Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu – magic moments in a Winter Wonderland

Famous for summer holidays and its magnificent golf course, Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu offers a similar kind of magical quality for winter holidays; where guests stay in a castle and dine like royalty after an invigorating day of outdoor activities

Dog sledding through the woods is
a memorable experience

Overlooking the mighty St. Lawrence River in the picturesque Charlevoix region of Quebec, the Fairmont Manoir Richelieu Resort has the majestic appearance of a castle, its stone walls, turrets and green-peaked copper roofs rising above the shoreline cliff.

On entering this historic property, we quickly came to appreciate that “Le Manoir” is full marks for its 5 Star status – one of a handful of Fairmont properties to have achieved such a high international ranking. With the first snowfalls, the resort becomes the focal point of a Winter Wonderland; with a wide variety of indoor and outdoor activities for couples and families. The resort offers an extensive range of on-site activities, nearby cross-country and downhill ski centres; and is especially suited for multi-generational holidays. (Summer brings a different menu of pastimes; including a championship 27 hole golf course.) Guests enjoy the finest of winter holiday experiences by day; and exquisite 4 Diamond cuisine to create memorable nights.

Enjoy the cozy ambiance of a deluxe room

Snowshoe to the ‘top of the world’ at the
on-site golf course

The resort has 405 rooms and suites spread out over 5 floors and offering garden views or spectacular panoramas of the St. Lawrence. The 10 Jacuzzi rooms facing the river have proven to be immensely popular following the recent renovation of the first floor rooms.

The guest rooms have contemporary colour schemes, king, queen, or two double beds, HD TV and HD signals, wireless internet, coffee makers and all the conveniences that Fairmont refers to as their 24 Guest Essentials. “While we have all the means to keep you connected – a visit to Le Manoir Richelieu is a chance to turn off your iPhone.” noted Sales & Marketing Director Caroline Ouellette during our tour of the resort that covers 210 acres.

Skiers have the option of taking a free shuttle service to Mont Grand-Fonds with 14 slopes, 3 glades trails and a Snowpark for snowboarders. It’s an ideal family ski centre with moderate rates and family packages. Cross country enthusiasts have a selection of 160 km of trails, plus 5 km of skating trails.

Ice fishing

There are 4 warming huts where skiers can cozy up to the fireplace and enjoy a snack before continuing through the winter wonderland. For more advanced skiers, Quebec’s ultimate skiing experience at Le Massif (highest vertical drop in Eastern Canada at 750+ metres) is within a comfortable distance. Special packages that include accommodation and lift tickets are available.

There are two outdoor ice rinks, one for pick-up hockey and another skating oval directly in front of the hotel. Sleigh rides of 15 – 20 minutes are complimentary, and those of longer duration into the village of La Malbaie are available at a modest $15 hourly.

The Sports Centre includes a fitness centre and
an indoor salt-water pool

If you’ve never tried ice fishing – this is your chance. The folks at Fairmont will even cut the hole in the ice for you. Another guest favourite is dog-sledding, an activity located about twenty minutes from the resort. Our host says that it’s a wonderful experience; “As you travel through the woods – the only sound you hear is the breathing of the dogs ahead of you – pulling the sled. Our guests tell us that this is one of their favourite Fairmont Moments.” Wintertime is a great occasion to try new activities and perhaps renew your acquaintance with a pair of skates.

Let yourself relax in the heated outdoor pool

The Multi-Sports Centre includes a fully equipped Spa with 13 treatment rooms, saunas, exercise facilities with floor-to-ceiling panorama windows, an indoor saltwater pool and… la pièce de résistance… two outdoor heated pools open all year! The patio stones leading to the pool are heated; and we thoroughly enjoyed our evening swim in early December. With the steam rising off the water and fairy lights twinkling on the snow-covered ground – this was a special memory in the making.

Fine dining is a key ingredient for a successful vacation, and Executive Chef Pierre-Laurence Valton-Simard and his staff maintain the Le Manoir Richelieu’s Four Diamond status of culinary excellence, led by the resort’s signature restaurant, Le Charlevoix.

