Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth (Le Reine Elizabeth)

Description:

• Montréal's largest hotel -- it has more than 1,000 rooms -- has lent its august presence to the city since 1958. Its 21 floors sit atop VIA Rail's Gare Centrale (the main train station), with the Métro and popular shopping areas such as Place Ville-Marie and Place Bonaventure all accessible through underground arcades. This desirable location makes "the Queenie" a frequent choice for heads of state and touring celebrities, even though other hotels in town offer more luxurious pampering. The Fairmont Gold 18th and 19th floors (open to anyone willing to pay a premium) have a private concierge and reception and a lounge serving complimentary breakfasts and cocktail-hour canapés to go with the honor bar. Less exalted rooms on floors 4 through 17 are entirely satisfactory, furnished traditionally and featuring easy chairs, ottomans, and bright reading lamps. The on-site spa was renovated in 2006. February 2009 will mark the 40th anniversary of John Lennon and Yoko Ono's weeklong "Bed-In for Peace" here -- in suite no. 1742, if you're a fan.

  Facilities:3 restaurants (French/International); 2 bars; heated indoor pool; exceptional health club and spa w/Jacuzzi, steam room, and instructors; concierge; business center; shopping arcade; 24-hr. room service; babysitting; laundry service; same-day dry cleaning; executive floors.

• © Frommer's 2012

Awards:

Frommer's

•  Highly Recommended 2010