Where to hold your company retreat?

March 24th, 2017

Meetings held outside the office, on a retreat or at an off-site location, are a good opportunity to discuss business strategy and build working relationships in your team. You can rent a meeting room in the city, or plan a longer retreat as a team-building activity. This can also be a good way to thank employees after the completion of a big project and give everyone a chance to recharge. Here are a few suggestions of hotels and resorts that are ideal for these kinds of events.

 

Fairmont – Le Château Montebello

The Fairmont Le Château Montebello is the largest log cabin in the world and its rustic decor and the surrounding countryside are sure to charm you. Enjoy relaxed cabin living, combined with the convenience of hotel services and activities. The hotel has 211 rooms and its 300-acre vacation resort offers a variety of activities in all seasons. In winter, outdoor activities include inner tube sledding, hockey and ice skating, dog sled rides, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and even curling. During the summer months, the hotel offers tennis and badminton courts and guests can explore the lake while canoeing, kayaking or rowing. Golfers will be delighted by the Château Montebello Golf Club, a famously challenging course. You can take a break from routine at the Château spa. For your meetings, 18 modular conference rooms can be adapted to your needs, whether you are a small committee or a group of up to 400 people. Finally, the Fairmount Le Château Montebello boasts several restaurants and bars and during the summer season its superb terrace and barbecue are wildly popular.

Info: 819 423 6341 | 392 Notre Dame Street, Montebello | fairmont.com

 

Le Germain Charlevoix

Located between the Saint Lawrence River and the Laurentian mountains, Le Germain is an ideal choice for a retreat in Charlevoix. You will love its refined design and local cuisine. Known for comfort, Le Germain Charlevoix offers 145 rooms which charm guests with modern design and rustic touches. It also offers 7 meeting rooms, each equipped with a large screen and an audio system integrated into the ceiling, to accommodate groups of 10 to 500 people. Le Germain is only 5 minutes away from the town of Baie-Saint-Paul, so your team can explore shops and restaurants. In addition, two nearby national parks offer a wide variety of outdoor activities. On site, Le Germain maintains a skating loop behind the hotel and offers skates for rent. In the summer, its heated, outdoor pool is large enough for swimming lengths. Finally, Spa du Verger offers all the classic treatments in addition to thermal experiences like a Nordic shower, snow fountain, hot and cold pools and a eucalyptus steam room.

Info: 418 240-4100 | 50 De la Ferme Street, Baie-Saint-Paul | legermainhotels.com

 

Estérel Resort

In a lush Laurentian forest surrounded by three lakes, the Estérel Resort, which consists of two hotels, features scenic panoramic views. Hotel Evolution and Hotel Emotion have 95 and 105 suites respectively, all with fireplaces and modern, elegant decor. Its conference centre offers 10 rooms to accommodate groups of 10 to 450 people. The site is perfect for outdoor activities, and guests can play team sports like lacrosse and volleyball, or go hiking as a group. In winter, there are several trails and groomed paths for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, and an 8 km ice ring for ice skating. After your activities, pamper yourself with a four-season Finnish sauna and outdoor jacuzzi, or treatments at the Amerispa health and beauty centre.

Info: 450 228-2571 | 39 Fridolin-Simard Boulevard, Estérel | esterel.com

 

Le Baluchon – Eco Resort

Le Baluchon is divided into four inns and a chalet for a total of 90 rooms, each with their own personality. For the smallest teams, a chalet allows you complete privacy with access to all the facilities at the Eco Resort. For your meetings, Le Baluchon has 7 conference rooms that can accommodate groups of 10 to 200 people. Le Baluchon is well connected to local agricultural and forestry milieux and offers diners a unique, locally-sourced culinary experience. Local beers and liquors are served at LeFrançois, the Eco Lounge. You have several options for team activities, from horseback riding to a horse-drawn carriage ride to visit Mauricie alpacas. Equipment rentals are available onsite for canoeing, kayaking, mountain biking, snowshoeing or cross-country skiing. After your activities, the spa at Le Baluchon offers a complete range of treatments with organic products.

Info: 819 268-2555 | 3550 Chemin des Trembles, Saint-Paulin | baluchon.com

 

Jouvence

Whether for a business retreat or a motivational meeting, Jouvence welcomes you in the heart of Mont-Orford national park with numerous packages. Enjoy an all-inclusive package with tasty cuisine, several lodging options and a variety of activities. If you plan to hold a meeting, the Jouvence offers 6 rooms which can accommodate from 18 to 150 people. Lodgings are divided among three cabins with 24 to 81 rooms. Another cabin can accommodate a group of 30 people. Jouvence offers group activities like climbing, archery, hiking, yoga and more. Jouvence also organizes special activities which are ideal for team-building exercises, such as Lumberjack Olympics, a GPS rally, Fort Jouvence and several others, to be held outdoors or indoors.

Info: 450 532-3134 | 131 De Jouvence Road, Orford | jouvence.com

 

Hôtel Château-Bromont

Hotel Château-Bromont is a 4-star hotel with 166 rooms in two pavilions. Your team will enjoy a luxurious environment with indoor and outdoor swimming pools and a hot tub. For meetings, Château Bromont has 13 flexible rooms for up to 400 people. Bromont is an ideal place for outdoor activities. On the mountain, in winter you can practice the downhill sport of your choice, and in the summer you can descend the slopes on a mountain bike or go to the water park. There are several trails for hiking, cycling or snowshoeing. Or you can play a round of golf on-site at Golf Château-Bromont, which has been named the golf club of the year in the Eastern Townships and which can be enjoyed by both beginners and more experienced players. Finally, the Amerispa Château Bromont offers relaxing massages, beauty and body care treatments, inside the Château Bromont.

Info: 450 534-3433 | 90 Stanstead Street, Bromont | chateaubromont.com

 

Fairmont Tremblant

Fairmont Tremblant is a skier's dream with its location at the foot of the slopes, and it satisfies meeting planners with 22 state-of-the-art conference rooms. The enchanting village of Tremblant is a great place for your team to get to know one another. Tremblant is famous for its golf courses, which are open in the summer, and for a great variety of activities to practice in all seasons. Winter or summer, you can hike on 7 trails winding around Mont-Tremblant. Several trails are perfect for cross-country skiing and there is a tube-sliding hill at the base of the mountain. In summer, enjoy beautiful scenic views while taking a gondola ride up the mountain. You can then descend in skyline toboggans on a secure, paved trail, or try an organized ziptrek activity. For full relaxation, enjoy Tremblant Spa inside the Fairmont.

Info: 819 681 7000 | 3045 Chemin de la Chapelle | fairmont.com/tremblant

 

Manoir Saint-Sauveur

Manoir Saint-Sauveur, with 250 rooms and suites, is one of the largest and most luxurious hotels in the Laurentians. It is a fine place for team meeting, with 23 multifunctional rooms that can accommodate from 10 to 500 people. Several team-building activities are offered on-site, including bubble soccer, giant volleyball and ball hockey. In summer, you can play a round of golf at the Balmoral Private Golf Club, which is exclusively reserved for guests of Manoir Saint-Sauveur. Other facilities include an indoor and outdoor saltwater pool, tennis, volleyball and snow volleyball courts, a soccer field and even a hockey rink. Near the Manoir, Mont Saint-Sauveur offers many other outdoor activities, such as downhill and cross-country skiing, hiking, snowshoeing, zip lines, tube slides and much more.

Info: 450 227-1811 | 246 Chemin du Lac-Millette | manoir-saint-sauveur.com