Introduction
The Fairmont Queen Elizabeth is a large hotel located in the city of Montreal. It was opened in 1958 and was originally owned by the Canadian Railways. Today, the property is managed by the ALL Accor Group. Probably the hotel’s most illustrious guests were John Lennon and Yoko Ono, who staged a bed-in at the hotel after they had been denied entry into the US for their vocal opposition to the Vietnam War. It was also at The Queen Elizabeth during that bed-in that they recorded Give Peace a Chance, which became Lennon’s first solo single without The Beatles.
Location
The hotel is located on the Boulevard René Lévesque, which runs parallel to St. Catherine’s Street, which is the main drag in the centre of Montreal. It’s also conveniently close to ICAO. The lobby has been kept in its original design, which must have been very chic at the time. The Accor group has invested heavily in renovating the hotel. What is quite strange about the hotel, is that it doesn‘t really have a lobby, at least not in the traditional sense. There is hardly anywhere to sit and the space feels more like a railway station than a hotel.
The Room
I’ve been upgraded to what I think is a Fairmont Gold Junior Suite, which gives me access to the Fairmont Gold Lounge on the 21st floor, although my room is on the 18th floor.
I have a corner room. The door opens into a small living room with a desk. Off to the right is the guest toilet.
The bedroom is off to the left of the entrance. It’s rather a large room that feels comfortable. The bed is great too. The Northamericans tend to have these overly soft beds, but this one is firm, with excellent lumbar support.
Amenities
The room has a kettle and a Nespresso Virtuo coffee machine. The minibar is fully stocked and the hotel provides complimentary still water, as the tap water, while drinkable, is heavily chlorinated. As a small welcome gift, the hotel has sent up two bottles of water, a bowl of fruit, and… eh, two Barbie branded squares of dark chocolate?
The Bathroom
The bathroom leads off from the bedroom. It has a separate bath and shower and there’s another toilet too. The amenities are by Le Labo, which is an American brand. The bathrobes are large and fluffy.
When I arrived at the hotel and explained that my suitcase had not made it, the receptionist very kindly provided a shaving and dental kit.
Being a corner room, I have a good view onto either side of the hotel. The bedroom overlooks René Levesque, whereas the living room looks out toward the St. Lawrence.
Breakfast at Rosély’s
There are several restaurants at the hotel. Breakfast is served at Rosély’s, which sits on a quiet side street across from Mary Queen of the World basilica. The breakfast is quite extensive, with both an à la carte and buffet option available. Alas, the coffee is dreadful. Everything else is good, though.
Fairmont Gold Lounge
Breakfast is also available in the Fairmont Gold Lounge on the 21st floor. The buffet selection is limited in comparison to what is available at the main restaurant on the ground floor, but the lounge is more intimate and the views are brilliant.
The Staff
A few days before my arrival, the hotel sends me an emailed informing me that its staff have been authorized to take industrial action, and that because of it, services at the hotel might be limited. So, I wasn‘t quite sure what to expect when I arrived. However, the only thing I notice during my stay is that the staff are in there civilian clothes, and not in uniform. Other than that, all the staff I interact with at the hotel are excellent. I already mentioned the receptionist who volunteered a shaving and dental kit when I told him about the lost suitcase. It‘s not just that they do their job well, they‘re also just very friendly about it. I hope they will be able to resolve their dispute with the hotel‘s management.
Conclusion
I very much enjoyed my stay at the Fairmont Queen Elizabeth. Its main selling point, for me, was the central location in the heart of town and within easy walking distance to ICAO. The room was comfortable and a good size.
What happened to your luggage?
It arrived the next day, at around nine in the evening. I could see my airtrag moving around Montreal on the delivery van.
Thank goodness. Delayed baggage is one of my worst fears when travelling.
I usually have a change of underwear in my hand luggage, just in case. And if that fails, I have an excuse to go shopping.
Hotel doesnt ‘Grab’ William——- i look for somewhere smaller ,more tasteful[important] and to use a word we often use ‘Cozier’!!
Well, for that you should probably try The Gault, on the other side of the ICAO building and closer to old Montreal.
Of course i meant coSier!—– Yes The Gault looks good.
The Gault is great. It’s slightly off the beaten track. I debated staying there on this last visit.
The furniture in the lobby doesn’t look all that comfortable, to be honest.
The rooms look nice though, even in the bathroom looks like it from the late 90s/early 2000s.
The lobby isn’t really all that inviting in general. But the room felt comfortable. Hotels in North America tend to have their own style that is very different to Europe and certainly also to Asia, I think.