Description: With only a half day and a night to sample what Quebec has to offer, we needed a hotel with a central location. This effectively meant being prepared to pay the going rate of C$200 or more at that time of year. After a bit of searching, we found a competitive rate at this outstandingly situated hotel on Expedia. It is just outside the old city walls off the Rue St Jean and directly adjacent to the parliament building, so it gets 10 out of 10 for location. Navigation was okay, too. Generally I approach venturing into the heart of a major foreign city in an unfamiliar car on the wrong side of the road with trepidation. I can't think why. However, locating and parking up at the Hilton was surprisingly straightforward, the only tears coming over the 24-hour parking fee in the car park under the hotel itself, C$18 a day. Yikes. That said, you're straight out of the car park via the lift and right into the hotel lobby.
As is usual in these sorts of hotels, you get a grand lobby with a pile of free newspapers lying around. There was also a polite and efficient check-in staff, fairly spacious and clean rooms, basic toiletries, and a fair few TV channels. The thing I find frustrating whenever I stay in a pricier venue like this one is the fact that all but the basics are charged on top. Bath robes have to be requested and coffeemaking facilities are available, but the coffee itself attracts a fee. Basically, inside the room you get less than you get in a room half the price, apart from a bit more space maybe and the option to pay for extra services. It’s not something that should necessarily put you off a stay or spoil your visit, but is irritating. Anyway, back to the strengths - the view. The location and elevated disposition of the establishment gives guests unrivalled views over the old city and in all other directions. The higher you are the better, we were only on floor 5, so our view wasn't the best available - we looked out onto the outdoor pool on floor 4, which brings us to the leisure facilities. These consist of the outdoor heated pool and sun terrace with great views all round. Inside there's a tidy little gym and a good-sized and efficient sauna free to guests.
The restaurant facilities were not sampled. As a budget-conscious traveler, I somehow don't think I'm in their target group.
There is a "panorama" threatened if you take the lift to the top floor, but this was closed off to guests for some reason throughout my stay.
Close