3 Best Hotels in Side Trips from Montreal, Quebec

On a bank of the Ottawa River, with its own marina, this grand log-built hotel provides rustic luxury, local flavor, beautiful grounds, great views, and heaps of activities—no wonder it's an annual family destination for many well-heeled Canadians. Every window seems positioned to offer a fine vista, especially in the restaurants, where the menu makes good use of locally sourced ingredients. Some 10,000 red cedar logs went into the construction of the main building, centered on a six-sided stone fireplace. Kids are especially well entertained, with pinball, pools, water sports, mountain bikes, a mini cinema, and even a race track for remote-control cars.

The centerpiece of the Tremblant resort area takes its cues from the grand 19th-century railroad "castle hotels" scattered throughout Canada. The 22-year-old hotel features wood paneling, copper and wrought-iron details, stained glass, and a gorgeous three-sided stone fireplace in the renovated lobby and bar area, which is furnished with sleek Danish-inspired furniture and treetop side tables. During ski season, guests on the Gold Floor receive complimentary breakfast and evening appetizers. Skiers can zoom off the mountain right into the ground-level Ricochet Café and Terrasse, near the full-service spa. The vegan creations at Restaurant Choux Gras are especially noteworthy.

Ofuro Station Zen offers a Japanese-inspired thermotherapy experience starting at C$65. The spa features saunas, steam rooms, hot and cold baths, and several relaxation areas set in a forested environment. The spa provides massage and body treatments, as well as accommodation in on-site suites, each of their 5 rooms featuring a queen-size bed, television, telephone, whirlpool bath, and fireplace. Continental breakfast and spa access are included with every stay. Silence is encouraged throughout the facility to maintain a peaceful atmosphere. There is a small bistro on site, and guests have access to hiking trails in the surrounding area.