Grand Canada Railway Hotels | Fairmont Queen Elizabeth Hotel

Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth is a landmark luxury hotel in downtown Montreal, celebrated for its rich history, architectural innovation, and cultural significance. Opened on April 15, 1958, the hotel was built by the Canadian National Railway above Central Station, making it a key addition to Canada’s network of grand railway hotels. At the time, it was one of the first hotels in North America to offer escalators, centralized air-conditioning, and direct-dial telephones in every room.

Embracing a “New France” theme, the hotel’s design highlighted Quebecois craftsmanship with artwork by renowned artists such as Albert Edward Cloutier and Jean Dallaire. In 1961, it became the first hotel connected to Montreal’s Underground City via a corridor linking it to Place Ville Marie.

Over the decades, Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth has welcomed numerous dignitaries and celebrities, including Queen Elizabeth II, Charles de Gaulle, Nelson Mandela, and the Dalai Lama. Most famously, in 1969, John Lennon and Yoko Ono held their iconic “Bed-In for Peace” in Room 1742, where they recorded the anthem “Give Peace a Chance.”

Following an extensive renovation from 2016 to 2017, the hotel now features 950 elegantly updated rooms and suites, blending its 1960s heritage with contemporary luxury.