Bucket lists
Like many others my age I have a bucket list. The Hotel Frontenac in Quebec City was on it. The phrase bucket list was made famous by the eponymous (God! I love that word!) film about two old guys who didn’t have long to live. Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson. Perfect pairing. They each decided on a list of things they wanted to do before they kicked the bucket. Hence, the name the Bucket List. Recently I had a conversation with a 24 yr old who told me about her recent trip to an exotic place. When I asked what enticed her to go there she told me it was on her Bucket List. Apparently, she is not clear on the concept. Seriously. I have sweaters that old.
Bucket list hotels
I’m in love with old hotels. Give me one of those instead of some sleek, new modern place. They have so much history. So much charm. One of my very first bucket list hotels was the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island between lower Michigan and Upper Michigan, aka the UP. It truly is like going back in time. There are no cars on the island. Only horses. The Grand is the star of the island….and features the longest porch in the world which looks over the Straits of Mackinac. Spectacular. It also costs a bloody fortune. But it’s on the American Plan which means it includes meals. Fabulous meals. I’m obsessed with this place. I truly want to check it off my list again.
The Hotel Frontenac is another one of these grand ole dames. It towers over the lower part of Old Quebec City. It was, and still is, on my bucket list because even though we had made reservations there we never used them. Due to the expense, I suggested to Don that one night there would be sufficient and we could stay somewhere cheaper the first night. We were on the back end of our four week road trip to the Maritimes so expenses were adding up. I found a cute little boutique hotel right across the Place d’Armes from the Frontenac for one third the price apropriately called Auberge Place d’Armes. Clever, eh?
The parking problem in an old city
Obviously, these cities were not made for cars….or convenient parking. Navigating in the Quebec province is a challenge, especially if you don’t speak French. All traffic and road signs in the entire country of Canada are bilingual: English and French. Except in the province of Quebec. In Quebec province: only French. We can both read some French so when we came across a sign that said “Slow down. Dangerous curve ahead“, we didn’t die.
We navigated the narrow streets to the hotel with our GPS. Zero places to park. There was however, a place nearby in front of the Information building that offered 10 minute parking. I ran into the coffee shop/registration on the first floor of the Auberge Place d’Armes to find out where we were supposed to park. We find out they have a few reserved spots at a parking garage 4 blocks away. And then he gives us directions. Wait. What? Where? Very confusing.
Back in the car we are trying to navigate and read signs in French. After several trips around the blocks it probably took us 15 minutes to find the parking garage. Then we had to secure the designated spot, pay the fee, and get our luggage out of the car and walk 4 blocks to the hotel. By the time we get there we were exhausted.
The guy who checks us in is also the barrista at the coffee, cheese and gift shop. Quite the charmer. Juan was actually from Latin America so I’m having a great time chatting him up in Spanish. He gives us the keys; helps us with our luggage. Then he takes us next door to go up a flight of stairs to show us to our room. He points out all the amenities of the room like a bellboy would do. Here’s the kicker: He’s the only one in the coffee shop and has left it full of about 6 customers while he attends to the new guests! We were gobsmacked!
Auberge Place d’Arms turns out to be quite charming. We are exhausted from a long day driving and also the stress of checking into the hotel. We have to do the same thing all over again the next night to check into my bucket list Frontenac. I make a decision. F*#k the Frontenac. We are staying put. Before I cancel I make sure we can secure another night where we are. Done.
The Frontenac is very understanding when we cancel. We tell them we just had a death in the family and needed to get back for the services. Partially true. A very close friend not family. And we were unable to attend the funeral because Don (a Canadian) could not cross the US border by car because of Covid restrictions.
Sometimes a bar just has to suffice
We had a lovely two day stay in Quebec City; we did make it to the Frontenac Hotel. But only to stay in their lovely bar which cost us an unlovely $100 for two drinks a piece. Tabarnak! (That’s close to the F work in French Canadian.) Despite the high cost of drinks, it was still a charming hour or so spent in the Frontenac. We sat at the bar because there is nothing better than chatting with other people as well as the bartender. Wonderful way to get tips about the best places for breakfast, etc.
If it is not already on your bucket list (for people 65 and older, please), put Quebec City on your list.It reeks of old European charm without the cost of a long distance flight to France. We will be back. Just to stay at the Frontenac. Vive la bucket list!
Enjoy the photo gallery and slide show below.
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