These resorts were just named the best in Canada

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Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page.

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Whether you’re planning a mountainside retreat or coastal getaway, some of Canada’s most acclaimed luxury resorts just received another major stamp of approval. 

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Travel + Leisure has unveiled its annual World’s Best Awards for 2026, with readers ranking the country’s top resorts, hotels, cities, national parks, cruises and more. 

This year, more than 207,000 readers cast 661,000 votes across various categories, voting on more than 10,088 total properties. 

According to Travel + Leisure, readers continue to favour places that draw them in, offering a rich backstory, beautiful interiors and an “authentic sense of place.”

This year’s list highlights five standout properties in Canada that do just that. From coast to coast, these resorts offer a distinctly Canadian experience with oceanfront luxury, world-class golf and iconic alpine scenery. 

Fairmont Chateau Whistler 

Named the best resort in Canada for 2026 with a score of 96.80 out of 100, the Fairmont Chateau Whistler is known as the home of some of the best skiing and snowboarding that Canada has to offer. 

More castle than hotel and lying at the foot of the famed Blackcomb Mountain, the Fairmont Chateau Whistler offers a luxe mountainside experience, with incredible dining and resort amenities, a championship golf course, an Ayurvedic-inspired spa, and direct access to outdoor adventures in Whistler.

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Unlike other chain properties, the Fairmont feels more like a country retreat than a corporate hotel, full of warm finishes and rustic wooden beams. 

Travel + Leisure calls the Fairmont Chateau Whistler a “behemoth ski-in/ski-out retreat with direct access to Blackcomb Mountain’s famed slopes.”

Location:Whistler, B.C.

The Wickaninnish Inn 

Located on the west coast of Vancouver Island, B.C.’s Wickaninnish Inn was voted the second-best resort in Canada with a score of 96.55.

The boutique inn can be found on Chesterman Beach, frequently cited as one of the world’s best beaches, nestled between rainforest and the Pacific Ocean. 

The inn’s location is just minutes from the township of Tofino, yet remote enough to feel like the edge of the world.

The inn features a range of guest rooms with luxurious amenities, including ocean and beach views, gas fireplaces, soaker tubs and private balconies. 

The on-site Pointe Restaurant and intimate Ancient Cedars Spa are equally luxurious, offering cuisine and treatments inspired by nature. 

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Once they’ve recharged, guests can receive personalized itineraries for exploring the regions of Tofino and Clayoquot Sound and their many activities, which include everything from whale-watching to surfing. 

Location: Tofino, B.C.

Cabot Cape Breton 

Landing in third place is Cabot Cape Breton, a luxury golf resort overlooking the dramatic coastline of Inverness, N.S., with a score of 94.93. 

Located on over a mile of sandy beach along the coast of Cape Breton Island, Cabot Cape Breton is home to two acclaimed courses routinely featured on Golf Digest’s list of the World’s 100 Greatest Golf Courses.

Beyond golf, the resort offers 72 rooms of award-winning accommodation, with luxe amenities like rainfall showers, floor-to-ceiling windows and Italian terry cloth towels and robes. 

Visitors can also dine at four on-site restaurants, and enjoy access to two beaches within walking distance of the property. 

The resort makes for a great base for adventure in Cape Breton’s rugged coast, with everything from fly-fishing to waterfall hikes and kayaking located within 30 minutes of the hotel. 

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Location: Cape Breton Island, N.S.

Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise 

One of Canada’s most iconic hotels earned the fourth spot on the list with a score of 93.38.

Set on the famous turquoise waters of Lake Louise inside Banff National Park, the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise is a world-class luxury hotel set against the equally stunning backdrop of the Canadian Rockies. 

The property’s interior is reminiscent of a cosy hunting lodge, filled with ornate chandeliers and furnished with sturdy and elegant armchairs and sofas. 

Guest rooms are equally luxurious, decorated in an alpine-colonial style, with modern amenities and breathtaking views of the emerald lake (provided you book a lakeview room, that is). 

Visitors can unwind with a treatment at the on-site spa and enjoy seasonally inspired cuisine at one of the hotel’s award-winning restaurants. Located in Canada’s first national park, the hotel also provides the perfect base to explore extensive hiking trails and spot local wildlife. 

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Location: Banff, Alta.

Manoir Hovey 

Rounding out the top five is Manoir Hovey, an elegant lakeside retreat in the Eastern Townships region of Quebec, which received a score of 92 out of 100.

Located on the shores of Quebec’s Lake Massawippi, the boutique resort is known for its peaceful setting, refined accommodations and acclaimed dining. Its intimate atmosphere offers a quieter feel compared to some of Canada’s larger resort properties, while still delivering on luxury. 

The lakeside retreat has a classic, country inn feel and an old-fashioned, yet modern style in its 39 rooms, suites and cottages. 

Visitors can spend their days kayaking, cycling or relaxing by the lake before enjoying locally inspired cuisine overlooking the water. 

The hotel is located in the charming village of North Hately, a scenic spot to explore on foot. 

Location: North Hatley, Que.

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