Montreal is weird. It’s this beautiful, chaotic mashup of European grit and North American hustle, and nowhere is that more obvious than in its grand hotels. If you’re looking for a famous hotel in Montreal, you’ll probably hear about the Ritz or the flashy new Four Seasons. But honestly? The real soul of the city’s hospitality history lives at Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth.
Most people just call it "The Queen E."
It’s a massive, 21-story beast of a building sitting right on top of Central Station. When it opened back in 1958, it was basically the future. We’re talking about one of the first hotels in North America to have escalators and dial telephones in every room. Kinda wild to think that was "high tech," but in the late fifties, it was the peak of luxury.
The Bed-In That Changed Everything
You can’t talk about this famous hotel in Montreal without mentioning Room 1742. In 1969, John Lennon and Yoko Ono showed up and decided they weren't getting out of bed for a week. They invited the world’s press into their suite to talk about world peace while the Vietnam War was raging.
It wasn't just a PR stunt.
They actually recorded "Give Peace a Chance" right there in the room. If you visit today, the suite has been totally reimagined. It’s not just a room; it’s an immersive experience with virtual reality headsets and song lyrics plastered on the windows. It’s expensive. It’s legendary. It’s arguably the most famous hotel room in Canada.
More Than Just a Beatles Footnote
While the Lennon connection gets all the headlines, the Queen Elizabeth has hosted basically every major world leader you can think of. During Expo 67, 50 out of 60 visiting heads of state stayed here. Queen Elizabeth II herself stayed here four different times.
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Think about the logistics of that.
Managing security for dozens of world leaders in the middle of a massive global exposition is a nightmare. But the Queen E handled it. Then, in 1976, it became the official headquarters for the International Olympic Committee. Basically, if something important was happening in Montreal, it was happening inside these walls.
The $140 Million Glow-Up
For a while, the hotel started to feel a bit... tired. In 2016, they actually shut the whole place down for a year. They spent $140 million to gut the interior and bring back that mid-century modern vibe but with a 2026 edge.
They added:
- Marché Artisans: A massive indoor market with local Quebecois food.
- Bar Nacarat: A moody, glam cocktail bar that feels very 1970s Bowie.
- CoLab: A tech-heavy workspace for people who actually need to get stuff done.
It doesn’t feel like a stuffy museum anymore. It feels like a living part of the downtown core.
The Rivalry: Ritz-Carlton vs. Queen Elizabeth
If the Queen Elizabeth is the "people's palace," the Ritz-Carlton on Sherbrooke Street is the "grande dame." It opened in 1912 and was actually the first hotel in the world to bear the "Ritz-Carlton" name.
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Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton got married there in 1964. The Rolling Stones got kicked out of the dining room in 1972 because they weren't wearing jackets. It's that kind of place. While the Queen E is about scale and history-making events, the Ritz is about old-money discretion and Afternoon Tea in the Palm Court.
Honestly, choosing between them depends on what kind of traveler you are. Do you want to be in the middle of the action at the Queen E, or do you want to hide away in the Golden Square Mile at the Ritz?
Why Boutique Hotels are Gaining Ground
Lately, the "famous" tag is being snatched up by smaller spots in Old Montreal. Take Hotel Nelligan, for example. It’s housed in 19th-century stone buildings and named after the Quebecois poet Émile Nelligan.
It's intimate.
The walls are exposed brick, the duvets are ridiculously plush, and the rooftop terrace (Terrasse Nelligan) is the place to be in the summer. It offers a totally different flavor of fame—one that’s more about the "vibe" and less about hosting the Olympic Committee.
What Most People Get Wrong About Montreal Hotels
A lot of tourists think they need to stay in Old Montreal to "see" the city. That’s a mistake. Old Montreal is beautiful, sure, but it can be a bit of a tourist trap after dark.
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Staying at a famous hotel in Montreal like the Queen Elizabeth puts you directly above the Underground City (RÉSO). You can walk for miles through shops, restaurants, and metro stations without ever putting on a winter coat. If you’re visiting in January, that isn't just a convenience—it's a survival strategy.
Actionable Tips for Your Stay
If you're planning a trip, don't just book the first "luxury" result on Expedia.
- Check the event calendar. If there’s a major festival like Jazz Fest or Just For Laughs, the Queen Elizabeth will be packed with performers. It’s great for people-watching but loud.
- Fairmont Gold is worth it. If you can swing the extra cost, the Gold floors have their own lounge with free breakfast and evening canapés. It basically pays for itself if you’re a big eater.
- Visit Bar George. Even if you don't stay at Le Mount Stephen, go to Bar George. It’s located in a 19th-century mansion and has some of the best interior woodwork in the city.
- Use the train. Since the Queen E is literally built on top of Central Station (Gare Centrale), you can take the VIA Rail from Toronto or Ottawa and walk straight into the lobby. No taxi needed.
Montreal’s hotel scene is moving fast. With new spots like the Honeyrose and the Monville bringing robot room service and Art Deco flair, the "classics" have to work harder than ever. But the Queen Elizabeth has a gravity to it that’s hard to ignore. It’s where history happened, and honestly, it’s where it’s still happening.
Before you book, decide if you want the high-energy buzz of a massive downtown landmark or the quiet, brick-lined charm of the Old Port. Both are "famous," but they offer two completely different versions of Montreal.
To get the most out of your visit, book your dinner reservations at least two weeks in advance, especially for places like Maison Boulud at the Ritz or Rosélys at the Queen Elizabeth. The city's dining scene is incredibly competitive, and even hotel guests can find themselves without a table if they wait until check-in.