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Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac
Categories: Event Planning & Services Caterers Restaurants French Event Planning & Services Hotels Hotels & Travel Hotels Caterers, French, Hotels [Edit]
1 Rue des CarrièresQuebec, QC G1R 4P5
(418) 692-3861
- Price Range:
-
$$$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Valet
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- Paid
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
30 reviews for Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac
Review Highlights
"Having old fashioned tea at Le Chateau Frontenac with my..."
(in 1 review)
"Lawrence River (the Indian word is Quebec."
(in 9 reviews)
"This is the most beautiful chateau of all Fairmont hotels."
(in 3 reviews)
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30 reviews in English
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Review from Maria D.
St John, NB
1/13/2012
When you think of hotel rooms with jacuzzis in them, you think shady motel on the outskirts of Reno or something, not the super classy Fairmont in historic Quebec. But, no. They have this as a room option. It's tucked away into a corner and makes you feel all majestic.
Out of al the places I stayed at in Canada, this hotel had the friendliest, best service with no snobbery about our lack of French. Our room came with a credit for breakfast which could be used on room service or at the cafe, and that was pretty neat. It ended up being a pretty diverse buffet with a mixture of European and American breakfast stuff (a little pate, some crepes, and waffles!).
It's definitely a splurge and the decor is definitely old (I prefer a more modern aesthetic that's not so...I'm spending the night at Grandma's-esque) but it's cozy and centrally located. Cool to check out for at least one night. -
Review from Loli L.
1/3/2012
After having enjoyed pleasant stays in a local auberge and a fairly trendy hotel, we were excited to score a room at the Fairmont. The Chateau Frontenac itself is impressive and quite the site. It's a very old building that clearly has survived countless renovations. You can almost feel the history seeping into you as you walk the halls and sleep.
Overall, the place was nice. The staff was super pleasant and reasonably helpful. The location is fantastic if you're taking a tour -many of them pick up/drop off right out front. There is a restaurant, lounge, gift shop, and other things that most would appreciate under the same roof. The view is incredible and it's all very nice and fancy looking.
Some of the things I had enjoyed for free while lodging at other establishments came at a cost here and that made me sad:
-wifi was ~$15 per day
-opening the fridge (even if you didn't get anything) was $10
-breakfast was not included (which I wouldn't have expected from the Fairmont anyway but we were incredibly spoiled with this at every other inn/hotel)
Our housekeeping person was super adorable. We had back-and-forth thank you correspondence with cute little pictures. She was the best.Listed in: Happy times in Quebec
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Review from Mandi F.
8/31/2011
Quebec has so much charm and makes you feel as though you've gone to Europe without even leaving the continent. The cobble stone roads and the Old World architecture just add to all the charm. The locals all speak French and encourage you to join in and practice even if you butcher their language. This is how you know you are not in Paris! The Parisians would never have the patience for this.
The hotel is perched on top of a hill at the top of a main street and after touring the city you can enjoy an amazing afternoon tea.
Great service, beautiful room, charming city. What's not to love. -
Review from Chris F.
6/10/2011
During our honeymoon, we toured the Frontenac, drank at the St. Laurent bar, and ate in the dining room and cafe. When you look across the river, or gaze up at the building from the Governor's Terrace, the view is spectacular. The Frontenac is the most beautiful hotel in the world, an offical UNESCO World Heritage Site, and deservedly so. But it's mainly for its awe-inspiring architecture, it's history (particularly the allied planning of D-Day during World War II which took place in the conference rooms) and the way it both dominates the city skyline and remains part of the city's old charm.
The food at the super-expensive dining room and terrace cafe are good, but phenomenally over-priced, especially in the dining room. The dining room food is opulent, but ultimately forgettable. The food in the cafe was literally under-cooked and needed to be sent back to the kitchen.
On the other hand, the service here is five stars. When I returned the food for being undercooked, the head chef himself came out to offer to cook us anything we wanted on the house, with personal recommendations. They made us a special dessert since it was our honeymoon, and were incredibly attentive, friendly and polite. We rarely waited more than a minute for anything we wanted, our glasses were constantly filled.
The interiors of the rooms constrast with the impressive facade of the building. They're pretty standard, you would expect the same accomodations at a New Jersey Marriott. Clean and simple, and each room is somewhat unique, but it's clear that they have cut back on the space in most rooms to be able to accomodate more guests. Which is great: now you can stay here for a reasonable amount, especially in the off-season.Listed in: Vacation in Quebec
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Review from Alena B.
