La Maison Demers

We've stayed here for three nights each of the last three years, and the owner has always been very helpful. He's a quiet, gentle man, and they serve a continental breakfast in the morning. The place has plenty of character, as you'd expect in a 300-year-old building. It's not a modern Sheraton, but prices are very reasonable and it's well worth a visit. Right in Old Quebec, with excellent walkability and easy access to the streets leading out of the Old Town.

I had a balcony room on the top floor, with a lovely view of the street at night. The light breakfast was nice to eat out there. Mark kindly offered a parking ticket good for 24 hours at the public lot, which isn't far away. He didn't seem friendly at first, but he was when I got the chance to talk with him. I was surprised to learn the hotel was a filming location for the Korean drama Goblin. That's not well advertised. A nice old private hotel.

The free breakfast was a charming touch. You pick it up yourself and take it to your room, with croissants, muffins, fruit, coffee, tea, and more. The location is great, inside the city walls and an easy walk to restaurants, shops, convenience stores, and the rest of the old city. Parking isn't free, despite what some online listings say, but the owner gives you a discounted ticket for the underground lot, about a 10-minute walk away. This was our first visit to Quebec City, and we stayed two nights in room 4 on the second floor. It was much bigger than the photos suggested, cozy, with huge windows and a lovely stained-glass door opening onto a balcony. We didn't use it because November was cold and blustery. The ensuite bathroom is small but well fitted, with a very comfortable tub. The bathroom wall is only three-quarters height, but that didn't bother us as a couple. Both double beds were firm but comfortable, and I slept extremely well. The downstairs entrance smelled of smoke, though our room didn't. It's an old house, so you can see its age. It felt like a mix of an AirBnB and a traditional inn, not a sterile chain hotel. The host was polite and friendly, and the place had a cozy, homey feel at a great price. I'd highly recommend it to budget travelers who like coming home at the end of the day.

I've gone there several times with my father during the FIMMQ, and we've always had good service. The woman who lives there with her son is so nice, and breakfast croissants are delicious. It's old-fashioned, but perfectly adequate for the price. If you want a five-star hotel, pay for one and go elsewhere. I had a good experience.