Perched on the banks of the St. Lawrence River, Auberge Saint-Antoine is located in Quebec City’s Old Port, on Îlot Hunt. The Îlot Hunt has a rich and diverse past; first built as a wharf, it was later used as a cannon battery and a port by British merchants when Quebec City was one of North America’s biggest and busiest trade posts, before becoming the home of Saint-Antoine and, mere steps away, the Naval Museum of Québec.
With this prime location, the hotel offers breath-taking views, a wonderful base from which to explore the city and Canada’s East coast, and a unique glimpse into the city’s past. The growth and development of the city are recorded throughout the hotel: bronze markers embedded into the pavement in front of the hotel mark the phases of expansion and inside artefacts big and small are interspersed around the hotel.
To expand the city, authorities used a range of building materials including broken objects and bric a brac no longer needed and wanted by the city’s residents. During the construction of Auberge Saint-Antoine, a final large-scale archaeological dig was held which unearthed hundreds of artefacts from the 17th and 18th centuries.
The Price family – owners of the hotel – fully embraced this discovery and saw it as an opportunity to enrich their guests’ experience of Quebec City. From old glasses to children’s toys, rusted keys and medicine bottles, mementos of Quebec City’s past are placed around the hotel seamlessly interwoven with chic, European furnishings.
You can discover the wonderful collection and learn about the different periods of Ilôt Hunt independently while exploring the hotel yourself, or on a complimentary, 20-minute tour through the hotel. The realisation of this project was another true Price family effort that brought together the talents of Martha Bate Price (Tony’s wife), Evan, Llewellyn and Lucy Price (his children and sixth generation of the Price family in Canada).
Hotel
Auberge Saint-Antoine is a family run hotel, and has been from its conception. The Price family have been part of the history of Québec for over 200 years. Emigrating from Wales in search of wood to build ship masts, the Price family first arrived in Québec City in 1810. Over the following hundred years, the family established a logging empire which is still in operation today – a testament to the Price vision! The family’s first foray into the tourist industry was in 1964, when Tony Price founded the Musée du Fort, which you can visit during your stay, and then in 1992, the family opened its first luxury hotel, Auberge Saint-Antoine.
The hotel immediately impressed guests with its lobby set in the Québec City’s only remaining early 19th-century dockside warehouse, stylish interiors and impeccable service. In 1996, six historically-themed suites were added in the 18th-century James Hunt house, cementing the hotel’s place as one of the region’s most historic. The Price family continues to provide an unparalleled and historically rich guest experience at Auberge Saint-Antoine.
Room
The hotel has 95 rooms and suites, each custom-designed and with views of either the majestic St. Lawrence River, the hotel’s inner courtyard, or the city’s historic fortifications. Rooms range in size and price from intimate comfort rooms to luxe terrace rooms with private terraces and spacious suites with private balconies.
No matter the size, Saint-Antoine never reduce their level of style; most rooms are contemporary in design with sleek, polished-wood surfaces, underfloor heating, soft velvet fabrics and elegant simplicity throughout. However, some of the suites feature original wood floors, fireplaces and exposed wood beams, giving them a rustic elegance. The plush queen- and king-sized beds are what dreams are made of; the perfect end to a day of sightseeing and five-star dining.
Food
The hotel’s restaurant, Chez Muffy marries French and Canadian cuisines with a farm-to-table menu, showcasing the best of local produce and culinary skill. All ingredients are sourced from local farmers, fishermen and producers, and some come from as close by as the hotel’s own rooftop garden. With this focus on local produce, the menu changes seasonally to make sure guests can enjoy the best of what Canada has to offer at the time of their stay; whether visiting in spring, summer, autumn or winter, you are in for a treat! Set within a historic maritime warehouse dating back to 1822 with natural stone walls and wooden beams, the Chez Muffy dining room offers a warm atmosphere.
Saint-Antoine’s second eatery, Bar Artefact, offers a more casual setting for light meals set just below the hotel’s main reception. The bar not only boasts one of Québec City’s top cocktail menus, but also a glimpse into Québec’s past; across from the cosy leather chairs and intimate alcoves are an array of historic objects including the Dauphine Battery.
Facilities
Auberge Saint-Antoine has impeccable amenities including a 24-hour business centre, valet parking and electric car charging points, a fully-staffed concierge – all without a resort fee, so you do not have to worry about any hidden charges at checkout. The state-of-the-art theatre is also available for private use for a special event or occasion; one of seven stately and stylish function spaces offered at the hotel.
Relax or re-energise after a day of urban exploration at Auberge Saint-Antoine’s Health Club which offers a wide range of massages, face and body treatments, manicures and pedicures. The Health Club’s luxuriously pampering treatments use products from the Canadian beauty and skincare brands, GM Collin and JB SKIN SAVVI; two brands that puts as much good into their products as you will get out of them – all ingredients are natural, vegan, ethically sourced, and irritant, gluten, and cruelty-free. They also have an on-site gym which offers 24-hour fitness facilities, including free weights, Swiss balls, treadmills, stationary bicycles, elliptical machines, Finnish saunas, and a yoga studio.
The hotel’s exceptional list of facilities comes second only to the hotel’s wonderful team of staff. From the friendly front of house team, to the culinary geniuses that run the restaurant and all those that keep the hotel running behind the scenes, everyone I met during my stay at the hotel was friendly, polite and eager to help. They give the hotel a more home-like feel that makes you feel comfortable and cared for throughout your stay.
Family and pet friendly
Saint-Antoine is one of the most family-friendly boutique luxury hotels in Québec City. They offer child-sized bathrobes and slippers to make bath and bedtime comfier and cosier, and for adult nights out, the concierge can arrange babysitting services.
Welcoming the whole family – including furry, four-legged members too – the hotel is completely pet friendly; as their website states, ‘any friend of yours is a friend of ours!’. With the ‘paws and claws’ package, four-legged guests can stay in certain rooms for an additional fee of $35 a night, which includes an in-room water bowl, pet blanket, treats, and waste disposal bags. The hotel’s concierge team have a long and comprehensive list of dog-friendly sites, parks, and eateries around the city, and can arrange the city’s top grooming and day care services for you. Dogs can even join their family for dinner on the Chez Muffy terrace in summer months.
In a nutshell
Auberge Saint-Antoine represents a union of timeless elegance, contemporary comfort and effortless luxury, all in the heart of Canada’s historical heartland, UNESCO World Heritage Site, Quebec City. A member of the prestigious Relais and Châteaux association since 2005, the hotel perfectly embodies Relais and Châteaux’s motto, “All around the world, unique in the world”, Auberge Saint-Antoine in Québec City sets the standard for standout luxury hotels that offer so much more than just a place to stay.
Factbox
Rooms can be booked from $255 a night (CAD)
Address: Auberge Saint-Antoine, 8 Rue Saint Antoine Québec City, Canada , G1K 4C9
Phone: +1 418 692 2211
Website: saint-antoine.com
