Staying At Le Château Montebello: Is It Worth The Cost?

I love staying at Fairmont hotels, and a stay at Le Château Montebello in Montebello Québec is no exception. They treat you like royalty here! I won’t lie, Le Château Montebello isn’t cheap, but it’s somehow worth every penny! I’ve had the opportunity to stay there twice and would go back every year if I could!

This larger than life cabin is the perfect destination to celebrate special occasions like anniversaries and birthdays. But, you can also come here for the ultimate girls trip or family vacation!

There’s so much included with your stay that no two trips to the Fairmont Le Château Montebello are alike! So here’s my unfiltered guide on staying at the Château Montebello in Quebec.

Psst! This blog post contains affiliate links in it which sends me a bit of extra money if you use them… at no extra cost to you!

Where Is The Fairmont Le Château Montebello

The Fairmont Le Château Montebello is in the town of Montebello Québec. Although this is quite a small Québec town, they still have some activities and restaurants to enjoy in the town and neighbouring ones.

Montebello is between Ottawa and Montreal. It’s only 45 minutes from Ottawa and an hour and a half drive from Montreal. This makes it an unbeatable destination for a weekend away both Quebecer’s and Ontarians.

When To Visit The Le Château Montebello

Le Château Montebello isn’t strictly a winter or summer destination. They’ve made it so that you can have very different experiences if you visit during the summer or winter. For example, enjoy the outdoor grounds and outdoor pool during the summer months, and cozy up in the lobby or enjoy their private ice rink during the winter.

The only times of the year that might be a struggle is during the off seasons like spring and fall. For example, it needs to be cold enough for the ice to freeze but warm enough to enjoy any of the outdoor activities.

Why Stay At The Fairmont Le Château Montebello

As I mentioned, a stay at the Fairmont Le Château Montebello is not just a hotel stay. You aren’t using this as a convenient place to stay the night. Rather, le Château Montebello is an entire experience, almost like staying at a resort.

You are paying to experience hotel, and if you didn’t want to, you never have to leave the hotel grounds. For starters, you might never even want to leave the hotel lobby. It has a giant 6 sided fireplace with couches set up all around. I could sit here all day and order drinks and food from the bar!

There are also more than enough activities that are actually included in your stay as well (in both winter and summer). Plus the hotel has a few restaurants you can eat at. Like I said, you never really have to leave!

Also, the whole family can be included on your vacation! I’m talking furry friends are welcome to stay at the hotel (of course for an extra charge!). I did bring my cat on my second visit, and he loved it!

Unbeatable Amenities Included In Your Stay

If you’ve stayed at a Fairmont hotel before, you’ll know that there’s a lot that’s included with your stay. And you should definitely take advantage of this! Technically, you’re paying for these activities in the mandatory resort fee, but I see it as being part of the room rate.

Year round, they offer a guided historical tour of the grounds. Fairmont hotels are often in historical buildings so there’s a lot to learn. Plus, you’ll sometimes get to see some behind the scenes rooms you wouldn’t otherwise be allowed in.

They also have fire pits set up around the hotel for you to enjoy in both summer and winter. Don’t disregard them in the summer either, it can get chilly in the evenings, so these are perfect for cozying up and extending your day.

In the summer, activities include groomed trails that you can hike or bike on (as well as bike rentals included – for fun we even got a tandem bike!). The hotel is also located on the Ottawa River, so they offer water activities and paddle boat and canoe rentals.

In the winter, there’s an ice rink with skates and hockey stick rentals. There’s even a curling rink, and you can sign up for a free clinic to learn how to play. And they have groomed trails for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing with rentals included for guests.

You can see a full list of resort fee experiences.

Plus Bonus Activities For An Extra Fee

There are even more activities to do at the Château Montebello that aren’t included in the resort fee. These you’ll have to pay extra for, like the spa, a round of golf, and even dog sledding in the winter!

Downsides To Staying At The Château Montebello

The downsides to staying at the Montebello in Québec mainly has to do with the cost your stay…

IT’S EXPENSIVE!

The high price tag is definitely a downside to staying at the Chateau Montebello. It can cost anywhere from $400 to over $1500 CAD /night.

