An ice sculpture outside the Hilton Quebec hotel
Its exterior belies the beauty within the Hilton Quebec hotel in Quebec City–where rooms feature panoramic vistas overlooking Vieux-Quebec (Old Quebec) and the entire port as well as the city’s beautiful Parliament Hall. (Even the fitness room and outdoor swimming pool have great views.)
In winter, the hotel room views also include Quebec’s spectacular ice castle built for its famous annual Carnaval de Quebec.
In fact, the Hilton Quebec couldn’t be a more perfect location for visitors and families attending Quebec’s Winter Carnival that takes place annually. (In 2014, the dates are January 31-February 16.) Many of the main activities and sites are practically across the street.
From my hotel room on the 14th floor, at night I could watch the lights change the colors of the nearby Carnaval’s ice castle walls and also see the port city turn into a sparkling fairyland. This, while occasional postcard perfect snowflakes drifted down and decorated Canada’s oldest city’s ancient walls and stone entry gates with white.
My room had everything one usually expects from the upscale Hilton chain. Plus, this hotel’s 571 rooms have been recently updated: a work desk with ergonomic chair, marble bathroom with shower massage, flat screen t.v., in-room coffee maker (I always appreciate), terry robe and magnifying makeup mirror (ditto)– and a comfy sitting chair with ottoman (nothing like putting ones feet up after a long day at the winter carnival or strolling around this charming city).
I loved the King bed (super comfortable), with its European duvet and bedding—but most of all, I adored the view. A floor-to-ceiling picture window featured a truly stunning shot of Old Quebec—and because the Hilton Quebec is right outside this once fortified city, it’s cool to see such an overview of the remains of the wall and old entry gates.
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In the morning from the hotel’s Executive Club on the 23rd floor, I sipped my cappuccino and ate a fresh croissant with raspberry jam; this time while enjoying a sunlit blue sky and an almost 360 degree view from its floor-to-ceiling windows atop the hotel. The hotel’s Le23 Restaurant is also on this floor and features a buffet lunch.
Hilton Quebec also has a bar and restaurant (Allegro) on its main floor. Both are fine venues–with friendly service. But with so many great and nearby neighborhood dining and pub options, it’s worth it to wander out for a meal and/or drink. During winter Carnaval, I’d advise you to make sure and sample a “Caribou”—a brandy and red wine concoction that is warming, delicious, and served everywhere.
Room rates start around $169 (my “city view King” ran approximately $250) and up to $400-$600 for panoramic corner suites). There’s also a daily room wi-fi charge (an annoyance which I think all big hotels should do away with). The Hilton Quebec also boasts plenty of meeting rooms and banquet halls (22) and is always busy with conventions no matter where you travel—so the usual business vibe pervades. But at Carnaval time, there are many festival go-ers here as well—filling it with a sense of camaraderie and joie de vivre that only people sharing snowy cold weather can understand.
Make reservations directly with the Hilton Hotel website or you can check rates at Hotels.com and Booking.com.
Review and photos by Donna Tabbert Long who was hosted by the hotel while visiting the Carnaval de Quebec.
