Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth is an impressive hotel in Montréal, Canada that has been newly renovated and reigns with 1,037 rooms (100 are suites) and all the bells and whistles that one has come to expect from the Fairmont.
In early July 2011, I traveled to Montréal, in the province of Quebec, Canada to participate in the largest gathering of powersports enthusiasts for the BRP Club BRP and I stayed at the Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth that opened its doors in 1958. Throughout the years the hotel has, and continues to be, the place for dignitaries, heads-of-state, celebrities, and discerning travelers. The hotel gained additional notoriety when John Lennon and Yoko Ono held their famous “bed-in” in 1969 and wrote and recorded the song, Give Peace a Chance, during their stay in Suite 1742.
Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth
Upon entering the hotel, I walked into a warm and inviting lobby, which featured generous seating that provided a bit of the French ambience to sit and watch the action. Massive white pillars, mini palm trees, and pots brimming with flowers added to the relaxing and comfortable atmosphere.
Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth Lobby
The gourmand traveler will appreciate the hotel’s restaurants, The Beaver Club, “known as one of the best restaurants in the country”, Le Montréalais Bistrot-Bar-Restaurant known for its Mediterranean cuisine, Les Voyageurs Bar and Lounge, and the Boutique Gourmandise, The Beaver Club’s new gourmet food boutique. In addition, the Les Voyageurs Bar Lounge features live Jazz every Thursday at 9:00pm.
Boutique Gourmandise
During my stay, I had an excellent dinner at Le Montréalais Bistrot-Bar-Restaurant. The restaurant is located on two levels and has a large bar that also serves food that is the perfect stop while you are waiting for your table. This is definitely a restaurant with a view where you can sit and overlook the landmark, Mary Queen of the World Cathedral, as well as downtown Montréal, while enjoying your dinner or cocktail.
Le Montréalais
Highlights of my dinner included Thon blanc en carpaccio à l’orientale et tartare de saumon à l’huile de tomate séchée en duo (Oriental style white tuna carpaccio and salmon tartare with sun-dried tomato oil); and Suprême d’omble chevalier aux tomates fraîches et avocat, vinaigrette d’olives noires (Grilled fillet of arctic char with fresh tomatoes, avocado, and black olives vinaigrette).
Grilled Fillet of Artic Char
My spacious guestroom had a great view of downtown Montréal. The dark wood two-poster headboard king bed was dressed with Fairmont’s signature linens, a brown and gold coverlet, and a gold and brown striped bedskirt, and was flanked by matching nightstands. Three black and white photographs depicting architecture from around Montréal graced the wall above the bed.
Guest Room
The furniture included an oversized armoire, plush chocolate brown upholstered armchair with a matching ottoman and a floor lamp next to round glass table laden with a magazine. The room had ample mirrors with a mirror located over the desk, a full-length mirror on the closet door, a three-quarter mirror on the wall outside of the bathroom, and a mirror on the wall adjacent to the bed.
In-room amenities included complimentary newspaper, alarm clock-radio, Phillips television and Play Station®, coffee/tea maker with complimentary coffee/tea, iron and ironing board, mini-bar, two telephones with voice-mail (messages are accessible from outside the hotel), and windows that opened to the outside. The marble bathroom featured a combination shower and tub, a hairdryer, and Miller Harris amenities.
Business travelers can keep current with in-room computer dataport, wireless high-speed internet access, working desk with halogen lamp, and office supplies. The hotel also has a business center, and has wireless high speed internet access throughout the hotel.
Although Montréal is a walking city and provided me with plenty of opportunity to exercise, I appreciated their Health Club & Spa with 24-hour gym, and their indoor pool open from 6:00 am for early risers, and until 10:00 pm, for those who enjoy a late night swim.
Spacious Pool
The hotel is centrally located and just a short walk to the Palais des Congrès de Montréal Convention Centre nicknamed the “lifesaver building” for its colorful striped exterior, and the famous Crescent Street that becomes the place to be when the Formula One Teams descend on Montréal for the Grand Prix du Canada held at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve. In addition, the hotel is just a short walk to the Vieux-Port (Old Port) and Vieux- Montréal (Old Montréal). With its central location and excellent amenities and services, Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth will appeal to leisure as well as business travelers.
For information on the Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth, please visit the website: www.Fairmont.com/QueenElizabeth.
Read about Le Montréalais Bistrot-Bar-Restaurant in the Restaurants section.
Read the Chefs’ Recipes section where Chef Alain Pignard shares a few of his tempting recipes.
Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth
900 boul. René-Lévesque West
Montréal, Québec H3B 4A5
Canada
Telephone: +1-514-861-3511
Toll-Free: +1-800-257-7544 (US and Canada)
Toll-Free: +1-866-540-4483
Email: queenelizabeth.hotel@fairmont.com
Website: www.Fairmont.com/QueenElizabeth
Read other articles on Montréal in the Destinations, Restaurants, Chefs’ Recipes, and Adventures sections.
For more information on Montréal, please visit the websites: www.Tourism-Montreal.org, www.QuebecRegion.com, and www.BonJourQuebec.com.
© August 2011. Luxury Experience. www.LuxuryExperience.com All rights reserved.
