Hôtel L'Empress

The hotel's most notable feature is its convenient location directly accessible from major roads, making it an ideal stopover for travelers on long journeys. It also boasts an attached restaurant and sports bar, offering a convenient dining option without needing to leave the premises. Guests frequently highlight the hotel's overall cleanliness and the comfortable beds as key positives. The hotel appears to cater well to business travelers seeking a practical stay, snowmobilers in groups, and families looking for accessible accommodations. While generally well-regarded, some guests note issues with noise and the absence of an elevator. To ensure a more comfortable stay, guests are advised to request a room on the first floor if they have heavy luggage or mobility concerns, and to consider bringing earplugs if sensitive to hallway or road noise.

Facilities & Amenities
The hotel offers several amenities, though some aspects receive mixed feedback. A significant point for guests is the lack of an elevator, which can be challenging for those with heavy luggage or mobility issues, especially for rooms on the second floor. While microwaves are not available in individual rooms, one can be accessed at the reception desk. Guests note that mini-fridges are small and positioned low, and some rooms have limited electrical outlets. The air conditioning units are effective but can be quite noisy. Some guests reported issues with specific room features, such as non-functional whirlpool baths or broken lamps, though staff generally attempted to resolve these. An EV charging station is available, but some guests found it to be non-functional.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
The cleanliness of the rooms is frequently praised by guests, with many noting a fresh scent upon entry. The beds are consistently described as very comfortable, though some guests found the pillows to be less so. While generally clean, some reviews mention issues with mold around bathroom tiles and soap dishes, or sticky floors in corners, suggesting inconsistencies in deep cleaning. The room size is a recurring point, with some finding them small or tight, making movement difficult between furniture. A significant concern for many is the noise level, with sounds from the hallway and the busy road easily audible due to insufficient soundproofing. Some guests also reported worn furniture, broken fixtures, or a persistent smoke odor in non-smoking rooms, impacting overall comfort.

Dining & Food Quality
The hotel features an attached restaurant and sports bar, which many guests find highly convenient, eliminating the need to leave the premises for meals. The food quality at the restaurant is generally well-received, with guests appreciating the good prices and the fact that it is frequented by locals. However, there are some limitations regarding breakfast service; the restaurant may not be open for breakfast on certain days, such as Sunday mornings, and there is no dedicated breakfast room. For groups, the provided breakfast options were described as basic, consisting of items like a dried croissant and fruit juice. Some guests also experienced unexpected early closures of the restaurant, leading to disappointment when planning to dine there.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel's location is a major advantage for many guests, offering easy access from the highway and main roads, making it a convenient stopover point. It is situated within a commercial area, providing proximity to various shopping options, restaurants, and a gas station. This makes it ideal for quick errands or grabbing a meal. However, its placement in a more industrial zone means it is somewhat far from the city center and Old Rimouski, requiring a drive to reach downtown attractions. Furthermore, the surrounding area is not considered pedestrian-friendly, lacking safe sidewalks for walking or running. Parking is available, but some guests found the spaces to be tight, especially when the lot is full.

Staff & Service
The staff at the hotel generally receives positive feedback for being friendly, helpful, and courteous. Many guests highlight the quick check-in process and the staff's willingness to accommodate requests, such as preparing rooms quickly for early arrivals or assisting with late check-ins. They are often described as attentive and resourceful in addressing issues. However, some guests reported less positive interactions, including slow check-ins when the front desk was busy, perceived unenthusiastic customer service, or unhelpful responses regarding specific requests like moving furniture. There were also isolated incidents of difficulty processing card payments or issues with providing change, which caused minor inconveniences for some.

Additional Information
Guests should be aware of certain operational aspects that impact their stay. A notable point of contention for some is the deposit policy, where a $100 deposit is required upon check-in, which some guests found unusual and experienced delays in receiving refunds. The housekeeping frequency is not daily, and some guests were not informed of this policy, leading to unexpected situations. The official check-in time is 4:00 PM, which is considered late by some. While the hotel aims to be accommodating, guests with specific needs, such as those requiring accessible rooms, should confirm details directly as some found the designated rooms to be less adapted than expected or were assigned rooms on the second floor despite mobility issues.