Stonehaven Relais & Spa
By Margaret Swaine
Few hotels are exalted enough to be called divine, but Stonehaven Relais & Spa comes close to heaven for a few reasons. Built in the early 1900s as a private residence, it spent most of its life as a monastery for the Oblate fathers. The fathers clearly knew how to pick a godly location. It’s on 425 gorgeous, tranquil acres overlooking Lac des Sables near Ste. Agathe. The silence and peace of the place, far from traffic and city bustle, soothes the soul. For earthy pleasures there are outdoor hot baths, a multitude of spa treatments and fine dining overlooking the lake.
Stonehaven started its life as the country mansion of Douglas Lorne McGibbon who made his fortune from the rubber industry. It took over 200 workers and five years to complete McGibbon’s haven of stones in 1909. Modeled after properties found in Scotland, it had gardens, water purification systems, guesthouses, stables, a henhouse and a vegetable cellar. The Oblate fathers took ownership in 1933, preserving much of the original infrastructure while adapting it to their needs. Its newest owners, Yves and Andrée Langlois reopened it as a hotel and spa in October of 2004 spending close to $9 million on renovations. Stones were salvaged from a fireplace found on the land, materials matching originals were used, the cable molding that decorated the ceilings was restored and the formal gardens were reborn.
The 30 hotel rooms are charming albeit the smallest are quite snug. Six have original wood-burning fireplaces. I booked a two-bed room as I was sharing with a girlfriend. An unusual L shape, its sloped ceilings outlined its end of the wing under the roof location, but the overall space was large and its windows peaked onto the lake. The beds were sumptuous with goose feather duvets and soft down pillows. We both had the blessed deep sleep normally reserved for babies or the dead.
Aspects of the spa are unique. The 16 treatment rooms are the former monk’s quarters, many with great views and their own private bathrooms. When I had the spa’s signature ‘maple scrub’ and wrap, I requested the window drapes be left open to fully enjoy the sun streaming in. The smell of the maple sugar filled the room, reminding me of childhood days at sugar shacks in spring. Another divine experience. The spa offers a full line of services including Swedish, Thai and Shiatsu massages, body wraps, hydrotherapies, facials, waxing, manicures and pedicures. On the top floor of the building is a large, window wrapped solarium and relaxation room. It’s perfect for lounging before and after treatments while sipping on hot tea, mineral water or munching the fruits available for the taking.
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The resort’s restaurant Granité is part of Quebec’s “Gourmet” trail. Chef Marc Vinet from Ottawa was a gold medalist at the1996 Culinary Arts Show in the city and he uses mostly local, organic produce. Chef Vinet refined his talents at Centro restaurant in Toronto, Ottawa’s National Art Centre and other places, even preparing meals for the Governor General and 24 Sussex. Appetizers currently on the menu include rabbit/wild mushroom terrine and organic bison carpaccio and for mains pan-seared Quebec lamb medallion with melted goat cheese and pavé of wild elk. I found chef Vinet to be a tad timid on the seasonings for my preference but great on the cooking technique, top notch ingredients and presentation. The wine list included some Quebec wines as well as good international choices.
The Laurentians is a perfect place for winter activities. On the resort site itself are over 25 kilometres of marked trails for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. A half hour drive north is the best alpine skiing in eastern Canada at Mont Tremblant. Opening end of December at Mont Tremblant Resort this winter is a unique lounge: The N’Ice Club. This Ice Hotel Québec-Canada realization, will give visitors an original way to enjoy après-ski “on the rocks”. Made entirely of snow and ice, the 4200 square foot arched structure will require 1600 tons of snow and 100 tons of ice. Also close to Stonehaven are other down-hill ski resorts, each with their own charms. Nearby Ste. Agathe is a pretty town with a selection of good restaurants. You may, however, find this refuge so sublime you don’t want to leave the fold.
If YOU GO Where: It’s two hours drive from Ottawa along easy highways and some rural roads or 45 minutes north of Montreal. At 40 chemin du Lac des Sables, Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts, Laurentians, Quebec. Cost: Lodging with breakfast starts at $69 based on double occupancy. The five course table d’hôte dinner is $42.95 per person. Eternity Packages (accommodation, one breakfast, one five-course dinner, one spa treatment and access to the baths) start at $199 per person per night. A special New Year’s Eve package is available at $320 per person. Contacts: Phone toll free 1-866-333-7777 or 819-324-1200. Email: reservations@stonehavenrelaisspa.com Website: www.StonehavenRelaisSpa.com
It’s a four star certified member of the newly formed 17 property Spa Relais Santé of Quebec website: www.spasrelaissante.com Toll free phone: 1-800-788-7594
The Laurentians: www.Laurentides.com Tremblant Region: https://www.mont-tremblant.ca/en