Hotel Reviews from the Hotel Magician

El San Juan Resort and Casino

2008-05-13T18:26:38-04:00

El San Juan Resort and Casino
6063 East Isle Verde Avenue
San Juan, 00902 PR
(North San Juan area)

By: Dave Grossman, Hotel Magician
May 2008

Following a recent $52 Million makeover, this hotel is seeking to reclaim its former glory as the place to be in San Juan. And it's doing a pretty good job of it.

As of May 2008, not all the rooms have been renovated. Since the pictures you'll see online are all of renovated rooms, that is what you'll picture and it's what you want to be sure to ask for. Specifically request a renovated room in the tower.

The renovated rooms are sleek, with modern furniture, flat panel TVs, iPod docking stations, and modern bathrooms, it feels a bit like a W Hotel (including the overpriced Voss water in the rooms). As an added bonus WiFi is free in the rooms and, at least in our room, worked quite well.

The El San Juan Resort offers everything you need for a warm weather getaway - beach access, beach chairs and towels, a massive rambling pool with a waterfall and loungers all around - even 4 hammocks tied to palm trees if that's your thing.

By the pool, assorted extras were offered for free, ranging from yoga to Spanish lessons. These were a nice touch. And if you're so inclined, you can get an outdoor massage (extra charge, of course).

Not one but *two* Starbucks Coffee's are in the hotel along with a range of restuarants including a Palms Steakhouse and Coco, a wonderful upscale Caribbean restuarant (try the crispy porkbelly!). During the day you can order food out by the pool, but this is one area that service was sorely lacking even if the food was OK (and reasonably priced for a resort).

One complaint in the food and beverage area is the lack of a quick service option besides Starbucks. There's no place to really grab a quick snack on the premises.

The nightlife scene here on the weekends is very lively. The entire lobby is turned into a bar (which during evening hours serves some excellent food) and people from all over gather here to socialize and drink. Past the lobby bars, a dance club doesn't even get really moving until midnight - and attracts the younger crowd (ladies free, guys $16 as of May 2008 but free for hotel guests).

There is also a sizeable casino on the premises which is a nice diversion, although in all the nights there the table games were always understaffed leaving many tables empty while others were overcrowded with people waiting to play. The slots were your typical older array of mostly video slots; nothing exciting - it's not Vegas afterall.

(Pictured Below: The one of the lobby bars)

Up on the 10th floor is a spa where you can get treatments for a fee or use the modern fitness center.

Overall, the El San Juan Resort and Casino earn very high marks. While it doesn't have the service or panache of the nearby Ritz Carton San Juan, it does now look far nicer than the often pricier Intercontinental San Juan that is the El San Juan Hotel's direct neighbor. The Intercontinental looks tired in comparison and often sells for $100 a night more than the El San Juan.

Hot Tip from the Hotel Magician: If you want to rent a car for a day or two, check out Charlie Car Rental (http://www.charliecars.com/). They came recommended and we rented a compact (booked in advance) for $21.95 a day. Can't beat that!

-DG

Other recommended hotels in the area (from personal experience - this is not just a list!)

In Old San Juan:

Hotel El Convento

Sheraton Old San Juan Resort

In Rio Grande (40 mins east of San Juan)

Gran Melia Puerto Rico

In Fajardo (50 mins East of San Juan)

El Conquistador Resort and Golden Door Spa

Hilton Washington, Washington, D.C.

2008-04-07T14:25:25-04:00

Hilton Washington
1919 Connecticut Avenue NW,
Washington, District of Columbia (DC)

By: Dave Grossman, Hotel Magician
April 2008

We checked into the Hilton Washington on a prepaid rate of $119 + tax - not bad for a weekend rate in April in the heart of D.C.

Unfortunately, $119 was about what the hotel was worth - which is to say that while the hotel was completely "acceptable", it was not at a level of luxury I'd expected when booking and, thus, seemed more appropriately priced than a "deal".

