Downtown / Central Station

Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth

★★★★★

The Queen Elizabeth is the hotel that most Montrealers would name if asked for the city's grand address, and for a first visit it is hard to beat for convenience and atmosphere. It opened in 1958 as a 21-storey hotel built directly above Central Station, on Boulevard Rene-Levesque in the heart of downtown, and quickly became the city's stage for state visits, conventions and celebrations: Queen Elizabeth II visited in 1959, it served as headquarters for the 1976 Olympic Games, and in 1969 John Lennon and Yoko Ono staged their Bed-In for Peace in Suite 1742, where they recorded Give Peace a Chance. That suite, restored with memorabilia, can still be booked. A major transformation in 2016 and 2017 modernised the whole hotel, and today it offers 950 rooms and suites in a contemporary style, with a Fairmont Gold floor that acts as a hotel within the hotel, with a private lounge, breakfast, afternoon canapes, an honesty bar and dedicated concierge. The restaurant Rosélys serves refined local cuisine, Sunday brunch and afternoon tea; Nacarat is a cocktail bar popular with locals; and Marche Artisans offers a curated market of local products and casual dining. Wellness facilities include the Moment Spa, an indoor pool with a hot tub and saunas, and a fitness centre open around the clock. The hotel is pet-friendly. Its biggest practical advantage is location: you can walk indoors from your room to Central Station, the train to the airport area and the Underground City, then on to the metro, Place Ville Marie and the Eaton Centre, which makes a winter stay far easier. Old Montreal is a fifteen-minute walk downhill, and the Museum of Fine Arts and Mount Royal are up the hill. Rates are upper-mid to luxury, and the size means it can feel busy during big conventions.

Rooms and service: rooms are bright and modern, with Quebec design touches, good beds and work areas, and higher floors give views over downtown and Mount Royal or toward the river. Fairmont Gold is worth considering for longer stays or business trips, as the lounge, breakfast and evening canapes add real value. The Lennon-Ono suite is a pop-culture pilgrimage for music fans and a memorable option for an anniversary. Service is polished and efficient, as befits one of the busiest hotels in Canada.

Eating and drinking: Rosélys works well for a relaxed dinner or the weekend brunch, and its afternoon tea is a pleasant winter ritual. Nacarat's cocktails draw a lively after-work crowd. Marche Artisans is handy for breakfast, coffee and quick meals, with local products to take home. For more choice, the restaurants of downtown, the food halls and the Underground City are steps away.

Location and who it suits: the Queen Elizabeth sits at the crossroads of downtown, directly linked to Central Station and the indoor pedestrian network, a short walk from the Bonaventure and McGill metro stations. It suits first-time visitors, families who want a pool, business travellers and anyone visiting in winter who wants to stay warm between sights. Those looking for intimate, historic charm may prefer a boutique hotel in Old Montreal; those who want a landmark with history, every facility and an unbeatable transport hub will be happy here.