The popularity of the Hotel Manoir Victoria began in the early 1830s.  Named Hotel Albion at the time, it was located on the East side of Côte du Palais, i.e. across the street from the actual hotel. At the time, the Albion hotel, owned by Thomas Payne, was the best in town and a room was charged $1.50 per night.

Later, the hotel name changed for Stadacona.  Benjamin Trudel, owner of another hotel in Québec, bought the Stadacona in 1895, refurbished the hotel and named it Hotel Victoria.

In 1897, the owner proceeded to the construction, on the actual site of Hotel Manoir Victoria, of a Turkish baths and pool establishment, very popular in the United States at the time.  An overpass 40 feet long was built to connect the two buildings and allow the hotel guests to accede to the Turkish baths without having to exit the building. Unfortunately for him, the construction of the overpass had been realized without a previous authorization and permit from the city hall. This caused anger and indignation from merchants of the area who lodged complaints against the new structure and finally forced the demolition of the overpass, despite all Mr. Trudel’s attempts and his going to Supreme Court to save his new venture.

In 1902, the hotel was completely destroyed by fire and was reconstructed on the site of the Turkish baths establishment by Mr. Aurèle Resther, nephew of Mr. Trudel and new owner of the establishment further to the death of Mr. Trudel, apparently caused by exhaustion due to his efforts to protect his promotional dream. The construction of the new Hotel Victoria was finished by spring of 1904, at the evaluated cost of $150,000. In 1910, proud of the success in his new location, Mr. Resther undertakes important renovations and enlarges the hotel by adding 3 stories to the existing building.

At the beginning of the 20s, the hotel Victoria is at the summit of glory; it has become a fashionable place for the upper-class from all over the province visiting Québec, for business or for pleasure.  It was then renowned for its comfort, good food and personalized service. Now property of Henry Fontaine, the building is extended and furbished with all that may provide better comfort to a hotel stay. It is equipped with 90 aired and brightened rooms, a prompt and efficient service, the finest cuisine, luxuriously furnished lounges and special rooms for correspondence. The Victoria of 1920s is unequalled in Québec for comfort and gastronomy and Mr. Fontaine then takes advantage of the momentum to sell it to Mr. Napoléon Bédard and Mr. Joseph Byrne in 1924.

The Malhiot hotel, opened since 1880 on Saint-Jean Street, burns down in 1927. The owners of the Victoria buy and demolish the ruins of the hotel to build an extension of 66 rooms to the famous Victoria hotel located on Côte du Palais. Once the work is completed, in 1929, the new Hotel Victoria has 250 rooms of which 150 have complete bathrooms, grand luxury for this time.  Aimed mostly to the business clientele, it is then considered as the most modern and the most secure in town, and the only hotel in Québec to be supplied daily with products from its own farm.  The ultra-modern hotel has a main dining room, a grill equipped with a ventilation system to eliminate also odors of cooking, but mainly for that of the cigars which are very popular. All the rooms are provided with a reading lamp and a telephone!

In 1942, a major fire burns down the hotel and the building is severely damaged. Considerable sums of money were invested for its restoration but its rooms capacity was drastically reduced compared to before the fire. Major modifications are made in 1951, when 4 stories are added to the building, for an extra 44 rooms with toilets and baths!

In the middle 1950s, the hotel is a meeting place for the young local crowd who goes there to dance and eat. Renowned for its good cuisine, the quality of its lodging gradually deteriorates.

In the early 1970s, the construction of many new American-style hotels in Québec city is more than the Victoria can take, and its owners have to close down in 1978 after having unsuccessfully tried to sell to the government and to the city administration.

In 1988, having been through 10 years of inoccupation, the Hotel Manoir Victoria is re-born after undergoing extensive renovations of for more than $12 millions, thus becoming the pearl in lodging in Québec city, and hotel operation resumes then with 85 rooms, a dining room, a grill and 2 meeting rooms. The following year, the new owners buy the adjacent building known then as Galeries Saint-Jean, and add 60 rooms and an indoor pool to the establishment. On Côte du Palais, a 4-story indoor parking is built on a vacant lot adjacent to the hotel.

In 1991, the resto-bistro Le Saint-James is inaugurated in replacement to commercial space, offering a sympathetic alternative to the hotel dining room as well as access to Saint-Jean Street to its distinguished clientele.

Since its re-opening, rooms and public areas have been redecorated twice in order to meet the expectations of our guests and today the hotel extends a warm and friendly welcome in an inviting décor that was renovated as well as upgraded in 2003.  This important renovation program has required an investment of $ 2,5 M and involved a complete redecoration of all our rooms and public areas. 

With its unique European style, the 4-Star hotel now offers 145 rooms and suites, some of which are high-luxury units with ambiance fireplace and whirlpool bath, six (6) meeting and function rooms that can accommodate up to 175 people, fine dining at “La Table du Manoir”, the relaxed atmosphere of the resto-bistro “Le Saint-James”, free high speed Internet access, the new SPA du Manoir offering expert body and esthetic care, an indoor pool, a sauna, a fitness centre, an Internet Lounge as well as indoor parking with valet service.

At first sight, the Hotel Manoir Victoria of the 2000’s stands discreetly on Côte du Palais and Saint-Jean Street.  But what a delightful surprise it offers when one walks through its doors.  Its thick carpets, long Mahogany desk and wood panellings, a magnificent hall which reminds of its wealthy origins.

However, once the last phase of the ongoing program will be completed at the summer of 2004, the hotel facade on côte du Palais will present in a remarkable way the level of product offered to our clientèle.  Twelve (12) new bedrooms will be added on an additional floor that will permit to showcase a typical Old Québec architecture with its copper skylight roofing.  In addition, a new and imposing canopy in wrought iron will cover the main entrance and a high-class illumination will improve dramatically the hotel visibility at night.

The only souvenir that remains is that it still stands as the only representative of art deco in the surroundings.

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