The Chateau Frontenac in Quebec

Photo: a portion of grand Chateau Frontenac, CT

Now known as Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac, this historic hotel was declared a National Heritage Site in 1980. The most elaborate of the chateau style luxury railway hotels, this building was opened in 1893. It was named after Louis de Buade, Comte de Frontenac, who was Governor of New France in the 17th century.

Besides the Queen -- then Princess Elizabeth -- and her father, King George VI, famous guests have included Chiang Kai-shek, Francois Mitterand, Charles Lindbergh, Alfred Hitchcock and Princess Grace.

In 1943, Churchill, Roosevelt, and Mackenzie King held a war strategy meeting here, while their staff stayed at the nearby Citadel, Headquarters of Quebec's Royal Vingt-Deuxieme Regiment, often known in English Canada as the Vandoos. The Governor-General has a second official residence in its thick stone wall.

Today, the historically significant Chateau Frontenac still dominates the skyline of Old Quebec, one of the oldest cities in North America.