Chateau Montebello – Fairmont Luxury

Chateau Montebello – Fairmont provides nautical Luxury

The light rain falling seemed appropriate for our departure from Ottawa – it is an easy place to stay on and on and sad to leave.  We did make an early start and even with the gray weather we blew down river enjoying a little boost from the current flowing in our direction. We arrived at the famed Chateau Montebello as the sun was peeking through a few clouds.  Never heard of this famous place? We had not either but have been repeatedly told not to miss a stop here.  The Chateau is reported to be the largest log structure in the world – it is BIG and fortunately is now run as a Fairmont Hotel which provides luxurious spa facilities for guests – even those that come by boat. The indoor swimming pool and hot tub were easy to reach from our dock as was the BBQ on the terrace. (The BBQ included a cheese station, hot and cold starters plus meat, fish and sides in addition to the desserts.)  

A short bike ride took us into town for artisan cheese and groceries. Even a little rain could not keep us from a visit to the Manoir Papineau – a Parks Canada historic site adjacent to the Chateau. There we learned about the Papineau family who built the house and served as lords of the manor in the French tradition of the time. The property was eventually sold to an exclusive club that used it and then built the log chateau in the 1930s leading to the restful stop we enjoy today.