Tadoussac Treasure: Hotel Sous la Croix's Unforgettable Getaway
Tadoussac Treasure: Hotel Sous la Croix - A Whirlwind of Water Views and Unexpected Delights (and a Few Fumbles)
Okay, folks, buckle up. You’re about to get the unedited truth, the real deal about staying at Hotel Sous la Croix in Tadoussac. Forget those glossy brochures and perfectly curated hotel websites. This is my experience, warts and all, and let me tell you, Quebec’s whales weren’t the only thing taking my breath away.
First Impressions & Accessibility – A Mixed Bag with a View!
Right off the bat, the view? Spectacular. Seriously, like, "Instagram-worthy" kind of spectacular. The hotel clings to a cliff overlooking the Saguenay Fjord and the St. Lawrence River. Seals? Whales? Possible sightings from your room’s window? Check, check, and check!
But let's talk accessibility. I’m not wheelchair-bound, but I always pay attention. The website claims things, but honestly? I'd say it's a mixed bag. There IS an elevator (thank GOD for that!), but navigating the common areas felt a little… labyrinthine. It's a historic building, so charm definitely takes priority over absolute ease of movement. While they ticked the boxes in terms of having facilities for disabled guests, the overall experience felt more "trying" than "seamless". Accessibility Rating: C+ (Room for improvement, guys!)
On-Site Eats & Drinks – Fueling the Adventure (Mostly)
Alright, let’s get to the good stuff: food! The hotel boasts several options, which is always a plus when you’re in a remote place.
- Restaurants: They've got a couple. One with a buffet (hello, lazy mornings!), and another with a proper á la carte menu. I'm a sucker for a buffet, and their breakfast spread was decent; the usual suspects: eggs, bacon, pastries, and an attempt at Asian breakfast which was, well, interesting. The coffee, however, needed a serious kick. Their à la carte restaurant had some good dishes (the local salmon was a winner!), but service could be a tad slow at times. Foodie Rating: B (Room for perfection, but satisfying!)
- Bars & Lounges: They have a few to choose from. A poolside bar (perfect for a sundowner), and a "proper" bar. Both were good, they poured a good drink, and the views…again, breathtaking. The "Happy Hour" was great and made the bill a little easier to swallow. Booze Rating: A- (Cheers to the views!)
The Pampering Factor – Spa Time (Yay!) and Fitness (Maybe Later…)
Okay, the spa. I'm a sucker for a spa. And this one? Pretty darn good!
- Spa Delights: The pool with a view was the absolute highlight. Floating in warm water, gazing out at the fjord… pure bliss. They had a Finnish sauna, which was a perfect way to detox after a day of whale watching. The massages were expertly delivered and deeply relaxing. Spa Rating: A+ (Pure tranquility!)
- Fitness Center Now, this is where things got a little…underwhelming. There is a fitness center, but it's small, and the equipment looked like it had been around since the last Ice Age (okay, maybe not that bad). Let's just say I opted for the stairs instead. Fitness Rating: C- (Could use an update!)
Cleanliness, Safety & Covid-Era Considerations – Feeling Protected (Ish)
They're clearly taking precautions, which I appreciated. Hand sanitizer everywhere, staff masked up, and physical distancing protocols in place. The rooms seemed well-cleaned.
- Cleanliness & Safety: They used those anti-viral cleaning products and had all the usual trimmings - professional-grade sanitizing services, daily disinfection in common areas, and all the other things that make you feel like you might survive this whole pandemic. Hygiene Rating: A (Feeling relatively safe!)
The Cozy Quarters – My Room with a View
My room was…pretty great! Okay, let me gush a little. I went for a room with a view and it was worth it.
- Room Rundown: It had a private bathroom, air conditioning that worked (bliss!), a comfy bed with extra long options (thank goodness!), and, of course, the window… that window! The blackout curtains were a lifesaver for those early sunrises.
- Amenities in my Room: Complimentary tea, free bottles of water, and the all-important Wi-Fi [free]. I'm a travel hacker, so I always try to stay connected, and the Wi-Fi was mostly reliable. Room Rating: A- (Comfortable and well-appointed, needs an upgrade!)
Services & Conveniences – A Mixed Bag of Helpful & "Could Do Better"
The Hotel boasts services and conveniences which, well, varied in effectiveness:
- Reception: The front desk was open 24 hours and the staff were generally accommodating, though sometimes a little too laid-back.
- Other conveniences: They had a small convenience store, which was handy for snacks and essentials. They offer dry cleaning and laundry service (essential after a week of hiking/ whale watching). The luggage storage was definitely handy, and the concierge was helpful with tour bookings.