Check-in was not very smooth. While we'd booked a room with 2 Queen Beds, at checkin we were told that (as a Hilton Honors Gold member) I'd been upgraded to the 9th floor. However, that room was not ready (at 8:30 pm no less) and we could either wait "an hour or more" for the room or accept one on the eighth floor with two double beds. The clerk was anything but apologetic and after a 5 hour drive, we accepted the downgrade so we could get on with the trip.

Further, the Executive Lounge was closed early due to a water leak issue and, while we were told we could still go up and ask for beverages to be brought to us, there was nobody at the lounge desk and when I walked in, I was treated to a surly "we're closed" while I was mid-explanation about how we were told we could still come up for beverages.

Not a great start.

The room itself was perfectly fine - nothing very modern but not very aged either. No flat screen TVs in these rooms but an adequate selection of cable stations were offered along with the usual selection of pay movies.

The next morning, the Executive Lounge was open and, I'm happy to say, the service was very good. When I asked for a newspaper, the lounge attendant promptly offered to go downstairs and get me one - which he did. That is the kind of service that should be given throughout a 4 Star hotel. Free wifi in the lounge is also a nice touch.

One thing the Hilton Washington has going for it, regardless of service, is its location near Dupont Circle. Convenient to the subway, restaurants, bars, lounges, and area attractions yet just off the beaten path enough to not feel trapped in tourist land, the hotel is very well situated.
I'd stay here again, but only on a sub $120 rate. I wouldn't pay a premium to stay here. The hotel does also offer an outdoor pool, fitness center, and a nice looking restaurant/bar option. We did not have an opportunity to sample the fare.

- DG

Other Hilton family Hotels in the Washington DC area include:

Homewood Washington DC Downtown

Doubletree Guest Suites, Washington DC

Embassy Suites, Washington D.C.

Capital Hilton- Washington DC

Hilton Washington DC - Embassy Row

Embassy Suites, Washington DC Convention Center

Hilton Garden Inn, Washington DC Downtown

Hampton Inn - Washington DC Convention Center

Embassy Suites at the Chevy Chase Pavillion - DC

Doubletree Hotel - Washington DC

Hampton Inn Washington DC

Sheraton Gateway - Toronto Airport

2007-12-22T14:07:16-05:00

Sheraton Gateway - Toronto Airport
Terminal 3
Toronto, ON L5P 1C4 CA

By: Dave Grossman, HotelMagician.com
December 2007

There is one feature that absolutely makes the Sheraton Gateway - Toronto Airport hotel worthwhile - it's *in* the airport.

Yes, you literally walk across an enclosed pathway from the hotel into Terminal 3 (you can also take the monorail to Terminal 1 without going outside).
If you have an early flight, this is worth the price of admission on its own. You can even check-in to some airlines from kiosks in the lobby.

Rates on our night started at $169 but dropped to $99 with AAA/CAA membership.

The hotel was modern, clean, and well kept. However, don't plan on using the exercise or pool areas here unless you enjoy small, cramped spaces. It was one major shortcoming, in my opinion.

The only other negative, which must be mentioned, was that the price of all food and beverage was somewhat outrageous. Knowing you are captive in the airport, the hotel sees fit to charge $9 for a pint of beer, $14 for a glass of wine, and $21 for a pizza at the bar (the most "casual dining" option available). The pizza was a good one, though. In the morning, there is no small coffee bar/pastry option. It is expected you'll pay for a full breakfast starting at around $17. And forget free Wi-Fi as has become commonplace in, at the least, hotel lobbies. You'll be paying $18 for a day's use here.

As an aside, you can get a grab-and-go style breakfast across the walkway in Terminal 3 for a reasonable price.

Overall, the Sheraton Gateway - Toronto Airport hotel is recommended for those flying from Toronto's Pearson Airport as it is extremely convenient and well-kept (see the pictures). I just feel the rest deserves fair warning.

-DG

Hotel Roanoke and Conference Center, Roanoke, VA

2007-09-18T00:03:59-04:00

Hotel Roanoke (A Doubletree Hotel)
110 Shenandoah Avenue NE
Roanoke, VA, US 24016

By Dave Grossman, Hotel Magician
September 2007

When I found myself heading to Roanoke, Virginia for a weekend, I knew there was but one option: the Hotel Roanoke.

