Motel Giffard

The Motel Giffard was perhaps the most memorable stay on our week’s tour though the province of Quebec. With the pungent tang of “le toilet” and the earthy aroma of the cozy room itself, the resting place reeked of its history as a simple lodge for decades of intrepid travelers. The place had a number of authentic touches that one simply does not find at chain motels, such as duct tape on the window air conditioner and an unusual blue tarp covering the historic swimming pool site. Gone were the trappings of cookie cutter corporate lodging: The ice and vending machines, coffee in the lobby, etc. This is not to say the Motel Giffard does not give a thoughtful nod to modern amenities, however. To wit, the WiFi was great when one stood outside the wall of the room housing the router. Of course, the neighborhood can make or break a special overnight, and here again, Motel Giffard did not disappoint. Located on a bustling merchant strip, its neighbors include not only a scrappy greenspace but also a diverse array of merchants, including an auto repair garage, print shop, and car wash which, taken together, offer an authentic cross section of everyday Quebec life. The Motel Giffard cost us just over CAN$100 per night, all in, for a room with one bed. A good value? One grows through such experiences, and who could put a price tag on that?