10/8/2011
Beautiful! Just beautiful. I didn't find Quebec City to be at all friendly in general. Most of the shop keepers were rude and even the local kids rolled there eyes when my husband and I spoke English. The Fairmont was different. They were friendly. It was a nice break from the nastiness of the rest of the city!
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Review from dan k.
11/15/2011
quebec city is totally GORGEOUS and this is THE place to stay -- cant get more beautiful than this place
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Review from Angry A.
8/7/2010
We reserved a family suite and were pleasantly surprised with a decent size room with two beds and an adjoining sitting area with a fold out sofa. Two TVs allowed the kids to have their space. The room was at the corner of the building so a turret separated the two rooms. We checked in early and the front desk clerk went out of her way to find us a room (thanks for that!)
The pool is cool. It's hard to describe, but worth a trip (TIP: go ahead and use those robes that are in your room to go to the pool. We didn't, but everyone else did) There's even an outdoor area that great on a nice day. The folks stationed desk have newspapers and ice water and are very nice.
The wife and I had drinks one night in the bar overlooking the river. Very nice, everyone was attentive and courteous.
Only downsides: Why not include the hotel tour in the price of a room? and, again, it's 2010: free wifi already.
Speaking of the hotel tour: the guides are dressed and act in period costumes and I couldn't help but recall scenes from The Shining. I swear our guide looked like the bartender Lloyd. -
Review from Allie A.
4/8/2010 1 photo
I was in Quebec for a conference in the fall and this was one of the recommended properties hosting it. By far, one of the most beautiful and luxurious hotel properties in the city. Prices reflect it - even with our conference discount, the room with taxes came out to about $175 / night.
Make sure you sign up for the President's Club before arriving, which lets you check in separately from the masses and even better, allows free internet access.
The room was beautiful and I had gorgeous sunrise views of the river with the ships passing. Loved the bed - nothing like acres of pillows and lovely white down feather duvets to keep you warm.
But the room was SMALL - as in I could barely fit my suitcase in the room by the queen-sized bed and I tripped over it daily.
Buffet breakfast was a jaw-dropping $20 a person (maybe more, I can't remember), so if you're not a big eater, don't bother.
Location was perfect for walking along the river and around town. -
Review from Jim W.
9/8/2008
I gasped when I read Robin Z's review...I couldn't have said it better! However, the last time I stayed here (about one year ago) I was not all that impressed with my room. Very out dated...small compared to the previous trip and stay there...cost was wayyyyyyyy more than I had paid for a larger and more updated room before. OK...now to the positive...service is excellent...perfect location...beautiful views...
You GO, Robin Z!!! Your review is excellent!!! -
Review from Amary N.
8/11/2008
MUST DO list is to take a tour of this historical chateau.
You'll appreciate it more once you get to know the history of the building. The tour is 50 mins long. The tour guide dresses like a bourgeois during the 1800s. Guides are in English or French.
At the end of the tour, I felt that I got an exclusive tour of the place.
My tour guide, appeared in several travel magazines. She's really that great! Merci!
I enjoyed my lunch buffet at Le Cafe de la Terrase. Which is fairly priced $29CAD. This is the most beautiful chateau of all Fairmont hotels. -
Review from Caroline B.
5/20/2009
Hands down...the most impressive property in Quebec. It's like staying at a lovely old castle.
The Frontenac is a Fairmont property. So it's worth it to go online and join their Fairmont Club prior to your stay. They will adjust your room to your tastes...ie. down pillows, etc. if you give them a heads up prior to your stay.
They have a concierge level that's worth the upgrade dollars. This level has it's own private check in and check out , a private concierge, turn down service and includes happy hour appetizers and breakfast daily.
The first room they offered us was a shoebox. We asked for something better and upgraded (by choice) to the Concierge level. It was worth it.
Yes, the interior could use an overall updo. But service is taken seriously by the management of this property and it's certainly the loveliest in the city. Given the competition...5 stars. -
Review from Jewel Y.
5/17/2009 3 photos
We got a nice room with fantastic view of Old Quebec and St. Lawrence River thanks to our lovely concierge, Roger. Merci beaucoup! I give 5 stars for its castle-like architecture, you feel like a V.I.P. by just being there! I was more impressed by its elegant exterior than its interior, I expected more old world grandeur and opulence for the decor and atmosphere, but the inside was just like a standard 5 star hotel. The room was spacious and clean, but then again, I expected more luxury for the price!! Too simple!!
