By Pierre Perreault
On entering the building for the first time, visitors are surprised to find no conventional reception desk. A large illuminated frame bearing Hôtel Chicoutimi’s emblematic Hyvi logo draws the eye and signals that something different is about to unfold. That is an understatement.
Ideally located in downtown Saguenay, Hôtel Chicoutimi has formed part of the Chicoutimi landscape since 1899 and stands out for a modern, evolving atmosphere in which every detail is designed to enrich the guest experience. The present building, erected after the serious downtown fire of 1912, has undergone various transformations over the years.
Charles Dionne
The COVID-19 pandemic and the revolution in working patterns that followed inspired Éric Larouche, owner of Groupe Hôtel Chicoutimi for 30 years, to rethink how the property could meet the emerging needs of workers and businesses, including demand for flexible space and ‘workations,’ explains deputy director Charles Dionne.
The Hyvi concept was created in 2023, its name formed from the French words hybride and vie. The result is a hospitality service for tourists and business travellers, but also for guests wishing to make full use of the possibilities offered by remote work. ‘With Hyvi, we help our guests work effectively in an ergonomic environment while giving them the freedom to enjoy the many facilities and activities devoted to well-being.’ All of this is in the heart of Saguenay’s business district and active urban life. 
Hôtel Chicoutimi has chosen to deconstruct business hospitality around an original guest experience in which every detail enriches the stay. The difference is apparent from the main lobby: instead of a fixed reception desk, tablet-equipped agents can manage every aspect of a stay or visit. The roughly 30 staff members do not have individual offices; work takes place in public areas or meeting rooms. Small workstations in the lobby also allow reservations and related arrangements to be planned and organized.
The hotel notably uses its own fully automated reservation system, designed specifically for the property and accessible to every agent on duty.
All rooms are modular and adapted to the modern traveller, with areas suited to both relaxation and work and the convenience of a compact integrated kitchen. Combining appearance and function, the spaces are intended to inspire at every moment. Managers say this attentive service makes Hôtel Chicoutimi far more than a destination: it represents a new era of living. 
The hotel also has meeting and reception space for as many as 350 people, along with purpose-built coworking areas. Guests can eat throughout the day and evening at three venues. L’INTER is an invitation to culinary discovery, with every dish telling a story. At Rouge Burger Bar, a passion for burgers creates an original dining experience. La Galerie, finally, serves creative, nourishing and sometimes hearty breakfasts.
As a corporate citizen, Hôtel Chicoutimi follows a model of development that must not come at the expense of its surroundings or future generations. Its operations are therefore grounded in sustainable and environmentally responsible practices. For the past decade, the hotel has distinguished itself through sustained efforts to promote regional talent and reduce its environmental impact. Its green fitness room, for example, uses treadmills that generate power for various devices. Electric-vehicle charging stations are also available through RL Énergie, a company owned by Éric Larouche.
‘The company’s vision includes the environmental, social, economic, cultural, ethical and territorial dimensions of sustainable development,’ Charles Dionne says. The hotel’s mission is clear: to provide flexible surroundings and services that allow guests to live their daily lives fully and to ‘perform, thrive and pause.’
As an aside, Saguenay’s LGBT+ community has held activities at Hôtel Chicoutimi for many years. The nearby rue Racine area is known as welcoming to the LGBT+ community, with several gay-friendly establishments, suggesting that the neighbourhood has long served as a meeting place.
The Hyvi concept has now expanded to two other establishments in the region, with a third to follow soon. Auberge des Îles in Saint-Gédéon, Lac Saint-Jean, and Maison du Vébron in L’Anse-Saint-Jean, Saguenay, have already adapted all their spaces and services to the concept. Construction of a modern new property near the Dolbeau-Mistassini marina in Lac Saint-Jean is expected to be announced in 2026.
Hôtel Chicoutimi is a member of Québec’s first hotel cooperative, Ôrigine artisans hôteliers, which brings together more than 40 carefully selected independent inns and hotels across 15 Québec tourism regions. Members offer a broad range of wellness, culinary, romantic, urban, resort and outdoor experiences.
Hôtel Chicoutimi Hyvi
hotelchicoutimi.qc.ca
460, Rue Racine Est
Chicoutimi (Québec) G7H 1T7
(418) 549-7111