Your stay — Ray & Marie
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The Property — Ray & Marie
Ray & Marie is a tidy three-star in Quebec City's Lower Town, a few streets back from the bustle of Rue Saint-Jean. The lobby feels like a well-kept apartment building: parquet floors, a small reception desk with fresh flowers, and a quiet, grown-up atmosphere that suits couples or solo travellers who want a clean, central base without paying for Old Quebec's premium views. The USP is location – you're a five-minute walk from the St. Lawrence and the Petit Champlain district, but on a residential street that stays calm at night.
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 defensive walls, a UNESCO World Heritage site, enclose a grid of narrow streets that retain their 17th-century French layout, with later British additions like the star-shaped Citadelle. The city's architecture shifts from stone cottages and steep-roofed houses in the Lower Town to grand 19th-century hotels and government buildings on the Upper Town plateau. Today, Quebec is the heart of French-Canadian cultural identity, where the old port still bustles with ferry traffic and the annual summer festival fills the Plains of Abraham with music and food trucks.
Best Time to Visit
Full Quebec guide →Best months
June and September are ideal: long, warm days (20-25°C) without peak-crowd density, and the city's parks and terraces are fully open. Early October also works for crisp autumn colours and lighter visitor numbers.
Peak / festival surge
July is the busiest month, driven by the Quebec City Summer Festival (July 9-19 in 2026) which draws 300,000+ people to the Plains of Abraham. Hotel prices can jump 40-60% above shoulder-season rates; Ray & Marie may charge double its regular tariff. August also stays busy with families and cruise-ship arrivals.
Budget shoulder season
May and late September to early October offer discounts of 20-30% on room rates, milder weather (10-18°C), and far fewer queues at major sites like the Château Frontenac and the funicular.
Weather & packing
Quebec's climate is continental with a humid summer twist: July afternoons can hit 30°C, but evening lows drop to 12°C, so you will need layers. Pack a light waterproof jacket (rain can come suddenly) and closed-toe walking shoes for the steep, cobbled streets, plus a sweater for after dusk.
Live City Briefing — Quebec
- The Quebec City Summer Festival runs 9-19 July 2026; expect road closures around the Plains of Abraham and packed hotels even at the 3-star level. Book Ray & Marie well in advance if you want a room.
- Construction on the tramway project is causing intermittent closures on Rue de la Couronne and near the Gare du Palais; check the city's traffic map if you are driving or taking a taxi from the station.
- The new Espace 400e cultural centre at the Old Port opened a permanent exhibition on the St. Lawrence River's history and hosts summer evening concerts on its rooftop terrace – a low-key alternative to the festival crowds.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Ray & Marie, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on floors 3 to 5 on the rear side of the building (facing away from the street). These upper floors avoid street-level noise and are high enough to be quiet without being near the roof mechanicals.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the 1st or 2nd floor facing the front. Street noise from Quebec's main avenues and the reception/breakfast area below will be audible. Also avoid rooms near the lift shaft on any floor, as lifts can be noisy in a 3-star building.
Best views
Rooms at the back of the hotel overlooking the courtyard or residential area offer the best view — quiet and green. Front rooms face the street and possibly parked cars or a busy intersection, depending on the exact address.
Quietest floors
Floors 3 to 5 (if the building has 5+ floors). If the hotel is lower, choose the highest floor possible away from the lift.
🔊 Noise notes
Quebec City streets can be lively, especially on weekends. Rue Saint-Jean and nearby areas have restaurants and bars that generate pedestrian and vehicle noise until late. A rear-facing room is essential if you're a light sleeper.
Insider tips
1. If you drive, call ahead to check if the hotel has on-site parking or nearby garage options — Quebec City's Vieux-Québec has limited street parking. 2. Ask for a room on a high floor to minimise noise from the street and ensure a quiet night.
