Maison Gauthier

I called two days before arriving on a Friday in mid-June and booked at the last minute. Since I was traveling alone, they discounted a double room. The decor is dated, like the 80s, but the amenities were a good value. There was a shaded balcony and sliding patio door for fresh air, and the mattresses, duvets, and pillows were very comfortable. The mini fridge kept my beer and bottled water cool. Tad is small, so I parked the car and walked everywhere. For a quieter stay, choose a room farther from the main road. An economical option. Call to get a better price.

The room had plenty of space, and most things were fine. But there was no breakfast, and the Wi-Fi was poor. The cleaning was the main letdown: the bed felt sandy, and I found hair in the bathroom.

We booked at the last minute because it was the only place available, and the price was good. It’s within walking distance of the main city, and the staff were helpful when we had questions. The room was extremely cramped, barely workable for two people, with thin walls. They did provide toiletries and free Wi-Fi. The website mentioned free breakfast, but none was available. There was nobody in the office before 9 a.m.; they seemed to leave around 6 p.m., though for some reason they were there until about 8 that day.

There are some nice things nearby: you can sit in the backyard, the lake is a two-minute walk away for a swim, and there’s a hiking trail into the forest with a beautiful view of the Fjord. For coffee and homemade pastries, L'emporté Coop is across the street. Just know that Maison Gauthier is the one near the road before you enter Tadoussac. I booked through the Maison Hovington website without realizing the owners had more than one hotel. The room was tiny, with little room to move even for a couple packing light, and the queen bed felt more like a double. Breakfast wasn’t served because of Covid19, despite what the website said. Don’t expect much.