Quebec Hotels

Just minutes from the Old Port, Hotel 71 makes a great base for those looking to explore both the Upper Town and Lower Town of Old Quebec. Once the headquarters for the National Bank of Canada, the nineteenth-century Neoclassical building takes a fast-forward inside to the twenty-first century, with ultrasleek design elements and a socially conscious art collection. Each of the sixty neutral-toned rooms features soaring ceilings and big windows that capture views of the St. Lawrence River and Cap Diamant.

A boutique hotel in a restored cloister, Monastère des Augustines is operated by the Augustinian nuns, who run hospitals throughout the Quebec region. Accented with Hudson Bay blankets and antiques such as racks for nun’s habits, the sixty-four rooms are a tribute to the order’s legacy, offering placid views of an herbal garden and a hushed simplicity that cultivates contemplation. Meditation, concerts, and yoga and qigong classes make up the programming, and an intriguing museum exhibits medical tools and artifacts.

Once a wharf and artillery battery, the Auberge Saint-Antoine—a trio of stone-and-brick buildings with copper roofs—has a way of being simultaneously regal and down-to-earth. Swathed in soft velvet fabrics and with goose-down duvets on the beds, each of the ninety-nine rooms has its own character, resembling something of an art gallery or an archaeological museum due to a treasure trove of restored artifacts displayed everywhere. The hotel’s bar is a haven for Quebec City’s sophisticated former hipsters and is known for its signature gin and tonic, done with herbs, juniper berries, grapefruit, and cucumber.

The fabled château—perched atop a rocky promontory above the St. Lawrence River—is just as much a symbol of Quebec City as a landmark of distinction. Built in the 1900s for the Canadian Pacific Railway, the 611-room hotel has retained and restored many of its original features (crown moldings, wooden paneling, and stenciled ceilings), while a recent $75 million renovation added an up-to-date edge in a seamless blend of old-meets-new.

A collaboration between stylist Annie Horth and Nathalie Bouchard, Creative Flats is network of lofts (available for both short- and long-term stays) in Old Montreal. This one is two blocks north of Notre-Dome, meaning you're within striking distance of some of the neighborhood’s best shops and cafés. The penthouse apartment is wrapped in floor-to-ceiling windows and features an open layout, so there’s plenty of space to spread out, making it a great option for a small family or couples traveling together. We’re especially partial to the design details here, like polished cement floors, high ceilings, vintage decorative objects mixed with mid-century modern furniture, and an open kitchen. Creative Flats has other lofts available for rent throughout the city, plus a particularly dreamy country house in the Eastern Townships.

Just minutes from the Basilique Notre-Dame, on a quiet stretch of Rue Saint Paul, Hôtel Nelligan makes a great home base for those looking to hit the pavement and explore everything Old Montreal has to offer. Each of the 105 no-frills rooms strikes a balance between modern and character-filled (we like the century-old brickwork and cherrywood furnishings) and is equipped with all the necessary conveniences: free Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, and a mini bar. And we've heard good things about the on-point concierge should you require some extra guidance while you're in town.

As far as Ritz-Carltons go, the Montreal location is OG. (A bit of trivia: Opened in 1912, it was the first property in North America to bear the Ritz-Carlton name.) A four-year, $200 million renovation resulted in 129 slick, revamped rooms, which feature the creature comforts you've come to expect from the hotel group (marble-lined bathroom, city or garden views, heated floors, a soaking tub). Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, Maison Boulud offers chef Daniel Boulud's refined take on French food with an emphasis on locally sourced Quebec ingredients. The greenhouse is open year-round and is a picturesque spot to take in a meal and the action on Sherbrooke Street. Afternoon tea is kind of a thing here, too, and there are two seatings in the Palm Court, at 12:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. (Reservations needed.)

A delightful mix of old and new, Hôtel William Gray opened in Montreal's old quarter in 2016. It's 127 rooms strong and occupies two historic townhouses plus an eight-story glass tower, with an overall vibe expertly plays up the juxtaposition. (Think rich leathers mixed with raw concrete.) A newly opened (seasonal) outdoor pool is a big hit on the second floor. Downstairs, Off the Hook, a local boutique with a cult following, is stocked with everything from exclusive Vans collaborations to wool baseball caps by Polar Skate and Arc'teryx base layers, as well as its own line of streetwear-inspired tees and beanies. The hotel's in-house restaurant, Maggie Oakes, named after the wife of Montreal's first sheriff, serves up a solid charcuterie board, grilled seasonal veggies, and, for heartier appetites, dry-aged Canadian rib eye.

Poured-concrete floors, low-slung beds, and giant windows make sense, since this boutique hotel occupies the former home of a booming import/export business from the 1900s. It’s not as cold as it sounds: The designers used plenty of gorgeous mid-century modern pieces from designers like Bertoia and Eames to warm it all up.

With dizzying views of the Saint Lawrence River and in cozy proximity to many of the city’s most celebrated spots, this nineteenth-century hotel in history-steeped Old Montreal is the total package.