Manoir Hovey

"Set the scene for us: What's this place like?This white clapboard country hotel on the shore of Lake Massawippi looks like something out of a New England novel, with its green shutters and large balconies that overlook a rolling flower garden. Sounds cute! Who else is shacking up there?People from Montreal come here for a little hit of country. The fine dining at Le Hatley restaurant draws crowds, too, and the rooms of this Relais & Châteaux hotel are cozy to the max, with feather duvets, French doors, and views of the lake. Got it. How was check in, and the service more broadly? The excellent staff will happily schlep your luggage to your room—either in the original main house, which dates back to 1900, or in one of the new cabins, where you'll have a more private experience. Terrific. Now, onto the good stuff: Tell us about the digs.From your own private cabin (complete with a jetted tub), you'll feel like you're on your own in the woods, with nothing to do but relax, breathe in the fresh air, and take in the view of Lake Massawippi. That is, until you feel like a little civilization, at which point you can walk the 100 feet to the main house and order a glass of Burgundy by the fireplace in the stylish Tap Room pub, or enjoy a four-course tasting menu at the award-winning restaurant. In summer, you can also wander around the kitchen's garden and the flower patches. I can already picture myself in my own private cabin...How about the little things, like the mini bar, or the toiletries? Anything you're still marveling over, or want to shout out?The lush beds are covered with down pillows, which, when paired with the quiet of the woods and perhaps a delicious nightcap from the pub, will lull you into a deep snooze. Sounds divine. Now, about the room service and food: What can we expect?Manoir Hovey's restaurant, Le Hatley, is a destination in itself, even for Montrealers who deem the two-hour drive a small price to pay. The seasonal menus from chef Francis Wolf, a native to this area who trained with Alain Ducasse and Daniel Boulud, among others, offer just enough surprising molecular-style techniques and outlandish flavors and textures to tickle the mind and palate, without distracting from the basic ingredients, many of which are grown onsite. Take the delicate scallop boudin, which is served with local chanterelle mushrooms, garlic scapes, and fennel from the kitchen garden, and sea lettuce from Gaspésie. Anything else we should know about the property?There's a heated pool nestled amid a rock garden, and you can take stand-up paddleboards out onto the lake. Fabulous. Bottom line: Is it worth it to book a stay here, and why?Manoir Hovey, a luxury Relais & Châteaux property in a lush, beautiful area of Québec, is a great place to see nature without experiencing any loss of comfort. That said, if you're the hiking type, you'll find great trails near the hotel and within the nearby village of North Hatley." - Isa Tousignant