On the waterfront on Vancouver Island
Unplug. Relax. Recharge. If these travel mantras of the moment are resonating with you, maybe it’s time to plan a trip to Canada.
We’ve rounded up a collection of remote lodges, cabins, and inns across the country, from British Columbia to Quebec — five Canadian getaways where you can truly get away.
Here’s the scoop:
On Vancouver Island, Wild Renfrew’s cottages sit beachside.
Wild Renfrew, Port Renfrew, British Columbia
Located on a remote corner of Vancouver Island, this collection of upscale cabins lines the rocky shore outside the town of Port Renfrew. Wild Renfrew is an excellent stopover if you’re driving the Pacific Marine Circle Route, which hugs the shoreline, passes through wine country, and cuts through secluded rainforest on the island’s southern end. Yet you’re only a two-hour drive from the popular city of Victoria.
Wild Renfrew’s 11 cottages range from studios with kitchenettes to large two-bedroom units with full kitchens. Across the road, the same owners operate the simpler (and less expensive) West Coast Trail Lodge. Read our full review here.
A hot tub overlooks Kootenay Lake at The Sentinel.
The Sentinel, Kaslo, British Columbia
A wellness and yoga retreat outside the town of Kaslo, The Sentinel overlooks Kootenay Lake in British Columbia’s scenic West Kootenays region. It’s a short drive from the funky town of Nelson, and it’s well located to take a break on a road trip between Vancouver and the Canadian Rockies.
Most of the 10 Zen-like guest rooms have lake views, as does the large yoga space that’s available to guests. There’s an outdoor sauna and hot tub, sheltered by the trees, and you can borrow a kayak or stand-up paddleboard to head out on the lake. Read our full review here.
Ready to cocoon at the Prairie Creek Inn
Prairie Creek Inn, Rocky Mountain House, Alberta
In a quiet corner of Alberta, on the east side of the Canadian Rockies, the Prairie Creek Inn pampers its guests with deep whirlpool tubs, comfortable furnishings, and plush linens in the 15 guest rooms that are spread across several buildings on the edge of the woods. Room rates include a substantial hot breakfast, served in the property’s dining room, or if you’d rather spend your morning cocooning, for a small extra fee, staff will deliver breakfast to your room.
Want more details? Our full review is here.
On the trail in Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park, Ontario
Canadian Ecology Centre, Mattawa, Ontario
Looking for a family-friendly outdoor destination, deep in the forests of northern Ontario? The Canadian Ecology Centre, a non-profit environmental organization, offers accommodations in modern cabins on the wooded grounds of Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park.
Most of the 32 cabins can sleep up to five, with full baths, as well as small refrigerators. Guests have access to the shared dining cabin, with a fully-equipped kitchen; you’re only a 10-minute drive from the town of Mattawa where you can buy groceries or dine out, if you’d rather not cook for yourself. And you can spend your days on the park’s peaceful lakes and trails. Read our full review here.
Auberge La Salicorne on Quebec’s Îles de la Madeleine
Auberge La Salicorne, Magdalen Islands, Quebec
It takes some effort to reach the Îles de la Madeleine, known in English as the Magdalen Islands. But once you reach this predominantly Francophone cluster of islands off the coast of Quebec, where the Gulf of Saint Lawrence meets the Atlantic Ocean, you have dramatic red cliffs and secluded sandy beaches to explore, with plenty of fresh seafood to sustain you.
One easy way to explore these islands is to book a getaway package at Auberge La Salicorne, a simple but comfortable inn with an onsite restaurant, which offers a variety of adventure activities. For more information, check out our detailed review here.
Then enjoy the peace and quiet at these five Canadian getaways where you can truly get away.
Hotel feature by Vancouver-based travel, food, and feature writer Carolyn B. Heller. Photos © Carolyn B. Heller.
