Back to my castle in the clouds
Sometimes, what seems like the end of a journey turns out to be the beginning of something wonderful.
My dear friends Rita Trinidad and Joveth Pascual and I recently embarked on a road trip that took us from ritzy New York to Boston, verdant Maine, the picturesque mountains of Stowe, Vermont, and finally to Quebec City, Canada.
A return to Quebec City becomes a journey into old-world charm, autumn splendor and Christmas magic, with the iconic Fairmont Le Château Frontenac as the crown jewel of a fairytale escape.
Little did we know that the most enchanting chapter of our journey was yet to unfold.
Our road trip was painted in the glorious colors of autumn, with leaves in crimson, gold and magnificent shades of orange. We even made our way to the Von Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe, where the story of the Von Trapp family and the timeless Rodgers and Hammerstein classic, The Sound of Music, came alive.
But nothing could have prepared us for the quintessential beauty of the castle on the hill in Quebec City: the iconic Fairmont Le Château Frontenac, widely described as the most photographed hotel in the world.
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It is a place where Christmas doesn't just arrive; it comes alive. With its soaring towers, turrets, steep copper roofs, and enchanting architectural silhouette, the hotel looks like something straight out of a fairytale. Perched majestically above the St. Lawrence River, it offers sweeping views of the waterway and the historic city below.
It is a breathtaking sight, where history, heritage, and luxury come together.
And then, my heart skipped a beat.
There it was—the castle of my dreams, welcoming me back for the second time.
My first visit was in 2014, after I had completed a course at Yale University, while my dear friend Reesa Guerrero had graduated from Dartmouth University. We celebrated love, life, and friendship here.
Today, Quebec City is just as enchanting as I remembered it, and the castle on the hill still makes my heart flutter with excitement.
As we stepped into the opulent lobby of Fairmont Le Château Frontenac, I was immediately transported to another era. The sumptuous furnishings with their gold accents, elegant chandeliers, bespoke details, and mesmerizing old-world charm evoked a sense of timeless grandeur.
For more than 130 years, this legendary hotel has welcomed royalty, world leaders, celebrities and other distinguished personalities.
Public relations manager Charles-Étienne Gendron proudly shared the hotel's illustrious guest list, which includes Queen Elizabeth II, King George VI, Winston Churchill, Charles Lindbergh, Alfred Hitchcock and Leonardo DiCaprio. The hotel also served as a filming location for the award-winning movie Catch Me If You Can. Walking through the very halls that had welcomed such remarkable personalities made me feel a little distinguished myself.
And there is so much more to discover: exceptional service, Michelin-starred dining, an elegant wellness spa, and even the hotel's own garden and beehives—a reflection of its commitment to sustainability and its appreciation for fresh, locally sourced ingredients.
I will always remember the quaint shops selling Christmas ornaments all year round, along with the cozy cafés and restaurants serving French-inspired fare. Together, they complete the picture of a truly charming destination.
The hotel is not just a breathtaking architectural landmark; it also has a cinematic legacy. It served as a location for Alfred Hitchcock's I Confess (1953) and the Korean television series Goblin (2016), among other productions.
I realized that returning to what I thought was the final stop of an exhilarating journey had, in fact, opened the door to another magical chapter. Sometimes, what we believe is an ending is simply life making room for a beautiful new beginning.
As I gaze at the castle that seems to have stepped straight out of a fairytale, I am reminded that some destinations never lose their magic. They simply wait for us to return, bringing with us new stories, new friendships and hearts even more appreciative of life's blessings.
This destination has firmly secured its place among my most treasured travel experiences—perhaps even for many lifetimes to come.
The grand suite inspired by Grace Kelly, Princess of Monaco. Photo by Fairmont Le Château Frontenac and Rita Trinidad
French-inspired cuisine and elegant dining at Champlain Verrière. Photo by Fairmont Le Château Frontenac and Rita Trinidad
Signature cocktails and cheese selections at 1608 Wine & Cheese Bar. Photo by Fairmont Le Château Frontenac and Rita Trinidad
The grand suite inspired by Grace Kelly, Princess of Monaco. Photo by Fairmont Le Château Frontenac and Rita Trinidad
French-inspired cuisine and elegant dining at Champlain Verrière. Photo by Fairmont Le Château Frontenac and Rita Trinidad
Signature cocktails and cheese selections at 1608 Wine & Cheese Bar. Photo by Fairmont Le Château Frontenac and Rita Trinidad
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For more information and reservations, email chateaufrontenac@fairmont.com or call +1 418 692 3861.
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