Hotel Chateau Laurier

The Hotel Chateau Laurier is set in a contemporary six-story building with a plain exterior. Inside, the numerous styles throughout this relaxed, family-run property make it feel like a few hotels rolled into one. This vibe begins with the classic, airy lobby, with white walls, large chandelier downlighting, and a mix of cream tiled flooring and patterned brown carpet, plus cozy black leather sofas. There’s a lovely grand dark-wood-framed fireplace and a classic dark-wood front desk. Renovated hallways are sleek and feature gray carpets and contrasting black-and-white walls, while the large paved courtyard at the center of the hotel is pleasant, if a little bare. The expansive St Hubert restaurant has a mix of smart hardwood and gray tile flooring, neutral fabric booth seats and dark-wood tables and chairs, plus attractive exposed brick walls and industrial-style pendant lights.

The hotel is set in a lively area a short walk from the sights of Old Quebec and across from a pleasant grassy square, with views over the old city walls. It’s also within easy reach of numerous restaurants, including along the popular Grande Allee street, plus the Quebec City Convention Centre -- a plus for travelers in town on business.

• Three-minute walk to the Parliament Building
• Five-minute walk to the Capital Observatory and the Quebec City Convention Centre
• Six-minute walk to Grande Allee street
• Nine-minute walk to the Plains of Abraham
• 10-minute walk to the Upper Town (Haute-Ville)
• 11-minute walk to the Palais Montcalm concert hall and the Citadelle of Quebec
• 12-minute walk to the Fortifications of Quebec natural historic site
• 13-minute walk to the Notre-Dame de Quebec cathedral
• Two-minute drive to the Battlefields Park
• 11-minute drive to the Gare du Palais railway and bus station (14 minutes by public transportation)
• 18-minute drive to the Montmorency Falls (47 minutes by public transportation)
• 20-minute drive to Quebec City Jean Lesage International Airport (an hour by public transportation)

Rooms here vary dramatically across categories. In older, dated Classic and Luxury Rooms, there’s tired-looking patterned beige carpet, dark-wood-framed beds, and gold-framed prints against cream wallpaper. Purple curtains hang over small open closets, and desks sit beside traditional wingback armchairs. Outdated bathrooms have cream walls, white floor tiling, and large brown vanities plus shower/tub combos. Still, Luxury Rooms feature attractive fireplaces plus whirlpool soaking tubs.

Stylish Contemporary Rooms and Business and Presidential Suites sport lovely hardwood beds with built-in nightstands and have stripe-effect beige carpet, modern canvases on white walls, handsome wardrobes, and leather armchairs. Business and Presidential Suites offer huge living rooms, modern fireplaces, and large gray-marble dining tables, plus modern kitchenettes with Nespresso coffeemakers. Bathrooms are an improvement over the Classic/Luxury fare: Slate-gray tiling and large hardwood vanities elevate the spaces, and roomy walk-in showers keep things modern. Suites add soaking tubs, while Presidential Suites also offer separate half bathrooms.

When it comes to decor, Ultra Rooms are the trendiest of them all (but also the tiniest and thus cheapest). Ash-wood paneled flooring, padded headboards, and espresso-colored furnishings give an up-to-date feel, as do the amenities such as media outlets and Keurig coffeemakers. Attractive modern bathrooms have narrow white vanities with contemporary sinks and lovely walk-in showers with rainfall and slim-line power showerheads. 

All rooms include large flat-screen TVs, phones, safes, mini-fridges, coffee- and tea-making facilities, irons and ironing boards, hairdryers, robes, and free miniature toiletries, and all rooms are equipped with recycling bins. All except Classic Rooms also have iPod docks. Connecting and accessible rooms are available and views vary wildly between higher and lower floors.

The Hotel Chateau Laurier has a solid selection of facilities. Though it’s on the small side, the indoor saltwater pool is a plus, as is the large, modern gym that's open 24/7 and has a full range of free weights plus cardio and weight-lifting machines. There's also an attractive outdoor spa area with large hot tubs and a couple of sunbeds. The spa itself is pleasant, offering a range of services in modern treatment rooms. 

The hotel also houses a popular branch of the St Hubert rotisserie restaurant chain, though the continental and American buffet breakfasts served here (for a fee) get mixed reviews. Room service is available, and innovative vending machines provide self-service alcoholic drinks in hallways and in the lobby. Hotel guests also get discounts at a number of other restaurants around Quebec, and there’s a well-stocked on-site convenience store. 

Valet parking and self-parking in a large underground lot are available for a fee, though electric vehicles get both charging and parking free of charge. The hotel’s 17 meeting spaces come in a variety of classic or contemporary styles, and there’s a dedicated in-house catering company. Internet terminals are available for guests to use in the lobby, and there’s free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel.