Queen Elizabeth Hotel, Montreal
The Queen Elizabeth is a historic landmark in downtown Montreal, originally opened in 1958. Designed by Canadian National Railway chief architect George Drummond, the hotel was built directly above Central Station, requiring 160 concrete pylons to dampen the rumble of passing trains. At its debut, it was a marvel of modern engineering, featuring some of the first escalators and air-conditioned rooms in North America.
The hotel gained international fame in 1969 when John Lennon and Yoko Ono held their second “Bed-In for Peace” in Suite 1742. During this stay, they recorded the iconic anthem “Give Peace a Chance.” Today, guests can still book the suite, which has been transformed into an interactive, immersive experience that celebrates this pivotal moment in pop culture history.
Following a major $140-million transformation in 2017, the hotel now blends its mid-century character with a contemporary “for Montrealers, by Montrealers” philosophy. It features the Marché Artisans, a high-end food market that highlights local culinary talent, and offers direct access to the city’s vast Underground City network.
Its central location makes it an ideal starting point for exploring the city. You are just steps away from the stunning Mary, Queen of the World Cathedral and within easy reach of the historic cobblestone streets of Old Montreal. Whether you are heading to a show at the Place des Arts or planning a trek up Mount Royal for sweeping skyline views, the hotel places you at the very heart of Montreal’s vibrant cultural life.
Expert reviews
“The Queen Elizabeth is a 950-room downtown stalwart with rooms furnished in a mod-flavored style, including a very pink Barbie Dream Suite (with a disco ball). Visitors taking the restarted Amtrak Adirondack service from New York City may appreciate the hotel’s location next to the train station.”
Featured in New York Times’ 36 Hours in Montreal.
“It is no longer the same Montreal hotel that Queen Elizabeth first visited in 1959, nor the property that John Lennon and Yoko Ono chose for their “bed-in for peace” in 1969. Instead, it has undergone a $140 million transformation to be at the cutting edge of hospitality and the face of the city’s dynamic character.”
“The first hotel in North America to boast escalators, air-conditioning and direct dial telephones when it opened in 1958, things have come full circle for Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth, thanks to a multi-million dollar refurbishment that once again puts the hotel back at the top of its game.”
What guests liked
- Friendly staff
- Train station
- Great location
- Boutique style
Location
Recent guest reviews
12 September 2025
1st time in montreal
The beds and pillows are comfortable- the accessories in the bathroom are exceptional - staff are very attentive and accommodating
The shower is too narrow - European style shower - wasn't too comfortable.
12 September 2025
We have stayed here on a previous trip. That is why we returned
The facilities and comfort and locality
N/A
6 September 2025
Hotel is in a Great Location
Loved the location . Room was lovely quite compacted not much room to store clothes with three of us . Room a little bashed about with paintwork. Lovely view . Pleasant staff always helpful.
The Bar downstairs was too loud to spend time in .
The rooftop Bar was only open 1 night . We understood it would close on the Thursday due to rain but the rest of the weekend it was sunny we only got one night there . The reception said it’s only open Thursday to Sunday Monday was a beautiful day and Labour Day a missed opportunity.
Sadly the pool is inside & really cold . The hot tub was warm but should be hotter. That was slightly disappointing. It could do with more outside space to enjoy relaxing in the sunshine .
1 September 2025
Comfortable accommodations, with pleasant and attentive staff, with a great location.
The property was central to shopping and the bell center. The cafe and market were great for a quick bite and coffee.
The elevators!! We waited on average 8-10 minutes to get up and down from our room. We were not the only guests who were inconvenienced and annoyed by the inefficient system.
18 July 2025
The staff made this stay perfect!
A perfect location for food, transportation and shopping! The room was clean, the staff were AMAZING from the doormen to housekeeping. I hope this company treat their staff as well as the staff treats its guests.
I know this hotel is going through renovations, and our room needs some updating for the type of luxury Fairmont is known for.
14 July 2025
Comfortable in nice location
Central location next to the train station. Spacious room. Nice breakfast buffet options. Comfortable bed and relatively quiet for location.
