Travel Tips for Canada Day Weekend and Summer: Where to Go and How to Save on Hotels

It’s summer, and that means Canadians and Americans are looking to hit the road. But we’re also facing rampant inflation and rising costs for flights, and, sometimes, hotels.

It’s not always easy, but there are ways to save money on travel this summer, and beyond. Here are travel tips to help you save on trips to Canada and Europe, and also some Marriott Hotel tips on how to save on the cost of a hotel or resort.

WHERE TO GO IN CANADA THIS SUMMER

 

Not every city in Canada is expensive. You might pay $20 for a glass of wine or a cocktail at a fancy bar in Toronto, Montreal or Vancouver, but it’s not nearly that expensive in other cities. I was in Charlottetown, PEI last week and paid $11 for a very nice glass of wine at dinner at a lovely, bright Italian place. Very good hotels here can be found for less than $200 CAD per night. So, I’d say PEI is a good value. Ditto for New Brunswick and parts of Nova Scotia. I also love Saskatchewan, which is generally not very expensive. Here’s a story I did a few years back on underrated places across Canada. And here’s a recent story on great places to visit for Canada Day weekend, as well as a link to a Canada Day geography quiz.

Some Ontario cottage spots have skyrocketed out of sight in terms of costs, but there are lots of cool small towns on the north shore of Lake Erie such as Kingsville and Port Dover that offer good value Erie. Kingsville also has a fabulous chocolate shop called Dutch Boys Chocolate that Margaret Atwood helped make famous, and you’re close to Point Pelee and Pelee Island. Out west, I’d argue for Waterton Lakes National Park in Alberta. Recent floods are gone and things are open again. You’ll get lovely mountain scenery and not nearly the crowds as Banff, and prices are much lower.

WHERE TO TRAVEL IN EUROPE THIS SUMMER

 

If you’re headed to Europe, and it seems a ton of Canadians who didn’t get to travel during the pandemic are doing just that, I’d suggest Portugal.  You’ll find good food, friendly locals and prices that are usually much, much lower than France or Italy. The Azores are part of Portugal, and I’d say my visit there some years ago was one of the best trips of my life.

Similarly, Eastern Europe countries like Poland and Slovenia, which I sometimes call “The tiny perfect country,” offer very good value. It costs a bit to get there, but you can get a four-star hotel in Thailand for a third or a quarter of what it could cost in Paris or New York City, or Toronto. Traditional winter destinations such as Saint Lucia have great summer deals for hotels. Same for Florida, outside of Disney World. And also Arizona or Palm Springs for people in Alberta or B.C. who want an easy getaway. If you’ve got a pool, you can handle the heat and play your rounds of golf early in the day.

TRY ASIA INSTEAD, OR THE CARIBBEAN

 

You might pay a good deal more to fly to Southeast Asia from Canada than you would to fly to Western Europe, but food and lodging costs once you get there will be a fraction of what you’d pay in Europe’s most popular cities. I often see four or even five-star hotels in Bangkok for $200, which is maybe a third or a quarter of what you’d pay in Paris or London. Restaurants are also much cheaper in Southeast Asia than in most European cities.

Saint Lucia Tourism was recently in Toronto touting their great deals for summer.

TRAIN DEALS

 

Canada’s VIA Rail has a program where you can get discounts if you book online on a Tuesday, so I’d recommend checking that out. As with airlines, booking outside of prime times should save you some money, as well.

NO TRAVEL MONEY AT ALL?

 

Traveling on a budget? Canadians in smaller towns are usually close to nature and recreation. Big city residents in Canada are lucky to have some wide open spaces, as well. In Vancouver, you can escape into the wilds of Stanley Park quite easily. Capilano Suspension Bridge can be expensive, especially for a family, but Lynn Canyon in North Vancouver has a smaller bridge that’s quite pretty and it’s free. In Toronto, you can go fishing in High Park’s Grenadier Pond or in Lake Ontario, or take a ferry to the Toronto islands for a few bucks and feel like you’re in another world. There are a couple of nice cafes on the island, as well, and the views are terrific. Ottawa has river rafting, and the Gatineau Hills are just across the Quebec border. Quebec City is close to Ile D’Orleans for quiet getaways, and Montreal has Mont Royal Park. Winnipeg’s Assiniboine Park is one of the best city parks in Canada. In Halifax, you can get to Lawrencetown Beach in minutes for a beach walk or surfing. In Saskatoon, I’d recommend a canoe ride on the South Saskatchewan River or a ride on the Prairie Lily river boat, which is lovely. There are really nice bike and walking trails along the North Saskatchewan River in Edmonton. There are many nice city parks in Calgary, including Prince’s Island. Heritage Park is fun and has boat rides on the lake.

