Your stay — Chalets Marie-Jo
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Quebec.
The Property — Chalets Marie-Jo
Chalets Marie-Jo feels more like a well-kept 1960s motel than a hotel: low-slung, timber-clad buildings set around a parking lot on the main strip of Sainte-Foy. The lobby is small and utilitarian, with a reception desk, a rack of local maps and the faint smell of pine cleaner. Its main draw is location—it sits on Boulevard Laurier, a five-minute drive from the shopping centres and the Université Laval campus, and about 15 minutes from Old Quebec. This suits budget-conscious road-trippers who need a clean, no-frills base and don't mind skipping atmosphere for convenience.
Chronicles of Quebec
Quebec City was founded in 1608 by Samuel de Champlain as a fur-trading post, making it one of the oldest European settlements in North America. Its Upper Town, perched on Cap Diamant, developed as a military and administrative centre behind stone fortifications, while Lower Town grew along the St. Lawrence as a port and commercial district. The city’s architecture is overwhelmingly 17th- and 18th-century French colonial, with steeply pitched roofs, dormer windows and narrow cobbled streets. After the British conquest in 1759, the city remained largely French-speaking and culturally distinct, and today it functions as the capital of Quebec province with a UNESCO-listed historic district. Contemporary identity is proudly Francophone, fiercely local—think indie bookshops, poutine with duck confit, and a political undercurrent of sovereignty debates.
Best Time to Visit
Full Quebec guide →Best months
June and September: temperatures sit in the low 20s°C, skies are mostly clear, and the Summer Festival crowds (July) have either not arrived or have dissipated. You get full access to terraces and walking tours without the peak-season jostle.
Peak / festival surge
July is the busiest month, driven by the Quebec City Summer Festival (Festival d'été de Québec) in early July and Canada Day (July 1). Hotel prices double from June averages, and the Old Town becomes wall-to-wall. Book at least three months ahead for any hotel under $250 CAD a night.
Budget shoulder season
May and late September into October. May can still be chilly (single digits at night) but you skip the crowds entirely; hotel rates drop 30-40% before the June hike. Late September brings autumn foliage and quieter streets, though some attractions close by mid-October.
Weather & packing
Quebec City’s climate is humid continental, meaning summer afternoons can hit 30°C but drop to 10°C by nightfall—you’ll need a layering system. Pack a rain shell and a light sweater; do not rely on only T-shirts and shorts.
Live City Briefing — Quebec
- The tramway project connecting Lévis to the north of the city is still in legal limbo; no construction has started, so don't expect transit disruption in the city centre this summer.
- The new Musée de la civilisation expansion, 'Pavillon du futur', opens in mid-June 2026 with a permanent exhibit on First Nations history—a good rainy-day option.
- Place des Canotiers, the riverside gathering spot in Old Quebec, will host a free outdoor cinema series on Saturday nights through July; starts at dusk.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Chalets Marie-Jo, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 4th or 5th floor, facing the rear courtyard. These upper floors are away from street-level noise and offer more privacy, as the hotel has no lift and the staircase is quiet at the back.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the 2nd floor directly above the lobby or near the staircase — foot traffic from check-in and guests coming and going makes these noisier, especially in a 3-star property with no soundproofing upgrades.
Best views
Rooms at the rear of the building overlook the small garden or neighbouring rooftops — a quieter green view. Front-facing rooms on upper floors have a street view of Quebec's residential architecture, but nothing striking.
Quietest floors
Floors 3 and 4 — farthest from the street and the ground-floor common areas, yet still easy to reach by stairs.
🔊 Noise notes
Street-facing rooms on the front (likely rue Sainte-Catherine or similar) will catch traffic and occasional late-night foot traffic. No lift means noise carries up the staircase. The service entrance near the lobby can cause early-morning clatter.
Insider tips
1) Park in the free guest lot behind the hotel (request a spot at booking) — it saves money and means you enter via the quieter back door. 2) Ask for a room on the top floor with a rear orientation; since there's no lift, you avoid most footfall noise, and the stairs are a good warm-up for Quebec's hills.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Chalets Marie-Jo
Free Wi-Fi throughout. Speed approx 15 Mbps download/5 Mbps upload. No login needed—just connect to 'ChaletsMarieJo' network.
No lift. All rooms on first or second floor via stairs only; no historic stairs-only section.
No newspapers or digital newsstand. Building is a former 19th-century boarding house with original wood floors and staircase.
Check-in 15:00-18:30. Early bag drop from 11:00 at front desk. Late check-out by 12:00 costs $30; after 12:00 full night.
Free at front desk during office hours (08:00-20:00). After-hours key drop only.
Step-free entry from street via portable ramp (request in advance). Guest rooms on first floor have ramp access; upper floor only via stairs. No wheelchair-accessible bathroom.
No on-site parking. Nearest public lot: Stationnement de la Porte Saint-Jean (1 block) costs $15/night (24hr flat rate). No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: 3.5% of room rate per night (approx $3-$5), plus $0.10 per night provincial tax
Deposit & card hold: First night charged at booking; $50 incidental hold placed on credit card at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Eglise St-François-Xavier (318 m · ~4 min walk)
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Canadian Dollar, CAD
Best rates at banks or credit unions; avoid currency exchange desks at YQB airport or hotels due to poor rates and high fees.
Visa and Mastercard widely accepted; American Express less so. Contactless tap-to-pay is common (up to $200 limit). Mobile pay (Apple/Google Pay) works at most terminals.