Fairmont Hotels and Resorts have a policy of using local suppliers which includes contracting and purchasing produce from local farmers. Le Manoir Richelieu is situated near 32 farms within a 50 km radius; and they provide everything from fresh vegetables to meats – all produced organically.

Le Charlevoix is a favourite for gourmet dining

Guests enjoy meals prepared with fresh ingredients; and the local producers have a solid and reliable customer. Beef, veal, pork, lamb, rabbit, and emu are all produced locally.

With floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the St. Lawrence, the intimate Le Charlevoix offers gourmet cuisine in a romantic and elegant decor. In addition to a selection of A-la-Carte items that include beef, fish, fowl, and vegetarian dishes, Le Charlevoix is rightfully proud of their four and five course “Degustation” menus.

Diners have the option of wine-pairings offered by the knowledgeable staff, who can also guide your wine selection for the A-la-Carte menu. Dinner at Le Charlevoix is an ‘occasion’ and we recommend that you enjoy a romantic evening of fine dining and impeccable service. (If you’re travelling with children – the resort offers a moderately priced babysitting service.)

Other restaurant options include Le Saint-Laurent, a French brasserie-style dining room with a selection of salads, sea food, fresh fish, and grilled meats. With a decor in soft pinks and turquoise, there is a distinctly “French” flair to this elegant room overlooking the river.

Table & Terroir offers casual dining, including a hearty breakfast buffet that will set you up nicely for the day’s activities. Located on the Terrace level, the glass walls and atrium open to the vista of the St. Lawrence, the clear blue sky and that famous Charlevoix ‘light’ reflecting off the river.

Fairmont was the first major hotel operator in North America to initiate environmentally conscious and sustainable practices. National Geographic Traveller described the Fairmont initiative as “the most complete environmental program in the North American hotel sector.”

Le Casino de Charlevoix is located just across from the hotel’s main entrance; and is accessible by an underground passageway if you’ve had enough fresh air.

The core of Le Manoir’s business is getaway and family vacations; and the entire staff are trained and motivated to make your stay a special event. Whenever we visit a Fairmont resort, we note that a significant number of the staff have worked there for many years – often decades. The same holds true at Le Manoir Richelieu.

Perhaps it’s not surprising that Fairmont has been voted one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers for the tenth consecutive year. After all, it’s the wait staff, spa technicians and other resort staff who make a holiday a memorable event, and it follows that a happy staff will have satisfied guests.

We can heartily recommend Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu for a getaway or full winter vacation.

Winter Packages

There are several winter packages available, including skiing at Mont Grand Fonds, another at Le Massif, and an excellent-value Winter Family Fun Package that starts at just $229 per night for a family of 2 adults and 2 children under 18. It includes: accommodation in a Fairmont room for 2 adults and 2 children, one family movie rental in the room, popcorn and juice delivered to the room, choice of rental equipment for ice-fishing, snowshoeing, or skating per day, access to the Multi-Sport Centre, skating rink and indoor/outdoor pools, a 50% rebate off the regular rate on a second room or a second night.

Enjoy an abundance of onsite and nearby
snowmobile trails

For snowmobile enthusiasts, the Charlevoix region has the most number of snowmobile trails in North America, and Le Manoir Richelieu has developed appealing packages for snowmobile enthusiasts. Guests can also rent machines, clothing, helmets, and everything needed for a great day out on the trails. Rentals are available by the hour, half day, or one, two and three day periods.

Snowmobile Package Includes:

• Overnight accommodations
• Full buffet breakfast for two people
• One draft beer per adult
• Secure, heated, indoor snowmobile parking (maximum of two snowmobiles per room)
• $199/night Sunday through Thursday; $279/night Friday & Saturday until March 15

TRAVEL PLANNER
Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu is located on the North Shore of the St Lawrence, just outside the village of La Malbaie, about 90 minutes from Quebec City and a four hour drive from Montreal.

For reservations at Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu, please call: 418-665-3703 or online: www.fairmont.com/richelieu