Québec City is famous for its delightful joie de vivre and openness. It’s not just North America’s oldest French-speaking city, but also it’s only fortified one. It sits on a clifftop overlooking the St. Lawrence River, enclosing the charming UNESCO World Heritage Site of Old City. Centuries of romance fill its cobblestoned streets, turning the city into one large living museum with a unique French-Canadian character. Needless to say, the wonderfully intimate Quebec City is a pretty good place to be gay. Besides some of the hottest LGBTQ celebrations anywhere, you’ll also find many gay friendly accommodations, one will be the best gay hotel Quebec City has to offer you. The best part? You won’t find them in any one neighborhood, and they’re also spread over a spectrum of budgets, charm, and character.
Although LGBTQ people are welcomed everywhere, it’s the bohemian neighborhood of Saint-Jean-Baptiste where you’ll find most of the gay nightlife. It’s helmed by the most famous and largest club of Le Drague Cabaret. You’ll also find a smattering of gay friendly establishments in the Saint Roch neighborhood. Moreover, the city celebrates a host of LGBTQ events, headed by the four-day extravaganza that is the Pride Festival. What’s more, there’s so much romantic history to explore in Old Quebec, which is one of The 10 Most Impressive Walled Cities. Right from castles and citadels to museums and churches, Quebec City is a heady blend of history and modernity. Thus, this good-looking slice of France in Canada makes for one amazing LGBTQ friendly destination. To that end, here are the top 11 gay friendly hotels in Quebec City.
Hotel Hippocampe
11
If you’re single and ready to mingle, then Hotel Hippocampe is the only place where you need to head to! The only-gay hotel in Quebec City caters only to gay men and lies right within the walls of Old City. Not only are Saint-Jean-Baptiste’s gay bars right down the street, but also the hotel is home to the popular cruising destination, Sauna Hippocampe! So, it helps that after a steamy, hot session in the glory holes, you head right up to the privacy of your rooms. Apart from the gay sauna, this 11-room property is a rather lovely hotel that’s also perfect for exploring the sights of Quebec City.
The hotel has been catering to the gay community since it was established in 1974. Besides a helpful and friendly staff, the hotel even has concierge staff and a 24/7 front desk. Moreover, it even has a solarium, steam bath, and a spa. Finally, it even serves free coffee every morning in the lobby, which is a godsend after nightlong revelries. Similarly, rooms are tasteful and soundproof with flatscreen TVs and free Wi-Fi. If you don’t mind a shared bath, then the room rates are even more reasonable. But, if you want to splurge, we’d recommend the Senior Suite, which even has a kitchen.
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TRYP Quebec Hotel PUR
10
There cannot be a better gay friendly hotel in Quebec City than TRYP Quebec Hotel PUR, which is the official sponsor of the city’s Pride celebrations! It lies in the buzzing Saint Roch, which also brims with a host of gay friendly establishments. Moreover, Old City is a mere 10-20-minute walk from Saint-Jean-Baptiste and Old Quebec.
You’ll love everything about this stylish 18-story tower, right from its amenities to the superb views of the city. To begin with, there’s a lovely heated indoor pool where you can enjoy a swim no matter the weather. After a session in the 24-hour gym, a soak in the sauna is just what the doctor ordered. The terrific restaurant, Table, serves Asian and American-inspired meals, right from breakfast to dinner. Moreover, the lively and hip dining places of Rue Saint-Joseph are right outside the hotel. Coming to the accommodations, you can choose from 242 sleek, modern rooms whose highlights are the floor-to-ceiling windows. If you want to splash, then we’d recommend the Sky rooms on the highest floors, which offer eye-popping views of Quebec City. The cherry on top is the rates, which are far lesser than those in similar hotels around!
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Hotel Le Germain
9
Nothing says old-world romance like the Hotel Le Germain, the most romantic gay hotel Quebec City has. It lies in the Old Port area, one of the most enviable locations in the city, almost on the waterfront. Not only is Old Quebec a hop, skip, and a jump, but Saint-Jean-Baptiste is a mere 20-minute stroll.
