Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth

Montreal’s Queen Elizabeth has seen some things; its most famous guest is the one who gave it its name, and John Lennon and Yoko Ono are not far behind. But in its 21st-century form it’s not content to rest on its historical laurels. After a thorough renovation it’s now the decidedly contemporary Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth, and it’s once more right where it belongs, in the top tier of Montreal’s luxury hospitality scene.

Its setting could hardly be more central, convenient to both downtown and Vieux-Montréal, and while it’s got much to offer design-agnostic business travelers, it’s frankly a lot more stylish than it strictly needs to be. Visually, its interiors are a tribute to the era of the hotel’s founding, with the benefit of 60+ years’ perspective, incorporating only the most successful elements of mid-century Modernism circa 1958.

The in-room comforts are decidedly luxe, and so are the Queen Elizabeth’s services, including an expansive wellness program and an upscale bistronomic restaurant. And it’s certainly not every day you come across a luxury hotel with a suite that’s a detailed reproduction of John and Yoko’s famous “bed-in for peace.”