This year’s World’s Best Awards survey closed on March 2, just before widespread stay-at-home orders were implemented as a result of COVID-19. The results reflect our readers’ experiences before the pandemic, but we hope that this year’s honorees will inspire your trips to come — whenever they may be.
Canada, our neighbor to the north, is renowned for its breathtaking scenery, including towering mountain peaks, emerald forests, and stunning stretches of coastline. Consequently, it is no surprise that Canada’s best resort hotels capitalize on these natural wonders. They immerse guests in the wilderness while offering elevated design, anticipatory service, inspired dining, and other luxurious touches.
Every year, iBestTravel asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe — sharing their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Hotels are rated on their facilities, location, service, food, and overall value. Properties are classified as city or resort based on their locations and amenities.
As with our 2019 list, this year’s winners were heavily concentrated in the Canadian West, with six out of the 10 hotels scattered throughout Alberta and British Columbia — including the Wickaninnish Inn (No. 3) in Tofino, British Columbia. This rugged-chic lodge sits between forest and the wild waters of the northern Pacific, boasting 72 rooms and suites with soaking tubs, fireplaces, and expansive balconies. One reader raved, “Outstanding! It’s one of the best stays we had in years.”
Guests of Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise (No. 4), a castle-like property in Banff National Park, Alberta, were similarly effusive: “There aren’t enough good things I can say about the beauty of the location, the thoughtfulness of the staff, and the overall experience,” remarked one respondent. Another echoed, “It doesn’t get better than this.”
Further east, in Inverness, Nova Scotia, the Lodge at Cabot Cape Breton claimed the No. 8 spot. This 72-room lodge is beautifully situated on the award-winning Cabot Links golf course, overlooking the stunning, surf-battered coast of Cape Breton. In addition to the two championship golf courses, the lodge offers a range of dining options, including the glass-paneled Panorama Restaurant that provides views of Cabot Links’ 18th hole and the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Moreover, guests can enjoy excursions such as hiking and whale watching.
Our winning property — which also secured the No. 1 spot for the fourth consecutive year — places travelers smack in the middle of the remarkable wildness that they love, while also working diligently to preserve it through a range of sustainability initiatives.
Read on to see the full list of the best resort hotels in Canada.
1. Fogo Island Inn, Fogo Island, Newfoundland
Score: 99.02
More information: fogoislandinn.ca
Opening its doors in 2013, the 29-room Fogo Island Inn, located on the largest offshore island in Newfoundland and Labrador, has brought together creators from all over the eastern province and around the globe, including local architect Todd Saunders, community carpenters, and international designers. The hotel still captivates travelers with its edge-of-the-earth location and clean-lined aesthetic. Readers express their love for these features, stating, “It is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever visited in the world,” and highlight how the integration of the inn within the community makes it feel as though guests are visiting family. Notably, as the property nears its 10-year mark, it continues to innovate, giving back through a charity that supports local programs, such as microlending, environmental initiatives, and Fogo Island Arts.
2. Manoir Hovey, North Hatley, Quebec
Score: 97.65
More information: manoirhovey.com
3. The Wickaninnish Inn, Tofino, British Columbia
WBA Hall of Fame honoree. Score: 95.56
More information: wickinn.com
4. The Fairmont Chateau Whistler, British Columbia
Score: 91.75
More information: fairmont.com
5. The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, Alberta
Score: 90.00
More information: fairmont.com
This Remote Canadian Diner Boasts Panoramic Views of the Northern Lights
6. The Fairmont Banff Springs, Banff, Alberta
Score: 89.19
More information: fairmont.com
7. Four Seasons Resort and Residences Whistler, Whistler, British Columbia
Score: 88.45
More information: fourseasons.com
8. The Lodge at Cabot Cape Breton, Inverness, Nova Scotia
Score: 87.23
More information: cabotlinks.com
9. The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, Jasper, Alberta
Score: 86.29
More information: fairmont.com
10. Fairmont Le Château Montebello, Montebello, Quebec
Score: 85.68
More information: fairmont.com