Hôtel La Ferme Wins Top Interior Design Award Worldwide

First Prize in the Hotels and Service Retailers Category ‒ Retail and Leisure Interiors Awards 2012

BAIE-SAINT-PAUL, QC, March 8, 2013 /CNW Telbec/ - Management at both Groupe Le Massif and at architectural firm LEMAYMICHAUD are proud to announce the Hôtel La Ferme project has won first prize at the Retail and Leisure Interiors Awards 2012, in the Hotels and Service Retailers category.

"It is a genuine honour to distinguish oneself on a global stage among 50 highly prestigious projects, of which Hotel Armani in Dubai, the Four Seasons in Guangzhou and the Lansbury in London," stated the instigator of the Hôtel La Ferme project, Daniel Gauthier. View list here.

Judges pointed out the importance afforded to local artisans during construction, and efforts to preserve the site's local colour and authenticity. As well, they appreciated the use of materials such as wood, reminiscent of the Charlevoix's history and the site's past vocation in agriculture. View video of judges during deliberation.

"When people travel, they look for local flavour ‒ be it in the architecture, the design or the soul of the hotel where they stay. By working with local artisans and going with the rustic feel of wood integrated alongside modern elements, we translated the very authenticity that best characterizes us. Recognition from the Retail and Leisure Interiors Awards allows us to extend the scope of Québec's savoir-faire everywhere around the world," Hôtel La Ferme's general manager, Richard Germain, said proudly.

The Retail and Leisure Interiors Awards 2012 are the most illustrious interior design and design awards around the globe. For architectural firm LEMAYMICHAUD, it means major recognition for their work.

"Winning this award is equivalent to winning an Olympic gold medal in interior design. It heightens our credibility and international renown. We are extremely proud to have been able to push the limits of innovation with Hôtel La Ferme," said LEMAYMICHAUD's principal architect and associate, Alain Lemay.

Projects were judged along the following criteria: Design excellence, originality, quality and mostly, the ability to communicate the historical aspect of a site through its decor. The judging panel was composed of Fiona Livingston, Cofounder and Director of Studiofibre, Jenny Jones, Director at Conran + Partners, Sean Hatcher, Director at ORMS, Paul Hanegraaf, from Creative Navigator at Milligan Retail, Stephen Jones, Regional Managing Principal - Asia at Woods Bagot, and Juliette Kinsman, Editor-in-Chief at Mr & Mrs Smith.

Hôtel La Ferme
Let us recall that Hôtel La Ferme has been in operation since late June, and has already met with great success among visiting and local clienteles both. Beyond its 145 rooms and lofts fanned out across five distinct pavilions, Hôtel La Ferme includes a train station, a lively public square, a restaurant spotlighting cuisine du marché dishes, a café, bar-lounge, multifunctional venue, six meeting rooms, a spa and a gym.

Le Massif de Charlevoix
Le Massif de Charlevoix is a tourism and recreation destination that unfurls across three environments in the Charlevoix: The Mountain, the Train and Hôtel La Ferme. Beyond the ski area, the destination aims to offer a full range of experiences in tourism - from Québec City to La Malbaie, and Petite-Rivière-Saint-François to Baie-Saint-Paul - by way of a touring train and a diversified lodging offer, both at the Mountain and at its 145-room hotel complex in Baie-Saint-Paul.

SOURCE: Groupe Le Massif Inc.