The hotel sits in a jaw-droppingly gorgeous 1920s bank building, complete with planted window boxes on its facade. Original details like architectural moldings, soaring ceilings, and a massive fireplace lend charm to the interiors while lounging spaces encourage you to socialize. In fact, the covered patio outside is a particularly charming place, where you can even enjoy a bite or drink with your partner. The lobby is also a great spot to relax as well as dig into a generous continental breakfast. During afternoons and evenings, it becomes a lovely bar perfect for cocktail and nightcap sessions. Apart from the small basement gym, the in-room massages add the perfect amount of romantic wellness to your stay. What’s more, there’s even room service from a fantastic restaurant nearby.
Staying here is a boutique experience, with just 60 rooms. Besides all creature comforts, you’ll especially love the minibars and cloud-like beds, which make for a great combination as it is (wink, wink). Furthering the romantic ambiance are the sleek baths, complete with bathrobes and soaking tubs.
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Fairmont Hotel Le Chateau Frontenac
8
The Fairmont Hotel Le Chateau Frontenac is not only one of the best gay friendly hotels but also one of the Top 11 Pet-Friendly Hotels In Quebec City! So, if you’re traveling with your pet pooch, then you know where to stay in the town. The hotel isn’t without character. The historic hotel is part of the enchanting hotels built by the Canadian Pacific Railway in the late 1800s. And this hotel is the most magnificent of them all, complete with steep green copper gables. The fact that it sits right above the St. Lawrence River only skews in its favor. So, if you’re in town celebrating an anniversary or a honeymoon, then this makes for a truly romantic getaway. To begin with, you’ll be impressed right as you enter the revamped lobby, which is definitely Instagram-worthy.
Plus, the hotel enjoys a bevy of amenities, of which the impressive indoor pool is the most gorgeous. What’s more, it even has an expansive outdoor terrace, which is the perfect place to lounge after a swim. Besides the state-of-the-art fitness center, the hotel also has a clubby lounge offering light meals and cocktails. The highlight is the Champlain restaurant, which is one of the best dining spots in the city. Don’t miss unwinding at Spa Chateau, one of the finest spas in the town. You can choose from a host of elegant, European-style rooms at his hotel, all of which feature mod-cons, seating areas, and modern bathrooms.
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Auberge Aux Deux Lions
7
The Auberge Aux Deux Lions is a gay hotel Quebec City has that’s closest to the gay village of Saint-Jean-Baptiste, sitting just one street away. The best part? It’s gay-owned too! Once a grand old home, its name comes from the two signature stone lions in the front garden, exuding oodles of charm. All-in-all, this 14-room ‘auberge’ or inn offers an amazing value stay close to the gay nightlife. You can choose from a range of room sizes, all of which feature free Wi-Fi and private bathrooms for your comfort. If you’re a group of friends, then the expansive suites with their own en-suite kitchenettes will work out well for you. Nevertheless, all feature contemporary décor and a unique and fresh feel.
Since it’s an inn, amenities are on the smaller side. Even then, you have a lovely lobby with a lounge and a common area to chat with fellow travelers. The shared, communal kitchen is well-stocked and is perfect for whipping up cheap and quick meals. The highlight is the paid breakfast, which is quite generous. Since this is one of the most popular small accommodations in town, we’d recommend that you book in advance.
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HI Hostel Auberge Internationale de Quebec
6
Are you a social butterfly, a party monster, and a night owl rolled into one? then you simply cannot stay anywhere else than Hi Hostel Auberge International de Quebec. Tongue-tying as the name is, this amazing hostel sits smack dab in the heart of Old Town and is very gay friendly. Made up of three adjacent buildings, you might just feel like Theseus navigating the labyrinth! However, here you’re sure to have lots of fun, what with the friendly crowd and staff. So much so, that’s it’s called the best party hostel in town.
