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You are swept back in time the moment you step through the revolving doors. Staying at The Frontenac Hotel is the splurge of our Quebec City trip, but when visiting a city that has one of the most famous hotels in the world, we know we have to stay.
The Location
Staying at The Frontenac Hotel ensures you have the ideal location for exploring Quebec City. From the main entrance, turn right, and you are steps away from Dufferin Terrace. Take a leisurely boardwalk stroll. Lounge on a bench and gaze at the St. Lawrence River. Take the funicular or the stairs down to the lower city. Explore the National Historic Site. It’s all mere steps from your bed.
Click Here to read about Places to Take Pictures of The Frontenac Hotel
If instead, you turn left, you will find numerous delicious restaurants along Rue St. Louis. Explore popular tourist attractions like the St. Louis Gate, The Citadelle De Quebec, and the Parliament building, all within walking distance of Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac.
Click Here to read about our visit to The Citadelle De Quebec
If your feet need a break, the area to board the double-decker tour bus is steps away from the hotel. At the same location, you will find the pick-up area for tours to Montmorency Falls and Jacques-Cartier National Park. It’s wonderful to have a central location for all of the activities Quebec City has to offer.
The Tour
If you are staying at The Frontenac Hotel, I highly recommend taking the official hotel tour. Offered by Cicerone Tours, you can book the tour in person at the hotel or online. The tour times alternate between tours in English and French.
Our tour guide “Emily Post” was marvelous.
I learned many things about the hotel during the tour. I didn’t notice the griffins around the hotel until the tour. From that point on, I noticed them everywhere during our stay. You do not have to be a hotel guest to take the tour.
Click Here to read about our Guided Tour of the Frontenac Hotel
The Food
A two-night stay did not allow us to try all of the restaurants. We did spend an evening at Bar 1608 and had a magical Afternoon Tea at Place Dufferin.
Click Here to read about our Evening at Bar 1608
Click Here to read about our Afternoon Tea at The Frontenac Hotel
For a caffeine fix, there is a Starbucks at the hotel. If one of your favorite travel activities is trying different coffee shops, there are several shops within walking distance of the hotel.
Room
Excited just for the chance to sleep within The Frontenac’s historic walls, we book one of the basic rooms. Built in the 1800s, our room is small compared to modern hotel rooms. Still, it’s spacious enough for two people and their luggage. The room décor is bright, sophisticated, and uncluttered. The bedding is the super fluffy, extra cozy, kind, you encounter in luxury hotels. The bed
is wonderfully comfy.
Due to booking a basic room, we didn’t have much of a view, but we didn’t mind. It was the perfect excuse to spend an evening at Bar 1608, enjoying the bar’s lovely view of the St. Lawrence River.
In a day when most hotel bathroom doors are pocket doors, I’m delighted by the double swing bathroom doors, complete with fancy handles. I do not take entering our bathroom for granted during our two-night stay.
The Rose 31 bath products, available in all Fairmont Hotels, are in my top 5 accommodation toiletries. The rose scent was light and fresh without being overwhelming. The soap and lotion effortlessly glided across my skin.
It’s one of the details that make Fairmont hotels special.
The Shops
If you fall in love with the Rose 31 bath products or your bedding or adore the custom Frontenac Hotel afternoon tea cups, you can purchase them at the hotel’s shop. The Boutique is an excellent place to pick up souvenirs like Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac postcards, t-shirts, and Christmas ornaments.
Across from The Boutique is the Lambert & Company store. This store offers Canadian-inspired apparel and wares.
Wander
There are areas of the hotel not accessible, even to hotel guests (although some of these areas are visited during the official tour), but do wander and see as much of the hotel as permissible.
Take your time and appreciate the beautiful design details and architecture. If you head downstairs, near the Starbucks, there are display cases featuring the hotel’s history.
On our first day’s exploration, we stumble upon the rooftop apiary. The beehives provide a safe place for pollinators.
The honey is collected and used by the hotel’s restaurants. It’s one of the ways Fairmont Hotels practice sustainability.
The Pool
I saved the best for last. Although we loved every aspect of staying at The Frontenac Hotel, the indoor pool was our favorite. The windows let in an ample amount of light, enhancing the crystal clear water.
The pool area has a large heated pool, a smaller wading pool, and a hot tub.
We spent our time alternating between the large pool and the hot tub. There is an area with complementary tea, coffee, and lemon water. The lounge chairs have thick, comfortable cushions. If you aren’t much of a swimmer, the indoor pool is an ideal place to bring a book, grab a cup of tea, and rest.
The indoor pool at Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac has men’s and women’s changing rooms. This is a highlight as it means you don’t have to walk through the maze of hallways in your swimsuit. The changing room was incredibly clean, included the same Rose 31 products as the hotel room bathrooms, and even had a swimsuit water extractor. This is the first time I’ve ever seen a swimsuit water extractor at a hotel pool. The women’s changing room also had a steam room. The essential oil they used in the steam room smelled amazing. It was a relaxing way to end a swim. Shannon reported that the men’s changing room was equally nice, but instead of a steam room, the room had a dry sauna.
Our only Frontenac Hotel stay regret, besides not eating at the Champlain Restaurant (which has an entire cheese room), is not spending more
time at the indoor pool.
Conclusion
The Frontenac Hotel’s goal is to create an atmosphere of “accessible luxury.” They succeed. From check- in to the bar, the pool, and afternoon tea, the hotel staff were helpful and friendly. The lobby, rooms, and pool provide a luxurious experience without feeling pretentious or snobby. The hotel values you as a guest and implements details that assure you have a special and worthwhile stay.
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