TRAVEL OFF-SEASON

 

If you can put off travel until after Labor Day you’ll probably save some serious cash. Kids are back in school, and most office workers are back on the job. But the weather is still great in most places Canadians visit.

In Europe, the crowds in September should be far, far below those of July or August, and the Mediterranean is still warm from all that summer sun. Ditto for alpine lakes in Switzerland.

Not only should flights and hotels be cheaper, but you’ll likely find friendlier, less harried wait staff in September. And it will be easier to get a table at that Paris restaurant you’ve been dying to try.

ASK A LOCAL

 

Local bloggers and sites that cover entertainment and food in a particularly city (such as BlogTO, Narcity and Curiocity) are great sources of information for travelers. Before he flew to Italy last week, my son went onto YouTube and found helpful videos from people who live in small towns in Sicily and were offering free advice.

Another tip I like to use: If you’re a foodie looking for a great meal at a good price, ask your waiter or waitress. Most of them love food, and most of them don’t make much money, so they’re almost certain to know the place for inexpensive restaurants, diners or food trucks. Speaking of food trucks, they don’t have to pay the same kind of rent that a restaurant as to, so they can be a very good value. I love the spicy noodles at Thai Mee up food truck near the Maui airport in Hawai’i.

MARRIOTT BONVOY SAVINGS AND TIPS

 

Despite rising interest rates and the cost of inflation, travel demand remains high.  According to a recent survey commissioned by Marriott Hotels of Canada, over 65% of respondents planned to take a trip this year – but cost was a significant factor in their travel planning.  Laura Pallotta, Regional Vice President of Sales & Distribution, offers five simple tips on how to save this summer:

 

BE FLEXIBLE

 

Travelling mid-week during the summer nets far greater cost savings at many hotels, especially resorts. Many brands, like Marriott Bonvoy portfolio of hotels in Canada, have calendar functions that offer a flexible date option; travellers can use this function to determine the most cost-effective dates to travel. Also, arriving on a Sunday often means lower rates too! 

 

CHOOSE LESSER KNOWN SPOTS

 

Canada is a beautiful country with many hidden gems. If you do some research, you’ll often uncover huge savings in lesser-known areas. Marriott has over 275 hotels across the country (many in smaller, more suburban neighbourhoods) and most of the time, you can enjoy cost savings if you’re willing to stay a little bit further from the centre of town. Most of the metropolitan cities offer amazing public transit options, so park the car and head into the city by bus or train.  

Or, try a hub and spoke approach by choosing to stay between two larger markets. You’ll not only enjoy convenient access to urban centres but will also experience the charm that only a small town can provide. For example, if you’re visiting Montreal, consider staying in Laval at the Sheraton Laval Hotel instead and enjoy a premium shopping experience at CF Carrefour Laval – located only steps from the hotel lobby.  Or, if you’re travelling to Toronto, try The Pearle Hotel & Spa, Autograph Collection in Burlington, where you can explore Canada’s largest city one day, then take a day trip to Niagara Falls the next. Shop local at a boutique or farmer’s market, go to a festival, or event, or discover trendy restaurants – all while saving money on your hotel stay. 

VALUE-ADDED PACKAGES AND STAY LONGER INCENTIVES

 

Many hotels offer room packages with value-added inclusions like food and beverage credits, free gas cards, complimentary parking, attraction passes, discounts on activities like golf/spa etc. Sometimes you’ll save more by staying longer with discounts for multiple nights (For example, save on 5+ nights all summer at participating Marriott hotels across Canada). 

 

UPGRADE TO SAVE MORE

 

It may sound counterintuitive, but many hotels offer savings on upgraded room categories during the summer (like suites). Brands like Sheraton and Marriott, for example, charge a minimal fee for access to a Club Lounge and M Club respectively, where you can enjoy complimentary breakfast, snacks, and evening hors d’oeuvres. And, larger suites are perfect for multi-generational family travels that require extra space for children or parents. 

TRY A HOTEL’S SECRET SEASON

 

Did you know hotels have secret seasons? Many hotels offer great savings during what’s considered their off season, think ski resorts in the summer like Mont Tremblant or Mont Sainte-Anne. Rates are often reduced because demand is lower, but the destination offers many amazing amenities. For example, gondola rides in Whistler operate during the summer and provide the most breathtaking views. Hotels in major urban centres that normally cater to a business crowd may offer much lower weekend rates because they’re typically busier during the work week (e.g. Marriott Pinnacle Downtown Hotel in Vancouver, which is just steps from the city’s lovely waterfront). 

Remember: be sure to book online for the best pricing and always sign up for loyalty programs like Marriott Bonvoy. You’ll not only save money, but you’ll earn points that can be used towards future travel or redeemed for one-of-a-kind experiences, amazing concerts, or live shows through Marriott Bonvoy Moments.