Le Germain Charlevoix Hotel & Spa

Though Le Germain Charlevoix Hotel & Spa is set on a working farm and runs its own farmers’ market during the summer months, the hotel itself is as modern as they come, proof that today’s travelers don’t see any contradiction between comfort and contemporary design. Much more than an updated farmhouse, it’s essentially a small village, its 145 rooms spread between five farm-inspired modern buildings. It’s forward-thinking enough to have its own train station, so you can walk on in Quebec City and walk off right at the hotel, no car required.

The rooms are attractive, luxurious, contemporary in style and thoughtful in design. Down duvets come in handy during the winter, when Charlevoix becomes less about a summertime lakeside idyll and more about hitting the slopes at Le Massif — and here the ski train comes in particularly handy.

A couple of restaurants serve the local produce in fine fashion, and the Spa Nordique Le Germain is no less stylish than the rest of the hotel. At the moment Le Germain Charlevoix is something of a well-kept secret, but we don’t see any reason to let Quebec have all the fun.

How to get there: Le Germain Charlevoix Hotel & Spa is located 60 miles from Quebec City, and the train leaves you right at the hotel.