Our love for boutique hotels is also changing how we think about luxury. Across Canada, more people are staying in small-scale locations, where design & personality matter as much as the fancy sheets.
We asked travel industry experts about which boutique hotels they think are changing luxury travel the most. Here are ten of the top picks. Which one do you want to visit first?
Fogo Island Inn, Newfoundland and Labrador
Staying at Fogo Island Inn involves staying in a 29-room retreat that’s literally on stilts above the North Atlantic. But it’s more than a mere hotel. The hotel invests its profits in the local community through the charity Shorefast. Many travelers say that knowing their hotel stay helps the community really matters.
Wickaninnish Inn, Tofino
Wickaninnish Inn is on Chesterman Beach. It’s a hotel that was designed with giant windows pointing to the sea & rain equipment for storm watching. One reader told us that they couldn’t think of anything better than settling in front of the fireplace with the ocean thunder. It’s an experience that has made them return every year.
The Hazelton Hotel, Toronto
You’ll find the Hazelton Hotel in Toronto. It’s a boutique hotel that mixes high-end furniture with a private 25-seat cinema & a Canadian art collection that’s only accessible to guests. It’s no surprise that so many people enjoy visiting.
Several readers said they go each summer, just so they can have that screening room moment again. It’s that good.
Bisha Hotel Toronto
Bisha Hotel Toronto is another great hotel in the city. Here, the designers have an entire floor that’s designed by Lenny Kravitz, along with a rooftop restaurant & pool (KŌST) on the 44th floor. According to our readers, it has fantastic views of the city and the lake. The skyline seems to be the real draw.
Auberge Saint-Antoine, Québec City
Who said history has to be old? Many experts told us about Auberge Saint‑Antoine in Old Québec. The hotel uses an on-site archaeological dig as part of its decor, and you can see artifacts in the public spaces & some rooms.
It’s this feeling of being a museum & a hotel that makes the Auberge Saint-Antoine such a great choice.
Hôtel William Gray, Montréal
Another historical hotel is the Hôtel William Gray in Old Montréal. It’s housed in two 18th-century buildings. But don’t let that fool you. The hotel takes things to the next level with a 5,600-sq-ft spa that features a Finnish sauna & salt room.
There’s also a cold plunge and outdoor pool to try. Quite a few people recommended visiting in winter. Why? Because there’s apparently nothing else like lounging in the spa when it’s cold out.
Magnolia Hotel & Spa, Victoria
The boutique Magnolia Hotel & Spa near Victoria’s Inner Harbour hands guests themed “Curated Trails” and complimentary cruiser and e-bikes to explore the city’s nooks. A few participants said the printed routes made the short stay feel like a mini-adventure without too much planning.
The Josie Hotel, Rossland
Those looking to explore Rossland should stay at the Josie Hotel. It’s a hotel where you get a boutique experience on a big scale, right at the base of Red Mountain Resort in Rossland.
The hotel has many personal touches & fewer rooms than classic resorts. But that’s what makes it so special. Don’t turn down the opportunity for a morning ski-in/ski-out.
Drake Devonshire, Prince Edward County
It’s hard to decide what’s better about Drake Devonshire. Is it the lake view, or the fact that the hotel looks like a gallery turned into a hotel?
But that’s not all. The hotel is part of a rebuilt foundry right on the water. You’ll be able to eat breakfast and play lawn games, then go for a gallery walk shortly after.
Nita Lake Lodge, Whistler
Nita Lake Lodge is quieter than most places in Whistler Village. Yet it’s still close enough for a ski day. The hotel is sat right on a glacier-fed lake that apparently looks unbelievable in the morning light, and many visitors rave about the spa’s eucalyptus steam. Reviews also suggest trying the rooftop hot tubs after a long hike or run.
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