If I had to name a fairy tale castle in Canada, it would be Quebec City’s Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac. Sitting on a commanding cliff overlooking the mighty St. Lawrence River, the iconic hotel has offered shelter to historical figures, modern-day celebrities, and regular folks like me.
On my recent visit, I learned it was a host hotel for the Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament. The lobby was crawling with excited 12-year-old boys. I was there to attend a more sedate travel journalist association meeting. Suffice to say, this beautiful Grand Dame hotel was up for any challenge.
Upon asking around, I also learned the modern and more conventional Hilton was a host for the wee hockey players.
Located inside the walls of the city’s historic vieux district, the Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac offers 610 rooms. Since its original construction in 1899, the hotel has experienced numerous renovations and additions. That explained why there were three separate banks of elevators. Plus, very few of the guest rooms are alike.
Few Rooms are Alike at Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac
I was in a corner Fairmont Queen room with views of the city and river. Also available were King rooms and a variety of suites, many themed. In addition, the Fairmont Gold rooms were on floors 12-17 and provided a boutique experience with a private concierge, lounge, breakfast, and bar.
Themed suites included one named for Princess Grace of Monaco who came to Quebec City for the annual Winter Carnival in 1969. There were also suites dedicated to Alfred Hitchcock whose film “I Confess” was shot on site, Celine Dion, who performed here early in her career, and Queen Elizabeth, who stayed here with Prince Phillip. I was told the suites come with butler service to take care of treats such as fresh flowers, chocolates, and champagne.
I learned all this intel on a one-hour hotel tour, which is available for guests for $20. An interesting tid bit? The Celine Dion suite is popular with bachelorette parties.
Room amenities included WiFi, a mini-bar, an adjustable thermostat, a coffee and tea maker, and a flat-screen TV.
Enjoy Shopping and Other On-site Amenities
Fairmont Chateau Frontenac was almost like a contained village. On the lobby level were shops such as Boutique Lambert & Co. featuring made-in-Quebec items such as woollen garments and crafts. Artist-in-residence, Annie Pelletier, has a spot next door where she sells her whimsical paintings of the hotel. I found her in front of the store painting a canvas and she told me she’s willing to create commissioned pieces for interested guests.
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An indoor pool with a Jacuzzi was on the 6th floor. The women’s dressing room had a steam bath while the men’s had a dry sauna. Moment Spa was on this level with a menu of massages, facials, and mani-pedis. Plus, there was a fitness room that was open 24/7.
Dig into Culinary Excellence at Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac
At Place Dufferin, I discovered a daily breakfast buffet for $49. Stations were spread with smoked salmon and trout, fresh-baked croissants, bread, and pastries. Refrigerated shelves offered charcuterie and artisanal Quebec cheeses, yogurt, fruit, and muesli. In addition, hot items included scrambled eggs, bacon, and sausage, and you can order omelettes and eggs Benedict.
I headed to Bistro Le Sam for lunch, named after city founder Samuel de Champlain. French onion soup, salads, seafood casseroles, charcuterie boards, pulled beef cheek poutine, burgers, and sandwiches are a few of the menu staples. Originally, the outer part of the restaurant was a covered porch, but it’s been glassed in and provides panorama views of the St. Lawrence River.
On my final night, I splurged at the Champlain restaurant. The six-course tasting menu paid homage to local Quebecois producers with small plates of foie gras, Arctic Char, walleye, and duck. Plus there was wine pairing with vintages sourced from the restaurant’s state-of-the-art, 1600-bottle wine cellar.
Unwind and Relax with a Cocktail
For a happy hour pick-me-up or nightcap, the 1608 Bar can be found between Bistro Le Sam and Champlain restaurants. It is named after the year Quebec City was founded. The bar is a draw for guests and locals alike with its craft cocktails, river views, circular brass bar, and sparkling chandeliers.
I was there in the winter, but I was told Eléa is an outdoor bar on the 6th floor. In the summer, when it opens, you can unwind with a glass of wine while stretching out on a lounge chair.
A Little History of the Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac
The hotel is named after flamboyant French governor Louis de Buade, Count of Frontenac, who ruled New France from 1672 to 1698. On my way to breakfast on the Dufferin Terrace level, I spied exhibits displaying artifacts, such as tea cups and plates from various time periods, that were excavated from an area in front of the hotel. This is where the governors’ residences and Saint-Louis Forts once stood, first built by famed French explorer Samuel de Champlain in 1620.
Over the years, the hotel has hosted historic gatherings. Sir Winston Churchill, President Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Canadian Prime Minister Mackenzie King attended the secret First Quebec Conferences in 1943 to plan the invasion of Normandy that led to the eventual end of the Second World War. Plus, Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau and his son Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stayed there numerous times.
Rates at Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac
Fairmont Queen rooms range from $330-380. Fairmont Gold rooms start at $670 per night. River views are extra. Suites range from $1,500-$4,000 per night.
Check rates online at Expedia, Booking.com, or Hotels.com.
Hotel feature by Toronto-based travel writer Maureen Littlejohn. Photos © Maureen Littlejohn. Visit Quebec helped arrange for her stay as she researched a larger piece. As always, her thoughts and opinions are her own.
