The Michelin Guide people are famous for their restaurant ratings, but they also have been doing hotel ratings for a few years. They recently granted Michelin keys (restaurants get stars, hotels get keys) to 42 Canadian properties. Two Canadian hotels received three keys for superb service and quality, those being the remarkable Fogo Island Inn in Newfoundland and Labrador, and also Clayuquot Wilderness Lodge in British Columbia.
Another eight hotels received two Michelin keys: The Hazelton Hotel Toronto, Manoir Hovey in the Eastern Townships of Quebec, Auberge Saint-Antoine in Quebec City, Four Seasons Resort and Residences, Whistler, Four Seasons Hotel Montreal, Four Seasons Hotel Toronto, Rosewood Hotel Georgia in Vancouver and Fairmont Chateau Whistler in British Columbia.
The Ritz Carlton Hotel in Toronto. Jim Byers Photo
Here are the properties with one Michelin key: The Fairmont Banff Springs, Alberta; The Fairmont Le Manoir Richelie, Quebec; Fairmont Hotel Macdonald, Edmonton; Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac, Quebec; Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, Alberta; Fairmont Empress, Victoria, British Columbia; Fairmont Chateau Laurier Gold Experience, Ottawa; The Royal Hotel, Picton, Ontario; Merrill House, Picton, Ontario; Ritz-Carlton, Toronto; Hotel Place d’Armes, Montreal; Hotel William Gray, Montreal; The Loden Hotel, Vancouver; Hotel Quintessence, Tremblant, Quebec; The Dorian, Marriott Autograph Collection, Calgary; The Wedgewood Inn, Vancouver; The Ace Hotel, Toronto; The Bisha Hotel, Toronto; Le Germain Charlevoix Hotel and Spa, Quebec; Le Mount Stephen, Montreal; The Lodge at Bow Lake, Lake Louise, Alberta; 1 Hotel Toronto; the Post Hotel and Spa, Lake Louise, Alberta, The Smith, Kingston, Ontario; Belvedere Hotel, Kingston, Ontario; The Wickaninnish Inn, Tofino, British Columbia; The Park Hyatt, Toronto; Nita Lake Lodge and Resort, Whistler, British Columbia, The Shangri-La Hotel, Toronto, Muir, a Marriott Luxury Collection Hotel, Halifax; and the Magnolia Hotel and Spa, Victoria, British Columbia.
I count eight Michelin key hotels in Toronto, five in Montreal and three in Vancouver. Whistler also has three, as does Lake Louise. I’m quite shocked that none of the Fairmont properties in Vancouver made the list, and that the St. Regis in Toronto also didn’t get a key.
The Fairmont Empress Hotel in Victoria, British Columbia. Jim Byers Photo
Fairmont has eight properties on the list while Four Seasons has three.
I’ve stayed at a number of these. All the Fairmonts and Four Seasons hotels on the list are outstanding. I’m also a big fan of the Magnolia in Victoria, The Loden Hotel and the Rosewood Georgia in Vancouver, Shangri-La Toronto, Le Germain Charlevoix, Auberge Saint-Antoine, The Hazelton Toronto, The Ritz-Carlton Montreal, The Dorian in Calgary, Park Hyatt Toronto and The Ace Hotel Toronto.
I also find it interesting that Picton and Kingston, Ontario each have two properties on the list.
NEW FOUR SEASONS HOTELS, AND RENOVATIONS
Four Seasons Hotels is opening and renovating properties around the world. Here’s a look at some of their plans.
NEW FOR 2027
- A Nature Retreat – Four Seasons Resort and Residences Dominican Republic at Tropicalia will bring a considered approach to sustainable luxury hospitality along Playa Esmeralda’s white sand beaches in Samaná Bay, pairing a pristine beachfront setting with tropical modernist design by Brazilian architect Isay Weinfeld.
- An Alpine Icon – The Park Gstaad, A Four Seasons Hotel will return following an extensive transformation led by Joseph Dirand. Originally opened in 1910, the celebrated property will combine its rich alpine heritage with a new expression of contemporary luxury, complemented by an elevated culinary program and thoughtfully designed social spaces that reflect the sophistication and charm of this iconic Swiss destination.
