Quebec City’s Spas Treat Mind & Body: Chateau Bonne Entente and Siberian Day Spas

Story and Photos By Rachel Rome

Quebec City’s 400th anniversary, recalling its founding by French explorer Samuel de Champlain, will be celebrated July 3, 2008. Exciting events are being planned so mark your calendar. For now, spa enthusiasts can enjoy city history after visiting two unique area spas – one a day spa in the woods, the other, an upscale destination spa in the ‘burbs. Quebec City is a festive spot all year round, from the summer New France Festival, to the annual marching band contest, to the renowned Quebec City Winter Carnival.
For spa goers, I recommend two exceptional spas – Le Chateau
Bonne Entente, a destination spa, and the Siberia Station Spa, a day
Spa. For a spa vacation, I spent a few days at a renowned destination spa for a total spa experience. Then, after spending a few days sightseeing in Quebec City, I relaxed at the Siberia Station Spa. This delightful Scandinavian-style full- service day spa is set in the” great outdoors”, with a burbling stream rushing through it. I put on my bathing suit and quickly discovered the healthy benefits of alternating hot and
cold treatments. The Siberia Station Spa is set in a bucolic area
close to the city center, and boasts hot spas, a Yurt tent, cold-water baths,saunas, steam baths, thermal falls and massages and a super-friendly staff. I enjoyed an hour-and-a-half Californian massage and just got back in the hot tub after my lunch and felt as if I’d been away for a week.

For a luxury destination spa, try exclusive Le Chateau Bonne Entente, a five-star resort hotel and spa. Amerispa, the Canadian leader in the luxury spa industry, pampers guests at the 5,800 square-foot Le Chateau Bonne Entente spa. I enjoyed a facial and stone massage while there after touring the historic city for a few days.

Twenty-two rooms are available for massage —- including relaxation, aromatherapy, sports and four hands. Popular treatments include the maple-sugar body scrub and algae, mud or clay wraps. Facials, manicures and pedicures are offered, too. Maple-leaf exfoliation restores smoothness and elasticity to the skin. Basalt stone is used for another energizing signature treatment. Guests can end a spa treatment in the outdoor hot tub or swimming pool. Chef Marie-Chantel Lepage and staff cook gourmet meals for both hotel restaurants. The outdoor Napa Grill, featuring casual food, is next to the swimming pool. The more formal indoor Monte Cristo Resto Lounge, features French nouvelle cuisine with and an international wine list, has a classy modern décor.

Le Chateau is only 15 minutes from the Quebec airport and 20 minutes from downtown Quebec City. A recent $10,000,000 renovation and expansion increased rooms 120 guest rooms, 45 suites and 15 meeting rooms. Another $6,000,000 project in 2005 added Urbania, 28 luxury suites with private VIP lounge. I stayed in Urbania for three days, and received a glass of champagne at registration. In Summer 2006, rooms were $129 to $375 (Canadian), plus tax. Le Chateau is affiliated with the Leading Hotels of the World organization. For more information, visit www.chateaubonneentente.com; for reservations, call 1-800-463-4390.

Back in Quebec City, tourists enjoy festivities and special events year round. For one example, in August the New France Festival in Quebec City is a great event to attend. Festive folks wear 17th century costumes, including tri-corner hats, skirts, vests and capes to recall the 1608 French settlers who founded Quebec City on the St. Lawrence River. In winter, the Quebec Carnival includes ice sculpture, ice-skating and other winter activities.

Quebec cuisine is scrumptious. Local sightseeing highlights include visiting and eating at the regal Fairmont Le Château Frontenac, which is 310 steps up from the river. An enclosed funicular also chugs up the steep slope for $1.50 per ride. The lower-level entrance is in the Louis-Jolliet House in the Quartier Petit Champlain. This historic pedestrian-only lane is lined with boutiques, galleries and cafes in 17th- and 18th-century stone buildings.

Breakfast at Le Cochon Dingue, an authentic Quebec institution, is a don't-miss treat. Dinner in Les Voutes du Cavour, a historical home, typical of New France architecture, features food and entertainment of this era. Enjoy the river and city views with a cruise on The M/V Louis Jolliet -- it offers dinner and lunch cruises.

After one breakfast at Hotel 71, I met my delightful city guide, Michelle Demers (418) 580-6662, from Québec City Tourism. Michelle escorted me on a sightseeing tour. We strolled Old Québec's narrow history filled streets and toured historic houses by the St. Lawrence River. "UNESCO has named Québec City a World Heritage Treasure because of its unique architectural and historical value -- the city is considered the cradle of French civilization in North America," said Michelle.

Then we drove to other highlights, including the Montmorency Falls.
We drove to Parc de la Chute-Montmorency, where the falls are one and a half time higher than Niagara Falls and one of the most beautiful waterfalls in North America. Riding the cable car to the top, we looked out over the St. Lawrence River and nearby islands, and strolled to the belvedere and bridge over the falls. Later that day, I used the Quebec City Passport to about 20 local museums and attractions including the Old Port of Quebec Interpretation Center; the National Historic Site, the Citadel; the Quebec Experience Multi Media, the Musee du Fort, the Observatory de La Capital, and the Museum of Civilization, which was just across the narrow lane from my Hotel 71.

That night I stepped out the back door of my hotel and walked across
the pedestrian lane to Restaurant Toast for dinner. At the Toast, Michelle and I dined in the outdoor terrace in the back of the restaurant, enjoying a warm and trendy décor. The menu is inspired by flavours from around the
globe.

I stayed at the new Hotel 71, at 71 Rue Saint-Pierre, phone (418) 692-1171 or 1 888 692-1171. Opened a short time, the Hotel 71–Café 71 is in a renovated XIX century building, with 40 rooms and suites, contemporary ambience and décor and a wonderful staff. Located in an antique and art gallery area a few blocks from Place Royale, the hotel’s a block from the St. Lawrence River and the Marché du Vieux-Port. The Marche, a tradition dating back 300 years, is the farmer’s market and a reminder of the days of barter between city dwellers and country folk. Growers bring in fresh produce daily, including maple products, flowers, berries, vegetables and cheese. The Hotel 71 serves a full breakfast buffet, including cappuccino, coffee or espresso. Visit www.hotel71.ca for more information.

For more information on Quebec Region and City, and festivals, visit www.quebecregion.com, or call Quebec City and Area Tourism -- 418-522-3511. Air Canada, www.aircanada.com flies to Quebec City, as does Delta, non-stop, in the summer. French is the official language but most residents speak English.