Pembury Partners Travel Diaries: Canada
Canada has some of the most rugged, unspoiled landscapes anywhere in the world. It naturally follows therefore that as a getaway-from-everything haven it is a highly desirable destination, and is home to some of the world’s finest resorts, spas and restaurants. Here we highlight a few of the highest calibre of each.
Resorts
Manoir Hovey, North Hatley, Quebec
With only 37 rooms Manoir Hovey provides the setting for a very private getaway, just 20 miles from the US border. It has everything you’d expect of a Canadian refuge, with a library, open fires and scenic woodland and lakeside views from the rooms’ balconies. The Québécois restaurant, Le Hatley, is known for the quality of the hand-picked and grown-from-seed produce.
575 Rue Hovey, North Hatley, Quebec, J0B 2C0, Canada https://manoirhovey.com
Fairmont Le Château Montebello, Montebello, Quebec
Quintessentially Canadian, Fairmont Le Château Montebello has been described as the world’s largest log cabin. It’s a complete resort destination with many activities and experiences available on-site – amongst them a golf course, spa, health club and aquatic centre, yacht club and stunning lake-and-forest location.
392 Notre Dame, Montebello, Quebec, J0V 1L0, Canada https://fairmont.com/montebello
The Wickaninnish Inn, Tofino, British Columbia
On Vancouver Island’s west coast, The Wickaninnish Inn is particularly well regarded for its hospitality, its indulgent spa and for its untamed views of the Pacific Ocean. Surrounded by Canadian rainforest and by the sea it’s an unparalleled place to unwind.
500 Osprey Lane, Tofino, British Columbia, V0R 2Z0, Canada https://wickinn.com
Fogo Island Inn, Fogo Island, Newfoundland
The remote location of the Fogo Island Inn is one of its primary draws. Set on an “island off an island”, the 29 guest rooms and suites have floor-to-ceiling windows looking onto the wilds of the Pacific Ocean. The Inn has a distinctly environmentally respectful and sustainability-led ethos, and prides itself on being a true escape from modern life.
210 Main Road, Joe Batt’s Arm, Newfoundland, A0G 2XO, Canada https://fogoislandinn.ca
Post Hotel & Spa, Lake Louise, Alberta
The Post Hotel & Spa has rooms, suites and private cabins and mountain lodges available to accommodate a wide range of families or travel parties with distinctive Canadian hospitality. It’s located in the heart of the Banff National Park, and the Lake Louise Ski Resort is just five minutes from the Hotel. Owned by the locally-renowned Schwartz brothers, the Hotel combines their passions for food, wine and skiing.
200 Pipestone Road, Lake Louise, Alberta, T0L 1E0, Canada https://posthotel.com
Spas
Scandinave Spa, Whistler
A classically Scandinavian style spa with views of Canadian forests and mountains, a truly relaxing experience is to be found in one of their heated outdoor baths.
8010 Mons Road, Whistler, British Columbia, V8E 1K7, Canada https://scandinave.com/whistler
Willow Stream Spa, Banff
Willow Stream Spa is known as one of the finest in Alberta. With over 38,000 sq.ft. of space including waterfalls, an outdoor whirlpool, an indoor mineral pool and 20+ treatment rooms, the spa is a serene and rejuvenating sanctuary.
405 Spray Ave, Banff, Alberta, T1L 1J4, Canada https://fairmont.com
Temple Gardens Hotel & Spa, Moose Jaw
With Canada’s largest therapeutic geothermal mineral pool, as well as gourmet dining and all the amenities of a notable resort hotel on site, Temple Gardens offers an all-inclusive opportunity for the perfect weekend away in Saskatchewan.
24 Fairford Street East, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, S6H 0C7, Canada https://templegardens.sk.ca
Thermëa, Winnipeg
An outdoor spa perhaps surprisingly but very effectively secluded in the city of Winnipeg, Thermëa is complete with log cabins, hot and cold Nordic baths and offers a full range of treatments.
775 Crescent Drive, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3T 1X3, Canada https://thermea.ca
100 Fountain Spa, Niagara-on-the-Lake
Inspired by the natural beauty of the Niagara region, this spa features hot springs, heated outdoor pools and signature wine-based treatments.
48 John Street West, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, L0S 1J0, Canada https://vintage-hotels.com
Restaurants
Alo, Toronto
Named as Canada’s best restaurant for 4 years in a row, Alo favours cutting-edge culinary techniques combined with a global style that traverses French, Japanese and North American.
163 Spadina Avenue, 3rd Floor, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2L6, Canada https://alorestaurant.com
St. Lawrence, Vancouver
Offering classical French and traditional Québécois cuisine, St. Lawrence is now independently owned by its visionary chef Jean-Christophe Poirier. Having won numerous awards the restaurant attests that “simplicity is the ultimate form of sophistication.”
269 Powell Street, Vancouver, British Colombia, V6A 1G3, Canada https://stlawrencerestaurant.com
Joe Beef, Montreal
Joe Beef is a Montreal culinary institution. Opened in 2005, it has now doubled in size but retains the same personality, furnished with décor paying homage to the antique shops which once gave the local area its character.
2491 Notre-Dame Street West, Montreal, Quebec, H3J 1N6, Canada https://joebeef.com
Langdon Hall, Cambridge
Langdon Hall sources many of its ingredients from its own kitchen garden and the surrounding forest, and excels in seasonal, regional cuisine – as you’d therefore expect the menu changes often. The dining room is an exercise in understated luxury befitting a country house hotel.
1 Langdon Drive, Cambridge, Ontario, N3H 4R8, Canada https://langdonhall.ca
Raymonds, St. John’s
Renowned for its refined seven-course tasting menus, often featuring local lobster, crabs and scallops in summer, and wild game in autumn. Raymonds is intrinsically linked to its location in downtown St. John’s, with bespoke handcrafted tableware and walls adorned with Newfoundland seascapes.
95 Water Street, St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, A1C 1A4, Canada https://raymondsrestaurant.com
