The George Drummond-designed hotel was named after Queen Elizabeth II who took the throne in 1952. In 1955, a petition was signed by 250 000 French-Canadians to call the hotel ”Chateau Maisonneuve” but the CN President, Donald Gordon, insisted to name the new asset for CN The Queen Elizabeth Hotel.

Back in 1958, a guestroom was $20 and a Deluxe $26. Nowadays, we are looking at $189-$279 depending on the time of the year.

The latest renovations were in 2003 when 40 million dollars were injected mainly for the lobby and the legendary Beaver Club, a 5 diamond restaurant. The hotel is currently renovating guestrooms (soft goods) a few floors at the time.

The Fairmont Gold at the ”Queeny” is Montreal’s best boutique hotel experience and I had the chance to try it a few years ago. The staff is fabulous and the food at The Montrealais or The Beaver Club, exquisite.

Happy 50th anniversary!

The move marks Fairmont’s first entry into the Palm Springs market, and gives the region an iconic luxury brand favored by discerning business and leisure travelers across the globe. Initially, the hotel development will offer 300 rooms and 125 Fairmont Residences, Fairmont Gold concierge rooms and lounge, a variety of dining outlets, 26,000 square feet of indoor function space including a 7,000 square foot ballroom as well as outdoor event areas, and a 45,000 square foot Willow Stream Spa. In phase two Avanterra will also feature Fairmont Heritage Place, the company’s private residence club homes, as well as additional Fairmont Residences.

Already drawing international attention from golf buffs, the Classic Club golf course is only the beginning of the $2.5 billion billion environmentally progressive, master-planned community designed by the internationally-renown hospitality architectural firm, Wimberly Allison Tong & Goo.

When completed, The Fairmont Avanterra will include close to one million square feet of experiential retail space, integrated work lofts, LEED certified office buildings, condominiums, amphitheater, park space, planetarium, walking trails and more.

This is a great beginning of the year for Fairmont Hotels & Resorts… I see lots of new acquisitions and busines development for 2008…