Good taste is changing in Canada. In the past, it was a more polished, global look that showed you were cool, but now, some more subtle things have become signs of good taste.
Old motels & small-batch distilleries have become popular in an entirely new way. But how? And why is this happening in Canada? Here’s what’s going on.
Key takeaways
You’ll find out about:
- How old motels have become weekend favourites again
- Why Canadian distilleries are experiencing record growth
- The meaning of “quiet luxury”
Old signs, new stays
The motel’s comeback began all across Canada. A few designers bought old roadside motels in places such as Prince Edward County & Canmore. Tofino is another popular location. It’s a lot cheaper for the companies to peel off the old wallpaper and use what was already there, rather than building entirely new hotels.
Many of these motels include chrome door handles & bright paint, as well as local art. They have created motels that look like a cross between a Wes Anderson film set and vintage road trip photos. They’re that unique.
The June Motel in Sauble Beach & the Lakeside in Muskoka are great examples of how developers are using old motels. The developers kept the bones of these properties.
They kept the drive-up rooms & wide balconies. But they added espresso machines and clean Scandinavian lines. It works. These properties are as affordable as they are approachable.
Why is it visible now?
So why now? Just take a look at the travel numbers. After 2020, Canadians began road-tripping again & it led them to rediscover small towns. They previously ignored these locations. With more cars on the road, the chances of more people visiting the forgotten places just outside of town increased.
They were filled with old motels that were ready for a glow-up.
2024 also set records for local travel spending. Many tourists decided to spend money at small properties over big chains. Investors noticed. They began refurbishing old properties instead of building new, creating motels with character.
Local spirits
Craft distilleries have become popular everywhere recently. Canada is no different.
In 2010, B.C. had only a few licensed distilleries, but these increased to dozens within five years. It was the same story in Ontario.
Whisky & gin makers have become important exporters for the local economy. In fact, Ontario was responsible for more than 50% of Canada’s total distilled spirits production in 2018.
Canada’s success with distilleries has changed the nation’s drinking experience. There’s a clear lack of imported juniper from other countries & mass-market gimmicks. Instead, many of the drinks are made using local grains and in smaller barrels. Drinking is far more local.
Canadian distilling culture
The majority of Canadian distillers focus on authenticity as an important selling point. It’s something that larger companies have done for a while, including the century-old copper stills in Ontario & Alberta. But it’s through the smaller places that origin has become important again.
The wheat comes from Saskatchewan. The apples are from the Valley. Even seaweed gin comes from the East Coast.
Distillers have developed their sense of craftsmanship, too. A few of them use pot-stilling and single-malt runs. Yes, these are slow techniques, but they yield a more distinctive, regional taste that helps to keep traditions alive.
Quiet luxury
You might think “quiet luxury” is marketing. But that would be wrong. The whole concept of it came as a direct reaction to the years of loud fashion & over-design in almost every aspect of shopping. The phrase doesn’t necessarily mean “expensive,” but rather, understated.
It first appeared in fashion, where it came to mean soft fabrics and neutral colours, with a distinct lack of logos. You can see this idea of “quiet luxury” across Canada. Boutique hotels have swapped marble lobbies for wool throws. Restaurants use handmade ceramics over white china.
The phrase is rather fitting for Canadians. The look matches how people already live here. We’re practical & clean, but also a little bit indulgent.
Where to look in Canada
Curious to know where to find these places? Thankfully, you don’t have to go far. There are half a dozen reimagined motels between Toronto & Prince Edward County that you might be able to book this weekend. Over in the Okanagan & Vancouver Island, you’ll find many distilleries that have farm-to-glass programs.
Quebec’s Laurentians have a growing number of minimalist lodges. They’re the perfect place to enjoy a sense of “quiet luxury.”
What to look for
Before you head off, there are a few things you should look out for when you’re exploring:
- Motel dates: look for motels built between 1950 and 1975. These are the easiest ones to see from the highway.
- Check the bottle: try to see whether the bottles tell you where the grain comes from. These are usually a craft operation.
- Calm, not cold: these are the best places. It’s the difference between visiting somewhere minimal and somewhere empty.
Overall, the change in Canadian cool is quite fitting. It’s part of who we are. We’re grounded & real. And a little unpolished.
Sources: Please see here for a complete listing of all sources that were consulted in the preparation of this article.
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