Le Monastère des Augustines - Hôtel bien-être

Great location. Being a monastery, there’s a lot of history and a beautifully curated exhibit on site. The rooms are quite small but very cozy. The shared bathrooms are spacious and regularly cleaned and has fresh towels and other amenities. The breakfast was wonderful. It’s a calm and quiet place.

Since the first time I accidentally stumbled upon this place, it felt special and unique. There’s an enveloping blanket of calmness and serenity as soon as you pass through its doors. The stunning architecture and restoration of its historic building, specialized massages, signature scent, silent breakfasts, lauds and vespers (at the nuns’ choir), yoga, museum, art workshop - creates a perfect luxury wellness experience that cannot be replicated anywhere else. It truly is a privilege to experience this. I’ve stayed numerous times at Chateau Frontenac and other hotels in the area, but Monastere des Augustines has been my favourite especially for a solo getaway. I hope it’ll be here for another 400 years for future generations to enjoy.

Let me first say that I am not one to leave negative reviews but feel I owe it to my fellow celiacs to bring attention to this issue. This was my second trip to this establishment. Last one was 8 yrs ago. My biggest disappointment was discovering that the amazing restaurant they had back then has been replaced by a food service that comes short especially for those of us who are gluten intolerant (celiac). Every meal, I had to ask what was gluten free and was met by: are you celiac or just prefer not eating gluten because there may be cross contamination. Most times, the food attendant had to go ask the chef and come back with the very few options and some staff appeared annoyed by my request. One staff even said: you’re lucky tonight, there are 2 hot dishes (meat / fish in sauce) that are gluten free. Please note that when I made my reservation, I did specify that I required gluten free options as they do ask. Let’s just say that to be on the safe side, I ended up with only a very limited menu and was very disappointed that there was no simple carb option as rice or even potatoes but vegetables are in salads that I could not trust to be gluten free. As well, guests seemed to love the gluten free options and there was a considerable wait for the hot meals to be replenished or they just ran out. And yes! Despite my precautions, I got gluttened which is very unpleasant to go through. I do however have to give high praise to reception whom were very kind and professional in my dealings with them. In fact, Felix deserves high praise for his professionalism.

I also stayed at the Fairmont Le Château Frontenac, but this place captured my heart in a completely different way. It’s quiet, calming, and beautifully connected to nature. Everyone I met was kind, thoughtful, and genuinely welcoming. There’s a special energy here — a sense of peace that makes you slow down and simply breathe. The morning “meditation walk” was a highlight of my stay — such a grounding and refreshing experience. I honestly wish I had stayed longer; it’s the kind of place that stays with you long after you leave. (Cannot leave without mentioning the history and art!)

During my three-night stay, I was well cared for and well fed. The morning meditation walks combine mindfulness with learning interesting details about the city. The location is right in the old city with cultural sites all around. Yet, the grounds are quiet and restful. Great value for services provided. The rooms, while small, are tidy, comfortable, and quiet. The food is outstanding and distinctive. I can't wait to return!

This might be the best hotel I’ve ever stayed in! The location was fantastic - we arrived by VIA rail and it was an easy walk from the train station, while also being so close to all the major attractions. Despite being so central, the Monastère exudes peace and tranquility. We stayed in a contemporary room, which was small, but beautiful and quiet, with an excellent little reading nook. The bed was so comfortable! The food was incredible - we loved the silent breakfasts included in our stay (This is the first hotel breakfast I’ve had that felt genuinely nourishing), and the lunch we got from the takeout counter once. The staff was always welcoming and friendly and very willing to let me practice my rusty French without automatically switching to English, which I appreciated!

The Monastere was recommended as it is a unique building in a central location with very easy access to the main street in Quebec old town. Reception staff were friendly and helpful recommending the easy way to the main area. It is a quirky place the room was very clean but no TV of coffee making facilities as well as no full length mirror. The Manastere has a church were the Nun's worship, food at breakfast was good quality and healthy but would have benefited form more options. Breakfast is taken in silence which was an interesting experience. If you stay I recommend the tour of the Monsatere which was very informative. Overall I would recommend the experience but don's expect a normal branded hotel!