We dined at "Le Champlain", a very romantic and elegant restaurant located on the first floor which was very memorable. The service was great and they serve unique and delicious Quebecoise haute cuisine consisting of regional specialties. Even if you can't stay at this hotel, I recommend trying at least this posh fancy restaurant to complete your stay in Quebec!Listed in: Quebec Cool
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Review from Brian L.
4/11/2011
One of the best hotels I've ever stayed in... and to imagine it only cost me $100 a night. I found it on http://hotels.com only a little bit above the cheapest hotels in the list. Not sure what the circumstance was... perhaps the April 09 economy was bad or just that time of year is cheaper, but what a great experience. For those expecting a high end experience I believe this place would fit the bill. Many amazing hotels had their interiors 'remodeled' aka, destroyed, during the era of architectural foolishness from the 1950's to early 1980s, but this one is intact. The location is probably one of the best anywhere. If you're not staying here make sure you at least take a peek around one of the most photogenic hotels out there.
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Review from Madhuri I.
5/27/2009
First,
Is it funny that a hotel is the most prominent building in the skyline of a historical town?
Second,
Shouldn't a french-sounding place have O-my-god-I-can't-believe-this-is-for-real desserts?
We got the creme brulee and the tarte tatin. While they looked elaborately pretty, they both tasted pretty meh to me. The caramel layer was way too thick and the creme was pasty. The tarte was lacking in sugar and butter but the cinnamon ice cream was great.
I saw the word mixology on the menu and I knew I had to try something here. I got a mango based cocktail with bacardi 8 and champagne which was interesting, and my friend got the bellini which she really enjoyed as well.
I would recommend you drop in for a drink and enjoy a lovely view of the river. -
Review from Hannah Q.
12/17/2008 3 photos
Quebec is like, how do you say, France without the long flight?
Actually, it's not. It's more like being in a beautiful, old, intimate city where everyone speaks French, but don't look down their noses at you for being American and actually know how to provide service.
We stayed here on our honeymoon. Great hotel, beautiful, apparently one of the most photographed hotels in the world. We had an amazing room with a turret window over-looking the river.
If this had been a Motel 6, I would have zero complaints. Since it's a 4 star deal, however, I have a few.
A) the bed squeaked. This was a small problem because we were, how do you say.... on our honeymoon... newlyweds + squeaky bed = no bueno. On the plus side, I called housekeeping and they came quickly and fixed it.
B) the mini-fridge sometimes whirred at a high-pitched level. Only every now and then, but just enough to annoy me.
C) Our room also faced the round-about that serves as the main entry to the hotel... It also serves as the main spot where the tour buses taxi and line up. After a while, you get a little over hearing the braking, the exhaust whirring, the inching up in the line... then you just get used to it as a backdrop of noise... Incidentally, you would not BELIEVE the amount of Japanese tourists that hit the town in Old Quebec City. Not sure what the big draw is from the land of the rising sun (exchange rate?), but it was interesting.
On the plus side, just outside of the hotel there's a street performer who has his three dogs stand on each other. That's nifty.
The hotel formal tea service is SLAMMING.
My husband and I enjoyed walking the halls late at night murmering "Red Rum.... Red Rum..." and reenacting various scenes from the Shining in different hallways... It's so ginormous, the hotel, that it kinda has that feel... but... in a good way. -
Review from Rachel G.
1/1/2009
We had such a bad experience here that it's doubtful I'll ever stay in a Fairmont again. For starters, our room (which, by the way, could have used a good fresh coat of paint and new carpeting) was in a wing of the hotel where they were doing construction, which normally wouldn't bother me, except for the fact that we habitually got a lovely 6:00 am wakeup call of drilling and sawing. On top of that, the waitstaff at the hotel bar/restaurant were pretty snarky. One evening, we decided to have cocktails and hors d'oeuvres. It took an hour for our cheese plate to arrive, and the waiter never checked in with us to let us know that there would be a delay. When we flagged him down after waiting for 40 minutes, he curtly responded, "You're not the only table that's in this boat, so you're just going to have to wait." Awesome.
But the final straw came the morning that we checked out. The hotel made not one, but two, erroneous charges on our bill. The first one they corrected right away. However, for the second one, rather than acknowledge their error and correct it, a good 20 minutes of heated discussion with the front desk staff and ultimately a manager ensued. They talked to us like we had never stayed in a hotel before and were incredibly rude and condescending. (Our persistence did pay off, though, and they did correct the mistake in the end.) And, as a final parting gift, the bellman just stood there while I struggled with loading my ginormous suitcase into the trunk of the car.
