Long Live the Queen…

And Her Guests

It was a spring with royal events on our minds, so what better way to continue the celebrations than with a stay at Montreal’s iconic Fairmont Queen Elizabeth. Fresh off a full renovation that had her closed for several years, Montreal’s grand dame has leapt back to life with an exciting modern take on vintage flair.

Bold and full of fresh energy, the now 950 rooms and suites offer bright and dynamic interiors and, as expected, the latest high-tech bells and whistles. Making us feel right at home, Fairmont Gold’s three floors offer a convenient and nicely done “hotel within a hotel” concept with spectacular city views, private lounge access and an 85,000  square-foot business hub.

And, most fabulously, along with other crowd-pleasing new dining options, the renos gave birth to Marche Artisans, a unique food market with a nod to local fare and sustainability. Here, guests and locals alike can browse, enjoy meals and take-away from mouth-watering food stations. Artisans also boasts an oh-so-tempting pastry counter, ice-cream and crepe bar and, my favourite, a unique chocolate station.
fairmont.com

hf-qe2Whole lot of “LOV”
Sip, share and savour at this charming botanical bistro on McGill Street. The LOV concept is grounded in the principles of slowing down and offering pleasurable meals that can be eaten in good conscience. A popular hot spot where the menu overflows with organic, healthy, vegan and vegetarian  choices, set in a fresh and fabulous interior, it’s also home to a delightful patio that’s all abuzz on warm summer evenings.
lov.com

Give peace a chance
Completely re-imagined for a walk down memory lane and a virtual-reality experience to commemorate the renowned event, the world-famous John Lennon and Yoko Ono Suite is a stunning time capsule. The site of the 1969 “bed-in for peace” where John actually composed and recorded “Give Peace a Chance,” the modern living-room area re-creates the famous scene. The 17th-floor suite is available to fans for a seasonal rate starting at $2,300 a night. It has a fabulous city view, separate bedroom, two king beds, a dining-room area with kitchenette and two bathrooms.

Get our newsletter

Get monthly updates with unique HomeFront updates and stay up to date with tips and trends

The Meandering Epicurist

Trattoria Amano In nature documentaries, a python swallows a peccary and slithers away too stupefied to do anything but sleep for a month. I feel the same after scarfing huge plates of pasta that most Canadian Italian restaurants serve. Chef

Towards longevity: A recipe for change

By Caroline Tapp-McDougall With a one-of-a kind reputation for it’s integrative medicine practices, Spain’s SHA Wellness Clinic has brought its leading-edge approach to preventative health, wellness and longevity to a purpose-built destination on the coastline in Costa Mujeres. After 15

Délicieux détours dans la belle province

Nestled in the heart of the Old Port, the Auberge Saint-Antoine is spread over a trio of historic stone buildings. When it was built, a major archaeological took place on the site. As a result, the family owned luxury hotel

Liquid Assets gets sophisticated

Lose yourself in beauty, harmony and pure prestige Turn your bathroom into a temple of wellness with this marble tub that boasts incredible workmanship and welcomes the body in a timeless, ergonomic embrace.kreoo.com  Let your inner diva rise to the

Bella Cucina goes back to inside dining

A multifunctional space par excellence The kitchen is the emotional epicentre of the home, a true theatre of domestic sociality. Functionality, balance of shapes, comfort, beauty and essential elegance with the right amount of material references are the narrative elements

Casting a ‘real’ net

Matters not whether you’re seeking out new investment opportunities, hunting for a new home, looking for better service providers or searching up-and-coming travel destinations, it’s all about having good connections. We’ve all benefited from networking and referrals, “A friend of