- A Renewed Waterfront – Four Seasons Hotel and Residences Jacksonville will anchor the redeveloped Jacksonville Shipyards, introducing a new hospitality and residential destination near the city’s sports complex and future stadium. Restaurants and lounges will include a signature rooftop venue overlooking the St. Johns River, while a spa and resort-style pools will complement sweeping riverfront views, creating a vibrant gathering place for visitors and the local community.
A rendering of the new Four Seasons Resort in Samana, Dominican Republic.
- Private Island Discovery – Four Seasons Resort and Residences Caye Chapel, Belize will offer a secluded retreat surrounded by the Caribbean Sea, featuring overwater bungalows, a Greg Norman-designed golf course and a nature conservation institute led by Fabien Cousteau.
- Berlin Through History – Four Seasons Hotel Berlin will mark the transformation of the Hotel de Rome into a Four Seasons experience. Originally built in the 19th century as the headquarters of Dresdner Bank and converted into a hotel in 2006, the storied building will enter a new chapter in the heart of Germany’s capital.
- Ancient Wonders on the Nile – Four Seasons Hotel Luxor will introduce a new luxury experience in one of the world’s most storied destinations, offering a gateway to the temples, tombs, and heritage that have captivated travellers for generations.
- The Heart of Egypt – Four Seasons Hotel and Private Residences Cairo Capital at Madinaty will bring elevated accommodations, residences and leisure experiences to the heart of the country, building on the brand’s longstanding presence in nearby Cairo.
- Okinawa’s Southern Shores – Four Seasons Resort and Residences Okinawa will expand the Four Seasons portfolio in Japan with its first resort in the country, set across 100 acres along Okinawa’s coast. Acclaimed Japanese architects Kengo Kuma and Kuniken will lead the project, drawing inspiration from Okinawa’s natural landscapes and distinctive cultural heritage.
- A California Classic Returns – Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara will reintroduce a legendary beachfront retreat on the American Riviera, pairing timeless Mediterranean-inspired architecture with relaxed sophistication, culinary appeal and the coastal beauty of Santa Barbara.
- Sky-High in Beirut – Four Seasons Hotel Beirut will welcome guests back with 230 rooms and suites, a rooftop pool overlooking the city, sea and mountains, and a new signature Peruvian restaurant set to become the highest dining destination in Beirut.
The Four Seasons Caye Chapel in Belize.
Iconic Addresses, Transformed and Reimagined
- Wellness in Wailea – Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea unveiled the Kai Holo Spa, a transformative wellness destination inspired by the natural rhythms and flowing energy of Maui, offering immersive treatments and experiences rooted in the island’s landscapes and spirit. (Haven’t been for some time but it’s a great hotel)
- An Icon Transformed – Four Seasons Hotel Mexico City begins a new chapter with reimagined accommodations rooted in Mexican design and craftsmanship, paired with refreshed culinary and cocktail experiences, including Oma and Fifty Mils.
AIR CANADA WINS WORLD’S BEST AIRLINE APP AWARD
Air Canada’s mobile app has been named Best Airline App at the 2026 World Aviation Festival in Lisbon, winning the Battle of the Airline Apps. A panel of industry judges compared three airline finalists and rated Air Canada’s app the best. The judges highlighted the app’s ability to bring together the full travel journey in a single experience, helping customers move seamlessly from booking to arrival with personalized, contextual information throughout their trip.
I use the app a lot when I travel with Air Canada, and it’s quite useful for keeping track of things, including my checked baggage.
In 2026, Air Canada introduced enhancements that further elevated the app. A redesigned home screen now adapts to each stage of the trip, putting check-in, boarding passes, flight status and bag tracking in front of customers when they need them, and guiding connecting customers at Air Canada’s hubs in Toronto, Montréal and Vancouver with directions to their next gate. A new low fare calendar and side-by-side fare comparison show fare rules and baggage allowances before customers book.
Customers can also thank an Air Canada team member who made their day with the new Bravo button, building on Bag Buddy, which shows customers the name and photo of the person who loaded their bag.
