By Rochelle Lache
Homewood Suites by Hilton, at the heart of Tremblant’s mountain resort, has been renewed from top to bottom.
This condo-hotel is practicality personified, with great prices and lots of perks. It is a three-storey structure with a strategic location atop boutiques and restaurants and almost adjacent to the mountain’s lifts.
Since every unit has a full kitchen, you can either dine in or eat out — and going out means simply taking the elevator down to a huge choice of eateries on Place St-Bernard.
“The Hilton is convenient and budget-friendly, with free breakfast and free lodging for juniors 16 and under,” said general manager Alain Labarre. “We have user-friendly apartments that are ideal for families or friends and we offer grocery service to make everyone’s arrival easier.”
The hotel also has an attractive pool and hot tub.
The Hilton’s updated, intimate lobby reflects warmth and local flavour. It has a fireplace (seasonal) and new slate-grey leather and tweed sofas.
A series of vintage photos of Tremblant portrays Laurentian legends Joe and Mary Ryan, who created the Tremblant ski area in the 1930s; and Ernie McCulloch, ski jumper, racer and Tremblant’s renowned ski school founder.
One of the first condo-hotels to be built at Tremblant when Intrawest started the development more than 25 years ago, Homewood Suites by Hilton has been totally renovated this year — corridors, carpets, kitchens, guest rooms. The works.
All 101 studios and suites have full kitchens, fireplaces that burn eco-logs and sofa beds for children or extra guests. The smallest unit is a studio with a Murphy bed for two and a sofa bed for another two. Bathrooms have Neutrogena toiletries — a Hilton staple — and some of the larger suites have double vanities, separated by a door. That’s real privacy in spades.
Events: Upcoming events include Musical Weekend, Aug. 9 to 11, starring the Sam Roberts Band on Aug. 10; Mont Tremblant Half-Marathon, Aug. 11; Subaru Ironman Mont-Tremblant, Aug. 16 to 18; La Fête de la musique de Tremblant, Aug. 30 to Sept. 2; La Grande Gourmandise, Sept. 6 to 8; Bonneville 808 Challenge, a long-distance cycling tour for charity, with Alex Harvey as spokesman, Sept. 12 to 14; and the Fall Concerts series, Sept. 14 to Oct. 13.
Tremblant for free: The mountain resort constantly hops with outdoor entertainment for children, plus play areas and musical performances.
Those age 15 and under can play golf for free after 4 p.m. at Le Diable and Le Géant.
The hiking trails around the mountain are free, as is the multi-functional trail, a scenic paved path that’s great for cycling or strolling.
If you love guided group training — at no charge — you’re in business. Lolë Tremblant presents outdoor yoga, boot camp, Pilates and Zumba. For $10, the Club de course en sentier Salomon and the Club de course à pied, organized by Magasin de la Place, offer runs between three and eight kilometres.
Dining out: The Hilton zigzags along the northern edge of the village, and it’s built atop several restaurants. Samurai Pub recently expanded its space and menu; Le Shack is a fave for ribs and chicken; and Fat Mardis Resto-Pub has beer, burgers and Creole dishes. The Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory has updated its décor, but kept everyone’s favourite fudge flavours.
Make mine maple.
IF YOU GO
Homewood Suites by Hilton: 819-681-0808, 888-288-2988, hiltonhotels.com ; 3035 de la Chapelle Rd., Mont-Tremblant.
Price: In current high season, rates start at about $189 for four in a studio with a queen bed, a sofa bed and full kitchen; one-bedroom suites start at $229; two-bedroom suites also are available. Rates decrease from approximately mid-Oct. to mid-Dec.
Rates include buffet breakfast, outdoor heated pool (summer), whirlpool (year-round), newspapers (weekdays), grocery service, ski lockers, Wi-Fi; free resort parking available; fee applies for indoor parking. CAA discount. Hilton loyalty points apply. Children 16 and under stay for free.
Tremblant: 888-738-1777; tremblant.ca ; 1,900 units in 13 condo-hotels; 30 eateries/bars; 33 shops; convention centre; Moment Spa (in Fairmont) and Amerispa (in Le Westin). Adventure activities (for a fee) include a tree-to-tree course, Ziptrek Ecotours, Via Ferrata and rock climbing with equipment/guide. Access to the Panoramic Gondola is included at some hotels.
Copyright Postmedia Network Inc., 2019
