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Best Hotel Bets
Best Historic Hotel: Fairmont Le Château Frontenac, 1 rue des Carrières (tel. 800/441-1414 or 418/692-3861), is more than a century old. It was one of the first hotels built to serve railroad passengers and to encourage tourism at a time when most people stayed close to home -- and it still rewards a visit.
Most Romantic Boutique Hotel (Tie): The Auberge Saint-Antoine, 8 rue St-Antoine (tel. 888/692-2211 or 418/692-2211) features a grand new wing and archaeological displays from lobby to bedside, and it's hard to beat curling up with a glass of wine beside the fire in one of the cozy lobby alcoves. The sleek Dominion 1912, 126 rue St-Pierre (tel. 888/833-5253 or 418/692-2224) is also a favorite, infusing a pre-World War I building with cunning modernist flavor, continuing a trend in designer hotels and inns in the Basse-Ville.
Best Hotel Location: Where else? For tourists, nothing can beat Fairmont Le Château Frontenac for proximity to all the sights. In fact, "The Château" is one of the sights.
Best Hotel for Business Travelers: The Hilton Québec, 1100 bd. René-Lévesque est (tel. 800/445-8667 or 418/647-2411), has a central location, a good fitness center, and executive floors with concierges and business services.
Best Hotel Health Club and Pool: Even if you're not staying at the Hilton Québec, you can come for the Sunday brunch, which includes free admission to the year-round heated outdoor pool.
Most Memorable Hotel: How many chances do you get to sleep in a hotel built completely of ice, on a bed of ice, near a chandelier and disco and front hallway all made of ice, ice, ice? The Hôtel de Glace, Station Touristique Duchesnay, 30 minutes outside the city (tel. 877/505-0423; www.icehotel-canada.com), is open from January to April or the first thaw, whichever comes first.
The Best Splurge Hotels
Auberge Saint-Antoine (8 rue St-Antoine; tel. 888/692-2211): Sure, there's the Château Frontenac, looming up above, the very symbol of the city. But for a more intimate, less overwhelming visit, take the funicular down to the Basse-Ville. The auberge started as a stylish but largely unexceptional B&B and has grown in calculated phases into the most desirable lodging in town, now with a chic lounge and a top restaurant.
Dominion 1912 (126 rue Saint-Pierre; tel. 888/833-5253): Also a key player in the redevelopment of the once dreary Basse-Ville/Vieux-Port, the Dominion has rooms so large and beds and bedding so cozily enveloping that you may not want to go out. Do, though, at least for the fireplace, croissants, and café au lait in the lobby.
The Best Moderately Priced Hotels
Hôtel Sainte-Anne (32 rue Ste-Anne; tel. 877/222-9422): Practically in the shadow of the Château Frontenac, this Euro-design hotel occupies a row house in the middle of the most touristy district of the Upper Town. Rooms are stripped to the minimum, but as equipped as can be reasonably expected with this location at these relatively gentle prices.
Château Laurier (1220 Place Georges V ouest; tel. 800/463-4453): There are now nine categories of rooms and suites in this Parliament Hill property, thanks to nearly continual expansion in recent years. The hotel is close to the Battlefields Park and Musée des Beaux-Arts.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without
notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before
planning your trip.
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