Fairmont Tremblant The Montrealer June 1, 2012 8576 Imagine an all-season resort that lets you shake loose from your daily routines from the moment you enter; transporting you to a world of luxury and attentive service. Fairmont Tremblant is all of that; and has built a reputation of meeting and exceeding guest expectations. Located in the heart of the magical recreation of a European alpine village, Fairmont Tremblant is just steps away from the restaurants, shops and activities that have made Tremblant one of North America’s most popular tourist destinations; and the #1 ranking in Eastern Canada. All this just 90 minutes north of Montreal. The majestic Mont Tremblant is the highest peak in Eastern Canada, and ever since Joe Ryan developed the mountain as a ski centre, it has taken on a legendary status. Fairmont Tremblant opened in 1996 as part of the re-development of the village at the foot of the mountain. With 314 rooms and suites, Fairmont Tremblant is the largest structure of the quaint European-style village nestled at the foot of Mont Tremblant. Arizona – chic is perhaps the best way to describe the resort’s elegant décor. The lobby lounge fireplace surrounded by comfortable oversized armchairs. Rustic armchairs, sofas and coffee tables blend in with an eclectic collection of large furniture pieces that may have come from a tony city mansion. The muted and warm colours of ochre, yellow and soft desert pinks provide a pleasant contrast to the winter snow and the vibrant summer greens outside. The Nansen Lounge overlooks the village and the lower mountain slope; and is a favourite spot for a late afternoon cocktail and casual dinner. We enjoyed a relaxing dinner as the setting sun added a touch of gold to the scene. I’m on a mission to sample the cheeseburgers in all Fairmont properties, and I’m happy to report that Fairmont Tremblant burger is in the top category. The menu also offers mussels & French fries, steak, wings, club sandwiches; all delivered by a friendly wait staff. Breakfast and dinner are served in the elegant Windigo Dining Room, which has a selection of 300+ wines. The Fairmont policy of offering fresh produce from local producers is followed here. “Our chefs visit the local farmers and ask how we can bring them onboard as local suppliers,” commented Natalie Johnson during our tour of the resort. “We purchase organic and sustainable food products for our kitchens.” Saturday night features a special Surf ‘n’ Turf buffet in addition to the Windigo A-la-Carte menu. In addition to Prime Rib and a half lobster, diners also have a choice of Alaskan King Crab, jumbo shrimp, scallops (prepared to you individual taste), fresh oysters, Sushi, baby back ribs, chicken and much more… Dessert was another culinary extravaganza. One of our fellow guests commented; “We come up from Montreal twice a year for a little ‘timeout’ here at this resort – and we always make sure that we reserve for this Surf n Turf buffet.” He added, “We recommended Fairmont Tremblant to friends from Switzerland; and they stayed here for a week this past winter, even though they initially planned only to stay a few days.” Mother Nature is just on the other side of Windigo’s floor-to-ceiling windows. Our waiter recounted how a mother deer brought her two fawns to graze on the lawns mere feet from the windows. While management can’t guarantee wildlife sightings; you never know…it could happen. Fairmont Tremblant offers guests a full range of activities and services for all seasons. In addition to a fully equipped fitness centre, team room and sauna; there is a heated indoor pool and adjacent hot tub, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the base of the mountain. Situated to capture the sun all day, the heated outdoor pool and pool-sized hot tub are open year ‘round. The popular Amerispa offers a wide range of rejuvenating treatments. Located adjacent to the fitness centre, the ski valet service enables guests to collect their equipment and head out directly to the mountain – the only hotel to offer ski-in-ski-out service. It’s a beehive of friendly activity as skiers enjoy a morning coffee and brioche before hitting the slopes. During the lazy days of summer – the outdoor pool, lounge chairs, poolside bar and grill may be as far as you need to go for a little R ‘n’ R. During the summer, there is a shuttle to the nearby beach where guests can enjoy a full range of waterfront sports. During the summer months, there are activities for the whole family just a few steps away in the village. It’s a great place for toddlers to teenagers. The gondola ride to the summit is a must. You can hike down a selection of trails – or enjoy the panoramic view as you descend in the gondola. Fairmont Tremblant is affiliated with the championship Le Diable golf course and its companion, Le Géant, a traditional mountain course that is very popular with couples. Golf packages are available through the resort. The spacious and comfortably appointed 314 guest rooms and suites are fully equipped with high speed internet, flat screen TVs with video game capabilities, coffee makers, and in-room safes. All rooms have terrific views, whether of the mountain or surrounding countryside and Lac Tremblant. One bedroom suites have full kitchen facilities and are popular with families. “Our Fairmont Gold signature service on the 7th floor is like an intimate boutique hotel within the main hotel,” comments our host Natalie. “Our Fairmont Gold guests have a separate check-in, a private lounge overlooking the mountain and Tremblant Village, complimentary breakfast, an honour bar, and concierge services. All of the Fairmont Gold rooms are equipped with four poster canopy beds, Hudson Bay blankets and elegant furnishings. We have many repeat guests, and you can see that they enjoy being greeted by name.” As we’ve noticed in other Fairmont Resorts, many of the employees have been with the company for a long time, illustrating why Fairmont is one of the Top 100 Employers in Canada. This is an important factor in the hospitality business; where guest satisfaction is directly linked to the service offered by the hotel staff. From the moment we checked-in; we received warm and courteous service. Fairmont Tremblant is a lovely resort located at the edge of Eastern Canada’s top-rated vacation destination – Station Mont Tremblant. With skiing in the winter months and outstanding golf in the spring, summer and fall; plus a host of other recreational, sports and cultural activities make Fairmont Tremblant an ideal holiday experience for families and couples. Without exaggeration, there is something for everyone. For reservations and to learn about special packages, please visit: www.fairmont.com/tremblant or call: 819-681-7000 Bon Voyage! Fairmont Tremblant meetings and celebrations Fairmont Tremblant has meeting and event space to accommodate corporate meetings, family reunions and weddings of up to 500 participants. With meeting rooms on three floors in the convention centre and an additional three elegant rooms in the main hotel, event and meeting organizers have a vast selection of main and breakout rooms to choose from. On site sound and projection systems are available. “We’ve had wedding ceremonies our here on the Sountana III Terrasse” comments our guide; “and then the wedding party went inside for the reception. It was a beautiful setting for the wedding and reception. Most of the guests stayed here at the hotel. Whether you are planning an event for 20 or 500 people, the folks at Fairmont Tremblant will ensure that Mont Tremblant’s unique location and the resort services of Fairmont Tremblant combine to make yours a truly memorable event.
