We'll begin, as French colonial settlers did, with the city of Québec, starting with the Hotel Dominion 1912 in the city's original Old Port district. The neighborhood itself visibly mixes four centuries of tradition while reflecting a distinctly 21st-century sensibility. Art galleries, cafés and specialty boutiques line some of the city's most historic streets—and this boutique hotel, described by one Forbes Traveler expert as "charming, with a perfect location," reflects much the same vibe, mixing classic 1912 iron and stone architecture with modern design and high-end amenities.
Montreal's Old Town is the home of the Hotel Le St-James, a restored 1870 landmark building that once housed the city's largest bank. The Hotel Le St-James was praised by several experts as "wonderful" and having "excellent service." The top end here is a 3,500-square-foot apartment suite whose private 1,500-square-foot terrace has exceptional city views. For a bit of extra luxury, the hotel maintains a Rolls-Royce Phantom, a Bentley Continental and a Mayback 57S, all available for airport transfers or private city tours.
The Four Seasons Toronto is one of the top business hotels in Canada's top business city, located in trendy Yorkville just outside the central commercial district. In addition to the level of comfort and elegance that Four Seasons has helped standardize worldwide, guests will also find a 24-hour business center with computers, mobile phones and secretarial services available. The highlight here is Truffles, a spacious French contemporary restaurant among the city's best. Also in Yorkville, the Windsor Arms is a splendid all-suite boutique hotel whose cold Victorian architecture belies its warm interiors and up-to-date style. A favorite of visiting artists and musicians, the Windsor Arms ("a hidden gem," in the words of one Forbes Traveler expert) also offers high tea in a French-style tea room and an excellent steakhouse.
The Canadian Rockies are represented by the Fairmont Banff Springs, where golf, skiing and the stunning beauty of the mountains themselves are celebrated in a huge 770-unit structure modeled on a Scottish baronial castle. Your body will get a workout here, whether on the slopes, on the links in the 38,000-square-foot Willow Stream spa—one of the finest in the country. Spring for a room with a mountain view, breathe the crisp mountain air for a few days and enjoy the fleeting thoughts of never leaving.
World-class skiing is also on tap at the two of the hotels on this list. Whistler's trails were chosen to host alpine skiing events for the 2010 Winter Olympics, and both the stylish Four Seasons Whistler and the larger Fairmont Chateau Whistler offer high-end accommodation while you're carving your way through some of the world's finest powder. The Fairmont Chateau has better access to Blackcomb, but the Four Seasons takes a slight edge for service. Both hotels offer quality spa and dining facilities, multiple whirlpools and similar amenities; both hotels were also described by different Forbes Traveler experts as having Whistler's "best location." Your choice will come down to personal preference.
On Vancouver Island, the Sooke Harbour House was the clear choice in the British Columbia capital of Victoria. Located on Whiffen Spit Beach, where seals, otters and passing whales are not uncommon, and facing the Olympic mountains across the Juan de Fuca Strait, each of the 28 rooms features a woodburning fireplace, antique furnishings and a private terrace or balcony with dramatic ocean views. The restaurant grows its own vegetables and herbs in a nearby garden, and the wine list is one of the country's best. Further outside the city, the Wickaninnish Inn in Tofino hugs the western edge of the island through wind, rain, and long winter nights—all the better for enjoying the warmth and comfort of the Ancient Cedars Spa.
Finally, in the city of Vancouver, the Opus Hotel is a youthful 96-unit boutique property in the fashionable Yaletown district, walking distance from the city's business district and wobbling distance from some of Vancouver's best watering holes. (A complimentary car service is available in case you need to go elsewhere downtown.) Guestrooms are designed in five distinct flavors, ranging from clean lines to funky, vibrant colors; amenities are top-shelf; and the business, fitness, food and concierge services target savvy urban professionals with eclectic tastes and unpredictable work hours.
There's no one thread that connects all ten Canadian properties on this year's Forbes Traveler list—but in a country like Canada, where multiculturalism and a broad diversity of lifestyles is celebrated as a strength, that's entirely appropriate.
