Headed to Quebec City soon and need a place to stay? I recently stayed at the Auberge Saint-Antoine in Quebec City which is part of the Relais & Chateaux hotel group. Not familiar with the Relais & Chateaux Collection? They have some of the most extravagant, boutique hotels and decadent restaurants in the world.
Given that we knew nothing about the hotels in Quebec City, we did a little research to find one we would like. We used sites like Tripadvisor to read reviews and look at traveler photos. We always look at traveler photos when selecting the hotel, as it’s an honest look at the hotel. I mean of course the hotel websites look nice and fancy, but those are staged photos made to entice you to their property. Other traveler’s photos are where the truth lies.
What hooked me on this hotel was the traveler photos looked just as good as the professional ones. And the fact that they had glass shower doors. I’m a bit particular when it comes to hotel showers. I prefer glass shower doors over a regular shower curtain. At work I’ve been known to call multiple hotels to find the ones with glass shower doors to select my hotel for work travel. It’s one of my quirks!
I loved my stay at the this hotel for so many reasons, some of which include the following.
Hotel Location
The hotel is located right in the thick of things in Quebec City. It’s a short walk to the Petit-Champlain District, which is the historic shopping district in the city. On the bottom half of the hill you can use the funicular or stairs to get to upper town. It’s also about a block away from a main square with La Maison Smith Cafe. You can stop by here on your way back and grab a sweet treat for your room.
Hotel Room
The room at the Auberge Saint-Antoine was top notch and had several amenities that I look for in a hotel room. Lets start with the entryway. Each room has a tiny box of rocks right by the doorway, which is a genius idea as you store your winter boots there to dry off. I’m actually incorporating this idea at my home, as it looks much better than a black tray with salt stains in winter.
The Lux Room has plenty of space in which to get comfortable. With a king size bed, a small couch, desk, bar area and full dressing quarters, this room is perfect for a weekend getaway. The bar area includes a fully stocked fridge, a Nespresso machine and an electric tea kettle, which I loved. I’m a huge tea drinker so having hot water on demand and several tea selections made each night super cozy before falling asleep.
And now for the best part of the room. The bathroom! Designed perfectly to maximize space and function. I would kill for this bathroom in my own house. A double vanity with ample counter space made it easy to keep two toiletry bags in the bathroom at all time. The oversized walk in shower with an overhead rain spout warmed me up after being out in the cold for hours.
Hotel Vibe and Ambiance
From the moment I walked into the hotel I was in love with it. The hotel is sophisticated yet approachable, with a friendly and welcoming staff. We felt right at home from the first “Bonjour!” greeting. The lobby is set up how any home should be with a large entryway and a huge great room that leads into the main entertainment center, Artefact, the lobby bar.
The lobby is littered with cozy nooks and fireplaces, perfect for sitting and enjoying a hot chocolate or a glass of champagne. The early bird gets the worm with these nooks, so get up early and grab one or head down in the early afternoon to have a fireside cocktail. The hotel offers a selection of coffees and teas in your room, so brew up a glass of something hot and head down to the fireplace nook in the morning. We got up at 6am to enjoy the nook each morning. There was nothing more enjoyable than sitting by the fire watching the snowfall early in the morning. I was sad to leave there each morning.
Restaurant and Bar
The property has two main restaurants, Artefact, which is the lobby bar and Chez Muffy, the formal restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. We spent time at both and enjoyed them each for different reasons.
Artefact
The main lobby bar is in the heart of the hotel. The seating is unique as there are small vignettes around the bar that provide individual, intimate areas. Decorated in a bold turquoise and burnt orange color it’s a Pinterest junkies dream come true. I was ready to re-do my whole house while enjoying a glass of champagne. The food here is pretty good too as they offer lighter bar fare. The beef tartar and poutine are must haves for an afternoon snack. Looking for a unique drink? Try the maple old fashioned, a Canadian twist on a tried and true drink.
Chez Muffy
The full restaurant on the property is top notch, especially for brunch! On the weekends from 10:00am – 1:00pm they offer a delicious brunch featuring traditional breakfast fare, seafood, pastries and a wide selection of desserts. They also offer an on demand eggs Benedict station, where you watch the chef prepare your dish. Not only is the food delicious, but the decor is the restaurant is to die for. Beautiful rustic wood used throughout the restaurant provides a chic, lodge-like feel. With a fireplace in the middle, its perfect on a cold morning. Be sure to grab a scone or three 🙂 as they too were out of this world!
Auberge Saint-Antoine was a magical hotel located in a magical town. I didn’t want to leave and can’t wait to get back there. We stayed for three nights and looking back I wish I stayed for four or five. I could have spent a whole day inside the hotel enjoying the amenities and ambience of the property.
Looking for more details on Auberge Saint-Antoine and the surrounding town? Check out my Quebec City Travel Guide where I share the best things to do on a trip to this Canadian city. Also follow me on Instagram and Pinterest to see some great travel photos from all over the world.
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