Travelling Sushi: Charlevoix

Showing posts with label Charlevoix. Show all posts

Monday, February 23, 2015

Hotel La Ferme Review, Le Massif de Charlevoix, Baie Saint Paul, Quebec

The Bottom Line

A delightful gem away from the city bustle.

Rating: 9/10

Overview

Address: 50 rue de la Ferme, Baie-Saint-Paul, Quebec. G3Z 0G2
Website: http://www.lemassif.com/en/hotel/
Recommended visit: can easily spend half a day here with a spa visit

Hotel La Ferme

Hotel La Ferme is a unique 150 room hotel located in the Charlevoix region. Isolated and tucked away from the city, this hotel will surely carve a special place in your heart. I say unique because from the exterior, you will never guess that this is a hotel. I originally thought this is some sort of learning institution, a college or a school maybe.

Original toilet sign

Outdoor Spa

Unlike other resorts, this complex comprises of several small buildings (hence the collage misconception). This is designed to foster a sense of openness and community.

A ski destination, the hotel has a direct train line that takes you up to the mountains. there is also an outdoor skating rink for guests, as well as an outdoor spa.

Sunday, February 22, 2015

Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu Review, La Malbaie, Quebec

Bottom Line

I love, love, love this place. It's a bit far out of the way, but if I have a week's vacation, I would make this trek and stay at this beautiful resort.

Rating: 9/10

Overview

Address: 181 rue Richelieu, La Malbaie, Quebec. G5A 1X7
Website: Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu

Review

What a nice hidden gem! Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu is probably one of the least known Fairmont (I for one don't know of its existence until my friend told me about it), and more lovely in comparison to its more popular sister Cheauteau Frontenac in Quebec City.

We visited the Manoir during one cold winter day, and boy was it cold (-30 degrees Celcius cold). The hotel is about a 20 minutes drive from our cottage, and majestically stood on a hill overlooking the St. Lawrence River.

The beautiful ice skating rink allows guests to skate leisurely while overlooking the St.Lawrence River. There is even a small hut in the middle to allow guests to warm up those cold digits. How thoughtful!

During the summer months, guests can also hike along the various trails in the region.

Adjacent to the hotel is a casino, as well as a sports centre for the active ones. This is a beautiful hotel, and I wish we got the chance to stay here for a night.

Charlevoix Cottage Review, Quebec

Overview

We rented a cottage out at Charlevoix region. It was a bit of a treacherous drive from Quebec City, with lots of winding roads and steep slopes. I would not recommend when there is snow, and make sure you have snow tires.

Once we got there, the region is breathtakingly beautiful. Unlike in View Quebec City, tourists were few, and has a genuine Quebec feel.

We went grocery shopping on our way to the cottage, and cooked for the next few days. I definitely recommend going off the beaten path and visiting Charlevoix. I would love to return here during the summer months to see the difference.

The Drive

From Quebec CIty, the Charlevoix region is about a 1.5 - 2 hour drive east of Quebec City. Again, please ensure you have snow tires if taking this trek in the winter, and avoid driving during snow if possible. Some of the winding roads have a slope of 17 degrees. Safety first! I can imagine this being a beautiful drive in the summer however.