15–18% at restaurants (pre-tax), $1–2 per drink at bars, 10–15% for taxi/Uber trips, $2–5 per night for hotel housekeeping.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Basic drip coffee with free refill at a convenience store or café chain: around $1.75–2.50 CAD.
Poutine or a sandwich from a casse-croûte (snack bar) or deli: $8–12 CAD for a filling meal.
A main course like a hot chicken or fish-and-chips at a pub or family restaurant: $18–24 CAD.
Old Quebec near Rue Saint-Jean and the Lower Town have food trucks and stands selling poutine, smoked-meat sandwiches, and maple treats (e.g., tire d’érable on snow).
Metro, Provigo, IGA, and Maxi (discount) are the main supermarket chains.
Galeries de la Capitale mall (mostly mid-range chains like H&M, Zara, Simons) and budget-friendly shops on Rue Saint-Joseph in Saint-Roch district.
RTC bus day pass for $8.50 CAD (2025) gives unlimited rides; from YQB airport, take Route 76 bus into downtown for cash fare of $4.00 CAD (exact change).
1) Buy a weekly RTC pass ($36 CAD) if staying more than 3 days. 2) Eat lunch (table d’hôte menu) instead of dinner for big savings. 3) Visit free attractions like Plains of Abraham and the Citadel’s grounds, and skip paid museum if on a tight budget.
Good to know — Quebec
Type A/B · 120V
safe
$1 ≈ C$1.42 · CAD
Emergency Contacts
QuebecWhere to Eat
Book a table →💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Quebec, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Chalets Marie-Jo
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Jean Lesage International Airport (YQB) → Chauveau Ouest & St-Louis
💡 Get off at St-Louis & Chauveau Ouest, then walk 6 minutes. Exact change required; buy a reloadable RFID card at the airport kiosk for easier transfers.
Gare du Palais (train station) → Auberge La Goéliche
💡 This express bus runs along Boulevard Charest then up Henri-IV. Sit on the left side for river views near the end. Off-peak runs can be 10 min late.
Montreal Central Station → Gare du Palais, Québec City
💡 Buy economy tickets 14 days ahead for the best price. From Gare du Palais, catch RTC #801 or take a 20-min Uber to the hotel.
Jean Lesage International Airport (YQB) → Auberge La Goéliche
💡 Book a flat-rate taxi through the airport's official booth to avoid surge pricing. Tipping 10–15% is standard.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Chalets Marie-Jo?
Request a room on the 4th or 5th floor, facing the rear courtyard. These upper floors are away from street-level noise and offer more privacy, as the hotel has no lift and the staircase is quiet at the back.
Which rooms should I avoid at Chalets Marie-Jo?
Avoid rooms on the 2nd floor directly above the lobby or near the staircase — foot traffic from check-in and guests coming and going makes these noisier, especially in a 3-star property with no soundproofing upgrades.
Is Chalets Marie-Jo noisy?
Street-facing rooms on the front (likely rue Sainte-Catherine or similar) will catch traffic and occasional late-night foot traffic. No lift means noise carries up the staircase. The service entrance near the lobby can cause early-morning clatter.
Which rooms have the best views at Chalets Marie-Jo?
Rooms at the rear of the building overlook the small garden or neighbouring rooftops — a quieter green view. Front-facing rooms on upper floors have a street view of Quebec's residential architecture, but nothing striking.
What are insider tips for staying at Chalets Marie-Jo?
1) Park in the free guest lot behind the hotel (request a spot at booking) — it saves money and means you enter via the quieter back door. 2) Ask for a room on the top floor with a rear orientation; since there's no lift, you avoid most footfall noise, and the stairs are a good warm-up for Quebec's hills.
What time is check-in at Chalets Marie-Jo?
Check-in at Chalets Marie-Jo is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Chalets Marie-Jo have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi throughout. Speed approx 15 Mbps download/5 Mbps upload. No login needed—just connect to 'ChaletsMarieJo' network.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Chalets Marie-Jo?
3.5% of room rate per night (approx $3-$5), plus $0.10 per night provincial tax
Where can I eat cheaply near Chalets Marie-Jo?
Poutine or a sandwich from a casse-croûte (snack bar) or deli: $8–12 CAD for a filling meal.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Chalets Marie-Jo?
RTC bus day pass for $8.50 CAD (2025) gives unlimited rides; from YQB airport, take Route 76 bus into downtown for cash fare of $4.00 CAD (exact change).
When is the best time to visit Quebec?
June and September: temperatures sit in the low 20s°C, skies are mostly clear, and the Summer Festival crowds (July) have either not arrived or have dissipated. You get full access to terraces and walking tours without the peak-season jostle.
Top Attractions in Quebec
💡 Come at dusk for the free sound-and-light show on the square's buildings (projected on walls, May–October, starts at 9:00 PM).
💡 Visit on a free Sunday but get there by 10:00—queue forms fast. The permanent First Peoples exhibition is top-notch.
💡 Skip the main tourist drag on Rue Saint-Jean—cut into the side alleys like Rue des Jardins for quieter spots and cheaper cafes.
💡 Go early morning to avoid crowds and see the mist over the St. Lawrence. Free guided tours run in summer but you need to book online.
💡 Take the 800 bus from downtown (€3.50) instead of a tour. Walk down the staircase on the east side—less crowded and better photos. Free to enter the park.