by Debbie Olsen
Last updated: 2:55 PM ET, Thu March 13, 2025
The Hôtel de Glace just outside Quebec City might be the only hotel in North America that includes a tutorial on how to make it through the night. On a cold February evening, I gathered with a group of other guests to learn how to stay warm when you’re sleeping on a bed made of ice. There were instructions for how to zip up the mummy-style sleeping bag and advice for what to do if you had to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night.
“Don’t hold it,” advised the woman giving the tutorial. “Holding your pee makes your body work harder to keep warm, and you’ll be colder.” I told myself then and there that I would not be drinking anything after six pm. When I saw the amazing ice bar, I felt my resolve crack just a little. When they handed me a ticket for a free drink, I was a goner.
Quebec City is one of the most historic cities in Canada - the District of Old Quebec is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Among the city’s spectacular historic buildings are some of the most unique hotels in Canada. Here are Five unique hotels that you can book for clients who want to have an experience of a lifetime in this historic part of Canada.
The Hôtel de Glace is a work of art and the design changes every year. This is what the lobby and one of the suites looked like when I visited. If you don't want to stay overnight, you can take a tour of the hotel in the morning. (Photo Credit: Debbie Olsen)
Hôtel de Glace
The Hotel de Glace de Québec is the only ice hotel in North America - built from the ground up each year. Every winter, a team of sculptors works to carve the hotel and everything in it from 30,000 tonnes of snow and 500 tonnes of ice. 2025 marks the 25th anniversary of this unique hotel that is open from January through mid-March. You can book clients on a hotel tour starting at $24.99 with advance reservations, arrange a wedding in the ice chapel, or book an overnight hotel stay starting at $449 CAD per night. An overnight stay includes a welcome cocktail, access to a Nordic area with saunas and hot tubs and a room at the Hôtel Valcartier on the same night – not everyone makes it through the night.
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You know you're in an ancient monastery when you stay at this hotel, but that's part of the appeal. (Photo Credit: Debbie Olsen)
Le Monastère des Augustines
One of the most unique wellness experiences in Quebec City is found at Le Monastère des Augustines, a 17th century monastery and former hospital that was opened to the public and turned into a hotel in 2015. The Augustinian sisters arrived in Quebec in 1639 and it was their work and dedication that laid the foundation for Quebec’s present-day healthcare system. A stay at the monastery offers an unforgettable wellness and heritage experience. All rooms have been renovated and there are two types available – authentic rooms with a single bed or two single beds and contemporary rooms with a more modern vibe and twin, queen or king beds. There’s an onsite museum, a restaurant and wellness treatments such as massage and meditation. The monastery also offers scheduled retreats. Rates start at $153 CAD single or $200 CAD double. Silent breakfast is included with an overnight stay. Clients can book a museum tour and enjoy lunch or dinner at Le Vivoir restaurant – whether or not they stay overnight.
Auberge Saint-Antoine Bar Artefact - This two Michelin key hotel occupies three historic buildings, but the interior is decorated in a contemporary style (Photo Credit: Debbie Olsen)
Auberge Saint-Antoine Relais & Châteaux
This two-Michelin Key Relais & Châteaux property is part museum and part hotel. Located in the Old Port on Îlot Hunt area, near the St. Lawrence River, Auberge Saint-Antoine occupies three historic buildings that are joined together. Over 700 artifacts from the 17th and 18th centuries, many of which were discovered during renovation and construction, are on display in the common spaces throughout the hotel. The hotel has contemporary décor, fantastic staff and an excellent onsite restaurant. Half of the 95 rooms overlook the St. Lawrence River and the other half overlook a courtyard. Each room is unique with its own antiques and designer touches. Rates start at $217 CAD per night.
A room at the Hôtel - Musée Premières Nations (Photo Credit: Wendake Tourism)
Hôtel - Musée Premières Nations
Entirely owned by the Huron-Wendat First Nation, Hôtel-Musée Premières Nations is located in Wendake, about a 20-minute drive from Old Quebec. The hotel offers a variety of experiences that allow guests to experience Wendat culture – including an onsite museum and the Ekionkiestha longhouse, a recreated longhouse, which was the traditional shelter of these Indigenous People. There are tours, storytelling and other experiences available onsite that bring the culture and history of the Wendat Nation to life. There’s also an excellent onsite restaurant called Restaurant La Traite, that serves Indigenous-inspired cuisine. Each room has a beaver pelt at the foot of the bed and other Indigenous touches. Rates start at $206 CAD per night.
Fairmont Chateau Frontenac - The most iconic hotel in Quebec City. (Photo Credit: Debbie Olsen)
Fairmont Le Château Frontenac
Designed by American architect Bruce Price and opened in 1893, this historic hotel is perched on a promontory in Old Quebec with one of the best views of the city. The Fairmont Le Château Frontenac has hosted many famous people over the years including Queen Elizabeth II, Winston Churchill, Grace Kelly, Charles Lindburgh and more. It’s the city’s most iconic luxury hotel and it’s a tourist attraction in its own right. The lobby is adorned with opulent crystal chandeliers and there are 20 event spaces, excellent bars and restaurants and elegant guest rooms. Rates start at $312 CAD.
More Information
For more information about visiting Quebec City, visit the official tourism website. Find more information about visiting the province of Quebec at the Bonjour Quebec website.
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