Celandine Hotel

The Celandine Hotel is a small three-story establishment in the center of Fern River. It is owned and run by Margot, with the help of Luc and Nora, among others. There are 21 rooms, neither expensive nor particularly cheap, many of which offer views of the water. A central courtyard is surrounded by balconies and trailing plants. It all comes together into an easygoing atmosphere reflecting Margot’s decade spent in southern Spain. Rooms are furnished with midcentury antiques and local art, giving them a cozy, quirky feel. Travelers from all walks are welcomed.

The hotel has a reputation for its libertine vibe and for being perhaps a bit eccentric, attracting guests who don’t mind (or indeed embrace) the thin walls, creaky bed frames and topless-friendly roof deck. There is live acoustic music on the weekends, local clubs meet on the patio and swallows nest under the eaves. It’s a happening place.

The Celandine has long been a landmark in town, situated in the oldest neighborhood right on the riverfront. When Margot bought the building, it had stood empty for a few years and had fallen into something of a sorry state. She and her friends renovated the building over the course of a year, and it reopened on the first day of spring to much local acclaim.

Since there are 21 rooms, Margot is fond of referring to them by the names of tarot cards, starting with Le Bateleur on the first floor just off the patio and ending with Le Monde on the third. When she offered Luc a room to stay during college, she gave him La Maison Dieu, figuring paying guests probably wouldn’t want that one. She enjoys seeing how guests’ stories coincide with those suggested by the cards.