A country club is a private resort set in natural surroundings where members and guests share the facilities: lodging in the woods, a swimming pool, trails, and common areas. It’s the Quebec version of the Anglo-Saxon country club, set in the woods—without the golf and without the five-figure initiation fees. In Quebec, a prime example of this type of club is Station Chêne Rouge, a country club located in the hills above North Hatley in the Eastern Townships, about 1 hour and 30 minutes from Montreal.
Where does the concept come from?
The classic country club originated in the 19th century: a private place where member families gather, recognize one another, and return. The model has stood the test of time for one simple reason: a sense of belonging. What has become outdated are the mandatory golf requirements, the dress code, and the high cost. The country club retains that sense of belonging and replaces the golf course with the forest, trails, the pool, barbecues, the community, and more.
What Sets a Country Club Apart from a Campground
At a campground, you rent a site among hundreds of strangers, all crammed together. At a country club, you’re a member of a community: the property is private, the spaces are shared, access is restricted, and you see the same faces from one visit to the next. No public comings and goings, no crowds: 35 acres of forest, a heated saltwater pool, and trails shared among people who’ve chosen to be there.
What sets it apart from a hotel
A hotel sells you a night’s stay and then forgets about you; a club recognizes you and keeps you coming back. At Station Chêne Rouge, members stay in mini-chalets, pods, and safari tents at member rates, and share the grounds with other guests. Between stays, the Dayclub extends the experience every day of the season, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
How It Works at Station Chêne Rouge
Annual membership costs $149. It includes unlimited access to the Dayclub, a 30% discount on accommodations Sunday through Thursday and 15% on weekends, a $75 credit upon joining, a $25 code to share with your friends and family, and flexible check-in and check-out times. In practical terms: the credit and discount from a single 2-night weekday stay generally cover the cost of membership. For the rest of the season, you’ll be saving money. As with any private club, your guests are welcome at the Dayclub when you’re there.
Why This Model Wins on Both Sides
For members: a home in the forest without having to worry about maintenance, property taxes, or mowing the lawn. For the club: members who return to stay, season after season, and a community that’s growing. More than 1,200 reviews with an average rating of 4.9 stars attest to this. It’s the opposite of just passing through.
Frequently Asked Questions
A private nature-based lodging community where members and guests share the facilities: forest cabins, a swimming pool, trails, and common areas. It’s like a country club in nature, without the golf.
Private access and membership: The estate is reserved for members and guests staying on-site; no plots are rented to the general public. You’ll see the same familiar faces from one visit to the next.
The resort is reserved for members and guests staying on-site. A stay in one of the accommodations (mini chalets, pods, safari tents) grants access to all facilities, including the Dayclub.
Online, in two minutes, for $149 per year, at stationchenerouge.com/membership. Membership includes access to the Dayclub, member rates on accommodations, a $75 credit, and a $25 referral code to share.
The concept is rare: Station Chêne Rouge, in North Hatley in the Eastern Townships, is the first example of its kind dedicated to nature-based lodging, located 1 hour and 30 minutes from Montreal.
The club is waiting for you
A full season of forest adventures, pool access, and getaways at member rates. Learn more about the membership—$149 per year.
