Hotel
Ritz-Carlton Montréal
Sherbrooke Street grande dame opened in 1912, restored in 2012, with 129 rooms and suites, Maison Boulud, afternoon tea in the Palm Court and an indoor…
Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth
Downtown landmark opened in 1958 above the central train station, renovated in 2017, where John Lennon and Yoko Ono staged their 1969 Bed-In.
At a glance
- Type
- Luxury landmark hotel
- Area
- Downtown, Montreal, Canada
- Price
- $$$$ · Luxury
- Official site
- fairmont.com
Good to know
- Indoor pool
- Sauna
- Relaxation centre
- Bar and restaurant
- Market and café
- Underground city access
- Bike rental
Why we recommend it
Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth opened on 15 April 1958 on boulevard René-Lévesque in downtown Montreal, and it remains one of the city's largest hotels, with around 950 rooms and 100 suites across 21 floors. It is owned by Ivanhoé Cambridge and operated by Fairmont. The hotel closed on 17 June 2016 for a renovation costing about 140 million Canadian dollars and reopened on 10 July 2017.
Its most famous moment came in 1969. From 26 May to 2 June that year, John Lennon and Yoko Ono held their Bed-In for peace in Room 1742, and Give Peace a Chance was recorded in the room on 1 June.
After the renovation, the hotel adopted a concept it sums up as for Montrealers, by Montrealers, with a restaurant, a bar, a market and an urban café that showcase local products and talent. Guests have an indoor pool, a sauna and a relaxation centre, and the hotel offers bike rental and childcare. There are also extensive spaces for conferences, weddings and private events. Guests can also use a convenience store and luggage storage on site.
The position is its biggest practical advantage. The hotel sits above the central train station and is connected to the underground city, Montreal's network of indoor passages, which is a real benefit in winter. The Bell Centre, the Quartier des spectacles and the main downtown museums are all close by, so it suits business travellers, conference visitors, families and anyone arriving by train.
Rooms are in the upper price range. Paid indoor parking and electric vehicle charging are available, and Kéroul rates the hotel as partially accessible. The hotel also holds Green Key certification for its environmental practices.
The market and urban café make it easy to grab breakfast or a coffee before heading out, and the bar is a useful meeting point in the evening. Old Montreal is a short taxi ride away, and the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts and the shops of downtown are within walking distance. For train travellers, being able to step from the platform into the hotel without going outdoors is a significant convenience, especially in the winter months.
Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth FAQs
When did it open?
On 15 April 1958.
How many rooms are there?
Around 950 rooms and 100 suites across 21 floors.
What happened in Room 1742?
John Lennon and Yoko Ono held their Bed-In there in 1969 and recorded Give Peace a Chance.
Is it connected to the train station?
Yes. It sits above the central train station and links to the underground city.
Is there a pool?
Yes. There is an indoor pool and a sauna.
When was it renovated?
It closed in June 2016 and reopened on 10 July 2017 after a major renovation.
Who operates it?
Fairmont Hotels and Resorts; it is owned by Ivanhoé Cambridge.
Is it accessible?
Kéroul rates it as partially accessible.