You can choose from 4/12-bed female-only/mixed dorms as well as private rooms with sleek hardwood floors. Bathrooms, both shared and private ones, are immaculate and very well-kept. There are so many places to lounge that you’ll just have to choose a different pone every time. Right from the sun-kissed garden courtyard and the TV room to the shared kitchen, everything is lovely. What’s more, the hostel even has free Wi-Fi and an on-site bistro that serves a continental breakfast and light meals. With lots of activities on the offer every day and the gay village a mere 10-minute walk away, you’re guaranteed to have a blast here.
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Hotel des Coutellier
5
If you’re looking for a chic and boutique gay hotel Quebec City boasts, then you’d do well to choose Hotel des Coutellier. An exquisite facade of arched windows and a sidewalk marquee makes this boutique hotel near Quebec City marina perfect. The icing on the cake is that it’s one of the 11 Best Hotels in Quebec City.
Chic, modern décor sets the tone at this one-of-a-kind hotel. After you cross the grand marquee and the all-wood entrance, you enter the atmospheric lobby. Exposed brick walls, red tub chairs, and the cozy fireplace make it a lovely space to relax. The shared TV area is another great spot for lounging, while the fitness center is ideal for a workout session. The highlight is the deluxe continental breakfast, which is a real treat with orange juice, apple sauce, yogurt, Canadian-made jams, fresh fruit, coffee, and freshly-baked croissants. The best part is that they’re delivered right to the comfort of your room!
We now come to the rooms and suites, which are one decadent and contemporary space. Enjoy a fitful sleep with blackout shades and plus, luxury linens. Right from king beds and cushy armchairs to immaculate bathrooms, they have it all. If you’re looking to indulge in romance, then get the rooms with the separate deep soaking bathtubs.
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Le Monastère des Augustines
4
On the fringes of Old Quebec and very close to both Saint Roch and Saint-Jean-Baptiste sits the Le Monastère des Augustines. One of the finest gay friendly hotels in Quebec City, this is one place that breathes character through every facet. It sits in a structure from the 1600s and was once North America’s first hospital north of Mexico. It later became the Hôtel-Dieu de Québec monastery, before becoming what it is today. If you’re seeking wellness-filled solitude in the heart of town, then this is where you should be.
In fact, the hotel is still home to a few Augustinian Sisters, with whom you can exchange ‘bonjours’ and a conversation about the building’s history. The former cloister is now accommodation-central, and rooms all over are both contemporary and authentic in character. Updations feature steel and glass, with the focus of amenities being around wellness. So, the place offers a slew of activities like guided walks, Tai Chi, and even yoga sessions. Even the theme of the on-site restaurant is mindful eating, complete with an eaten-in-silence buffet breakfast. The highlight is the spa, which offers reflexology treatments and massages.
Choose between the restored former cells or the authentic rooms, or the contemporary ones. The former, albeit simple in design, have mirrors, antique furnishings. and shared bathrooms. moreover, most of them have single beds. The all-white contemporary ones have plush beds and private bathrooms. Do note that creature comforts like televisions et al are missing, but that’s the charm of this hotel.
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Auberge Jeunesse LouLou’s Backpacker Hostel
3
If you’re looking for budget gay hotels in Quebec City, then why not try a hostel? The Auberge Jeunesse LouLou’s Backpacker Hostel is considered one of the best overall hostels in the town. Sitting in Charny on the other side of the St. Lawrence River, the hostel is a short 20-minute drive into Old Quebec and the gay village. The best part about this hostel is that it’s placed in serene surroundings, which usually isn’t what you see in hostels. So, if you want to save your dollars and get a good night’s sleep, then this place is perfect. What’s more, the hostel offers a shuttle three times every day into the city, so you’re not actually missing out on anything!
There’s a lot to like about this hostel, which has both dorms and private rooms. The former have shared bathrooms and the latter have private ones, but they’re all spic and span. Enjoy homemade meals in the dining room, which even serves a huge breakfast for quite a decent price. Besides, the hostel even provides packed lunches. Finally, the common living area is the heart and soul of this hostel and the perfect place to strike conversations with fellow travelers.
