Nestled in the picturesque Charlevoix region, Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu offers a luxurious escape surrounded by mountains, forests, and the stunning St. Lawrence River. This historic French-chateau style hotel, built in the late 19th century, is just 90 minutes from Quebec City and provides a peaceful getaway with a wide range of amenities. We drove from Montreal and it took approximately 4.5 hours, but that includes driving nice and slow through some of the beautiful towns and enjoying a long lunch 🙂
The chateau has just turned 125 years and it is a phenomenal structure and worthy of a visit just to see the building. Located perched over a cliff, the building looks like something out of a Hollywood movie. The hotel’s interior is a stunning blend of chateau elegance and modern comfort. The grand lobby, with its soaring ceilings and massive chandeliers, creates a sense of awe and grandeur. The walls are just covered with exquisite artwork, and the furnishings are a mix of antique and contemporary pieces that seamlessly blend together. There are pictures everywhere of G7 conventions and other heads of state that have been lucky enough to stay here.
The hotel’s public spaces are just as impressive as the lobby. The library is a cozy retreat with comfortable armchairs and a vast collection of books. The bar is a lively spot to enjoy a cocktail and mingle with other guests. And the restaurant offers panoramic views of the St. Lawrence River and delicious cuisine that celebrates the region’s culinary heritage. A great spot is the balcony where you can enjoy an outdoor breakfast or evening sundowner cocktail.
The guest rooms and suites at Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu are equally luxurious. Each room is individually decorated with a unique blend of colors and textures. The furnishings are comfortable and inviting, and the bathrooms are spacious and well-appointed. Many rooms offer stunning views of the river or the surrounding mountains. Our room was a joining room which allowed us to connect to our family. It was facing the casino but also gave us a river view and the sunrise. Each room had a lounge, TV and own bathroom areas.
One of the most popular spots in summertime is the outdoor swimming pool and spa. Located near the activities area, it is a large area with seating for all and a great place to enjoy the sun. If the sun is not for you, there is an indoor pool with a jacuzzi next to it. The hotel also has a steam room so it is ready for anyone to relax. If you are a bit more active, the activities centre has a large range of sporting and outdoor equipment for you. We saw the mimi golf clubs and just had to have a go at them, but they also have bikes, balls, and kites.
The mini golf is not a usual setup. This is the most challenging mini golf course we have faced and cetainly will test people of all abilities. It has an incredible view, overlooking the river and the chateau itself and it was fun for hours. The Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu also has two tennis courts and Basketball nets
One of the signature features of the hotel is its connection to the casino. Literally 20m door to door, the casino is a great place to put on a little bet, grab a meal or watch a live event. In fact, many people stay at the hotel just for the casino which is a great idea. There are several food options at the casino and a good little bite if you have missed the hotels dining times.
There is certainly no shortage of evening activities with the most popular being the campfire. With many local artists coming in and playing songs well into the evening, the fireplace serves as a great place to hang out and enjoy. They even provide some marshmallows for the kids (and some of the adults) to roast by the fire. This is also the place to grab a drink from the bar and watch the sun go down over the ocean, a perfect backdrop to relax. If you are not into campfires, the lobby area of the hotel is a great place to enjoy the night. With a few dining options and bars, live music is also up here so it is a good place to sip on a strong drink and enjoy on one of the comfy couches
One of the clear highlights for us was the access to the incredible golf course that is linked to the hotel. The hotel takes your clubs and sets them up so you are ready to go for the next day tee off. With walking up one set of stairs you are quickly at the marshaling area where your buggy is waiting. The drive to the club house is a long one, but it is full of views and a really great way to view the course before the tee off.
The practice area at Richelieu is one of the most beautiful we have seen. With 12 bays available, you get to look out to the ocean while you get to hit your irons with thousands of golf balls. It is one of the best warm-up spots we have ever seen and you can be there for as long as you need before you start. The golf course has 3×9 holes so you mix it up in several different ways on different days. The first hole of the St Laurent course (next to the clubhouse) is possibly the best opening hole we have ever played on. With a view for miles, make sure you get a shot here.
More about our golf course review will be coming up in another golf article shortly 🙂
This would have to go down as one of our favorite Canada stays as it has luxury, nature, activities, golf and extras that will keep you occupied for days. Book a car from Montreal and go and check it out!
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