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.

Hotel is very conveniently located and walking distance to old Montreal. Given the reputation of this hotel, I was a bit disappointed. The carpet in my room and in the elevator lobby on my floor (20th) were buckled and needed to be stretched. It would have been easy to trip. I also found the room to be quite warm, in spite of the a/c being on.
Everything was clean but just not the calibre that I expected. My expectations were just too high, I think.

Fairmont QE was centrally located in the heart of Montreal. My husband and I stayed here for three days (for conference). Although the rooms were small, it was very comfortable. I liked the fact that we could walk everywhere and it was also very close to museums and shopping. The only downside is that everything at the hotel was very expensive - $12.50 for drinks, $8.50 for a bottle of Evian, and $1.70 for a snickers bar. Otherwise, I would recommend this hotel..