I’ve now had the pleasure of staying at Hôtel Quintessence on four separate occasions, and somehow, each visit surpasses the last.

What really stuck with me this time was the food! And of course, the fireplaces. A real wood-burning fireplace in your room is rare these days, and every suite comes with one. There’s something about lighting it in the late afternoon and watching the flames flicker while the sky turns pink over the lake. So soothing. I love that they use eco-friendly logs too.

Most of the suites face the lake and surrounding hills, and the view never disappoints. The location is ideal, tucked at the bottom of the village, just steps from the ski lifts, restaurants, and little shops. You are in the middle of it all yet somehow removed enough.

And then there are the small touches. Each afternoon, a hot chocolate station appears in the lobby, ready to thaw frozen fingers and satisfy that post-ski sugar craving. It is one of those understated gestures that feel nostalgic.

A highlight of this trip had nothing to do with flash and everything to do with atmosphere. Hôtel Quintessence embodies a kind of classic mountain luxury - warm, inviting, and comfortable. On Sunday morning, we squeezed into a cramped pub at 8 a.m. to watch the final hockey game. The room was bursting with wonderful chaos. Tables being banged, bells ringing, cheers echoing off the walls. Despite the loss, it was loads of fun! One of those travel moments you do not plan but will always remember.

Back at the hotel, my husband spent his days skiing while I slipped into the spa. I had one of the best massages I can remember. A full hour of being kneaded, lifted, and brought back to life. Afterwards, we moved between the cold plunge and the hot jacuzzi, steam rising into the crisp air as we looked out over the winter landscape. That hot-cold ritual certainly wakes you up! 

One evening we settled into The Wine Bar, starting with cocktails at the bar before moving in front of the large fireplace for dinner. Cozy, unpretentious, and exactly what you want after a day in the snow (or the spa!). Chef Julien Bricout’s French onion soup remains one of my favourites. And you truly cannot go wrong with the classic burger. His menu offers plenty of beautiful dishes, but sometimes the classics are classics for a reason.

Hôtel Quintessence continues to remind me that luxury does not need to shout. Sometimes it is a crackling fire, a bowl of soup done perfectly, a massage that resets you, and a front-row seat to the mountains.

And that is precisely why I keep going back.