Quebec City

[BLTtinkerbell]

My DH and I are thinking of going to Quebec City for a long weekend. We’ve never been, but have heard it’s beautiful in the winter.
We are thinking of staying at Chateau Frontenac.
We would like to see the ice hotel.
If you’ve been, please share your thoughts.
Where did you stay?
What restaurants did you like?
What things/places should we definitely try to do/see?
Thanks!

 

[CdnCarrie]

Quebec City is gorgeous and unique.
I’ve been there twice but never in winter.
Chateau Frontenac is iconic but pricey.
Last time I was there we stayed at Hotel Clarendon as it was right in the Old Quarter with parking available as we drove there. Of course left car parked for the duration of our visit.

I’m sure others here may have good advice or post on the Canadian forum.

 

[mommasita]

Like @CdnCarrie i also haven’t stayed there, I think it’s the cost. I have a friend with an airbnb which is very close to the city. Love Quebec, old Quebec, it’s very much like home. Walk around Old Quebec for sure, all food is good, it’s Quebec
no to the ice hotel, not my thing.
have you been for the winter carnival , that’s a lot of fun.

 

[leebee]

DD/SIL were at Winter Carnival last weekend. While they had fun at the Carnival events, they said the best things about Quebec happened when they were just walking around. They took a Chateau tour, did a city walking tour, and roamed around with no real destination, just poking into places to browse, snack, drink, etc. They did NOT like their hotel- housekeeping didn't exist and there was almost never any front desk staff so they couldn't exchange the stained sheets- yuck, they just slept on top of the bedding- and while I can't remember the hotel name, when they booked it, it got decent ratings on tripadvisor. They said that next time, they'd make sure to book a hotel with PARKING. There are public garages, but as it was a weekend during Carnival, it was really hard to find one that wasn't full. DD raved about the city enough that DH and I are considering a long weekend trip this summer!

 

[Suger Mag]

just got back from a Dec trip for the Christmas markets. We stayed in at the Auberge Antoine which is host to an excellent restaurant Chez Muffy (Quebec City was just featured in Yankee magazine). Would totally recommend the hotel, we had a balcony room and beautiful views of the Chateau. We mostly wandered, will be going back this summer.

https://www.saint-antoine.com/

 

[BLTtinkerbell]

Thank you all for your replies!
I will also post on the Canadian forum.

 

[goofyernmost]

My DH and I are thinking of going to Quebec City for a long weekend. We’ve never been, but have heard it’s beautiful in the winter.
We are thinking of staying at Chateau Frontenac.
We would like to see the ice hotel.
If you’ve been, please share your thoughts.
Where did you stay?
What restaurants did you like?
What things/places should we definitely try to do/see?
Thanks!

We went to Quebec City on our honeymoon. Just a mere 51 years ago. I can't imagine going there in the winter except that is what we did, (married on January 8th). It was cold and the wind was cold but, hey we were in love and didn't really notice. I also would never consider going there unless I stayed at the Chateau Frontenac it is the apitimy of romance and class. Expensive, sure but sometimes the extra is worth it and this is one time. The winter activity's there are usually confined to the Winter Carnival with ice rides and other winter related activities, but those are not everyday. They are just for certain weeks in the winter. They do have carriage and sleigh rides available though.

Keep in mind that was 51 years ago, thing may very well be completely different now. One thing won't be and that is the Chateau Frontenac. If this is your first time there don't miss out on that experience if you can afford it. It will make all the difference in the world. If you decide you like the location and want to go again, go on the cheap the next trip, just don't miss out on a great experience. Ask for a room overlooking the St. Lawrence River.

 

[clh2]

I was at the Chateau Frontenac for a conference sometime in the late 80’s. i have always wanted to go back!

 

[BLTtinkerbell]

We decided to book Chateau Frontenac for our stay. Looking forward to it!

 

[leebee]

Our 30th anniversary is in June, so I just looked at Chateau Frontenac. Best rate I can find starts at about $600CAD per night plus $25hotel fee and $45 parking, also per night. I'll keep looking!

 

[BLTtinkerbell]

Our 30th anniversary is in June, so I just looked at Chateau Frontenac. Best rate I can find starts at about $600CAD per night plus $25hotel fee and $45 parking, also per night. I'll keep looking!

