Hotel du Vieux-Quebec

L'Hotel du Vieux-Quebec occupies a handsome four-story brick building capped by a pair of pretty gables. With a red roof above and overflowing planter boxes below at street level, the facade looks cheery. But the mood (or at least the color scheme) darkens inside as the decor takes a hip turn. In the lobby, a contemporary front desk is trimmed with salvaged wood and matte black walls are offset by tree-trunk tables, funky accent chairs and abstract art. The look continues into the atmospheric guest lounge -- a 24/7 space complete with a computer station and coffee corner -- where stone walls and knotty columns hint at the building’s pedigree. The old-meets-new combination clearly appeals to vacationing guests (many of them couples) who give the hotel consistently high reviews. 

Eco-travelers should note that this place is proud of its environmentally sensitive policies. The hotel, a carbon-neutral operation, grows organic produce in its rooftop gardens and derives honey from its own beehives (results can be tasted at Le Tournebroche); moreover, it uses solar energy to help power the top floor and exterior LED lighting.

This hotel has an enviable corner location in the center of Old Quebec. Given its proximity to top attractions, virtually all of which can be reached on foot, it's convenient for sightseers. The immediate area, moreover, is chock-a-block with tourist services, including shops, cafes, restaurants and excursion operators. Note that the railway station (aka the Gare du Palais) is within walking distance, as is the cruise ship terminal (a boon for passengers taking pre- or post-sail trips). The airport, west of the city proper, is about a half-hour drive away. 

• Four-minute walk to Notre-Dame de Quebec Cathedral  
• Seven-minute walk to Chateau Frontenac and Dufferin Terrace
• Nine-minute walk to the Gare du Palais 
• 10-minute walk to Quebec Parliament Building
• 10-minute walk to Quebec City Convention Centre
• 11-minute walk to La Citadelle
• 11-minute walk to Place Royale 
• 12-minute walk to Quartier du Petit Champlain
• 13-minute walk to Plains of Abraham
• 18-minute walk to Ross Gaudreault Cruise Terminal
• 29-minute drive to Quebec City Jean Lesage International Airport 

Guest rooms, while still modern, are more mainstream in appearance than the common areas. In all categories, an earthy palette is used to create a soothing vibe. In most rooms, lightly patterned carpeting picks up the gray tones from exposed stone walls; autumnal accent fabrics add warmth, while crisp white linens and pale clean-lined furniture heighten the contemporary look. The latter (much of it custom-crafted by Quebecois woodworkers) is, appropriately, made of Canadian maple. All accommodations come with air-conditioning, mini-fridges (as opposed to stocked minibars), coffee/tea-making supplies, safes, ironing equipment, flat-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi. The handsome tiled bathrooms -- outfitted with showers or shower/tub combos -- feature matching maple finishes, plus welcome amenities like robes, magnifying mirrors, and hairdryers. In keeping with the eco-friendly philosophy, toilets are water-efficient and soap is provided in wall-mounted dispensers instead of individual bottles.

The heart of this hotel is its lounge, where guests can grab a free cappuccino from the coffee corner, borrow a book or select a movie, and then curl up in one of the couches. It also includes a free computer station and a communal table that’s perfectly sized for playing board games. If you need to refuel on food, Le Tournebroche -- a well-regarded bistro attached to the hotel -- serves locally-sourced organic fare for lunch and dinner. At breakfast, you can choose to have a continental breakfast delivered to your door in a picnic basket, which is free for guests who book directly online. It's packed with pastries, yogurt, cheese, fresh fruit, orange juice and homemade jam (gluten-free options are available, as are kids' portions). A second perk for those booking directly is a free summertime walking tour of the city. Other features available to all guests include well-equipped event spaces accommodating six to 60 people, a small round-the-clock fitness room, and free Wi-Fi throughout.