Hotels in Rimouski (and vicinity), Quebec

Rimouski Hotels

The small, friendly city of Rimouski dates back to the late 17th century, with a strong nautical history which echoes through today. Set on the sparkling St. Lawrence River, the city is charming and unique, with lots of boutiques and chic French restaurants to be found in the downtown area. Rimouski is a large seaport and an important business center, with huge ships coming into the harbor on a regular basis.

Things to see

The Pointe-au-Père Maritime Historic Site allows you to learn all about life at sea, whether it's onboard an early 20th century passenger ship, or on a modern vessel. The centerpiece is a fully restored submarine, one of the first to be on display in Canada, where you can explore the technology, navigation systems, and crew quarters where 70 people lived and worked. Close-by you'll find the Pointe-au-Père Lighthouse, one of the tallest in the country, and you'll be able to learn how the tower was built, as well as touring charming sights such as the lightkeeper's cottage from the early 1900s. The Rimouski Regional Museum is set in a converted, stone clad church, which provides an excellent backdrop for local history exhibits, classic and contemporary art, and a wide range of touring exhibitions from around Canada. In pleasant weather, the Reford Gardens provide an oasis of calm from city life, with several individual gardens and walks surrounded by rare floral species. From the Blue Poppy Glade where horticulturalist Elsie Reford unveiled her rare creation, to Azalea Walk full of colorful, delicate flowers, there are many amazing specimens to see. The gardens are also host to one of the world's leading annual garden festivals, with creative exhibits from designers around the globe.

Hotels in Rimouski

There's a great selection of affordable hotels in Rimouski, with most properties offering 2 to 3 star accommodation. You'll find comfortable accommodation that's a great base when you want to go sightseeing, with most properties offering free WiFi, complimentary parking, and breakfasts available to get you on your way. Many Rimouski hotels also offer health clubs, business centers, swimming pools, and restaurants onsite, just steps from your room, to make your vacation planning easier. You'll often find 24 hour front desks, with staff fluent in French and English, and tour, ticket, and concierge services to help you explore the area.

Where to stay

Downtown Rimouski has a mixture of old and new architecture, with the city dating back to the late 17th century. The area is full of unique boutiques, busy cafés, and authentic French restaurants with a Canadian twist. Rimouski also has a charming boardwalk area, where you can take long strolls and enjoy the sunset, as well as find restaurants with terraces to enjoy the sea views. Just south of the city, the small coastal town of Saint-Fabien is worth a visit for fishing or as an escape from everyday life. You'll see cute clapboard homes set on the seafront, and can enjoy taking hikes through the lush national park land that surrounds the town.

How to get to Rimouski

Jean Lesage International Airport in Québec City is about a 4 hour drive away from Rimouski, and this hub is well connected to the rest of Canada, with domestic flights to Montreal, Toronto, and other major cities. There are also direct flights to the USA including New York, Chicago, and Philadelphia. If you'd rather not drive, then you can take a bus from the airport to the center of Québec City, then pick up the Orléans Express bus service which runs between Québec's major cities. The journey between the 2 cities takes just under 5 hours, and you can book online in advance to be guaranteed a ticket. Rimouski railway station also has a small number of Via Rail services that can get you to Halifax, Gaspé, or Montreal, with many stops along the way.