Review of Auberge Saint-Antoine, by Patricia Gajo

Canada has a Parisian side. And oh-so convenient for Old World romantics, it's all wrapped up inside a photogenic walled city (the one and only in North America) called Old Quebec. Just a short hop outside the perimeter, visitors with a soft spot for history will get their fill and more at Auberge Saint-Antoine, a laidback boutique hotel of 83 rooms and 12 suites. Staffed by energetic, fresh faces eager to practice their English (French is de rigueur here); the fifth generation, family-owned property welcomes guests amidst the port city's hubbub along St. Lawrence River (formerly a strategic post for the French army - against those Brits), which now hosts a cobblestoned maze of galleries, antique shops, fine restaurants and Euro-style cafés.

The facilities

Auberge Saint-Antoine spreads its hearth over three 17th to 19th-century buildings that are adjoined by interior walkways and retrofitted with second millennium luxuries. Tall entrance doors lead to stairs that go up to the reception area, while another set trickles sideways into Café Artefact, a sunken lounge and bar area. Here, low velvet couches and tall winged-backs by large windows set the perfect scene for late night cocktails, a light midday meal or an afternoon of board games (available in the fireplace nook).

It took four years to dig out the underground parking lot (which has a carwash) as archaeologists carefully excavated a multitude of artefacts and structural vestiges (cannonballs, pottery, stone foundations, etc) from a former wharf and battery, all of which is now incorporated and displayed throughout the property. For an extended history lesson, guests can walk next door to the Musée de la Civilization or Place Royale; the latter is considered the birthplace of New France in 1608.

While swimming fanatics may pout at the absence of a pool, business travellers in particular dig LeGym, open round-the-clock with a Finnish sauna and TV-equipped treadmills. Business or leisure, there's ample space for conferences or banquets. Check out the cinema/auditorium with modern stadium seating large enough for you and 93 colleagues or friends.

The rooms

The oldest wing of Auberge Saint-Antoine is the Hunt House circa 1600 where there are six thematic but never gimmicky suites, such as "Français 1700," a hamlet-style abode - mind you, with Jacuzzi tub, flat screen and Bose sound system. The rest of the rooms blend an unpretentious mix of antiques and mid-century modern furniture (was that a Verner Panton chair?) grâce à la lady of the house, Mrs. Price.

In line with the museum vibe, each space is baptized according to a specific artefact, which is showcased at the door. For example, the "Cherry Room" (a rather tongue-in-cheek name for a honeymoon suite) boasts a ceramic shard painted with said red berries. Standard amenities include posh terrycloth robes and slippers, feather duvets, a Nespresso coffee maker, heated bathroom floors and large desks. Deeper pockets can request large terraces and views of the river.