Lac Morency
Oct 13th, 2007, 11:31 AM
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Lac Morency
We are looking at Geo Group at Lac Morency,St. Hippolyte next June. Appreciate any comments from anyone who has stayed there or in area.
We need a passport to fly to Canada now , right?
Thanks!
We need a passport to fly to Canada now , right?
Thanks!
Jan 4th, 2008, 04:10 PM
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We stayed for a weekend in 2005 and overall enjoyed it. Our room was brand new (just built), very clean and well appointed.
The beach is small, but you can rent canoes and the lake is ideal for even novice canoeists. You can also rent mountain bikes and (I think?) ATVs. There is one tennis court in reasonable condition. Some of the main lodge facilities (rec room with pool table etc.) were a bit run down although functional.
The restaurant is excellent, although pricey (you can book including meals, or separate I believe) - their Caesar salad is made at table and one of the best I have ever had. Other food was imaginative and very well presented.
The spa was pretty new when we went, and my husband and I both had nice massages, atmosphere was good. Prices comparable to other spas.
A few comments overall to watch out for. The resort is built on a hill, and we were in the newest section which is right up at the top - a bit of a stiff walk if you are not prepared (or in high heels....!). Also a long way if you got down to the bottom and forgot something! When we were there this area was still undergoing construction so the surroundings at the top were a bit cluttered and there was evidence of building (piles of gravel etc.) - they may be finished by now, and there were no noise problems. The larger cottage or suite type units are down at the bottom of the hill, and are central for tennis courts etc.
The other thing to realize is that there are no other restaurants or anything around the Auberge - so unless you make a considerable excursion, you are staying there on site for all meals etc. for your stay. I think that some of the accommodations have kitchen facilities, however.
For a couple looking for multiple diversions you will find it a bit quiet. If you have young children then it looked to us like a good place to go, or if you are looking for a quiet stay on a nice lake in beautiful surroundings.
Hope this helps - as I said we were only there for a weekend, but if you have any other questions I can try and remember something relevant.
The beach is small, but you can rent canoes and the lake is ideal for even novice canoeists. You can also rent mountain bikes and (I think?) ATVs. There is one tennis court in reasonable condition. Some of the main lodge facilities (rec room with pool table etc.) were a bit run down although functional.
The restaurant is excellent, although pricey (you can book including meals, or separate I believe) - their Caesar salad is made at table and one of the best I have ever had. Other food was imaginative and very well presented.
The spa was pretty new when we went, and my husband and I both had nice massages, atmosphere was good. Prices comparable to other spas.
A few comments overall to watch out for. The resort is built on a hill, and we were in the newest section which is right up at the top - a bit of a stiff walk if you are not prepared (or in high heels....!). Also a long way if you got down to the bottom and forgot something! When we were there this area was still undergoing construction so the surroundings at the top were a bit cluttered and there was evidence of building (piles of gravel etc.) - they may be finished by now, and there were no noise problems. The larger cottage or suite type units are down at the bottom of the hill, and are central for tennis courts etc.
The other thing to realize is that there are no other restaurants or anything around the Auberge - so unless you make a considerable excursion, you are staying there on site for all meals etc. for your stay. I think that some of the accommodations have kitchen facilities, however.
For a couple looking for multiple diversions you will find it a bit quiet. If you have young children then it looked to us like a good place to go, or if you are looking for a quiet stay on a nice lake in beautiful surroundings.
Hope this helps - as I said we were only there for a weekend, but if you have any other questions I can try and remember something relevant.
Jan 5th, 2008, 11:59 AM
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Thanks so much, nkh!
Yes, we are coming from the States
We will have a 1 BR with a kitchen - not that I plan to do much cooking , but thanks for the info regarding it being somewhat secluded.
Do you recall a grocery store for basics in the area? St Hippolyte- is there anything there?
What should we expect for weather in early June? Hope to do some hiking , biking etc. and day trips to Quebec City and Montreal.
Yes, we are coming from the States
We will have a 1 BR with a kitchen - not that I plan to do much cooking , but thanks for the info regarding it being somewhat secluded.
Do you recall a grocery store for basics in the area? St Hippolyte- is there anything there?
What should we expect for weather in early June? Hope to do some hiking , biking etc. and day trips to Quebec City and Montreal.
Jan 6th, 2008, 04:06 PM
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If you have one of the kitchen sets, you should be at the bottom of the hill (or closer to it!), so easy access to facilities. Having a kitchen also would make at least breakfast and lunch convenient to prepare (including packing a lunch to hike).
I cant remember anything more than a small convenience store right in the vicinity, and am now doubting even that recollection. It seemed to us from what we saw and the staff said (re: other restaurants etc.) that St. Hippolyte was a series of private cottages around the rest of the lake as opposed to a town or village (of course I could be wrong.... maybe we just came in the "back way" but there was nowhere else obvious to come from, or go to).
