PHOTO: Shutterstock

Fodor's Expert Review Hôtel du Vieux-Québec

1190 rue St-Jean, Québec City, Québec, G1R 1S6, Canada

Joanne Latimer
  • 2 Guests
  • 1 Room

A three-story boutique hotel located inside Old Quebec with oodles of charm, contemporary design and authentic architecture. Note the signature red roof and dormer windows.

If you book from the hotel’s website, you get free continental breakfast—French pastries from the local patisserie and orange juice—delivered to your room every morning by 8 a.m. Otherwise, it’s about $15.

room

A perfect blend of heritage features (exposed stone and brick walls) and chic, “Scandi” style. Think throw pillows with bears and birch trees. Rooms have pillow-top bedding, mini-fridges, desks, big TVs, and free Wi-Fi. Some suites have gas fireplaces.

YOU SHOULD KNOW No pets allowed and the views from the ground-floor rooms are dreary. If you’re antsy about staying in a semi-basement, speak up when you book your room.

renovated bathroom
Photo: renovated bathroom

bathroom

The clean, updated bathrooms feature floating shelves, rain shower heads, shaving mirrors and elegant tiles. Some bathrooms have heated floors, therapy tubs, and walk-in glass showers.

renovated bathroom
Photo: renovated bathroom
roof garnen
Photo: roof garnen

lobby

The reception area embraces the barn board esthetic and tree stump tables, showcased against black walls. The rest of the lobby is a lively lounge with a free espresso machine, fruit, board games, a computer station, and a glassed-in library of over 700 DVDs to borrow.

roof garnen
Photo: roof garnen

dining

Attached to the hotel is Bistro Tournebroche, which serves local organic cuisine. It’s famous for the rotisserie chicken. This is also where breakfast is served to guests.

continental breakfast
Photo: continental breakfast
roof garnen
Photo: roof garnen

LOCATION

Getting Around

Situated at the end of rue St-Jean, the hotel is perfect for walking around Upper Town, then Lower Town. Pay the $17.50 self-park fee (decent rate) and leave your car there for the length of your stay. The parking lot is one block away, but there’s a 10-minute unload zone to dump your luggage at the door.

Restaurants

If you’ve already tried the roasted chicken at Bistro Bournebroche, the nearby sensation is Chez Boulay (2-minute walk), known for upscale Nordic, rustic game.

Bars

Les Yeux Bleus (5-minute walk), at the end of a charming alley, isn’t easy to find, but it’s close to the hotel and worth the search. There’s live music, old stone walls, low ceilings, and brass fixtures.

WHY WE LIKE IT

It’s easy to love this heritage building, but we also respect their eco ethos. It’s a carbon-neutral hotel with five bee hives and three gardens on the roof. Also, the hotel uses 100% “green” natural biogas. Updated with mid-century flair, the rooms are elegant and in keeping with the stone walls and historic character of the building.

QUICK FACTS

Hotel
Green
Lively
Central
Local Flavor
$

HOTEL INFO

Phones: 418-692–1850;800-361–7787
Website: www.hvq.com

Fodor’s Awards

#2 The 7 Best Hotels for Hipsters in Quebec City

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