I discovered the Eastern Townships last Fall, as my husband and I went on a day excursion from Montreal to the breathtaking region. The leaves had just turned to a million marvelous shades of warm yellow, soft orange, fiery red and brown tones; I gazed at the absolutely picturesque landscape in awe as we drove by, silently vowing to return and stay a little longer in the area.
March break seemed like the perfect opportunity to return to the Eastern Townships for a couple days. – I was so over the cold, couldn’t fathom being in a big City anymore, and much needed a luxury, quiet and cozy getaway in the countryside. – Lucky for me, one of Canada’s most reputable five star hotels, the Hovey Manor, was in the charming village of North Hatley, in the Eastern Townships and that’s where we decided to retreat.
As we arrived, we were given a quick tour of the beautiful hotel that was built as a summer home in 1900, by a rich businessman from Atlanta.
A feeling of relaxation immediately enveloped me as we entered the cozy library, where couples and families had gathered to either enjoy a cup of coffee by the large fireplace, play board games, read a book from the impressive collection (that still carries books from 1900), or simply marvel at the view of Lake Massawippi from the glass windows. The stress of work and everyday life instantly left my body and mind and I assuredly knew from that point on that I was about to live a unique and extraordinary experience.
We proceeded to visit the beautiful garden and I secretly wished the weather had been warmer so my husband and I could sit there and enjoy the view around a glass of wine.
The last step of our guided tour took us to our breathtaking room: The Massawippi Suite. My jaw dropped on the floor when I saw the huge balcony with a view on the lake. The room was luminous, spacious, and tastefully decorated. The marble bathroom was a dream and I was eager to slide in a bubble bath later that night.
Around 8:30 pm, we headed to Le Hatley, the hotel’s reputable restaurant, where we had a fantastic dinner. The ambiance was romantic, the food was exquisite and the experience was flawless from beginning to end. Service was impeccable, quick and very professional.
When we returned to our suite afterwards, a kind awaited on our bed, wishing us good night, with two dark chocolates on the side.
Although it was freezing, we decided to take a breath of fresh air on the balcony and we silently observed two deers peacefully walking in the garden, in awe… what a magical way to end a day.
The next morning we had coffee on the balcony, before going to have breakfast. The sun was shining brightly and the weather was warmer. I savored the chocolate that was left on our bed the night before and truly felt like I was on heaven on earth.
The breakfast formula at the Hovey Manor is unique: there is a buffet for cold foods and an à la carte menu for hot meals. I absolutely loved the buffet: there were lots of healthy options, pastries, smoothies, fruits, cheeses, cold meats. The hot menu was fantastic too: I had eggs, (delicious home made) ham and potatoes.
We loved the hotel so much, we told my husband’s parents to book a room and join us for our second night there. It truly was a relaxing, magical and unforgettable experience. The Hovey Manor is the ideal place for a cozy and luxurious getaway for couples, friends and families.
