Practical information : Accomodation Quebec
Budget & Tips
Of course, rates vary greatly depending on the type of accommodation you choose. A dormitory bed in a youth hostel will not cost the same as a suite in an upscale hotel. In the low season, you can find a nice room in a hostel or hotel for between $80 and $180 CAN, a price that rises - and can even double in major cities - in the high season or during major events.
It's important to remember that these prices generally exclude taxes. Not only must you add sales tax (14.975%), but also the lodging tax of 3.5% of the nightly rate (CAN$3.50 per night when the rental is offered to/by an intermediary). All forms of payment are accepted, but smaller hotels may limit themselves to cash, traveler's cheques and/or debit cards.
To be booked
As a popular destination, it is advisable to make reservations in Quebec, especially in the summer. Don't wait until the last minute to book if you're planning to attend major events like the Canadian Grand Prix, the Tremblant International Blues Festival or the Quebec Winter Carnival, as hotels sell out during these events. Of course, it is easier to get a last-minute reservation in the regions than in the city, except for major tourist destinations such as Percé, Tadoussac or Tremblant where reservations are not a luxury.
What's very local
Cottages are a veritable art of living in Quebec, and can be found everywhere, whether in a national park, on an island or in a private complex in the middle of nowhere. And Quebecers are just as enchanted by log cabins as visitors who dream of their own "cabin in Canada". And then there are the outfitters, the hundreds of hunting, fishing and vacation camps in the province. Authentic "all-inclusive" wilderness experiences, they offer camping, inns, cottages and even unusual accommodations (boat houses, aboriginal teepees, yurts, etc.).
For food lovers
Breakfast is very often included in the price (or at a slight extra charge) and, in both town and country, regional products are in abundance. Numerous inns and hotels are also home to renowned restaurants featuring local cuisine, both traditional and contemporary. And with many First Nations in the province, you can even treat yourself to a gourmet holiday with an aboriginal flavour.
Smokers
Smoking is prohibited in hotel establishments, including on balconies of rooms and terraces of bars and restaurants in the hotel. Smoking is also required 9 metres from the door of the building, although some people do not respect this distance. Of course, depending on the type of accommodation, there may be exceptions, such as smoking on the balcony of a rented cottage in the wilderness. But no matter where you sleep, smoking indoors is strictly prohibited.
Tourist traps
To counter illegal tourist accommodation, Quebec has enacted Bill 25, which stipulates, among other things, that lodgings in the province must display their six-digit Corporation de l'industrie touristique du Québec (CITQ) registration number, notably on their main website or on advertisements. This makes it possible to verify the validity of registration certificates and avoid staying in an illegal location. In the case of our guide, accommodations that have taken out an advertisement must display this number.