Catalyzed in part by the shift from hotels to home rental services like Airbnb and Vrbo, hospitality spaces have evolved to feel increasingly residential. Yet, when a Quebec couple approached local studio Perron to design their family chalet in the resort region of Charlevoix, they were searching for an ambiance that felt less like home and more like a trendy boutique hotel. With a strong portfolio of commercial projects under their belt, the designers rose to the challenge. “The client wanted a real turnkey solution, which is rather rare,” says Sarah Ève Hébert, Associate Designer at Perron. “They left the field open to us and we decided to play the ‘hotel’ card down to the smallest detail.”

The brief was simple: Design a five-suite family chalet to accommodate a large number of family and friends within the existing building footprint (the home is part of a private community of identical houses at the top of the ski slopes in Baie-Saint-Paul; the designers expanded on the basic plans to enlarge the space). But in order to imbue the vacation home with the sense of elevated comfort only hotels can achieve, the designers outfitted the space with nearly every amenity one could wish for: A terrace with a jacuzzi, a games room and climbing wall for the children, a fully-equipped gym, a professional kitchen and ski lockers — plus perfectly appointed modern suites. Though conceived as a private residence, it’s also available occasionally for short-term rental.

At Chalet Bertha, the experience begins on the ground floor, where guests can walk in directly from the slopes onto the hardy red brick floors, laid in an elegant herringbone pattern — and store their wet boots in the warmer hidden in the adjacent walk-in closet. With a fireplace dramatically suspended at its centre, surrounded by casual stool seating, the double-height foyer serves as a cozy, lobby-like space.

Downstairs, the children’s quarters balance fun with functionality. A dramatic red steel stair, complete with a slide, offers an adventurous journey from the main level into the comfortable and colourful family room (which also hosts the climbing wall and an indoor swing). Though the furniture has been designed specifically for their height, it retains the same sophisticated design language as the rest of the interior. Tucked behind a plush blue curtain, a dorm-style bedroom decked out with bespoke bunk beds makes for the ultimate sleepover spot.

Adults can find reprieve on the uppermost floor, which hosts light-filled common areas with panoramic views of the mountains and nearby river. Complementing the Charlevoix landscape, Perron leaned into a warm yet neutral Nordic-inspired palette, with exposed fir wood framing, indoor plants and felted wool — accented by soft hues that radiate positive energy. Case in point: a bright yellow piano creates a focal point in the 46-square-metre living room. Inspired by the grandeur of hotel lobbies, the generous space creates intimate moments for reading, meeting and quiet contemplation.

A large U-shaped bar allows guests to gather by the wine cellar — and a professional kitchen fit for a private chef. The adjacent dining nook adds another pop of colour with a red banquette, yellow table and a cluster of pendant lights overhead. To curate the quirky yet elegant aesthetic that runs throughout the home, the designers incorporated pieces from both European manufacturers like Sancal, Moooi and Bonaldo and local artisans, including hand-woven rugs and cushions from the nearby L’Isle-aux-Coudres.

While the common areas offer space for socializing, the suites (and accompanying ensuites) boast the same vacation-worthy qualities expected of a luxury hotel. The hallway, with seafoam green slatted wood panelling and a whimsical cloud-patterned rug, sets the stage for relaxation. Each room is named for the word ‘snow’ in a different language — Sno, Nev, Ho, Lumi, and Sne — and furnished in a soothing minimal palette.

Perron left no detail unconsidered, from the dishes in the cupboards to the custom luggage cart in the hallway, ensuring the hotel-like vibe was fostered by more than just the interior moves. The studio even went so far as to design custom Bertha branding, which adorns the labels of the bathroom toiletries, further adding to the hospitality-inspired charm. Tailor-made for its owners, and toeing the line between residential and commercial, Chalet Bertha offers a vacation experience all its own.