And For What You Pay, The Rooms Are Small…

A stay at the Fairmont Le Château Montebello definitely isn’t about the rooms. You’d think that for $400 CAD (minimum)/ night you’d get a huge luxurious room… that’s unfortunately not the case.

For what you get in terms of room size, it’s pathetic. The standard room is SMALL! It fits a bed, two side tables, a tiny table and two chairs and there’s a very tiny window. You almost feel like you’re in a box.

Luckily for you though, they give you enough to do at the resort that you shouldn’t have to spend that much time in the hotel room itself. That’s why a stay at the Montebello is not about the room itself.

Pro Tip: Save The Château Montebello For Special Occasions: The Fairmont Le Château Montebello isn’t a cheap resort to stay at. They sometimes have deals on rooms that you can book. I’ve noticed it’s also often cheaper to stay during the week than over the weekend. But you can also save staying at Fairmont hotels for special occasions for this reason. I love being pampered but it isn’t exactly in my monthly budget. So we’ll book Fairmont hotels for anniversaries (and it made the perfect destination for our engagement!).

Booking A Room At The Fairmont Le Château Montebello – Tips

There are a two styles of rooms to choose from at the Château Montebello: luxury and standard. The Luxury room will be more recently updated to a modern design. The standard room keep a more cabin, rustic vibe. Whether you book a luxury or non luxury room should depend on what vibe you’re interested in for your stay.

And there are a few different room sizes to choose from as well, from suites to single rooms. Most room types will have luxury and non luxury options. Because the luxury rooms have been recently updated, you are paying a slightly higher price. These factors all affect the final price.

The Rooms

The Château Montebello offers both rooms and suites. The rooms range from 180 sq.ft. to 305 sq.ft. For each room type you usually have the option to book a river view room and a luxury room.

The Moderate Room is the smallest room at 180 sq.ft. and this is really only meant for a single occupancy.

The Fairmont Room is their main room at the hotel. It’s 210 sq.ft. and it’s very small for two people. I stayed in The Fairmont Room mt first time at the Château Montebello and I would never book it again.

They have two options for larger rooms that are 305 sq.ft.: The Deluxe Room and the Signature Room. If you’re a family, they recommend the Deluxe room as there’s a pull out couch.

Our second time staying at the Château Montebello we booked the Signature Room. I would pay the premium rate 100X over for this room instead of the Fairmont Room. You feel like you’re in a private cabin in the woods. It’s beautiful.

The Signature rooms are on the corner of the hotel so you end up with three large windows. You have a small table to eat at and then a little quaint reading nook to enjoy.

See all the room options at the Fairmont Le Chateau Montebello.

Suite Options

There are two suites to choose from at the Montebello in Québec. The Deluxe Jacuzzi Room is 364 sq.ft. but it has a pull out sofa and, you guessed it, a jacuzzi in the room.

If you really want a large room to fit the whole family, you might want to book the One-Bedroom Suite it’s a whopping 700 sq.ft. The room has a master bedroom and a living room. These suites have also been updated so they only the luxury option.

Read also: An Honest Review The Fairmont Château Laurier: Is It Worth It?

Other Montebello Hotels Instead Of The Fairmont?

If you’re interested in exploring Montebello Québec without paying exorbitant prices for Le Château Montebello, here are some other places to stay in the area.

Le Petit Château Montebello B&B is a quaint bed and breakfast. You’ll take a step back in time in this beautiful heritage house in Montebello. See room rates and availability.

Motel Bel-Eau is a clean motel with several room options. Motel Bel-Eau even offers a room with a small kitchenette if you’re interested in making your own meals while away. Also, I can’t get over the name! See room rates and availability.

The highest rated place to stay in Montebello Quebec is Motel Shantik. It also offers rooms with a private balcony (some even with a relaxing river view!). See room rates and availability.

Finally, if you’re looking for a place to stay with a pool, Auberge Montebello is for you! Although, they do have some mixed reviews. See room rates and availability.

For a similar price to the Château Montebello, you can stay at the Manoir Chamberland. The rooms do look a tad larger though for the same price. See room rates and availability.

As you can see, there aren’t too many options in Montebello because it’s a small town. Plus, one of the main reason to visit Montebello Quebec is to stay at the Fairmont Le Château Montebello.

