We're looking at taking a foliage trip to Quebec, in October. I like the looks of 3 inns in/near North Hatley: Manoir Hovey, Ripple Cove and Auberge Hatley. I was surprised to find that Hovey is quite a bit less expensive than the other two. Can anyone compare them? Are the restaurants roughly equal? how about the amenities?

if you haven't stayed at more than one of these, I'd still be interested in opinions about them.

thanks!

chinacat, I bumped into my next door neighbor last night and she was just returning from a few days in the townships; I asked her about the 3 hotels. She stayed at Ripplecove and loved it; she said it attracts a younger crowd. She said that Hovey is getting a bit tired looking, still good but has not been refreshed in a bit. Hatley is excellent but attracts a more traditional kind of clientele; it is a Relais & Chateau member so the quality is always there.

I'll go and look at the websites myself; it's been years since I've been tothe townships; I would be inclined to try Ripplecove just before labor day.

thanks, mitchdesj. I'm leaning towards Ripplecove, but the prices are more than double Hovey. Economy rooms are $330 Canadian, versus $145 at Hovey. For luxury rooms, Hovey is $260 and Ripplecove $460. I'm just trying to understand the difference. size of rooms? quality of furnishings? both include meals, is the food better at RC?

China cat, the Hovey Manor rates are per person per day--thus, I imagine, the discrepancy between H.M. and Ripplecove. Don't know the latter from staying there but it has an excellent reputation.

We do know Hovey Manor, having stayed there many times, the last being last fall. If it's a "bit tired looking" damned if I know how that tiredness manifests itself. The lodgings are superb, the service is first-class and the food is better than Auberge Hatley. The setting is nonpareil. Clients are a mixed bag from middle-aged and older wealthy Americans and Canadians to young affluent internationals. Money is the common denominator. Sounds bad, but we love it.

DES

thanks DES,
I knew I had to be missing something. that explains it.