8 Dreamy Spas in Quebec City for a Taste of French-Canadian History

Château Laurier Quebec

Situated between the historic Plains of Abraham National Battlefield Park and the bustling boulevard of Grande Allée, Château Laurier Quebec is just a two-minute drive from the centre of the old walled city. Guest rooms range from the cozy and traditional La Classique to the spacious and modern La Contemporaine, with views of the park or the hotel’s charming courtyard. All rooms feature Chèvre-Feuille eco-friendly toiletries and coffee machines with organic fair-trade coffee.

Begin your spa break in the serene indoor saltwater pool, then relax in the soothing dry heat of the Finnish sauna. Out on the sundeck, a spacious outdoor whirlpool spa, large enough for a group of friends, beckons. Book a massage afterwards to de-stress and ease aching muscles.

The hotel is attached to Rotisserie St-Hubert, a casual eatery that specializes in American-style grilled chicken and ribs. A fleet of other restaurants, bars and sidewalk cafés is just around the corner in Grande Allée. You’ll find Lebanese falafels and pastries at La Galette Libanaise and French seafood and steaks at the refined Restaurant Louis-Hébert.

Palace Royal by Hotel Jaro

Only 150 metres from one of Old Quebec’s famous gates, the Palace Royal is ideally located for exploring the city’s historic district and fortifications. Its wellness services and facilities are at the ready to soothe aching feet upon your return.

You’ll find the hotel’s courtyard is a tranquil, tropical oasis where palm trees surround the pool and bubbling hot tub. Take time to recharge with a workout in the well-equipped fitness centre and relax while releasing toxins in the sauna. In-room massages are available on request so you can take treatments in private. Each guest room is tastefully decorated with ornate fixtures and old-world charm, and you can enjoy views of the courtyard or the island of Orleans in the St Lawrence River.

The in-house restaurant, Beffroi Steak House, specializes in grilling over maple charcoal. Indulge in slow-cooked prime rib or top sirloin vacuum-aged for at least 35 days here. The Beffroi is particularly well suited for groups, with a number of private lounges seating up to 30 people.

Hotel PUR Quebec

For a spa hotel with retail therapy and lively nightlife nearby, Hotel PUR could be just the ticket. Located in the revitalized and eclectic Saint-Roch district, known for its hip boutiques, bistros and bars, downtown is a 15-minute walk away. It’s a similarly short stroll to the Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site that’s a must for absorbing Quebec City’s rich history and culture.

Whether relaxing after sightseeing and shopping in the Old City or recovering from a night out, take advantage of the heated indoor pool, surrounded by sleek rattan chaise lounges and the dry sauna. Later on, boost your energy levels in the fitness centre, which is equipped with cardio machines and weight training equipment. More of a thrill-seeker? Try your hand at abseiling, descending from the rooftop of the hotel down to the street under the guidance of experienced instructors.

Rooms at Hotel PUR are modern and spacious with floor-to-ceiling windows and a feature wall illustrated with a sketch of the neighbourhood. If you welcome an evening close to home, the hotel’s Table Restaurant, with a popular bar and terrace, serves local Quebec dishes such as classic poutine and striploin steak with blue-cheese butter.

Auberge Saint-Antoine

The award-winning Auberge Saint-Antoine is located in the Old Port area of Quebec City. Overlooking the banks of the St Lawrence River, it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a fascinating past. Take the hotel’s archaeological tour that honours its role in what was once North America’s biggest port. Today, you’ll find modern hotel amenities—elegant guest rooms with premium mattresses and linens and heated bathroom flooring—as well as preserved exposed stonework that reflects the site’s 300-year history. Each room holds an artifact, discovered during the hotel’s construction, with a brief summary of its historical significance.

The hotel’s health club is fitted with a state-of-the-art gym and sauna, while the spa offers the latest services in beauty and wellness. Plump up and glow with an intense collagen regenerative facial for maximum rejuvenation. Indulge in Amma—a traditional Japanese dry massage. A precursor to shiatsu, it involves strategic acupressure mixed with rolling, patting and stretching movements aimed to unblock and circulate energy.

The hotel’s two eateries both offer a selection of French-Canadian dishes, such as bison striploin served with black rice, sea lettuce and a wild mushroom jus. Like most parts of this historic building, the Chez Muffy restaurant had a previous life, serving as a maritime warehouse back in 1822.

