Your stay — Mars
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The Property — Mars
The Hotel Mars is a straightforward, no-frills three-star in Quebec City’s Lower Town, a short walk from the old port and the Château Frontenac. The lobby feels like a clean, functional transit hub: tile floors, a small front desk, and a quiet breakfast nook. Its USP is location and price – you trade charm for 15-minute access to the main sights. Best for budget-conscious travellers who plan to spend all day out and just need a clean bed and reliable Wi-Fi.
Chronicles of Quebec
Quebec City was founded in 1608 by Samuel de Champlain as a fur-trading post on the St. Lawrence River, making it one of the oldest European settlements in North America. Its architectural evolution runs from the fortified stone walls of the 17th-century Upper Town to the narrow, sloping streets of the Lower Town, which still hold timber-framed houses from the French regime. The city’s identity today is proudly Franco-Canadian, with a vibrant arts scene and a culinary culture that leans heavily on local produce, game, and cheese. It remains the only fortified city north of Mexico, a UNESCO World Heritage site that balances tourist crowds with working-class neighbourhoods like Saint-Roch.
Best Time to Visit
Full Quebec guide →Best months
June to August – summer offers reliably warm weather (20-25°C) and the full run of terrace dining, river cruises, and the lively Plains of Abraham concerts.
Peak / festival surge
July is peak: the Festival d'Été brings major music acts and 300,000 visitors. Hotel prices on average double from shoulder-season levels. The city feels packed, especially around the old port.
Budget shoulder season
September and October are best for budget stays – mild weather (10-18°C) and fewer crowds. Hotel rates drop 30-40% from July highs, plus you get the autumn foliage in Montmorency Falls.
Weather & packing
Quebec City’s summer weather can shift from hot sun to cool rain within hours, thanks to the St. Lawrence breeze. Pack a light waterproof jacket and closed-toe walking shoes – the cobblestones are slippery when wet.
Live City Briefing — Quebec
- The new tramway light-rail project is under construction through 2028, so expect detours and traffic on boulevard Charest and Rue Saint-Vallier, especially near the port area.
- Rue du Petit-Champlain’s summer pedestrian zone is in effect from May to October, making the Lower Town more walkable but buses rerouted. Check GPS for temporary bus stops.
- Due to a rise in black bear sightings in nearby Jacques-Cartier National Park (80 minutes north), park authorities now require visitors to use bear-proof bins – pack food in sealed containers if day-tripping.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Mars, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor facing the inner courtyard (ask for 'cour intérieure'). These floors are high enough to avoid street-level noise but still within easy reach of the lift. Rooms on these floors tend to be quieter and have more natural light.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the 1st floor and those directly above the lift shaft (usually rooms ending in 01-05 on each floor). The lift can be noisy, and the 1st floor rooms get the most street sound from Rue Saint-Jean, especially if facing the road.
Best views
Rooms with a north-facing orientation (ask for 'vue sur la cour') overlook the inner courtyard, offering a quiet outlook. South-facing rooms (towards Rue Saint-Jean) give a view of the street but come with more noise.
Quietest floors
3rd and 4th floors
🔊 Noise notes
Rue Saint-Jean is a busy commercial street with bars, restaurants, and late-night foot traffic. The single lift can be audible on all floors, especially in adjacent rooms. No on-site parking means arriving guests will generate some lobby noise near the entrance.
Insider tips
1. Park at 415 Rue de la Couronne (22 CAD/night) — it’s a 5-minute walk; book ahead online to guarantee a spot in summer. 2. At check-in, politely ask if a south-facing room can be avoided; reception can often block rooms near the lift if requested early.
- 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 — Mars
Free basic wifi (approx 10 Mbps) for all guests; paid premium tier (5 CAD/day) offers up to 50 Mbps; no login constraints
One lift serves all floors; no stairs-only sections
Complimentary digital access to Le Soleil via QR code at reception; no physical papers
Check-in from 16:00; early bag-drop allowed anytime; late check-out until 14:00 for 30 CAD (subject to availability)
Free for guests before check-in and after check-out; secure room behind front desk
Step-free entrance via side ramp; lift to all floors; wheelchair-accessible room on ground floor; no adapted bathrooms in standard rooms
No on-site parking; nearest public car park at 415 Rue de la Couronne (Quebec City Parking) costs 22 CAD per night; no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: 3.50 CAD per person per night
Deposit & card hold: First night charged at booking; incidental hold of 100 CAD per stay at check-in
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Canadian Dollar, CAD
ATMs give the best rates; avoid airport and tourist bureau exchange desks—they charge poor rates and fees.
Visa/Mastercard accepted nearly everywhere; Amex less common. Contactless and mobile pay widespread.
15-18% in restaurants (even with service included); $1-2 per drink at bars; $2-3 for hotel porters; taxi drivers round up or tip 10%.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A standard drip coffee at a café: around $2.50 CAD.
A sandwich or bowl of soup at a café or boulangerie: $10-14 CAD.
A main course at a casual bistro: $18-25 CAD.
Poutine from chip wagons and food trucks; also food courts in Place Sainte-Foy or Laurier Québec.
Maxi, Provigo, Super C, and IGA are the main budget chains.
Place Sainte-Foy mall, Galeries de la Capitale, or Simons for affordable high-street brands.
A day pass on the RTC bus network is about $9 CAD; from the airport take route 76 for a single fare ($4 CAD) or a taxi for $35-40 CAD.
Walk the Old City instead of paying for parking; buy groceries at Maxi for picnic lunches; look for prix-fixe lunch menus at restaurants—they're cheaper than dinner.
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 Mars
🕒 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 Mars?
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor facing the inner courtyard (ask for 'cour intérieure'). These floors are high enough to avoid street-level noise but still within easy reach of the lift. Rooms on these floors tend to be quieter and have more natural light.
Which rooms should I avoid at Mars?
Avoid rooms on the 1st floor and those directly above the lift shaft (usually rooms ending in 01-05 on each floor). The lift can be noisy, and the 1st floor rooms get the most street sound from Rue Saint-Jean, especially if facing the road.
Is Mars noisy?
Rue Saint-Jean is a busy commercial street with bars, restaurants, and late-night foot traffic. The single lift can be audible on all floors, especially in adjacent rooms. No on-site parking means arriving guests will generate some lobby noise near the entrance.
Which rooms have the best views at Mars?
Rooms with a north-facing orientation (ask for 'vue sur la cour') overlook the inner courtyard, offering a quiet outlook. South-facing rooms (towards Rue Saint-Jean) give a view of the street but come with more noise.
What are insider tips for staying at Mars?
1. Park at 415 Rue de la Couronne (22 CAD/night) — it’s a 5-minute walk; book ahead online to guarantee a spot in summer. 2. At check-in, politely ask if a south-facing room can be avoided; reception can often block rooms near the lift if requested early.
What time is check-in at Mars?
Check-in at Mars is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Mars have Wi-Fi?
Free basic wifi (approx 10 Mbps) for all guests; paid premium tier (5 CAD/day) offers up to 50 Mbps; no login constraints
Is there a city or tourist tax at Mars?
3.50 CAD per person per night
Where can I eat cheaply near Mars?
A sandwich or bowl of soup at a café or boulangerie: $10-14 CAD.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Mars?
A day pass on the RTC bus network is about $9 CAD; from the airport take route 76 for a single fare ($4 CAD) or a taxi for $35-40 CAD.
When is the best time to visit Quebec?
June to August – summer offers reliably warm weather (20-25°C) and the full run of terrace dining, river cruises, and the lively Plains of Abraham concerts.
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.