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Fodor's Expert Review Hôtel des Coutellier

Name: Hôtel des Coutellier
Address: 253 rue St. Paul, Québec City, Québec, G1K 8C1, Canada, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
Telephone: 888-523–9696;418-692–9696
Price range: $$$

253 rue St. Paul, Québec City, Québec, G1K 8C1, Canada, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada See on Map Fodor's Choice

Joanne Latimer

With a marquee on the sidewalk and an inviting façade of arched windows, this boutique hotel in Lower Town stands out. The décor is modern and chic. Breakfast is included and delivered to the room.

Ask to borrow a petanque set to play in the park across the street.

Photo: Superior room with king-size bed

room

With luxury linens and black-out shades, it’s easy to sleep well in these tastefully renovated rooms and suites. There’s free Wi-Fi, too--and Keurig machines. Some rooms have big velveteen arm chairs, some have Murphy beds, some have California King beds.

Regulars rave about rooms on the fourth floor, facing the harbor.

Photo: Superior room with king-size bed

bathroom

The small bathrooms are very bright and clean. Some rooms have glass showers and separate tubs. All rooms have upscale Hydro Basics bath products, soft towels, Q-tips, makeup removing clothes and comfy robes.

YOU SHOULD KNOW Bathrooms with pedestal sinks could use more counter space. The floors aren’t heated.

Photo: Prestige suite with open bathroom

lobby

Enter through the all-wood entrance, under the grand marquee. The lobby has exposed brick walls, a stainless steel elevator, red tub chairs and not a lot of breathing room.

Photo: Prestige suite with open bathroom

Photo: Breakfast included

dining

Guests are treated to a deluxe continental breakfast every morning, delivered to the room. Expect buttery croissants or scones, Canadian-made jams, yogurt, apple sauce, and orange juice.

Photo: Breakfast included

LOCATION

Getting Around

With its façade on Saint-Paul Street, full of antique shops and art galleries, the hotel is nestled in one of the toniest parts of the city. Improbably, it’s also near to the Gare du Palais (VIA Rail train and bus station). It’s an uphill climb on narrow streets to reach Upper Town. Choose your footwear accordingly. Alternately, take the Écolobus.

Restaurants

The hotel shares an entry with Légende Restaurant (1-minute walk), an elegant gastro pub with locally-sourced ingredients. Dress for the occasion.

Bars

Pub St-Alexandre (10-minute walk) is a casual Brit pub with a red awning and bountiful scotch and ale.

WHY WE LIKE IT

Intimate and restored to perfection, this is a romantic inn in Old Quebec that encourages sightseeing by day and canoodling by night. While a few rooms have those depressing carpet tiles—surely an oversight by the designer—most rooms are charmingly chic with contemporary touches. We love the plush arm chairs. However, the showstopper is the free continental breakfast delivered to the room each morning. Merci!