The Hotel Roanoke and Conference Center, now operated by Hilton Hotel's "Doubletree" brand, is the most storied hotel in the area.

First opened in 1882, when the city of Roanoke was called "Big Lick", it has always been upscale. Even during the depression, the railroad that then owned it spent $225,000 on renovations. It was around that time that the hotel evolved from its origins into the Tudorean building we see today (minus the Conference Center that wasn't added until the more recent 1989 renovations after the railroad gifted the hotel to Virginia Tech).

Staying at this hotel today is a wonderful experience that combines the charm of the old hotel with the recent renovations that bring it into the 21st century.

The staff was friendly at all times, from check-in to special requests. The room we received was one of the recently renovated ones. It was small but contained a flat panel TV, a remarkably comfortable bed, and upscale furnishings with a classic touch. Very nicely done.

For Hilton Honors Gold and Diamond members as well as those choosing a room on the Executive Level, there is a nice lounge on the 1st Floor offering coffee, pastries, and chicken and biscuits for breakfast in addition to a nightly happy hour with snacks, beer and wine from 6:30 until 8:30pm. The staff in the lounge was very friendly and the atmosphere is nice as well, albeit a bit small. They also have a computer for personal use in the lounge.

Out front is a nice porch, complete with about a dozen rocking chairs. Whether waiting for the valet to bring your car or just relaxing in the sun, it's a real nice touch.

Restaurants in the Hotel Roanoke include the fabled Regency Room with very upscale fare and the Pine Room Pub with moderate fare, a lively bar at night (sometimes with a live musical performance) and a pool table. In the basement, they've recently opened a dance club for the younger set. I'm told it can get busy in there although it was fairly empty on our visit.

There is a pool and hot tub, but they are outside and are therefore seasonal.

Hot Tip from the Hotel Magician: As of September 2007, only half of the guest rooms have been renovated. It's advisable to call the hotel the morning of the day of your arrival and ask if they can block you into a renovated room. They are not sold as such.

One of the best things about the Hotel Roanoke is its location. From the lobby, it's about 30 feet to a connector overpass right into downtown Roanoke, dropping you across the street from Market Square. If you want to check out the local bars, this would be the spot and no car is required.

While in the area, don't miss out on a scenic drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway and, if you have the time, a hike up one of the many trails in the mountains. We went all the way to Bedford to hike the Sharp Top trail in the Peaks of Otter (1.5 miles nearly straight up the mountain!) but there are a wide range of trails to choose from in the area.

For food in the Roanoke region, we can recommend the Home Place in Catawba (ask for directions) which serves real country food (fried chicken, roast beef, and country ham with a bevy of sides for under $15 - all you can eat). They don't serve any alcohol in the interest of preserving Christian values and it doesn't hurt business one bit. Of course, being the only restaurant in town doesn't hurt either!

Closer to the Hotel Roanoke is the BBQ joint "Henry Memphis" which has outstanding pulled pork, ribs, and mac and cheese. See the site for directions.

Hot Tip from the Hotel Magician: The Hotel Roanoke is ideal for group hotel reservations and conferences in Roanoke.

-DG

Atlantic City hotels update

2007-08-13T13:26:55-04:00

By Dave Grossman, Hotel Magician
August 2007

This weekend, we took a drive down to Atlantic City to check out some of the city's latest offerings. For sure, in the last few years Atlantic City has been on a major upswing, cleaning up a sizable swath of land between the convention center and the boardwalk (called the Walk, it's an almost Disney-like set of stores, restaurants and outlet mall outposts). More recently, the boardwalk has been getting the attention, with the opening of the Steel Pier amusement area by the Trump Taj Mahal and the gorgeous Ocean One Mall near Wild West.

So what of the nightlife? The Borgata hotel remains our reigning favorite with its Mixx and MurMur nightclubs, Borgata babes serving drinks in the casino, and its overall upscale vibe.

