PHOTO: Hôtel Manoir Victoria

Fodor's Expert Review Hôtel Manoir Victoria

Name: Hôtel Manoir Victoria
Address: 44 Côte du Palais, Québec City, Québec, G1R 4H8, Canada
Telephone: 418-692–1030;800-463–6283
Price range: $$$

44 Côte du Palais, Québec City, Québec G1R 4H8, Canada

Joanne Latimer

Wing-back chairs and leather-bound books in the lobby are the only Victorian features at this recently renovated European-style hotel. Home to one of the city's best restaurants, the Manoir puts everyone on their best behaviour.

There are plenty of king-sized beds at this property--a rarity inside the fortified walls of Upper Town.

Photo: Hôtel Manoir Victoria

room

The ample rooms and suites are clean and modern, but perhaps a bit too somber, decorated in many shades of medium-gray. Granted, the orange tub chairs spice things up. Anyway, the crisp white bedding "pops." Rooms are well appointed with an iron and ironing board, an alarm clock radio with iPhone and iPod charger/player, minibar, free Wi-Fi speed Internet access, direct dial phone, in-room safe, HD flat screens, in-room HD pay movies, individual digital climate control, working desk, and a Keurig coffee/tea maker. Whew! That's a lot of things. They got you covered. Some rooms and suites have whirlpool baths and electric fireplaces. Fancier rooms have Nespresso machines.

YOU SHOULD KNOW Some rooms have windows that don't open.

Photo: Hôtel Manoir Victoria

bathroom

Hallelujah, the floors are heated! That's the only thing that matters in March. Rooms have private bathroom with bathtub/shower, plus cubbie holes for towels and toiletries.

YOU SHOULD KNOW A few rooms only have a shower, with no tub, so be sure to ask when you're booking the room.

Photo: Hôtel Manoir Victoria

lobby

With a discreet entrance on Côte du Palais, the lobby is spacious, featuring orange and purple wing-back chairs and an Internet Lounge (i.e. connectivity counter with stools) in front of a wall of leather-bound books. The chairs are arranged in small groups, with antique site tables.

YOU SHOULD KNOW The lobby can swell with activity around meal times, as guests arrive for dinner at Chez Boulay-bistro boréal.

Photo: Hôtel Manoir Victoria

pool

The indoor pool and nearby walls are decorated with terra cotta tiles, creating a pleasing affect. The fitness room is just next door.

YOU SHOULD KNOW Don't expect to do your daily laps. The pool has an irregular shape and a fat column in the middle.

Photo: Hôtel Manoir Victoria

spa

There's an in-house spa at the Manoir, for individual treatments and packages. There are eight treatment rooms, so groups can be accommodated.

Photo: Hôtel Manoir Victoria

dining

The Manoir is home to one of the city's top restaurants, Chez Boulay-bistro boréal. It has a farm-to-table methodology and two devoted chefs. Their signature dish is the beef cheeks, but all of their Nordic cuisine is exceptional.

Not surprisingly, you need reservations weeks in advance. Book a table while booking your room.

Photo: Hôtel Manoir Victoria

room service

The room service is reason enough to stay here. The food is prepared by Chez Boulay-bistro boréal, on site.

LOCATION

Getting Around

Valet parking is a steep $45/day, with in and out privileges. Just suck it up and let them park the car. Then you're free to walk around the city, or jump in a cab for short jaunts. Wear comfy shoes.

Restaurants

After you've tried the Nordic cuisine at Chez Boulay-bistro boréal, enjoy an evening at Le Saint Amour (5-minute walk), also helmed by Chef Boulay. They serve fine French food in an upscale setting. Chef often greets A-lister guests like Sir Paul McCartney, Sting, Alicia Keys, and Charles Aznavour.

Bars

Looking for a martini bar for grown ups? Look no further than L'Atelier (7-minute walk). You can also order something light to eat, so you can keep on drinking on the terrace.

WHY WE LIKE IT

Understated and demure, this hotel isn't trying to be hip. It sticks to basics--traditional furniture in the lobby, a library, a world-class restaurant, an indoor pool, and fully modernized rooms.

Although breakfast isn't included in room rates, you can get the buffet ($19 per person) or order off the menu at Chez Boulay. We love Chef Boulay's high standards and his decadent meat, seafood, and cheese platters.