10 Best Hotels in The Eastern Townships, Side Trips from Montreal

A local landmark since 1849, when it was first a stagecoach stop, and later a railway stop, this rustic inn is a special-occasion venue for locals and a delightful option for visitors who relish period style and good regional cuisine. Its long porch and antique looking furniture can make you feel as if you stepped back in time. Bistro Le Relais, on the first floor, serves local wines and cheeses and offers a wide range of dishes, including confit de canard (duck), all of which can be savored on the terrace during the summer months.

From its lofty perch, this delightful century-old inn has spectacular views day and night—it's within the International Dark Sky Reserve—and is less than a minute's drive from Mont Mégantic National Park and the Astrolab. Sitting at an altitude of 600 feet, within extensive landscaped gardens and 105 acres of rolling hills, the tiny B&B is also in a wildlife-rich area, including wolves, moose, and wildcats. Lovely rooms are spacious and comfortable, with queen-size beds, modern bathrooms, and interesting artwork. Suites, accommodating up to four, have private balconies. Fruit-laden breakfasts and dinner (by reservation) draw on local produce, and hikers can get a packed lunch. Reservations are essential.

Overlooking Lac Massawippi, with a private beach, this elegant retreat feels rather like a private estate, with many activities, such as tennis, boating, and bicycling, included in the room rate. Built in 1900, the manor was modeled after George Washington's Mount Vernon. Rooms have a mix of antiques and more modern furniture, richly printed fabrics, and lace trimmings; many have fireplaces and private balconies that overlook the lake. Le Hatley restaurant serves excellent Québécois cuisine that follows flavor principles, which vary according to season (e.g., the use of birch trees to make birch syrup in spring; foraged wild mushrooms, plants, and herbs in the summer; local harvests in fall; preserves in winter).  Feeling peckish? Freshly made tea and scones are available any time of day.

Among the rolling hills of the Townships and with great views of the local countryside from every room, this modern hotel is part of the Domaine Château-Bromont complex, and well priced, considering all the amenities available. The pool and whirlpool, along with its proximity to the popular Château-Bromont golf course, and some of the best ski hills in the area make this a great choice for a getaway any time of year.

The majority of rooms at this popular inn on Magog's waterfront have lake views, including some with fireplaces. The large windows overlooking the mountain-ringed Lac Memphrémagog make L'Ancrage restaurant bright and airy. The French and Mediterranean-inspired dishes served here include organic pork and veal as well as duck confit and grilled lamb. In summer you can eat outside on the terrace overlooking the lake.

The accommodations, service, and food at the Ripplecove, 11 km (7 miles) south of Magog, are good enough reason to make the detour. Bedrooms are elegant and furnished with antiques, and colorful walls nicely set off the artwork. Some rooms and suites have lake views, and there's a spa here, too, with a four-season hot tub that looks out onto the lake. The restaurant offer fine cuisine made with locally sourced ingredients. There is also a British-style tavern on-site for visitors who are looking for a more relaxed atmosphere.

Somewhat hidden away, in the Bondville section of Lac Brome, and on 112 acres of sheer bucolic splendor, is Domaine Jolivent, one of the best kept secrets in the Eastern Townships. Serene, quiet, and elegant, this heritage inn, with its variety of hiking trails, idyllic pond, spa treatments, and overall relaxed vibe, has been an ideal spot for generations of Montrealers in search of peace and rejuvenation. One could spend their entire holiday without ever leaving the grounds as, in addition to its outdoor pool and pond, Jolivent's clients have access to the majestic Lac Brome, which is just across the road. Featuring both indoor and outdoor (in season) dining, Jolivent offers outstanding local fare. Whether snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and chilling in front of a roaring fireplace in winter or hiking, doing aquatic activities, and chilling on the outdoor terrasse in summer, Domaine Jolivent has something for everyone.

With a Nordic shower, Scandinavian baths, and relaxation yurt, plus nearby golf courses, riding stables, and ski hills, this attractive complex fits the bill for an active or relaxing break. Built of cedar, the hotel offers rooms with fireplaces and private balconies, and more than half of them have a view of Mont-Orford. The Tomahawk Grill is an upscale steak house specializing in meat and seafood. Access to the baths is included in every booking.

Massages, algae wraps, and aromatherapy are just a few of the services at this European-style resort, which also includes a large, Turkish-style hammam (steam room) and the Château Bromont Golf Course. Rooms are generally large and comfortable, with contemporary furniture. Sunny Mediterranean colors dress the atrium walls, and center-facing rooms have balconies and window boxes. Greenery and patio furniture surround the swimming pool in the middle of the atrium (there's another pool outside). The restaurant, Les 4 Canards, serves regional cuisine, much of which features duck, an area specialty. The dining room has a panoramic view.

The oldest spa in Québec, once a simple health center, has evolved into a bucolic haven for anyone seeking rest and therapeutic treatments, including lifestyle and weight-management counseling. Surrounded by 326 acres of rolling, wooded land 15 km (9 miles) west of Magog, the elegant, simple structure has all the calm of a Japanese garden, and guest rooms have fireplaces, large balconies, and views of Mont-Orford. The restaurant prepares healthy meals following the principles of Tonique Cuisine®—gluten- and dairy-free dishes cooked at low temperatures. Produce comes straight from the chef's garden, and meat, such as lamb and the ubiquitous duck, for which the region is famous, is sourced from local farms.