My recommendation is to just take the tour to get a feel for the hotel, which is quite striking, and stay somewhere else.Listed in: The Worst of the Worst
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Review from Alison D.
2/17/2010
We stopped in for a drink in the big round room that is a bar. The coffees were good and warm after walking around the city, but even though my husband and I are in our mid-thirties we were like the kids in the room. It just seemed like a place where old fogies go. The room next door where people were eating we even more old people. Just not an atmosphere you are looking for when you go out.
It was a great place to look around and pictures of the hotel from around the hotel are spectacular, but I would recommend taking advantage of all the other places to dine and drink around the city. -
Review from Stephanie Y.
11/3/2009
This place is amazing. I mean the room could have been bigger but this hotel IS the skyline of QC. Anybody who is anybody that has visited QC has stayed here from presidents to the Queen of friggin England. Beautiful views on top of a hill. I loved it. Left the window open and on Sunday morning was serenaded by a saxophonist playing romance on the "boardwalk" below my window. I asked my bf if he planned it, he of course was like yes totally.
Anyway, it was great. -
Review from Jennifer H.
11/22/2009 1 photo
I stayed here while in Quebec on a business trip - the room was beautiful, the hotel was gorgeous inside and out. Old Quebec is about as picturesque as you can get.
Parking was pretty painless - IF you park in the hotel's parking garage, and don't mistakenly park in the spots designated for government officials.
I upgraded to a room with a view facing the Old Quebec area with a king size bed. The room was spacious, and the view was gorgeous. -
Review from Geneviève A.
Québec, QC
7/27/2009 2 photos
Having old fashioned tea at Le Chateau Frontenac with my girl friends has become a yearly tradition for my birthday. In a few months, we will head over to Le Champlain restaurant for some tea and afternoon snacks for the third year in a row (I can't wait). I secretly love to dress up and indulge in fancy things from time to time and this definitely fits the bill. Tea is served in a separate section with floor-to-ceiling windows so it feels more like being in a quiet boudoir than in a busy restaurant.
The afternoon tea service begins with smelling a dozen different loose leaf teas to help make our choice while eating a plate of fresh fruits. Then, they bring out the petits fours, scones and pastries, which are plenty and delicious. Trust me, the best thing to do is to make a reservation when they open at 1:30 pm and only eat a light lunch before hand because you will get full.
Both times we were there, the service was very attentive. Once, the waiter brought us some extra scones after (we suppose) having heard us rave over how good they were. The second year, they were more than happy to substitute the foie gras petits fours for something else at my request.Listed in: Tea!, Fancy schmancy
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Review from Chili B.
9/5/2008
This place is a pretty cool place to stay. But half of the city is just as nice.
The room we got was TINY and for the price you pay to stay here I was a bit disappointed.
Next time I will try out another hotel.
And be prepared to spend $26/night on parking - if you are a guest.
And $13/day for internet -
Review from Robin Z.
8/10/2008 3 photos
Bonjour Quebec! Ou' sont les toilettes? (Desole', je un rude Americaine)
Our luxury cruise ship, the Maasdam, berthed on a crisp, clear sunny day in May almost directly beneath the towering and imposing castle-like structure of the Chateau Frontenac. How do you describe what words cannot possibly describe? Awesome? Magnificent? Spectacular? Words pale when looking up at this most iconic of Quebec images. The guidebook calls it the most photographed hotel in the world and its easy to see why. It's in-your-face gorgeous. Were I their bete noire, the Queen of the Damned, head vampiress of planet Earth, this would be my North American HQ and blood would ooze from every Gothic-inspired oriel, window and rain spout. Of course, I'd have to enjoy the cold, which I don't so they'd luck out. They can keep the garlic in the food rather than lining the windows. So, I guess I'd have to keep my nightly foraging centered around LA's Chateau Marmont where the Mediterranean climate pleases me even though it's an ugly, backwoods shack compared to Frontenac. And I thought John Belushi would've had better taste (ahem) (http://en.wikipedia.or...). But hell, he couldn't have known, he was just too fucked up and I would've gotten a bloody, narcotic-laden high from his pulsing carotid. But that's probably in bad taste, huh?
