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As I mentioned in my introductory blog I’m also doing my own Google Maps of our trips i.e. so far of Canada and Morocco. For those who aren’t familiar with this, in Google Maps you can mark your travel itinerary together with your comments on hotels, restaurants etc. Here are the links:

Canada

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This really perfectly situated hotel (by the lake, due to a bay you have access to the water on two sides) is very nice to look at (probably an ancient manor) and has all the infrastructure to be a top hotel.

Unfortunately, there are some issues ruining the somewhat good impression.

First, we were forced to carry our package ourselves to the lobby as there was no concierge and this wasn’t that easy because there were everywhere steps when entering the building (not handicapped accessible at all).

Second, our room (luxury king bed) had a nice (small) balcony



to the lake but otherwise was very rustic (everything in a dreary brown). It wasn’t spacious and to our surprise had neither a safe nor a minibar! The bathroom was rather small, had no separate shower but a much too big jacuzzi tub.

Third, we had dinner there twice. While the second dinner was quite good, the first one wasn’t to our satisfaction. The risotto of my main course was completely overcooked and the trio of my creme brulee consisted of three equal ones instead of three different ones (my husband had the same dessert on the following day and then you could distinguish the trio without any problems). We complained but received only succinct comments! Also in the pub adjacent to the restaurant we were ignored until we attracted attention to ourselves, not the way it is supposed to be.

All in all, I wouldn’t recommend this hotel in the vicinity of Montreal for a trip to the country side. In addition to the mentioned drawbacks it is also very expensive!

Date of stay: July 2009

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It’s the first time for our family staying at a B&B, normally we prefer to go to hotels but as there wasn’t a hotel in Kingston that suited us we went for the Frontenac Club.

Considering the stay it was like at a hotel. We chose the Sandburg Suite and this accommodation had all the amenities we are used to: a very big living room, a bedroom with a comfortable bed and a spacious bathroom.

The B&B is located very well for exploring Kingston (a few steps to the center) but there was some noise from passing cars. Breakfast was good but we missed some pastries.



In summary, I can recommend Frontenac Club if you are looking for a fine accommodation in Kingston.

Date of stay: July 2009

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Bartlett Lodge is situated in Algonquin Park and there you can only reach it by boat (only a few minutes from the parking lot). For the first time during our trip through Eastern Canada we had the feeling to sense the real Canada!



There was a main building where the meals were taking place and where you could find a living room. Accommodation consisted of several cabins (mostly right by the lake). Ours was called „Sunrise“, one of the newer ones.



There was one bigger room (for my husband and me) and one very small room (for our teenage son). The cabin’s furniture was rather simple but the building was kept very clean. There was also a wood stove where you could do your own fire and also a patio. Near the main building there was a pier



where you could lend (for free) different boats, canoes a.s.o.



We were very satisfied as far as the meals were concerned. We especially liked having dinner there! They served a five-course-meal at an (unexpected) high level gourmet wise. But don’t forget to bring your own wine as they are not licensed to serve alcohol (as all the lodges in Algonquin Park).

We enjoyed our stay at Bartlett Lodge as we had the chance to experience the true Canadian feelings there but be aware of the fact that staying there is quite expensive especially as you are clearly expected to tip on the total amount of the stay.

Date of stay: July 2008

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Hotel Quintessence is located at the outskirts of the village of Mont Tremblant right by the lake. There are only suites in this hotel, and they are quite a find: very spacious, well appointed, all with balcony to the lake.



In addition, you find there a restaurant serving good breakfasts and excellent dinners. The clientele seems to be rather well-heeled considering the cars parking near the entrance of the hotel.

There was only one experience that worsened the good impression. We wanted to have a nightcap in the bar but nobody was there to serve us besides a cook (Chef?) on a bar stool talking to customer and/or friend. But he failed to pay attention to us (e.g. calling a bartender) so we had to leave the bar without having a drink, that’s not the way we are used to be treated in an establishment like this.



Apart from that, we enjoyed the stay in this fabulous place.

Date of stay: July 2009

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Dominion 1912 is a fine boutique hotel in the old town of Quebec. It is centrally located, modernly furnished and has kind, competent employees.



We had a Superior Deluxe Room for our family (with one teen) on the upper floor with a view to the river and the city. It was quite large with a comfortable bed and a spacious bathroom, everything really fancy, we liked it very much.

Also included in the rate was a continental breakfast that was nice but the area around the buffet was rather crowded (a lot of business travelers).

Overall, it was a very pleasant stay in this hotel!

Date of stay: July 2009

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Le Manoir Richelieu is really one hell of an estate, it is majestically located above the St. Lawrence river and surrounded by lots of gardens with walking trails, very beautiful!

It offers all the features one can expect of a hotel of this class although it leaves a somewhat strange impression. The employees are very kind, they treat you friendly and talks to you a lot, this can’t be reason for this impression. But maybe it can be found in the clientele? First, the majority of the guests are elderly people, I don’t mind them of course but when you have the impression being in a home for the aged then it doesn’t feel like vacation. Second, there are quite a lot of people you wouldn’t expect in such a hotel meaning simple folks. I suppose this has something to do with the adjacent casino, maybe some special offers for visitors of this establishment?



Our room, a Richelieu Deluxe St. Laurent, was okay, recently refurbished but nothing fancy. We didn’t have dinner here so I can’t comment on the food. We had breakfast included but would’t recommend it because it wasn’t a great experience (unpleasant restaurant, crowded, very noisy).

Albeit we would return to this hotel when visiting Charlevoix again as there are not many adequate alternatives.

Date of stay: July 2009

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Hotel Nelligan is situated right in the middle of old Montreal meaning some noise from partying people but of course the hotel is equipped with a good air-condition so it doesn’t really matter.



It’s conveniently located for a sightseeing trip and there are a lot of restaurants in the vicinity. There is also a restaurant called Verses in the hotel that we visited and considered as good.

We booked a Corner Deluxe Suite for our family (one teen) but were upgraded to a penthouse suite, really great (two bedrooms, a living room,

two bathrooms and a big terrace),


all modernly furnished with walls made of red bricks. In the evening a glass of wine, bread and cheese are included in the price, the same with the continental breakfast that we enjoyed (very good croissants and muffins).

I recommend Hotel Nelligan without the slightest reservation for a trip to Montreal.

Date of stay: July 2009

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