B&B'S, CHALETS, COTTAGES

La Chocolatière d'Hatley: This charming B&B in a century-old house in cute North Hatley was named the best B&B in the Townships by Tourisme Quebec in 2009 and picked up a silver award in the Quebec-wide competition. And of course, they offer awesome chocolate, too. Address: 985 Massawippi, North Hatley, Qc., tel.: 819-842-1604 or 514-346-9200, website: LaChocolatiereDHatley.com.

CottagesQuebec.com Townships page: This searchable site features hundreds of cottages for rent and sale in the Townships, categorized by town and filterable by criteria like whether it's got a fireplace or is on the water.

Domaine Tomali-Maniatyn: Sutton's first five-star B&B is perched high above the Sutton valley, about a kilometre from the ski hill. Natural pine construction, salt-water pool and reportedly awesome breakfast. Last visited: not yet. Address: 377 chemin Maple, Sutton, Qc., tel.: 450-538-6605, website: Maniatyn.com.

Les Randonnées Jacques Robidas: Rustic wood cabins and seasonal activities including horseback and sleigh riding, hiking, snow shoeing and ice fishing. A sugar shack opens up for maple tastings in spring. Address: 32 Chemin McFarland, North Hatley, Qc., tel.: 1-888-677-8767.

TAGS: Eastern Townships, Sutton, North Hatley, cabin, B&B

INNS

Au Diable Vert: Said to be Quebec's best place to watch the leaves come ablaze with fall colours, this unique 200-acre property in the stunning Glen Sutton valley won the 2000 Quebec tourism grand prix for outdoor adventure attractions. "You want to whistle The Sound of Music, it's so beautiful there," raves my trusty Glen Sutton correspondent. Features include a superb restaurant, a wide variety of lodgings ranging from mountain-view suites to cabins and even prospector tents, plus year-round organized activities from skiing on nearby Mt Sutton to mountain hiking, kayaking, bicycle tourism and mushroom picking. Last visited: not yet, but soon! Address: 169 chemin Staines, Glen Sutton, Qc., tel.: 450-538-5639, website: AuDiableVert.qc.ca.

Auberge Le Coeur d'Or: This charming village inn at the northern tip of Lac Massawippi is located in the former North Hatley postmaster's house, built in 1897. Gastronomic and picnic packages available through the fine on-site restaurant, which draws on local ingredients. Address: 85 Rue School, North Hatley, Qc., tel.: 819-842-4363, website: AubergeLeCoeurDOr.com.

Auberge Georgeville: This stately and charming Victorian abode located near Lake Memphremagog just south of Magog bills itself as Canada's oldest operating inn. Highlighted by Condé Nast Traveler, the restaurant serves mountain goat, caribou mousse, smoked lake trout and "Not-So-Traditional" chocolate crème brulée. Last visited: not yet. Address: 71 Chemin Channel, Georgeville, Qc., tel.: 819-843-8683, website: AubergeGeorgeville.com.

Auberge Iris Bleu: This cute little inn in South Bolton boasts gastronomic cuisine de terroir, using choice local ingredients, and is next door to the renowned Bolton Falls Spa, for which the Iris Bleu offers a discounted spa package. Address: 895 chemin Missisquoi (Route 245), Bolton Centre, Qc., tel.: 450-292-3530, 1-877-292-3530, website: IrisBleu.com.

SPAS


Auberge Ripplecove & Spa: Built in 1945, this 35-room inn in Ayer's Cliff overlooking Lake Massawippi offers luxurious surroundings, fine dining, conference rooms and an assortment of spa services. Includes a tennis court, winter-time sleigh rides, skating and ice-fishing on the lake and snowshoeing. Address: 700 rue Ripplecove, Ayer's Cliff, Qc., tel.: 1-800-668-4296 or 819-838-4296, website: Ripplecove.com - Quebec resort.

Auberge West Brome: This 25-room inn, surrounded by a historic farm cultivated by one of the original Loyalist families of the Townships, has a well-known spa that offers a good variety of packages. The setting in a large open field by the highway takes a little away from an otherwise nice experience. Our massage correspondent says her spa treatment was nice, but not superb. Rating: Just okay. Last visit: Nov. 2007. Address: 128 chemin West Brome (route 139), West Brome, Qc., tel.: 1-888-902-7663 or 450-266-7552, website: AWB.ca.

Balnea: Secluded spa by pretty Lake Gale in the mountains near Bromont offering massage, yoga, exfoliation, healthy food for lunch, etc. "A fantastic deal for the price," says Christos, a regular visitor. "The staff is hot. At the end of the day you're half-naked, so you want to make sure the other people you're looking at are pleasant to the eye." But hey, that's just Christos. Mostly a younger clientele and staff. Last visited: Nov. 2008. Rating: Very good. Address: 319 chemin Lac Gale, Bromont, Qc., tel.: 450-534-0604, website: Balnea.ca.

Bolton Falls Spa: Very nice, out-of-the-way Finnish-style spa by the picturesque Bolton Falls. Offers full get-away packages (massage, eucalyptus bath - every spa needs one of those! - something called a sauvusauna, polar bath and on-site yurt). Relaxed staff and clientele of all ages. Lodging is next door or across the road at the Iris Bleu B&B, which also offers gastronomic dinners. Last visited: Aug. 2009. Rating: Awesome. Address: 883 chemin Missisquoi (Route 245), Bolton Centre, Qc., 450-292-4772, 1-888-944-4772, website: SpaBolton.com.

Estrimont Suites & Spa: This redesigned "health centre" near Mount Orford just picked up a silver in the Quebec tourism awards for four- and five-star lodgings. They've got gastronomic dining, indoor and outdoor pools, Finish sauna, hotbaths, Nordic waterfall, tennis, volleyball and of course a Scandinavian-style spa. Address: 44 de l'Auberge Ave, Orford, Qc., tel.: 819-843-1616 or 1-800-567-7320, website: Estrimont.ca.

Spa Eastman: Named one of the world's top-10 "best affordable spas" in the fifth Spa Finder Readers' Choice Awards (held by Spafinder.com and Luxury SpaFinder Magazine). Spa Eastman, which turned 30 in 2007, helped pioneer "vacation spas" with its 315 acres of picturesque wooded land, 15 kilometres of trails and classes in Chi Kung, Tai Chi, pilates, yoga and more. Last visited: not yet, but can't wait! Address: 895 chemin des Diligences, Eastman, Qc., tel.: 1-800-665-5272 or 450-297-3009, website: Spa-Eastman.com.

TAGS: Eastern Townships, spa, Eastman, Balnea, Bromont, Auberge West Brome