threads but where should I stay? Could be just me. Could be me and wife. Is the pedestrian village the safest/closest place to race?
Yes, I would say so. I’ve never raced there, but have been there many times. I found a place near the swim start at the base of the pedestrian village… hoping to be able to run in for any last-minute pit stops so I can avoid the long lineups at the port-a-potties. 
The Pedestrian village puts you closest to everything other than the swim start which is only a short walk away. Depending on which hotel you stay at, you will be between 30 seconds and a 5 min walk (maybe) from the transition/finish line area.
stay in the village if possible.
i stayed at the tour de voyageurs (I and II) and loved it. packet pickup, transition, expo, gondola, event dinner and the finish line are all right by the hotel. there’s two other hotels right next to the voyageurs, but i dont remember the names. try and stay in of these four hotels. i did all my shopping halfway up the village in a small grocery store that should have everything you need.
La Quintessence if you can swing it.
http://www.hotelquintessence.com/en/
I rented a condo for this race last year. It was up the street from transition. 2 BR, kitchen, etc. It was less than a 5 minute walk to the finish and cost around $1000 for the week. I found it on VRBO. I would stay there again in a heartbeat.
Is the Fairmont Tremblant a decent place? It looks like it is at the back of the village but may be a bit quieter. Seems like many commented that the closer to the center square you are the louder the noise.
The Fairmont hotels are generally very swanky – I’m sure you’d have a wonderful stay there.
I’ve stayed twice at Le Kandahar which is about 1 min tops from transition and never had any issues with noise. Our room was facing out the back of the hotel though, that could certainly play a part.
Yep, pedestrian village or the condos on the hill (condos all have adequate parking, not sure about the village). I booked a 2br/2ba condo in L’Algonquin here for IMMT '13 and it was fantastic: http://www.rvmt.com/en/
Is the Fairmont Tremblant a decent place? It looks like it is at the back of the village but may be a bit quieter. Seems like many commented that the closer to the center square you are the louder the noise.
Fairmont is great and if you are too lazy to walk the gondola takes you in 90 seconds to body marking (done that once). I really like L’Ermitage du Lac. 1 block back from the finish line, kitchenette and breakfasts included in the price (well, it ain’t cheap, but it’s not jacked up either).
Anything in the village or a condo on the mountain is fine. Alternatively a condo by the Casino and you are one gondola ride away from the village, but very quiet…if you want to blow out your legs on race week you can also do bike or run repeats on the casino hill climb…we do as part of our camp there in July…everyone hates that climb by the end of the camp, but once race day come around, all the climbs are easier.
Stay somewhere where they are fluent English speakers! If you don’t get that right, the rest will turn to shit.
I did Esprit Triathlon (IM) a bunch of years ago. English speakers were as rare as hens teeth. My race went badly (ITB syndrome on the run) but the whole experience with those ^%$* francophones made the whole trip a disaster! My wife has sworn to never ever set foot in Quebec ever again, and I don’t blame her. They make the actual French people seem like a sharing caring bunch of people.
When I die and go to hell, it will be full of French Canadians and I’ll be stuck with them for all eternity. The only good thing about Quebecers is that they make the best strippers.
But I digress. Enjoy your race. At least it’s really picturesque.
I stayed at the Fairmont for IMMT 2012 and don’t regret it in the least - I ended up there last minute as we came into our new puppy 4 weeks earlier than planned so he made the trip to MT and we needed to move to a place that was pet friendly. Hotel was very accommodating to all weird requests (cutlery and plate related mainly for race morning), gushed nonstop over the pup and is close but nicely removed from the centre of the mayhem.
I did both the 1/2 and the full. I stayed in a condo that had shuttle service for the 1/2 which worked out fine. For the full I stayed across the street from the swim start at Intrawest. Excellent location, I was able to put my wetsuit on in my room and I had my own bathroom to use before the race started.
I’m sure they fondly remember you and your wife too 
.
Stay somewhere where they are fluent English speakers! If you don’t get that right, the rest will turn to shit.
I did Esprit Triathlon (IM) a bunch of years ago. English speakers were as rare as hens teeth. My race went badly (ITB syndrome on the run) but the whole experience with those ^%$* francophones made the whole trip a disaster! My wife has sworn to never ever set foot in Quebec ever again, and I don’t blame her. They make the actual French people seem like a sharing caring bunch of people.
When I die and go to hell, it will be full of French Canadians and I’ll be stuck with them for all eternity. The only good thing about Quebecers is that they make the best strippers.
But I digress. Enjoy your race. At least it’s really picturesque.
Boston Bruins fan?
This might be our only chance for a miracle Stanley Cup run like the 1993 Miracle of St. Patrick Roy…or maybe the dreams will be dashed at Madison Square Gardens…grew up with Guy Lafleur, Steve Shutt (60 goal year) and the slightly prior to that, the rookie Calder Cup (MVP) winning Ken Dryden…maybe every 20 years or so they can pull it off. Now back to where to stay on the Mountain…
Is the Fairmont Tremblant a decent place? It looks like it is at the back of the village but may be a bit quieter. Seems like many commented that the closer to the center square you are the louder the noise.
I stayed at the fairmont for IMMT in 2012 and I’m booked in for 70.3 worlds as well. Great hotel. Only downside is after the race there is a hill and several flights of stairs to negotiate to get back to your room even after taking the gondola! Highly unpleasant as I recall from IMMT!
Edited to add that pretty much everyone at every hotel and restaurant in the village speaks English. That being said the effort to learn and use even a few words of basic French is usually appreciated
Stay somewhere where they are fluent English speakers! If you don’t get that right, the rest will turn to shit.
I did Esprit Triathlon (IM) a bunch of years ago. English speakers were as rare as hens teeth. My race went badly (ITB syndrome on the run) but the whole experience with those ^%$* francophones made the whole trip a disaster! My wife has sworn to never ever set foot in Quebec ever again, and I don’t blame her. They make the actual French people seem like a sharing caring bunch of people.
When I die and go to hell, it will be full of French Canadians and I’ll be stuck with them for all eternity. The only good thing about Quebecers is that they make the best strippers.
But I digress. Enjoy your race. At least it’s really picturesque.
I’m looking forward to practicing my French when I go there in September.
I’m partial to the Marriott (Residence Inn I believe) that’s right in the village. Steps away from from all the action, and it’s at the base of the village so no need to negotiate the climb and/or gondola. Full breakfast every morning doesn’t hurt either…