The story:

We arrived at the hotel around midnight. Room 303. Grab stuff, including bikes, up to the room, and the key cards don't work. Certainly not a big issue; one common to hotels of all stars and strips.

The front desk makes us new keys. Back up to the room, keys still don't work. At first they don't register in the lock and then the lock is returning a red "negative" light. However, we hear the click of the lock and the door can be opened. So we do.

We open the door to a couple asleep in their room. Panic-striken (as I would be) they rush up to close the door. We apologize and head back to the front desk.

Now, if you ask me, and since I'm reviewing here (and you're reading) we'll pretend you have asked, I firmly believe that giving guests the keys to a room that's already occupied and the current occupants are asleep in said room is one of the worst mistakes a hotel can make. I mean, sleep and security; too much to ask?

We write a note to the occupants and agree that the next morning we'd speak to the management to get that couple a free a night; I would expect nothing less if someone walked in on me.

This is why they're being rated poorly; the manager on duty indicated (very rudely) that it was "a computer glitch" and that since no one got hurt it didn't really matter. The poor front desk concierge was clearly horrified by this attitude but not in a position to do anything about it; we weren't asking for anything on our behalf but clearly such a grave offence mattered little and that, my fellow tripadvisees, is why you should avoid this hotel. Check out Quatre Temps down the road.

Oh, and the room was, as others have noted, dark and painted to cover up the age, bathrooms were well overdue for a touch-up (very old and dingy) and in the room we eventually stayed in (310) it was noisy and loud all morning we could hear chairs and doors and people and it was generally unpleasant when it came to quiet sleep time.

There are very good rooms in the hotel, and probably some better service on certain days but it all adds up to that one moment you get to do things right. In this case a bit of responsibility for their mistake would be what mattered. A major failure and not worth the chance of it happening to you.

This hotel is situated near a beautiful and quiet lake. The exterior is wonderful, the gardens are great. The service is also superb, with very nice staff and good food. However, there are some weaknesses that should be addressed quickly by the management in my opinion.

My room was very well situated, right in the middle of the hotel, with a balcony facing the pool and the lake. REALLY nice view. However, the room seems to have suffered a lot from the humid air because the wood have "worked" a lot and the bathroom door could not close properly. We had to have a staff member come open the balcony door for us for the same reason. Also, there was a sizable fissure in the upper corner of the wall.

The bed was very hard and we did not sleep too well. Every electrical things in the room, or almost, were connected to the same extension, and we had to unplug it to shut the lamp off, which was kind of weird. The room, while adequately decorated and painted, was also very small. They should think about investing in renovation.

Also, there was no store in the hotel, even at the reception. If you forget your toothbrush, get in your car and drive to the nearest drusgstore because they won't be able to accommodate you. Fortunately, the drugstore delivers.

Also, it would have been nice not to have garden workers mowing the lawn right around our beach chairs on friday morning, but I guess they have to mow the lawn eventually.

Several of the beach chairs and swings were broken.

About the spa, we tried to book an appointment but there was no place until the next wednesday. They are also advertising the services of a beautician, but they do not have one on staff anymore.

Finally, we went to Quebec city from Montreal in train and had to take a taxi from the train station to the hotel, which cost us 45$. They should think about investing in some kind of shuttle or bus for tourist with no cars.

Besides all these little things, I strongly recommend the place.

Our trip was for a long weekend with two small children, the best part was the infrastructure of the hotel, very nice little beach with lots of activities, nice outdoor pool for kids, service and care by staff good - food was very average but the view from the hotel restaurant is great. The setting is amazing, restful weekend guaranteed!

It says it was a 4 stars hotel. I would give it a three and a half star. But still a very good value. The view on the lake was great. The food was OK.. I love to go to Lac Beauport for outdoor activities and you are at only 20 minutes from Old Quebec city. So all things considered, i really liked my stay at Manoir St-Castin.