Quebec City's Hidden Gem: Hotel Quartier Ascend Hotel Collection - Unforgettable Stay!
Okay, buckle up, because we’re about to dissect the Hotel Quartier Ascend Hotel Collection in Quebec City. Forget those sterile, predictable reviews. This is gonna be a messy, honest, and hopefully helpful look at the place – the good, the bad, and the slightly-questionable. Let's GO!
The Big Picture: Is This a Hidden Gem? (Spoiler Alert: Maybe!)
Okay, so "Hidden Gem" is a bold claim. But does the Hotel Quartier live up to it? Well… it’s complicated. It definitely has potential. It’s not your typical tourist trap hotel, that's for sure. Situated in a quieter part of Quebec City (think of it as a slightly out-of-the-way spot, which can be good or bad, depending on what you want), it offers a more authentic Quebecois experience. The Ascend Hotel Collection is a good brand if you want a good bang for your buck.
Accessibility: A Mixed Bag, Honestly
Let's be real: accessibility is HUGE. And while the Hotel Quartier tries, it isn't perfect.
- Wheelchair Accessible: They do have facilities for disabled guests, which is great! BUT… (and there’s almost always a "but"), it's crucial to call ahead and REALLY grill them on the details. Are all public areas accessible? Are the accessible rooms truly accessible (roll-in showers, grab bars, etc.)? Don't just take their word for it. Get specific. Ask for photos.
- Elevator: Yep, there's an elevator. Hallelujah!
- Accessibility overall: The hotel's dedication to making all areas available is a great sign, but be meticulous in your inquiries.
Cleanliness and Safety: Pandemic-Era Anxiety Sorted (Mostly)
Okay, let’s talk COVID. I'm a germaphobe now. There, I said it.
- Staff trained in safety protocol: YES! Huge plus.
- Daily Disinfection: Check. Essential.
- Rooms Sanitized Between Stays: Double check. They’re really trying.
- Hand Sanitizer: Everywhere! Which made me feel slightly less panicky.
- Individually-wrapped food options: Thank goodness.
- Anti-viral cleaning products: My inner hypochondriac approves .
- Safe dining setup: The restaurant staff were also very careful, which made me feel safe and assured.
Rooms: Cozy… With Quirks
I stayed in a non-smoking room (obviously, because, hello, 2024). The room was… okay.
- Amenities: Okay, this is where you get some gems.
- Free Wi-Fi Works great!
- Air conditioning: Essential in the Quebec summer.
- Blackout curtains: YES. Sleep is sacred.
- Coffee/tea maker: This is a must-have but I didn't like the product.
- In-room safe box: Peace of mind.
- The Quirks: My room was a little… dated. The decor wasn’t exactly cutting-edge. It's less a "modern boutique" vibe and more "comfortably lived-in." One of the lights flickered, a tiny detail but it bugged me like a mosquito bite. The window that opens was a big plus!
- Soundproofing: The soundproofing was decent, which is always a win.
- Extra Long Bed: I am tall, and this was good.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: The Foodie Factor - Mixed
I'm a foodie, and this is where things get interesting.
- Breakfast: Breakfast is included. Buffet. Which, during COVID-times, I’m always a little wary of. But, they do a good job keeping it clean. There are pre-portioned options and people are actually wearing masks and using hand sanitizer.
- Restaurants: There are a few restaurants in the hotel complex, but they're not all created equal. The restaurant is a safe bet, but maybe not the most exciting for a dinner.
- Happy Hour: They have a happy hour. I didn't participate because I was too tired. But it's there!
Services and Conveniences: Practicalities, Perks… and What I Loved!
This is the meat and potatoes of the hotel experience.
- Concierge: Helpful! I asked them about a local street food, and they steered me right.
- Front desk [24-hour]: Always a comfort.
- Luggage storage: Perfect for those early arrivals or late departures.
- Laundry service, Dry cleaning and Ironing: All available.
- Business facilities: If you must work, they have you covered.
Things to Do, Ways to Relax: Spa Stuff (and Other Distractions)
This gets me excited!
- Pool with view: The pool is incredible. It overlooks the old city, it's great!
- Fitness center: I actually used it. I was impressed.
- Spa: I didn't visit the spa, but people raved about it.
For the Kids: Family-Friendly Vibe
- Family/child friendly: Yes, but definitely check for specific kids' amenities (like cribs) if you have little ones.
Getting Around: Parking, Proximity, and Pesky Taxis
- Free Car Park: Yes!
