A long weekend in August is a rare and precious thing. Three days in a row, sun at its peak, and that feeling that you should do something that actually counts — not just watch the time go by.
Here’s our pitch: stay local. Here’s why a long weekend in the Outaouais is often the best call of the summer.
1. Skip the summer traffic (and save your energy)
Summer long weekends mean packed highways, fully booked accommodations, and prices that spike overnight. While everyone else is stuck in line on some provincial highway, you’re already in your robe, soaking in the outdoor baths at Kōena Spa. That’s what real luxury looks like.
2. Thermal baths in the middle of summer hit differently
There’s something special about thermal baths at the height of summer. The warmth of the sun, the water at just the right temperature, trees all around — it’s a rare combination. In August, every hour spent outside is a small win.
3. KaTO is worth eating at twice
If you haven’t tried the KaTO terrace yet, a long weekend is the perfect excuse. And if you’ve already been, you already know it’s worth going back. Seasonal dishes, great atmosphere, and a view of the golf course and spa — exactly the kind of place you’d want right in your backyard. (You do.)
4. Château Cartier turns it into a real getaway
One night at Château Cartier and the whole long weekend shifts. You arrive Friday evening, you leave Monday — three days with no logistics, no running around. Just the two of you (or your crew) in a local resort that holds its own against destinations much farther away.
5. A long weekend is meant to be lived — not just planned
Kōena Spa is first come, first served. No endless waitlist, no booking a slot weeks in advance — you show up, you enjoy. A long weekend is the perfect setup for exactly that: time on your hands, no reason to rush, and all the space to settle in and let the day unfold at its own pace.
What we’d suggest for this long weekend:
For a full day: the Duo Escape Package or the Gourmet Escape Package — both include bath access, a treatment at Mālama, and a meal at KaTO.
For the full stay: the Romantic Getaway Package with a credit toward a night at Château Cartier — the perfect combo for a long weekend you don’t want to end too soon.