Monastère des Augustines

Monastère des Augustines in Quebec City, a Michelin Key Selected property, offers a profoundly unique and tranquil wellness experience within the walls of a beautifully restored 17th-century monastery. Guests consistently praise its historical charm, serene atmosphere, and commitment to holistic well-being.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The overall sentiment for Monastère des Augustines is overwhelmingly positive, with guests frequently describing their stays as peaceful, restorative, and exceptional. The hotel consistently receives high ratings for cleanliness, comfort, staff, and location, often scoring in the "Wonderful" to "Exceptional" range. Many consider it a "fortunate find" and an "oasis of calm."

2. Key Highlights

Guests are particularly drawn to several key aspects of Monastère des Augustines:

• Historic Setting & Design: The hotel is housed in North America's first hospital, a 17th-century monastery, and its restoration thoughtfully blends centuries-old stone walls with modern design elements. This provides a distinctive and immersive historical experience.
• Wellness Focus: A core highlight is its dedication to wellness, offering daily activities such as yoga, meditation walks, Tai Chi, and holistic bodywork treatments.
• On-site Museum: The property includes a museum and archives with over 40,000 artifacts, allowing guests to explore the rich history of the Augustinian Sisters.
• Silent Breakfast: A unique and beloved feature is the "silent breakfast," a tradition that encourages quiet reflection and mindful eating to start the day.
• Central Location: Its prime location in the heart of Old Quebec City provides easy access to major attractions.

3. Room Quality

Monastère des Augustines offers two distinct room types:

• Authentic Rooms: These are former nuns' cells, providing a "monastic spirit" experience. They are noted for being small, featuring antique furniture, a sink, and a mirror, and often require guests to use shared, though immaculately clean, bathrooms down the hall. Some authentic rooms have low door frames. Despite their simplicity, guests find them comfortable and a "nice reminder that what we want is oftentimes much more than what we need."
• Contemporary Rooms: These rooms offer more space and a modern, fresh design while still respecting the building's heritage. They include private bathrooms.

Both room types intentionally lack televisions, telephones, and alarm clocks to promote rest and tranquility, though free Wi-Fi is available. Beds are generally found to be comfortable with high-quality linens.

4. Dining Experience

The dining experience at Monastère des Augustines is highly celebrated, particularly the breakfast.

• Breakfast: Consistently described as delicious, healthy, fresh, organic, and locally sourced. There's a wide array of vegetarian and vegan options, including fresh fruits, eggs, breads, and homemade herbal teas. The silent breakfast is a highlight for many, fostering a peaceful and mindful start to the day.
• Restaurant (Le Vivoir): The on-site restaurant, Le Vivoir, offers healthy, local, and organic food, including vegetarian, fish, poultry, and meat dishes. Dinner is often described as a gourmet, multi-course experience from Tuesday to Saturday, with a buffet option on Sunday and Monday. The focus is on mindful eating in a peaceful and welcoming environment. There is also a quick-service café and a take-out counter.

5. Service & Staff

Guest feedback consistently praises the service and staff, describing them as excellent, helpful, attentive, and friendly. The hospitality contributes significantly to the tranquil and welcoming atmosphere of the monastery.

6. Location & Accessibility

Monastère des Augustines boasts a "perfect" and central location within Old Quebec City, a UNESCO World Heritage site. It's just a 5-minute walk from central shopping and restaurant areas like Rue Saint-Jean, and within easy reach of attractions such as Château Frontenac and Quartier Petit Champlain. Limited on-site parking is available for a fee (CAD 26.00 per night), and the hotel encourages public transportation.

7. Value & Pricing

Many guests consider Monastère des Augustines to offer excellent value, providing a "luxury stay at a very affordable price point" given its unique historical setting and wellness offerings. Prices can start from around $119 USD (C$163), with authentic rooms generally being less expensive than contemporary rooms. The hotel also offers subsidized stays for caregivers, aligning with its historical mission. March is typically the cheapest month to stay, while July is the most expensive.

8. Common Complaints

While largely positive, some recurring criticisms include:

• Room Size and Amenities in Authentic Rooms: Some guests find the authentic rooms to be small, and the lack of private bathrooms in these rooms can be an inconvenience. The absence of a TV or fridge in any room type, though intentional, is sometimes noted as a minor drawback.
• Limited Power Sockets: A few reviews mention a lack of power sockets near desks and beds.
• Silent Breakfast: While mostly appreciated, a small number of guests find the silent breakfast a bit awkward.
• No On-site Pool: The property itself does not have a pool, but packages can include access to a nearby Nordic spa.

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