I’m so happy that we are finally right in the middle of summer. As most of you know summer is my favourite season in Canada and it’s also a great time to travel and explore. I recently visited Fairmont Le Château Montebello which is just a short drive away from Ottawa in Montebello,Quebec. This was my first time visiting in the summer so I was excited to see what the hotel had to offer in terms of summer activities and excursions. I had visited Château Montebello before in the winter for a holiday staycation. If you’re curious about the hotel amenities and room types pleas check out the post linked here.

Not only is Château Montebello one of the largest log cabins in the world it is also Eastern Canada’s #1 family resort. There’s lots of summer activities for everyone to enjoy.

Water sports, Pool and Cabanas

If you love the water then this hotel is for you! Boasting a full marina where many guests park their boats, the hotel also offers water sports like water skiing, canoeing and kayaking. There’s also the outdoor pool where you can spend a day tanning or in the water. If you’re like me and enjoy lounging by the pool instead, consider booking a Cabana. This is a great option for groups as cabanas can accommodate up to 6 people. Each cabana comes with ample seating, a poolside view with towels and chilled water onsite. You can also order food directly to your cabana. Reservations for the cabanas must be made ahead of time and have an additional cost of $249.

Other Activities

If you’re in to more landlocked activities the hotel has a sports chalet where you can rent equipment for cycling, mini-golf, tennis, croquet, bocce, horseshoes, basketball and volleyball. Château Montebello also has its own tennis courts and if you’re new to the game you can also sign up for an onsite lesson. It’s recommended that you book 24h in advance for the lessons.

I like a more relaxed vibe when I’m on vacation so I stuck mostly to the walking paths and hiking trails around the property. In the evening there are also onsite bonfires where you can relax and roast marshmallows if you wish. In addition the hotel also offers carriage rides to visitors and hotel guests for a fee, this must also be reserved in advance.  Once specific point of interest at Montebello is Manoir Papineau which is the estate of Louis-Joseph Papineau, who was a leading figure in Canadian politics. Tours of Manoir Papineau are available Wednesday to Sunday from June 22 to September 5.

The hotel also offers its own historical tours of the property starting daily at 4:30PM. It is recommended that you book your tour 24h in advance. Activities, tours and restaurant reservations can be made by contacting the activity concierge at montebelloconcierge@fairmont.com.

While walking around the property I came across a sign about on-demand photoshoots. This is another interesting activity you can try onsite and of course book in advance. The property at Fairmont Montebello is lovely and a great location for a photoshoot!

Dining 

Throughout the year the hotel offers a number of dining options such as Aux Chantignoles Restaurant, Bar Le Foyer and in-room dining. During the summer months you can take advantage of Le Riverain Terrace and the outdoor Barbecue. I tried both and I really enjoyed the food! I would definitely recommend the Chiken Tikka wrap at Le Riverain for lunch and the Barbecue for dinner. The dinner menu comes in three courses which are delivered to your table, outdoors and overlooking the Ottawa river. This was a great experience. The Barbecue costs $65 per person excluding taxes and is an all-you-can-eat style offering with courses of salad, seafood and meat. If you’re a fan of one particular course you can always ask for more. I really enjoyed the beet and tomato salad and of course the meat course. Reservations are highly recommended as this is a very popular dining option at the hotel.

In addition there are also many outdoor seating areas and gazebos around the property. Aux Chantignoles offers outdoor seating in the summer and we enjoyed a nice breakfast there. At the moment Fairmont Montebello is offering picnics to go. You can order your picnic basket ahead of time, have it delivered to enjoy around the property. This service is available daily from 7am to 10pm and once again it’s recommended that you reserve in advance.

If you’ve been to Château Montebello in the winter or fall then be sure to visit again to check out all this property has to offer during the warmer months.