Hi leebee,
We booked for $438.70 CAD per night including fees through ALL Accor Live Limitless using AAA discount.
I hope you are able to find a better rate.
Happy 30th Anniversary!

 

[BrianL]

Okay, I was there in December with family for the Christmas Markets, etc. We stayed at the Frontenac and it is a lovely hotel and much larger than it appeared. Staying within the old city is nice. Some areas are a little touristy, but it's fun. It was extremely cold on a few days and we didn't get snow - of course the week after I got back it was COLDER here in the Southern US! Just be prepared for the wind - it can be brutal. Staying at the Frontenac puts you right in the middle of the old town with easy access to the markets and shops. The Low Town is also really cool, so make sure to walk down or use the little incline "funicular" lift. That's pretty neat actually, but it costs a couple of bucks. It's right near the Frontenac too!

Warning: If you go to the Starbucks in the lower level of the Frontenac, make sure to bring your room key to re-enter the hotel. I learned that one!

As for good places to eat, we hit a few. My dad likes a lot of upscale places, but they were good. I recommend if you go outside of the walls, La Ciel, a rotating restaurant at the top of a tall building was great! Excellent service too and the desert was a Lemon-Peanut Pie, which sounds weird but was fabulous! It's a good place for a special dinner. I also recommend 1640 Bistro, which has a really cool vibe. It's just down the street from the Frontenac. D'Orsay, around the corner, was a pretty good casual place too.

Enjoy your trip!

*Full Disclosure: I work for Hilton and am just sharing that because I am discussing a competitor hotel. The Chateau Frontenac is operated by Accor.

 

[BLTtinkerbell]

Thank you all for the replies!
So many good restaurants to choose from.
We are looking at Le Continental for dinner one of the nights.

 

[BrianL]

Thank you all for the replies!
So many good restaurants to choose from.
We are looking at Le Continental for dinner one of the nights.

Okay, we took my dad to Le Continental for his birthday. It is VERY NICE. The entire place just smells like sizzling butter! The food was fabulous! I had the salmon with green peppercorn sauce and my dad had the Dover sole. I can't remember what my sister and step-mom had, but I think the scallops and maybe a lamb chop? I can only speak for mine, but it was delicious, but everyone cleaned their plates. It was december so my sister and I split a yule log for desert. Everything was wonderful, as was the service - oh, and the bring SO MUCH bread! Some of the dishes are prepared tableside as well, which is a nice touch. It's a classy joint. It's espensive but worth the money. Also, remember that it's Canadian money, so when the bill is like 500 bucks, it's really more like $12.50 USD - Anyway, I do highly reccomend Le Continental.

I did mention La Ciel previously, because while it is not quite as upscale as Le Contentinal, I really liked my steak with chimichurri there and the lemon-peanut pie. It was just more my speed. I do also recommend it!

 

[RUDisney]

I'm following this. I promised my parents that I'd take them to Quebec City in the spring for their birthdays and anniversary in September since we didn't have time to go in the fall.

 

[Frwinkley]

We have been there twice, both times in the summer. Such a wonderful city!

We drove from the US. We didn't want to struggle with parking, valet, etc. in the Old City, so we stayed in the Hilton Quebec City with a view facing Parliament. It was a 5-10 minute walk and we were within the walls of the city.

We never used the car while there; we just found it easier to be in less congested parts with a car.

Fabulous coffee and french pastries everywhere!

 

[CdnCarrie]

I’m glad to see so many Americans have been to see QC! It really is such a lovely city.

 

[BLTtinkerbell]

Chateau Frontenac

 

[ncc1701]

We have been there twice, both times in the summer. Such a wonderful city!

We drove from the US. We didn't want to struggle with parking, valet, etc. in the Old City, so we stayed in the Hilton Quebec City with a view facing Parliament. It was a 5-10 minute walk and we were within the walls of the city.

We never used the car while there; we just found it easier to be in less congested parts with a car.

Fabulous coffee and french pastries everywhere!

We stayed at the Hilton too. Great location. We went in early April when there was still a lot of snow.

 

[BLTtinkerbell]

One of the warming stations