Club Vacances le Plateau

Connoisseurs of fine food and skiing will enjoy this place” Club Vacances Toutes Saisons ektanurag Ontario, Canada May 11, 2005

If you are looking for a retreat to the luxury of a quiet, foothill setting overlooking snow-clad Mont Ste. Anne; Club Vacances Toutes Saisons is where you need to be. The Gold Crown- RCI resort is in the heart of ski action.

Well, this was our first visit to an RCI property. I am generally finicky about cleanliness and so the idea of a timeshare condo unit was somewhat hostile. My husband and I selected this resort for its ideal location, which is a five- minute drive from Mont Ste. Anne. The resort also offers free, hourly shuttle service. The units are done in a classic timber frame style with somewhat exposed beams that lend rather rustic look! As far as our condo goes, it was a one- bedroom, tiny unit. “It wasn’t exceptionally luxurious,” I must accept. But the usage of bright blue furnishings in the living and crimson in bedroom enhanced the overall appeal. The semi-kitchen within the living area is equipped for a full supper but has a small counter with the basin pushed backward. Not too handy, I must say. You can pick fresh grocery (store is 10- minute walking distance) for your meals and enjoy it by the small fireplace (you are only allowed to burn special logs available for $2 from the reception). The unit has a large TV with DVD player and CD’s are available for $ 3 from the office. The bathroom was very small, did not have Jacuzzi but was neat and loaded with towels of various sizes. We had some problems with the hot water system but it was quickly fixed. The balcony offered a spectacular view and the sun just made it more soothing for us! We never used the ski storage but heard it’s spacious.

The restaurant in the resort serves authentic French food… nominal (crème bulle $ 5 per serving) and sumptuous. If you are looking for a low-priced meal, there are a few buffet places on Boulevard Ste-Anne/Provincial Secondary Route 138 E which is the route to Quebec City, as well. This spot has some nice apparel outlets (Fila, Levis, Roots…) worth a stopover.

The Cathedral of Sainte Anne du Beaupre is just 10 minutes walking. We saw the picturesque Montmorency Falls from the Autoroute 40 E at night but couldn’t spare time for a visit.

For those who have never skied or boarded before, the Beginner’s Level at the Ski School will give you a safe and enjoyable introduction to this wonderful outdoor sport. It is a good idea to take lessons in group of four (mostly suggested by the school itself). Private lessons are expensive and have no difference. The one-day deal comprises of two-hour training and then you are left on your own to practice. With the equipment and training, it comes to around $ 110 for two adults, which isn’t too bad. For Day 1, this is good enough. Believe me the frequent fall, heavy shoes and the stuffy attire will tire you soon. Practice on the magic carpet and the automatic trail. You must also check the package deals (with/without supplies) if you plan to stay longer.

I suggest, you must try the oil massage or the Amma style therapy offered by RMT’s at the resort. It was $ 65 Canadian for an hour. We tried both.

Quebec City is around 40-minutes drive. Prefer leaving after 10:00 am during weekdays to avoid the office rush. The narrow cobblestone streets and fine architecture in downtown actually has something to offer everyone. We loved walking along the ramparts of the fortification, strolling through the battlements at the Plains of Abraham. Be sure to visit the Chàteau Frontenac. If you are looking for some local paintings make sure you visit the corner art vendors. Mind you, you will have to bargain for art here! Shopping in this historic French downtown is so much fun. Quartier Petit-Champlain is a flawless manifestation.

Overall, the stay was wonderful. Trust me you won't need to ask for anything at the resort during your vacation (the information brochures provided in the unit answers it all). You can get information about Gray Line tours from the Help Desk.

After a long day at the hills, enjoy a homemade scrumptious supper, watch a romantic movie by the cozy fireplace or watch mountain sunsets from your private balcony…..Club Vacances will not disappoint you. We were very satisfied with everything. Perfect location for a ski vacation. And you can still catch up with the excitement in Quebec City!