We so enjoyed our trip to Montreal, this past summer, we decided to do it again, just a few short months later.
Montreal and it’s surrounding area is a mecca for family fun, all while providing top notch cuisine, chic shopping, and luxury accommodations with European touches here and there.
With my husband’s birthday only weeks away, I found myself racking my brain for ideas. We had recently had a mild argument about vacation and what it means to each of us. Me being a beach babe, it’s sun, sand and beach… always! He, not so much.
He mentioned skiing and I sneered at the idea. To me, there is nothing remotely vactionesque, about skiing! Being active and carrying equipment all over the place with 2 kids in tow and frigid temperatures, equals misery! However, I thought, “if it were a birthday present, it technically would not be a vacation budgeted for, but a gift for my one true love.”
Memories came flooding back… I had attempted this once before in our early stages of dating and it did not go over so well. There were a number of things that went wrong, which included family dilemmas, female hormones and too close for comfort accommodations. We’ll leave it at that! Anyway, I thought it would be a simply lovely gesture, to not only surprise him with a ski trip, but also a redo to make things correct and try to erase that prior memory from his mind.
I headed straight to the keyboard and starting typing away… Montreal… skiing… luxury etc. Mont Tremblant is a famed ski area about 1.5 hours from Montreal. They have fabulous skiing and perfectly acceptable culinary and cocktail offerings. This is important since the likelihood of me exerting any effort, down a hill, will max out at about 1-2 hours per day. I’d imagine a cozy fire, cognac and a great book will be my host for a good portion of the days.
My son has only skied once and my daughter never. When they learned about the trip, they both seemed to want to try their hands at snowboarding! I decided I would enroll them in lessons and ski school. This would leave my hubby and I some R and R and also some time for him to hang with a good friend, who coincidentally happens to live in this happening little town.
A night in Montreal, would be a must for me. I simply couldn’t bare to pass right through, not having one meal in this great city, which shares cuisine experiences parallel to many fine cities in Europe.
My mind is now racing. And then, I am completely overwhelmed realizing I have two little New Yorkers with extremely limited snow gear. I mean it's sad. It has snowed so infrequently here, I am embarrassed to say I have had to have my kids, at times, sport some of mom's winter apparel and/or boots! He he he!
With very little time to plan, I pondered how to make this all come together with ease? L.L. bean came first to mind as a one stop shop for all things outdoors for the whole family. I stocked up on everything from thermals, mittens, jackets, neck warmers, ski socks and even ski helmets and goggles. I became fond of L.L. bean years ago, when I was made aware, all their bean boots were made in Maine... just like Soak :). They also sell other brands on the site that have production in the USA including Smith ski goggles(these will certainly be added to my holiday gift guide this November).
Then came the reservations for hotels, ski lessons and meals. I am super particular about the first and latter and so these bookends were researched thoroughly. To break up the driving, it made sense to spend the first and last nights in Montreal, with Mont Tremblant sandwiched in between.
We departed at 9:30 am after an early start hockey game in NJ, one of my son’s last. I adore long drives with my family, which always lend themselves to in depth conversations about life and love.
We arrived to Montreal in 6.25 hours, which included a rest stop break and a longer than usual pass through the border. As we entered our hotel, the Omni Mont Royal, we were greeted by a lovely fire in the hotel lobby. Let the vacation begin!
Once we checked into our room, there were cookies and other sweet delights awaiting, to acknowledge my husband’s birthday!
The room was clean and spacious and a perfectly good option for families traveling, who seek a little luxury, but don’t want to break the bank.
I had arranged dinner reservations ahead of time at L’entrecote Saint-Jean for steak frites. I figured this was a happy medium for 2 kids who had been in a car all day. I did not want to spring something too outrageous on them, when they would most likely be a little cranky and tired from the drive in. I decided to save that for our last night ;). This brasserie has a kitschy feel, but in a cool way. The only thing they have on the menu is steak frites. You can opt for the soup of the day or a salad, to pair with your meal, and there are several dessert selections to choose from for a sweet ending.
It’s a great choice and serves as a stepping stone for picky eaters with parents eager to push their kid’s culinary limitations. The profiteroles were particularly good.
After a restful sleep, we quickly packed and headed up to Mont Tremblant. The kids were super excited. We turned up to the mountain just in time to get the kids sorted with rentals and we were able to book last minute lessons, due to the helpful and efficient staff.
I registered the kids in a learn to snowboard session which would cover all the basics. They loved their instructor and as they were busy soaking it all in, my hubby and I were able to do the same.
We had 2 hours to ourselves to map out the mountain and test a few runs. I had been told the temperatures are normally in the single digits, sometimes even negative. Boy did we luck out! It was 35 degrees and that is about my threshold, so there I was, unexpectedly taking advantage until the last minute.