I wasn't even aware such a property existed until I was looking for various options to stay in Québec City. When I saw the availabilities, I wanted to experience staying in a former monastic cell. The rooms have independent climate control. Each room has a sink. However, you have to share bathrooms with other guests. There are always enough bathrooms. So, that wasn't an issue at all. They were clean. Plenty of clean floor towels are available. The single bed was super comfortable. The mattress was rather soft. The monastery's location couldn't be any better because it's within walking distance of the stores and shops. The receptionists and restaurant staff are extremely courteous. Although they make it known that silence is maintained during breakfast (on the website, during check-in, and there's even a sign before you enter the restaurant), a few people couldn't resist talking (albeit whispering). There is a good selection for a vegetarian breakfast. The sound insulation for the rooms is bad since I could hear someone in the neighboring room walking around. Again, there were a few people who chatted in the hallway. Since silence is maintained, sound travels into the rooms. One night, someone slammed the door shut at 2 a.m., and it woke me up. Otherwise, I enjoyed the silent atmosphere. So, if you are a guest, please refrain from chatting in the restaurant and hallway. If you can't help it, chat inside your room or in the reception area. There is still an active chapel where the nuns and visitors can attend morning prayers, Mass, and evening prayers. The times are posted outside the chapel. There is also a boutique where you can buy quality gifts. On the last day, we joined a guided tour. Richard, our guide, was really informative and provided a lot of history about the place, the Augustinian community, and history.

Peaceful, tranquil respite from the bustle of a cruise ship! The first encounter was a bit of an adjustment - no noisy lobby with the clacking of wheeled luggage across the floor or tourists crowding the front desk for recommendations. Off the beaten path of tourist-crowded restaurants, souvenir shops, and groups of students after school, this quiet respite is actually a monastery! There's a spa, restaurant, and to get to the elevators/stairs to your room, you pass through their museum. You have a couple of choices when booking - a contemporary room (upgraded, modern, minimalist), or a traditional one. Heads up (literally!) - the contemporary rooms are on the upper floor, and have a slanted ceiling which may be awkward for some. The restaurant is wonderful - breakfast is European-style. It comes with the room, and there is so much variety to choose from. Don't expect it to be like some hotel chains in the U.S. with noisy waffle makers, machines that dispense juice, or huge toasters that rotate your bread. Loved staying here - central to everything, including an 8-minute walk to the train station!

So this is my first night of 7. The contemporary rooms are more hotel like. But note: no TV or phone. The website said bring hairdryer, which I did, a big use of space for a carryon only traveler, but I did as stated, only to find a hairdryer in the room. Bed is a twin, but very comfortable, duvet, mattress cover, nice linens. Don't even think about checking in before 4 pm. I tried at noon, 3 pm and finally at 410 pm my room was ready. They did keep my luggage though as I waited. WiFi works well. I travel and work from the computer so WiFi is a must. I purchased the breakfast included meal plan. Will let you know how that is.

I wish I could transport this place to somewhere closer than Quebec!! It is tranquil. Peaceful. Quiet. Pure nourishment. A functioning monastery, this hotel opened in recent years. It houses a spa, a restaurant, and a museum. Technology is limited, chatter is quieted, and comfort is necessary. There are two floors of accommodations above the museum. One, has more traditional rooms of the old monastery. Twin bed, few things in the room. And shared bathrooms. I stopped into use the bathroom on the way to my room, and it was quite nice and private. However, still shared. The top floor are the premium rooms, more typical of a hotel. Oh wow, these rooms are magnificent. The bed had top of the line linens, and was the most comfortable thing I've ever slept on. The window out had a beautiful view. The lines and architecture of the room was simple, but elegant. The bathroom, had a deep tub. This was essential for this tall gal after each day of climbing the hills of QC. I slept so incredibly well. Read a ton. And barely talked. It was a delight for someone that is constantly "on". It was nice to be "off". And breakfast...was a breakfast bar each morning that I enjoyed.

