Club Med Quebec, the first-ever all-inclusive Canadian mountain resort, which opened in early December following months of anticipation, is already redefining the concept of a luxury ski resort. As Club Med’s first foray into Canada, Club Med Quebec is a four-season resort set on 300 acres. This 4-trident (Club Med lingo for 4-star) property is located in Eastern Canada's Le Massif de Charlevoix region, one of four Québec reserves in the UNESCO Canadian network.
Enveloped by the shadow of the sprawling Le Massif Mountain and overlooking the mighty St. Lawrence River, Club Med Quebec is also positioned in a culturally-rich area of Canada. Quebec City, with its storied history and European antiquities, can be paired with a resort stay for an extended holiday. And even though it’s a mere 90 minutes from Quebec City and 225 from Montreal, this resort's isolation is its strength.
Club Med Quebec can arrange transfers for an additional fee (or packages can be purchased with flights and transfers included). Guests also can drive themselves to the resort but should be aware that the curvy roads can be dicey, especially in winter.
Public Areas: The principal architecture and interiors of the resort were designed by Quebec City-based architectural firm Lemaymichaud. Although the newness of Clube Med Quebec is striking, the team worked tirelessly to weave Québecois elements throughout the entire property. In fact, they created a quilt to replicate the region’s feel and used this as a metric for the whole project (it’s now on display in the resort's main lobby). This quilt showcases Lemaymichaud’s careful curation and innovative elements. For example, Quebec’s distinct four-season colors—mahogany, yellow, dark blue, and forest green—are woven throughout the entire resort.
This ode to Quebec's traditions is also integrated through the resort's materials, texture and shapes. There are also accents and elements of the region, such as hanging canoes and grand fireplaces reflecting the region.
The central heart of the resort is the fifth-floor Bar Le Météore. This animated, multifunctional space serves as a lounge with stunning views of the ski hill during daylight hours and a bar and performance space as evening sets in. Right outside the bar area and at the base of the ski hill sits a spacious courtyard, which is used throughout all seasons for outdoor events and parties.
Accommodations: While there is variety in the range and sizes of accommodations at Club Med Quebec, the commonality between all 302 rooms is their spaciousness and local accents. All rooms include separate toilets, a hairdryer, a magnifying mirror, locally-produced amenities, vanity towel sinks and a heated towel rail. In addition, each room comes with a television and Wi-Fi is free and fast throughout the entire property.
Guests looking for five-star luxury can stay in one of the resort’s 25 Exclusive Collection Suites. Each of these suites is a caliber above, with access to private welcome lounges, a dedicated ski room, and an Exclusive Collection Space with a cozy fireplace, panoramic views of the river, round-the-clock concierge service, and a private terrace with a whirlpool. Additional perks include an in-room mini-bar refilled daily, room service, bar and evening champagne service, and high-end toiletries.
Dining: Club Med Quebec not only prides itself on its gastronomic offerings, but celebrates regional heritage with Canadian and French classic menus. As an all-inclusive resort, there is always something to munch on, even outside traditional meal hours. The resort puts the emphasis on farm-to-table dining and the vast majority of ingredients are sourced locally within Canada. In fact, almost 30 percent of the ingredients are sourced from within 62 miles of the resort.
Le Chalet is the gourmet lounge option, and guests should experience it at least once during their stay. With decor and vibes best described as an intimate, cozy chalet, this à la carte table service restaurant is the most upscale of the offerings. The dark colors of the restaurant beautifully juxtapose with the views of the St. Lawrence river below. Menu items include locally-sourced regional specialties like cheeses, fondues, meats and desserts rich in history (and calories) such as the Quebec sugar pie, a traditional French Canadian pie with a smooth, rich, creamy filling.
Le Marché is the resort's main restaurant where guests have most of their meals. This gourmet marketplace includes a mix of local and international selections served buffet style. Seating is spread across five dining rooms, each with techniques that incorporate natural elements inspired by the region's gastronomic history.
Terroir & Co. is the ultimate family restaurant, ideal for children and parents to share a meal after a busy day. It has local Quebecois flair, with fondues and raclettes made with local cheeses. Children will love decorating cookies for dessert.
Pool & Spa: Club Med Quebec's spacious indoor pool area is embedded in the natural surroundings. The 25-yard pool (the largest of any Club Med mountain resort) is surrounded by grand glass windows that create space and merge indoors and outdoors. The area's forest-themed décor further extends the natural-element theme. The pool is ideal for swimming laps or lazing post a day outdoors.
Speaking of relaxing, the multiple hammocks lining the pool's glass wall have some of the best views on property extending far out past the St. Lawrence river. The accompanying shallow pool is optimal for younger children to stay safe while practicing strokes.
The resort's lavish spa is reminiscent of a Scandinavian retreat, with wood paneling and a calming atmosphere throughout. While the hotel has a variety of treatments available, the resort prides itself on its Digi-esthétique, an exclusive massage method offering a magical escape from everyday routine.
With seven single treatment rooms and one couples treatment room, guests can select from an extensive menu of services and packages, including therapies ranging from 30 minutes to five days. A la carte treatments are available for booking here.
Outdoor Jacuzzis and hot tubs not only provide panoramic views of the natural surroundings, but are a welcome respite from sore muscles after a day on the slopes. Tired skiers will also enjoy indulging in the spa's unique Cold and Hot Therapy program, which involves a hot jacuzzi and sauna treatments, followed by a 10- to 15-second cold therapy in either snow with a cold shower, and resting periods on the terrace in between. The fitness room is comprehensive, with both strength and cardio machines. The resort's yoga and meditation room hosts over 35 hours of yoga and guided meditation classes weekly.
Activities: The variety of included activities is key to the Club Med experience, and this four-season Quebec property is no different. Winter in the mountains invites guests to join in on guided walking and hiking trips (at both beginning and intermediate levels), a snowboarding school and an alpine ski school.
One of the benefits of being "all-inclusive" means that ski lessons are at no-extra cost for adventure aficionados, from four-year-olds to adults. And the resort's ski-in/ski-out slope access from the main building makes taking the whole family skiing more manageable.
Non-skiers will delight in the natural landscape and curated activities, including hiking, Nordic walking, snowmobiling, dog sledding, snowshoeing, ice skating, ice fishing. They can even enjoy a 7.5-kilometer traditional luge run, the longest in Quebec.
During summer, autumn and spring guests are invited to explore the surrounding nature, with guided mountain hikes and treks, a mountain biking school with all-level classes, and naturalist programs. The resort's pristine 20 kilometers of hiking, running, and biking paths through fresh and varied landscapes make for an epic outdoor gym. The St. Lawrence river provides opportunities to kayak, swim or even raft on hot days.
Like all of Club Med’s properties, Club Med Quebec wants guests to immerse themselves in the surrounding area's natural and cultural wonders offsite on ancillary excursions all year. Intrepid explorers may want to explore the extraordinary natural wonders of the region, including the Saguenay Fjord, especially prominent for whale watching.
The resort organizes day trips for guests to better understand the storied French-Canadian history of Quebec City. It also facilitates shorter visits to quaint neighboring Quebecois towns such as Île d'Orléans and Baie-Saint-Paul, which rank among Canada's cultural capitals.
Rates: The average rate at Club Med Quebec is $314 (U.S.) per person per night.
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