Montreal and Quebec City (July 2005)

Montreal and Quebec City

• Day 1: Pennsylvania to Watertown, NY (half-day of driving)
  Microtel Watertown Link to my review
• Day 2: Watertown to Quebec City (morning of driving)
  Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac  Link to my review

        Tip: **Sign up for the Fairmont Hotels President's Club (e.g., free upgrades, newspaper)**

• Day 3: Quebec City
  Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac
• Day 4: Quebec City to Montreal
  Hotel Place d'Armes Link to my review

        Tip: **Request a corner room**

• Day 5: Montreal to Pennsylvania (full day of driving)
  Stop in Saratoga Springs for lunch
  

Restaurants

• Jardin Nelson Montreal Link to my review
• Auberberge du Vieux Port Quebec Link to my review
• Bellagio Quebec Link to my review
• Creperie Le Petit Chateau Quebec Link to my review

Just returned from an extended Fourth of July weekend in Quebec City and Montreal. We absolutely LOVED Quebec City! We stayed at the Chateau Frontenac (their "One Great Summer" promotion of $199 USD per night/$229 CAD was really affordable, and paying with American Express gave us a $50 food and beverage credit at the hotel). I would highly recommend staying in Upper or Lower Town as opposed to staying at one the large hotels like the Loews and Hilton. The cobblestone streets of the old city are quaint, with lots of outdoor cafes, neat shops, horse and carriage rides, street performers, and antique shops. The flowers outside EVERY hotel, shop, and restaurant were absolutely beautiful. I must have taken 6 rolls of film in just 3 days! In Montreal, we stayed in the old city at the Hotel Place d'Armes (fabulous!), but I wasn't as enamored with Montreal as I was with QC (as a previous poster said, Montreal isn't particularly scenic/picturesque). There was a lot of car/foot/bus traffic during the day, which thinned noticeably in the evening, making strolling around later in the day much more pleasant. I found the food to be much more affordable in Montreal than Quebec City. I saw a lot of revitalization efforts going on in Vieux-Montreal, and might visit again in a few years to see the improvements/additions. But I will definitely return to QC, even though it is a 9-hour drive (each way) from my home.

Hotel Information
Plattsburgh
Microtel Inn and Suites
578/580 Route 3
Plattsburgh, NY
1-800-771-7171 or 518-324-3800
Elaine LaPier, General Manager
E-mail: microtelplattsburgh@yahoo.com
Room: $71.10 (AAA)  plus $5.69 taxfor queen suite with queen sleeper sofa
Web: http://www.plattsburghponderosa.com/ (hotel, Ponderosa Steakhouse, mini golf, go carts, bumper boats, etc.)
Driving Directions from NY Interstate 87: Take Exit 37. Turn left at the light. 1/4 mile on the right.
CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST INCLUDED, 5:30 am to 10:00 am (daily)

 

Quebec City
Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac
***BE SURE TO SIGN UP FOR PRESIDENT’S CLUB***
1 rue des Carrieres
(Upper Town) Quebec, QC
418-692-3861
Saturday, July 2 and Sunday, July 3
$420.00USD/$$530CAD ($210.00USD/$265.00CAD ($183.00USD/$229CAD for Fairmont Queen Non-Smoking, plus $13.00USD/$17.00CAD, plus $13.00USD/$17.00CAD, plus $1.60USD/$2.00CAD)
Parking $16.00USD/$20.00CAD (SELF) or $20.00USD/$25.00CAD (VALET)
NO BREAKFAST INCLUDED, but $50 room credit for paying with Amex
Buffet is $25 for breakfast or $27 for lunch, but also offers a la carte dining

Montreal
Hôtel Place d’Armes
701, Côte de la Place d’Armes
(Old) Montréal, Québec
514-842-1887 or 1-888-450-1887
$160.00USD/$200.00CAD ($140.00USD/$175.00CAD for King Deluxe w/Jacuzzi plus $20.00 USD/$25.38CAD tax)
$14.00USD/$17.00CAD parking
BREAKFAST INCLUDED

Montreal: Place d'Armes (July 2005)

The Place d’Armes Hotel and Suites is located in the heart of Old Montreal. Housed in three gorgeous 19th-century neoclassical buildings opposite the breathtaking Notre-Dame Basilica, and steps from the Old Port and Convention Centre, the Place d’Armes embodies the city’s finest architectural traditions. The hotel’s 133 richly appointed rooms feature elegant, lavish interiors with century old brick walls, including 80 luxury guest rooms, 48 suites, and 5 penthouses. Its chic brasserie-lounge called Suite 701 has an urban vibe and a rooftop terrace, while its new Japanese tavern, Kyo Bar Japonais, offers an eclectic izakaya-inspired menu and over 25 kinds of sake.

