Continued from page
into the hotel’s decor. Artifacts
featured throughout the hotel
cover four centuries of Quebec’s
history. Today, 700 of the
uncovered historical treasures are
displayed in throughout the hotel
and outside of guest rooms. In its
lobby, vitrines and three
miniatures are used to show off
selected artifacts. When guests
walk in and look at the miniature
port during different time
periods, each of the three areas
lights up and history comes to
life.
We particularly liked how many
of the valuable artifacts were
displayed in glass blocks within
the walls. Visitors can see them
clearly, but they will not be
damaged. The bar and the front
desk are made from recycled
wood from the old dock and the
soft patina is welcoming.
Outside each room door, there is
a glass block with an artifact, and
by the bedside is an explanation
of artifact and its use. One of
the rooms we saw had a domino.
It shows how long that game has
been popular.
Photos: Artifacts on display.
In the six floors of SaintAntoine, all six previous
owners of the hotel site are
celebrated, with a biography
and related artifacts. These
floors are in honor of:
1. Charles Aubert de La
Chesnaye, a Company
agent and businessman
2. Jean Maillou, master
Mason and architect to
the French King
3. Hugh Finlay, Merchant and
Deputy Postmaster
General
4. John Chillas, Master
cooper and merchant
5. James Hunt, Master sail
maker and trader
6. Andre-Eusebe Vaillerand,
Importer and tableware and
lighting merchant.
Starting in 1993, the
architectural firm, Jean Cote
& Associes, has been
intimately involved with
Saint—Antoine’s design.
Their designs have been used
in development of the
Panache Restaurant and the
Auditorium, a uniquely styled
amphitheater in a hotel.
The Panache, one of two
Saint—Antoine restaurants,
opened in 2004. Its menu
features traditional French
Canadian cuisine with a
modern twist. Panache’s
stonewalls were originally
part of a riverside
warehouse. The china used is
a replica of three-quarters of
a plate that was found.
During our exploration, we
were fortunate to experience
Panache for lunch and the
next evening
11
MARCH 2014 •LUXE BEAT MAGAZINE