Quebec monastery hotel tops National Geographic travel list

CTV Montreal: New life for heritage site A 17th century stone building where the Augystinian sisters found Hotel Dieu in Quebec City is now a boutique hotel gaining attention.

A 65-room hotel built last year in Quebec City has been named the world’s number one travel experience for a physical and mental reboot by National Geographic Traveler Magazine.

The hotel is located in the heart of Old Quebec, and is a short distance from the St. Lawrence River.

The illustrious designation comes as Le Monastere Des Augustines, a 65-room boutique hotel located in the wings of the historic Hotel-Dieu de Quebec monastery, marks its first anniversary.

While the wellness hotel may be only one year old, the site has a history dating back to the 17th century.

The Augustinian Sisters founded Hotel-Dieu – the first hospital in North America outside of Mexico – after being sent to “New France” by King Louis XIII in 1639.

Nearly four centuries later, the community of Augustinian sisters is shrinking.

“The sisters started to think about what they could do or what they should do with their heritage,” the hotel’s executive director, Isabelle Duchesneau, said in an interview with CTV Montreal.

The solution was a hotel with an emphasis on wellness, and healthy eating in a secular space.

New mixes with old to preserve the centuries-old building’s character. A crooked wooden staircase dating back to 1757 remains intact.

There’s also a museum filled with artifacts and religious relics.

“We decided to go ahead with this mission, but in a contemporary … modern way,” Duchesneau said.

Visitors can stay in modern rooms, however, those who want the true convent experience opt for the authentic rooms much like the ones the nuns slept in. They are complete with original low doorframes, and a single bed.

There are also communal spaces for quiet reflection and guests are encouraged to disconnect from technology.

While this may be a hotel for paying guests, it’s operated by the sisters’ non-profit organization.

“All our surplus funds are just re-invested in our social mission, cultural mission,” said Duchesneau said.

It costs at least $84 per person for one night’s stay in the authentic rooms, and at least $104 per person in the contemporary rooms.

For additional fees, the hotel also features relaxation and meditation classes as well as holistic health consultations and massages.