- Airport Transfer: Yes.
- Taxi service: Yes.
The Anecdote! The Unforgettable Moment! My Pool Adventure!
Okay, so, here's the thing that REALLY made the experience memorable. I love a good pool. And the Hotel Quartier delivered. The outdoor pool with its view was absolutely breathtaking. After a long day of tours around the city, I would get drunk by the pool, with views for miles. It was the perfect way to unwind and take in the beauty of Quebec City. I watched the sunset over the city, sipping a cocktail. It was pure magic. Forget the slightly tired room decor; the pool experience alone almost justifies the stay! It really redeemed the whole stay.
Potential Deal-Breakers (For Some):
- Location: While the hotel is in a pleasant area, it’s not right in the heart of the tourist action. You'll need to walk a bit or take a taxi/bus to get to the main sights.
- Overall Vibe: This isn't a super-trendy, minimalist hotel. It’s more of a classic, comfortable choice.
Final Verdict: Is it worth it?
PROS:
- Amazing Pool with a view! The main reason to be.
- Good Value for the Price: You get a lot for what you pay.
- The Staff: Friendly and helpful (in my experience).
- Cleanliness and Safety: They take this seriously.
- Free Parking: HUGE bonus.
- Good breakfast
CONS:
- Rooms Could Use a Refresh: Some rooms are a little dated.
- Location: Not in the heart of everything (can be a pro or a con).
- Accessibility: Double-check the details if accessibility is crucial.
The Verdict: A Solid Choice, Especially for…
- People who are okay with a slightly-out-of-the-way location.
- Those who value a clean and safe environment.
- Those who want a good pool experience.
- People who want a good bang for their buck.
- Couples on a romantic getaway!
The Offer! (Because, you know, marketing!)
Escape to Quebec City and Discover Your Hidden Gem! Book your stay at the Hotel Quartier Ascend Hotel Collection today and receive:
- 15% Discount: On your entire stay when you book directly through our website.
- Free Breakfast: Wake up to a delicious breakfast buffet, included with your room!
- Complimentary Welcome Drink: Cheers to an unforgettable stay with a refreshing drink upon arrival!
- Early Check-In (Based on availability): Start your Quebec City adventure even sooner!
- Free Parking: Say goodbye to parking fees and enjoy the convenience of free parking!
Don't miss out on the chance to experience the charm and beauty of Quebec City! Book Now and create memories that will last a lifetime!
[Link to hotel website]
P.S. Be sure to request a room with a view (if available). And don't forget your swimsuit!
Unbelievable Tauernresidence Radstadt Deals: Alps Resort Luxury Awaits!
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because this ain't your grandma's travel itinerary. We're talking Hotel Quartier, Ascend Collection in Quebec City, and a whole lotta messy, glorious life. Let's see if I can even remember what I did, never mind make sense of it…
Day 1: Arrival and the "Oh, Canada!" Feels (and a Mild Panic)
- 1:00 PM: Arrive at Jean Lesage International Airport (YQB). Okay, first hurdle: the passport control lady. She looked like she’d seen a thousand tourists' bewildered faces, and let's be honest, mine was probably #1001. I stuttered through the "Bonjour madame" and, miraculously, got through. Victory! Feeling vaguely Canadian already. Maybe it was the crisp air, or the fact that everyone seemed ridiculously polite.
- 1:30 PM: Uber to Hotel Quartier. The driver, bless his heart, was blasting Celine Dion full volume. Couldn’t help but smile. This is gonna be good.
- 2:00 PM: Check-in at the hotel. Nice lobby, clean lines. The vibe? Modern, kinda bland. But hey, the room better be decent. (Spoiler: It was. Mostly.)
- 2:30 PM: Unpack. Or, attempt to. I’m terrible at this. Clothes everywhere. My suitcase is a vortex of wrinkles.
- 3:00 PM: First real mistake. Decided the best way to get my bearings was to immediately wander Old Quebec. Big mistake. The city is gorgeous, yes, but also packed with tourists. I felt like I was in a human bumper car game. Overwhelmed. Immediately needed a coffee. And maybe a stiff drink.
- 3:30 PM: Found a tiny café that smelled like heaven and ordered the biggest, strongest coffee they had. Sat outside, people-watching, and slowly started to feel human again. The architecture here is stunning, all cobblestone streets and historical buildings. And the people… they all seem so… stylish. I clearly didn't get the memo about dressing chic.
