A stunning Quebec City hotel with a worldwide reputation, the Fairmont Le Château Frontenac has hosted the likes of Grace Kelly and Sir Winton Churchill. Winner of 2022 Global Hotel of the Year Award, from the prestigious World Luxury Awards, its fairy-tale silhouette presides majestically over the city. If you are thinking of visiting Canada, make it a journey of a lifetime with an iconic movie star stay at this magnificent chateau.

Discover this on: Indulgence in Eastern Canada

A Place in History

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Québec City’s most famous landmark, the impressive Château Frontenac sits perched atop Cape Diamond. Of great historical significance, Samuel de Champlain founded Quebec City on the very rock that the hotel is located on. Built more than a century ago in the style of a Renaissance French château, the hotel offers 610 rooms and was designed to convey prestige in keeping with its Old Québec surroundings.

The work of American architect Bruce Price, the Château Frontenac opened in 1893. It was constructed at the request of William Cornelius van Horne, president of the Canadian Pacific Railway who hoped it would become “the most talked about hotel on the continent.”

Americans came to Quebec in their drives during Prohibition and kept coming long after the ban ended. In 1943, Winston Churchill and Franklin D. Roosevelt met here to plan the Allied campaigns.

For travel inspiration: Canada destination guide

Grandiose interiors

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Through many renovations, as comes with a building of this size, the hotel has kept much of its original character. This can be seen in full glory in the public rooms and the gleaming paneled lobby. With its many areas and anti-chambers, some with vaulted ceilings, oil portraits, baronial chandeliers and gold statues, the lobby oozes old-world charm.

The rooms of this Quebec City hotel vary from classic to modern. Enjoy a decadent stay with soft greys, ivories and beige with dark accents, elegant furnishings and all the modern amenities you would expect from a five-star establishment.

Related content: Why New Orleans’ Ritz Carlton Hotel is a cut above the rest

A decadent Spa

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For the ultimate in relaxation, let time stand still at the sixth-floor Moment Spa. Offering a full range of treatments, stunning views over the St. Lawrence River and the city’s fortifications make this a truly unique experience. Large windows illuminate the indoor pool and hot tub, so you can also gaze out as you bathe.

If you are feeling more active there is also a fitness center and gym, bike hire, and in winter months, a direct shuttle to the Mont Sainte-Anne ski resort. In winter you can also enjoy the toboggan slide.

Related content: 6 of the best spas you can visit with Luxury Gold

Exceptional dining

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With a restaurant befitting one of the best hotels in Canada, Quebecoise chef Hugo Coudurier brings some 20 years of experience at world-class establishments, including Michelin-starred restaurants.

At the Champlain Restaurant he offers ambitious nouvelle cuisine québéquoise, using locally sourced products, paired with an impressive wine list. The exciting five-course set menu focuses on local produce and constantly changes to reflect seasonality. Expect to start with dishes such as oysters and Acadian sturgeon caviar. A specialty is Fredo’s Wagyu beef, fed with hemp, organic certified hay and corn and served with Jerusalem artichoke, beets and mushrooms from nearby St-Sauveur. For dessert savor Candied citrus fruits, mandarin sorbet Shiso and clementine sponge cake, depending on the season.

Sip cocktails like Churchill

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If you want to walk in the footsteps of Sir Winston Churchill, then take a seat at the elegant dark-wood 1608 Wine and Cheese Bar. Formerly the Bar Saint-Laurent, it serves a superb range of cocktails along with wines and fragrant local Québec cheeses.

It was at the Bar Saint-Laurent at this Quebec City Hotel that Churchill came to smoke his famous cigars, between two conferences in Quebec, during the Second World War (1943-1944). The hotel also hosted some of the greatest jazz musicians of the time.

Revamped décor combines with traces of ancient history, and the literary atmosphere of old French cafés has been preserved. Take time to enjoy the library with its floor-to-ceiling shelves full of books, encyclopedias and artefacts discovered in the ruins of the Citadel of Québec.

Related content: Top vacation spots for cheese lovers

The ultimate location

Perfectly located in the heart of Old Québec, you have the pleasure of enjoying the city’s magnificent walls just by the hotel. North America’s only walled city, Quebec is also a UNESCO World Heritage site. Dating back to the 17th Century, the ramparts circle Old Quebec’s upper town and include four gates, three Martello towers and several cannons.

The city sights, including the Citadel and boutique-filled Quartier Petit-Champlain, and the city’s museum, are within a mile’s walk. And, if you came to Quebec for the snow, you have your choice of three ski areas all situated within an hour of the hotel

Related content: 6 of the world’s most beautiful walled cities and towns

If you are inspired to visit Canada and stay at the Fairmont Le Château Frontenac, a luxurious stay at this exquisite Quebec City hotel is a feature on our Indulgence in Eastern Canada limited-edition tour.

