Jen W.
Yelp
I read some of these reviews and it gave me pause but I took a chance and I'm glad I did.
We drove in and although GPS brought us to the very spot, it is SO easy to miss. Look for the flags. They hang over the entrance. There is a small portico to drive into by the front door. It's a tight squeeze. Staff let us know to unload the car before we park in the garage. Pro-tip: That's a tight squeeze too.
My SO checked in while I stayed in the car so not sure how that went, but all my interactions with the staff were fine (with one exception - that young man needs to relax, but maybe he's new) and our housekeeper was a delight! Even the breakfast room staff were lovely with a 'good morning' or 'Bonjour' when you arrive.
The lobby is two stories high with a lovely old chandelier that is covered with a huge lamp shade. Trying to update the décor I believe. Both the old chandelier, and the new shade have a lot to offer in their own way. Several comfy seating areas and a fireplace round out the lobby. A business center and ATM are located behind the hotel marketplace where you can get water, soda, and snacks. Breakfast is served on the mezzanine overlooking the lobby. Two luggage carts are available near the elevators so be sure to bring them back for other guests!
Our room was at the end of the hall. Lovely, no noise from folks running past the room. There are big picture windows by the elevators overlooking the Old Port and Ferris Wheel. Nice view. The hallways are carpeted nicely and kept vacuumed. The room key cards are not needed for the elevator. Our King room did not have a safe, which was disappointing as I planned to use it! But other than that, it had all the amenities: hangers, luggage rack, extra blanket, iron & board, microwave, fridge, sink, glasses, coffee maker w/mugs, sofa, chair, desk w/a comfortable seat, bedside lamps, overhead fan on a light switch, tub/shower combo, single sink in the bathroom (not in the room). Plenty of space to 'spread out' at the end of a long day of being of tourist.
I *always* check the bed first thing for bug before doing *anything* and not only was this bed clean it had a full mattress enclosure and a top mattress cover under the sheet. The mattress was very comfortable. Firm, but not hard, very comfortable with a variety of pillows so whatever your preference, it was probably available. They have face clothes which I wasn't sure about as some hotels do not offer those, and it was a nice surprise. The shower items - shampoo, conditioner and body wash - are in multi-use containers. We had one bar of soap at the sink throughout our four night stay. No skin cream, shower cap, etc.
The hotel offers daily light housekeeping, which not all hotels offer anymore and I was very happy to learn. I asked on our first day for the shower curtain liner to be replaced as it was looking a bit dirty at the hem. We came back to the room for a quick minute around lunch time and it had already been changed. I left a tip (and some snacks) and a thank you note for our housekeeper for being so attentive and she took excellent care of us throughout our stay. If we bumped into each other in the hallway she would light up and we'd have a little chat. I hope the hotel values this excellent representative of their hotel.
The room looks like much has been updated. For example the bathroom floors and tub surround are new while the tub was older. It looked like the 'built in' non-skid bottom was dirty, but I felt it and the tub was scrupulously clean. Having an old cast iron tub w/built in non-skid pattern myself, I understand how impossible it is to make them 'disappear'. That tub is clean. Ignore all those photos of 'dirty tubs'. That's the nature of the materials, not a sign of neglect.
One rainy day, our room did have a bit of an 'off' smell, but other wise, the room was fine. I don't know if it's just the city that has that smell, if it's old plumbing or just the old building. Chalk it up to staying in the 'Old City' and part of the ambiance? :D And may I say, those sheets are *so* soft! I don't know where they get their sheets, but I want them! The duvet is encased in top sheets above and below. Everything in the room was clean, even if a couple of things showed wear.
Breakfast offered eggs and meat in chaffing dishes daily. Yogurt, hard boiled eggs, cream cheese and butter are in a refrigerator, Plenty of bread products like English muffins, bagels, muffins, etc., cereals and a big pot of oatmeal with nuts, raisins and other add-ins. I'm sure there was more, but that's as far as I got. Of course there was coffee, tea, and cocoa. Staff come around and bus tables. There are restrooms off the dining area near the staircase, opposite the elevator.
Parking is thirty five dollars a day. We parked and didn't move. The city has public transit and if you are a walker, is easily walkable. The location is excellent with immediate access to Rue St-Paul and the old port.