Volante
In part one of our Canadian travel special, Lola Cristall finds the delectable Muir Hotel, and explores the Queen’s Marque neighbourhood of Halifax, Nova Scotia
Photographed by the author
The most memorable attributes of any luxury getaway include ambiance, sophisticated offerings and unforgettable hospitality. Halifax, a quaint and an eye-pleasingly divine city, located in the eastern portion of Canada in Nova Scotia, offers onlookers captivating views, stunning scenery and an array of hotels swarmed by an endless list of delectable restaurant options.
One particular hotel is an absolute must-try amongst all the rest: Muir (muirhotel.com), part of the Marriott Autograph Collection. With its refined Europeanesque charm and lavishness, the Muir is a leap into total sophisticated luxury. Appropriately named the Muir, translated from Irish and Scots Gaelic as sea, the location overlooks captivatingly picturesque water views. Situated on the Queen’s Marque, a waterfront neighbourhood, the Muir is surrounded by delightful shopping boutiques, art collections by local as well as internationally acclaimed artists, luxury residences, noteworthy restaurants and mesmerizing scenery. CEO and owner Scott Armour McCrea, of the Armour Group, in partnership with Build Nova Scotia, lures Haligonians as well as tourists into hypnotically spectacular surroundings. Spanning half a million square feet of space, there is a whirlwind of activities, events and gatherings to look forward to. Working hand-in-hand with lead architect Brian MacKay-Lyons of MacKay-Lyons Sweetapple, a prominent Nova Scotia-based architectural firm, alluring designs and intricate details encompass the space.
An inviting pathway leads guests to a discreet door surrounded by Muntz metal panels, traditionally used in shipbuilding to prevent decaying during long trips in the water. They are also æsthetically dispersed on many of the buildings throughout the Queen’s Marque with distinctly etched storytelling depictions, figures and patterns.
The serene oasis that awaits is unlike any other. The Muir has five floors with 109 guest rooms, comprising 11 room categories where guests can look forward to a tranquil step away from the chaotic crowds while immersing themselves in sophisticated luxury.
Unwind in the calm Windward wellness centre, offering a spacious and well-maintained 5,000 ft² fitness gym as well as a cold plunge, a swimming pool, an infrared sauna and an aromatic eucalyptus steam room. For those opting to relax fully, the halotherapy salt room (by appointment) is an invigorating experience that allows guests to relieve their mind, body and soul simultaneously for a 15-minute escape as salt particles spray into the misty air for a highly soothing and therapeutic experience.
For visitors interested in simply enjoying the mesmerizing views from the comfort of their clean, fresh and cozy lodging, there are endless amenities to discover: a suitable workstation, a built-in bar space with a functional Nespresso machine, discreetly tucked away, as well as a compact drawer refrigerator. Designed by Studio Munge, a celebrated Canadian interior design firm, the rooms are clean-cut and refined. While coffee, tea and alcoholic beverages are readily available, the highly skilled housekeeping team ensures that guests stay fully hydrated, offering bottles of North water, sourced from Alberta, every late afternoon. With many rooms overlooking the captivating water views, each guest partakes in a relaxing, laid-back atmosphere that is unlike any other. The professional staff are readily available to provide to guests’ every need and desire from early morning to late night.
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For the comfort of each guest, the hotel’s house car is readily available (on a first-come, first-served basis) to transport them to their desired location within the neighbourhood, a convenient offering for those intent to avoid walking up the steep city hills and down the sloped winding streets. For the more adventurous crowd who are looking to fully explore the city from the periphery, the Muir’s beautifully built 36 ft long Morris yacht Little Wing is available to reserve. Two highly knowledgeable representatives on board offer guests a historically educational insight of Halifax and the surrounding towns, while also pointing out iconic boats (in particular the Bluenose, a much celebrated racing and fishing sailing boat built in Nova Scotia in 1921. recognized as the inscribed design on a 10¢ Canadian coin) and newer constructions that would further expand Halifax’s breathtaking coastline. For those intent to explore the beloved coastline solo, whether from the water or ashore, kayaks, paddle boards and bicycles are also accessible to hotel guests.
Other than a five-star luxury hotel experience, Queen’s Marque is also home to a range of culinary talents intended to fulfil anyone’s appetite with seven restaurants (and counting) to choose from. Two restaurants in particular stand out, unveiling a sophisticated culinary journey: Drift (www.drifthalifax.com), located directly in the lobby of the hotel with chef Anthony Walsh’s rendition on Atlantic Canadian cuisine, as well as Peacock (www.peacockwinebar.ca).
Drift into supreme culinary creativity with local crafts, fresh seafood and lush greens, hypnotically coming to life with mouth-watering ingredients that leave diners craving for more. Fresh maritime oysters with an exclusive house-made hot sauce bursts with flavour, steamed Prince Edward Island mussels drenched in an astoundingly bold wine and garlic sauce is a seafood lover’s paradise, while the Nova Scotia seafood hodge podge presents an array of shellfish, crustaceans and fish balanced with the soft texture of lightly buttered leeks and carrots in a delicious dill cream. For dessert, the wild blueberry buckle accompanied by a dollop of whipped sour cream and delicate crème anglaise is the way to go for a subtly sweet palate cleanser. While dinner is the highlight, breakfast is a delicious start to the day with a sour cream cake, fresh berries, moist pancakes, which are delicately drizzled with maple syrup, as well as salted cod cakes for a more savoury option.
For an even more elevated dining experience, chefs Bill Osborne and Moira Murray take their diners on an appetizing flight at Peacock, offering handmade pastas and reviving the simplicity of vegetables that take centre-stage. Considered a wine bar, Peacock is also a delectable dining destination offering the freshest creations including a simple panzanella salad with tomatoes, lemon verbena, cherries and cucumbers in a zesty simple vinaigrette, a pappardelle pasta with wild mushrooms and truffle cream (one of the many stars of the menu) as well as delicately crafted agnolotti with ricotta, chanterelle mushrooms and corn. The use of certain ingredients and seasonings takes each creation above and beyond one’s expectations.
For a Mediterranean culinary expedition, checkout Daryâ (www.daryahalifax.com), for a swirl of frozen and sweet treats opt for the Fog Company; for Italian food in a casual atmosphere head to Sapori; for an Argentinian and Peruvian culinary trip, Bar Sofia is the place to be; for a relaxing dining retreat directly overlooking the water while enjoying the warmth of a crackling fire, Salt & Ash is the one to turn to; and for a touch of Paris in Halifax, Café Lunette awaits.
The Queen’s Marque is like a town within a city, with everything for everyone to enjoy, making it a must-visit district to experience. •
Lola Cristall is Paris editor of Lucire.
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