A recent entrant to the mix is The Pool at Harrah's Atlantic City. A gorgeous, glass dome pool for hotel guests by day, it is a nightclub at night. Since Harrah's won't make it clear what the dress code is, and we don't want you to arrive inappropriately dressed and get turned away, the deal is this: dress like you are going to Mixx at Borgata (or any trendy nightspot). Bring a bag with a change of clothes if you'll want to go swimming. For whatever reason, you have to "dress to impress" at the door, but then once inside you can change into swimming attire. It appears there will be a cover charge as well, but it hadn't been implemented yet on our recent visit.

The Pool area is quite stunning - an oasis really - that would be a lot of fun if you are staying in AC for a couple of days and want a really nice pool to enjoy. As for the nightclub side of things - it may be too early to call. The staff was, in general, disorganized. Perhaps they still just need to work the kinks out. The waitresses serving drinks were beautiful and the Borgata Babes had nothing on them.

One thing The Pool does to step up the game is offer private cabanas - at $200 a night as of this writing (pictured at left). With your own private lounge area, a flat screen TV and extra attention from the waitresses, it definitely steps the game up a bit.

Back on the boardwalk, Bally's Atlantic City has opened their Bikini Beach Bar. We really loved the setup here - right on the beach serving both food and drinks, again with some nice looking staff. No blackjack on the beach, though. You could really spend hours hanging out there on a sunny day and you can literally walk right onto the public beach before or after as it is connected. We also noticed the beach is looking nicer than we ever remember it - perhaps also part of the ongoing clean up of the city.

Without question, if you are visiting Atlantic City at a peak time like a Saturday night in summer, rooms will be expensive. Expect to pay from $350 and up at any casino in town. One way to save a few bucks and still get a nice room is the Sheraton Atlantic City, where we ourselves stayed on this trip. While the rack rates get as high as anywhere else, they have AAA rates as low as $229 + tax that may be available if you are a member. The downside is there is no casino but it's at most an $11 cab ride anywhere in town including the Borgata and you can walk from the Sheraton to the boardwalk at Bally's via the Walk we mentioned earlier. It's about a mile.

-DG

Other Atlantic City hotels:

Econo Lodge Boardwalk
Boardwalk Area

Tropicana Casino and Resort
Boardwalk Area

Harrah's Atlantic City
Marina

Showboat Atlantic City
Boardwalk Area

Holiday Inn Boardwalk
Boardwalk Area

Trump Taj Mahal Casino Resort
Boardwalk Area

Trump Plaza
Boardwalk Area

Caesar's Atlantic City
Boardwalk Area

Sheraton Atlantic City Hotel
Convention Center

W Seattle hotel, Seattle, WA, USA

2007-08-02T14:43:08-04:00

W Seattle, 1112 4th Avenue
Seattle, WA 98101

Dave Grossman, Hotel Magician
July 2007

The W Seattle strikes us as a very typical W. That is to say, if you generally enjoy the W experience, this hotel should be no exception.

It's not quite as modern-funky as, say, the W Montreal where the bedrooms have windows leading into the bathrooms (which may or may not be your thing). But it has the full "W vibe".

Room types start at "Wonderful", then "Spectacular" (which we were told is just a Wonderful room on a higher floor or with a better view), then "Cozy Corner" which is much like a "Wonderful" except with a long entrance area and, of course, corner windows which does give the room a more spacious feel. We did not see the suites.

Amenities are typical of a W: Bliss Spa products in the bathroom, nice flat panel plasma TVs, overpriced Voss water waiting for your consumption on the nightstand. They are modern, chic, and comfortable. Both rooms we tried (a Wonderful and a Cozy Corner, had either a lounger or a couch-like area by the window on which to relax. The beds, in Starwood style, was extrememly comfy.

The Staff: Very typical of a W, we found some to be extrememly helpful while others struck us as quite conescending in that "this is the W and you are lucky to be our guest" kind of way. But again, this is how W's tend to be so a regular W guest would not be taken by surprise.

The "Living Room", as they call the main lobby area, was cozy with many chairs and couches as well as free Wifi - a nice touch. At night, it becomes a bar for the ultra-hip.

