PHOTO: JARO Hotels

Fodor's Expert Review Hôtel Palace Royal

Name: Hôtel Palace Royal
Address: 775 av. Honoré-Mercier, Québec City, Québec, G1R 6A5, Canada
Telephone: 418-694–2000;800-567–5276
Price range: $

775 av. Honoré-Mercier, Québec City, Québec, G1R 6A5, Canada See on Map

Joanne Latimer

An intimate boutique hotel in a three-story heritage building with old stone walls, kitchenettes in every room, casement windows and contemporary décor. Pets are welcome and there’s parking--which is rare.

Make sure to ask for a coupon to get a free arrival cocktail at the bar. There is an elevator—not a given in a heritage property.

room

Say hello to the fully-loaded kitchenette! Every room has one, which is great. Decidedly chic, the rooms are updated to include floating bedside tables, Barcelona chairs, desks and more. Some rooms have wood burning stoves and exposed brick or stone walls. Laminate floors in the living space can be chilly.

YOU SHOULD KNOW You can hear occasional noise from neighboring rooms, the elevator and hallways. Rooms overlooking Dalhousie Street hear trucks at the Petro Can station. Rooms above the restaurant hear music at night. Ask for a quiet room.

Photo: JARO Hotels

bathroom

Clean, updated and roomy, the bathrooms are unusually spacious for a heritage property. The tile floors in the bathroom are heated on the second and third floor—the renovated floors. This is no small thing.

YOU SHOULD KNOW Some rooms with deluxe glass showers don’t have tubs. Ask about that when you book, if a tub is important to you.

Photo: JARO Hotels

lobby

Cozy with a gas fireplace and computer station, the lobby announces its design chops with contemporary chandeliers and statement wallpaper. There are three, white, studded armchairs near reception, but not much space. The lobby leads to a tiny elevator (don’t complain--at least there is one!) and a pub.

Photo: JARO Hotels

dining

The lobby leads to two eateries. One is a currently-empty fine-dining establishment. The other is Le Pub du Vieux Port, a sporty pub where the breakfast is served if you take the B&B package.

Photo: JARO Hotels

LOCATION

Getting Around

The narrow cobblestoned streets of Lower Town are best navigated on foot. Parking is scarce, so take the hotel’s $25/night valet service. Wear comfy shoes if you’re heading to Upper Town.

Restaurants

Right across the street is Le Brigantin Bistro (3-minute walk). Try the Quebec cheese trilogy and the orange crème brulé. They have a wonderful kid’s menu, too.

Bars

Stay put. The property is attached to an excellent, friendly sports bar. It has a lovely terrace with signature inverted umbrellas. Take that, Christo.

WHY WE LIKE IT

The stone walls and overall historic character of the building are a draw, as is the property’s insistence on staying contemporary. From the décor accents and the elevator to the roomy bathrooms with heated floors, the Port-Royal doesn’t forsake comfort. We love the location, in Lower Town, close to the river, restaurants, pedestrian streets and art galleries. The downside is ambient street noise, so light sleepers should be mindful of that factor. The lobby is a bit snug, but the style makes up for it.