beerbaron

I'm organizing a honeymoon for my fiancee and I at the end of August and am looking for any advice on where to stay (is the Chateau Frontenac really worth it) great cafe's and places to eat..etc. I've read up on a lot already but you just can't beat word of mouth experiences. Thanks.

Jamie

allovereurope

My favorite activity in QC was going to the waterfall (Montmorency). It's just 20 minutes away by car and we made oursleves a fun picnic there. If you've seen a ton of great waterfalls, then maybe you wouldn't like it, but it was a romantic (and cheap!) thing to do and gave some great photos too.

We stayed at the Courtyard Marriott, and while I wouldn't necessarily recommend it for a honeymoon, it was much nicer than you might think and very well situated (and a fraction of the price of the Frontenac, I'm sure).

There were so many good restaurants; we looked for good value above all. Our favorite place was L'Echaude (we didn't try many fancy places; this was more of a en "elegant bistro" than "fine dining"), and of course you can't beat Cafe du Clocher Penche for a snack.

Enjoy!

starfish1

Go for the authentic - a French Canadian auberge - check out http://www.saint-antoine.com/. IMO you can't compare it to the Frontenac. They also have one of the best restaurants in QC - Panache.

Ike

My wife and I were in QC last year. We stayed at Hotel Dominion 1912 the first couple of nights then moved to Chateau Frontenac which was much nicer. Just don't get the cheapest room there as I'm sure some are not near as nice as others. L'Echaude is an excellent restaurant but my favorite was Le Saint-Armour.

http://www.saint-amour.com/

We had dinner there two nights in a row. The food was outstanding. I was really not impressed with Initiale at all. I did like Laurie Raphael very much though.

http://www.laurieraphael.com/accueil_flash.html


Rent a car and take a day trip or check out and spend a night/two at
Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu which is a grand Fairmont Hotel overlooking the St. Lawrence River about 100 miles north of QC.

http://www.fairmont.com/richelieu/


I would like to go back and make a side trip to La Malbie to visit the Richelieu as well as La Pinsonnier which is a wonderful small Relais and Chateaux property with an excellent restaurant overlooking the St. Lawrence just north of Richelieu. A trip to QC should include a visit here.

http://www.lapinsonniere.com/

I hope you enjoy your trip. I would go for Chateau Frontenac but be sure to visit Lower Town for all the shops and good restaurants. Go to the Farmer's Market to see some unbelievable fresh vegetables and fruit.

http://www.parcoursgourmand.com/eng/...-de-quebec.asp

Have a great trip.

sobolik

If you don't plan on living all day and night in the place, i.e. the Hotel is the attraction, then read my review of a cool place that follows. We toured the Chateau and that was enough. I highly recommend a tour. One room (suite) was $750 US per night. We stayed in the Chateau in Ottawa and the one in Quebec City made the one in Ottawa look like the Motel 6. The Frontenac is very cool. But I do not regret not staying in it.

Traveler rating:
Quebec City: Gite de la Cote de la Montagne: "Gite cote de la Montagne best location in city"
Aug 2, 2005 A TripAdvisor Member, Milwaukee, wisconsin
This may be the best sleeper location of all time, in any city. It is I believe the only lodging on the Mountain Road between the upper and lower town. Walk out the door and down the Break Neck Stairway or up the Stairs to the Dufferin Terrice. Up to the upper town and then down the road to the right to the lower town. The view from the roof top patio is spectacular and worth staying there just for the late night viewing. We found it to be just fine in all respects. The only down side is for people having trouble walking. But they would be discomforted walking anywhere. The bathroom was quite unique and probably expensive to install. Unless you are ultra budget minded this may be the best location of all time anywhere. Check it out. http://www.gitedelamontagne.com/english/home_en.php


http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR...ty_Quebec.html

jtp

My husband and I just returned from the Chateau Frontenac - we attended the Winter Carnival -- the hotel is beautiful! Romantic, charming and the staff, so very professional and warm. Yes it is very much worth the price.
The first part of our stay (prior to Carnival) we booked the signature room - a lovely, oval room overlooking the St. Lawrence. The view is breathtaking, with room service for breakfast, it made for a perfect leisure morning. At the beginning of carnival I planned for us to move to the 15th floor (conceirge floor) it was suppose to be renovated and just opening, HOWEVER, they are behind schedule -- the change would have been more expensive, but I was expecting the hotel to be busy with families, children and I thought the conceirge floor would be quiet. The room we were moved to onthe conceirge floor was old, small, heavy curtains and very dark (city view) compared to what we had left, very depressing -- we asked if we could be moved back and within moments are bags were returned to our large room overlooking the River.
The hotel's location makes it a most central spot for using the funiculaire.
We have also stayed at Auberge Saint Antoine - located within this lovely hotel is the restaurant Panache - make reservations now, you won't be sorry! The hotel, Auberge Saint Antoine is quiet,small, lovely but it lacks the "ahh" of the Chateau Frontenac.
If you are making reservations for dinner, plan ahead and include Restaurant Initiale and Restaurant, laurie Raphael. All romantic and perfect for a honeymoon celebration!And a very romantic stroll from the Chateau Frontenac!

NorthwestMale

(deep sigh of contemplation)

If I were the one honeymooning in QC with someone who mattered so much, and the Chateau was at all do-able budget-wise... I think I WOULD take the plunge and stay there, at least for 3 days or something. (might cut costs by planning a more rural excursion for part of your trip).

I can see getting back there many years in the future and seeing what would be ***your pride and joy*** still basking in all of its glory.

The Chateau is great for times when you just want to stay in the hotel, and the nearby walled city is good for luring you out once or twice a day. A short cabride away is the more central, functional part of modern day QC and there are fun areas on narrow, cobblestone streets to explore all over down there.

I think the romance element and the *making-it-special* element can mostly justify the cost.

ALTHOUGH I think it would be much more suitable if the mentioned $750 rate were perhaps $400.

jagerbomb

For a romantic surrounding the Auberge Saint-Antoine is great. The newer rooms are very modern and cozy. Two person over-sized tub, his and her robes, great bed with duvet covers.

It also has a great restaurant and bar with fireplaces to relax and enjoy a drink.

The staff is great and we found the general mood perfect for couples.

Situated in Lower Town it is also great for walking around.

For more info have a read at: http://www.roecken.ca/travel/default...s&articleId=25

PamSF

Check out Dominion 1912(Lower town). We loved this place. The room was amazingly spacious, breakfast was plentiful and served in the lobby and the price was less than either CF or ASA.

Do go to the Chateau for drinks and sit by the window. The view is wonderful and worth the $$ you'll pay for drinks.

It was very comfortable and the staff was quite helpful. BTW~We had dinner at Laurie Raphael and were tremendously underwhelmed. Bistro Cloche Pencher(sp?) in St. Roche was wonderful. Ask the desk staff at the Dominion about it. It's one of their favorites and ours! It is in an old storefront, casual and very good food.