Checking in to the world's most photographed hotel: A review of the Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac

14.05.2024 - 16:19 / thepointsguy.com / Grace Kelly / queen Elizabeth Ii II (Ii) / Franklin D.Roosevelt

Nestled along the promontory overlooking the St. Lawrence River, with distinctive architecture including its iconic soaring turrets, the Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac is the stuff of hotel legend. One glance at the fortresslike structure and it's easy to see why many consider it the most photographed hotel in the world.

Not only is the hotel an experience unto itself, but its prime location in Quebec City's historic district (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), replete with plentiful European charm, makes a trip to this Fairmont property particularly special, especially for those who consider themselves history buffs or francophiles.

So, what is it actually like to sleep within the walls of this Canadian grande dame? I recently made the six-hour drive from Boston to Quebec City and checked in to the landmark property for two nights to see what it's all about. Here's what my stay was like.

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Composed of 610 rooms and suites, the Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac is a historic hotel — and a National Historic Site of Canada — that's played host to notable political meetings, celebrities and figureheads.

The property was built in 1893 under the direction of William Van Horne, the CEO of Canadian Pacific Railway, as a way to promote luxury train travel. Designed by acclaimed American architect Bruce Price, the hotel's grandeur was — unsurprisingly — an instant hit among upscale travelers, and Le Chateau Frontenac quickly became a hot spot for major social events and parties. It continued to grow in popularity, becoming a trendy holiday destination for all kinds of VIPs, including Princess Grace Kelly of Monaco, King George VI, Queen Elizabeth II and Alfred Hitchcock. It was also the backdrop for the Quebec Conferences of World War II in the mid-1940s, led by then-President Franklin D. Roosevelt, then-Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Winston Churchill and then-Prime Minister of Canada William Lyon Mackenzie King.

As a result of its over-a-century-long story, the hotel is full of nods to its past (and to a time even before its existence), from historic architectural and structural elements to artifacts that date back hundreds of years to special design details and well-preserved pieces of art. It's a bit like walking through a museum, and you could easily spend an hour or two just exploring the property and reading about the history along the way. You'll notice this the moment you walk through the gleaming golden turnstiles and into the opulent lobby.

After a $75 million renovation in 2014, the hotel has had a bit of a freshening up — though it still maintains its distinct historic integrity throughout the public spaces and exterior.

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