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Hotel du Capitole
2
There cannot be a more well-located Quebec City gay friendly hotel than the Hotel du Capitole. It sits on the fringes of Old City. Saint-Jean-Baptiste and Saint Roch, making it one of the best digs in town. In fact, it’s very easy to explore the Top 9 Things To Do In Quebec City while staying here. This turn-of-the-20th-century historic gem is also a certified historic landmark. It’s a quirky bohemian hotel, complete with a refurbished 1920s cabaret-style dinner theater and one of the best Italian restaurants in the city.
If there was ever a place to wear your fanciest clothes, then this would be it. These guys literally roll out the red carpet for you, keeping in-line with the hotel’s showbiz theme. Sashay up the grand staircase a la David Rose from Schitt’s Creek, or stand primly in the Art-Deco elevator. The Italian restaurant is one of the trendiest eateries in the city and serves all meals. You can dig into a hearty breakfast at the cozy front-house, completed with brick walls et all. The highlight is the bar, which looks straight out of a classy studio set, with delicious cocktails at that.
The theatrical theme extends to the Art deco rooms, which feature plush beds, exposed brick walls, and mod-cons. Bathrooms are the star attraction, with vanity light bulbs around the mirror! We’d recommend the upgraded rooms, which have sexy bathtubs right in the bedroom, with stunning views of Quebec City out of the floor-to-ceiling windows.
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Chateau des Tourelles
1
If you’re looking for an intimate gay hotel in Quebec City rather than all the shebang, then Auberge Chateau des Tourelles is perfect. The intimate property sits in a brick inn dating back to 1898, smack dab in the heart of the gay village of Saint-Jean-Baptiste. In fact, the smoldering gay sauna Bloc 225 is almost right opposite the inn! The Victorian manor-esque place boasts a striking facade with a distinctive turret at one end. A warm, inviting lobby awaits you up a narrow staircase that’s almost easy to miss. Since this is a B&B, the focus is on the charm and not on amenities. However, the chateau does have lots of cozy nooks to lounge with your significant other. In fact, the large roof deck is quite popular with travelers. What’s more, there’s a lip-smacking, freshly-made complimentary breakfast waiting for you when you wake up.
Since there are just six units differing in size and layout, staying here is as intimate as it gets. While some rooms have kitchens, others have lovely jacuzzis or balconies. Nevertheless, they all feature lots of throw pillows on soft beds and petite but modern bathrooms.
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Just So You Know:
- If you’re visiting QC, pick up a copy of the local gay magazine Fugues. Dedicated entirely to the LGBT community, it also features a list of LGBT events called the “Rainbow Guide.”
Get Some Culture in Quebec City:
- Québec City Pride Festival – This amazing four-day festival sees free shows, entertainment, and a host of fabulous club scenes. The highlight is the huge parade in rue Saint-Jean, the unofficial gayborhood in the city.
Best Gay Bars / Clubs in Quebec City:
- Le Drague Cabaret Club – This trendy gay nightclub and cabaret place has been a famous LGBTQ venue for more than 30 years.
- Bar St-Matthew’s – This old-school gay dive/cruise bar is popular with bears and their admirers.
- Club ForHom – An exclusive gay club that’s run by men and is for male members only. If you do sign up, expect an oh-so-hot atmosphere and themed fetish events.
Best Gay Saunas in Quebec City:
- Sauna Bloc 225 – This fabulous gay sauna lies smack dab in the heart of the gayborhood of St-Jean Baptiste. Sitting in a 19th-century Victorian-style structure, this is one hot lair with glory holes, a labyrinth, and a whirlpool.
- Hippocampe Sauna – Sitting in the gay Hippocampe Hotel, this 24/7 sauna has been around since 1973! There is a lot of hotness here, what with a cinema, glory holes, and a black room too.
