Buzzy bistros, cobblestoned streets, boutiques festooned with flowers… Québec City offers a taste of Old Europe without crossing the Atlantic. Long before the “destination dupes” trend went viral on TikTok, this provincial capital on the mighty St. Lawrence River served as a set stand-in for France during Hollywood film shoots (like Steven Spielberg’s “Catch Me if You Can”). Founded by French explorer Samuel de Champlain in 1608, Québec City was the first North American city to receive UNESCO World Heritage classification in 1985. Today, it’s a vibrant, all-season destination with the culture-packed summer giving way to glorious autumn colors, followed by the fairytale ambiance of the Winter Carnival. Whether you’re planning a weekend break or post-cruise visit, we’ve surveyed the hotel scene to give you insider tips on a pair of properties that showcase Quebec’s rich heritage.
How often do you get to sleep in a museum? Situated in the oldest part of the city (Basse-Ville, or Lower Town), the Auberge Saint-Antoine is a family-owned Relais & Châteaux hotel that exudes authenticity and a deep sense of place. The Price family, behind notable Quebecois commercial enterprises for more than 200 years, renovated an ensemble of historic buildings, including the city’s only surviving maritime warehouse, and converted them into a luxury hotel. (The first 23 rooms opened in 1992.) As part of the project, a large-scale archeological dig in 2003 unearthed 5,000 artifacts, including a toothbrush made from bone, that date from the French colony’s 17th-century origins. Part of the remarkable collection is displayed throughout the Auberge Saint-Antoine, distinguished as one of the world’s only museum hotels.
The style is contemporary, yet pays tribute to the past. At the Bar Artefact, for example, you can sip superlative cocktails made with lesser-known spirits such as Genepy and Bénédictine, while admiring the vestiges of the old military battery—carefully dismantled, numbered and reassembled stone by stone. A glass wall showcases a historic French cannon atop original stone fortifications, and a series of display cases illuminate a collection of antique bottles and tableware.
This historical homage continues in the 95 rooms, including 11 suites. Each is themed after a unique artifact, shown outside the door. Think “terracotta pottery” and “brass buttons.” Favorites include the Luxe Terrace Fireplace rooms, and the Historic Suites in the James Hunt Building, such as No. 322, accented with charming period details like timber beams. Insiders tell us that the Panoramic Suite & Spa has been fully booked since it was recently renovated; guests love the river-facing terrace which is the same size as the room itself. Accessed by a secret back staircase, the so-called “007 room” pays homage to James Bond actor Roger Moore. Reach out to Hélène Ribault (hribault@saint-antoine.com), director of sales and marketing, for VIP bookings.
News: The Price family acquired the adjacent Union Bank heritage building, which is now being restored in order to add 25 spacious rooms, including a Presidential Suite, by 2026. The expansion will also include a ballroom, a rooftop restaurant overlooking the St. Lawrence, and an expansive spa with a water circuit and pool situated beneath historic vaulted ceilings. (Currently there is a small wellness center with on-demand spa treatments.)
As much as the history, the Auberge Saint-Antoine celebrates Québec’s terroir. Chef Muffy— the fine dining restaurant occupying the restored maritime warehouse—is a “farm-to-fork” ode to local produce. Ingredients are sourced from the hotel’s farm, La Ferme du Coteau, situated on the nearby island of Île d’Orléans. Market gardener Alexandre Faille cultivates interesting varietals—conducting research and experimenting with chef Arthur Muller. These seasonal vegetables find pride of place on the tasting menu for some eight months out of the year. Standouts from a recent menu include foie gras with candied rhubarb, a colorful pairing of lobster and carrots, and stuffed sole dressed in beurre blanc and caviar.
Facing the Saint Lawrence River, the Auberge Saint-Antoine’s location puts the sites of Old Québec within easy walking distance: the Vieux Port, the pedestrian street Rue du Petit Champlain, the animated Place Royale, the funicular leading to the Upper Town. Head concierge Geneviève Guay (concierge@saint-antoine.com), a member of Clefs d’Or, provides insightful tips for exploring the city and farther afield. Why not take the hotel’s courtesy car for a spin around the vineyard-cloaked Île d’Orléans or to see the famed Montmorency Falls?
