Hotel Appalaches Lodge Spa

Located in Saint-Paul-de-Montminy, an hour south-east of Quebec City. The village is not accessible by foot unless you start very early. Basically, you are isolated in nature, far from any shops, internet cafes or any other of society's temptations.

If you wish to prepare meals in the chalets, you will need to reserve all 6 rooms of the chalet!

The main wooden building, built completely of wood, has a pointed roof surrounded by bay windows, under which the lounge, restaurant and cafe are all located. This room is a delightful place in which to sit, opening as it does onto a big terrace that overlooks the swimming pool, whirlpool bath and Scandinavian bath. Downstairs are the spa, with resting rooms, hammam and massage rooms. The various pools can be reached from here.
The other buildings comprise 7 chalets of 6 rooms each, spread out in the forest. The hotel also has a small shack where picnics are organised during excursions, an activities centre which hires out snowmobiles and other equipment and, a bit further from the main building, the kennel where about 100 dogs bark from morning till night to the delight of dog-sleigh enthusiasts.
As regards activities, there are dog sleighs, snowmobiles, snowshoes and rubber ring sledges with ski lifts, as well as the spa centre with its swimming pool, sauna, hammam and Scandinavian baths.

There are 48 rooms divided between 7 chalets, each with two floors. In front of these chalets, there is a pile of logs for the upstairs fireplace and a spade in case of a heavy snowfall.
The temperature in the rooms is set to 18° for your arrival; don't forget to increase it or you will be freezing! The rooms are very simple, made of wood throughout, with decor reminiscent of a holiday camp: two double beds, a chest of drawers, a wardrobe and an alarm clock. The bedding is not great, but if you like fat pillows you will be comfortable enough.
As for the appliances, there is neither a television nor a telephone! The bathrooms have a mini-bath, a few products like shampoo, soap and body lotion, and a thermostat to set the temperature (23° is ideal!)
Each chalet has communal areas with a table, sofa, kitchen (that you can use only if you reserve the entire chalet) and stove. This all overlooks a terrace covered with snow in winter.

Meals are buffets served in the big hall that opens onto a terrace and is decorated with black and white photos of mountain scenes. The full breakfast is ideal for sport enthusiasts: very good croissants, fresh fruit, and very light American coffee (if you really need your espresso, it will cost you $2.50). As is often the case in north America, you are much better off taking your time over breakfast than dinner. Indeed, lunch and dinner are self-service meals and are nothing to write home about. You get to choose from a few starters, three main courses and various desserts. All the drinks must be bought and are very expensive. An aperitif will set you back at least $5, with coffee costing $2.50.