Hotels in old Quebec City ?

Montreal is more like Boston/NYC than Quebec is. Quebec City is older and smaller, and French-only. Montreal is bilingual, bigger, newer. For shopping, it depends what you want: downtown Quebec has a lot of small specialty stores. Montreal has lots of everything. For sightseeing, Quebec City is prettier. It has lots of old buildings, and the whole downtown area looks like a picture book. Montreal has a nice old part, but the downtown core is modern and messy. To me it feels like downtown Montreal is more accomodated to people actually living and working there, and downtown Quebec City is more involved around tourism and prettiness. I lived in Quebec City for four month a few years ago, but that was also in mostly in winter (I arrived in early October), so I don't know much about summer either. I also can't help on the hotels, as I was living in the 'burbs at the time (that's where the university is around there), but if you find a place, I can probably tell you what the neighbourhood is like and if it's close to useful things. Quebec has a pretty good bus system though, so if you're not exactly downtown, it won't be a problem to get there easily.

My wife and I stayed at this http://inntravels.com/canada/qu/lmr.html, which had a very central location in the walled city, a great customizable breakfast, and plenty of romantic charm. I don't know whether they'll have space on such short notice (I kind of doubt it) but we really enjoyed our stay there.

The Chateau Belle-vue is very nice and reasonably priced. I've only ever been there during the winter festival in February, though. There are lots of good places to eat and drink in old QC. The places that stand out are brunch in the old railroad hotel overlooking the St-Lawrence; a fondue place that is just down the street; and an Irish pub where you can order some Guinness. This pub, inexplicably, has the best sausages I've ever eaten, year after year.

If you have the cash, there is only one place to stay in Quebec City: http://www.fairmont.com/frontenac/. I would recommend QC over Montreal at this time of year; after a major festival every weekend of the summer, Montreal is tired by late August.

I've lived in Quebec City, and I've stayed at the Chateau Frontenac. It's very nice but it also costs a lot. I think that unless it's a honeymoon or you've got money pouring out of your pants you are better served by staying at the http://www.loewshotels.com/hotels/quebec/ which directly on the Grande Allée with the Plains of Abraham on the other side of it. Although technically it's outside of the old city it is right on the edge of it and still in an amazing area. You can still visit the Frontenac and even try out the wine and cheese sampling they hold regularly. If you want something right in the old city, the http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g155033-d209426-Reviews-Auberge_Saint_Antoine-Quebec_City_Quebec.html has only been open a year or two and is quite the hit, being almost a museum of sorts. If you just want good rates and are willing to drive each day to check out the sites, then any of the hotels in St-Foy will fit the budget minded tourist, while still being very nice places to stay.