Three Ontario Getaways to Visit Now

It’s no secret we love a road trip that leads to a very comfortable hotel. Here are the latest accommodations we rate as worthy of booking, again and again.

 124 Queen, Niagara-on-the-Lake

You probably know many reasons to visit Niagara-on-the-Lake – charming 19th-century homes, acclaimed wineries, fabulous theatre – and now there’s one more: 124 Queen Hotel & Spa. It opened its newly renovated space in 2022, and the delightfully compact red-brick façade belies what’s behind the royal-blue front door: 72 guest rooms, a swish cocktail bar and a whopping 12,000-sq-ft spa (that’s not a typo!). We slept in a one-bedroom suite boasting a kitchen, living area, double-sided gas fireplace and bathroom so big we could have played badminton in it. The spa is a European-inspired oasis chockful of blissed-out features such as hot and cold plunge pools, a eucalyptus steam, even a snow room (with actual shaved ice snow flakes). The owners, two local residents passionate about preservation, acquired the acclaimed Treadwell Farm-to-Table Cuisine restaurant, just steps from the property. It composes scrape-the-plate delicious food with provenance – locals will not allow the lobster club to be taken off the menu. Whether you go here for a weekend stay, a spa treatment or a meal – just go.

The Dorchester

If you haven’t been to Collingwood yet, The Dorchester is a wonderful reason to put this impossibly pretty town on your to-do list. The heritage property dates back to the 1890s and was one of Collingwood’s first hotels (with the town’s first elevator). It had fallen into disrepair when Tammy and Chris Millsap, a couple born and raised in the area, purchased it in 2021. Fascinated by its history, they were determined to restore the hotel to its former glory – an ambitious goal that we think they exceeded. The Dorchester offers 30 individually decorated rooms brimming with stylish verve – think whimsical wallpaper, glorious colour and ample square footage. Our Deluxe King Studio was supremely comfortable and thoughtful details, including a turntable, exclusive signature toiletries and lavender pillow sachets, made the stay restful and memorable. The Dorchester just opened in December 2022 yet already beckons as a spot to relax and cocoon, as well as explore all that Collingwood has to offer.

 

The Kimpton Saint George

This is our favourite staycation destination in Toronto. We love The Kimpton’s Bloor-Yorkville location that’s walking distance to great art, shopping and restaurants. We love the whimsical design details (you don’t see a lot of interior arches in Toronto hotels) and we love that the custom art and furniture is crafted by local artisans. The hotel is also pet-friendly and has cool complimentary perks, like a yoga mat in every room, cruiser bikes for exploring the city and a wine hour that’s held every evening in the lobby. Hole up for a relaxing staycation or use it as a base for checking out the city – it’s a comfort either way.