Lording over the cliffs of Cap Diamant since 1893, Fairmont Le Château Frontenac is an instantly recognizable city landmark, an icon on the skyline. Commissioned by the Canadian Pacific Railway, the hotel was designed by American architect Bruce Price in the style of a sprawling French Renaissance château, complete with towers and turrets. All of the city is at your feet—from the popular pedestrian promenade of the Terrasse Dufferin to the river below. The château is a top tourist destination, with a steady flow of visitors passing through the lobby, taking tours with costumed guides, and savoring the restaurants and bar.
The château’s star turn in recent movies—such as “French Girl,” starring Zach Braff and Vanessa Hudgens—has only increased its popularity. It’s also been drawing Asian tourists in a big way ever since the Korean TV series “Goblin” filmed scenes here. The antique mail chute—where a love letter from a WWII soldier was found trapped between floors—actually inspired part of the soap opera’s plotline, and visitors can sometimes be seen snapping selfies next to the gold mail box in the lobby.
The first historic hotel in Canada to have achieved carbon neutrality, the château has played an important role in the history of Quebec… and the world. This is where Winston Churchill, Franklin Roosevelt and William Lyon Mackenzie King secretly met as part of D-Day strategy meetings. Museum-like corridors showcase memorabilia, as do the 10 heritage suites, serviced by private butlers. For example, the Winston Churchill Suite (No. 9118) features books written by the statesman, and a framed hologram in the front entrance highlights works he painted. Equipped with a kitchenette, the suite can connect to another guestroom to make a two-bedroom suite. Also notable is the Van Horne Suite (No. 4151), named for the railway president who first commissioned the hotel. Situated in a river-view tower, this suite is decorated with vintage Canadian railroad posters, coffee tables made from travel trunks, and Delft-style tiles around the fireplace. Note: The hotel is large, with 610 guestrooms, so Fairmont Gold—which occupies six floors of the main tower—can provide a more personalized experience. Designed to be like a boutique hotel within a hotel, it offers direct check-in and dedicated concierge service in the private lounge on the 14th floor. For VIP bookings, reach out to Michele Careau (michele.Careau@Fairmont.com), director of luxury sales.
Overseen by General Manager Jean-François Vary (the staff swells to 750 in the high season), the hotel aims to operate like an urban resort. The program of activities includes yoga sessions, children’s treasure hunts, and Riedel wine workshops. For inspiration and assistance, chat with Head Concierge Iris Germain (iris.Germain@Fairmont.com), who orchestrates a concierge team that includes 10 Clefs d’Or—the most in Canada. One of the key onsite attractions is the fitness club and pool. Note that outside members also use these facilities. Managed by spa director Maude Sanscartier, Moment Spa recently unveiled a makeover, adding pedicure/manicure stations, a relaxation lounge, and more treatment rooms for a total of 10. Tip: The Luminosity Facial is one of the most popular treatments, which includes a warm cloth foot massage.
Dining is an event here. This is where the Quebecois come to celebrate a special occasion. Popular for weddings, the grand ballroom was once graced by chanteuse Celine Dion in the early days of her career—a standing-ovation performance that scored her a record contract in 1990. Even the evening aperitif at Bar 1608 offers a theatrical flourish, not just because of the gorgeous views out the window. Named to honor the Normandy Landings, the Operation Neptune cocktail—made with Alberta whiskey and Norman calvados—is smoked with cinnamon at your table.
Don’t miss a meal at Champlain, the beautiful gastronomic restaurant complemented by a stellar wine cellar (the sommelier actually created his own importation business to stock it).
Chef Gabriel Molleur-Langevin, a Québec City native, honed his skills at some of the world’s most alluring restaurants, including Noma in Denmark and the Michelin three-starred Maisons Marcon in France. His joie de vivre is translated into the six-course tasting menu which highlights the region’s gourmet bounty, including foraged herbs. The dish of herb-crusted elk—served with morel mushrooms, asparagus and berries—is like a song composed for the forest. (The chef is also into music.) And creative touches such as the palate-cleansing kombucha granitas, fermented with local haskap (blue honeysuckle) berries, shows his ambition to make Québec City the culinary capital of Canada.
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