Hôtel Palace Royal is a full-service hotel at 775 Avenue Honoré-Mercier that sits between the Convention Centre and the Upper Town, making it one of the most convenient mid-priced bases in Québec City. It has 234 rooms, an indoor pool, hot tub, sauna and fitness room, massage services, a bar and a steakhouse restaurant called Beffroi, plus meeting rooms for conferences. The Théâtre Capitole is a two-minute walk, the Convention Centre three, Grande Allée seven, the City Hall eight and the Château Frontenac ten, which puts almost everything on foot. Guests rate it as excellent, with thousands of reviews, and the combination of facilities and location is the reason. Parking is paid, and pets are not allowed. It is a good choice for couples and families who want a pool and spa-style facilities within walking distance of the old town, without paying the premium of a hotel inside the walls.
Location
The hotel sits at the edge of the Upper Town, just outside the walls near Place d’Youville, in the neighbourhood of theatres, bars and the Convention Centre. Rue Saint-Jean’s restaurants are close, and the walk to the Château Frontenac and Dufferin Terrace takes about ten minutes through the gates. At night the area is lively without being rowdy, and the train station at the Gare du Palais is under ten minutes away on foot, which is a plus for travellers arriving by rail. The airport is about a 23-minute drive.
Rooms and facilities
Rooms vary in size and category, and the hotel is large enough that the experience differs between floors, so check the details when you book. The indoor pool, hot tub and sauna are a real asset in winter, as is the massage service. The restaurant is a steakhouse, and a full breakfast is available for an extra charge.
Check-in is from the afternoon, and late check-in is possible by arrangement. Parking is charged per night, and luggage storage and a business centre are available. Air conditioning is a welcome feature in the summer months.
Honest notes and fit
This is a business-and-leisure hotel rather than a boutique, so expect good service and practical rooms rather than distinctive design. It suits couples, families and groups who want a pool, a good location and a competitive rate, and it is less suited to those who want historic atmosphere or a river view. If you want a smaller, more characterful hotel, look at the old-town inns, and if you want a luxury splurge, the Château Frontenac.
Ask about packages and winter rates, which can be good outside the holiday peaks, and book early for Carnaval weekends. Because the property is large, ask at check-in about the quietest floors and the pool hours, and confirm parking arrangements in advance if you are driving, since spaces are limited at busy times.
Why stay here
- ✓Indoor pool, hot tub and sauna
- ✓Fitness centre and massage services
- ✓Beffroi steakhouse restaurant
- ✓Bar on site
- ✓Full breakfast available for a fee
- ✓Paid parking
- ✓Air conditioning
- ✓Business centre and meeting rooms
Good questions
How far is Palace Royal from the Château Frontenac?+
About a ten-minute walk through the gates of the old town.
Does it have a pool?+
Yes, an indoor pool, hot tub and sauna, plus a fitness room and massage services.
Are pets allowed?+
No, except service animals. Parking is available for a fee.
