At a Glance
Purportedly “the most photographed hotel in the world,” the 611-room Château Frontenac looms like a castle-cum-fortress on a prime perch over the St. Lawrence River.
Review
The Frontenac has long been Québec City’s iconic grand hotel, and few castles or forts are as large as the structure, which contains copper towers, turrets, terraces and more than 600 guest rooms. There’s an elegant entrance complete with liveried doorman standing sentinel out front. The vast lobby, with its coffered ceiling, can get so busy at check-in time that velvet ropes mark off lines for guests to wait. The hotel, which opened in the late 19th century, was clearly modeled on Europe’s grandest properties. Today, it hosts more meetings and conventions than diplomats and dandies.
After a much-needed renovation in 2014, the grand dame features rooms that are quite nice, and for those who want to be located in Upper Town, the Frontenac is the only luxurious option. All of the rooms are different in minor ways because of the building’s eccentric architecture, so a junior suite may have a slanted roof or a circular area in a turret. Of course, the most requested rooms are those with views of the river, but even some of the interior rooms overlook gardens or attractive angles of the building’s fantastical architecture.
Indagare Tip: The Fairmont Gold rooms on the 14th floor do not have direct river views, but the rooms are larger and come with access to a club lounge with its own concierge and snacks served throughout the day. It manages to make the massive hotel feel a bit more intimate.
Who Shouldn’t Stay
Anyone whose idea of a blissful hotel stay is ruined by the sight of people streaming off of tour buses. The property was built to handle crowds—and it does.
Who Should Stay
Families with young children and those who views such kid-friendly amenities as a heated indoor pool, many restaurants, a large gym, an entire floor of boutiques and a canine ambassador on premises as a plus.
Written by Melissa Biggs Bradley