Your stay — Howard Johnson
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The Property — Howard Johnson
The Howard Johnson in Quebec City is a reliable, no-frills chain hotel a short drive from Old Quebec, with a functional lobby that smells of coffee and cleaning products. Its main draw is value: clean rooms with essential amenities, free parking, and a decent breakfast buffet that saves you time and money. It suits budget-conscious families or road-trippers who want a quiet base outside the tourist-packed walls, and don’t mind a twenty-minute bus ride to the historic district.
Chronicles of Quebec
Quebec City began as a French fur-trading post in 1608, founded by Samuel de Champlain, making it one of North America’s oldest European settlements. Its fortified core, Vieux-Québec, retains 17th-century stone buildings, narrow streets, and the landmark Château Frontenac. The city’s dual heritage – French and British – is visible in its architecture, from the Ursuline convent to Parliament Hill. Today, it’s a UNESCO World Heritage site and a vibrant cultural hub, proudly French-speaking but increasingly bilingual and international.
Best Time to Visit
Full Quebec guide →Best months
June, September, early October: warm weather (15-25°C), fewer crowds than July-August, and outdoor festivals like Fête Nationale (June) or autumn foliage.
Peak / festival surge
July and August are peak: weather is hot (sometimes 30°C), the city is jammed with cruise-ship crowds, and hotel prices double. The Québec City Summer Festival (early July) and Fêtes de la Nouvelle-France (August) drive demand—book three months ahead.
Budget shoulder season
May and September-October are the budget sweet spots: hotel rates drop 30-40%, crowds thin, and the weather remains pleasant for walking. Fall foliage peaks in late September.
Weather & packing
Quebec’s climate can switch from sunny 28°C to rainy 15°C in one afternoon; June often brings cool evenings and thunderstorms. Pack layers: a light rain jacket, a sweater for evenings, and sturdy walking shoes for the cobbled streets.
Live City Briefing — Quebec
- The Québec City tramway project has been delayed, so expect ongoing road construction on Route 175 and near the hotel through summer 2026—plan extra 10-15 minutes driving into Old Quebec.
- The Dufferin Terrace boardwalk near Château Frontenac is undergoing partial renovation this spring and summer; some sections may be closed, but the castle and views remain accessible.
- A new food hall, Le Bistrot de la Gare, opened in the Palais Station area in early 2026, offering affordable local dishes—great for a quick meal before heading to Île d'Orléans.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jun 2026Before you check in to Howard Johnson, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
For a 3-star chain like Howard Johnson, ask for a room on an upper floor overlooking the car park or back of the building. These tend to be quieter and often have a better aspect than ones facing the main road or entrance.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms near the lobby, ice machine, or vending areas — these get foot traffic and machine noise at all hours. Also skip rooms directly above the function room or breakfast area if the hotel has one.
Best views
Views are usually nothing special at this level. A higher room facing away from the main road gives you the least car noise and maybe a sight line of local trees or rooftops — that’s as good as it gets.
Quietest floors
Upper floors (generally 4th or higher where available) are quieter because they’re further from street noise and lobby bustle. End-of-corridor rooms are usually quieter too.
🔊 Noise notes
Internal noise from slamming doors, thin walls, and corridor chatter is common in older 3-star hotels. Taking earplugs is sensible. Ask for a room away from the lift shaft and any stairwell doors.
Insider tips
1. Call the hotel directly to request a specific room type (e.g., ‘top floor, back side’) — front desk often can assign better than the booking engine does. 2. Check if the room has a mini-fridge and microwave in advance; some Howard Johnson locations have them on request, but not all, and it can save you a trip to the ice machine.
