Disclosure: I stayed at the Lofts du Village for free for review purposes, as a guest of Tourisme Quebec and Lofts du Village. Neither organization has reviewed this post, and all opinions are my own. This post includes affiliate links.
Lofts du Village is a pretty luxe place to hang your toque or hiking boots after a day exploring Gatineau Park or chilling at Nordik Spa-Nature. There are no big-chain hotels in Chelsea, Quebec (a cute village in the Gatineau Hills about a 15-minute drive north of downtown Ottawa). However, with accommodations like this, you won’t miss those big chains a bit.
When I say “luxe” and “posh,” I don’t mean that the short-term rental lofts and studios at Lofts du Village are dripping with velvet and chandeliers. Quite the opposite, actually, as I discover on a recent trip. With its huge mullioned windows, vessel sinks and blonde wood, my loft exudes more of a “discreet Scandinavian millionaire” vibe.
What will you find in a loft or studio at Lofts du Village?
The property opened in summer 2020, and the units have lots of up-to-date gadgets. Both studios and lofts are available.
Amenities in both types of accommodations include free parking, free (if somewhat slow) wi-fi, a large closet, a rainfall shower, a dishwasher, a coffeemaker, a kettle (hooray!), air conditioning and a big TV with Netflix.
Among the free toiletries are standard items such as shampoo, soap and cotton swabs, along with thoughtful extras like Band-Aids and hair elastics.
Each of the 39-square-metre (420 square foot) studios accommodates a maximum of two people and has a mini bar and queen-sized platform bed.
The 82-square-metre (880 square foot) lofts accommodate up to four people per unit. Each loft has a comfortable queen-sized platform bed (which I test) and a queen-sized Murphy bed (which I don’t).
The kitchen in my loft is huge—the table has seating for six—and is one of the best-equipped kitchens I’ve seen in a short-term rental.
As well as a full-sized fridge and oven, it has lots of dishes and glasses, a toaster, pots and pans, a colander, coffee filters, a French press, and a decent array of gadgets and utensils (knives, scissors, a can opener, a corkscrew, measuring cups). There’s even an ice bucket! The only common kitchen item missing is a microwave.
The loft also has a full-sized washer and dryer, which could come in very handy for guests who spend the day tramping through the great outdoors and/or have kids in tow.
The laundry machines are behind a pocket door. A second pocket door separates the bedroom/living area and the bathroom from the rest of the loft. I have the loft to myself on this trip, but I make a mental note that this setup would work well in situations where some guests want to go to bed early while others hang out in the kitchen.
Perhaps my favourite perk, given that I am visiting on a dry, cold winter day, is the small Asakuki diffuser/humidifier on the desk. Not only does it shoot out a soft plume of gently scented mist, it glows with different colours. Honestly, I am mesmerized, people. (I am easily amused.)
Tips for Lofts du Village
If you’re not keen on stairs, book a studio, because they’re all on the ground floor. Two of the studios are designated accessible, with features such as a roll-in shower, grab bars in the bathroom, and low-height outlets, counters and door locks.
The lofts are all on the upper two floors, so you’ll need to haul your gear up an external staircase or two (there are no elevators). On the bright side, you get some nice views up there.
If you’re watching your budget—who isn’t these days?—you might want to split one of those lofts with another couple, some friends or your kids. The lofts currently start at $345 a night, while the studios start $265 a night (all prices excluding taxes). As mentioned, the lofts have a maximum capacity of four, and the studios a max of two.
You can book packages that include perks such as continental breakfast at nearby Biscotti & Cie, entry to Nordik Spa-Nature, outdoor gear rental and more. Contact the hotel directly for details.
Planning your own visit and hoping to bring your dog? Lofts du Village is pet-friendly. Your canine companion can stay with you for an extra $50 fee per seven-night stay.
Finally: You might want to make a note to yourself when drifting off to sleep that the platform on the bed extends several inches beyond the mattress. That way, if you try to get out of bed when it’s still dark, you won’t trip.
To sum up
People looking for hotels in Chelsea, Quebec, sometimes find themselves at a bit of an impasse. The village is small (that’s why visitors and locals love it), so there’s not exactly a Hilton or Holiday Inn on every corner. However, there are some lovely bed and breakfasts, and a couple of motels have recently had glam makeovers.
The Lofts du Village isn’t a hotel, either, but the self-catering studios and lofts provide more amenities and sheer space than a standard hotel room. Plus, you can bring your dog and wash your socks! What’s not to like?
Here’s a link to book your Outaouais getaway.
P.S.: For ideas on ways to amuse yourself while you’re in town, check out this beginner’s guide to Gatineau Park and this Chelsea visitor guide.
Looking for more tips on things to see and do in Eastern Ontario, the Outaouais, northern New York state and beyond? Subscribe to my free weekly newsletter or order a copy of my book, Ottawa Road Trips: Your Weekend Getaway Guide.
As the owner of Ottawa Road Trips, I acknowledge that I live on, work in and travel through the unceded, unsurrendered territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabeg Nation. I am grateful to have the opportunity to be present on this land. Ottawa Road Trips supports Water First, a non-profit organization that helps address water challenges in Indigenous communities in Canada through education, training and meaningful collaboration.