Quebec City Airport Escape: Clarion Pointe's Unbeatable Deals!
Quebec City Airport Escape: Clarion Pointe's Unbeatable Deals! - A Review That's Got My Passport Pounding (And My Pants a Little Too Tight)
Alright, friends, buckle up. Because I've just wrestled my way back from the Clarion Pointe near Quebec City airport, still smelling faintly of disinfectant and the faint promise of a better tomorrow (or at least a decent breakfast). And let me tell you, this isn't your grandma's sterile hotel review. We're diving DEEP.
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- Meta Description: Need a stress-free Quebec City airport escape? This brutally honest review of the Clarion Pointe near the airport dives into the good, the questionable, and the "what were they thinking?" moments. Learn about accessibility, amenities, dining, and if those "unbeatable deals" actually are.
Accessibility: Bless Their Hearts (And Mostly Their Ramps)
Okay, let's be real. I'm not personally in a wheelchair, but I always give accessibility a good looking over. And the Clarion Pointe… well, it tries. Ramps were present, as expected. I did notice those automatic doors weren’t always reacting instantly, which could frustrate any arriving traveller. However, it was generally compliant.
Accessibility Anecdote - The "Almost Got It" Moment: I saw an older gentleman struggling with his luggage near the entrance. He was clearly hesitant about the automatic door. He was fine, but for a moment, I worried he'd had a bad experience; I'm sure I'd feel the same if I were in his shoes and looking to relax after a long flight. I hope that the hotel would address this.
Let's Talk Internet, Because Let's Face It, We ALL Care:
- Free Wi-Fi in ALL Rooms!: YES! That's right. Actual, accessible, functional Wi-Fi. No more wrestling with dodgy logins or paying extra to update my Instagram feed. Bless.
- Internet [LAN]: There's also supposedly Internet via LAN! Seriously, who's even using that anymore? But hey, it's there for the retro-tech amongst us.
My Wi-Fi Revelation: I’m a bit of a screen addict, but the freedom of actually working and streaming without a constant buffering dance? Pure bliss. I did manage to accidentally watch an entire season of something I’d never even heard of (and I honestly can’t recall its name now) while waiting for my flight. The things you do when you have internet access…
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: The Calorie Carnival!
This is where it gets interesting, folks.
- Restaurants & Bars: There is a restaurant on-site. And a bar. I actually didn't visit either, because I’m a creature of habit when it comes to hotel meals and grabbed takeout.
- Breakfast [Buffet]: Ah, the buffet. The very concept causes my anxiety to spike. Buffets are a gamble! Will the mini croissants be stale? Will the scrambled eggs resemble some sort of yellow…thing? (More on this on the "Cleanliness and Safety" section.)
- Coffee/Tea in Restaurant, Coffee Shop: You can get your caffeine fix, which is a non-negotiable for me.
Dining Anecdote - The Mystical Breakfast Hour: Okay, fine. I did venture into the breakfast zone eventually. The scrambled eggs were a bit… suspect. They had the vague shape of an egg, but texture-wise? Let's just say they defied easy categorization. I filled up on fruit, which was fresh. The coffee? Surprisingly decent! A minor salvation, but also a reflection of the "you get what you pay for" ethos of the place.
- Room Service [24-hour]: The siren song of room service wasn't strong enough to overcome the potential for the same breakfast egg debacle.
Cleanliness and Safety: Germophobia Olympics (And They're Trying!)
- Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, etc.: Okay, pandemic protocols are clearly present. Hand sanitizer stations everywhere. Staff masked up. I even saw a team member… disinfecting the elevator buttons. It’s enough to make even a hardcore germaphobe feel (relatively) at ease.
- Rooms sanitized between stays, Room sanitization opt-out available: I'm a bit of a messy traveler (seriously, I make the worst sort of mess), but I appreciated this.
- Breakfast and Sanitation Revelation: Back to those eggs: I did manage to see the breakfast area was under constant attention. Everything seemed to be constantly wiped and cleaned. They tried really hard.
Things to Do, Ways to Relax (Or At Least Pretend To):
- Fitness Center, Pool with view, Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Swimming pool: These are all listed. I did check out the pool, I’m telling you, I almost ended up having a moment of pure relaxation -- except I was just too tired and couldn’t quite get myself to enjoy it.
- Massage, Body scrub, Body wrap: Massage! Spa! These are available. Did I partake? Nope. Next time!
For the Kids (Bless Their Souls):
- Family/child friendly, Babysitting service, Kids meal, Kids facilities: The Clarion Pointe feels designed to accommodate families, but I didn’t see any signs of this at all during my stay.
