Best Of

kfnknfzk -- Will do! So happy to know how much you enjoyed the trip!

We upgraded - our room was on the 14th floor. I didn't see a standard room so can't make a room to room comparison. The upgrade also gives you access to a lounge where you can get coffee, soft drinks and water. There are alcoholic beverages which you must pay for. They serve breakfast and at certain hours, appetizers are available. There is not as much variety as eating breakfast in the restaurant, but it's not bad. There were several youth groups in the restaurant one morning so the lounge was a nice retreat. Overall we didn't spend much time in the lounge but when we did, it was not crowded and the staff was very accommodating.

My grandparents stayed at the Frontenac on their honeymoon!

British -- Different strokes for different folks. For me it is definitely worth it. I have wanted to stay at this hotel for years and I want the full experience. As an aside -- we live in CT and would normally do this trip on our own (we usually use Tauck for int'l trips -- Japan -- Israel/Jordan -- South America -- Russia -- etc) but when I figured out the cost -- hotels -- sightseeing -- meals -- I couldn't touch Tauck's price.

I can't answer yet (we are going in September) but we did upgrade. We are going a day early and using the Gift of Time to extend our stay in Quebec. I don't know when you are planning to go but I would be happy to answer your question about the upgrade when we return. (Edit: I just saw your other post saying that you are going at the end of August. Enjoy!!)

Arriving early has a few plusses, as I see it:
1. some time to get un-jetlagged (though not an issue for Canada)
2. in the event something goes wrong with your flight plans, added leeway to get there for the start of the tour.
3. time to wander the starting location on your own, pre-tour.

The other qualifier for Gift of Time is you have to book by the end of July of the previous year. For example, there's just a few days left to qualify for GoT for 2025 bookings.

Good point regarding booking deadline. I edited my previous post to include it.

FYI - the free night at the start or the end of the tour is known as the Gift of Time. It is not given to first timers with Tauck. And is given to repeat guests, subject to availability of the hotel and booking deadline. It doesn’t matter whether or not you use a travel agent.