From the outside, from the façade overlooking rue Saint-Jean, nothing seems obvious, but an extension has been built behind the Capitole, renewing the hotel offering of the establishment located opposite Place D’Youville since 1903 and which originally had 40 rooms.
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PHOTO IRIS GAGNON-PARADIS, THE PRESS
The light-filled walkway bridges the gap between the lobby and the new section.
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PHOTO ANDRE OLIVIER LYRA, PROVIDED BY THE CAPITOL
The hotel lobby and night view of the old city
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PHOTO IRIS GAGNON-PARADIS, THE PRESS
From the lobby, you can access the Clubby Bar for a drink at the start or end of the evening.
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The new part, built behind the hotel, on the edge of the ramparts surrounding the old town, has 109 rooms. The architects have built a main lobby, which serves as a reception, on the roof of the original building, at 7e floor. From there, you take the magnificent aerial walkway which gives access to the new part of the hotel, with nine floors.
Our room, located at 3e floor (you have to go up to come back down, we will recall during our weekend spent in the Old Capital, laughing), has a balcony which offers a splendid view of Old Quebec.
Even though I have lived in this city for a long time, I feel like I have never had this view: I see, from above, the Artillery Park, the ramparts and Old Quebec from an unusual, almost intimate angle, which shows this tourist district differently.
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PHOTO IRIS GAGNON-PARADIS, THE PRESS
Our room offered a rather unusual view of Old Quebec.
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PHOTO ANDRE OLIVIER LYRA, PROVIDED BY THE CAPITOL
An example of a room in the new part
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PHOTO ANDRE OLIVIER LYRA, PROVIDED BY THE CAPITOL
An example of a functional and modern bathroom
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Equipped with a very large bed (king) comfortable, our room is not necessarily large, but is well divided with a small entrance hall with a wardrobe (and clothes steamer, a great idea), then a coffee/bar area with a small refrigerator and illy coffee machine. The space then opens onto the bed, a desk and two comfortable armchairs, then ends with a beautiful bathroom with shower and heated marble floor, not to mention the large balcony, which we will not enjoy much, the grayness and the wind being part of it that weekend. Glazed, with full-length windows, our corner room lets in a magnificent light.
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PHOTO COURTESY OF THE CAPITOL
The swimming pool offers a view of the Laurentians and the glass doors open onto a terrace in good weather.
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PHOTO CAROLINE FOURNIER, PROVIDED BY THE CAPITOL
Working out with a view of the ramparts, at the gym
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The hotel offers several amenities; at 9e floor, the swimming pool, slightly heated, is neither very large nor deep – it is more of a basin –, but it is pleasant to relax there while enjoying the view of the Laurentians. We would have appreciated a sauna to complete the experience. For sports enthusiasts, a gym at the foot of the ramparts offers all the equipment necessary to get in shape. From the lobby, you can access the Clubby Bar, on the 6e floor, with a discreet terrace, for an aperitif or a late-night drink.
As for dining, there is the BŌ Cuisine d’Asie, a high-end restaurant with an excellent reputation, which I did not have the chance to try. Then there is the Il Teatro Ristorante, which serves lunches in particular – which you can add as an option for $23 with your room.
Price: from $279 in low season and $389 in high season for a City room
Visit the Capitol website
Our opinion
The most
- A new section, part of the rooms of which offer a unique view of Old Quebec, the fortifications and the Artillery Park. The other side offers a view of the Laurentians.
- Modern and well-designed rooms with every comfort.
- A swimming pool with a view of the city and the Laurentians which opens onto a terrace in good weather.
- An ideal location to discover the charms of Old Quebec and very central, close to several other districts – Saint-Jean-Baptiste or Saint-Roch.
The least
- This is not a flaw in itself, but it is good to know that the new part makes it so that we have to go up to 7e floor to reach the reception, then cross the (magnificent) footbridge and finally take another elevator to access his room. And vice versa on the way back. This makes getting around a little more laborious.
- Breakfast at Il Maestro is disappointing. Unless you really want to take the easy route, we recommend trying one of the many restaurants in Old Quebec or the Saint-Jean-Baptiste district that offer brunch. Our suggestion: the magnificent brunch to share at Clan.