While today it is a four-star hotel, the Hotel Montfort didn’t start that way. Founded in 1925 by the Montfortian Fathers (also known as Montfortians), the building began as the House of Sainte‑Marie de Nicolet, serving as a novitiate and closed retreat center—a place for prayer, spiritual formation, and meditation.
These days, it still offers a quiet retreat with a bit more pampering as the home for 50 priests and brothers is now an 83-room hotel with a spa and restaurant.
Hotel Montfort sits on the edge of the Nicolet River in a part of Quebec that feels more local than touristic—fewer selfie sticks, more songbirds. The hotel is near the Lac Saint-Pierre UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, where the St Lawrence River expands into a lake and marsh area. Don’t expect bustling nightlife or city clamor—this is a place where nature hums quietly, and your “neighbors” might include herons and foxes.
That said, you’re still within a few minutes’ drive of local restaurants, a supermarket, and the center of Nicolet.
Public Spaces: Peaceful With a Touch of Heritage
The lobby of Hotel Montfort is calm and unfussy, with clean architectural lines and large windows that bring in the trees and soft light. You can tell this building wasn’t always a hotel. The architecture blends modern updates with subtle nods to the building’s past, such as long, quiet hallways that evoke its spiritual heritage.
Wi-Fi is free throughout and strong, including in the lounge and meeting areas. Business travelers will find a few dedicated workspaces, but this hotel seems to prioritize serenity over productivity.
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Room Features: Simple Comforts with Subtle Style
My room was in the newer wing, which offered modern comforts without unnecessary flair. The layout was practical, and while it didn’t scream “luxury,” it whispered “well-considered.” My king bed was firm but not unforgiving, with crisp white sheets and enough pillows to build a respectable pillow fort if needed.
Bathrooms are stocked with locally made amenities and feature a large combination shower and tub. Storage space was ample for a two- or three-day stay, and there’s a mini-fridge for any cheese, wine, or leftovers you might pick up nearby. There was an in-room Nespresso machine for coffee drinkers.
My fellow travelers and I did not find an elevator in the building where we stayed in the Hotel Momfort.
My room had a balcony overlooking the lovely garden fountain.
Special Features: From Monastery to Mindfulness
What sets Hotel Montfort apart isn’t flashy decor or five-star indulgence. It’s the way the hotel leans into its past and environment. Staying here feels like being invited into a quiet conversation with the landscape and the building’s history.
There’s a walking trail system that starts just behind the hotel and connects to the marshes of Lake Saint-Pierre. In spring and early summer, you’ll likely spot herons, geese, and dozens of other species.
The hotel also includes wellness offerings like a spa, and seasonally offers access to bikes, pedal boats, paddleboards, canoes, kayaks, and snowshoes.
Food and Dining: Elevated Local Fare at Le Bistro Montfort
Le Bistro Montfort is onsite, although I only ate breakfast at the hotel and cannot comment on the dinner menu. The restaurant’s menu reflects Quebecois traditions with modern touches. Breakfast was a buffet that included eggs, sausages, bacon, ham, baked beans, yogurt, cheeses, fruit, coffee, and tea.
Hotel Montfort spa – photo by Laura Danforth of winetravelista.com
Facilities and Amenities: Spa, Pool, and More
There’s a modest indoor pool that’s better suited for relaxing than lap swimming.
The spa at Hotel Montfort Nicolet offers a wellness experience centered around a Nordic-style thermal circuit. Guests can alternate between four hot baths, a cold plunge, a dry sauna, and restful relaxation areas, including a cozy fire corner.
Access is included with most overnight packages after 4 PM, or it is available earlier for a small additional fee. Day visitors can enjoy a five-hour block for $45, or $30 in the evening, with complimentary access offered when booking a 90-minute massage. Massage therapy is available by advance reservation and adds a deeper layer of relaxation. Open daily from 9 AM to 10 PM, the spa is a highlight of the Hotel Montfort experience.
The hotel also features meeting spaces that can accommodate small conferences, retreats, or weddings.
Things Nearby: Museums, Marshes, and Microadventures
The Museum of the Culture of the World is nearby. It has a permanent exhibit about the major world religions as told through the eyes of some young believers. It also has a couple of temporary exhibits. When I visited, there was a fun exhibit on the history of poutine.
Just a five-minute drive brings you to the Parc Écomaritime de l’Anse-du-Port, where raised boardwalks lead you through marshland ecosystems.
Drive 20 minutes east and you’re in Trois-Rivières, a small city with a surprising number of museums, cafes, and colonial history. Alternatively, head to Bécancour, where you’ll find artisan cheese shops, local microbreweries, and scenic cycling routes.
See more at A Five-Day Foodie Exploration of Southern Québec.
Rooms at Hotel Montfort start at about $200 Canadian.
Check rates online at Expedia, Booking.com, or Hotels.com.
My stay at La Cache du Lac Champlain was paid for as part of a press trip to Southern Quebec, but the views expressed are my own.