There is also a crictially acclaimed restuarant in the W Seattle, called Earth and Ocean (http://www.earthocean.net/) - well known for the house-made charcuterie.

The location: The W Seattle hotel is very central within Seattle, on 4th Ave and Seneca St. It's only a 10-15 minute walk to the Pike Place Market, the main shopping areas, Pioneer Square, or the shopping center that houses the monorail entrance (to get to the Space Needle). There are also approximately 25 Starbucks within walking distance. As an aside, do try the local "Top Pot" doughnuts, sold by area Starbucks stores. They really are that good.

Other recommended Seattle hotels:

Courtyard by Marriott Lake Union
Downtown Seattle

Warwick Seattle Hotel
Downtown Seattle

Sheraton Seattle Hotel
Downtown Seattle

The Paramount Seattle, a Coast Hotel
Downtown Seattle

SpringHill Suites by Marriott Seattle Downtown
Downtown Seattle

Mayflower Park Hotel
Downtown Seattle

Hotel Andra
Downtown Seattle

Hotel Deca
North Seattle

Westin Seattle
Downtown Seattle

The Edgewater
Downtown Seattle

W Seattle
Downtown Seattle

Hotel deals beyond Seattle

A Selection of Things to Do in Seattle:

- The Pike Place Market. Start from Union and 1st Ave and walk from there. There's a lot of ground to cover! Be sure to watch the guys selling fish and tossing them to each other (and sometimes into the crowd!). It's just in side what is called the "Economy" area of the market. But you can't really miss it.

- The Space Needle. Just take the monorail from Pacific Place Mall (600 Pine St.). $2 each wasy as of July 2007. The monorail was built for access to the Space Needle due to its distance from downtown. The 605-foot tall Space Needle was completed in December 1961 and officially opened a mere four months later on the first day of the World's Fair, April 21, 1962.

- Have a lunch at Armandino's Salumi (309 3rd Ave S). It's only open Tue-Fri 11am-4pm and you will probably wait 30-60 minutes online (your best chance of getting a spot at the communal table or few other two seaters is before noon or after 2pm). Get some cured meat sampler plates or perhaps try the Porchette sandwich - slow roasted pork with fennel and carrots, in a sandwich, optionally with their fresh mozzerella or provolone cheese.
They put a garlic spread on the bread first and will top with peppers and onions on request. Really well known spot but possibly off the beat of some standard guidebooks.

- The original Starbucks. Located in the Pike Place market and with no tables or chairs, experience where it all began for the now-global coffee chain.

- More espresso. Duck into any of the espresso bars around town for a cup of real joe. Seattle knows coffee.

- The Underground Seatle tour (www.undergroundtour.com/ ). Leaves from Pioneer Square daily. Learn about the orgins of Seattle. Did you know that in the early 1900's, the sidewalks were up to 30 feet below the streets? Why? Nobody wanted to pay to put the sidewalks at street level after the city was rebuilt after a fire burned the whole town down. Streets were raised one story to allow for better sewage but the city didn't want to pay to redo the sidewalks. People had to navigate ladders to cross the street and many were killed either falling off drunk or being crushed by objects falling from the street. Learn more about the Underground Seattle at this fun tour.

-DG

Chicago Marriott Southwest At Burr Ridge

2007-06-14T15:15:26-04:00

Chicago Marriott Southwest At Burr Ridge
1200 Burr Ridge Parkway
Burr Ridge, IL 60527 US

By: Dave Grossman, Hotel Magician
June 2007

The Burr Ridge Marriott in the Southwest suburb of Burr Ridge, Illinois is really only suitable for those with business in the Burr Ridge or Willowbrook areas of Southwest Chicago. We would not recommend this as a good solution for anyone wanting to be downtown (it's about a 30 min drive) or that needs quick access to the airports (it's closer to Midway Airport than O 'Hare and while it provided a free shuttle to Midway (on request) it's still not *that* close.