We picked up the kids and as we drove to our hotel, they each shared their first snowboarding experiences, eager about returning the next day. After a short drive, we checked into the Chateau Beauvallon, a rustic 4 star hotel about 5 miles from the slopes. All of their rooms are suites with fireplaces and you can book anything from a 1 to 4 bedroom with a kitchenette or full kitchen option.
The room was clean, and the bathroom was large with L’Occitane toiletries provided. I personally think rating systems on travel websites are not accurate, as 4 star means different things to different people. I would say this was more of a 3.5 star hotel, in my opinion. The bedroom was closed off from the rest of the suite, which was nice for my husband and I. This would allow for us to watch tv without disturbing the kids, rather than sit in the dark, until they fell asleep… lol… what we usually do. My only complaint was the walls were a little thin so you could overhear passerbys, which left me desiring a little more seclusion. It was fine for a short trip, but I would probably opt for a condo for an extended holiday.
We celebrated my husband’s birthday that evening at our dear friends’ ski chalet. They had generously prepared a four course celebratory dinner, with fantastic wines. We were definitely feeling the love. Being able to hang with friends for the night, while vacationing, definitely rounded out the trip nicely.
In the a.m. we rose early, enthusiastic for the day ahead. A basic breakfast was included, which was a nice touch and allowed for us to just grab something quick and go. The hotel offered a shuttle to and from the base, but we decided to drive. We headed to the mountain immediately and enrolled the kids into ski school for the entire day. And what a day it was... 35 degrees with not a cloud to be seen.
We skied, lunched, and skied some more, while the kids continued with their lessons.
The cognac and book mentioned earlier were not needed, due to the abnormally amazing weather. The natural surroundings were impeccable, offering a neon blue sky and snow-capped greenery abound, which left me thirsting for more.
By day’s end, as we arrived to pick up the kids, we were told our little ones were full-fledged snowboarding and they were both loving it! The instructor made a great point too… this in an activity siblings and/or entire families can do together. I never thought of it that way. Finally something everyone enjoys!
On our last day there, we skied with the kids on the bunny hill as they were adamant we see their new found skills and they had wanted to see ours too :).
After lunch at the base of the mountain we planned to go snow tubing, but discovered it was only scheduled for evenings. The kids were a little bummed, but were looking forward to getting back to Montreal.
For our final night, we were booked at the Ritz Carlton Montreal, the first hotel my husband and I traveled to together as a couple. I thought it would be a nice touch to pepper the trip with a little nostalgia. When we stayed there over 15 years ago, it was elegant, but nothing that blew our minds. Well, let me speak candidly… this time, it did more than wow us… it moved into our top 5 favorite hotels, and we have stayed at a lot of fine establishments!
From the second we arrived, it was pure luxury. They greeted us warmly as we arrived and immediately sent staff up to demonstrate all the features in the room from automated blinds in the bedroom to heated floors and toilet in the bathroom. There was no detail spared. The room offered a full walk in closet for luggage and the bathroom was the size of my children’s bedroom at home with a giant sunken bath tub, fit for a princess.
Special touches were placed throughout, including bath bombs, scented bubbles, pint-sized robes for the kids and welcome snacks for all. My kids begged me to take them to check out the pool, while dad went to the gym. So poor me, spent some time poolside, next to a fire, as a emailed away.
When we arrived back to the room, we were greeted with a note inviting the children to select a complimentary movie. They were instructed, when they so desired, to simply phone down and there would be popcorn, ice cream and refreshments brought up for them to enjoy, while they watched their chosen film. As they were busy perusing the options, the concierge rung up to confirm they had secured a dinner reservation at Joe Beef for us, a table I had been wait-listed for days before. This restaurant has been hailed by international chefs including David Chang and Anthony Bourdain, so it was a must try.
An amazing dining experience soon followed with smoked meat croquettes and the most heavenly foie gras... the kind only dreams are made of. Of course, the kids could have cared less, but were able to find something to suit their palette, so ultimately they survived.
And then it was back to the hotel for movie night!
The next morning we enjoyed breakfast at the hotel’s restaurant in their sun-filled back dining room. It was peaceful and the food was top notch. We didn’t want to leave, but knew we would be back much sooner than expected. We spent the morning shopping, taking full advantage of the exchange rate, before sadly heading back home.
It was the first time I did not completely feel ready to come home, after time away. Maybe it was because the trip was only a few days or maybe it was the final day of pampering that was just what the doctor ordered, which left us longing for just a little bit more. It could have even been the skiing and the whole, “being one with nature”, but do I even dare admit this? I mean what are the chances we strike gold and get another trip with sunny skies above the freezing mark... Wishful thinking!