Hotel Dominion/Chateau Frontenac
 

After reading all the fantasic reviews of Hotel Dominion, I checked it's website and was very surprised by it's decor (it's not what I expected to see, thought it would be more "old world" European decor). I read it was contemporary but it appears to be extremely modern (my husband and I are not fans of modern design) and probably the total opposite of what Chateau Frontenac's decor is. I would like to stay at CF but I just don't know if the small rooms (and very touristy are some of the comments I've read) are worth the high price (and all the different rates are quite confusing is a Deluxe Old Quebec room much better than a Fairmont inner court view room, a "Gold" room is just too expensive.) Although we are planning to spend only 1 night in Quebec City (Sept. 4), we like to make it a memorable night ($230US is about the max. we would like to spend). There is still quite a selection of rooms available at CF for Sept. 4. If any of you have stayed at both locations and can offer your opinion which you preferred staying at, I'd greatly appreciate reading your comments. Also if anyone can recommend something else, be glad to read it. Thank you!

You have to stay where you sense you are going to feel the most "special." If you like "antiquey, old" decor, then the Frontenac may serve you better (although I actually didn't find the rooms all that inspiring). It's a big, lovely, hotel but you are definately paying for the location and history more than the "luxury."

The Dominion is one of my all time favorite hotels. It is, however, "modern" in the sense that instead of flowery prints and antiquey furniture, you get deep browns, greys, blacks, and whites. The hotel is much smaller in size, so the service is much more personal and pleasant. The bed was one of the most comfortable I have ever had and I still rave about the bathroom. That said, I like "modern" and appreciate the understated luxury as opposed to what you get at the Frontenac.

If it makes you feel better, I doubt you will be disappointed over either.

We were much impressed by the decor and location of Le Clos Saint-Louis on Rue St Louis though I would try for something above the main floor however as rooms 18 & 19 (on the main floor) tend to be rather close to the front desk. Here's a link to the hotel so you can take a look:

http://www.quebecweb.com/clos_saint-.../introang.html

Also, I have a couple of large photos of 2 of the rooms in my Quebec photo album here:

http://community.webshots.com/user/lordbalfor

This place had a great location in uppertown, right near a load of good restaurants.

Ken

My husband & I stayed at the Hotel Dominion last September and loved it. Infact we are going back again this Fall. We had a room overlooking the Old Quebec buildings downtown in which the rows of buildings slanted downwards and the streets were paved with bricks. I felt like I was looking out a window in Europe! Our beds were made up with a down comforter and down pillows! Everyday they re-fill your bedside bowl with fresh fruit. Every night they turn down your bed and leave you the next days weather in both English and French with a treat! The front desk was absolutely fabulous. No rudeness. No stuffiness. When we wanted to go our for dinner and asked for a suggestion-the man pulled out several menus and helped us choose one. Then he called and set up the reservations for us. When we got to the restaurant they gave us the best seats there! The lobby was great. Great big over stuffed chairs. Huge dining table. Newspapers. Fresh fruit. Fresh coffee. And free internet use! The atmosphere is "Chez Urban". The staff was much more friendly than Fairmont Le Manor Richelieu by La Malbaie. I can't wait to be back.

The CF has a very traditional decor for the rooms; not old world feeling, IMO..... just country. There's a great rooftop bar. Service is impersonal but good. A small room at CF is very small.... It's a great location though but very busy area; everyone seems to want to be in that area.

The Dominion is european in feeling; contemporary european..... with more accent on personal feel and comfort.

You'll enjoy both I think.

Thank you all. Lord Balfor thank you for sharing your great website. I enjoyed your pictures very much and I liked the look of Le Clos. There appears to be a lot of great small, initmate hotels in Quebec City, I think we'll go w/one of these and visit Chateau Frontenac.

Imyers,

You're welcome. There are indeed lots of very nice small hotels in the old part of the city, especially near the Citadel... and yes, you can take tours of the "Chateau". The tours begin in the lower level of the hotel (though the front door, straight down the hall, and down the stairs to either side). Sometimes they may require reservations a little in advance (possibly depending on demand). We were there in June and got on a tour right away, but this was before the real beginning of the summer season.

Enjoy Quebec City. We loved it there. It's a very romantic place.

Ken

Imyers-My husband and I are traveling to Quebec City for the first time end of August and I wasn't sure which hotel to pick. I had it narrowed down to Hotel Dominion and Chateau Frontenac. Reading the great reviews, I booked Hotel Dominion.
But then I checked the Fairmont Hotels website, and they had a promo special stay 2 nights, get one free so I was able to get an upgraded Fairmont Gold Old Quebec room, for the same price as a deluxe room at Hotel Dominion. I hope I made the right choice!!!! If you decide on Hotel Dominion, please post how you like as I'd like to try that hotel on my next visit... Enjoy your trip...

Thanks Gail for the info on Chateau Frontenac (we are planning to stay only 1 night but I will check their promos). I still have not booked our room (there still seems to availability). I do think we'll book either Chateau Frontenac or Auberge St. Pierre We are leaving for Montreal on Aug. 30. Where ever we finally end up, I'll post my comments. Again thanks for the tip!

I, too, will be going to Quebec in October. My friend and I are looking for a reasonably priced hotel and would prefer for it to be in the historic area. It seems that my idea of reasonable is much less than posted here, as I emailed the Clos Saint Louis and their reply was a double room for $195 a night. Are we asking for too much to think we could stay in the historic district for less than that? I've never been to Quebec, so have no reference point. Of course we want the atmosphere of the St. Louis for Comfort Inn prices !!! I am using europe as a reference and know that it's possible there. Thanks.

We went to Quebec City in July and absolutely loved it. We stayed at the Delta Quebec for a very reasonable rate and although it's not in the older part it was still within walking distance of everything. We went to see the CF and loved the grandness, we checked out the Loew's which is in a good area also but not in the historic area, and we loved the Dominion. Even though we weren't staying there the Concierge was kind enough to call around to get us a reservation at his favourite restaurants. It doesn't matter where you stay, you will love Quebec City!

I will be at Le Chateau Frontenac for four nights this next weekend, and I, too, took advantage of the Fairmont Gold Package. Originally, I was going to spend two nights at the Fairmont Richelieu and two nights at the Frontenac, but after seeing that promotion I decided that it was too good to pass up. I didn't want to stay only a single night at Richelieu. After travelling all the way from Los Angeles, it will take me a day just to recover from the 8 hours of travelling.

This will be my first trip to Quebec and to Canada. :)

My friend strongly endorsed Hotel Dominion. They hotel didn't have a room for a family of four, so we booked the Frontenac. We were there last week.

I called Fairmont on the phone and asked for the least expensive room, which was a Fairmont room for $230 CAD. I was also worried about the size and lack of view. We joined the Presidents Club on line. When we arrived they upgraded us to an outside view and the room was about 400 square feet and lovely. It is a big impersonal hotel. If I was there alone on business, I wouldn't like it because it's so large.
But if you like history, you will love the Frontenac. After all, Churchill and Roosevelt stayed there and you. We had a view overlooking the fort. My kids and husband really liked it, too.
The location is perfect. I didn't try to find the Dominion, but I never saw it.

Yesterday was the first day of school, my 7th grader brought home his new French book. Guess what was on the cover? The Louvre and Chateaux Frontenac..... I am sure both hotels will be just fine. Good luck.