We woke up early the following day to have a relaxing breakfast before our appointment with the resort company (the timeshare presentation that my husband signed up for the previous day for the sole purpose of getting the vacation deal for next summer). We took the car to their Club House and spotted several deer along the way.
At the lobby, we were welcomed by a couple of agents who offered us coffee then introduced us to their supervisor. We had a few minutes with him at his office where we listened to his pitch – a short introduction of their company and their properties all over the world, the advantages of timeshare vacationing, and the bonuses that they offer.
Afterwards, he took us to a section of the Club House where three model suites were waiting to be explored – a one-bedroom, a two-bedroom, and a penthouse suite. Each was luxuriously decorated, tastefully furnished, and equipped with the latest appliances. They came with full kitchens that any chef would want to cook in, fancy bar areas when one could play barista and impress guests, spa-inspired bathrooms for total rest and relaxation, stone fireplaces for those cool nights, private balconies to enjoy the views, ensuite washer and dryer for convenience, and spacious bedrooms for a good night's sleep.
Back at his office, he mentioned that each resort is uniquely styled to suit its surroundings and could offer additional amenities tailored to the location – outdoor dining rooms in Palm Desert, private dip pools in Mexico, pocket gardens in Hawaii, and the like. He was good. He built up excitement on the idea of a luxurious, hassle-free, and low-maintenance kind of vacation.
When I finally asked for the price, he wrote it down on a piece of paper and I immediately said, “It’s a little too much for us.” Then, he deftly segued to the follow-up pitch – since they had a special promotion that season, we could have it for a lower price and proceeded with calculations that showed us how it made much more sense to get a timeshare than book hotels individually every time we go on a trip.
When my husband asked if we could discuss it first, he gave us fifteen minutes of private time to talk, and when we told him that we still need to think about it, and maybe sleep over it for a few days, he proceeded with the next sales pitch. He told us that the promo price he quoted was only good until the end of the day, because he usually doesn’t give this generous offer to anyone. Hahaha…I recognized the typical sales tactic – create an actual urgency with a time limit.
Tempting as it might have been, I told him that we normally do not make big decisions on the spot. I also sincerely told him that while their resorts are superb, we would have a difficult time making a long-term commitment because we do not always go for the luxurious style of traveling. While this is of course, the most relaxing and most convenient, we also like adventure travel, long driving, staying in rustic cottages, and joining all-inclusive tours with a group. Sometimes we like to travel in style, sometimes we like to rough it up. Sometimes we plan every single detail, and sometimes we choose to be spontaneous. In short, getting a timeshare would not make sense for us at that time, because it offers a uniform standard, which we do not necessarily look for, or need all the time.
We are not inherently resort travelers. My husband, for example, would rather climb mountains, hike in the woods, and dig for rocks and fossils all day than soak in the jacuzzi while gulping on beer with a bunch of friends. As for me, I would rather spend the whole day outside, exploring the cultural sights, visiting museums, and going on a food adventure with the locals, rather than pampering myself in the spa, working out in the gym, or indulging in fine dining. These things, we could easily do in some hotel in our hometown, if we really wanted to. My husband likes to experience the natural wonders of the place we are visiting, while I want to experience some cultural immersion. You cannot do these things while locked in a resort.
Honestly, neither of us could imagine taking those weeklong vacation packages where you are cooped up in the resort, drinking free cocktails every day, and just doing the usual resort things – swimming, playing beach volleyball, trying every water sport available, enjoying the spa and gym amenities, dancing and partying at night, etc. I think three days max of these would be enough for us, and afterwards, we would be bored-to-death and dying to go out. Our son takes after us, too. He likes to explore.
We politely thanked our host and told him that we would be back the following year to enjoy the discounted package that we bought from them and that should we have a change of heart, we’d contact him right away.
He thanked us back and wished us well for the rest of our stay. He candidly said that he would be waiting for us the following year. I liked this guy. He was a great presenter, very knowledgeable, and quite convincing, I must say, but without being pushy.
As we walked back to the car, my husband teased me and said, “I was surprised you didn’t take the bait. You like going everywhere.”
And I retorted with, “I actually thought you were going to give in, because between the two of us, you are the pickier one when it comes to accommodation, amenities, and such. And what was that all about when you were enthusiastically nodding your head and saying, ‘it makes sense’ the whole time he was presenting his calculations? And in case you don’t notice, I do enjoy luxury once in a while, but deep inside, I am a cheap traveler!”
He pretended to turn around and asked, “Should we go back then and tell him we changed our mind?”
We spent the rest of the morning walking around the upper and lower villages once more, browsing the boutiques and shops, and getting some chocolates and souvenir items. We bought some sandwiches and ate them al fresco at one of the picnic tables while watching some kids play a giant game of “Snakes and Ladders” near Promenade Deslauriers. My boys afterwards joined other players while I sat on the shade and sipped my coffee.
We checked out that afternoon and bid goodbye to the Mont-Tremblant Resort.
It was time to explore Mont Tremblant's other side, so we drove to the Old Village to find some fresh bread and local goodies.
Situated on the shore of Lake Mercer between the Resort Village and Tremblant’s downtown area, the picturesque Old Village is a charming country town that gives visitors a glimpse of the real Tremblant, stripped of the razzle-dazzle of resort life.
