Six of the best boutique hotels in Canada

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This was published 5 years ago

Six of the best boutique hotels in Canada

By Elspeth Callender
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THE DRAKE HOTEL – TORONTO, ONTARIO

In 1890, DA Small opened a 19-bedroom hotel in central Toronto and named it the Drake. Since then, the place has been bought and sold, renamed Cecil Hotel and the Stardust, but has finally circled back around to the original name. The Drake's focus, however, has dramatically shifted towards art, culture and music. This fully renovated, design-oriented hotel has an on-site performance space, cafe, retro lounge and muraled rooftop Sky Yard for summer cocktails. Sleep in a suite, salon, studio, den, crash pad or nook from $CAN239 a night. See thedrakehotel.ca

LHOTEL MONTREAL – MONTREAL, QUEBEC

On the grand end of small, all 56 rooms of this boutique hotel overlook the streets of historic Old Montreal. Large windows, high ceilings and je ne sais quoi come standard, while luxury suites have original works on the walls – from the owner's private collection – by artists such as Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein. From this 1870s corner building, it's an easy walk to places such as Notre-Dame Basilica and the entrance to the Underground City. Doubles from $CAD184 a night. See lhotelmontreal.com

INN ON THE LAKE – MARSH LAKE, YUKON TERRITORY

Half an hour by car from the Yukon Territory's capital of Whitehorse is a 10-room lodge on the shores of Marsh Lake; a far prettier body than the name suggests. Cabins on the property were previously for rent, but co-owner and chef Carson Schiffkorn downsized to create a more cohesive environment for guests. Highlights are the beauty of the natural environment, seasonal activities such as dog sledding and canoeing, the freshly prepared meals and Carson's personality. He uses local ingredients as much as possible, and works in an open kitchen. Doubles from $CAN189 a night. Get adventurous with a Northern Lights package. See innonthelake.ca

THE MARINER KING INN – LUNENBURG, NOVA SCOTIA

If you manage to make it all the way to the Maritimes, venture another 100 kilometres south-west of Halifax to the old port town of Lunenburg and lap up the nautical history from the Mariner King Inn. In addition to the main building – a blue 1930s corner number in Old Town – the Cranberry and Candy Apple buildings bring the hotel's total room and suite count to 14. Mariner King does a darn good exposed wooden floorboard, attic room, sunroom buffet breakfast, and tea and cake in the parlour. Closed over winter. Doubles from $CAN125 a night. See marinerking.com

SKOKI LODGE – BANFF NATIONAL PARK, ALBERTA

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If you like your small accommodation rustic and remote, this back country lodge is for you. Skoki is truly off-the-grid, accessible only via an 11-kilometre ski or hiking trail from Lake Louise. Despite the outhouses, lack of electricity and no running water, this five-room lodge with three one-room log cabins is fit for royalty – just ask Kate and William (though rumour has it their cabin was temporarily retrofitted with a bathroom). Candlelit dinners are created over a wood-fired stove by gastronomic magician Katie Mitzel. From $CAN390 for two people a night, meals included. See skoki.com

SOOKE HARBOUR HOUSE – VANCOUVER ISLAND, BRITISH COLUMBIA

Of its 28 rooms, 27 look out on the Strait of Juan de Fuca with the Pacific Ocean beyond. The other is a large family room with a garden view and loft. The hotel has a gallery and promotes Vancouver Island art including First Nations inspired sculptures. Renovated in 2016, many rooms now have indoor and outdoor bathtubs and all have a fireplace. There are two restaurants; one award winning and the other newly opened. Doubles from $CAN199 a night. See sookeharbourhouse.com

Elspeth Callender travelled as a guest of Destination Canada, see canada.travel

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