Ever been tempted to sit in a hotel for a weekend? What about a week? Or perhaps you’ve been tempted to write a classic protest song?
If so, then Bienvenue to the Fairmont Queen Elizabeth Hotel in Montreal, the largest hotel in Quebec with 950 rooms.
History
It was a cold November weekend when we arrived at this famous railway hotel, whose name was inspired by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth just a few short years after her 1952 coronation.
At the time, the hotel was seen as a trailblazer, featuring central air-conditioning, direct dial phones, and escalators. Tons of concrete beams were installed to minimize vibrations from the trail tracks underneath.
Soon after its opening, it began attracting a cosmopolitan crowd, with the royals visiting often. However, the first head of state to stay was none other than Fidel Castro, a very proletarian choice.
Charles de Gaulle, the Dalai Lama, Jimmy Carter, and even George W. Bush came and stayed, but the most famous guests were undoubtedly John Lennon and Yoko Ono.
Seconded in room 1742 for one week in 1969, the Lennon-Ono Bed-In attracted worldwide media attention and was the scene for the recording of ‘Peace a Chance’ on June 1st, 1969.
Their renovated Lennon/Ono suite is crammed with mementos and furnishings from that era, including an old TV set, room service orders, and a vintage reel-to-reel tape recording machine. The spacious suite is almost always rented out, although it is easily the largest room in the hotel. And yes, there’s even an old rotary phone.
Rooms
In-room amenities include a Nespresso coffee machine, Le Labo luxury bath products, Fairmont Robes, a mini-bar, an in-room safe, ironing facilities, and high-speed Wi-Fi access.
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Restaurants
The Reine Elizabeth’s High Tea is held Saturdays at 2 pm, at Rosélys Restaurant, a name meant to reflect Montreal’s historical English/French heritage, read Rose and Lys. Their high tea is a modern take on the old British tradition – a perfect metaphor for Montreal, and a reflection of the city’s flag.
You’ll first be asked if you want champagne or prosecco. The wine selection is phenomenal, and the restaurant has received a distinction from Wine Spectator magazine.
Sunday brunch at Rosélys’ was full, and people came dressed for church, befitting Montreal’s overall interest in being well-dressed. (And, this was Queen Elizabeth, after all!)
Fresh fish food samplings included sushi, seared beef sashimi, smoked salmon, salmon gravlax infused with Labrador Tea, giant shrimps, and salads of scallops and shrimps.
Other than the Sunday Brunch, Rosélys offers both a full buffet and à la carte options. If you stay on the Fairmont Gold floors, you have a complimentary deluxe continental breakfast in the private lounge.
Next to Rosélys, inside the lobby, is the Marché Artisans. Calling it a food court does it no justice. I would see it more as a Gourmet Food station, with high-end groceries. You can order a light meal and partake in pastry and pizza-making classes.
Don’t pass up the homemade ice creams and sorbet by French chef Jean-Marc Guillot, Maître Glacier.
The Reine Elizabeth remembers its origins. Banana bread, a staple at the Beaver Club in the original hotel (before total renovations in 2017), is available at the Kréma Cafe, but plan on arriving early, as it sells out.
Nightlife and Cocktails
Interested in experiencing Montreal’s nightlife? If you choose to stay at the hotel, the Reine Elizabeth has a solution for that too.
Located in their Nacarat Bar, mixology courses are available with bartender Marky, a veteran of the Montreal barkeeping scene.
Marky chose to show us how to concoct two Scotch cocktails, carefully teaching how to measure the right amounts of ‘Monkey Shoulder’ Scotch, with just the right amount of bitters, vermouth, syrups, and different juices.
It was all hands on, except for the lemon and orange juices, which had already been prepared for us.
We were seated at the bar, but at appropriate moments we were served clever mini-appetizers like beet salad and beef tartare. A professional hockey player happened to be taking the mixology class with us, and this chance meeting reminded me that the National Hockey League Entry Draft was held at the hotel often in the 60s and 70s.
Facilities
The hotel has a wellness centre, a spa connected to its indoor pool, saunas, and a 24/7 gym.
Nearby
Should you want to venture outside the hotel, you are steps from the Molson Centre, home to the Canadiens de Montréal, and Ste Catherine Street, with stores galore.
Rooms overlook Mary, Queen of the World Cathedral on one side, and L’Anneau of Place Ville Marie on the other.
Final Thoughts
Rates vary based on seasonality and room type. Generally, prices start around $350 Canadian per night in the low season.
Packages like the ‘Bed and Breakfast’ deal, family offers (such as 50% off a second room), and ‘Urban Retreat’ ones that include spa credits also exist.
Check rates for Montreal’s Fairmont Hotel Reine Elizabeth online at Expedia, Booking.com, Agoda.com, or Hotels.com.
The concierge, either in the main lobby or on the Fairmont Gold floors, is extremely knowledgeable about what to do in Montreal.
Fully accessible rooms designed for guests with reduced mobility are available, as is access for furry companions.
Hotel feature by Quebec City-based travel writer Bruce Sach. Photos @Carole Jobin. The Queen Elizabeth Hotel arranged for his visit to the hotel. As always, his thoughts and opinions are his own.
