Montebello | A Healing Small Town + All-Wood Luxury Hotel

Canada Day is here again! But this year, with only Tuesday off, it’s hard to travel far. That’s why I’m recommending a hidden gem just 1 hour from Ottawa—Montebello! 🏠 Fairmont Le Château Montebello The town’s crown jewel is this all-wooden 5-star hotel, like a rustic lodge resort. Guests get free kayaking, paddleboarding, tennis, and biking! Though we didn’t stay, we enjoyed coffee in the lounge—so relaxing. The lakeside path behind the hotel is perfect for a peaceful stroll. 🍃 🚶 Downtown Montebello Just 3 minutes from the hotel, the charming main street is lined with colorful boutiques, cafés, and bistros—great for photos 📸 and casual exploring. An hour here is just right. 🌳 A Secret Park & Ancient Tree At the street corner, a small park hides a historic house (whose? no idea!) and a 200-300-year-old tree—I literally hugged it to absorb its ancient energy. 😆 🍽️ Dinner at Le Bistro (4.6⭐ / 2,000+ reviews) We ordered way too much food (no regrets!): 🍲 French Onion Soup – Every Google review raves about it! Beer-infused broth + cheesy perfection. 🍝 Truffle Mushroom Ravioli – Rich, umami-packed, a must-order! 🐌 Escargots au Gratin – A bit too cheesy, lacking garlic butter punch. 🥗 Smoked Salmon Salad – Refreshing and light. 🦑 Calamari – Crispy, clearly fresh squid. Though just a day trip, Montebello was the perfect work escape—good food, cozy vibes, and total relaxation. 💆‍♀️ #TravelWithMe #OttawaDayTrips #Montebello #Fairmont #HiddenGems #OttawaWeekend #CanadaTravel #FoodieFinds