Things To Do In Montebello Québec

Obviously, a main attraction in Montebello Québec is the Château Montebello itself. Even if you aren’t staying at the hotel as a guest, you can still enjoy the grounds and some of the amenities (like the spa and golf). You’re also more than welcome to come here to enjoy any one of the restaurants.*

There are a few other Montebello attractions, and some more in the area that are worth checking out as well.

* During COVID-19 only hotel guests are allowed on the Château Montebello grounds.

Visit The Montebello Town

The town of Montebello is quite small but there’s a small section along Rue Notre Dame (HWY 148) that’s worth walking around. Here you’ll find cafes, restaurants and some stores to shop in.

A must visit Chocomotive in the old Montebello train station for local chocolate. For an activity in town, head to La Shed Qui Tourne to make your own pottery (website in French only).

Manoir Papineau

Manoir Papineau is a National historical site a part of Parks Canada. This is the manor of Louis-Joseph Papineau (an influential political leader from the 1800s). This was the family home from 1850 until 1929.

You can go on a guided tour of the house, see one of the oldest trees in Canada, and get spectacular views of the Ottawa River here.

Park Omega

This is an activity the whole family can enjoy. It’s an outdoor safari where animals run wild in large enclosures and you drive right through.

It’s 12 km route through lakes, meadows, valleys and forests. You’ll see deer, elk, moose, wolves and massive buffalo up close. You won’t want to forget to bring large carrots to lure the deer to your car!

Buy the bundle & save: Get everything you need to be a travel pro with my Ultimate Digital Travel Package! It comes with a travel planner, daily travel journal, packing list, and even an Eye Spy game to stay entertained! Everything can be printed, or used digitally on the go! See the bundle on Etsy.

Plaisance National Park (& Chutes de Plaisance)

There are two parts to Plaisance National Park in Plaisance Quebec (neighbouring Montebello).

The main part of the park is a peninsula in the Ottawa River. You can come here for water sports, go to the beach, or just walk or bike one of the many trails. One of their main attractions is the floating dock through marshland.

The second part of the National Park is the Chutes de Plaisance (Plaisance waterfall)*. This spectacular waterfall isn’t just a beautiful site to see but there’s also quite a bit of history surrounding the falls.

*The Chutes de Plaisance is in the process of being acquired by SEPAQ so there are currently two separate entrance fees.

Read more: Visiting Les Chutes De Plaisance in Québec [Day Trip From Montreal]

Delicious Montebello Restaurants To Eat At

There are a few restaurants you can enjoy at the Château Montebello itself. In the summertime they have a few seasonal terrace options that include their famous BBQ buffet in the evening.

In the town, head to Le Café Entre Amis for breakfast or lunch. For a family restaurant for lunch or dinner head to Restaurant Le Bistro Montebello. But my favourite is Les Brasseurs de Montebello, where you have to try their strawberry milkshake beer! Although don’t expect pub food here, they surprisingly serve sushi.

P.S. Make an activity of going to the brewery by getting a flight and rating each brew with my printable beer tasting sheets!

My Hotel Amazon Must-Haves

There are a few must-haves that I always pack with me on any trip – wherever I’m going and staying! The first thing is that I have a wall charger with multiple USB (or USB-C) ports. Let’s be real, we always have multiple devices we need to charge so it’s convenient to keep them all in one place and be able to charge everything at once.

I also always pack a portable white noise machine. Even though I don’t use one at home, I always bring one when I stay at a hotel. There’s always some noises that keep me up, or wake me up in the middle of the night. Whether it’s the elevator, guests walking in the hallway, or just strange noises in the room. I have the Hatch to drown out any external noises.

I always pack some removable wall hooks as well. There are just never enough places to hang your belongings, like jackets, bags, or even your towels and wet bathing suits. These always come in handy one way or another! P.S. I also like using a hanging toiletry bag to save space in hotel bathrooms, and since I’m traveling with hooks, there’s always a place to hang it!

Related Posts To Read

• An Honest Review The Fairmont Château Laurier: Is It Worth It?
• Visiting Les Chutes De Plaisance in Québec [Day Trip From Montreal]
• The 10 Best Québec National Parks Near Montreal To Visit (Sépaq Parks)
• Montreal To La Malbaie: Staying At The Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu

Click Image To Share Or Save For Later