To the point
Are you looking for an hotel in Quebec City for the weekend? This is our opinion on the Courtyard by Marriott Quebec City, during the Covid period.
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We took advantage of a weekend in Quebec City to try not one but three hotels from the Marriott chain.
You know Jean-Maximilien, why make it simple when you can make it complicated! He wanted to take advantage of the current Marriott Bonvoy promotion to earn 2,500 points per stay and 5,000 bonus points at the third stay!
We have therefore chosen the following hotels (which we will all review):
- Delta Hotels Trois Rivieres Conference Centre by Marriott
- Courtyard by Marriott Quebec
- Marriott Hotel Quebec Downtown
Our friend Jean-Francois also stayed in the region at the same time, and you can read his review of the Four Points by Sheraton Lévis Convention Centre.
Booking a stay at Courtyard Quebec City
As always, having a status with Marriott Bonvoy helps when booking. In this case, we will enjoy an executive suite with a bedroom including a sofa and king-size bed thanks to our Titanium Elite status.
The cash rate was very attractive in the context of COVID-19 (around $100 per night). So we paid with our Marriott BonvoyTM American ExpressMD Card to earn 5 points per dollar.
This hotel is category 4, which means that one night is accessible from 20,000 points. You can also use the annual one-night free certificate issued with your Marriott BonvoyTM American ExpressMD Card or the corporate version: Marriott Bonvoyᵐᶜ Corporate American ExpressMD Card.
Location
The Courtyard by Marriott Quebec City is a 5-minute walk away from several bus stops and about 15 minutes by car from Old Quebec City and the Jean Lesage International Airport in Quebec City.
The area remains busy, close to the main roads but we were not bothered by traffic noise. Everything is well soundproofed.
Around the hotel
The Courtyard Quebec Hotel is close to the Galeries de la Capitale mall, for example. A variety of restaurants, supermarkets, amusement park and stores are only minutes away by car.
It is possible to park your car at the hotel, free parking is available for guests.
Note that a portion of the parking lot is covered, which is pleasant in case of heavy heat or downpours. The hotel was pretty full when we were there, but we had no trouble finding a spot.
The reception desk
As we enter the hotel, we notice the contemporary decoration. The modern central staircase and its many simple LED metallized suspension rings give the hall a chic look. A TV faces the reception desk counter and a small living room divided in two by a wall allows for some rest. A lot of people were there when we checked in.
You can enter through two separate entrances in the lobby, either from the street or from the parking lot. A panel will invite you to disinfect your hands with the hydro-alcoholic gel at your disposal. At the reception desk, a Plexiglas panel was installed.
Around the central staircase is the reception desk, a lounge area (narrow, with a TV and wall outlets), access to the dining area and a bar. These last two were closed due to COVID-19. Too bad, since the rooms seemed inviting and warm.
Hotel guests are invited to dine from the hotel market, a space to the left of the front desk with a variety of food options.
The space is neat, well-designed, in sober colours. Marbled ceramics decorate the ground, mixed with dark wooden floors. Graphic elements are found in the ceiling and fabric selection. Namely, another lounge area is available on the 2nd level, which is more intimate and airy and offers large sofas.
Let’s go up to the room!
Our room
The upstairs corridor gives a different, less modern impression. We walk through the dark and somewhat sad corridors to finally reach our executive suite down the hall.
The entrance to the room is rather large. On our right is a window hidden by a curtain, and on the left is a closet with a concealed mirror door and iron, and an additional pillow and safe.
You then arrive at the first room consisting of the living room, office and kitchen area. No superfluous decoration, a contemporary and sober design. The furniture and the fridge are empty. The coffee machine is set up on the kitchen counter. There’s a microwave just over it.
The room is bathed in light when we arrive, which is quite pleasant while we settle down. The sofas are comfortable and the tables are convenient for me as I will be working there. Jean-Maximilien rather inherits the office. Too bad they don’t fit under the big footstools.
Note that the desk can be easily moved because it is on wheels. The unit has two storage drawers and can be used as a luggage rest. A flat-screen TV hangs on the wall above the desk.
The front desk employee gave us our bag of amenities! With the current situation, no more products are left in the room. Upon arrival, you will be given a bag containing bathroom products as well as coffee or tea supplies. It’s not neat, it’s in a tied plastic bag, but it’s all there.
This is how we discover that bath products are unitary containers. That is too bad, especially since the containers are not very large and they were quickly used.
The children will sleep on the sofa-bed while we sleep in the room.
Of note, the very kind and helpful staff. When we went out in the afternoon, we forgot to ask for the bed sheets to put on the sofa-bed. Jean-Maximilien will make the request through the hotel chat feature. When we arrive at night, the children’s beds are made, despite the health rules. We appreciated the gesture. We still put it on the ground to prevent one of the two children from falling during the night.
The room is separated from the living room by a door and is of good size.
The room is large, and very bright. The comfort of the mattress and simple yet effective decoration are appreciated. A fresco in the colours of nature brightens the room. Two narrow bedside tables with mirrors are arranged on each side of the bed, one with a radio alarm, the other with a telephone.
In front of the bed is an empty dresser and a flat screen HD TV. You can watch Netflix or Youtube if you have an account. You have high-speed internet access. Here is the access to the bathroom.
The bathroom
The bathroom is not the room I would keep in mind. I was disappointed, for example, that it did not have a bigger vanity. In a lower category room, I wouldn’t have minded. In a suite, you’d expect something better.
Under the vanity, a small piece of furnitureallows us to at least place our toiletry bags. We found the hair dryer in one of the bedroom drawers. A wall outlet is located near the counter.
A built-in LED mirror complements the set, as well as a smaller magnifying mirror on the left side.
No bathtub, but a very simple shower is facing the vanity. A simple glass wall separates the shower from the toilet. With the children, the space in front of the toilet was quickly filled. A (very) narrow shelf allows you to set down your bath products. It’s best to choose the metal display in the corner, so you don’t have to pick them up from the floor every two seconds.
The materials, colours and style give the bathroom a slightly old-fashioned look. Suffice it to say I was not impressed. It did well for our stay of course and I nevertheless appreciated how spacious it was.
The hotel services
Breakfast
Since the free breakfast service for Elite members was not offered by the Courtyard hotels, and the dining room was closed due to COVID-19, we had planned small snacks for the children to eat in the room.
The Resto Bar 900 is not available at the moment. You won’t have any trouble finding a restaurant in the surrounding area that offers flavours of the world, grill or fast food services.
Namely, it is possible to get deliveries from some restaurants in the area; just ask at the front desk.
Meeting rooms and events
The hotel has several fully equipped rooms dedicated to conference-type events and can also help you organize weddings.
The pool
The indoor swimming pool is located on the corner of the second floor of the hotel. It is large and inviting and is open from 8AM to 10PM 7 days a week. What’s more, it offers an unobstructed view of the surrounding area (certainly not the most interesting: roads) allowing a beautiful light to enter.
About ten chairs are set up around it in order to put your personal belongings, but there is no table.
The gym
You will find the fitness room right next to the pool. The room also offers an exterior view. It’s clean and well lit. It’s open 7 days a week, and all day long.
There are many different types of bodybuilding equipment. There are modern cardio training machines with integrated screens (bikes, ellipticals, treadmills) or weights, balls and yoga mats.
Our general impression of the hotel
Our stay in this hotel was very pleasant. It offers quality services, thanks to its swimming pool and gym. We’re sorry we couldn’t try the food services. The caring service provided by staff will not be forgotten.
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