As you start planning your South Africa travels, you’ll quickly realise you need a guide to Cape Town focused on the city’s fantastic food scene. This coastal hot spot has long been revered as an important wine region, but it’s also home to delicious and unique South African food. Luxury Gold’s gastronomic guide will take you through notable Cape Town restaurants and must-try flavors of “Mother City”. 

Braai 

Among the top things to do in Cape Town is try Braai. Braai, meaning to grill meat over an open flame, is more than barbecue. It’s a way of life and part of South African culture. Braai not only refers to how you cook meat, but the joyful gathering and socializing of family and friends. This tradition is so embedded in South African culture that South African Heritage Day is called “Braai Day.” On Braai Day – or any other day people gather for Braai – you can find a variety of marinated meat cooked over wood or charcoal. Lamb, beef, chicken, pork, springbok, warthog, ostrich, eland, kudu, seafood and steak are all popular. Boerewors, beef and pork sausages seasoned with coriander and nutmeg, are often found on the menu, too. Meat is usually accompanied by fresh salads and desserts.  

Mzoli’s  

One of the top spots to try Braai is Mzoli’s. Part butcher shop, part restaurant, this bustling hot spot outside of the city center is the place to go dine like a local. You’ll find out-of-towners and a diverse crowd of Cape Towners at Mzoli’s. It’s that good. Feast on grilled meat with local South African spiced barbecue sauce. Pair your meats with pap (a South African corn dish similar to grits) and chakalaka (a vegetable succotash), for a complete meal. 

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Seafood at Codfather 

Any gastronomic guide to Cape Town must also highlight its stunning seafood. We’ve heard that Codfather is the place to go for fresh fish, shellfish and sushi. From prawns and oysters to crayfish and calamari, there’s no shortage of seafood options and variety. What makes Codfather unique is that instead of a printed menu, it presents the fresh, daily offerings on a large display counter – like that of your favorite local fishmonger. Staff are eager to guide you through the fresh catches and flavors that you’ll enjoy the most. You choose the exact amount you want for a completely customizable meal.  

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Old Biscuit Mill 

Can’t decide between Braai and seafood? You don’t have to. Cape Town’s many markets invite you to sample local flavors and dishes from upcoming restauranteurs. On Spectacular South Africa you’ll join a Local Expert to visit the trendy The Old Biscuit Mill, a former biscuit factory turned vibrant market and creative hub in the city. In addition to showcasing local photographers, designers, and other artists, Old Biscuit Mill is the ideal spot to sample local fare. Grab a gourmet burger at Redemption Burgers. Try a Taiwan-inspired bao filled with pickled carrots and cucumber, fresh garden herbs, Asian-style dressing and crispy onions at Bao Now. Or, sip a specialty coffee from Espresso Lab Microroasters.  

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Two don’t-miss restaurants in The Old Biscuit Mill are by Luke Dale-Roberts. The Pot Luck Club tempts with shareable plates in taste categories of salty, sour, sweet, umami and bitter. Try the Asian-style beef tartare with Hoisin dressing, coriander pesto and ponzu mayo. Or, sample Pork Penang Belly with coconut and peanut curry with lime pickled onion. At Dale-Roberts’ other restaurant, The Test Kitchen Fledglings, sushi and scallops sit alongside seafood risotto in a warm space with an important ethos. The Test Kitch Fledglings presents people who previously had no access to the hospitality industry to potentially forge a new career. Full-time employees receive a salary while they are upskilled through on-the-job training.  

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The wines  

No gastronomic guide to Cape Town would be complete without shining a spotlight on its wine industry. In fact, 80% of South African wines are produced in Cape Town province. These ideal climate conditions create a variety of wines including Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot and Cabernet within its five main wine regions. Join a winery tour to some of the many estates or personalize your exploration on a historical, hiking or mountain biking tour through the region. 

Our Spectacular South Africa tour guides you to Vergelegen Estate where you’ll sip award-winning wines over a private tasting. Take time to stroll through some of the 18 unique gardens of the manor house and explore the nearby vineyards by bicycle with a guide. 

To top off your experience, you’ll dine at Boschendal Wine Estate’s Werf Restaurant. This award-winning restaurant within the revamped original cellar of the Manor House is renowned for its sustainability and farm-to-table meals. Chef Allistaire Lawrence presents a menu guided by the seasons with local and ethically sourced produce brought to the forefront of each dish.  

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Where else will your South Africa travels take you? 

