Estérel Resort Quebec Review: A Luxury Spa Getaway in the Laurentians

Looking for a relaxing weekend getaway in Quebec with beautiful lake views, luxurious suites, delicious food and a dreamy Nordic spa? Let me introduce you to Estérel Resort, a gorgeous lakeside resort nestled in Quebec’s Laurentian Mountains. Whether you’re planning a romantic couples getaway, a girls’ weekend or a little escape from everyday life, this Quebec spa resort offers the perfect combination of relaxation and outdoor adventure. Located approximately 2.5 hours from Ottawa, Estérel Resort was the destination for one of my favourite summer getaways with my best friend Marie. From our waterfront suite with a private hot tub to kayaking on the lake and enjoying delicious meals overlooking the water, our stay was everything we could have hoped for. Today, I’m sharing my Estérel Resort review, including our accommodations, spa experience, restaurants and favourite things to do in the Laurentians.

Where Is Estérel Resort Located?

Estérel Resort is located in Estérel, Quebec, in the beautiful Laurentians region. Surrounded by picturesque lakes and lush forests, it’s a wonderful destination for anyone looking to escape the city and spend a little time reconnecting with nature. During one summer visit home to Ottawa, Marie and I made a promise to explore more of Canada together. We wanted to discover beautiful destinations that didn’t require hopping on a plane, and Estérel Resort immediately caught our attention. The resort is approximately 2.5 hours from Ottawa and about an hour from Montreal, making it a convenient option for a weekend road trip. The surrounding Laurentians region is known for its natural scenery, outdoor recreation and charming vacation destinations. What immediately drew us to Estérel Resort was the combination of luxurious accommodations, beautiful lake views and opportunities to relax or explore. We wanted a little bit of everything, and this getaway delivered!

Our Luxury Waterfront Suite at Estérel Resort

Let’s talk accommodations, because our suite was seriously dreamy! During our stay, Marie and I booked an Évolution Beach Access Suite, and it felt more like a private lakeside retreat than a traditional hotel room. Our suite featured a separate bedroom, living area, dressing space, kitchenette, fireplace, private patio and direct access to the lake. And the cherry on top? We had our very own outdoor hot tub! The spacious layout made it easy to relax and feel at home. I especially loved the high ceilings, modern finishes and large windows that allowed natural sunlight to pour into the room. If you’re researching where to stay in the Laurentians, I definitely recommend comparing the resort’s different suite categories. Estérel offers accommodations with different views and amenities, so it’s worth choosing a room that matches the experience you’re hoping for.

A Cozy Fireplace and Beautiful Lake Views

One of my favourite features of our suite was the fireplace. Even during the summer, Quebec evenings can get a little chilly, so having a cozy fireplace made the space feel especially inviting. After spending the day exploring the resort, Marie and I loved returning to our suite, relaxing with a glass of wine and playing a few rounds of Heads Up. For the record, I won! It was such a simple little moment, but honestly, those are often my favourite vacation memories.

 A Comfortable King Bed and Slow Summer Mornings

Is there anything better than waking up in a comfortable hotel bed with absolutely nowhere you need to be? Our king-sized bed was incredibly cozy, and the large windows made our room feel bright and welcoming. We spent our mornings enjoying coffee and fresh croissants from the hotel while soaking up the peaceful atmosphere. It was the perfect way to start the day before heading outside to explore. I love a vacation that gives you permission to slow down, and our suite made doing absolutely nothing feel like a luxury.

Private Beach Access and an Outdoor Hot Tub

Okay, now for my absolute favourite part of our accommodations: the private outdoor space! Our suite opened onto a patio with lake access just steps away, making it incredibly easy to enjoy the water whenever we wanted. We spent our mornings lounging outside, soaking up the sunshine and dipping our toes into the lake. The peaceful setting made it feel like we had escaped into our own little waterfront oasis. And did I mention the private outdoor hot tub? Because that was definitely one of the highlights of our stay! If you’re planning a romantic Quebec getaway or a special weekend with your girlfriends, a suite with a private spa can be a wonderful splurge. Just make sure to confirm which room categories currently include one before booking.

