Staycation at Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth
Have you ever thought about doing a staycation? Whatever the occasion or the duration, let’s admit that staycationing is always a good idea! If you are not familiar with this term, staycation commonly refers to a hotel stay.
The holiday season is one of the best times of the year for a staycation in Montreal downtown. It allows you to unwind and to attend one of the multiple events you might be invited at this period such as a corporate Christmas party, a charity event or a New Year’s Eve celebration. Read on to discover why Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth is an ideal choice for your next staycation.
The One Bedroom Suite
To begin, let me admit that it was my first staycation in Montreal and I am glad that Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth hosted us for 3 days in this elegant One Bedroom Suite. This type of suite is located at the end of each hallway between the 4th and 17th floors.
Our spacious contemporary suite was composed of a bedroom with a full bathroom connecting to a living room with a sofa-bed and powder room. The living was equipped with a mini bar and a large flat screen TV. Note that due to its size, the suite could accommodate up to four people.
Once you enter the bedroom, a small corridor leads you to the bed from where you can admire the view of Montreal’s downtown. The mattress was so comfortable and I can guaranty you that you will fall asleep right away without any troubles once you will try it.
Since all guest rooms underwent renovation last year with a bold artistic direction, it resulted in bright and colorful interiors decorated with a vintage flair. In the aim to celebrate Montreal’s history, each room has inviting elements paying tribute to the city. In our suite, there were several framed pictures of Montreal Old Port.
Where to start to describe this beautiful bathroom? The ceramics? The mirror? The bath? Well, no details were left behind to give a fresh and modern look to the bathroom. Moreover, the Rose 31 toiletries products from Le Labo were absolutely divine. You get cleaned and perfumed in one gesture!
Roselys Restaurant
What is best than a buffet breakfast to start up your day? Don’t look any further! Restaurant Rosélys offers a memorable bistronomy experience to delight your senses. During our stay, we enjoyed the Canadian Buffet made of a full selection including, among others, assorted pieces of bread and pastries, fresh fruits, cereals, smoothies, and a selection of hot items. It was so easy to composed healthy combinations without making any compromises.
Wellness Centre
For those of you who follow my wellness stories on Instagram, you may have noticed my new workout routine. Well, it is not a secret that when we are away from home for days it is hard to maintain a training discipline. Lucky me, I did not have to take a break from my routine since the hotel has a completely redesigned and expanded Wellness Center with brand new training machines and tools.
As I love to say, reward yourself after each effort! I can’t count the number of hours we spent at the spa because the time literally stopped when we began our hydrotherapy cycles.
Never heard about hydrotherapy? This ancient Finnish practice is a powerful way of releasing tensions in the mind and the body by following the cycle of hot-cold-relax. In addition, you improve your blood circulation and evacuate the unnecessary toxins accumulated in your body.
The steps to follow are pretty simple:
- Step 1: Raise your body temperature by spending 10 to 15 minutes inside the Sauna or the Jacuzzi
- Step 2: Close your skin’s pores by taking a cold shower for 5 to 10 seconds.
- Step 3: Drink water and relax for 10 to 15 minutes.
Once you are done with your first cycle, repeat the steps 1 to 3 for at least three times to get the maximum benefits of the circuit. For your comfort, there are long chairs all around the indoor pool for your relaxation time. In addition, a fountain of infused water, a bowl of fruits, and magazines are at your disposition at the spa entrance. Moreover, Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth offers you the possibility to subscribe to a yearly membership to access the wellness center, which is open 24 hours.
Nacarat Bar
To start the evening on a sweet note, we went to the Nacarat Bar located on the hotel main floor. We were charmed both by the elegance of the interior décor inspired by the Glam Rock era and the atmosphere. Behind the counter, a talented team of bartenders in action offers a stunning choice of liquid pleasures. We opted for French dry White wine paired with marinated olives and spiced nuts.
One of the reasons why I was so excited to try Nacarat Bar was for the Vegan Tartare featured on their menu. When I go to a non-vegan place I am always happy to have a choice on the menu without having to ask for modifications. Note that the version featured on the picture below slightly differs from the original because some ingredients were missing that day but were replaced by other ones. That being said, it was absolutely delicious.
Marché Artisans
Before leaving the hotel, make a stop at Marché Artisans in the lobby. This gourmet outlet is a place of discovery where you can delight yourself with fresh seasonal products, healthy ready-made meals, and fine chocolate among others. I really appreciated that the market focuses on promoting foods from artisanal Quebec producers.
To help you experience the city vibe during your stay, the hotel staff has compiled a list of suggested itineraries from the most popular attractions to the hidden treasures. Visit the section Destination Guide on the hotel website for more info.
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