Services and Conveniences: The Usual Suspects (With a Few Surprises)
- Air conditioning, Daily housekeeping, Elevator, Luggage storage: Standard stuff.
- Concierge, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Dry cleaning, Ironing service, Laundry service, Meeting/banquet facilities: The basics are covered.
- Cashless payment service, Contactless check-in/out: Good for the current climate.
- Facilities for disabled guests: Good to know they're there.
- Food delivery: They have food delivery services.
My Quirky Observation: The vending machine had a surprisingly advanced selection of snacks. I found a brand of chocolate bar I used to love and didn't know was still around!
Rooms (Ah, the Sweet Prison… with Free Wi-Fi!)
- Available in all rooms: The essentials are there.
- Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Mini bar, Non-smoking, Private bathroom, Refrigerator, Satellite/cable channels, Seating area, Shower, Smoke detector, Telephone, Toiletries, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free]: It's a standard room.
- Interconnecting room(s) available: Good for families.
- Soundproofing: This is a must near an airport.
- Anecdote - The Unremarkable Bed: The bed was… a bed. Not the most comfortable I’ve ever slept in, but passable. I did appreciate the blackout curtains. They worked too well and I slept right through the alarm. Whoops.
Safety and Security: Peace of Mind (Mostly)
- CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property, Fire extinguisher, Front desk [24-hour], Smoke alarms, Security [24-hour]: The security is there.
Getting Around: Airport Transfers and Freedom!
- Airport transfer: Essential.
- Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Taxi service: They make it pretty easy to get around.
My Emotional Verdict: A Solid "Meh" With Some Potential.
The Clarion Pointe near Quebec City Airport isn't going to win any awards for luxury. But it's clean, the staff is trying their best, and the free Wi-Fi is a godsend. This place feels designed for practicality. If you just need a no-frills place to crash before or after a flight, it's perfectly adequate. It's safe, comfortable, and gets the basics right. But don’t expect an unforgettable experience; expect functionality with a chance of slightly suspect scrambled eggs. The "unbeatable deals" are probably true, but your mileage (and your breakfast egg tolerance) may vary. Would I stay there again? Probably. Because I'm a cheapskate who values convenience, and let's be honest, sometimes all you need is a safe place to
Dallas Park Central Getaway: Your Dream Residence Inn Awaits!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this Clarion Pointe Quebec Airport adventure is about to get… well, it's about to get me. And that means it's gonna be a glorious, chaotic, probably slightly tear-stained mess. Let's go! Day 1: Arrival and the Great Poutine Panic
- 1:00 PM: Arrive at Quebec City Jean Lesage International Airport (YQB). Okay, first things first: Deep breaths. Flying always makes me feel like a tightly wound rubber band about to snap. The airport itself? Fine. Functional. Maybe a bit beige for my liking. But hey, the promise of poutine is a powerful motivator.
- 1:45 PM: Taxi to Clarion Pointe. Oh, the vibes! I'd booked this place mostly for the free airport shuttle, which I'm realizing now might be a bit optimistic (turns out it departs every two hours, not exactly what I thought). Anyway, the drive…traffic isn't too bad. The taxi driver… well, let's just say he had opinions on the best hockey teams. Apparently, I'm completely wrong.
- 2:30 PM: Check-in. The front desk person is ridiculously nice, which instantly melts my travel-weary soul. I think I understand the French they speak, but mostly I just smile and nod. Key in hand! Room is…clean. Which is a win in my book.
- 3:00 PM: Hunger pangs hit. Poutine. The holy grail. My mission? Find the BEST poutine within a reasonable distance. Because if I'm doing Quebec, I'm doing poutine. Yelp proves less helpful than anticipated– everything seems too "highly rated." I just want a good poutine, not some Michelin-starred, deconstructed abomination.
- 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM: The Poutine Quest, Vol. 1. I venture out, stumbling upon a small, unassuming "casse-croute" (basically, a greasy spoon). I order. They look at me with a certain quiet… pity? The poutine arrives. And it's…fine. Not transcendent. The cheese curds squeak, which is a good sign, but the gravy lacks the depth of flavor I crave. Disappointment is a sour taste. I can do better. Much better.
- 5:30 PM: Rest and Recharge. A quick power nap is in order. Travel exhaustion is real, people. And finding the perfect poutine is a serious physical and emotional undertaking.
