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.

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