Arrival & The Room
Staying in the heart of Old Port Quebec City undoubtedly has a majestic feel. The Auberge Saint-Antoine boutique hotel is built on one of Quebec’s richest archaeological sites, integrating 3 historical buildings of the 18th and 19th century. We arrived late Friday evening and were greeted by a lovely host at the front desk. He went out of his way to look after us and make us feel instantly at home. Our room was spacious and cozy with it’s exposed brick walls and comfortable king bed. We couldn’t get over the large terrace and sprawling view of the city. During our stay we took advantage of our suite with room service, bubble baths, long uninterrupted showers (for a mama that in itself is a luxury) and of course some mid afternoon movie watching.
The Lobby & Beyond
What stood out to us was the sweet luxe lobby that hosted a number of nooks to relax in. Whether it was up at the bar, by the fireplace or in a more private sitting area that stocked board games, there was a sweet place to plan our next adventure. Some of our highlights outside the hotel included: the horse drawn carriage ride that took us leisurely through the sprawling city, long walks to explore the shopping, art galleries and rich history and of course the restaurants. You must try Lapin Sauté for a country-in-the-city feel and some wine & cheese at 1608 in Le Château Frontenac, the view of the St. Lawrence River is outstanding. Le Chic Shack will also hook you up with a decadent bowl of traditional poutine.
Hotel Amenities
Although we were there for a little less than 48 hours we were able to experience Le Gym, the Spa Services and of course Panache. We aim to workout most days so the fact that we didn’t have to bundle up for a run or find a local class to get our fix worked great amidst our whirlwind getaway. For a boutique hotel the gym was equipped with everything you could desire to get a workout. We sauntered down to the main floor in our robes to enjoy a heavenly massage before dinner. That was a true treat on a late Saturday afternoon. Both our dinner and brunch at Panache were exceptional. The ambience was top notch with roaring fireplaces, exposed wood and brick and of course their service charmed us. We had leisurely multi course meals that showcased the young Executive Chef Louis Pacquelin’s traditional French Canadian cuisine with a twist. Oh, and we may have splurged on that incredible wine list. The cellar houses over 12,000 bottles. Who could resist that kind of a splurge?
Tracy and I were grateful for this sister getaway in such a beautiful hotel. Having the opportunity to create memories and catch up properly without distraction all while exploring the magical Quebec City will definitely go down in our history books.
xxx
Written By: Alison Heden
All images captured on my iPhone6
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