- 6:30 PM: Head back out. The hotel's "free" happy hour (wine selection as good as plastic)
- 7:30 PM: I attempt to stroll around the neighbourhood and the area surrounding the hotel. I'm met with the usual suspects - strip mall, chain restaurants… and a few local options that look a little sketchy, and by a little sketchy I mean, I'm 99% sure they're haunted.
- 8:30 PM: Back at the hotel, slumped on the bed, feeling slightly melancholic. Maybe I built up the poutine thing too much in my mind. Maybe I'm just tired and cranky. Or maybe, just maybe, the perfect poutine is a myth. The thought is almost unbearable.
- 9:00 PM: I order a pizza from a place I found on Uber Eats. The food is not bad.
- 10:00 PM: I have a good night sleep, which is one of the best perks I can have.
Day 2: Old Quebec, Cobblestones, and the Pursuit of Happiness (and More Poutine)
- 9:00 AM: Wake up in a slightly better mood. The promise of a croissant. Hotel breakfast is blah, but the coffee's decent.
- 10:00 AM: Taxi to Old Quebec. Oh. My. God. This is it. The postcard perfect, the fairytale town, the one with the cobblestone streets and the ridiculously charming architecture. I instantly want to move here.
- 10:30 AM – 1:00 PM: Wandering the old city streets. I get wonderfully lost in the maze of narrow alleyways. I find a little artisan shop, and I buy a hideous, but perfect, Christmas ornament. I take a million photos of everything, because I'm a tourist and a sucker for beauty, and I am unapologetic. I see the Château Frontenac. It's stunning and grand. It makes me a bit intimidated, but mostly it makes me want to drink champagne cocktails.
- 1:00 PM: Lunch at a little bistro with a view. The food is decent, even though it's a tourist trap. I'm enjoying myself too much to care.
- 2:00 PM: Poutine Quest, Vol. 2. I hit a place that's apparently famous. The poutine is… good! Really good! But is it… the one? There's almost enough cheese curds. The gravy's savory and dark. It’s much better than yesterday, and a little bit of the sadness drifts away. I'd rate it a solid 7.5/10. But the quest must go on.
- 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM: Exploring the city and it's areas. I find a little park. I sit. I read. I watch people. It's the perfect way to unwind, and I feel a strange sense of peace.
- 6:00 PM: Head to some restaurant for dinner. I make the mistake of ordering the escargots…I find it odd, the preparation of the snails. I end up barely eating it.
- 7:00 PM: The sky is changing at a beautiful pace.
- 8:00 PM: Back to the hotel, and, I am beat. I order room service and eat some chips in bed and watch some TV. The day has left me smiling.
Day 3: Farewell to Quebec, and a Promise of (Even More) Poutine
- 8:00 AM: Wake up, a little too early, but I don't mind. I'm well-rested and happy. The sadness of the day of departure barely dents this positive charge. Breakfast.
- 9:00 AM: Check-out and catch the airport shuttle (this time, it actually shows up!).
- 9:30 AM: Airport Security. It is a breeze.
- 10:00 AM: At the gate. Last minute souvenir shopping (maple syrup, of course!).
- 11:00 AM: The flight is called.
- 11:30 AM: Take Off. As I depart the city, I look down. It is beautiful. And I'll be back. The Poutine Quest continues. Maybe next time I'll find the perfect poutine that I've been dreaming of. As the plane ascends, a thought strikes me: maybe the quest is more important than the trophy. Maybe the journey, the mess, the seeking of a perfect meal is worth more than the eating of it.
- 1:00 PM: I arrive at my destination.
- 1:00 PM - Onward: I can't stop thinking about poutine. Now, I'm craving another amazing poutine, and my mind is racing. This is the beginning of a life-long mission.
Postscript: Quebec City, you magnificent, slightly quirky, incredibly delicious place! I'll be back. And next time, the poutine will submit.
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Quebec City Airport Escape: Clarion Pointe's Unbeatable Deals! - FAQ (Or, My Brain Dump About This Place)
Okay, so, Clarion Pointe. Near the Quebec City Airport. What *is* the big deal? Is it actually... good?
Alright, look. Let's be honest. Airport hotels are... well, they're usually the last resort, right? You're trapped, jet-lagged, and praying for a clean bed. But, BUT... this Clarion Pointe *actually* surprised me. They *claim* "unbeatable deals," and, okay, maybe I'm easily swayed by a good price, but they actually delivered. I mean, I saw a price so low it nearly made me spit out my *café au lait* (yes, I was already planning my escape). Seriously, consider them if you're flying in or out. Especially if you're like me and have a knack for missing flights.
