Stay & Play
To Barbie or Not to Barbie in La Belle Province
by Cherie DeLory
Love her or leave her, Barbie is here to stay. In fact, Barbie is hotter than ever and pink is the new black. Everything seems to be coming up pink on the heels of last summer’s splash hit Barbie movie, the highest grossing film of 2023. Now, Canada’s first Barbie Dream Suite is available for all generations of Barbie fans.
The luxury hotelier, Fairmont Queen Elizabeth in Montreal, Quebec has teamed with the iconic fashion doll’s creator, Mattel, to design a posh 1200-square foot spacious pink pad fit for a, well, Barbie! It’s part of Fairmont’s Beyond Limits themed suite offering to allow guests an immersive experience into Barbie’s glamorous world. The Mattel and Fairmont partnership ends September 30, 2024 and celebrates Barbie’s upcoming 65th birthday and the hotel’s 66th anniversary.
The adventure begins on the 17th floor. Look for the conspicuous pink door at the end of the corridor and prepare to think pink. Enter a spacious foyer with shades of pink to be discovered at every turn. You won’t have to look far to notice the fun details that make this sensational suite feel like you’ve entered your childhood Barbie Dream House.
The living and dining room is where the magic happens and it feels as if time is standing still. The clock above the sofa is stopped at 3:09 to represent Barbie’s birthday, March 9th. Flip the light switch to get the party started. There’s a sparkling disco ball, an old-school vinyl record player to spin the Barbie movie soundtrack, and a vintage pink telephone to call in your bragging rights.
The windows open to the outdoor air and a fabulous view of the Mary, Queen of the World Cathedral/Cathedrale Marie-Reine-du-Monde across the street where you can’t help but notice the church’s majestic copper green dome. This is a pad Barbie and her friends would be tickled pink to hang out in. Heck, I want to live here, let alone spend a night for a special occasion. There’s a chic powder room and both bedrooms have an ensuite with a pink hair dryer and flat iron. Open the closets to find cute pink velvet hangers and a pink safe box for your valuables.
Nods to Barbie abound; with photos of travel adventures in Montreal, doll displays and pretty coffee table books to brush up on Barbie trivia and history. The pink doesn’t stop in the kitchenette, where you’ll find a special dog dish should you bring your pooch along for the celebration.
A perk is access to the Gold Floor Lounge on the 21st floor, which means breakfast and all the cappuccinos and hot chocolates topped with whipped cream your heart desires up to 10 pm. A hearty selection of canapés are served from 5 to 7pm, followed by sweets at 8 pm. The pool is open until 10pm; adults only from 8 to 10 pm, and the gym is open all night.
Choose from Dream Suite Packages starting at $1,499 per night for up to four guests. Enjoy Barbie Tea and Cocktails and Mocktails, Barbie Spa, PJ Soiree, and Sweets Shop. The VIP Dream Suite includes airport chauffeur service with a driver, whose name could be Ken. Look for the white limo and “Ken” will be sporting a pink bow tie.
Porter flies to Montreal-Trudeau International Airport from both Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, located on the Toronto Islands, and Pearson International Airport located in Mississauga (approximate flight time 1.5 hours). A free Porter shuttle bus operates between the Billy Bishop Airport and the Fairmont Royal York Hotel, adjacent to Union Station.