The hotel is fairly new and does provide nice accommodations. The bed was comfortable and the breakfast buffet was decidedly standard. The staffing and business center needs some improvement, though. While the staff was very friendly, the toner was apparently missing from the printer in the business center the entire time we were there (Fri-Sun). We let different people know at different times and the answer was always something like "Oh, really?" with no attempt to fix it or offer an explanation or time it might be working again. They did let us use the concierge's machine to print but that brings me to another issue - no concierge! When we had questions about the area, the hotel, etc., we needed to get in line at the check-in desk as this was the only staffed area. This sometimes meant waiting 10 or 15 minutes to ask a simple question.

Overall, the hotel was perfectly fine - nothing special but given that it's a new property with that "new hotel" feel, it is still easy to recommend the Burr Ridge Marriott Southwest if you need to be in the area.

Hotel Magician also offers the following other hotels in the area:

Springhill Suites by Marriott Chicago Southwest At Burr Ridge/Hinsdale

Super 8 Willowbrook

La Quinta Inn Chicago Willowbrook

ESA Chicago-Burr Ridge

-DG

Luxor Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, NV

2007-05-23T17:00:02-04:00

Luxor Hotel and Casino
3900 Las Vegas Boulevard South
Las Vegas, NV

By Dave Grossman, Hotel Magician
May 2007

The Luxor is currently what we would describe as an "up and comer". Since being bought by MGM, it's obvious there are big plans for this hotel and casino built in the 1980's and virtually unchanged ever since. Right now, we'd call it average - but so is the price, so it will still fit the bill for a good many travelers.

For this hotel, a simple Pro and Con list will probably work best.

Pros:

- Decent location, near the end of the Strip but next door to Mandalay Bay on one side and Excalibur on the other - with inside walkways into both. It's also convenient to the Airport.

- It's mid-range casino means that you can get comps here for lower wagering on table games than you would elsewhere. Playing the $10 games may not get you much, but they will rate you. Next door at Mandalay Bay, they'll not-so-nicely scoff at you if you are playing with anything less than green. For similar wagering, you'll also earn about twice as much in comps at Luxor.

- The Pyramid. It's cool... although the nicer rooms are actually in the Tower.

- The pool. It's not as Flash as the Hard Rock or Mandalay but it's a big pool with lots of seating. It attracts people of all ages.

- The rooms in the Tower section are nicely renovated.

- The price. The Luxor is usually quite a good deal relative to other big casinos on the strip.

- Not one but two Starbucks!

Cons:

- It lacks the "Flash Factor". You won't find the celebs here. But, really, most don't care about that.

- The food. We'll be honest. It's not good. It's not the worst, but it's not good. MGM needs to overhaul the Luxor's dining concepts ASAP. We're talking a brand new buffet with brand new food, a brand new cafe, and some designer dining options like the MGM Grand has.

- The location. For some it's a nice location but others might prefer to be more mid-strip - near Caesar's Palace, Planet Hollywood, Paris Las Vegas, Wynn, etc.

- The check-in. It took a long time. And despite our package including a supposedly special "Tower Check-in," the Tower Check-in was closed when we arrived forcing a very long wait on the main line.

Overall, it was fine. Nothing extravagant but not bad either. We'd stay again if on a budget.

- DG

Bare Pool Lounge - The Mirage, Las Vegas, NV

2007-05-21T23:08:14-04:00

Bare Pool Lounge Bar
MGM Mirage
3400 Las Vegas Boulevard South
Las Vegas, NV 89109 US

By Dave Grossman and Josh Sanders, Hotel Magician
May 2007

In recent years, Las Vegas has really upped the ante for exclusive nightclubs. But the group behind happening nightspot "Light" saw a relatively untapped market - getting that same crowd to party during daylight hours.

Enter "Bare Pool Lounge" at the Mirage hotel in Las Vegas. Open from 11am to 7pm, Bare caters to a very exclusive crowd, ushering in the same people skipping the lines at the hottest clubs while turning away most of the rest save for high rollers and beautiful babes.

But this is exactly why you'll want to spend a day here if you can. The majority of the crowd here is extremely attractive and its European-style means that bikini tops are optional. Bare has been marketing itself extensively and we were a bit afraid it'd be more hype than reality - but this was not the case.

