Perron Design’s bespoke mountain retreat in Quebec is a house that thinks it’s a hotel

Chalet Bertha is a bespoke mountain retreat set at the top of Quebec’s famous Le Massif de Charlevoix resort, inspired by the interiors of the world’s best boutique hotels

Chalet Bertha, a bespoke mountain retreat in Quebec, by Perron Design
Chalet Bertha, Quebec, by Perron Design
(Image credit: Perron Design)

Perron Design’s new bespoke mountain retreat in Charlevoix, Québec, could be mistaken for a high-end hotel suite. That was the intention from the outset with Chalet Bertha, with a family client requesting a ski retreat that was effectively a giant boutique hotel, right down to the smallest details. As well as designing and furnishing a series of playful, boldly coloured living spaces and bedrooms, the design team created a complete turnkey solution that takes the hotel concept to its limits.

Chalet Bertha, Quebec, by Perron Design

The  generous covered terrace has an integral hot tub

(Image credit: Perron Design)

Chalet Bertha: a bespoke mountain retreat in Quebec

Chalet Bertha is perched at the top of the resort’s slopes, offering a true ski in-and-out experience. In addition to five suites scattered around the three-storey structure, there’s also ski storage, a gym, and a generous family recreation space. Each floor has its own living space, with the entire upper floor given over to living and dining, with a U-shaped kitchen counter, a long dining table for group meals and separate lounge, living and dining spaces, along with an office.

Chalet Bertha, Quebec, by Perron Design

The main dining room on the second floor

(Image credit: Perron Design)

‘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.’ As a result, the house is awash with playful design elements like its own ‘Bertha’ branded products, a swing in the living space and the house’s very own hotel-style luggage trolley.

Chalet Bertha, Quebec, by Perron Design

Upper level lounge with views across the valley

(Image credit: Perron Design)

Much of the furniture was custom-made for the project, with other pieces sourced from manufacturers like Sancal, Dooor, Moooi, and Bonaldo. The floor covering, textiles and cushions include work from local artisans from nearby L'Isle-aux-Coudres.

Chalet Bertha, Quebec, by Perron Design

The breakfast nook

(Image credit: Perron Design)

The list of facilities is pitched at adults and children alike, with dormitory sleeping spaces, a climbing wall and a slide from the living room to the playroom below, with a spa terrace and lounges for the adults. The five suites are named Sno, Nev, Ho, Lumi, and Sne, ‘inspired by the word “snow” in a variety of languages’, and each has its own hotel-style attached bathroom.

Chalet Bertha, Quebec, by Perron Design

Every room has its own bathroom suite

(Image credit: Perron Design)

The interior is hard-wearing but luxurious, from the ski-boot-friendly brick flooring on the ground level, to the Nordic-inspired exposed fir wood frame. Spaces throughout are generous, with soaring ceilings on the top floor and walls of glass providing views to the slopes and river valley.

Chalet Bertha, Quebec, by Perron Design

The ski room is located on the ground floor

(Image credit: Perron Design)

‘We punctuated the ensemble, very neutral and minimalist, with textured, colourful and unusual elements for Quebec,’ says Hébert. ‘We wanted to infuse it with a sense of Nordicity, pleasure, and eclecticism.’ 

Chalet Bertha, Quebec, by Perron Design

Hard-wearing materials are paired with playful elements like swings for the children

(Image credit: Perron Design)

Based in Montreal and Quebec City, Perron Design was the perfect pairing for such a project, a multidisciplinary studio with three decades’ worth of experience in commercial hospitality design and the interior industry. The Chalet Bertha project gave the team a rare opportunity to create the ultimate bespoke interior space.

Chalet Bertha, Quebec, by Perron Design

A yellow piano adds a pop of colour in the dining space

(Image credit: Perron Design)

Chalet Bertha, Quebec, by Perron Design

The chalet contains many nooks and hideaways

(Image credit: Perron Design)

Chalet Bertha, Quebec, by Perron Design

A slide and climbing wall add to the sense of fun for the young members of the family

(Image credit: Perron Design)

Chalet Bertha, Quebec, by Perron Design

There is a dormitory-style bedroom for the children on the ground floor

(Image credit: Perron Design)

Chalet Bertha, Quebec, by Perron Design

Brick flooring contrasts with bespoke joinery

(Image credit: Perron Design)

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Jonathan Bell has written for Wallpaper* magazine since 1999, covering everything from architecture and transport design to books, tech and graphic design. He is now the magazine’s Transport and Technology Editor. Jonathan has written and edited 15 books, including Concept Car Design, 21st Century House, and The New Modern House. He is also the host of Wallpaper’s first podcast.