- 4:30 PM: Wandered, got lost (repeatedly), bumped into a street performer with a ridiculously talented accordion. Okay, I love this city. The charm offensive is working.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner at a little bistro called "Le Cochon Dingue" (sounds better in French). Ordered the poutine. Oh. My. God. It was a heart attack on a plate, but worth every single calorie. Gravy, cheese curds, French fries: pure genius. My inner child did a happy dance in the booth. I’m pretty sure I waddled out of there.
- 7:30 PM: Back to the hotel, collapsing on the bed. Exhausted, but happy. This is what travel is all about, right? New sights, new tastes, and the inevitable feeling of being just a little bit out of your depth.
Day 2: The Citadel, Artistic Soul and Holy Crap, That View!
- 9:00 AM: Forced myself out of bed. Jet lag is a cruel mistress. Coffee, again. Breakfast in the hotel was…adequate. A sad croissant and some rubbery eggs. Note to self: find a better breakfast spot.
- 10:00 AM: The Citadel. Okay, this was actually pretty cool. The changing of the guard ceremony was genuinely impressive, with the soldiers marching along with the high-pitched music playing. It was a really grand spectacle. I mean, the fort itself is massive and the history is fascinating. I was totally geeking out, pretending to be a military historian for a hot minute.
- 11:30 AM: Wandered through the art galleries. Quebec City has a surprisingly vibrant arts scene. Found a quirky gallery with abstract pieces that I didn't understand, but loved anyway. One painting looked like a giant, colorful sneeze. I wanted to buy it, but my luggage was already overflowing.
- 1:00 PM: Lunch at a little crepe place. Nutella and banana. Pure, unadulterated happiness.
- 2:00 PM: Walked along the Dufferin Terrace. Whoa. The view of the St. Lawrence River is breathtaking. seriously, just stunning! And the iconic Château Frontenac hotel… it's like something out of a fairytale. It's as beautiful as it looks in photos. Spent way too long just staring.
- 3:00 PM: Attempt at souvenir shopping. Disaster. Everything is either ridiculously expensive or covered in maple syrup. Settled on a cheesy postcard.
- 4:00 PM: Found a tucked-away park, sat on a bench and just watched the locals. Realized I needed some serious downtime.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner at a recommended restaurant, "La Bûche." Traditional Quebecois fare. So much meat! So much gravy! So many options, made for a hungry man. Ate way too much, felt pleasantly stuffed, and vowed to start that diet…tomorrow.
- 8:00 PM: Sat on the balcony (weather permitting) of the hotel, drinking a beer. The city lights twinkling below. Pure bliss. The real highlight.
Day 3: The Plains of Abraham, History Lessons, and a Fond Farewell (and the Maple Syrup Overdose)
- 9:00 AM: Breakfast at a local bakery. Finally, some decent pastries! The pain au chocolat was worth all the calories.
- 10:00 AM: The Plains of Abraham. Okay, I usually skip the historical stuff, but this was actually pretty interesting. Walking on a place where battles happened, with the sun dappling the open fields. The history is definitely worth learning.
- 11:30 AM: Last-minute souvenir hunt. Found a cute little shop with maple syrup candy. Bought everything.
- 12:30 PM: Lunch at a cafe, and this time I had a sandwich the size of my face.
- 1:30 PM: Checked out. Said goodbye to my room. This hotel, though basic, was actually kind of perfect.
- 2:00 PM: One last stroll through Old Quebec. One last look at the shops. One last poutine pit stop.
- 3:00 PM: Uber to the airport. Feeling a little sad to be leaving. Quebec City, you charmed the pants off me.
- 3:30 PM: Airport security. Said goodbye to the maple syrup, and I am ready to go home.
- 5:00 PM: On the plane. Heading home. Already dreaming of poutine.
Post-Trip Thoughts:
- Quebec City is magical. Seriously. Go. Just go.
- Pack light. You'll buy a lot of maple syrup.
- Learn a few basic French phrases. It makes a difference. Even if you butcher them.
- Embrace the mess. And the imperfections. That's where the real adventure lies.
- I need a vacation from my vacation… but, man, it was worth it.
Hotel Quartier Ascend Hotel Collection: Unforgettable (and a Little Chaotic!) FAQ
Okay, let's cut the fluff. Is this place REALLY a hidden gem? Or just… hidden?
