Indulge your wanderlust while fully appreciating Canada’s splendour with a memorable road trip right here at home. With the wind in your hair and new destinations and hidden gems to discover, you'll make unforgettable memories by exploring your own backyard in all its glory. And finding the right hotel is just as important as the journey itself – it can either make or break your experience.
To help you plan your road trip, here we showcase some of the country's best routes – from Vancouver to Charlottetown, along the Sea-to-Sky Highway, between Montreal and the Gaspe Peninsula, and others – together with top hotels that offer more than just a place to rest for the night.
- 1
Monsieur Jean, Vieux Québec
Quebec City, QC
- Business
- Families
Monsieur Jean is a stylish boutique hotel that places you right in the heart of Old Quebec. The beautiful cobblestoned town, designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is worth the extra journey on a road trip from Toronto to Montreal due to its distinctly European vibe. The hotel is housed in a renovated historic building that has been updated with sleek furnishings and modern amenities.
Its central Quebec location receives great marks from fellow travellers, with the iconic Le Château Frontenac, Quartier Petit Champlain, Place Royale, and the stunning Notre-Dame de Québec Basilica-Cathedral, all within walking distance. Modern and elegant rooms decked out in signature blue-and-white furnishings allow you to unwind after a day of sightseeing. Head up to the roof terrace for panoramic views of the St. Lawrence River and the surrounding landscape beyond.
- 2
Summit Lodge Boutique Hotel
Whistler, BC
- Adventure
- Business
- Couples
The Sea to Sky Highway is one of the most scenic road trips along the western coast of British Columbia. Driving from Vancouver to Whistler, you'll take in the Pacific Ocean and the snow-capped Coast Mountains along the rugged shoreline, with lush forests and majestic waterfalls and lakes along the way. After your journey, the quirky guest rooms decorated with warm wood furnishings at the Summit Lodge Boutique Hotel reflect the natural beauty of this mountain town. Located right in the heart of Whistler Village, it’s also incredibly convenient.
Summit Lodge is a great stay in any season. Several popular hiking and biking trails, including the scenic Whistler Valley Trail, are accessible nearby. All popular attractions throughout spring and summer. The Blackcomb Excalibur Gondola is also a short walk away, and you can also take the ski shuttle from December to April. For simple pleasures, enjoy the outdoor patio with its heated pool, hot tub, and sauna, or enjoy a treatment at the Lotus Spa & Lounge.
- 3
The Rimrock Resort Hotel
Banff, AB
- Couples
- Food
- Luxury
Take a road trip along the Icefields Parkway from Jasper to Banff and enjoy one of the most picturesque highways in the world. As you traverse the Canadian Rockies, you'll witness stunning glaciers, waterfalls, turquoise lakes, and towering peaks. If you're looking for an extra-special stay once you arrive in Banff, check out The Rimrock Resort Hotel. It's situated on Sulphur Mountain with breathtaking views of the Bow Valley. What's more, it's conveniently close to Banff Upper Hot Springs and the Banff Gondola.
The hotel's location offers an authentic mountain experience, with hiking trails right on your doorstep. Additionally, a complimentary shuttle service to downtown Banff is available for those wanting to explore the area further afield. The hotel's rooms and suites provide stunning views, with some boasting 1,100-sq-ft balconies to soak up Banff's majestic mountain panoramas. When it comes to dining, The Rimrock Resort Hotel has an excellent selection, including the award-winning Eden restaurant.
- 4
Hotel Eldorado at Eldorado Resort
Okanagan Valley (Kelowna), BC
- Adventure
- Couples
- Families
A scenic road trip along the Vancouver to Okanagan Corridor route showcases the stunning landscapes of British Columbia. These include views of lush forests, the Fraser River, and the surrounding peaks and valleys of the Cascade Range. We think there's no better place to stay in the Okanagan than right on its lakeshore, and Hotel Eldorado at Eldorado Resort ticks that box. The hotel offers stunning views of the water and surrounding mountains. And being in the heart of Kelowna, exploring the city and nearby wineries is also a breeze.
This Victorian-styled boutique hotel features beautifully appointed rooms and suites to unwind in after all the fun adventures, each with their own unique decor and stunning lake or mountain views. Thanks to Okanagan Valley’s sunny climate, hiking, biking, and swimming are great pursuits. But the Hotel Eldorado’s own marina and beach with a water park should be the focal point for families with kids.
- 5
Pyramid Lake Resort
Jasper, AB
- Adventure
- Families
- Group
Pyramid Lake is one of the natural highlights within Jasper National Park. It offers stunning scenery and fun activities in the great Canadian outdoors. If you’re planning a road trip via the Icefields Parkway from Banff to Jasper and want to stay right on the lakeshore, book a wooden cabin, suite, or loft at the Pyramid Lake Resort.
