We recently returned from a weeks stay at the Fairmont Queen Elizabeth, where we enjoyed a beautiful junior suite for $330 per night. The suite included a bedroom, sitting room, two baths, robes, and a great view. (We had initially booked an "apartment" elsewhere in the city - but upon arrival found that it was not accurately represented by the photos posted on the website.) As this was not acceptable to us, we called the Fairmont and received great service from the reservationist.
When we arrived at the hotel our suite was not ready, which was fine since we had just called 15 mintues earlier. Pascal, the front desk clerk who took great care of us, gave us two free drink coupons for the bar while we waited. The staff were very friendly and accommodating.
The hotel is in a great location, within walking distance to Vieux Montreal and directly above the central train station. The station, which has great bakeries and coffee shops, is connected to the vast underground shopping mall.
The hotel has a great fitness center with several treadmills, elipticals, and strength training equipment. There is also a pool, which was a bit cold for me, a sauna, jacuzzi and whirlpool. The hotel offers tea service in the afternoons in the lobby, which was quite fun. We ordered room service twice. They were prompt, the food was the correct temperature, delicious and beautifully presented. We enjoyed our stay there very much.

This was not at all what we had expected it would be. Upon our arrival, we were advised that the hotel was in the midst of a labor strike so that there were very few services available - even though we had paid for "Gold" level service - whatever that was supposed to mean. When we realized that we had paid for services which were totally unavailable, we requested a room change and were moved to the 21st floor. Clearly, any renovations that this hotel may have begun have not gotten up there. The carpet was an interesting shade of pink and I was not comfortable walking around without flip flops. The curtains and bed cover were very obviously remnants from the 80's. The furniture was beat up and tired looking. Not at all a comfortable place to stay and if you are in Montreal to see the sites, I would not recommend at all. It is not close enough to anything to make this tired place worth the stay.

We stayed here during the Montreal Jazz Festival.

The Good
Overall the room and bathroom was clean. Nice appointments such as the furniture, and robes in bathroom. The downtown location gave easy accessibility to the Jazz Festival (10 min walk) and train station (next door). The hotel lobby was nicely laid out with restaurant and tourist shops.

The Not so Good
Room was a little smaller than used to for a hotel of this rating and class. Did read prior reviews from Tripadvisor guests who stated the same thing before booking. The hotel workers joined the strike of hotel workers in many hotels in Montreal and as you can imagine service was not present for changing rooms and handling bags. Fortunately for us we were checking out the day the strike happened. However I did see management step up and try to bring luggage to rooms and carts were left out in the hallway for fresh towels, soaps, etc.

Not at all what I expected for a 5 star hotel! I have traveled all over the world for business and this stay cost a lot more for a lot less than I have had at any other 5 star hotel. Firmly believe you get what you pay for (and don't mind paying for it), except for this time! Rooms were small, renovations not complete (at least I hope not, as the bathroom really needs it), carpet in the hall ways were hazardous with bulges. Definitely not the cleanest.
I was at the Fairmont Queen E for a conference, stayed eight nights. After the fourth day I realized that the red bumps (which scabbed up quickly) only around my neck and head and in my ears - each morning, were bed bug bites. The hotel staff tried to convince me that it was due to allergies of the laundry cleaning chemicals (in which they changed the bedding with new cleaned in vinegar/water) and advised me to talk to a doctor when I get home. I did and was confirmed bed bug bites. I was refused any kind of compensation for this.

The best part of the stay was the location. Handy to everything else you could possible need (sites, shopping, culture, night life & food) and most of the staff were pleasant . The tours were informative. The spa was fabulous! and would highly recommend that spa, only I would stay elsewhere.