Alright, fine, I'll be honest. "Hidden gem" is probably a *slight* overstatement. It's not like, you're stumbling into a speakeasy and tripping over diamonds. But it *is* tucked away, which, in a tourist-mad city like Quebec City, is a HUGE win. It's more like a *slightly* less-crowded gem, you know? You're not battling hordes of selfie-sticks at every turn. That alone makes it worth considering. My partner and I, we were *this close* to losing our minds in the Old City crowds. This place saved our sanity, honestly.
The website says "unforgettable." Was it actually forgettable? Because, let's be real, most hotels are.
Okay, look, "unforgettable" is a loaded word. Did I wake up every day thinking about the Hotel Quartier? No. But! (and it's a big but) there was *one* thing… the absolute disaster that was the breakfast. But more on that later.
I remember the overall feel. The slightly quirky art, the friendly (if occasionally frazzled) staff, the comfy beds –those stuck with me. The *lack* of screaming children running wild in the hallways was a HUGE bonus. So, yeah, maybe bordering on unforgettable. Especially that breakfast. I swear, I'm still processing it.
What about the location? Is it actually convenient, or are you walking for miles just to get a decent croissant?
Convenient-ish. It's not *right* in the heart of the Old City, which is both a blessing and a curse. It's a quick taxi or bus ride to all the historical stuff, which is fine. Actually, the bus ride was my partner's favourite part, apparently, he loves people-watching. The walk itself is a pleasant enough. You get to see more of the REAL Quebec City, not just the touristy version. Bonus points for actual grocery stores and not just souvenir shops. My favourite bakery was just a 10-minute stroll. This bakery, this bakery, oh, it was heaven.
Spill the tea, honey. What's the breakfast situation? The *real* tea.
Okay, brace yourselves. The breakfast… the breakfast was an *experience*. It promised "continental breakfast" which usually means, you know, pastries, fruit, coffee. What we got was… well, let’s say it tested our patience.
First, the coffee was… let’s just say it needed a lot of sugar to be palatable. Then, there was this *one* woman behind the counter, bless her heart, she was frantically trying to replenish the food, but there were *so many* people. The fruit? Mostly bruised bananas and a sad, lonely orange. The pastries? Stale. I swear, they'd been sitting there since the Jurassic period. One morning, I swear I saw a pigeon try to raid the croissants. A PIGEON!
Here's the real kicker: The scrambled eggs tasted… chemically? Like, I'm pretty sure they were made in a lab. My partner, who eats *everything*, took one bite and declared them "an affront to eggs." We ended up eating a croissant from the corner store for breakfast, and it was better by a long shot. So yeah. Breakfast. Unforgettable. But for all the wrong reasons.
But you know what? It was kind of funny. We still laugh about it. It’s part of the story. It's a testament to the experience. We found a great spot for coffee!
So, is it family-friendly? Because a vacation with screaming kids is my nightmare.
As much as I adore kids… no, it's not. No, no, a thousand times no. It’s not that it's *unfriendly* to families, but it’s not *geared* for them. It doesn't have a pool, a playground, or a massive kids' menu. This is a godsend! We did witness a few families there, but there was a comfortable quiet. No screaming, no running. A real respite to the chaos of the city. A lovely, peaceful quiet. Don't get me wrong, your mileage may vary, but for me? Bliss.
What about the staff? Are they helpful? Frustrating? Do they even speak English?
Okay, the staff. They were… a mixed bag. Mostly helpful, definitely. The front desk people were lovely, always ready with recommendations and directions. They all spoke English, thank goodness, because my French is… well, let's just say I can order a beer and that's about it.
There was this one older gentleman at the desk… bless him. He was a little flustered, but he tried his best. He gave us the wrong bus route on one occasion, which led to a rather… *adventurous* tour of the suburbs. But hey, it was a story! He was a sweet guy, anyway.
So, yeah, helpful, friendly, and occasionally a little chaotic, just like the breakfast. I'm sensing a theme here.
Anything else I should know before booking? Any hidden fees, unexpected quirks, or general warnings?
Okay, here's the thing. While they don't have a pool, they *do* have a fitness center. A tiny, cramped fitness center with the bare minimum. I didn't go, but I peeked. It looked depressing.
Also, parking. Pay attention to the parking situation. It wasn't awful but can be a little pricey.
Honestly, the biggest warning is the breakfast. Prepare yourself. Lower your expectations. Pack some granola bars. Or just go to that wonderful bakery. Definitely do that.
Overall? I'd recommend it. Despite the breakfast debacle. It was a good base for exploring Quebec City. The location, the price, the general chill vibe – it had a certain charm. Just… skip the eggs. And maybe bring your own coffee. And prepare for adventure!
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