The Auberge Saint Antoine Hotel in Québec

On a recent trip to Québec, we had the wonderful opportunity to stay at the Auberge Saint-Antoine, a Relais and Château property (one of only 450 hotels in the world with the distinct honor). Located in the heart of Old Port of Québec, the Saint Antoine is steeped in history and offers many wonderful amenities. The site was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985, and first opened in 1992 in a 1822 stone warehouse (which is now Chez Muffy’s restaurant). The hotel quickly expanded and moved into the adjacent Hunt House, and then expanded again in 2003 to include 95 uniquely designed rooms and suites, a business center, a fitness center, receptions rooms, an auditorium, and two restaurants.  The Saint Antoine is one of the best hotel we have ever had the privilege of visiting and we highly recommend staying here when exploring Old Québec (and yes, the hotel is SUPER kid friendly!)

An on site archaeological dig from 1987 to 2002 led to the discovery of hundreds of relics, some dating back to the 17th century. Several displays through the hotel’s main areas, and even in the rooms, showcase these artifacts, which include  commonly used items, many of which came from the kitchen (utensils, plates, cups). There is a diorama in the main entrance that showcases the way the site was uncovered and a matching timeline in Café Artéfact. 

The location of the Saint Antoine is ideal- just steps away from Le Musee de la Civilisation (read our full post here) and less than a quarter mile to Quartier Petit Champlain and Petit Champlain Street, one of the most famous streets in Québec and full of dining and shopping options, as well as the famous Funiculaire du Vieux that brings visitors up (at a 45 degree angle!) to the Dufferin Terrace in front of the Fairmont Le Château Frontenac. Be sure to stop by Place Royal, site of the first French Settlement in North America, and the Notre-Dame-des-Victories Church, the oldest stone church in North America.  We also walked to the Citadelle, Parliament Building, Morrin Centre, Maison de la littérature, Notre-Dame de Québec Basilica-Cathedral, and popular Rue Saint-Jeane (so many great dining and shopping options!),  all of which are less than a mile from the hotel. The Saint Antoine does offer nightly, indoor valet parking, (nightly rates apply) with in and out privileges, and the garage also features electric car charging stations.  Concierge can also call for a car service, which arrives in mere moments.

The 95 rooms and suites at Saint-Antoine are beautifully designed, warm, and inviting, featuring luxury linens and hygiene products, heated floors in the bathroom, and plush robes and slippers (they even have child sized options!) Some suites have river views and a few even have a terrace.  As noted in the biography of the hotel (a copy both in English and French are in each room), each of the six floors of the hotel represents an archaeological layer of the property, and each room has a name, signature artifact, and a story. 

There are wonderful dining options at the Saint Antoine, including the two level Chez Muffy’s for breakfast and dinner and Café-Bar Artefact for afternoon tea, cocktails, and dinner. Chez Muffy’s is located in an old, 1822 maritime warehouse, attached to the hotel, that still has the original stone walls and wooden beams and a beautiful view of St. Lawrence River. The restaurant runs a farm on Île d’Orleans, close to the hotel, that grows fruits and vegetables used throughout most of the year in the restaurant. Chez Muffy’s is home to two chefs, a pastry chef, and two sommeliers, who oversee the collection of 7,000 bottles from over a dozen countries and 750 labels.  We enjoyed breakfast each morning, with the option of a generous “continental breakfast” that included meats and cheese, granola, fruit, and plenty of freshly made pastries, or the choice of an individual meal that also included the continental buffet. Dinner includes a Tasting Menu, a la carte options, and a children’s menu. The Café-Bar Artefact is a cozy spot tucked just below the reception area, with both bar and lounge seating. The bar displays several finds from a recent on-site excavation dig, including the Dauphine Battery. The bar menu includes a variety of snacks, sides, and sweets, and a hearty variety of main courses  to bar with the creative drink menu, as well as a children’s menu and a wonderful opportunity for afternoon tea. The main lobby includes cozy places to relax by the fire, enjoying a drink from the bar. In room dining is also offered.

The full service Concierge is incredibly knowledgeable about the area and offers advice on dining options (as well as securing hard-to-get reservations) and activities. They can assist with rentals and transportation arrangements. Concierge also offers weekly activities, including guided tours of Old Quebec during peak summer and holiday seasons. The comprehensive tour lasts over two hours, and while there is a charge, the first 30 minutes of the tour (which begins in the hotel reception area) focuses on the history of the hotel and Quebec and is free for guests. The Concierge staff is fluent in several languages, and readily available each day, with extended hours until 7pm during peak summer and holiday season. We found the Concierge staff much more accessible than most resorts we have visited. 

Other amenities include a full service Health Club, with two saunas, a yoga room, a relaxation room, and rooms for massages and treatments- check here for information scheduling appointments for beauty and massages. Inside the Health Club is LeGYM, with a wide variety of cardio and aerobic equipment and machines. The Health Club offers complimentary yoga classes for guests each week. There’s also a seat screening room with auditorium style seating for weekly movie nights (and private events), and as well as the option for babysitting and pet servces (pets are allowed in select accommodations). 

The attention to detail at the Saint Antoine is impressive. The staff is thoughtful with nightly turndown service and sweet treats, as well as homemade cookies for the journey home. Each room has a tray of rocks outside the door, allowing guests to wipe dirty shoes and hiking boots outside and not soil the floor of the room. We also appreciated many of the sustainable practices of the Saint-Antoine, including housekeeping checking about daily laundering and the thoughtful, and beautiful, coffee mugs, tea cups, and carafe of distilled water instead of the use of plastic and disposable items.

Disclosure: Our family was gifted breakfast at Chez Muffy’s each morning. All opinions expressed are our own.