The area still teems with tourists, but it exudes a more bucolic vibe. Instead of five-star hotels, the lodging options there are cozy country inns, quaint bed-and-breakfasts, and an old hotel, said to be the oldest in the district that is still in operation. The main street is lined with coffee shops, boutiques, restaurants, pubs, gourmet stores, bakeries, luxury boutiques, and antique shops, mostly small businesses and family-owned, in contrast with the big-name stores within the resort.
Here, we found a bakery with a good selection of freshly-baked bread and pastries, as well as a deli with excellent assortment of cheese and cold cuts. We were tempted to eat an early dinner at an Italian bistro because we were impressed by the menu (homemade pizza for the little boy, delectable veal marsala for the big boy, and calamari and spaghetti carbonara for me), but we promised my parents-in-law in Montreal that we’d be at their house in time for dinner. My mom-in-law mentioned she was going to make my husband’s favourite pork schnitzels. So, we just bought Italian desserts to go.
I was utterly charmed by this area. In my opinion, it perfectly captures the Laurentian local life – one with nature and with the community. We walked around some more and saw residential homes that are less fancy than the commercially run chalets and log cabins at the resort. We found a path that runs throughout the town connecting it to the Resort Village. A local told us that it services bikes during the summer and becomes a cross-country ski trail in the winter.
There is a historic church that has been converted into a theatre and an old train station that now functions as an art gallery. We saw signs for cultural events and festivals, as well as farmers’ market days. You could feel the community spirit in this neighbourhood.
The village is bordered by a huge park and the beautiful Lake Mercier Beach. We spent some time by the beach after perusing the shops on Main Street.
The more we explored the village, the more I appreciated its authenticity. Compared to the Resort Village with its European-style architecture and cobblestone streets lined with high-end boutiques and upscale restaurants, this one subtly oozes with rich, French-Canadian flare. I imagined that this must have been the centre of recreational activity in this area long before the Resort Village was developed. I told my husband that this side of Tremblant is a refreshing vacation alternative.
It must be perfect for writers and artists who are seeking some tranquil and contemplative time with their works, or for those wanting to take a break from the hustle-and-bustle of urban living. Here, one can commune with nature and enjoy the simple life. It is also a great option for families who want to enjoy the outdoors without too much commercialism – just the lake, the beach, and the forest in their natural glory. Should you feel inclined to socialize, there’s always the community festivals or the farmers’ market. Staying here in a small inn, a cottage by the lake, or a B&B will certainly make you feel that you are in a home away from home and with a genuine connection with your neighbours, who are mostly locals.
It was such a contrast to the The Resort Village where we just came from, whose appeal attracts a different set of clientele.
The resort is ideal for ski enthusiasts. The convenience of having the gondolas and ski lifts right at your doorstep is a must, plus if you want to have some apres-ski meals and drinks, the posh bistros and cafés are only a stone’s throw away. This is also the place where youngsters, clubbers, and partygoers stay because you can literally crawl back to your hotel after a night of dancing and drinking. For those who like to shop for high-end ski gear and luxury brands, the Pedestrian Street is the place to go. For kids and kids-at-heart, this is the centre for activities like mini-golfing, swimming in heated pools, go-karting, zip-lining, and other fun stuff. Festivals that include the big ones such as "Iron Man," "Wanderlust," "Blues Fest," and the like, attract a flock of loyal participants that fill the stage area and parking lots year after year.
Accommodations at the resort also lean towards the more expensive side, with luxury hotels and private chalets that provide one with all the modern comfort and amenities you could possibly need.
As for us, I think we could do a little bit of both. There is something for us from each side.
We are not skiers, but we enjoy modern amenities in our rooms and the proximity to resort attractions. We like nature and outdoor fun, but we have a little son and are, therefore, inclined to go for activities and amenities tailored for kids that most resorts offer. We are are not high-end shoppers and prefer buying local specialties at artisanal stores, but we also enjoy window-shopping. We are not partygoers, but we are late-night sleepers, so being in a resort where everything is open until late at night suits us. We are suckers for home-style meals in small family-run restaurants and holes in the wall that only locals know of, but we also like to treat ourselves to fine dining from time to time.
“So this is why we don’t need to get a resort timeshare,” I said to my husband. “We have to be open to all types of vacation options and we cannot predict what we would feel like doing – rustic versus luxury, or a little bit of both.”
The good news is, the Resort Village and the Old Village are not too far from each other! There is also the Centre-ville, formerly known as St-Jovite that is waiting to be explored. It’s the biggest “village” in Tremblant and is home to several business establishments, banks, schools, big stores, supermarkets, sports centres, and of course, the Town Hall.
We did not have time to go there, which is unfortunate. A local told us that even though it is their “downtown,” it is not like your typical urban downtown. The city has retained its old-world charm filled with historic old homes, shaded terraces, antique shops, restaurants, and sidewalk cafes. He reminded us to make sure we walk along the famous footbridge, which spans 1,000 feet along the Creek Clair that empties into the River Diable and that we check out Le P'tit Train du Nord linear park, a bike path built over an old railway line that ran through the area from 1909 to 1976. Next time!
We drove to Montreal late that afternoon already imagining our next summer’s return to Tremblant.
Photo Credits:
officialmonttremblant.com, infodunordtremblant.ca, villedumont-tremblant.qc.ca
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