I booked a stay at Hôtellerie d'Expérience au Monastère des Augustines based on the information I found on their website that promised a relaxing experience. While a mindful stay was my primary reason for booking a room here, the most appealing feature of the monastery is its close proximity to the sightseeing in Quebec City. In Quebec City, I had a wonderful time. As a single traveler, I attended many cultural exhibits, including part of the QC film festival, a free walking tour of the city's historic sites, and a visit to the wonderful Morrin Centre. I feasted on creme brulee at Le Chateau Frontenac, poutine at a bar on Rue Saint Jean, and a cold beer at Cafe du Monde on the waterfront. The most disappointing part of my trip was the service at Hôtellerie d'Expérience au Monastère des Augustines. I had no problem with the sparse accommodations and shared bathrooms of the authentic cloisters. I also enjoyed the museum that I leisurely explored for free. I took many photographs and learned much about the Augustinian Sisters who founded Le Monastère. My disappointment came when I realized that the program of daily activities were not as they were represented on the website at all. Nearly every activity cost extra to participate in. I would not have minded spending extra, but I got the feeling that none of the other guests participated in such activities. For activities where there was no charge, the activity itself was pitiful when compared to the description of the activity in the glossy marketing materials. For example: The brochure: The Creation Series 10:00 - 11:00 am Mandalas, scrapbooking and more The reality: a vacant room where one could work on a large puzzle, or add to a scarf that someone had begun to weave on a loom The brochure: Inspiration Series 8:00-9:00 pm Films, roundtables, conferences The reality: a room with a DVD collection where I could sit and watch videos alone I had looked forward to getting a massage, but no information about booking one was presented to me. In fact, no one from Hôtellerie d'Expérience au Monastère des Augustines ever asked if I needed anything, or if I was enjoying my stay, or if I wanted to participate in any of the activities- paid or otherwise. For a place that seeks to "promote rest, renewal, and self-discovery," I found the atmosphere to be unnecessarily harsh and the staff was brutally distant. This could not have been more evident than in the second morning I spent eating the "silent breakfast." I rose early and showered so I could get a seat at the window in Le Restaurant. I arrived there at 7:15 and took a seat by the windows. On my first morning, I had sat at a table for six visitors and I ate my breakfast alone, while other couples chit chatted quietly, despite the restriction on speaking. As a single traveler, I had hoped that a view of nature out the window would be a more pleasant way to start the day. No sooner had I sat down and unfolded my napkin did a staff member approach me to ask that I move from my seat. She explained that Le Monasterie was booked solid and they needed the larger tables for the many guests who would soon descend upon the breakfast area. I reluctantly moved to the same table where I had eaten breakfast the previous day. I spent nearly a half hour eating my breakfast- which was the same exact food, without variety, that had been presented the previous day. During the half hour, only three other guests visited Le Restaurant for breakfast, leaving dozens of tables, including all those by the windows, empty. I am not a person who gets riled up about many things. I live and let live. I go with the flow. But I found this request for me to move from my seat to be outrageously inappropriate. I had hoped to "savour a unique experience in a relaxed atmosphere," but what I found was anything but tranquil. At that point, I decided to bring my concerns to the front desk person when I checked out. I quickly packed, eager to leave the horrible breakfast experience at Le Monasterie, in what was otherwise a wonderful vacation, as quickly as possible. When I arrived at the front desk to check out, the clerk was distant, unconcerned with asking me if I enjoyed my stay... unconcerned with me- overall. I decided to say nothing. It can be uncomfortable for most people to travel alone. My experience at Le Monasterie made it more uncomfortable. I should have said something at the front desk, but at that point I just wanted to get out of there. Perhaps my stay at Le Monasterie truly has been a spiritual journey. I learned that a wonderful visit to Quebec City shouldn't be spoiled by flying into a rage at the front desk clerk. Rage... probably not the emotion the Augustinian Sisters were going for.