We LOVED the Place d'Armes. What a beautiful, hip hotel--very stylish. We lucked out with a corner room, so it was quite large with tons of windows. I think that we may have been "upgraded" since we were only there for 1 day/1 night after spending several days in Quebec City. I wouldn't sacrifice a day in QC for another day in Montreal. While we loved our hotel in Montreal, we really LOVED Quebec City. The cities are so different.

Montreal: Bellagio Ristorante (July 2005)

My spouse and I ate at Bellagio Ristorante in early July 2005. Bellagio is located in the heart of downtown Montreal, and it offers impeccable service in a quiet and comfortable atmosphere. Bellagio offers a perfect atmosphere for a business meeting, a romantic evening or a festive occasion, and it features a gourmet menu and extensive selection of wine. 

Montreal: Terrasse Sur L'Auberge at the Auberge du Vieux Port (July 2005)

This restaurant offers panoramic views of the Old Port and St. Lawrence River on one side, and amazing scenery from St. Paul Street on the other. The rooftop views from Terrasse sur l’Auberge paint a beautiful portrait of Montreal’s historic district.

 

Montreal: Jardin Nelson Montreal (July 2005)

My spouse and I ate dinner at Jardin Nelson in early July 2005. Charming, welcoming, and located in the heart of Old Montreal (Place Jacques-Cartier), Jardin Nelson is a true haven where you can bask in the warm summer atmosphere. People come from all over the world to relish the combined pleasures of good food, exceptional service, and an impressive variety of plants. Come and savor the pleasures of the table, sangrias for all tastes, and refreshing cocktails. Whether you choose our front terrace in the heart of Place Jacques Cartier to watch artists and street performers, or our rear courtyard with its fabulous design, you will find everything you desire to enjoy a memorable time. Known for its delicious crepes, the establishment now offers a menu with a myriad of flavors from tasty salads, amazing pizzas, incredible duck leg confit and its salad, roast beef sandwich, delicious pasta dishes, and homemade duck "Pate chinois'' a traditional Quebec dish, reinvented.

Quebec City: Creperie Le Petit Chateau Quebec (July 2005)

My spouse and I ate lunch at Creperie Le Petit Chateau in early July 2005. Not far from the Chateau Frontenac, in a contemporary décor and relaxed atmosphere, you'll enjoy a superb menu: a wide choice of crepes, traditional and game fondues, delicious raclette and hearty breakfasts. Table d'hote and menu of the day. Children welcome! A sunny terrace featuring musical entertainment.

Quebec City: Chateau Frontenac (July 2005)

The Chateau Frontenac is designated as a National Historic Site of Canada. The

hotel is the most photographed hotel in the world, largely due to its prominence

in the skyline of Quebec City. The Chateau Frontenac was designed by an American

architect as one of a series of "chateau" style hotels built for the Canadian

Pacific Railway company (CPR) during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The

Chateau Frontenac opened in 1893, six years after the Banff Springs Hotel, which

was owned by the same company and is similar in style. Another reason for the

construction of the Chateau Frontenac was to accommodate tourists for the 1893

Chicago World's Fair; however, the hotel was not finished in time. The Chateau

Frontenac was named after Louis de Buade, Count of Frontenac, who was governor of

the colony of New France from 1672 to 1682 and 1689 to 1698. The Chateau was built

near the historic Citadelle, the construction of which Frontenac had begun at the

end of the 17th century. The hotel includes 611 guestrooms and suite with elegant

furnishings and contemporary decor. The hotel restaurants offer exceptional views

of the St. Lawrence River and include the Champlain Restaurant, the 1608 Wine and

Cheese Bar, and the Bistro Le Sam. Unwind and swim a few laps in the indoor pool

with outdoor sundeck, or work out in the state-of-the-art health club.

 

Watertown: Microtel (July 2005)

My spouse and I stayed at the Microtel Watertown for one night in early July 2005 en route from our home in northeaster PA to our destination in Quebec City. Located in Calcium, New York, the Microtel Inn is located close to Fort Drum, the Highland Meadows Golf and Country Club, Evans Mills Speedway, and Thompson Park. The 100 air-conditioned guestrooms offer complimentary wireless Internet access, cable TV, complimentary newspapers, free local telephone calls. A complimentary continental breakfast is served daily. The hotel also features a 24-hour business center and a computer station. A roundtrip airport shuttle is complimentary during limited hours.