This year, we chose the Esterel Resort in the Laurentians mountains to have our annual romantic getaway. September was the best time for us to get that alone time: it is the month of our wedding anniversary, and we thought the landscape would be even more breathtaking since the trees would have started changing colors. And we chose right!
Our weekend getaway at the Esterel Resort was beyond our expectations! Here’s why ;)
Traveling during the Covid-19 pandemic, we were curious about how the resort would manage the situation. I have to say they did so brilliantly! On arrival, everyone is getting their body temperature checked very easily with the help of a tablet. We only had to place our face in front of it, and voilà! Also, everyone is very respectful and friendly, wearing a warm smile under their mask. Finally, all tables we ate at were beforehand disinfected with an ultraviolet-C (UVC) lamp. It was very reassuring!
Our suite had a large balcony, where we could relax and enjoy the sunrise over the lake. We also had a two-faced fireplace, separating the bedroom from the living room, a super comfortable king-size bed, and a deep bath that opened up to the master bed. It was perfect for our romantic weekend! We also had a functional kitchen and a lot of storage place. My little black dress didn’t get all wrinkled 😉
Stays at the Esterel Resort can either be à-la-carte, or all-inclusive. There aren’t a lot of all-inclusive hotels in Quebec, Canada. The Esterel Resort is definitely a top choice!
We had the chance to enjoy a 6-course tasting menu, along with a food and wine pairing experience. If you are an epicurean, you HAVE to experience this level of gastronomy. The tastes, the fragrances, the textures, along with the breathtaking view of nature at its best… there is no word to describe how unique and exquisite this experience was. The best we ever had, by far, that’s for sure!
Another superb experience we had was to visit The Bistro À Champlain wine cellar, which is a real Canadian treasure. The cellar has almost 20 000 bottles and more than 2775 references! François, the sommelier, is passionate and has so many very interesting stories to tell! The visit and wine tasting at the cellar was one of the highlights of our weekend. We had an outstanding romantic moment, tasting fancy wine on the pier!
The Rok is also a fantastic and unique restaurant! They served our choice of meat or seafood or else half-cooked, and we ourselves finish the cooking on 1000 oC heated black stone. My giant scallops and shrimps combo was finder-licking!
Finally, the Chais58 Restaurant offers dishes to share, made of ultra-fresh ingredients, and food and alcohol pairing. Yummy!
Of course, massages and spas are also very relaxing lol! We could find at the Esterel Resort the Amerispa, as well as the Lido Thermal: there are several hot tubs, a polar bath and shower, a dry sauna, a steam sauna (hammam), and a barrel sauna directly by the lake, on top of two heated outdoor pools.
We had the chance to hike the gorgeous colorful forest and kayak the superb Lake Dupuis. We also had the option of having fun on a paddleboard, pedal boat, biking, and canoeing. There is also a golf course right beside the Resort, and the guests can rent a pontoon boat, which must be very fun if you are spending the weekend with friends or family!
We definitely think the Esterel Resort is the best place for your romantic getaway if you want to relax, have fun, eat the most delicious food and drink the ultimate wines!
