Manoir Hovey

This was our third visit to Manoir Hovey, but the first time visiting in the winter. And while nothing beats the warmth and sounds of a summertime lakefront experience, we did encounter some picture-perfect snowfalls during our winter stay that made the experience quite beautiful. We were also able to attend one of the special Relais & Châteaux collaboration dinners with visiting Twin Farms (Vermont) Chefs during March Break, which was fun. For this winter visit, I opted to book a room in the main building to be able to comfortably walk indoors to the restaurants, and to be just steps from the pool and spa. And just like we found with previous visits, the grounds were pretty, the Spa & thermal circuit was relaxing with a beautiful view of the tree-lined lake, and the food was consistently 5-star. But it's the staff and their dedication to providing excellent service who really make this place worth the 5 star review, everyone from the Reception Staff, to the Snow Clearing/Grounds Staff, right down to the Intern at Le Hatley restaurant. I cannot think of another place I have visited that rises to the same level. Yes, it's expensive, but given the high caliber of service, overall comfortable luxury, and lakefront location, understandably so. Another guest expressed the same sentiment to me in the privacy of the gym, having travelled up from the U.S. for a ladies' getaway weekend - the service truly is excellent! From Warren at breakfast, who corrected a reservation mistake without even having to ask my name because he remembered me from the previous day, to the reception staff who worked around our schedule to send someone to replace dead batteries in a remote, to the perfectly bilingual restaurant servers who happily recommended their favourite dishes to us, to Fabien who took the time to explain in detail how they made the creative appetizers each night, to Patrick who selected and poured several exquisite wine pairings - the staff have a talent for making you relax and feel like you're being taken care of, unlike any other place I've been in Canada. And while the lake was frozen, the main pool and hot tub were heated. So even in below-freezing temperatures, the pool water was pleasantly warm, with a heat lamp pointed at the towels and hooks where you leave your robe near the hot tub. The walkways were shovelled after each snowfall, and the staff cleared snow off every guest's car each morning, which we were thankful for on our departure day. The breakfast buffet is really quite superb, including homemade croissants and pastries, pork terrine and charcuterie, pickles and sauces, smoothies and fresh fruit, and my favourite smoked salmon with sauce vierge. Half of the breakfast buffet selection changes daily or every few days, so it's always interesting to see what's available each morning. And if you eat one too many pastries at breakfast, there is a well-furnished gym, but guests have to provide their own willpower, so in my experience it's never full. Le Hatley restaurant is always a foodie's delight, and when I let the staff gently push me out of my comfort zone, I have the best experiences. I admittedly bring my own biases with me, but the staff at Le Hatley absolutely shine when I trust their recommendations - there's nothing they do better! This trip, for example, we discovered that Manoir Hovey had worked with a local winery to make their own sparkling wine label using a mix of 3 local grapes, which was truly fantastic - the colour, the fruit-forward flavours, the fine bubbles. If you kick-start your vacation with a trip to the Spa and the Thermal Circuit, and then take advantage of the culinary expertise at either restaurant, I think there's a very good chance you'll also have a 5-star experience!

Not the first visit to the excellent Manoir Hovey, which seems even better in the quiet of winter than in the fuller flush of summer. A first time visit to the spa opened whole new possibilities, including the thermal circuit once after dinner. Views from the hot tub under a falling snow are hard to beat. A glad nod to Marc at the spa, for possibly one of the best massages we’ve ever had.

I can only think of two words that can adequately describe our stay at Manoir Hovey: supremely perfect. This was our second visit to this family-owned Relais & Châteaux property in North Hatley, Québec, and it reminded us exactly why we returned. Even during what is likely the sleepiest time of year in the Eastern Townships, the staff were nothing short of alert, warm, welcoming, and accommodating. The hospitality here feels genuine rather than scripted — something that is increasingly rare. One of the highlights of our stay was the spa and thermal experience. Moving between the sauna, cold plunge, and outdoor heated pool overlooking Lake Massawippi was deeply restorative — the kind of quiet luxury that encourages you to slow down and truly relax. Another standout was an evening spent in the Tap Room, hosted by Alain, whose sincerity, warmth, and jovial spirit made the experience unforgettable. His passion for wine and effortless hospitality created an atmosphere that felt both intimate and celebratory. The food throughout our stay was exceptional, thoughtful and beautifully prepared, and our accommodations in the Wolfe Cottage were simply outstanding — elegant, comfortable, and perfectly situated for both privacy and lake views. Manoir Hovey manages to achieve something rare: refined luxury without a trace of pretension. It feels personal, authentic, and deeply welcoming. We left already thinking about when we might return.

Manoir Hovey provided us with outstanding customer service. They upgraded us to a room that accommodated our sweet small dog. The food is outstanding & they served it im our room for all meals in a timely manner. Sometimes bringing us each serving individually to insure it was at it's best to eat. The room was beautiful, bed very comfortable & the fenced deck was perfect for our little pup. We highly recommend to all!

We spent a beautiful week-end at Manoir Hovey. Being our first time there, we were given a tour of the property, which works much better than the verbal description :) Check-in and check-out were quick and efficient; our car was parked next to our room and the luggage was unloaded while we were on the tour. The room itself (33 - Wolfe) was bright and spacious, looking at the lake; bathroom was spotless and well equipped. Both the Tap Room bistro and the Hatley restaurant had great food, but real kudos go to the chef for the spectacular Discovery menu: from the duck egg with caviar, through the trout and scallops, crowned by the bison Rossinni, all paired with great skill by Jack, the sommelier. Chapeau, chef Vachon! The spa is modern, well-maintained, and the outdoor pools were just perfect on a sunny February day! All the staff was helpful, prompt and made us feel at home. Thank you for a charming week-end! We warmly recommend the Manoir Hovey.