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Insider’s Guide to the Top Michelin Keys Hotels in Canada

December 5, 2024

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Image courtesy of Four Seasons Resort Whistler

Since Michelin launched its new Key program in April of 2024, the revered travel guide has been rolling out their picks across the globe, and the top picks for Canada have finally arrived. From Montreal’s cultural hotspots to Whistler’s luxe ski retreats, discover some new arrivals and trusted favorites among the list of One, Two and Three Key hotels.

Michelin awards its Keys based on several criteria, including consistently excellent service, impressive architectural and interior design, unique character, value and cultural experience. These standards mean the highest Key level won’t necessarily only be awarded to five-star properties, providing a way for smaller, more boutique properties to garner some attention. 

Find the complete list of Canadian Michelin Key hotels below, along with a few hotels highlighted as favourites. And when you’re ready to explore, connect with WeGalavant to customise your Canada adventure.

Three Key hotels

Recognised as the top hotels in Canada as measured by Michelin’s criteria, only two hotels were awarded the prestigious Three Key designation. Both hotels are impressive, in their design and their commitment to highlight their natural surroundings.

Fogo Island Inn

modern rectangular building set on a snowy cliff at sunset

Image courtesy of Fogo Island Inn

One look at the Fogo Island Inn and it’s clear — design and environment are priorities here. The contemporary hotel looks like long, rectangular building blocks precariously placed on a coastal rock ledge, with one end held aloft by seemingly random poles. But this dramatic placement is intentional, highlighting the rugged landscape and sea views.

Faro Island is part of Newfoundland, Canada’s easternmost territory, and you’ll need to take a ferry to reach it. The hotel’s restaurant (rates are inclusive of meals) and common spaces overlook the Labrador Sea’s pristine and icy waters, which the hotel strives to protect with its many sustainability practices. Activities here focus on the spectacular location and include biking or hiking the island’s network of trails, fishing and cross-country skiing. Guests can dive into cultural exploration as well, with boat building, storytelling and pottery lessons, and then unwind in the on-site sauna and hot tubs. There’s even a cinema.

Part of what makes Fogo Island Inn special is its sense of tranquility. Not only is the location remote, but the 29 rooms encourage reflection. Floor-to-ceiling windows offer mesmerizing sea views in every room, and cozy wood stoves, blond wood floors and locally made quilts make it feel like home. 

  • Our Perks include a welcome amenity, an upgrade and extended check-in/out whenever available.

Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge, Tofino

lakeside lodge with the mountains and forest behind

Image courtesy of Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge

Set on Vancouver Island, this lodge feels like it’s on the edge of the world. The 25 safari-style tents look out over Clayoquot Sound and Bedwell River with the mountains beyond, immersing guests in the surrounding wilderness. This is the place to go for forest hiking, marine excursions and even canyoning. 

The tents are hardly roughing it — they are decked out wood stoves, private decks and bathrooms. Floor plans range from spacious deluxe rooms with king beds to family suites with two adjoining bedrooms. Work desks and a lounge area with a couch finish out the space.

After experiencing the outdoors with a bike ride, kayaking or one of the other activities, guests can soothe sore muscles with a treatment at the tented spa, which also has a hot tub. Dining (included in the rate)  is a local affair, with regionally sourced ingredients served in the lodge’s timbered dining room. There’s even a considerable wine, beer and spirits list.

  • Our Perks include £75 helicopter credit, an upgrade and extended check-in/out whenever available.

Two Key hotels

A few more hotels land in the Two Key category. If you need inspiration for your next Canadian getaway, reach out to learn more about VIP perks and customisable itineraries.

Manoir Hovey, Quebec

bedroom with vaulted ceilings, wood beams and a fireplace

Image courtesy of Manoir Hovey

On the shore of picturesque Lake Massawippi in eastern Quebec, Manoir Hovey is a perfect blend of historic charm with modern comforts. Airy rooms and suites have a lakehouse feel, with wood trim detailing, whimsical fabrics and plenty of lake views, plus cottages offer room for a crowd with up to three bedrooms. 

Guests can experience gourmet dining at Le Hatley Restaurant, and for a more casual vibe, there’s a bistro with a classic pub feel for drinks and small bites. Other amenities include a refreshing lakeside pool and hot tub, a full-service spa and a host of lake activities, like fishing and boating. Venture off site to visit nearby villages and vineyard tasting rooms, plus tackle a hike and be rewarded with spectacular views. 

  • Our Perks include a £75 food / beverage credit, daily breakfast, an upgrade and extended check-in/out whenever available.

Auberge Saint-Antoine, Quebec City

fancy bathroom with a soaking tub and gray vanity

Image courtesy of Auberge Saint-Antoine – Relais & Châteaux

Across the street from the St. Lawrence River, this Relais & Châteaux hotel offers 95 rooms and is centrally located in Old Quebec. Each of the rooms and suites are designed to reflect the hotel’s heritage, paying honor to the property’s archaeological site that dates back to the 17th century. Guests will find artifacts throughout the hotel, providing a connection to the area’s rich history while enjoying contemporary comforts.

The hotel offers easy access to the charming shops and restaurants lining the streets of Old Quebec, and when you want to relax, head back to the hotel to watch a movie in the cinema or unwind in the sauna. 

Dining experiences at the hotel include the renowned Chez Muffy restaurant, showcasing ingredients sourced from nearby producers, and the on-site bar, perfect for meeting friends for a small plate and cocktail. And don’t miss the afternoon high tea.