If you find yourself in beautiful Scotland, dinner at one of the Michelin-star restaurants in Edinburgh should be on your must-do list. After all, what better way to end a day of sightseeing, whisky tasting and castle touring than dinner at one of Edinburgh’s top fine dining experiences at a Michelin-star restaurant?   

21212  

We begin with Chef Paul Kitching’s 21212 restaurant. Set in a charming Georgian townhouse in Edinburgh’s Royal Terrace, this fine dining hotspot has been delighting diners with contemporary French fare since 2009. 21212 actually refers to the number of dishes per course. Within one of the stylishly decorated rooms – each with a dedicated lounge area – you’ll feast on innovative flavor combinations. In fact, the menus change weekly. At the time of writing, we’re tempted by smoked salmon with pineapple and almonds and a warming soup with potato, chives and garlic. 

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Aizle  

Meaning a “glowing hot ember or spark” in Scottish, Aizle is a warm gathering space in the heart of the city. Housed in the Garden Room at The Kimpton Charlotte Square, Aizle showcases an ever-evolving menu of house-made dishes. We’re already impressed by the website that showcases seasonal harvest items. “Autumn Harvest” included a bounty from figs, cherries and artichokes, Lanark blue cheese and North Sea crab. The six-course tasting menu heavily centers around what’s local and in season. And we’ve heard the aged kombucha shouldn’t be missed. 

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Condita 

Venture just outside of Edinburgh’s city center where the Old Town meets Southside on Sailsbury Place to a converted shop where you’ll find Michelin-starred Condita. Inside, an understated modern space of whitewashed walls decorated with banners over the windows, origami blackbirds perched on branches and a large skylight inviting the afternoon sun welcomes you. This intimate space seats just six tables where diners pour over a surprise five- or eight-course tasting menu of modern dishes. A hand-drawn bookmark calls out some of the key ingredients. But should you have any curiosities about the menu, amicable Chef Conor Toomey is happy to chat. Delight in the seasonal, mostly organic dishes impeccably presented, sometimes arriving on pebbles and wooden spoons. Much of the produce is sourced from a walled kitchen garden in Borders. Organic wines complement the meal and malt whiskies finish the occasion. 

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The Glenturret Lalique   

Self-described as “an exclusive jewel-box dining room,” the Glenturret Lalique restaurant offers an intimate dining experience within a glass-walled room overlooking distilleries and the River Turret. Michelin-star restaurants in Edinburgh all offer something unique, and this cozy spot’s six tables sit beneath two five-tier Lalique chandeliers. The cosmopolitan, multi-course tasting menu is a decadent experience.  Start with sea buckthorn, liver and cocoa. Feast on the main course including Highland Wagyu, barbeque eggplant and morel. Finish with crème fraîche sherbet, raspberry and woodruff. A vegetarian tasting menu is also available from Chef Mark Donald. Donald started at Noma in Copenhagen before returning to Scotland and later working at Number One restaurant, where he secured a Michelin star before joining Glenturret in 2021.  

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Martin Wishart 

In the port of Leith, Edinburgh, restaurant Martin Wishart has been impressing diners and critics since 1999. The seasonal menu harmonizes Scottish and French brasserie cuisine. In addition, the chef also prepares a six-course tasting menu each evening. You’ll even find a vegetarian, vegan and extensive seafood menu of locally sourced fish and shellfish. From a business lunch to an elegant evening out, the variety at Martin Wishart impresses a range of patrons. The staff are eager to provide wine pairings as well.  

At the heart of the experience is Martin Wishart himself, an Edinburgh-born chef who trained under such renowned chefs as Albert Roux, Michel Roux Jr, Marco Pierre White and John Burton-Race. Wishart has worked in the kitchen since he was 15 and employs classic French cooking techniques to his locally sourced meals. The restaurant has held a Michelin star since 2001 and has been voted The Sunday Times 5th best restaurant in the UK. 

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Number One 

Among Michelin-star restaurants in Edinburgh, Number One is one of the top-ranking restaurants in the city. Located in the basement of the Balmoral hotel, find a dining room elegantly decorated with red-lacquered walls lined with contemporary art of large triptych prints and upholstered banquettes. The romantic, luxury ambiance is the perfect setting to linger over the seven-course menu. Scottish dishes featuring seasonal produce with international flair are the result of Chef Mathew Sherry’s innovations and expertise. A sample menu may take you from canapes and caviar to Goosnargh duck to artisan cheese.  

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With so many options, enhance your time in the beautiful Scottish capital by dining in one of the many Michelin-star restaurants.

Still curious about Michelin dining? Learn what to expect when fining at a Michelin-starred restaurant. Or, explore the 10 most beautiful villages and small towns in Britain and Ireland.