With the scenic lake up front and its sweeping backdrop of the Canadian Rockies, this resort on Pyramid Lake’s south-eastern shore is one of the most photographed spots in Jasper. You don’t need to go far from the resort to enjoy hiking, fishing, or canoeing in spring and summer. For winter fun, choose from snowshoes, ice skates, or fat bikes, available for rent on-site. Guest rooms feature balconies that provide panoramic views of the countryside, as well as fireplaces for a true cabin getaway.
- 6
Chalets & Spa Lac Saint-Jean
Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean, QC
- Adventure
- Families
- Group
A road trip from Montreal or Quebec City to Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean lets you trade the city buzz for forests and sandy lakeside beaches. There’s no better way to experience it than by staying near the shore, like at the Chalets & Spa Lac Saint-Jean. This log cabin-style cottage resort with a spa in Chambord overlooks the water and the surrounding mountains and forests on the southwestern shore of the lake.
Naturally, it’s a big hit with road trippers keen to enjoy the great outdoors, with hiking, fishing, kayaking, and swimming readily on the resort’s doorstep. None of the cottages are the same, each featuring its own distinct design and fitted with a complete kitchen, a cosy living room, and even a laundry room. To help you further unwind after many hours on the road, head to the luxurious spa, offering everything from massages and facials to hydrotherapy and aromatherapy,
- 7
Fairmont Tremblant
Mont-Tremblant, QC
- Adventure
- Couples
- Luxury
The Fairmont Tremblant is an excellent choice for road trippers journeying to Mont-Tremblant. The hotel lies on the narrow south-eastern shore of Lake Tremblant and is surrounded by verdant mountains. Access to the Express Flying Mile ski lifts and the Express Gondola are nearby, making switching from the lake to the mountain quick and easy.
Besides skiing and snowboarding in the winter, there’s hiking, biking, and golfing to enjoy in the spring and summer. And after a day of adventure, retreat to your luxurious room or spacious suite. Some offer spectacular views of the mountain, the pedestrian village, or the surrounding forests. Certain guest rooms also come equipped with full kitchens. You can further unwind at the Moment Spa Fairmont Tremblant.
- 8
Residence Inn by Marriott Gravenhurst Muskoka Wharf
Muskoka (Gravenhurst), ON
- Adventure
- Families
Road-trippers from Toronto to Muskoka looking for a scenic lakeside stay should consider the Residence Inn by Marriott Gravenhurst Muskoka Wharf. The resort is positioned on the edge of the lake, giving you access to a variety of activities such as boating, kayaking, and paddleboarding practically on your doorstep. Exploring the shops and restaurants along the nearby boardwalk is also a breeze.
Right next door is the local heritage museum, Muskoka Discovery Centre, where you and your little ones can view a replica steamship and learn about Muskoka’s steamboating history. You can also pick up maple syrup and browse fresh local produce at Gravenhurst Farmers' Market. After your fun adventures, you can return to your well-appointed suite, which comes equipped with a full kitchen, living area, and cosy fireplace. This is a pet-friendly hotel, so families with furry companions joining the road trip are welcome.
- 9
The Sydney Boutique Inn
Charlottetown, PEI
- Couples
- History
- Luxury
A road trip along the Trans-Canada Highway from Toronto or Montreal towards Charlottetown showcases stunning scenery, such as the St. Lawrence River and the Thousand Islands. After crossing the Confederation Bridge over the Northumberland Strait to Prince Edward Island, you'll shortly arrive in Charlottetown on the southern coast.
When it comes to accommodation in Prince Edward Island's capital, The Sydney Boutique Inn is a great choice as it puts you right in the heart of downtown Sydney, Nova Scotia. This central location allows for ease of access to plenty of heritage and cultural attractions and natural beauty. The hotel is a landmark in itself, with hints of its previous life as the Notre Dame Convent still evident. Its apartments and suites follow suit, elegantly furnished following its heritage stylings, and some even with original chandeliers with beaded glass from the 19th century.
- 10
Hôtel Baker
Gaspe Peninsula, Quebec, Canada
- Budget
- Food
- Group
Following the St. Lawrence River, a beautiful and scenic road trip from Montreal to Gaspé leads you right into the heart of a stunning peninsula. Hôtel Baker is a trendy property that puts you in the centre of the action. It's a hotel with a touch of history, built in the 1970s on the site of a Victorian-era hotel, which itself had been welcoming guests since 1860. The Birth of Canada landmark sits right in front of it on the water's edge, and you have various shopping spots such as the Jacques Cartier Shopping Mall within walking distance.
Hôtel Baker’s comfortable rooms and suites feature simple and modern furnishings, some offering views of the water. The hotel is adjoined by the popular TÉTÛ Taverne Gaspésienne restaurant. It's a dining destination on its own, serving must-try regional Gaspésie flavours ranging from seafood to specialities, such as tourtière (meat pie) and ragoût de boulettes (meatball stew).