Travel + Leisure Names Best Resorts & City Hotels in Canada: Fairmont Cleans Up

Travel + Leisure magazine readers have weighed in with their top choices for hotels and resorts in Canada, and Fairmont dominates both categories.

Fairmont captured six of the top ten spots for city hotels in the Travel + Leisure poll. Toronto-based Fairmont also copped six of the top 10 spots for resort hotels.

For city hotels, five of the top ten were in British Columbia, with three in Quebec and two in Ontario. For resort hotels, four were in B.C. and three each in Alberta and Quebec.

I’ve managed to stay in almost all of them, so I’m adding a bit of commentary of my own to each entry.

The Clockwork Bar at the Royal York Hotel in Toronto. JIM BYERS PHOTO

CITY HOTELS

1. Auberge Saint-Antoine, Quebec City. Truly stunning, with historic artefacts on display throughout the property. The hotel was ranked 85th in the world for this year by Travel + Leisure.
2. Rosewood Hotel Georgia, Vancouver. Luxury all around, and enormous bathrooms. Hawksworth Restaurant is one of Canada’ best places to dine.
3. Fairmont Empress, Victoria. One of Canada’s most iconic hotels, with an updated look and that famous afternoon tea.
4. Magnolia Hotel and Spa, Victoria. Luxurious without being too fussy. The Courtney Room, the on-site restaurant, is first rate.
5. Ritz-Carlton, Montreal. I haven’t stayed there but the courtyard is beautiful, and the champagne bar in the lobby is fabulous.
6. Fairmont Hotel Vancouver. Another iconic property, with an old-school lobby and lovely rooms.
7. Fairmont Royal York, Toronto. The redesign from a couple years ago looks as fantastic as ever, and the Library Bar remains a great place for a cocktail.
8. Fairmont Chateau Laurier, Ottawa. One of my personal faves. Tremendous food and drinks, and lovely views of our nation’s capital.
9. Fairmont Waterfront, Vancouver. Beautiful rooms and fantastic harbour views. Perfect for anyone taking a cruise out of the city.
10. Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac, Quebec City. Haven’t stayed there for some time, but this is a hotel with remarkable workmanship and style. And you can’t beat the location.

You can’t beat the view at the patio at the Rundle Bar at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel in Alberta. JIM BYERS PHOTO

RESORT HOTELS

1. Manoir Hovey, North Hatley, Quebec. Haven’t stayed there but North Hatley is my favourite town in Quebec. Hillary and Bill Clinton are frequent guests at the hotel. Manoir Hovey this year also was named 50th best hotel in the world by Travel + Leisure.
2. Fairmont Chateau Whistler, B.C. I stayed there about 10 years ago. Gorgeous hotel with the best location in Whistler, especially for skiers.
3. Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, Alberta. I got to stay here a few years back, and I had a great lunch at Alpine Social and a canoe ride on Lake Louise just this past weekend!
4. Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu, Charlevoix, Quebec. A glorious property overlooking the St. Lawrence River. Terrific golf course, too.
5. Fairmont Banff Springs, Banff, Alberta. I was there for lunch and a visit to the spa last Friday. Fabulous food and perhaps Canada’s best spa. Did I mention the view?
6. Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, Alberta. Another wonderful, iconic hotel in the Fairmont collection, with a casual yet elegant feel. Also, another superb golf course.
7. Four Seasons, Whistler, B.C. Haven’t had the pleasure but I hear great things.
8. Fairmont Chateau Montebello, Quebec. A gorgeous, old-style spot on the Ottawa River. Lovely grounds and a killer swimming pool.
9. Westin Resort and Spa, Whistler, B.C. Beautiful property in the heart of Whistler Village. 
10. Wickanninish Inn, Tofino, B.C. A stunning hotel on the ocean, with a real sense of place and great food. The spa is truly spectacular.