A Regal Name, However Plain
By A Yahoo! Contributor, 11/17/06
If you have never been to The Fairmont Queen Elizabeth, but are planning a trip, don't get your hopes up too high. The Ritz, Pomp, and Opulance that comes to mind when you think of The Queen of England and probably are accustomed to if a Fairmont regular is simply not found here. This is a nice hotel don't get me wrong. It is just plain by Fairmont standards. It does not deliver the impressive lobbies and appearance of say The Empress in Victoria or the Chateau Frontenac in Quebec. It reminds you of a supersized polished up Holiday Inn.
The location is good. The access to the underground shopping world in Montreal is also attractive giving you access to an enormous shopping experience without ever stepping outside.
The hotel is clean and comfortable. However Montreal really is not. The service is good and is strong as is the standard set very high by Fairmont Hotels. The staff and concierge very professional and helpful. The rooms were modest, comfortable, and roomy, but not absolutely the best the Fairmont has to offer. The food was good and it was a nice place.
The pool was rather small, and in the basement.
I would have to say if I ever went back to Montreal, which is unlikely, I might take my chances and try out another high end hotel. It was a Fairmont, and that had some things going for it. It just wasn't as Queenly as I had anticipated.