Luxe Beat Magazine JUNE 2015 | Page 23

Travel sits an equally elegant escape in the Auberge Saint-Antoine. Located in Québec City’s Old Port district, this six-story boutique hotel houses a sizable piece of this city’s past. n fact, the structure is perched atop a historically significant space where hundreds of artifacts, from both the French and English regimes, were discovered during an extensive archaeological dig on the property. Today, more than 700 of these finds are on display throughout the hotel, with each room showcasing an artifact and a fragment from a particular period in history with an explanation of its significance. Continually ranked as one of the best hotels in the world by many prestigious publications, the Auberge Saint-Antoine doesn’t need to work hard to earn the adoration of guests. But it does anyway. From fluffy over-size pillows scattered throughout the make-shift booth style seating in the downstairs café, to a bulbous bowl of seasonal fruit at the check-in counter, visitors are encouraged to feel right at home from the moment they walk through the property’s French-style doors. reveal sweeping views of the St. Lawrence River, this property can be summed up in one word: perfection. It’s a swift departure from the cookie cutter, one-size-fits-all model. This 200-acre piece of paradise is a destination all its own – a place where visitors can revel in sheer solitude as they wander the quiet gardens, pondering the hues of the flora and fauna that dot these impeccably groomed grounds. One of the resort’s most popular excursions allows guests to take an educational journey that’s out of this world without leaving this planet or the property. The 2.7-kilometer Speed of Light Trail takes guests on an incredible adventure through the woods, while providing an education in the solar system along the way. Several self-guided walking trails throughout the property boast lush greenery and stellar scenery. But the personal touches are what make a stay here both memorable and mesmerizing. With seven horses on property, a soaring golf course revealing 360-degree views, indoor parking for snowmobiles, sleigh rides in the winter and a complimentary, 20-minute tour in a horse-drawn carriage, there’s not much more anyone could want for after a stay here. Culinary Couture As a region known for its strong commitment to locally 6