Estérel Resort Nordic Spa: The Ultimate Relaxation Experience

If there’s one thing I love about a relaxing weekend getaway, it’s a beautiful spa. And Estérel Resort’s thermal facilities were absolutely one of the highlights of our trip! During our visit, we enjoyed the resort’s outdoor pool, hot tubs, steam bath and sauna. The beautiful stone details, warm water and surrounding nature created such a relaxing atmosphere. Today, the resort’s thermal area is known as Lido Thermal, offering a combination of heated outdoor pools, hot tubs, saunas, a steam bath and opportunities to enjoy the lake. It’s designed as a more social spa experience, making it especially appealing for couples and friends who want to relax together. One of the best things about staying at a spa resort is being able to enjoy the facilities without rushing. Instead of booking a short appointment and heading home, you can spend the afternoon relaxing, return to your suite and make an entire weekend out of it.

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Things to Do at Estérel Resort in the Summer

One of the reasons I loved Estérel Resort so much was that we could make our getaway as relaxing or adventurous as we wanted. If you’re someone who loves spending time outdoors, the Laurentians are such a beautiful place to explore. During our stay, Marie and I took advantage of the resort’s lakeside setting and spent plenty of time enjoying the water.

Kayaking, Canoeing and Paddleboarding

If you love water activities, you’ll definitely want to explore the lakes surrounding Estérel Resort. During our visit, the resort offered access to kayaks, canoes, paddleboards and other watercraft through its activity program. Marie and I decided to go kayaking on our second day and canoeing on our third. We explored the peaceful water, admired the beautiful scenery and even ventured toward a small island. It was also Marie’s first time paddleboarding, and she did amazing! If you’re planning a summer visit, check the resort’s summer activities for current rental options, seasonal availability and any applicable fees.

Explore the Laurentians by Bike

The Laurentians are also a wonderful destination for cycling. One of the region’s best-known routes is the P’tit Train du Nord, a scenic recreational trail that runs through beautiful Quebec landscapes. Whether you’re an experienced cyclist or simply want to enjoy a leisurely ride, exploring the region by bike can be a fun way to spend an afternoon.

Hiking and Golfing Near Estérel

If you’d rather stay on dry land, the surrounding region offers opportunities for hiking and enjoying nature. Estérel is also known for its golf club, making the area appealing for golf enthusiasts. Personally, I loved having the option to enjoy a little adventure during the day and return to the spa afterward. It’s the perfect balance!

Dining at Estérel Resort: Our Restaurant Experience

Marie and I are both major foodies, so naturally, trying the resort’s restaurants was high on our vacation agenda. One of my favourite things about a weekend getaway is getting dressed up for dinner and enjoying a meal without worrying about cooking or cleaning afterward. During our original stay, we tried the resort’s ROK restaurant and a lakeside bistro called 260°. Here’s what we thought!

Dinner at ROK: Hot Stone Dining

Our first dinner was at ROK, a restaurant known for its interactive hot-stone dining experience. Instead of having your entire meal prepared in the kitchen, you cook selected ingredients on a heated stone right at your table. How fun is that? I started with crab cakes while Marie ordered mixed greens. For our main courses, I chose scallops and Marie went with jumbo shrimp. We cooked our seafood to our liking and enjoyed it alongside ratatouille and baked potatoes. Everything was delicious, and the experience made dinner feel like an activity in itself. We stayed until sunset, enjoyed a glass of rosé and finished with dessert. Naturally, I went for the brownie topped with a macaron. No regrets!

Lunch With a Lake View at 260°

The following day, we enjoyed lunch at 260°, which offered beautiful views overlooking the lake during our visit. I ordered the Estérel beef burger with roasted pork flank, cheese, fries and garlic flower mayonnaise, while Marie chose the pasta of the day. After spending the morning relaxing, it was exactly the kind of meal we needed before heading out for more water activities. We enjoyed the restaurant so much that we returned for dinner the next day! Restaurant concepts and menus have changed since our original visit, so I’d recommend checking the resort’s current dining options before making plans.

Tips for Planning a Weekend at Estérel Resort

If you’re thinking about booking a stay, here are a few things I’d recommend considering before your trip:

• Choose your suite carefully. Some room categories offer lake views, beach access or private hot tubs, so compare the features that matter most to you.
• Book dining reservations ahead of time. Popular restaurants can fill up, especially during weekends and holidays.
• Reserve spa treatments separately. Access to thermal facilities and booking a massage or beauty treatment aren’t necessarily the same thing.
• Pack for outdoor activities. Bring comfortable shoes, swimwear and layers so you can enjoy the resort in different weather conditions.
• Check seasonal availability. Water activities, equipment rentals and certain outdoor amenities may depend on the time of year.
• Leave time to relax. It’s tempting to plan every minute of a getaway, but some of our favourite memories came from simply enjoying our suite and the beautiful scenery.

Thank you to Estérel Resort for sponsoring my original stay. As always, all opinions are my own.