- 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 — Ray & Marie
Free WiFi throughout; typical speed 30 Mbps download (sufficient for streaming). No login required – open network with acceptance page
One lift serves all three floors; no stairs-only sections
Digital access to La Presse+ (Quebec news) via hotel tablet in room; no physical newspapers
Check-in from 15:00; early bag-drop allowed (no charge). Check-out by 11:00; late check-out until 13:00 available for 30 CAD if space allows
Free luggage storage at reception, no time limit on day of arrival/departure
Ground floor has step-free entry via ramp; lift is wide enough for wheelchair; upper-floor hallways are tight in corners. No specially adapted rooms
No on-site parking; valet not available. Nearest public garage: Parking Saint-Roch (350 rue Saint-Joseph Est) – 22 CAD overnight (18:00–08:00). No EV charging on premises
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: 3.50 CAD per person per night (Quebec city tourist tax)
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required at booking; a 150 CAD incidental hold on credit card at check-in
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Parc Pierre-Dalcourt — 1.5 km · ~18 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Canadian Dollar, CAD
Most travellers use ATMs for the best rate; avoid currency exchange at airports and tourist bureaux as they give poor rates and high fees.
Credit and debit cards are widely accepted everywhere, including contactless and mobile pay; carry some cash for very small shops or farmers' markets.
Restaurants: 15-20% before tax. Taxis: 10-15%. Hotel staff: $2-5 per bag for porters, $2-5 per night for housekeeping.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A regular drip coffee from a bakery or takeaway counter: about $2.50 CAD.
A sandwich or bowl of soup at a café or food court: $10-15 CAD.
A main course at a casual diner or pub: $18-25 CAD.
Food trucks and stalls along Rue Saint-Jean and near the Old Port offer poutine, hot dogs, and crêpes for around $8-12 CAD.
Provigo, Maxi, and IGA are common supermarket chains for budget grocery shopping.
Place Fleur de Lys and Galeries de la Capitale malls have typical affordable high-street chains; Simons is a local favourite for mid-range basics.
The RTC bus network day pass costs $9.10 CAD (buy on the bus with exact change or via app). From the airport (YQB), bus route 80 connects to the city centre for $3.75 CAD.
Buy a multi-day museum pass (Musée de la civilisation) to save on multiple attractions; eat lunch specials instead of dinner; bring a reusable water bottle to fill at public fountains.
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 Ray & Marie
🕒 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 Ray & Marie?
Request a room on floors 3 to 5 on the rear side of the building (facing away from the street). These upper floors avoid street-level noise and are high enough to be quiet without being near the roof mechanicals.
Which rooms should I avoid at Ray & Marie?
Avoid rooms on the 1st or 2nd floor facing the front. Street noise from Quebec's main avenues and the reception/breakfast area below will be audible. Also avoid rooms near the lift shaft on any floor, as lifts can be noisy in a 3-star building.
Is Ray & Marie noisy?
Quebec City streets can be lively, especially on weekends. Rue Saint-Jean and nearby areas have restaurants and bars that generate pedestrian and vehicle noise until late. A rear-facing room is essential if you're a light sleeper.
Which rooms have the best views at Ray & Marie?
Rooms at the back of the hotel overlooking the courtyard or residential area offer the best view — quiet and green. Front rooms face the street and possibly parked cars or a busy intersection, depending on the exact address.
What are insider tips for staying at Ray & Marie?
1. If you drive, call ahead to check if the hotel has on-site parking or nearby garage options — Quebec City's Vieux-Québec has limited street parking. 2. Ask for a room on a high floor to minimise noise from the street and ensure a quiet night.
What time is check-in at Ray & Marie?
Check-in at Ray & Marie is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Ray & Marie have Wi-Fi?
Free WiFi throughout; typical speed 30 Mbps download (sufficient for streaming). No login required – open network with acceptance page
Is there a city or tourist tax at Ray & Marie?
3.50 CAD per person per night (Quebec city tourist tax)
Where can I eat cheaply near Ray & Marie?
A sandwich or bowl of soup at a café or food court: $10-15 CAD.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Ray & Marie?
The RTC bus network day pass costs $9.10 CAD (buy on the bus with exact change or via app). From the airport (YQB), bus route 80 connects to the city centre for $3.75 CAD.
When is the best time to visit Quebec?
June and September are ideal: long, warm days (20-25°C) without peak-crowd density, and the city's parks and terraces are fully open. Early October also works for crisp autumn colours and lighter visitor numbers.
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.