Real talk: I once missed a connecting flight in Montreal (a total disaster, involving questionable airport poutine and a lot of tears). So, now I buffer everything with a night's stay. Lesson learned.
What kind of "deals" are we talking? Like, is there a secret handshake?
No secret handshake. (Though, wouldn't *that* be fun?) They seem to have pretty regular promotions, especially if you book in advance. Check the website, obviously. (Duh, Captain Obvious, over here). But, I've seen packages that included breakfast (score!), parking (a lifesaver, honestly), and sometimes even shuttle service to the airport. Seriously, the parking situation at some airports... don't even get me started. It's like a game of financial Russian Roulette.
One time, I booked a seemingly *amazing* deal that ended up costing me more in hidden fees. Always read the fine print! This hotel... it's been pretty straightforward so far. Phew. Still, check.
The free airport shuttle... Is it reliable? Because I've had *experiences*.
Okay, this is where things get tricky. "Reliable" is a loaded word, isn't it? In my experience... (Deep breath). The shuttle is *usually* pretty good. They have a schedule posted, which helps. They're generally on time... *ish*. But remember, this is airport travel, where schedules are more like suggestions. I'd give yourself a *healthy* buffer. Like, if you're catching a flight, give yourself double the time you think you need. Trust me on this one.
Once, I was waiting for a shuttle that was delayed by "unforeseen circumstances" for over an hour. It involved a stranded snowmobile and a very stressed driver. I just... I recommend confirming the pickup timing *twice*. And maybe packing a really good book.
But honestly, in the grand scheme of airport transportation nightmares, the Clarion Pointe's is pretty decent. Just... prepare.
What about the rooms? Cleanliness is key when you're dealing with travel germ-a-palooza.
Right, let's get to the nitty-gritty. Are the rooms clean? Yes. Generally, yes. I'm a bit of a neat freak, so believe me when I say... the rooms I've stayed in have been clean. No mystery stains, no questionable smells. I've always been comforted by the fact that they have a decent housekeeping staff and a decent cleaning operation.
Okay, one time, I found a stray hair in the bathroom. (Minor, but... *shudder*). I immediately went into full-on germaphobe mode, inspecting everything. It was probably mine, tbh. Either way, it was promptly wiped away. No biggie.
They have good showers, and good water pleasure. And, hey, a clean bed is a clean bed, right? That alone is a victory after a long day of travel. They have good pillow comfort too!
Do they have breakfast? And is it, you know... edible?
Breakfast! This is a make-or-break situation for me, honestly. I'm a big breakfast person. And yes, they usually include breakfast. Is it a gourmet experience? No. Is it decent? Yes. Think continental-ish, with the usual suspects: muffins, bagels, maybe some scrambled eggs, cereal, fruit, and the lifeblood of all airport hotels - coffee. Seriously, the coffee quality can make or break my entire mood.
Once, at a different hotel, the coffee tasted like rusty water mixed with despair. I almost lost it. This Clarion Pointe... the coffee is passable. Maybe even good. I'm not expecting miracles at 6 AM, but a decent coffee? It's a win. Especially before a long flight.
What about the noise situation? Airport hotels can be a cacophony of slamming doors and jet engines.
Noise. The eternal enemy of the weary traveler. Okay, it's an airport hotel, so you're going to hear *something*. Jet engines, occasionally. But honestly, it's not been as bad as I expected. The windows seem to be decent. (And I'm a light sleeper, so this is a big deal). I’ve had worse nights in supposedly “quiet” hotels.
There was one time, however... a wedding party. A VERY enthusiastic wedding party. Let's just say I didn't sleep much that night. It wasn't the hotel's fault, though, and they did try to quiet things down. Earplugs are your friend. Always. Always pack earplugs. And maybe a noise machine app on your phone.
So, generally, acceptable. But, you know, bring earplugs. Seriously.
Is there anything *bad* about this place? Come on, spill the beans!
Alright, alright, let's get real. Nothing is perfect. Here's the deal:
The gym: It's... functional. Don't expect a full-fledged fitness center. Think a few treadmills and some weights. It does the job if you're desperate to work off that airport-induced stress. I'm usually too busy sleeping to care, though.
The location: It is near the airport (duh), but also not *super* close to the city center. You'll need a car or a taxi/Uber to get into the heart of Quebec City. This isn’t *necessarily* a bad thing if you want to be near the airport though…and if you're flying in/out, proximity is the point!
The occasional glitch: Stuff happens. A broken ice machine. A slow elevator. Minor annoyances that are par for the course in the hotel world. Don’Top Places To Stay
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