A Grownup Getaway at Chalets Prunella in Outaouais, Québec

I was just drifting off to sleep, snuggled under a fluffy duvet and enjoying the luxury of sheets with a few hundred more thread counts than mine at home, when the unmistakeable call of the Canadian wilderness came drifting out from the nearby lake: two loons calling to each other in that distinctive, plaintive song that can’t help but stir your soul. No other sound carries across the glassy waters of northern lakes quite like this one, and nothing is more synonymous with a Canadian summer. I listened for a few more minutes until fatigue got the better of me, and before I knew it, I was enjoying the kind of sleep that only a day in the fresh air can provide. Our first night at Chalets Prunella in the Outaouais region of Québec, was off to a great start.

Getting out into the great outdoors seems to be a part of Canadians’ DNA. Yet not everyone has access to a summer home on a lake, and not everyone loves the idea of pitching a tent after a long road trip. This is why Chalets Prunella, in Outaouais, Québec, are the perfect solution. If a tiny home and a cottage had a baby, it would be one of these perfect little A-Frames, nestled in the trees on 75 acres of forest near Lac Johnson, about 80 minutes’ drive northwest of Ottawa. Even better than glamping, these little structures offer all of the comforts of a private cabin in the woods with boutique hotel luxuries, plus waterfront access to a beautiful lake only a short walk away. Better still, nature is right outside your door and slowing down isn’t just encouraged here, it’s practically mandatory.

Glamping, Plus

Henk and I have glamped many times in different kinds of structures, but these A-frame cabins at Chalets Prunella are a step above. There’s a Scandinavian sensibility to their beautiful design, with the notion of ‘hygge’ (coziness) built into the blonde wood finishes, the steeply pitched roof and the wood stove that provides heat for those chilly August nights, or snowy February days.

There is no pretense here of ‘roughing it’; instead, the cabins provide everything you need for a romantic, indulgent getaway.

Each cabin features an open concept main floor with floor-to-ceiling windows looking out onto the forest, a fully equipped kitchen (including spices!), a dining area, queen bed with hotel quality linens (including comfy robes), and a tiny loft perfect for reading that book you’ve wanted to read for months, or even enjoying an afternoon nap.

There’s also a private deck with lounge chairs perfect for that morning coffee or tea, and even a personal hot tub (perfect for that evening glass of wine!)

…and Glamping, Minus

The idea at Chalets Prunella is to not just add some luxury to your stay, but to escape the noise of regular life. This is a place made for disconnecting from the rest of the word, and re-connecting with nature and each other, minus digital distractions and the psychological noise that comes with them. Yes, there is wifi here, but take this opportunity to put down the phone or computer, unless you want to  start that Great Canadian Novel you’ve been thinking about. With only a handful of cabins on the property there is plenty of space between and around them to enjoy that welcoming silence to spur your creativity, and there is even a quiet hour policy that takes effect at 9pm every night. All the better to hear the loons, I say.

Nature Trails and Waterfront Access to Lake Johnson

Chalets Prunella offers everything indoors that you would want in a luxury retreat, but the beauty of its location is that the outdoors are only a few steps away. This may not be the kind of back country isolation you get from paddling your own canoe into the wilderness, but there are still 4 kilometres of easy trails that run through the forest property, making it ideal for occasional hikers who don’t need an adrenaline rush. For the record, I’m perfectly fine with this kind of ‘civilized’ hiking. We visited in the summer, enjoying the shady canopy that kept the heat of the July day at bay, and with all the deciduous trees surrounding us, we could only imagine how beautiful this forest would be in the fall with the trees in full autumn colours.

Equally civilized lake activities on the pristine waters of Lac Johnson are also just a short walk away, thanks to waterfront access via a staircase that takes you to two docks, where an array of paddleboards, kayaks and other lake toys are available for guests to use. Even though Lac Johnson is a popular lake with many Québec cottagers, this particular bay seems to be quieter than average with almost no motorized watercraft, thanks to the fact that the lake does not have a public boat launch.

We took the kayaks out twice during our stay, taking advantage of mirror-like conditions one evening, and enjoying the paddle to reach some of the tiny little islets just off the opposite shore. The sun was low, casting a golden glow on the water, and there was even an escort provided by one of the evening loons, who chose to accompany Henk and I as we paddled through the calm waters.

Evenings Made for Food, Wine and Fire

Darkness falls late here in the summer months, which seems to dictate the pace of everything: unrushed, Henk and I put together a simple dinner, opened a bottle of wine, and moved outdoors to sit under the lights and the stars.

No cabin or cottage would be complete without a fire pit, of course, which comes with wood thoughtfully provided by Chalets Prunella, so we lit a fire to finish off our glasses while enjoying the sight and sound of the fire. If the call of a loon makes up Side A of the quintessential Canadian summer soundtrack, a crackling bonfire is definitely on Side B.

Soaking in the Idea of Slowing Down

Whether you are looking for an escape from the ‘speed of life’ or just want to enjoy a holiday from the everyday, Prunella provides a romantic retreat that spoils its guests with luxurious accommodations and easy access to nature. It’s the perfect cottage weekend everyone dreams of (minus the maintenance!), with nothing to worry about except whether to go for a float on the lake or a walk in the woods. Getting out to enjoy the great outdoors may be part of the Canadian identify, but the idea of slowing down to appreciate it is built into Prunella’s own DNA.

Special thanks to Tourisme Outaouais who hosted Henk and I on our visit to the region and the Chalets Prunella property.