- 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 — Howard Johnson
Free basic Wi-Fi (up to 5 Mbps) included; paid premium tier (10 CAD/day, up to 25 Mbps); no login constraints other than room number
One elevator serves all three floors; no stairs-only sections
No complimentary digital newsstand; free USA Today print at lobby on weekdays only
Check-in from 15:00; early bag drop allowed if room not ready; late checkout fee of 30 CAD until 13:00 (after 13:00 charged half night)
Free storage at front desk for day of arrival/departure
Step-free main entrance and lobby; two accessible rooms with roll-in showers; no lift to mezzanine meeting rooms
Free on-site outdoor parking (unreserved, first-come-first-served); no EV charging; nearest public car park is Stationnement Les Rivières (3 CAD/hour, 12 CAD overnight) at 2950 Bd Wilfrid-Hamel
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: 3.50 CAD per night per person (Quebec City tourist tax)
Deposit & card hold: First night deposit due at booking; incidental hold of 50 CAD at check-in
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Canadian Dollar, CAD
Use bank ATMs for best rates; avoid currency exchange desks at airports and tourist bureaus as they charge poor rates and fees.
Credit and debit cards are widely accepted everywhere, including contactless and mobile pay like Apple Pay and Google Pay; carry some cash for small purchases or rural stops.
Restaurants: 15-20% before tax. Taxis: 10-15% of fare. Hotel staff: $2-5 per bag for porters, $2-5 per night for housekeeping.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A drip coffee from a café or convenience store – around $2-3 CAD.
A sandwich or bowl of soup from a café or deli – around $10-15 CAD.
A main course at a casual bistro or pub – around $15-25 CAD.
Poutine stands near Saint-Jean-Baptiste or Old Quebec; food trucks along Grande Allée during summer.
Metro, IGA, and Maxi are common budget supermarkets across the region.
Place Laurier and Galeries de la Capitale malls have affordable chain stores like H&M and Zara; Simons is a local favourite for basics.
A single RTC bus fare is $3.75 CAD; a day pass costs $9.50 CAD. From the airport, take route 78 (bus) to downtown for $3.75 CAD.
Eat lunch out instead of dinner for half price. Buy a multi-day RTC bus pass if exploring beyond Old Quebec. Free museum admission on Sundays at many city-owned museums (check ahead).
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 Howard Johnson
🕒 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 Howard Johnson?
For a 3-star chain like Howard Johnson, ask for a room on an upper floor overlooking the car park or back of the building. These tend to be quieter and often have a better aspect than ones facing the main road or entrance.
Which rooms should I avoid at Howard Johnson?
Avoid ground-floor rooms near the lobby, ice machine, or vending areas — these get foot traffic and machine noise at all hours. Also skip rooms directly above the function room or breakfast area if the hotel has one.
Is Howard Johnson noisy?
Internal noise from slamming doors, thin walls, and corridor chatter is common in older 3-star hotels. Taking earplugs is sensible. Ask for a room away from the lift shaft and any stairwell doors.
Which rooms have the best views at Howard Johnson?
Views are usually nothing special at this level. A higher room facing away from the main road gives you the least car noise and maybe a sight line of local trees or rooftops — that’s as good as it gets.
What are insider tips for staying at Howard Johnson?
1. Call the hotel directly to request a specific room type (e.g., ‘top floor, back side’) — front desk often can assign better than the booking engine does. 2. Check if the room has a mini-fridge and microwave in advance; some Howard Johnson locations have them on request, but not all, and it can save you a trip to the ice machine.
What time is check-in at Howard Johnson?
Check-in at Howard Johnson is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Howard Johnson have Wi-Fi?
Free basic Wi-Fi (up to 5 Mbps) included; paid premium tier (10 CAD/day, up to 25 Mbps); no login constraints other than room number
Is there a city or tourist tax at Howard Johnson?
3.50 CAD per night per person (Quebec City tourist tax)
Where can I eat cheaply near Howard Johnson?
A sandwich or bowl of soup from a café or deli – around $10-15 CAD.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Howard Johnson?
A single RTC bus fare is $3.75 CAD; a day pass costs $9.50 CAD. From the airport, take route 78 (bus) to downtown for $3.75 CAD.
When is the best time to visit Quebec?
June, September, early October: warm weather (15-25°C), fewer crowds than July-August, and outdoor festivals like Fête Nationale (June) or autumn foliage.
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.