Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth, Montreal

Location

A local landmark with a legendary story, the setting for John Lennon and Yoko Ono's famous bed-in for peace in 1969 - and where Lennon wrote and recorded Give Peace a Chance. The hotel is conveniently located on top of the Montreal Central train station and is connected to two metro stations as well as Montréal’s Underground City, which comprises over 20 miles of pedestrian walkways, shopping centres and entertainment venues. Above ground, the Bell Centre, Entertainment District and the hubbub of Rue Sainte-Catherine are a short stroll away.

Accommodation

There are a mind-boggling 950 rooms at this hotel and feature a slick new look with all the trappings – including Nepresso machines, USB ports and seamless connectivity – expected in a modern hotel. Bathrooms are timeless and comfortable, with Le Labo toiletries. 

Dining

A destination in itself, the street-facing Rosélys Restaurant serves up casual bistro fare in a chic setting and is humming from the first serving of salmon and caviar-topped poached eggs in the morning, to the last plate of deliciously juicy côte de boeuf in the evening. The buffet breakfast includes all the usual crowd-pleasers from eggs to crêpes and, of course, fresh bagels and smoked salmon. The setting here is chic with a crisp geometric design based on chevron patterns.

For a quick pick-me-up, Kréma Café serves a mean coffee produced by local roasters and for those nipping out of meetings, healthy ready-made meals can be bought to take away at the lobby-located Marché Artisans, Canada’s first urban market. A substantial drinks list can be enjoyed at Nacarat Bar.

Facilities

As part of the renovation project, the grande dame is back on top form with a series of new restaurants and a completely renovated wellness centre and indoor pool with brand new state-of-the-art equipment, including virtual yoga and pilates classes. There is also a sleek new spa that covers all bases from full massotherapy treatments, that uses bamboo, water lily and hibiscus massage oil, to quick pick-me-ups like the 25-minute Glow and Go Facial Treatment.