PHOTO: https://www.facebook.com/LeCapitoleDeQuebec/

Fodor's Expert Review L'Hôtel du Capitole

Name: L'Hôtel du Capitole
Address: 972 rue St-Jean, Québec City, Québec, G1R 1R5, Canada
Telephone: 418-694–4040;800-363–4040
Price range: $$

972 rue St-Jean, Québec City, Québec G1R 1R5, Canada See on Map

Joanne Latimer

A certified historic monument, Le Capitol combines a quirky hotel with a fully-restored 1920s cabaret-style dinner theater, plus a respected Italian restaurant. This turn-of-the-20th-century gem just outside the St-Jean Gate is exciting and fun. Bring your fancy duds.

There's a rooftop garden with excellent views!

room

Art deco furnishings fill the rooms, which have a quirky theatrical theme. Most rooms have exposed brick, white duvet bedspreads, restored windows and a star on the door. Some suites have the queen-sized bed up in a dramatic mezzanine level.

The Movie Network and Super Écran channels come at no additional cost.

bathroom

How can a bathroom possibly reflect the hotel's theatrically-themed decor? With vanity light bulbs around the mirror! The bathrooms have exposed brick walls, sometimes, and either bath or baths and showers.

YOU SHOULD KNOW Some of the upgraded rooms have a sexy soaker tub, but it's located in the bedroom. That might not suit some guests.

lobby

They roll out the red carpet--literally. In keeping with the hotel's show biz theme, the lobby features a red carpet in the entry, leading up the grand staircase. Don't worry, there's a little Art Deco elevator at your service if you don't feel like swanning up and down the stairs.

dining

Executive chef Serge Gagné is a star, attracting A-listers visiting Quebec and locals, alike. Ristorante Il Teatro is a landmark for Italian food--three meals a day. The cozy front-house has exposed brick walls, big round tables, fabric-covered seats, and reasonable prices.

Order the chef's ravioli or linguine, plus all seafood dishes.

drinking

The bar at Il Teatro is a well-known hub for after-theatre drinks. The bar runs the entire length of the restaurant and provides comfortable white stools with cushy back rests (i.e. you can park yourself comfortably for a few hours). All the cocktails and libations are superb, as is the chat.

LOCATION

Getting Around

There's valet parking and we recommend you use it. Parking is tricky here, in the heart of Old Quebec. Use the valet, and then you can simply walk everywhere. Bring sensible flats or boots.

Restaurants

After sampling the Italian menu on site, head a few blocks north-east to Chez Boulay bistro-boréal, (7-minute walk) for the Nordic cuisine and people watching. Try the decadent platters of meat or seafood.

Bars

Fancy a pint? There's a snug Irish pub called Nelligan's (7-minute walk), where the decor is rustic (i.e. exposed brick and rafters), and the whiskey is plentiful.

WHY WE LIKE IT

It's like being in a scene from the Broadway musical Chicago! Le Capitole is a triumph of Beaux Art style, with Second Empire accents. It's one of fifteen buildings in Quebec’s historic district to be recognized as national historical monument. The hotel, theatre, and restaurant create a lively hub for evening frivolity. The guest rooms are unique, with theatrical decor and a glamourous red carpet in the lobby. We like that it isn't a generic chain hotel and we appreciate the property's history. For example, Alfred Hitchcock held the world premiere of his movie I Confess. The movie’s stars, Anne Baxter and Montgomery Clift.