Auberge Saint-Antoine: A Historical Hotel with a Fascinating Past in Old Quebec City
If you are a history buff, you will immediately fall in love with the history of Quebec City. I’d like to say that Quebec City has the most romantic past of all the North American jewels. If you’re looking for accommodation in Quebec City, Auberge Saint Antoine would be an excellent option. This unique hotel has a interesting past and offers a museum-like experience that leaves a grand impression on every guest who stays at the hotel.
A Relais & Chateaux Venture
A beautifully appointed boutique property situated in the heart of Old Quebec, Auberge Saint Antoine belongs to the Relais & Chateaux luxury hotels association that consists of over 550 luxury properties globally. Driven by a desire for authenticity in their relationships with their clientele, Relais & Châteaux members such as Auberge Saint-Antoine, strive to promote the richness and diversity of the world’s cuisine and traditions of hospitality. The glass displays at the entrance of the hotel, containing the ancient relics of Old Quebec, are a proof of the Auberge Saint-Antoine’s commitment to preserve the local heritage and promote it.
Auberge Saint-Antoine: Where History and Hospitality Come Together
Built atop the archaeological site where over 5000 artifacts from the Old Quebec were discovered, Auberge Saint Antoine is a luxury property that exudes history. More than 750 relics from the Colonial English and French times have strategically been placed in the guestrooms or suites to add an irresistible charm to the interior of the Auberge Saint Antoine. The hotel pulled out all the stops by naming the main bar Artifact and displaying several beautiful artifacts as a focal point.
Boutique Property & ‘Family Hotel’ Vibes
The most attractive feature of the Auberge Saint Antoine is that despite being a part of global association, the hotel has a very homely atmosphere. It is more like a ‘family’ hotel and has a boutique feeling where the character and style of the hotel owners is reflected in everything, from the interior design to service details.
You will find the atmosphere to be convivial where each guest is greeted with warmth upon arrival. Throughout my stay I experienced genuine hospitality and attentive service. Upon entering my room, I found a lovely handwritten welcome note along with some freshly baked madeleines to snack on. The turn down service was more personalized in comparison to other properties I’ve stayed at. After a long day of sightseeing, my rooms lights were dimmed, relaxing music welcomed me, and a handwritten note indicated the weather for the next day. I also loved how there were beautiful little trays outside of each room for guests to put their wet footwear on to dry and to keep the rooms tidy. Winters in Canada are quite harsh with lots of snow so this was a thoughtful touch that I really appreciated. This personalized service is what Relaix & Chateux properties are all about.
The hotel staff were cheerful and extremely helpful. I ended up arriving earlier than expected and I was treated to a wonderful Easter Brunch. The Easter brunch at Auberge Saint-Antoine is a lovely treat and for many families, it is an Easter tradition. If you find yourself in Quebec City during this holiday, Easter brunch at Auberge Saint Antoine is a must!
A Trip Down ‘History’ Lane
I really enjoyed touring the property and learning about its history. Many of the walls and beams within the Auberge Saint Antoine are the originals from when it was first built, including the stone lines that were a part of the original Old City fortification. I admire how hard the Auberge Saint- Antoine team and the Price family that owns this lovely property tried to preserve as much of the original structures as possible. You will find an extraordinary event space on site as well as a film screening room. The restaurant on site, Chez Muffy, is a farm to table establishment that obtains much of its produce from the family’s farm near Quebec City. The menu consists of lots of shared plates that are perfect for familial dining. Most of the meat on the menu are prepared using the ‘slow cook’ technique.
New England Feels with a Dash of Contemporary Architecture
I instantly fell in love with my room. For such a rich history, the rooms are surprisingly modern yet have that hint of the rich Quebec history. The accent pieces were bold and fun that totally aligned with my personality. Think zebra prints, fun artwork, and designer furniture. The accent wall with exposed brick added great dimension to the space. I appreciated the separate seating area with a large sofa and coffee table. It’s the perfect area to get some work done or plan out your sightseeing adventures. The room itself was very spacious with a Juliet balcony that opened up to a stunning view of the St. Lawrence River. This is where I had my breakfast. The in-room dining was well presented and I loved the freshness of all the ingredients; you could tell they were from the family’s farm.
My Travel Essentials for this Trip
Some essentials that I travelled with during this trip included a limited addition Marvis Karakum toothpaste and Wella Professionals EIMI Rugged Texture and Proraso Beard Balm. Marvis toothpaste is far superior than your supermarket finds and I love the sophisticated flavours. I always travel with this brand of toothpaste so I was glad that the folks at Marvis replenished my supply. The EIMI Rugged Texture hair product by Wella Professionals was new to me but I’m sold. I found this product worked really well to sculpt my hair and if you want a bit more hold, I would suggest bringing along some finishing spray. Proraso is a tried and tested Italian brand perfect for anyone with a beard (they’ve been around since 1908).
Nearby Attractions
If you’re in search for a memorable stay in Quebec City with a special blend of superior hospitality, luxury accommodations, and a heap of history, the Auberge Saint-Antoine will be the perfect hotel to check-in to.
Please note that I was hosted by Auberge Saint-Antione for this stay. All opinions and thoughts expressed are my own.