- The downside. The elevator was a bit slow, and you can't get around without it! Service/Convenience Rating: B- (Decent, but not always seamless)
For the Kids – Fun for the Little Sailors?
I didn't bring any kids, but they clearly had family-friendly offerings. They have a babysitting service, and kids menus in some of the restaurants.
- Kids facilities: I didn't explore these, but the presence is a huge plus for families.
- Family friendly rating: B+ (Looks good for the young ones!)
Getting Around – Easy Peasy (Mostly)
- Parking: They have free on-site parking, which is a huge bonus.
- Airport transfer This is essential as it is quite a drive to get to the Hotel.
- Getting around rating: A- (Easy access)
Overall Impression and Some Quirky Observations:
Look, Hotel Sous la Croix isn't perfect. It has its quirks, it has areas for improvement, and the accessibility could be better. But the location? The views? The overall experience had a certain charm. It's a place where you can unwind, breathe in the fresh air, and maybe even spot a whale or two from your bedroom window.
- Quirky thing I loved: The little shrine near the main entrance. A nice touch!
- Annoying thing: The occasional wait for service in the restaurant.
- Emotional Reaction: Okay, I want to shout it from the rooftops- it was BEAUTIFUL and I had a memorable time. I had days where I wanted to hug every staff member and days where I just wanted to ask, "What are you even doing?". It was a rollercoaster, but a rollercoaster with a phenomenal view.
- Ultimately: If you're looking for a luxurious, cookie-cutter experience, maybe this isn't it. However, if you're searching for an unforgettable getaway with stunning scenery, friendly (if sometimes slightly overwhelmed) staff, and the chance to create some lasting memories, then Hotel Sous la Croix in Tadoussac is absolutely worth considering.
Final Verdict: B+ (Definitely worth the visit!)
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Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because we are going to Tadoussac, and it's gonna be…well, it's gonna be something. My therapist says I need to embrace the mess. So here we go: my chaotic itinerary for Hotel Sous la Croix, 152725 Tadoussac, QC, Canada. Pray for me.
Pre-Trip Mental Breakdown (aka Planning Phase):
- Weeks Before: Okay, so Tadoussac. Whales. I signed up for this. Did I actually look at the logistics? Nope. That’s future-me’s problem. I have a vague sense of “Canada.” Is it cold? Probably. Do I have a coat? Maybe. Panic sets in. Online shopping spree. Three weeks' worth of “just in case” gear arrive. My credit card weeps silently.
- Days Before: Google Maps. Oh, it's…north. Really north. And looks like I might need a car. Ugh. Rental car anxiety. I hate parallel parking. Praying the universe blesses me with a small, easy-to-drive vehicle. Also start wondering if I packed any socks. Do I even own socks?
- Hours Before: Packing. Throwing everything into a suitcase with the frantic energy of someone trying to escape a collapsing building. Realize I've packed seven pairs of the same brown boots and zero comfortable walking shoes. Decide to “deal with it.” Drink two glasses of wine. This is going to be fun.
The Tadoussac Debacle (aka The Actual Trip):
Day 1: Arrival & Whale-Watching Whimper (Probably the Whales' Fault)
- Morning (Travel Day): Arrive at the airport, already regretting life choices. Rental car pickup. They give me a massive, intimidating SUV. "Oh, hell no" is all I can think. Somehow manage to maneuver it out of the parking lot. Take a wrong turn immediately. Spend the next hour cursing the GPS and the fact that I don't have a clue how to read a map.
- Afternoon (Arrival in Tadoussac): The drive is long, and beautiful…at least for the first two hours. Then, my brain starts frying. See stunning scenery. Snap a photo every five seconds. Become increasingly obsessed with the colour of the water. Finally, reach Tadoussac! The hotel is charming…and I’m ridiculously late. Check-in is a blur of exhaustion and trying not to spill my coffee (which, of course, I do). The staff are super nice; I’m sure they’re used to my brand of chaos.
- Late Afternoon (Whale Watching): Okay, this is what I came for. Excitement! We go on a big boat and there are a ton of people. We all just sit there, scanning the water, waiting for a glimpse. The tour guide is enthusiastic, but all I see are choppy waves. An hour in, I start feeling seasick. Two hours in, I am silently praying to the porcelain gods. Finally, a tail! Barely a tail. We do see a bit of a whale. I'm so relieved to be back on dry land I could kiss it. I also think I briefly saw a hallucination. This is going to be the first time that the trip hasn't gone as planned.