The furnishings and decor appear dated and worn. Carpet in hallways does not appear completely clean. Bar was closed. It's not the same high standards as it was when we stayed 15 years ago, nor with other Fairmont properties. Pricey.
20 April 2025
Fantastic stay in a beautiful hotel, got to experience beautiful Montreal in Spring. Magical
Central to all attractions, very comfortable and a great gym
Strike action ment pool and restaurant not available
22 November 2024
One of the most enjoyable places we stayed during a two month trip involving 8 different hotels in a
The location (connected by tunnels to the RESO was definitely a plus at a time of year that weather was unpredictable was a definite plus. Our King Suite (we were given a complimentary upgrade from Junior King) was a fabulous bonus during a 12 day stay, and the bed was definitely as comfortable as what we are used to from home.
Toiletries, towels and bathrobes were all first quality. The only item that stood out (in a bad way) was the mouthwash, which was really strange and unpleasant.
10 September 2024
Great location and beautiful hotel
Location, helpful staff and complimentary water in the room
14 August 2024
Despite the unions a good stay
Location , the hard working, kind, and super professionell, non unionized staff members
The mentally challenged thugs from the unionized staff that protested in front of the hotel , making incredible noise and bothering the people who pay their salary (the hotel guest).
23 June 2024
we loved it
We upgraded at extra cost but it was well worth it. The upgrade lounge was by far the best lounge that we have visited. Staff in the hotel lovely and facilities excellent.
if you had not upgraded felt that more lounge facilities were needed but I am being picky.
14 June 2024
Stayed for Grand Prix Weekend, staff was very helpful and friendly. Would stay again.
Room was very clean, bed and pillows were comfortable. Room location was quiet, minus some street noise.
Though bed would have been larger. Would have liked a controllable exhaust fan in the bathroom, and a mini fridge would have been nice.
11 June 2024
Excellent hotel in heart of Montreal-I would recommend to anyone arriving for GP or a holiday
Excellent facilities-we stayed when hotel was at capacity during Grand Prix yet we never heard another soul on our floor. Hotel had direct entrance to underground subway where we travelled for GP-a bonus in wet weather
The Wi-Fi charge was a little unexpected, unwelcome and outdated! We later got details of how to join the Accor club which meant charges were wiped.
7 May 2024
Lovely Historic Hotel in Downtown Montreal
Fantastic location on Rene Levesque Street near Place Ville Marie and connected to the underground city, a network of shops, malls, restaurants and other places you can walk to without braving the winter cold! The hotel is newly renovated and most of the rooms are comfortable, we have tried a few of the suites and the view is nice if you want to see the city skyline or the old cathedral next door. The restaurant serves afternoon tea with little sandwiches and scones on the weekend, very delicious food and polite service from the team there.
The Gold Lounge is nice although you may stumble upon a few boozy drunk types if you go later in the evening who are hitting up the honor bar.
When we walked in, the valet didn't open the door or acknowledge us but once we walked in (arms full of suitcases and bags), he followed us to the elevator suspiciously eyeing us as if we weren't welcome. I guess he didn't know that we were headed to the Gold Lobby on the higher floor?
22 April 2024
Our stay could not have been better
Beds and bedding were fabulous as well as the kiindness given to my sister and I who were celebrating special birthdays
21 March 2024
Pleasant and suited the purpose of our stay
Location and service
N/A
23 February 2024
Classy and cosy
The staff was wonderful and very polite
The swimming pool is warm and clean
The room service perfect
The view over the town from the suite room was very impressive
The restaurant could stay opened until 11PM…
2 February 2024
Tremendously convenient and very comfortable. Nice staff - everyone pleasnat and helpful!
Easy check - in. Nice lobby facilities. Excellent restaurant.
Perfect spot from the train station. Nice room - smallish but perfectly fine. bathroom great.
31 January 2024
Memorable. Huge Lennon fan
So grand and nostalgic
25 January 2024
It was nice.
Amazing location. Very comfortable bed
Front desk staff at check out (check in staff was great). Wished in hotel restaurants were open a bit later
24 January 2024
Very enjoyable but pricey.
We were on the Gold floor so we got a free breakfast that was excellent. Similarly snacks there from 4-7 pm were very good.
