Breathtaking Lakeside
Retreat Rejuvenates and Inspires with Profound Pleasures
Nestled in a stunning cove on pristine Lake
Massawippi in Quebec’s Eastern Townships, there stands the
darling of all inns: Ripplecove. Only an hour- and-a-half away from Montreal,
and within 20-minutes from all kinds of
interesting tourist towns, Ripplecove’s coveted location in Ayer’s Cliff is near it all, and yet, far enough away from the maddening crowd.
This five star award-winning wonder with its 4-Diamonds’ status
(garnered since 2010), surrounds you in a tranquil oasis. Lush nature spans into vistas so beautiful, your senses become rapt in spellbound magic.
A toast to scenic serenity!
No
matter where you roam on its 12-acre grounds, you’re cocooned in restful bliss.
Savour the views!
History
Embodied in Visual Beauty
Ripplecove resonates with history; you feel it the minute you enter.
Time seems to stand still. Feast on the expansive interior that immediately pleases with lovely
antiques, paintings and photographs.
The library is evocative of times gone by.
It's chock-full of old books on a historical chest with Diana sculpted at its top.
One of a kind treasures are on every floor at every turn.
Each draws you into unique stories of times gone by.
Such timeless appeal instantly ushers in warmth – as do the welcoming smiles at
the reception desk.
The legendary establishment has its own Canadiana tale that vividly
reflects its 73-year-old past; and though Ripplecove has witnessed different owners,
a quintessential key to its unrivalled allure and success remains in this: the spirit
of hearth, home and hospitality truly defines Ripplecove and it’s always there
for you.
Sit down and immerse yourself in it.
A
New Owner with a Virtuous Vision
Last March, a new dynamic owner opened Ripplecove’s door. Without
wasting a moment, he put his passionate vision and solid ideas for the place
into reality. His main drive is giving the guest an optimum experience of
comfort and calm combined with subtle luxury – without changing the inn’s
vintage flavour.
The old-world ambiance and of Ripplecove has been given some beautiful
changes and there’s more to come. The pool is a splendid example of these novel changes.
Hammock and moon chair heaven
It
idyllically cradles each guest as they take shade in the wonderful adjustable
moon seats and stare at the many other pool comforts including the gorgeous
garden. Downstairs, the bar has been greatly enlargened, as has its outdoor terrace.
As for the rooms, six of the seven superior ones have undergone bathroom white
marble renovations. Wow!
It is the guests and their sheer enjoyment that shape the owner’s
dedication to making Ripplecove an unrivalled hospitality haven. He revealed
some of his plans for the future, and I already wanted to book my next stay.
Rooms
with Charm and Rooms with Regal Appeal
There are 30 rooms and three suites. There are also two cottages and one
accommodates your dog. Rooms vary in colour, décor and size.
Classic rooms are smaller than the superior or luxe ones. Classics have
cozy touches and some look out to the lake. Superior rooms and luxe rooms are
divine. They even have a fireplace.
Twenty-three rooms have their own private balcony looking out onto the lake.
My luxe room did.
Mornings I would open my sliding glass doors, step out onto the balcony to contemplate
the awakening view before me. I would watch the birds, look down at the loons,
listen to the rippling water and pinch myself to make sure it was all real. Coffee
machines are in rooms, and this added to my daily morning ritual to relax in
nature from on high.
My bathroom was huge and
glistening in smooth dark brown marble. Every amenity was there, including big
fluffy terry-cloth bathrobes, different soaps and other organic toiletries.
Dining
on Gourmet Godliness
What an enchanting setting for dining!
You can sit inside or outside on the terrace where the water is right
before you.
The two expansive docks (one is new) invite cottages on the lake to
dock their boat here and come to dine.
Steve Rondeau, the chef of le Riverain is a cuisine prodigy. as a
youngster, he began creating his own dishes that would always bring out superb
taste. Self-taught, Chef Steve is constantly cooking up extraordinary dishes in
the kitchen with his 22-year-old son Gael who’s his right hand man. I liken them to a deity duo of world-class
dishes
For breakfast, I had an exquisite omelette, Buttery tasting with melted
Alfred le fermier cheese, it also featured shimeji mushrooms. It was wonderful.
I could hardly wait to dig in.
Lunch left me starry-eyed when I tasted the main dish – a lobster
risotto.
Truly fantastic, it was pre-empted with a tartar of stunning taste and
texture. A blackberry silky puree laid in streaks across my slate plate.
It was prefaced with aranchini – an amuse-gueule – a delightful taste surprise. Under it
was a subtle onion purée of perfect taste.
Dinner was a feast that amply showcased Chef Steve’s exceptional cuisine
talent. I ordered the sunchoke artichoke soup (Jerusalem soup). Complicated to prepare, but
divinely simple in taste, this entrée first laid out a smoked duck crumble,
marinated onion and a shiitake purée. A glaze veal reduction (the soup) was
poured over these latter ingredients.
I also had the red tuna called tataki. Divinely
satisfying, it featured maple syrup bacon, smoked pork chips, citrus and maple
sour cream, blood orange purée and sea buck thorn. It was so colourful, and like
all dishes at le Riverain, magnificent in presentation.
The cod with cauliflower, kale, Tokyo
turnips, leek and bee balm oil with strawberry was topped by a wafer-thin
crunchy lotus. The fish was tender but if you do not like salt, be aware that
its taste is prevalent.
Desserts were stand-outs!
Pastry chef, Robin Lee is also a genius. Here
is what I had to end my various meals: Clementine parfait (orange reduction),
lime meringue, coconut tile with raspberry lychee purée.
Addictive was the raspberry sorbet with its sour cherry mousse topped
with a tiny violet petal.
The Guayaquil
was like four desserts in one. A brownie and so many more delights came with
it. This one topped my taste for sweet indulgence.
Should wish to work off calories, head for Ripplecove’s tennis court or
hop on a bike and travel down the Tomifobia trail, or take one of the inn’s
kayaks or row boats. Then again, riding on a pontoon that tours Lake Massawippi
is a nice way to toast the day. This can be arranged at the front desk, as can
treatments at Ripplecove’s Arboressence Spa.
Ripplecove will call you back as it did me. This article attests to its
enduring magic. Its beauty lingers in your soul. You will return.
The address is: 700 Ripplecove,
Ayer's Cliff, QC, J0B 1C0
