It's not every day that we get to spend peaceful moments eating free, organic, locally sourced meals within a monastery run by Augustinian nuns. (If you disagree, you are automatically in my Top 10 Most Interesting People list.)
While this monastery is highly specialized in tranquil retreats and deepening the Catholic faith, it is also an extremely welcoming and versatile haven for many different types of people with various needs.
The rooms, both equipped with modern luxuries and packed with authentic touches, are clean, quiet, and comfy. Further speaking to the versatility of this place is the info binder left in the room, that encourages you to unplug, reflect, utilize the choir and church in one sentence, and provides you temperature control instructions and the Wi-Fi code in the next. Another universal perk is its central location: right in between Old Quebec's many shops and the train station. The only thing some folks will be off put by is the lack of a private bathroom, although for the price paid it was worth using a communal set.
Growing up Catholic and being a tech nerd traveler, (work laptop, phones, camera gear galore) I appreciated both the opportunity to center myself, pray, and enjoy thoughtful meals in silence on one hand, and plug in my 8 items simultaneously to gear up for days of snapping Quebec on the other.
The staff was incredibly friendly and, to my delight, extremely eloquent and enthusiastic to provide customer service in English. In addition to great customer service, there are a number of other services you can sign up for, from yoga and activities to a free breakfast, lunch and dinner (tasty AND very healthy,) and a tour of their museum.
All in all, the folks running this place offer up a wealth of experiences perfectly suited to just about anyone. Have an open mind, sign up for everything you can, and you'll be in for a tranquil, comfortable and memorable experience! read more