This summer, live like a savvy Montrealer in the heart of the city with a stay at the luxe Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth while taking in Celeste by Cirque Éloize, the exclusive in-house cabaret, running until September 3, 2022. Beloved for its multiple festivals and events, Montreal is well known as both Canada’s cultural and circus capital, and this particular performance is one that you won’t want to miss. Whether you’re a local resident simply looking for a fun activity or a visiting guest in search of an unforgettable experience, Celeste paired with quality time at the “Queen E” (as locals fondly refer to it) is the ideal recipe for an epic getaway.
Checking in at the Fairmont is already an experience, with its contemporary lobby, artisanal gourmet market, Marché Artisans, and its popular café, Kréma. Grab a coffee and get acquainted with the market, known for its foodie factor, where exceptional products, and sit-at counters are presented in a harmonious and welcoming food-hall-inspired environment. This is the spot where locals like to lunch on the go or stop by to take out freshly prepared meals and epicurean gifts. Keep it in mind for your next-day lunch or takeaway treats and souvenirs.
Once you’ve checked out the lobby and checked in, you’ll want to get settled into one of the recently renovated bright and boldly designed rooms. Enhance your stay by opting for a spacious and luxurious Fairmont Gold room, located on the 18th to 20th floors and affording splendid views of downtown Montreal. Fairmont Gold guests benefit from additional services including access to a private lounge area where complimentary canapés and an honour bar are provided, along with a continental breakfast each morning.
Before the show, treat yourself to a memorable bistro-style meal at Restaurant Rosélys, where the culinary experience is equal parts French and English, reflecting the two founding cultures of the urban centre. Even the name Rosélys is inspired by two symbols on the Montreal flag, a rose for the British and the fleur-de-lys for the French. In this elegant art-deco-inspired space, with views of the Mary Queen of the World Cathedral, you will be dining in true Montreal style.
Located in the event space just to the left of the lobby (follow the red carpet), Celeste by Montreal’s Cirque Éloize is nothing short of spectacular. Created specifically for the Fairmont by the contemporary circus arts company, in an intimate boudoir-style setting of just 225 seats, the show takes you on a mysterious galactic journey inspired by the poetic vastness of a starry sky, through a mythical nocturnal universe where one meets all kinds of quirky, glamorous and celestial characters. Cloaked and masked performers mingle among the guests as they take their seats, creating a buzz of excitement for what’s to come. The immersive show opens with a moving ritual and then transforms into a diverse array of musical, theatrical and acrobatic numbers accompanied by a live DJ and noted local jazz and pop vocalist Coral Egan. Celeste is a magical 90-minute voyage to another world. Not your usual circus cabaret, the show incorporates plenty of urban elements such as an energetic and frenzied stunt cyclist, an incredible beatboxer and a pair of gravity-defying disco-era roller skaters. You’ll be mesmerized by each act, while the quick-witted host entertains you with his bilingual and playful banter, making the spectators feel like they are part of the show.
It wouldn’t be a night out in Montreal without heading to Bar Nacarat, one of Montreal’s top cocktail bars, located in the hotel lobby directly across from the cabaret. Here, mixology is taken to the next level. Ask to sit at the bar to be entertained by the talented mixologists while they prepare your libation. On warm summer nights, hotel guests and Montrealers are more likely to gravitate to the lively Nacarat Terrace, located on the third floor of the hotel with breathtaking views of the city. Let the smell of sizzling barbecue and the beats of the open-air lounge’s DJ lift your spirits as you sip stellar cocktails and mingle with the colourful crowd.
If you wish to keep fit during your time at the hotel, the Wellness Center is open 24/7. Try one of the available virtual classes or take advantage of the latest strength-training and cardio equipment. The relaxing recreational water facilities (with pool, hot tub and saunas) next to the Wellness Center are open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Be sure to crown your cabaret getaway at the Fairmont Queen Elizabeth with a moment of pampering at the prestigious Moment Spa. Indulge in a relaxing massage or one of the many treatment packages that are designed to soothe mind, body and soul.