Luxury Hotel of the Huron Wendat First Nation

New Four Star Accommodation in Wendake, North of Québec City

May 11, 2009 Monika Fuchs

The Huron Wendat First Nation, whose 3000 members live north of downtown Québec, are the owners of a new four star luxury hotel in Wendake, their traditional homeland.

The Hôtel-Musée Premières Nations in Wendake, Québec, was opened in March 2008 and offers its guests a stay in very upscale surroundings. The building was designed as a longhouse in the tradition of the Huron Wendat First Nation and sits on the banks of the St. Charles River, which the native owners of the land call Akiawenrahk River, "the river of a thousand meanders".

The Hôtel-Musée Premières Nations in Wendake

The new hotel offers 55 luxurious rooms and suites in modern design using natural materials like stone, leather and wood which add up to an unusual but elegant overall impression of the hotel rooms and the interior.

A gourmet dinner in La Traite Restaurant completes the experience of the Huron Wendat culture. The chef, Martin Gagné, combines ingredients which reflect the First Nation tradition of hunting, fishing and gathering. Guests can enjoy their meals close to nature on the terrace or choose the private lounge the decor of which also reminds of the natural surroundings of the hotel.

A special "First Nations Menu" consisting of smoked duck breast, cucumbers and tomatoes on beets and fir jelly, a cheese terrine with caramelized sky apples, sautéed spinaches, hazelnuts and dried cranberries, a traditional Wendat soup, grilled elk, and walleye pike filet with candied leeks, labrador tea and corn emulsion delves deep into the native cuisine of the Huron Wendat and thus promises an unusual, but savory treat for anybody who wants to learn more about traditional food of Québec's First Nations.

An Experience of Wendake Culture and History

A stay at the Hôtel-Musée Premières Nations can easily be turned into a full immersion into the culture and history of the Huron Wendat people. Right beside the hotel the Musée Huron-Wendat is located, which presents insights into the life, culture and history of this First Nation tribe. The Notre-Dame-de-Lorette chapel is open for visits and displays antique silver and liturgical objects which survived a fire which destroyed the original church in 1862. The Tsawenhohi House, which was built for Grand Chief Nicolas "Tsawenhohi" Vincent in the early 1800s, today conveys an insight into the traditional knowledge of the Huron Wendat.

During the course of the year Wendake also celebrates native traditions in different events: besides the festivities during modern holidays like Christmas visitors can also come and attend a Pow Wow with ritual dances in native dress or thank Mother Earth for its generosity at the big market where they can taste typical Huron food.

Anybody, who wants to learn more about the native culture of the Huron Wendat, can do so during a great stay in the new and luxurious First Nation hotel and combine it with an intensive experience of Aboriginal culture. More information is available at the Hôtel-Musée Premières Nations, 5 Place de la Rencontre "Ekionkiestha´", Wendake, Québec, G0A 4V0, phone (418) 847 2222 or toll free at 1 (800) 551 9222 (for reservations only).

The copyright of the article Luxury Hotel of the Huron Wendat First Nation in E Canada Travel is owned by Monika Fuchs. Permission to republish Luxury Hotel of the Huron Wendat First Nation in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.