We stayed at the St. Antoine in Quebec City, which was tremendous, so perhaps we were just a little expectant in what we would find, particularly after the glowing reviews here. The lobby is impressive, the wine was a nice touch and the cheese good, but the bread (aka cracker) was a little odd -- tough and very brown. The croissants at breakfast were truly some of the best we'd ever tried, which is a positive. What is odd is after such an up-to-date lobby (hip, almost, in black and fine furnishings), that the room was so dumpy. Our room (505) was large, but the bed was very worn -- flat matress, poly/cotton sheets and none of the plumpness or fluff you expect in high quality hotels -- the comforter was a standard issue floral print, with no charm. That led to an otherwise dreary appearance to the room -- done in simple whites with upgraded bedding and we'd have changed our opinion. The brouchure in the room appeared to have some updated rooms, so perhaps we just got a bad one...either way, it was a disappointment. And yes, the bathroom was large, with nice toiletries, but the shower was the dingy fiberglass and aluminum insert in the corner, with just a trickle of water, after you managed to work the button on the bottom, very odd. What is surprising is that this hotel is owned by the same folks as the Nelligan -- which was right around the corner and looked amazing -- and very upscale.

Old City hints: Avoid the square around the corner and the restaurants there -- very poor examples, given the options further down rue St. Paul. Great coffee/croissant place called Olive Gourmand or something on St. Paul and a great, fun steak restaurant on McGill and St. Paul, Holder or something. Very nice and not expensive.

Net: Stay at the Auberge if you like larger rooms, are on a budget and do not have high expectations -- you will do fine. If you are particular and do not mind paying a little more, do the Nelligan.

Having now stayed in similar class and priced rooms at the Bonaparte and Nelligan in Montreal, I checked in expecting a four-star, but check-out disappointed. My homework indicated this as one of the best players in the quaint heritage boutique properties in the old part of the town, and it is, but it's quickly being outclassed by others.

The common areas upon walk in are well appointed and the wine-and-cheese presentation is enjoyable, with an LCD TV tastefully mounted to the quarter-millenia old exposed rock wall. Not so well-appointed were the well-meaning staff, who need to be given a stipend to replace the worse-for-wear issue-uniforms. While pleasant and attentive, requests for reservation assistance at local popular eateries were a challenge.

The room was probably not one of their larger models, but was unnecessarily dark for this weary traveller. That advertised on the website large expanse of enchanting stonework was but a half-meter wide, and while the view was enjoyable, it had been a long summer for those grimy windows.

Bed and bath is what cost the fourth star. The bath was clean, the basin pretty, but the shower-stall was a not -so-clever solution. The shower-stall had a unexplicable bath-nossle that required its operation. And in this class of auberge, a fiberglass and aluminum framed enclosed shower isn't the best. Most telling was the bathrobe, which, like the hard-used bed, indicated fraying at this hotel. I do hope the managment, which handles truly enjoyable properties nearby, attends to the details, which patrons expect at this sort of establishment.

A lot of reviews needlessly gripe over the cobblestone road; the street-noise is not disturbing.

We stayed in a large loft style two bedroom apartment across from the hotel in a nearby building they own, or own some rooms in. The furnishings were above average, some walls were brick and we were loud but still without bothering anyone. Perfect for large groups. We stayed top floor and the room was prob 1000 sq. feet. I have no idea about the breakfasts part but valet was good.