Are you flying and renting a car, or driving all the way? The drive from Montreal was only about 90 minutes in good traffic - therefore you could easily pick up even refrigeratable (is that a word?!) supplies on the way through without having them spoil by the time you got there.
I presume the owners of the cottages buy groceries somewhere of course, but it is possible that it is 30 minutes away, or they all shop before leaving home? The Auberge can probably tell you the closest store if you don't pick up supplies en route.
Weather in June should be pretty reasonable, but it all depends, perhaps others have more accurate experiences!
Based on Ontario at the same time, think variable. You may be able to swim comfortably since it could be very hot (25 celsius plus - sorry cant do farenheit) and you may spend the entire time in shorts. The lake is small so would heat up pretty quickly for the summer. Alternatively, it may be cold enough to need a fairly heavy sweater at least at night (possibly down to 10 celsius or so)(or both!!!)
Bring layers and a variety of clothes - convertible pants may be a good option for light packing if you want to do shorts and pants easily. The restaurant can be dressed up for a bit if you want. I cant remember if they actually had a no jeans rule, but most people seemed to wear nice casual clothes.
One thing you might want to check, or someone else might know - in Ontario, June is blackfly season. If this is also true in Quebec, buy insect repellent and keep your room doors and windows closed, at least the screens! You probably need to by repellant after arrival if flying, since airline rules with liquids are now stricter and it may be confiscated.
Long-winded reply, but hopefully contains some useful info for you
I cant remember anything more than a small convenience store right in the vicinity, and am now doubting even that recollection. It seemed to us from what we saw and the staff said (re: other restaurants etc.) that St. Hippolyte was a series of private cottages around the rest of the lake as opposed to a town or village (of course I could be wrong.... maybe we just came in the "back way" but there was nowhere else obvious to come from, or go to).
Are you flying and renting a car, or driving all the way? The drive from Montreal was only about 90 minutes in good traffic - therefore you could easily pick up even refrigeratable (is that a word?!) supplies on the way through without having them spoil by the time you got there.
I presume the owners of the cottages buy groceries somewhere of course, but it is possible that it is 30 minutes away, or they all shop before leaving home? The Auberge can probably tell you the closest store if you don't pick up supplies en route.
Weather in June should be pretty reasonable, but it all depends, perhaps others have more accurate experiences!
Based on Ontario at the same time, think variable. You may be able to swim comfortably since it could be very hot (25 celsius plus - sorry cant do farenheit) and you may spend the entire time in shorts. The lake is small so would heat up pretty quickly for the summer. Alternatively, it may be cold enough to need a fairly heavy sweater at least at night (possibly down to 10 celsius or so)(or both!!!)
Bring layers and a variety of clothes - convertible pants may be a good option for light packing if you want to do shorts and pants easily. The restaurant can be dressed up for a bit if you want. I cant remember if they actually had a no jeans rule, but most people seemed to wear nice casual clothes.
One thing you might want to check, or someone else might know - in Ontario, June is blackfly season. If this is also true in Quebec, buy insect repellent and keep your room doors and windows closed, at least the screens! You probably need to by repellant after arrival if flying, since airline rules with liquids are now stricter and it may be confiscated.
Long-winded reply, but hopefully contains some useful info for you
May 3rd, 2008, 05:37 AM
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Our trip is approaching quickly!
We do not speak French ,but will have a phrase book. As we will be mainly not in major cities will we have a difficult time communicating?
What about a good map? I'm concerned about reading road signs...
Thanks!
We do not speak French ,but will have a phrase book. As we will be mainly not in major cities will we have a difficult time communicating?
What about a good map? I'm concerned about reading road signs...
Thanks!
May 7th, 2008, 03:41 PM
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At the resort the staff will speak English, probably you will find some people who can speak at least some English most of the places you visit. However, sometimes they do not want to speak English, especially if you seem to demand that they do (if you see what I mean....like expecting everyone in France to speak English, which is kind of unreasonable!).
I have never had any problems when I use my approach - I always at least try to speak French first (my French is reasonable), and smile nicely, and if it is beyond my abilities I apologise before switching to English!
Generally if you are polite, try to use a phrasebook and say things like "I am sorry I don't speak French, can you help me....." you will be fine.
A good map would be a good idea - you can probably pick one up at a gas station or bookstore. Pick one you are comfortable with (they will all be pretty decent). Some of the signs were a bit tricky to read as we went past but we didnt have a huge problem.
I have never had any problems when I use my approach - I always at least try to speak French first (my French is reasonable), and smile nicely, and if it is beyond my abilities I apologise before switching to English!
Generally if you are polite, try to use a phrasebook and say things like "I am sorry I don't speak French, can you help me....." you will be fine.
A good map would be a good idea - you can probably pick one up at a gas station or bookstore. Pick one you are comfortable with (they will all be pretty decent). Some of the signs were a bit tricky to read as we went past but we didnt have a huge problem.
