Hôtellerie d'Expérience au Monastère des Augustines

For nearly $400 for one night, I expected more, especially when other hotels offer a better experience for less. The monastery stay felt mediocre. It seemed like “sustainability” was being used to justify cutting back: barely any tissues in the bathroom, and no mini fridge, which wasn’t mentioned when we booked. The room had a bed and that was about it, with no armchair or kettle to heat water for tea.

The morning “meditation walk” was a real highlight, grounding and refreshing. This place has a peaceful feeling that makes you slow down and breathe. It’s quiet and beautifully connected to nature, and everyone I met was kind, thoughtful, and genuinely welcoming. I’ve stayed at Fairmont Le Château Frontenac too, but this place moved me in a completely different way. I wish I’d stayed longer. The history and art deserve a mention, too. It’s the kind of place that stays with you after you leave.

Reception staff were kind and professional, and Felix in particular deserves praise for his professionalism. I’m usually not someone who leaves negative reviews, but as a fellow celiac, I feel I should mention this. This was my second stay here, eight years after my first, and the restaurant I remembered has been replaced by a food service that falls short, especially for people with celiac disease. I had to ask at every meal what was gluten free. The response was often a question about whether I was celiac or simply preferred to avoid gluten, because of possible cross contamination. Food attendants sometimes had to check with the chef before coming back with very few choices, and some seemed annoyed by my requests. One staff member told me I was lucky that night because two hot dishes, meat and fish in sauce, were gluten free. I had noted my need for gluten free options when I made the reservation, as the booking process asks. To be safe, I stuck to a very limited menu. There wasn’t a simple carb option like rice or potatoes, and I couldn’t trust the vegetables in the salads to be gluten free. Other guests seemed to like the gluten free choices too, so there was a long wait for hot food to be replenished, or it ran out. Even with my precautions, I got gluttened, which was very unpleasant.

The food was incredible. We loved the silent breakfasts included with our stay, the first hotel breakfast I’ve had that felt genuinely nourishing. We also got lunch from the takeout counter once, and enjoyed that too. Even though it’s so central, Monastère feels peaceful and tranquil. We arrived by VIA rail, and it was an easy walk from the station, with all the major attractions nearby. Our contemporary room was small but beautiful and quiet, with a lovely little reading nook and a very comfortable bed. The staff were always friendly and welcoming. I appreciated that they let me try out my rusty French without automatically switching to English.