Where to Stay: Michelin Key Hotels in Quebec

Last Updated on November 29, 2024 by Pamela MacNaughtan

On 12 September 2024, the first round of Michelin Key Hotels was revealed in Canada and 8 of 33 hotels are located in Quebec. Am I surprised? Not at all, we have amazing hotels throughout the province! Do I think there should be more Quebec hotels on the list? Yes, of course, but I feel that way about every tourism and food list. I was not born in Quebec, but I love it here and want the world to experience the beauty, people, culture, food, and life in general in Quebec.

Let’s chat about the Michelin Key Hotels in Quebec!

Auberge Saint-Antoine

I am stoked that Auberge Saint-Antoine is one of the Michelin key hotels in Quebec. Owned and operated by the Price family (they own Musée du Fort and Le Chic Shack, too), a major archaeological dig was conducted during construction, unearthing hundreds of artifacts. Many were incorporated into the hotel’s decor, creating a fascinating boutique hotel-musée. All 95 rooms and suites feature a small artifact and are contemporary. The gym and spa are small, and the public spaces are beautiful and comfortable. The hotel has a Fench restaurant, Chez Muffy, and a lounge, Bar Artefact.

I’ve stayed at Auberge Saint-Antoine a few times over the years and dined at Chez Muffy (once known as Panache) and Bar Artefact. The service here is excellent, and they have one of the best concierge in the city, Geneviève Gay. The rooms are spacious and comfortable, and I love the displays of artifacts throughout the hotel. In winter, Bar Artefact serves an amazing chocolat chaud.

8, rue Saint-Antoine • 418-692-2211

Manoir Hovey

Located in the Eastern Townships, Manoir Hovey is a gorgeous Relais & Châteaux property tucked away on the shores of Lac Massawippi. Its style is unique in Quebec, leaning towards the style of Mount Vernon plantation. The 59 rooms, suites, and cabins have an English countryside decor vibe, with calm colour palettes and local artwork. While the accommodations are superb, the hotel is well known for its 5-diamond restaurant headed by Chef Alexandre Vachon, serving elevated Quebecois cuisine using high-quality local flavours. The hotel also offers Nordic thermal experiences at its beautiful spa, as well as a lakeside pool, and a variety of treatments.

575, rue Hovey • 819-842-2421

Le Place d’Armes Hotel & Suites

Located in Old Montreal, across the square from Basillique Notre-Dame de Montréal, Le Place d’Armes Hotel & Suites is a superb boutique hotel. Part of the hotel resides in the Great Scottish Life Insurance building, which is a Second Empire-style building erected in 1870. The hotel was established here in 2000 and expanded over time into buildings next door. Today, the hotel spans four historic buildings, each one a little different in style and decor.

I’ve stayed in this hotel and loved the closeness to both Old Montreal and Chinatown. The rooms are comfortable with good beds and amazing showers. I’m also a big fan of the Kyo Bar Japanais, which can be reached by elevator or the street.

55 rue Saint-Jacques • 514-842-1887

Le Petit Hotel

Another Old Montreal hotel property, which is also owned by the same hotel group behind Le Place d’Armes Hotel & Suites, Nelligan, and a few others. Le Petit Hotel is located on rue Saint-Paul, which is the main street in the historic district. It’s a busy street, filled with boutiques, restaurants, and bars. Living up to its name, this hotel only has 24 rooms, which have exposed stone walls, modern contemporary decor, and crisp white linens. It has a little cafe which converts to a lounge space at night. It’s a cute boutique hotel in Old Montreal.

168, rue Saint-Paul Ouest • 514-940-0360

Le Mount Stephen

This hotel was originally the home of Lord George Stephen, who was president of the Bank of Montreal (1876-81) and president of the Canadian Pacific Railway (1880-88), as well as a philanthropist (among other things). His home was built in 1883 in the neo-Renaissance style and became a private gentlemen’s club in the late 1920s. It was transformed into Le Mount Stephen in the late aughts. The 90-room hotel is a lovely mixture of old and new, with the restaurant and bar in the original building and the rooms in a modern addition. The rooms are splendidly modern with beautiful views of Montreal’s Golden Square Mile neighbourhood.

1440, rue Drummond • 514-313-1000

Le Germain Charlevoix Hotel & Spa

Yes, of course, Le Germain Charlevoix Hotel & Spa is one of the Michelin key hotels in Quebec. Owned and operated by the Germain family, this hotel and spa in Baie-Saint-Paul is a shining gem in the family’s hotel crown. It’s tucked between the Charlevoix mountains and Saint-Lawrence River, and next to the Baie-Saint-Paul stop of the Charlevoix Train. It’s a beautiful property with rooms and suites spread across four buildings, a stunning Nordic spa, and a farm (highland cows!). Rooms are contemporary in style, with insanely comfortable beds. There are also two restaurants and an outdoor pool.

I stayed here on a wintery weekend during the pandemic, in a beautiful monochrome room inside the Le Clos building, which is styled after the bell towers of the Little Francicans of Mary convent. During my visit, Le Bercail was the only restaurant open, which was delicious. I’ll definitely return to experience the rest of this amazing hotel and spa.

50, rue de la Ferme • 418-240-4100

Hotel Quintessence

Michelin is calling this a boutique ski hotel, which feels very correct. It features 30 suites (700 to 1200 sq ft) and sits on the shoreline of Lac Tremblant. It’s a super short walk from Mont-Tremblant village and looks like a really fancy lodge you’d find in The Rockies or Alps. There are Egyptian cotton sheets and wood-burning fireplaces, private balconies and gorgeous views (especially in autumn). Spa Sans Sabots features Nordic thermal experiences, massages, yoga and other treatments. The restaurant has a four-diamond rating by CAA/AAA and features French-inspired cuisine made with local flavours.

3004, chemin de la Chapelle • 819-425-3400

Hotel Le Germain Montreal

Located in downtown Montreal, Hotel Le Germain Montreal is a short walk from Quartier des Spectacles and one of the most gorgeous boutique hotels in the city. Its façade features a colourful mural by Michelle Hoogveld, turning the hotel into a beautiful piece of art. It was renovated during the pandemic, its interior transformed into a masterpiece of mid-century modern design. The lobby lounge is a great place to enjoy a cocktail, and the hotel’s restaurant is superb. The rooms are spacious and the beds are fantastic. I’ve stayed here several times, before and after the renovations, and this remains my favourite hotel in Montreal.

2050, rue Mansfield • 514-849-2050

Quebec is home to hundreds of hotels, many of which deserve to be listed among the above list of Michelin key hotels in Quebec. This is a wonderful way to kick off Michelin’s presence in Quebec, which was recently announced. Next up, Michelin star restaurants – which I am dying to read about.

Have you stayed in one of the Michelin key hotels in Quebec? What did you think?