  • Our Perks include £75 food / beverage credit, daily breakfast, an upgrade and extended check-in/out whenever available.

Rosewood Hotel Georgia, Vancouver

colorful green and blue couch and table and chairs with contemporary lighting

Image courtesy of Rosewood Hotel Georgia

Home to 156 stylish rooms, the Rosewood Hotel Georgia is located in the center of Vancouver, steps from both the Robson Street shopping district and the train station. Originally opened in 1927, the hotel has been meticulously restored, preserving its iconic Art Deco aesthetic, while adding modern amenities. 

The hotel’s rooftop terrace boasts gorgeous city views, and other pluses include a heated indoor pool, the on-site spa and a fitness center. Dining options are varied, headlined by Hawksworth Restaurant, named for its chef and showcasing creative, upscale dishes. Casual bites are served at the 1927 Lobby Lounge, and for craft cocktails, guests can head to the Georgia bar or Reflections Terrace. 

  • Rosewood Elite perks include £75 food / beverage credit, daily breakfast, an upgrade and extended check-in/out whenever available.

More Two Key hotels to love

  • Tofino: Wickaninnish Inn
  • Toronto: Four Seasons Hotel Toronto at Yorkville
  • Toronto: The Hazelton Hotel Toronto
  • Whistler: Fairmont Chateau Whistler
  • Whistler: Four Seasons Resort Whistler

One Key hotels

white bedroom with natural wood bed and seating area

Image courtesy of 1 Hotel Toronto

This downtown Toronto hotel sits on the tram line and positions guests perfectly for exploring restaurants and shops in the surrounding blocks. 1 Hotel’s 112 rooms are designed using natural fabrics and eco-friendly materials, giving rooms and suites an airy, peaceful vibe and have plenty of creature comforts, like Nespresso machines, cotton bathrobes and Bluetooth speakers.

The hotel keeps guests on track with its wellness and fitness facilities, including a rooftop pool and gym (rooms have yoga mats). Garden-themed spaces are adorned with potted trees, hanging mosses and living walls, and dining venues include a lounge with creative cocktails, a Mexican-inspired restaurant and an outpost for casual bites. The hotel’s atmosphere is relaxed yet refined, offering both indoor and outdoor dining options. 

  • Our Perks include £75 food / beverage credit (excludes Casa Madera), daily breakfast, an upgrade and extended check-in/out whenever available.

Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise

two red upholstered chairs in a hotel living room overlooking an alpine lake

Image courtesy of Fairmont Château Lake Louise

A luxury resort set in the amazing landscape of Banff National Park, this Fairmont has 539 rooms and suites with views of the surrounding mountains and, of course, Lake Louise. Undergoing a renovation due to be unveiled in Summer 2025, this peaceful yet elegant retreat in the Canadian Rockies offers both rooms and suites (up to two bedrooms), all decorated with airy, contemporary flair.

Lake Louise is an ideal destination for outdoor enthusiasts because guests can stay busy all year-round with hiking, canoeing and skiing, all easily accessible from the hotel. Connect with me to arrange guided tours and excursions into the area’s incredible wilderness, or unwind with a treatment in the spa. Winter time doesn’t slow down, with offerings like sleigh rides, ice skating and snowshoeing.

When it’s time to eat, the grand hotel has fine dining at Fairview or casual bites at its other restaurants, with menus focused on local ingredients and inspired by the region.

  • Accor Preferred by HERA perks include £75 credit, daily breakfast, an upgrade and extended check-in/out whenever available.

Le Mount Stephen, Montreal

a whitewashed bedroom under a slanted glass roof

Image courtesy of Le Mount Stephen

A boutique hotel located in downtown Montreal, Le Mount Stephen offers 90 rooms and suites that combine historic charm with modern elegance. Housed in a carefully restored 19th-century mansion, some common spaces (including the hotel’s restaurant) are outfitted with impressive wood paneling, ornate windows and thoughtful architectural details. 

Rooms are completely updated, with plenty of natural light and contemporary furnishings. Standard rooms are spacious, and larger suites feature private terraces, sky lights and sleeping lofts, with the largest suite offering three bedrooms.

The hotel’s central location makes it easy to explore Montreal’s cultural and shopping districts, with museums, galleries and the city’s vibrant dining scene nearby. Back at the hotel, stay on track at the fitness center before unwinding with a treatment at the spa. 

  • Our Perks include £75 hotel credit, daily breakfast, an upgrade and extended check-in/out whenever available.

More One Key hotels to love

  • Banff: Fairmont Banff Springs
  • Calgary: The Dorian, Autograph Collection
  • Halifax: Muir, Autograph Collection
  • Lake Louise: Post Hotel & Spa
  • Mont Tremblant: Hotel Quintessence
  • Montreal: Hotel Le Germain Montreal
  • Montreal: Le Petit Hotel
  • Montreal: Le Place d’Armes Hotel & Suites
  • Picton: The Royal Hotel
  • Toronto: Ace Hotel Toronto
  • Toronto: Bisha Hotel Toronto
  • Toronto: Park Hyatt Toronto
  • Toronto: Shangri-La Hotel, Toronto
  • Victoria: Fairmont Empress Hotel
  • Victoria: Magnolia Hotel & Spa
  • Vancouver: Wedgewood Hotel
  • Vancouver: Shangri-La Hotel, Vancouver
  • Vancouver: Loden Hotel
  • Baie-St-Paul: Le Germain Charlevoix Hotel & Spa

To start planning your Canada trip, reach out to us for customised recommendations and a complete itinerary.

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