It's a pretty small setting - we guessed there was about 150 people total, including guests on the lounge chairs (waiter service), day beds and private nooks (bottle service), and a VIP area for special guests (celebs and high-rollers).

If you visit without bottle service, you are in competition for one of the lounge chairs and there are not many. Else, you will either be hanging out by the bar or staking out a piece of the side of the pool for your belongings. There are no changing areas or locker facilities. Not ideal but you'll still feel pretty good about being here.

Bare succeeds in delivering exactly what it aims to: a a beautiful and exclusive setting for beautiful people to spend the day relaxing in and around the pool and enjoying some fine food and drink while the DJ does his thing. Pitchers of margaritas and sangria replace the tradition "bottles" you expect from bottle service at a nightclub.

Hot Tip from the Hotel Magician:

Thursdays are unofficially "Exotic Dancer" day where local dancer beauties show up and kick back.

The best way to get in is to call in advance, at least a day before, for reservations.

Standard rates as of this writing are $40 for men and $20 for ladies on Fri/Sat/Sun and $30/$10 on Thurs/Mon. (closed Tues/Weds). Without being on "the list", your best bet is to arrive by 10:45am for the 11am opening. It's the same "get there early" technique you'd use at a hot nightclub.

For a big group, you'll need to pay for bottle service and food to reserve your spot.

Bare Pool: (702) 791-7442
MGM Mirage hotel reservations

Hilton Quebec, Quebec City, Canada

2007-05-10T15:15:52-04:00

North America > Canada > Quebec

Hilton Quebec
1100 Rene Levesque East
Quebec, Canada G1R 4P3

By Dave Grossman, Hotel Magician
May 2007

The AAA 4 Diamond Hilton Quebec provided very nice accommodations for a recent weekend in Quebec. Located just outside of the old city, and just a 2 minute walk from the Quebec Observatory, the location was quite nice.

If you want to be IN the old city, you might prefer the historic (and more expensive) Chateau Frontenac, owned by the Fairmont chain. But from the Hilton you have an excellent walk into and through the old city, down to the Chateau and to the lower city. Bring good walking shoes and be prepared for hills, though, as Quebec is one steep hill after another.

The hotel rooms at this Hilton Quebec are very standard. Standard furnishings and a standard bathroom (marble sinks but standard faucets, old style bath/shower combo, and amenities). Nothing wrong, nothing to really wow either. Standard. It appears to have been last renovated sometime in the 90's.

The service was quite good. Everyone was eager to help us plan our activities and all were very polite. Do not worry if you speak only English as everyone there was perfectly fluent in English and happy to speak it.

There is a pool on the 3rd floor which is heated and also has a portion of the pool inside so that in slightly cold weather you can make your entrance to the heated water without having to venture outside in a bathing suit :)

As Hilton Gold members, we were given an upgrade to the Executive floor. The rooms didn't seem that special although a bathrobe was provided. The real benefit was access to the Executive Lounge on the lobby floor which provides a continental breakfast each morning, Hors D'oeuvres from 5-7pm and complimentary drinks from 5-10pm each evening. It has a very inviting atmosphere in which to plan a day or unwind. Non-Gold/Diamond members can gain access by booking an Executive Room type.

Hot Tip from the Hotel Magician:

If you really want to venture off the beaten path, take a ferry from Quebec City across the river to Levis. Walk about a mile straight uphill from the ferry terminal (walk right from the terminal, look for stairs on the left, take to top and then keep walking uphill until you get to Avenue Begin). Walk left on Begin until you see a swarm of people that seem to have appeared from nowhere (there's no much else going on in this part of town) and then order the best ice cream with homemade chocolate sauce 9which hardens on the ice cream) you've ever had. It's called La Glacerie a l'Europeene and is adjacent to The Chocolate Favoris chocolate factory. The standard order seems to be a large vanilla soft-serve with milk or dark chocolate sauce. It'll take you about two hours to take the round trip ferry and make it to the place but if you have the time, it's an adventure and a treat! Plus, you walk off the calories trying to get up the hills to the ice cream!!