5 relaxing resorts in Canada

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Canada offers holidays for everyone; whether you want an action-packed, adrenaline blast of activity, a slightly more sedate wildlife viewing trip, or a scenic road trip, but what it offers in abundance is the chance to get away and just relax. And while it might seem that in these ever-changing times, relaxation is something we are not short of, being on holiday in a resort purpose-built for sheer pleasure is completely different. Here’s our rundown of five top spots that should be on any list for returning holidaymakers.

1. Sonora Resort, British Columbia

Canada might not be your first thought when looking for an all-inclusive holiday as that tag maybe conjures up Caribbean beaches with endless cocktails but the Relais & Chateaux Sonora Resort, off British Columbia’s west coast, offer an all-inclusive experience with a difference. From the moment you arrive – whether by float plane, helicopter or scenic boat journey – you will be looked after by attentive staff, staying in sumptuous surroundings and enjoying some uniquely Canadian activities, cuisine and beverages. Your stay in a room, suite or villa in one of 12 themed lodges includes all gourmet meals, wine, liquor, beer and soft drinks – including a fully-stocked fridge in your room of choice – as well as access to the pools, hot-tubs, sauna, steam, virtual golf, fly-fishing, mountain bikes and much more besides.

2. Moraine Lake Lodge, Alberta

There are not many more relaxing places to visit than the Canadian Rockies and what better than a luxury lodge on a lake where there are no phones or tvs and you can just enjoy your natural surroundings? Moraine Lake Lodge is in a glorious spot, on Moraine Lake, and a stay here almost defies descriptions. The gorgeous rooms, which range from rooms in the lodge to cabins on the edge of the lake, are beautifully appointed and the perfect space to kick back and relax. The surrounding area is ripe for exploration; there are many hiking trails available and canoes are included in the cost to take to the waters of Moraine Lake when you feel the need to build up an appetite to enjoy the sumptuous food served in the Walter Wilcox dining room, one of the finest in Banff National Park, with its impressive stone fireplace and views of the lake.

3. JW Marriott The Rosseau Muskoka Resort & Spa, Ontario

Just 2.5 hours drive from Toronto, the Rosseau was the first JW Marriott in Canada and it offers a luxury retreat experience that sets it apart from ordinary hotel accommodations. Located in the heart of the Muskoka region, known as Ontario’s cottage country, the scenic landscape upon which the Rosseau is built originally housed a summer resort known as ‘Paignton House’ which opened in 1894. This luxurious resort now offers stunning rooms which echo that of a Muskoka cottage, with pastel colours and hand-painted carved bedroom furnishings. The accommodation is complemented by two fabulous on-site restaurants, a signature spa and the year-round indoor/outdoor pool, with the glorious surrounding countryside just waiting to be explored.

4. The Algonquin Resort, New Brunswick

No resort round-up would be complete without a seaside property and the luxurious Algonquin Resort in the town of St Andrews by the sea in New Brunswick is an historic property which is part of Marriott’s Autograph collection. The sumptuous rooms exude unparalleled elegance with fine furnishings,  some with balconies and views of Passamaquoddy Bay. The Algonquin has a full-service spa, indoor pool with a three-story waterslide, championship golf course – recently redesigned to extenuate the coastal setting –  and complimentary bikes are on-hand for you to explore the lovely seaside town of St Andrews, Canada’s first bayside resort town.

5. Whistler Resort, British Columbia

Our last resort is not one property but the world-famous Whistler resort, a year-round haven for sports enthusiasts, mountain lovers and those wanting a one-stop-shop for hiking, biking, and all-round resort relaxation. Whistler is a 90-minute drive from Vancouver – along the incredibly scenic, aptly-named Sea to Sky Highway – and is a bustling resort town flanked by the two mountains of Whistler and Blackcomb. Skiers flock here in the winter to enjoy truly world-class skiing and in the summer, it is the perfect holiday getaway. Wherever you choose to stay – 5-star properties like the Fairmont Chateau Whistler and the Four Seasons Resort are complemented by self-catering condos and townhouses or boutique properties in the heart of the village – you are never far from the many restaurants, shops and activities that Whistler Resort has on offer. View the scenery from the Peak2Peak Gondola or hit the peak of relaxation at the Scandinave Spa; a resort stay in Whistler is definitely a highlight of any Canadian holiday.

Julie Thompson
Frontier Canada