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Hotel Le Saint-Paul

Location doesn’t apply just to real estate. It’s important for hotels, too, and this one delivers on that front big time. Hotel Le Saint-Paul is located in the heart of Old Port district, where you can window shop as you nibble a flaky croissant from the local boulangerie or plant yourself at a café to watch the world go by. Across the street, tables at the farmers market are crammed with fresh produce, maple syrup and crusty baguettes.

The rooms mirror the old-meets-new charm of the neighbourhood with rustic elements such as exposed brick walls and contemporary touches like big-screen televisions.

Housed in a 19th-century building, the sizes of its 27 rooms greatly vary so take a peek at a couple of options. Some nice perks for budget-minded guests: a decent hot breakfast (try a fluffy omelette) and wireless Internet are included.

Best Deal

Opt for the cultural package (starting at $200) if you plan to museum hop. Admission for the three biggies (Musée de la Civilisation, Musée de l’Amérique francaise and the Centre d’Interpretation de Place Royale) comes bundled with one night’s stay and breakfast for two.

Rooms from $109

Splurge

Hotel PUR

Hotel PUR’s metamorphosis from a dated 1970s inn into one of the coolest hotel properties in Quebec City, mirrors the evolution of the surrounding neighbourhood of Saint-Roch. Once a deteriorating haven of abandoned buildings, prostitution and drug dealing, it’s now one of the city’s trendiest and most attractive entertainment and business districts.

Three years ago New York-based Willow Hotels purchased the former Holiday Inn on the corner of Rue de la Couronne and Rue Saint-Joseph and embarked on a massive exterior and interior facelift. What emerged was something innovative and über-modern for a city where traditional heritage architecture in the mode of Chateau Frontenac largely distinguish the range of accommodation options.

The design is sleek and sparse, the décor minimalist and sophisticated throughout the hotel’s 242 rooms, restaurant and lounge. Furniture was individually selected and the emphasis is on space not clutter. For example, there are no tacky brochure racks in the lobby or restaurant, standard at most hotels. Though the rooms are not the largest in the city, floor-to-ceiling windows at the foot of each bed provide gorgeous urban panoramas.

Bathrooms feature either a Japanese soaking tub or glass walled shower. Free espresso is available 24-7 in the lobby lounge and guests can exercise in Quebec City’s largest indoor swimming pool. A 20-minute walk to the old city, it’s also smack in the heart of Saint-Roch, close to boutique restaurants, cafés, bakeries and nightlife.

Start the day with a coffee and croissant at La Boite à Pain, enjoy a casual cocktail at Le Beaudoir then head to the hopping Le Cercle for live music.

Best Deal

The Nightlife package includes everything you need for a night’s bender. Starting at $209, it includes a king-size bed, VIP access to the Maurice Nightclub (no lineups or entry fee), two drinks at the club and taxi rides to and from the hotel.

Rooms from $150