The Best Places in Canada for a Relaxing Vacation

Eco Resorts, Lakeside Lodges, Coastal Retreats & Mountain Escapes

Quick Summary
 

Ready to recharge? Canada is vast, varied, and filled with places of immense beauty and quiet—all the room you need to unplug and rejuvenate mind, body, and soul. Picture sitting on the deck of a century-old home in coastal Newfoundland with Screech rum and 10,000-year-old iceberg ice, or relaxing in a hot tub with snow-capped Rockies views. From off-grid eco resorts to historic log lodges, budget-friendly beach retreats to romantic Relais & Châteaux properties, these are Canada's most incredible places to unwind.

Quick Facts
 

• Destinations Featured: 7 relaxation destinations across 6 provinces
• Provinces: BC, Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, Québec, Nova Scotia, NL
• Experience Types: Eco resort, log lodge, beach resort, country spa, backcountry lodge
• Unique Features: Polar bears, iceberg viewing, kitchen parties, hot springs, wildlife safaris

1. Cabana Desolation Eco Resort, British Columbia

Location: Kinghorn Island, Desolation Sound, Sunshine Coast

On a quiet, uninhabited island in the heart of Desolation Sound, this off-grid resort is surrounded by warm ocean teeming with marine life and imposing Coast Mountains. Uses the latest conservation techniques: environmentally sensitive water systems, renewable energy, solar-powered lighting, sustainably harvested and recycled building materials, and locally grown foods.

Best for: Eco-conscious travelers seeking pristine wilderness

2. Cape Race Adventures & Bonavista, Newfoundland

Location: Bonavista Peninsula, Newfoundland

A place of soul-stirring beauty and foot-tapping Celtic music. Cape Race Adventures connects you with big-hearted locals who can invite you to an authentic 'kitchen party' or show you the best puffin-watching spots on stunning cliffs. Stay in a 100-year-old salt-box house on the windswept Bonavista Peninsula and wait for a friendly knock on the door.

Best for: Cultural immersion, wildlife, authentic local experiences

3. Fairmont Le Château Montebello, Québec

Location: Montebello, Ottawa River, Outaouais region

The 'world's largest log cabin' is about sanctuary in an elegant, exclusive setting. A rustic-luxe resort on the Ottawa River, this former 1930s private club has hosted VIPs and world power brokers. No need to leave the 65,000-acre property (also a wildlife refuge): onsite golf course, four dining options, three lounges, health club with indoor/outdoor pools, and spa.

Best for: Luxury retreat, historic charm, all-inclusive activities

4. Lazy Bear Lodge, Churchill, Manitoba

Location: Churchill, Manitoba (Polar Bear Capital)

Named one of National Geographic Traveler's top hotels, this classic log cabin was built over 10 years by local resident Wally Daudrich. Features windows recycled from an 1800s Hudson Bay Trading Post and Douglas fir floors from a 1920 Canadian National Railway warehouse. Your home base for polar bear tours and beluga whale viewing.

Best for: Wildlife adventures, polar bears, belugas, Northern Lights

5. White Point Beach Resort, Nova Scotia

Location: South shore, near Halifax

A budget-friendly oceanfront resort with old-style charm. Red-roofed 1920s pavilion on a white crescent beach right on the Atlantic. Stay in rustic cottages or the main lodge and join nightly beach bonfires with occasional mussel bakes. Stroll the long sandy beach looking for resident bunnies, and enjoy stand-up paddle boards, kayaks, and rowboats—Nova Scotia-style therapy.

Best for: Budget-friendly family beach vacation, Atlantic coast vibes

6. Langdon Hall, Cambridge, Ontario

Location: Cambridge, Ontario (near Toronto)

Add romantic to relaxing at this prestigious Relais & Châteaux property, voted one of Canada's top hotels by Condé Nast Traveler readers. A Georgian manor with manicured grounds, elegant sitting rooms, walking trails, croquet, tennis, and a restaurant garden. Massage, fine dining, fireside R&R—pure indulgence.

Best for: Romantic getaway, fine dining, spa luxury

7. Lake O’Hara Lodge, BC/Alberta (Yoho National Park)

Location: Yoho National Park, Canadian Rockies (near Lake Louise)

Not the fanciest backcountry accommodation but super-friendly, laidback, relatively accessible, and the setting is spectacular. So popular that regulars return year after year to hike the trails or ski, savor the outdoor grandeur, and play in or on the lake depending on season. Guides included; adventurers plan over hearty breakfast.

Best for: Backcountry hiking/skiing, spectacular Rocky Mountain scenery