Sutton, south of Montreal on the border with Vermont, is a perfect weekend getaway. The attraction that first brought me to the region, Balnea Spa, is only a short drive away from there. There’re Parc environnemental naturel de Sutton with 52 km of hiking trails, alpine skiing at Mont Sutton, and cross country skiing at Plein Air Sutton. Finally, there is the village of Sutton itself, which despite a modest size is full of charm, life, and sexy commerce.
Kabin Sutton caught my eye a few years ago for that striking combination of beautiful landscape and simple elegant design. At the end of December 2018, I was lucky to snap two nights there, which turned into one of the best experiences of the year. A few recommendations on a stay follow.
Kabin Sutton requires you to book at least two nights. This is good, and you might actually want three. A well-rounded experience should include good food. Leaving for the Kabin, pack your trusted olive oil, salt and pepper mills. Arrive to Sutton for lunch, then stroll the village, explore the above mentioned sexy commerce, and get the rest of you supplies.
In a delightful cheese store - La Rumeur Affamee - besides cheese, you will find fresh bread and pastries, local milk, yogurt, and granola, excellent soup (frozen), fresh pasta and pasta sauce. Seasonal produce is sometimes available during the warmer months, so for your greens, fruit and raw proteins you will have to go to the village IGA (this time of year pay attention to Meyer lemons, pomegranates and persimmons). You can get the logs for the fireplace at the IGA too.
After you settle in, go spend the evening at Balnea. There’s the gourmet evening package ($60), which includes a 3 course meal at the on-site restaurant (in my opinion, Montreal-level), and a full access to the réserve and thermal experience from 6 pm.
The rest of your stay, take in the beauty of the Kabin and the mountains in whichever way appeals to you best, and cook in. It’s fun.