The restaurant Roselys was very expensive, not a lot of choices on the menu and does not have a any kind of a romantic atmosphere with its wide open concept and if you were seated near the windows it was very cold. There were no other evening restaurant choices in the hotel except for room service. It would be nice if they had a low to medium priced restaurant and a high end restaurant that they had before the renovations.
24 January 2024
Excellent amenity classic 5 star
Very much a superior location, connected to Montreal underground: It is possible to travel almost anywhere downtown without a jacket during the winter. The hotel also has superior sports facilities: an excellent well stocked gym, great swimming pool / hot tub with reserved time for adults (after 8p). Staff had plenty of Christmas perks for kids. Our go-to hotel for Christmas time in Montreal. A+
Nitpick: There are only two car charging stations for the hotel garage, and they are thus always booked. Would be nice if there were more to increase the chance one can charge one's car during their stay.
15 January 2024
Still a great hotel just had a horrible on this trip.
Hotel location is awesome!
Room 1246 was horrible, it may as well had been in an elevator shaft for all of the noise.
5 January 2024
Good location and comfortable bed
The bed was very comfortable and the housekeeping did a great job cleaning each day. The hotel was beautifully decorated for the holidays and had a nice pool and hot tub area. While a bit small, the room had a good layout and the bathroom and shower were very nice.
There was a whooshing noise from the elevators that was pretty loud in the bathroom and could be heard from the bed. The escalators from the main floor, subway and train concourse were also not working, so it was difficult to bring our bags up and down to the hotel lobby. We did not open the cupboard with the mini fridge because we weren’t sure what we would be charged for.
2 January 2024
Not for me
The location
Didn't know it was pet friendly
29 December 2023
Good location. Expensive for room quality.
The pool was lovely and clean. Reception area/lobby nice but few seats and very dark.
Rooms quite small. Cleaning was not great. Dust in our room.
29 December 2023
I was expecting more.
We expected more from a Fairmont, even more when compared wiyh other Fairmont hotels.
The beds, the size of the room and bathroom, very little time slots for spa.
14 December 2023
I did like the ambience of the hotel...will come back
Very good location...
Extremely comfy bed
Last night near 11pm coming back from
Evening out I could not open/access any doors from outside to come into the hotel
Someone inside the hotel entrance saw me thankfully and opened a door for me to come in
Hotel facilities
Food & Drink
- - Restaurant
- - Bar
- - Breakfast in the room
- - Snack bar
- - Special diet menus (on request)
- - Wine/champagne (additional charge)
- - Coffee house on site
General
- - Room service
- - Non-smoking rooms
- - Facilities for disabled guests
- - Family rooms
- - Lift
- - Safety deposit box
- - Packed lunches
- - Car hire
- - Heating
- - Allergy-free room
- - Non-smoking throughout
- - Air conditioning
- - Minimarket on site
Business facilities
- - Meeting/banquet facilities (additional charge)
- - Fax/photocopying (additional charge)
Reception services
- - 24-hour front desk
- - Express check-in/check-out
- - Currency exchange
- - Tour desk
- - Luggage storage (additional charge)
- - ATM/cash machine on site
- - Concierge service
Activities
- - Sauna
- - Fitness centre
- - Spa & wellness centre (additional charge)
- - Massage (additional charge)
- - Hot tub/Jacuzzi
- - Indoor pool
- - Indoor pool (all year)
- - Fitness/spa locker rooms
Outdoors
- - Terrace
Entertainment & family services
- - Babysitting/child services (additional charge)
Cleaning services
- - Laundry (additional charge)
- - Dry cleaning (additional charge)
- - Ironing service (additional charge)
- - Trouser press
- - Daily housekeeping
Parking
- - Parking garage
- - Electric vehicle charging station
Pool and wellness
- - Swimming pool
Miscellaneous
- - 24-hour security
- - Security alarm
- - Smoke alarms
- - CCTV in common areas
- - Fire extinguishers
- - Breakfast takeaway containers
- - Delivered food is securely covered
- - Access to health care professionals
- - Face masks for guests available

More photos

24 September 2025
A well run very big hotel in an excellent location.