by ISRA

MEXICO CITY, MEXICO, Mexico

March 10, 2004

by tomcat3791

Lebanon, Pennsylvania

September 5, 2003

In all, the Frontenac boasts over 600 rooms, but as with many classic hotels, rooms can vary widely in shape and size. Our lucky group landed three rooms on upper floors. My room on the 17th floor was at the very top of the tower, and offered a panoramic view of the waterfront and up the river to Levis and Ile D"Orleans. When our friends found their non-smoking room on the 5th floor smelled strongly of stale cigarettes, the hotel offered them a complimentary upgrade to a Gold Level room. Fairmont’s Gold Level offers guests the small hotel experience, even within much larger properties, by providing a separate check-in area and private lounge with dedicated concierge services. Continental breakfast was provided each day in the lounge, which overlooked the river and city from the 14th floor of the tower.

As for the deatils: Decor was classic upscale hotel, with plush carpeting, muted patterns, and nice appointments. Bathroom was a bit small and lacking in counter space. Each morning of our stay I ventured to the 6th floor Club Frontenac where the swimming pool wing offers guests (and a limited number of locals) an attractive pool and soaking tubs/Jacuzzi. The mens locker area also offered a eucalyptus steam room- just the thing for clearing my head after evening libations in La Rotonde!

by Cindy64

Edmond, Oklahoma

August 6, 2003

We went with a young man dressed as a printer from about 100 years ago. The hotel originally hosted its own printing presses to print the menus and handouts given at the hotel. This young printer took us on about an hour-long tour throughout the hotel. He was very lively and entertaining.

We visited one of the hotel's rooms and learned about the hotel's history as well as amenities for present day guests. We had plenty of questions, and our guide was able to answer them all. We also toured some of the ballrooms and common areas of the hotel. We had a variety of aged people on our tour and all seemed to enjoy it. Tours alternate in English and French so you do need to check with the desk to see when your language tour will be offered.

by zabelle

Portland, Connecticut

June 25, 2003

Our room was everything I could have wanted, impeccably clean, well furnished with two double beds, a chair and ottoman, desk, bench and TV with plenty of English speaking channels. We had a corner room with view out to the river; we had only paid for city views so I was very excited. Our bedspreads were toile and we had featherbeds under them. I loved our cushy robes and Alex managed to commandeer one for himself even though he looked like Yoda with it on.

Our bathroom was not large but it was marble and had plenty of towels and a nice selection of amenities. While Al and Alex hit the pool and exercise equipment, I took a few minutes to catch my breath. While I was there, turn down service arrived with three bottles of water and some cookies. It was a pleasant surprise.

You can have a delightful shopping experience without ever leaving the Chateau. Not only are there several shops right off the lobby but if you go to the terrace level there is a whole mini mall of very upscale and expensive shops.

We didn’t eat at the Frontenac restaurants, but we did order room service. Since there was no table in our room, we did wonder how we would eat it when it arrived. We needn’t have worried; it came on a rolling table with goblets of water, fresh flowers, and delicious food. Again, I was impressed.

The main draw of the Frontenac besides its superb service is its location. You walk right out the terrace level and you are on the Terrace Dufferin. We stay in Quebec every year and all the hotels we have stayed at are beautiful and within an easy walk of the old city but this was the best location ever. It made it possible for us to enjoy site seeing even in the last two hours of our last morning. I would love to stay here again but not until the American dollar gains back a little of it’s lost value. The price of our room went up $30 in 3 weeks because of the devaluing of the US dollar. The rate I got however, was a rate I called the Fairmont 800 number and asked about. It was not advertized and it was $100 cheaper than the rate I was originally quoted.

Parking is either valet or self park, same price. Be warned this garage is under construction and if you are driving an SUV or a minivan, you will never make the corners.

by Re Carroll

Abbotsford, British Columbia

August 17, 2002

A tour guide told me that it is the most photographed hotel in the world and I can well believe it. It looks like something you’d find in France’s Loire Valley. Its location is spectacular - seemingly perched atop the city walls with the St. Lawrence River practically at its doorstep.

My room was in the original part of the hotel and had a view of the courtyard. All of the 621 guest rooms are decorated differently and my queen size bedroom was done in blue and cream. The room was cozy with a large desk and chair as well as a small table and chair beside the dormer window. The mini bar had the usual selection of alcohol, soft drinks and snacks. A very welcome addition was complimentary milk and cream for the coffee maker (none of the horrid powdered creamers - thank God).

The light in the closet came on automatically when the door was opened - I had to play with it a few times, just for fun. The bathroom countertop was marble and there were lots of towels as well as an assortment of toiletries including bubble bath and full size bars of soap rather than the tiny "sample" size. I especially liked the large wall mounted magnifying mirror on a swivel stand which was great for applying makeup.

If there was any draw back it was the fact that both elevators were at the other end of the floor so I had quite a long walk to my room. The hallways seemed a bit dull because of the dark wood and wall sconce lighting but it fit with the atmosphere of a turn of the century hotel.

The fitness area, on the 6th floor, had a large pool, separate hot tub and full size gym including treadmills, bikes, step machines, weight machines and a good selection of free weights. My favorite part was the mentholated steam sauna and I had it to myself early one blissful Monday morning.

The hotel has a gigantic lounge with views of the River, a couple of restaurants and many shops and gift stores with a wide assortment of elegant but expensive items.

I took a 50 minute guided tour of the hotel and learned much about its history as well as viewing some of the rooms and conference areas. Cost of the tour was $6.50 per person and the guides were dressed in period costumes.

Room rates at the hotel start at about $200. (CDN) and increase according to the view with river view rooms being the most expensive.

by Jeffrey

Plano, Texas

April 2, 2001

Our visit was in late March, considered low season due to cold and windy weather. As such, we received a great rate of $169 CDN for a Fairmont (standard) room. Through membership in their frequent customer program, we received an upgrade to a deluxe room. When combined with the favorable exchange rate of the US dollar during our visit, it was good value.

Our room was on the 5th floor of the front tower, with a great view of Old Quebec. The room had a King bed, table and chairs, a desk, and large wardrobe with television, drawers, and mini-bar.

Service was Fairmont all the way, from the valet (self-parking is $17 CDN/day, valet is $22 CDN/day), bellman, check-in, housekeeping, and turn-down service. Bar service was not as aggressive, but okay.

The lobby has lavish wood and brass revolving doors and elevators, and a beautiful hand-painted ceiling. There are several exclusive shops on the lobby level, and a nice round bar that provides views of the St Lawrence River, 2 fireplaces to warm up, and a separate enclosed patio for a quieter environment. The Le Champlain restaurant is also on the lobby level, outside the St Laurent bar.

Below the lobby, the Terrace Level has a florist, the Le Cafe de la Terrasse restaurant, a beauty salon, and several more shops. There are exits from the terrace level to the boardwalk (dufferin terrace) overlooking the St Lawrence River. From the boardwalk/Dufferin Terrasse, you can look down over the wall and see lower town and Old Port (Vieux Port), and you can ride the toboggan/sled slide, and look at the cannons.

Great Place.

by Slack

Toronto, Ontario

November 29, 2000

Built in 1892 on the site of Château St.-Louis (1647) to resemble an European castle, Château Frontenac is one of Québec City’s best-known and most visible landmarks. Dominating Place d’Armes, a large square in Upper Town used for military drills and parades during the French regime, this majestic sentinel overlooking the St. Lawrence River, 100 meters below, has hosted kings, queens, and heads of state.

by AnaMH

South Florida, Florida

November 14, 2000