- Evening (Dinner & Self-Pity): Dinner at a little bistro. Overpriced, but delicious. Order enough carbs to soak up the remnants of the seasickness. Stare out the window, vaguely contemplating marine life and my questionable life choices. Decide to call it an early night.
Day 2: The Fjords & Fudge-Fueled Frenzy (This is definitely where I lose it.)
- Morning (Fjord Cruise): Okay, redemption time! A smaller boat this time. The fjord is gorgeous. The air is crisp and clean. Feeling optimistic. We see some seals! They're adorable. I have an emotional moment. I tear up at their cuteness.
- Afternoon (Tadoussac Village): Wandering around the village. Cute shops full of tacky souvenirs. Buy a whale-shaped keychain. Absolutely necessary. Find a fudge shop. Disaster strikes. Sample everything. Buy a ridiculous amount of fudge. Proceed to eat half of it within an hour. Sugar rush intensifies. My behaviour becomes increasingly erratic. I start talking to the seagulls. They ignore me. Good.
- Afternoon (Kayaking… Or Attempt Thereof): Decide to be adventurous. Rent a kayak. Immediately realize I have zero upper body strength. Paddle for about ten minutes. Get stuck in a current. Scream internally. Accidentally splash someone. Apologize profusely. Give up and drift slowly back to shore. Vow to stick to walking around the village.
- Evening (Dinner & Drunken Storytelling): My attempt at a "fancy" restaurant is cut short when I realized I'd left my boots at the hotel. So I just go back to the bistro. I’m tired, slightly sunburnt, and hopped up on caffeine. I get a little tipsy. Tell the waitress my life story. Probably make a fool of myself. Maybe I'll see her again tomorrow.
Day 3: Hiking, History, and Hidden Meltdowns (My Last Day!)
Morning (Hiking Mishap): Try to hike a trail. Get lost. Stumble upon a scenic overlook. Take a million photos. Fall and skin my knee. Curse the universe. (Mostly at my boots.) Scramble down the hill covered in dirt. Give up on the trail and sit on a bench.
Afternoon (History Lesson): Visit the Tadoussac historic site. Learn about the fur trade. Find it actually quite fascinating. Pretend to be a 17th-century explorer. Make several mental notes about how much better life is now. Realize I'm hungry.
Afternoon (Ice Cream & Self-Reflection): Ice cream. Always ice cream. Eat it with a mix of profound sadness and quiet desperation.
Evening (Departure Prep & Existential Dread): Pack for the trip back. Look at the mess I have created in the hotel room. Realize I’m leaving tomorrow. Think about packing the car; about the drive. Feel a general sense of impending doom. Write a series of increasingly dramatic notes in my journal. Question my capacity for fun. Go to bed, exhausted and vaguely dissatisfied.
Bonus: Final Reflections (On the road back…)
Realize I left my favourite scarf behind. Sigh.
The drive home is a blur of traffic and regret.
Do I regret this trip? A thousand percent yes. Do I regret it entirely? Maybe…no. There were whales. There was fudge. There was… something.
Will I go back to Tadoussac? Probably not. But I’ll always remember the time I tried to kayak and nearly drowned. And the seagulls’ indifferent faces. And that ridiculous whale keychain. And maybe, just maybe, I'll start packing socks. And comfortable walking shoes.
The End. (For now, at least.)
Okay, spill the tea. What *is* this "Tadoussac Treasure" thing at Hotel Sous la Croix, anyway? Sounds fancy. Should I even bother?
The Whale Watching. Is it actually any good? I’ve seen pictures. It looks... wet.
Let's talk rooms at the hotel. What's the vibe? Boutique chic? Run-down charm? Tell me the *truth*!
Kayaking: Worth the effort? I'm no athlete, and I'm picturing myself capsizing in freezing water.
The experience of paddling around the Saguenay Fjord is something else entirely. The silence, broken only by the dip of your paddle and the occasional bird call. Seeing the cliffs looming over you. It's an amazing experience. Just... take it slow. And maybe bring a snack. Paddling works up an appetite. Consider this a warning. Do not kayak on an empty stomach!
Food, glorious food! What's the culinary scene like in Tadoussac, and is it included in the package? (Please say yes!)
Anything I should *absolutely* avoid? Or any tips for a first-timer? Spill the tea!
Okay, you've mentioned almost falling overboard. Tell me the whole story! I need the gory details!
I grabbed on to anything I could get my hands on with both hands, which happened to be a rather unfortunate fellow tourist. He was very surprised. He also saved me. And he has my eternal gratitude. So, the moral of the story? Pay attention to the boat rocking, hold on tight, and maybe don’t wear a windbreaker.