Fairmont Le Château Frontenac

The Moment Spa at the Fairmont Le Château Frontenac is an oasis of calm and relaxation. Soothing couples’ treatment rooms, comfortable massage-chair pedicure stations and refreshments are on hand. Try the Water Garden Body Wrap for a nourishing hydration boost, with a blend of bamboo, lotus and water-lily oils to soothe and smooth. In the health club, unwind in the hot tub and steam bath, refresh in the indoor pool and gym or book an instructor for a private meditation session.

Located within Old Quebec City, this palatial heritage hotel has been a landmark for more than a century. Sitting atop Cap Diamant, overlooking the St. Lawrence River, it exudes European influence. Carved stonework and ornate wood mouldings dominate the foyer and lounge area. The sweeping dual staircase is straight out of a fairytale castle. Rooms vary between the traditional and contemporary, but all are elegant with comfortable beds.

For fine dining, you have a choice of three restaurants. Champlain is the home of Stéphane Modat, one of Quebec’s most highly acclaimed chefs. Try his Experience Modat—a five-course menu, created daily with local ingredients, including dishes like an appetizer of red deer tartar from Saint-Jean-de-Brébeuf or an entrée of scallops from the Gulf of St Lawrence.

Le Monastère des Augustines

For an alternative to the traditional spa hotel, the Old Town’s Le Monastère des Augustines offers an experience of holistic wellness in a former 17th-century monastery. Authentic guest rooms emulate the original monastery bedrooms, with iron bed frames, exposed original wooden beams and shared bathrooms. Contemporary guest rooms, while retaining the original character, are modern and bright with en-suite bathrooms. All rooms are without TV or Wi-Fi, to enhance a peaceful and reflective experience.

The on-site restaurant provides health-conscious seasonal foods, from organic fish and poultry to creative raw options, with an array of salads, fruits, nuts and grains, all locally sourced. You also have the option of Vitality breakfasts, eaten in silence—a ritual reflecting the culture of the former monastery.

Massages include oil-based techniques for face and body as well as acupressure-style treatments to rejuvenate energy circulation. Holistic consultations help you understand how physical ailments relate to your lifestyle and emotions. Take the opportunity to engage in daily activities, such as yoga and pilates, tai chi, qi gong exercises and meditation. If you prefer a one-on-one environment, private relaxation and meditation sessions are available, tailored to your needs and goals.

Le Bonne Entente

Le Bonne Entente, in Quebec City’s business district, is a resort-style spa hotel. Just 10 kilometres from downtown with access via the hotel’s shuttle service, it feels like a world away from the city. Set in 11 acres of landscaped gardens, outdoor facilities include a heated pool and hot tub with poolside refreshments. Discover the sanctuary of the back court, with comfortable hammocks and outdoor lounge beds, then revive in the gym or take advantage of preferential entry at La Tempête, the golf club next door.

When it’s time to relax, head to the Amerispa for a Shellac mani-pedi, facial or body treatment. Try the Water Garden Body Wrap, which is a soothing cocktail of bamboo, lotus and water lily, or the Grapefruit Granita Exfoliation, with its nourishing blend of shea butter, sugar, grapefruit and eucalyptus essential oils. The Rain Massage combines a muscle rub with the gentle sensation of warm, sprinkling rain, aimed at balancing the nervous system as well as relaxing tense muscles.

You’ll find luxurious beds with pillow-top mattresses in all guest rooms. The château-style “Cocooning” rooms, with a Jacuzzi tub and king-size bed, suit a romantic getaway. The “Espace Terzo” options are ideal for a group weekend vacation, with two double beds and a TV mirror in the spacious bathroom. Expect gastronomic delights in the hotel restaurants. On the brunch menu, you’ll find dishes like classic eggs benedict, lobster salad and signature grilled cheese with Italian tomato confit, noyan cheese, and rosemary ham.

Hôtel Signature Quebec

If an on-site golf-course is on your list for the ideal spa vacation, Hôtel Signature Quebec is less than a 30-minute drive from downtown. Tee off at Golf de la Faune, the only championship golf course in Quebec City.

Classically designed rooms are comfortable and cozy, with many offering views of the verdant fairways. The hotel restaurant, Le Dijon, serves gourmet French cuisine throughout the day, such as the maritime risotto of grilled scallops with a pancetta crackle over a bed of baby peas, lardons and parmesan.

Complement your workout on the golf course with a session in the outdoor pool, where the thermal spa area awaits. Experience the invigorating Nordic thermal baths, including a polar bath with waterfall. Soothe away stress in the California hot tub, Finnish sauna and relaxation room. When you’re feeling suitably refreshed, take the free shuttle into historic Old Town Quebec to soak up some history and culture.