Midway up an escarpment overlooking the St. Lawrence River on Cape Diamond, inside the walled city of Old Quebec, Quebec stands a fortress of a hotel, Quebec's fabled chateau Le Chateau Frontenac.

This grand hotel is quintessentially European with its gothic architecture, stonework and copper roofs, having the appearance of a medieval fortress.

It's a fitting testament to the celebration of Quebec City's 400th anniversary in 2008, the oldest settlement in North America, and one of the most recognizable hotels in all of Canada.

Le Chateau Frontenac casts an imposing presence over Old Quebec.

It first opened its doors on December 18, 1893 and guests are still coming from around the world, not only to stay but also to tour this historic piece of Canadiana so much so that the hotel has full-time historic tour guides with hourly tours during the peak of the tourist season.

Built by the Canadian Pacific Railway, it remains a major landmark in Old Quebec and dominates the city landscape. It's hard to escape its otherworldly omnipotence as it stands sentinel over Quebec City, the brooding St. Lawrence River and the rambling Quebec countryside.

It has over 600 elegant rooms on 18 floors. Its lobby and ballrooms are opulent. Its captivating Le Champlain Dining Room has a stately main dining area, while on an adjacent terrace there is a romantic balcony overlooking the St. Lawrence River - with waiters dressed in the period attire of Old France you'll be taken back in time.

Its circular Bar Saint-Laurent lounge also overlooks the St. Lawrence River featuring an elegance and quietude usually reserved for upscale dining rooms.

The main restaurant, the Caf de la Terrace which features lavish buffets, has a cozy atmosphere with a discerning buzz in the air, and sits adjacent to a promenade above the Old Port.

Its lower floors host conference rooms, numerous shops, boutiques and art galleries.

The hotel has a fitness centre with an indoor swimming pool, exercise room, whirlpool bath, steam room and massage facilities.

Le Chateau Frontenac is an attraction in itself, not to mention the many other attractions Quebec City has to offer:

The City of Quebec was founded in 1608 by Samuel de Champlain and is the cradle of French civilization in North America.
Old Quebec has been declared a World Heritage Centre by UNESCO in 1985.
Quebec City is the capital of Quebec and attracts 9 million tourists annually.
It has numerous museums, art galleries, historic sites and over 900 restaurants.
Quebec City is ranked as the 4th best tourist destination in North America.
The population of Quebec City is 622,000 of which 95% are French-speaking, however English is widely spoken in all service industries and shopping areas.

The namesake of Le Chateau Frontenac comes from a flamboyant French governor, Louis de Baude, Count of Frontenac, who governed New France from 1672 to 1698.

Site of the historic Quebec Conferences of World War II in 1943 and 1944, the hotel has been also been graced by many visiting dignitaries and famous personalities over the years.

To stay in the hotel is a dream come true for many guests, as they relive the rich and colorful past of Old Quebec and Quebec City amid the grandeur of a world-class hotel.

Learn more about this author, Duane Radford.
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