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How to Travel Better
Where have you brought me? My 16-year-old wasn’t saying it out loud, but her side-eye communicated her displeasure clearly. We were looking at a glass cabinet of 17th-century surgical implements. If looks could kill, my daughter’s eye-balling would have taken me out more swiftly than a character from a popular series. I had sold our two nights in Québec City as a “spa stay.” Instead, we were looking at what could be medieval tools of torture. It wasn’t quite fluffy robes on loungers by an infinity pool. However, Le Monastère des Augustines is anything but a banal B&B.
Historical Significance
Le Monastère des Augustines, part of the 1639-built Hôpital-Dieu de Québec, was a convent for centuries, but in 2015, it reopened with a new mission. Few city hotels entice guests with mindfulness and ‘museotherapy.’ Moreover, this establishment represents the first hospital in Canada, where the Augustine Sisters provided free medical services since the 17th century. By dedicating their lives to caring for others, they essentially introduced public healthcare to Canada. This cloister was gifted to the people of Québec as a charity-owned museum, but to preserve the site, it was redesigned as a hotel open to all. Even today, a few sisters still reside there, and a chapel is discreetly hidden away. The monastery’s legacy now lies in providing sanctuary for caregivers who receive discounted stays — demonstrating how our hotel choices can support others.
Unique Accommodations
Checked in via the light-filled contemporary glass atrium, we were given a tour of the original wooden-floored, stone-walled wing. Le Monastère’s past is subtly revealed through Christian iconography. Award-winning architects transformed the nuns’ quarters into bright, airy bedrooms. The adaptive design seamlessly integrates modern conveniences while preserving the structure’s historical essence, including secret tunnels concealing geothermal technology. Consequently, renewable energy is incorporated in a kinder and greener way.
Wellness Offerings
Artful installations throughout Le Monastère highlight its infirmary past. The Archive Centre gained UNESCO status in 2023 for preserving the historically significant writings of the Augustinian Sisters. During our visit, a meditative gallery of poetry allowed visitors to unleash their creativity. Moreover, traditional massages are available, but my experience on the NeuroBed proved enlightening. Lying down for 30 minutes, enveloped in soothing music and gentle vibrations, worked wonders on my parasympathetic system. As a result, I found myself primed for smoother sleep despite jet lag.
Mindfulness in Every Corner
The team at Le Monastère emphasizes mindfulness. By anchoring your state of mind in the present, you cultivate curiosity while remaining grounded in acceptance and contentment. This philosophy proved to be a welcome rest stop on a longer electric-vehicle road trip for my daughter and me.
Natural Beauty and Wellness
Canada’s dramatic natural beauty enhances wellness pursuits. Scenic pine-tree-framed lakes instill a sense of health and well-being. You would expect to find tranquility in places like Parc de la Chute-Montmorency, admiring awe-inspiring waterfalls, or on a boat tour of the St. Lawrence River. Surprisingly, however, it was beside Old Québec’s fortified walls where we truly appreciated the mental and spiritual benefits of quieting the mind.
Culinary Experience
The greatest lessons in mindfulness unfolded at mealtimes. Le Vivoir, the restaurant, serves delicious home-cooked dishes in a quality buffet style. Chef Derek McCann shared his passion for fresh, local ingredients sourced from a cooperative of regenerative farmers. Furthermore, he advocates for the nutritional benefits of slower eating, which promotes better digestion.
A Unique Dining Atmosphere
Notably, the dining experience accommodates many solo travelers, typical of a wellness retreat. However, this is not a conventional spa; it’s a restaurant situated in the heart of a vibrant city. Guests often seek respite here, especially caregivers who benefit from special rates. A brief conversation with a nurse enjoying her first holiday in over a decade underscored the importance of such spaces.
Conclusion
Our digital detox provided a stark contrast to the typical tourist experience, allowing us to absorb more stories and fostering compassion for the 10 percent of the population who are unpaid caregivers. Therefore, stepping out of your comfort zone can lead to unexpected inner journeys. Hence, while enjoying the calming atmosphere of Le Monastère des Augustines, we were reminded of the importance of being fully present and disconnecting from our always-on world.
Le Monastère des Augustines: Details
A double room at Le Monastère des Augustines is available for around £115 a night. Retreat packages begin with a one-night full-board stay that includes movement and wellness activities, from approximately £140. For caregivers, the same experience is only about £28, supplemented by a 15 percent discount on all treatments. Importantly, every stay helps subsidize rest and relaxation for those caring for individuals who are ill or disabled, emphasizing the significance of supporting caregivers globally.
Supporting Caregivers
This charity-powered platform in the UK connects accommodation providers with caregivers throughout the country, highlighting that 60 percent of individuals play caregiver roles at some point in their lives.
Healthcare Worker Discounts
Healthjob partners with Hotel Planner to offer healthcare workers discounts on the best available rates at hotels, promoting well-deserved breaks for those who dedicate their lives to caring for others.