Built in 1893 for the Canadian Pacific Railway, it squats lord-like, imperiously looking down on the narrowest portion of the St. Lawrence River (the Indian word is Quebec..."keh-beck" with a "K", now you know). In old Europe, no traveler down a river-way would go unnoticed from these ramparts and avoiding the transit taxes would find you strung up from the highest balustrades. But this is an operating hotel, not a medieval fortification and it costs beaucoup ducats to stay here. And alas, I'm just a poor pensioner on a fixed income and taking blood where I can find it. I couldn't afford to stay here but it did serve as my toilette for the day and a Bloody Mary or cognac in the Bar St. Lawrence is a must-do. The views from the turrets are indescribable and I won't even try.
So as the Quebec license plate states "Je me souviens" ("I remember")...where I peed. (photos posted on link...not of me peeing though).
P.S., I'm not really a blood sucker though some might contest that...Listed in: Oh Canada
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Review from anh v.
11/19/2009
after walking around the old city, kick up your feet for a glass or cup of tea at the st laurent room at the chateau frontenac. a panoramic view of the river can be enjoyed while lounging on the comfy low seats.
aside from the small stain glass ships topping the windows, the room reminded me more of an english feel rather than french. as a few yelpers have relayed to me, it was owned by the english. these days, you'll hear a few different languages in this room as it is visited by many tourists.
the cappuccino came with chunks of rich dark chocolate to stir and melt into your java - perfect for the crisp chill outside. as for you vino lovers, there is an extensive list of wines around the world so do ask for recommendations.Listed in: weekend in quebec city
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Review from jonathan f.
Brampton, ON
2/1/2010
This the only place to stay in Quebec City for me. I agree with Stephanie the Frontenac is the Quebec City skyline.
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Review from Paul G.
8/23/2009
I've stayed at this property three times in the last five years. Overall fairly consistent, old-world charm, with good staff and service. It is by far the premier property in Quebec. I've stayed in the tower (standard hotel rooms) and in the lower sections of the building facing the river (slightly larger rooms). The accommodations are four-star, clean and new. The rooms are well maintained. I've also dined three times at Le Champlain which is a superb restaurant - experience the "table side" menu where the staff will make a caesar salad at your table (we also had the Chateaubriand). Le Champlain is a refreshing place amid some of the tourist trap restaurants in the area. The Frontenac is not inexpensive, but if you're looking for a first-class Quebec experience, I recommend a stay.
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Review from John C.
7/31/2010
All three stars are for the location and general beauty of the hotel. The service is terrible. Took hours to have a room available and that was four floors lower than promised due to a lack of rooms ready at 4 pm. Then at check out we had to carry our bags to the storage room as the bell hops were no assistance. Not what you would expect from such an expensive hotel.
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Review from Glen H.
Location, views, service combine to make this one of the great Hotels of the world.
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Review from Charles H.
Montréal, QC
1/25/2010
It is a nice place to come and take photos from outside so you can show your friends you were in Quebec City, but for me it is just a castle-shaped tourist trap. Most of the people who come to Quebec think it is a real French castle..it is not, it was build at the end of the 19th century, it just looks like a castle, but it is not a real one, it is just an old hotel that happens to look French. Quebec has many more architectural gems, such as the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit (Anglican), the Citadel, the provincial parliament building, the city gates, many other churches...Americans are very often amazed at Chateau Frontenac, probably because they have not visited a real castle in Europe. They charge 8 dollars for a tour of the hotel...thanks but no thanks. The stores are the typical hotel stores with over-priced souvenirs.clothes and the likes. Tea and pastries can be enjoyed somewhere else, the city has dozens of little coffee shops with pastries as good as the ones served here and probably more reasonably-priced. Even if I could afford it I would rather stay somewhere else, like a B&B in the old city or a smaller hotel, so I can have more of the local flavor.
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Review from m c.
7/2/2010
beautiful building and great location in the middle of the old city. the standard rooms are nicely decorated but not very big. it is an old property so i expect that. internet is $14/day.
the real disappointment about it is that there is hardly any common area to hang out in. there are a ton of small shops in the lobby and in the corridors on the lower level but there are very few couches or even benches, no fireplace or anything like that. for such a classic old hotel i was expecting more. the only reason i can think of is that there are so many tourists around (on tours largely) that they don't want them camping out in the common areas so they make it sort of standing room only. the bar is pretty small also so you don't feel like you can just relax there unless you are eating and drinking the whole time. -
Review from Joy R.
8/31/2008
A must-visit destination for any QC visitor. Unique in every way! I had both dinner and tea here, and both were magnificent. In an era of sameness and cookie-cutter conformity, it's a pleasure to visit a place like this.
