18 Stylish Vacation Retreats in Ontario to Check Out This Fall

With its dreamy views of Georgian Bay, and Scandinavian aesthetic, this waterfront cottage has us gushing. There are two cottages on the property, each sleeps six, making it ideal for families who want to be together but not on top of each other. The simplistic pieces are deceiving. Those are Louis Poulsen pendants and that spindled stunner – both a bench and a room divider – is by much-ballyhooed British designer Ilse Crawford. To book, click here.

How cute is that Smeg fridge? The retro vibe has us pining for a chocolate malt at an old-school soda fountain. It just works alongside the hunky soapstone sink and open shelving.

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Pretend you’re living your best Instagram life in the kitchen, where Scandi-Japanese pieces are crafted of the highest quality. The brushed brass rod against the tongue-and-groove wall is cover-worthy.

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The chlorophyll is strong in these parts. Surrounded by trees – though Georgian Bay is five minutes away – this quiet bombshell that sleeps six was recently designed by Stay Here: a boutique studio for short-term rental owners that offers interior design services and more. In the guest room, twin metal beds, fun wall lighting and round velvet pillows are playful flourishes. To book, click here.

From the pillows reminiscent of giant squishy pills, to the pampas grass and bird of paradise plant, this living room hits all the trendy markers – in the best way. And there’s cane seating, too. Design aside, rent this cottage and you can make campfire s’mores on the outdoor pit. There’s also a bridge with a creek, and it’s a 10-minute drive to Midland and the marina.

Looking for a nature-inspired getaway? You don’t have to actually leave the city to find that, thanks to the newly-opened sustainable sanctuary known as 1 Hotel Toronto. The space manages to bring the outdoors in, from tables repurposed from deceased local trees to live murals on the walls. The hotel is also home to a bee hotel, an on-site composter and its own garden which supplies food to the hotel’s three restaurants. To book, click here.

Not only are the hotel’s sustainability efforts inspiring, but the decor is just as impressive. Rooms imbue a warm and cozy feeling, thanks to wood accents, pops of greenery and various other forms of texture. Is it just us or is the double bed outfitted in organic bedding calling out your name, too?

This modern cabin resort in the heart of Prince Edward County has a calm, elevated Nordic design. Floor-to-ceiling windows and open-truss ceilings impart an airy feel. Creature comforts include fireplaces, a hot tub, a pool and an outdoor shower. There are four lakeside cabins and six poolside cabins. To book, click here.

It may be called “wander” the resort, but we want to snuggle in bed all day, lounging and listening to the resort’s curated playlists on bluetooth speakers. There’s also books and games.

The full kitchens sport European appliances and cupboards stocked with staples. Functional stuff aside, in its all-pale-wood glory, it’s perfection. Anyone else rethinking their all-white kitchens now?

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A cozy sitting area and a peek into the guest room. The resort also offers private outdoor dining and living areas; and black-and-wood styling throughout, which is beautiful in its minimalistic restraint.

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If you’re not able to escape the city, don’t fret – Toronto is home to a number of stylish hideaways. Case in point: the uber-stylish Kimpton Saint George, a modern boutique hotel located just steps from Yorkville. Not only is the hotel impeccably decorated (ahem, check out the lobby above that’s giving off major Scandi vibes), but the entire hotel is dog-friendly too and there are zero extra fees for bringing your pup along. To book, click here.

We can’t get enough of the rooms at the Kimpton Saint George – dark teal accent walls juxtaposed against crisp white linens, small but mighty art lines the walls and gold and cane accents provide the finishing touches. The result is nothing short of a sophisticated masterpiece.

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Opened in 2019, this quaint boutique hotel in downtown Collingwood features nine suites. It was originally built in 1912 by Toronto architect Eden Smith for the town doctor and onetime mayor, Joseph Arthur. The owners have re-imagined the old house into a swish retreat. To book, click here.

Everything at the lodging has been selected with care including the beautiful photography, luxury linens, designer furniture, accessories and handcrafted bath products.

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Located adjacent to beautiful Georgian Bay is Penny’s Motel, a completely revamped 1970s motel that’s redefining the roadside experience into something a little more luxurious. The laidback yet refined vibe is evident the minute you step foot in the courtyard, which features both a bocce ball court and a fire pit – perfect for all the cool nights that lie ahead. To book, click here.

Each room at Penny’s is modern and fun, thanks to a mix of vibrant wallpaper, original artwork and contemporary furnishings from Toronto’s Gus. Self check-in and direct room access make getting there quick and painless. Bonus: the entire motel is dog-friendly so you don’t have to leave Fido behind!

Majestic trees, lakes and rolling mountains, what’s not to love at the Somewhere Inn? The cabin-inspired lodging in the Ottawa Valley has a casually clean-lined aesthetic filled with Canadian-made furniture and artwork. This room is meant for a big crew and has a lounge area and a spacious bathroom. But you won’t find a TV or an iPad – this place emphasizes relaxation. Do yoga, hang on a hammock or cuddle around the fire pit. To book, click here.

Here’s the deep green tile inside the bathroom at The Somewhere Inn. It’s majestic against the black. Deep, handsome and a twist on white subway tile.

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If you’re looking to pamper yourself, you don’t have to go far. The Four Seasons Hotel Toronto is the city’s best spot to unwind in style. Whether it’s top notch food from one of their renowned on-site restaurants or a relaxing day at their award-winning spa, this 5-star hotel truly has it all. To book, click here.

From soft hues and clean lines to oversized windows showcasing extraordinary city views, the rooms at the Four Seasons are nothing short of spectacular. Careful attention to detail is given to every aspect of the space, whether it’s via iPad’s loaded with room service menus to bathrooms that resemble mini-spas. This is the place to go if you need to indulge in a little self-care.

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With its cedar-trimmed roof and peachy-beige exterior (that’s Benjamin Moore’s Sycamore), The June Motel in Sauble Beach (there’s also a location in Prince Edward County) has throwback flair. Its fun, retro styling throughout might make you want to stash away all electronics and pretend you’re vacationing back in time. Turn the radio dial up! To book, click here.

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The boho-chic styling at the motel is on point! It includes the Canadian brand Flax Home’s heirloom quilt in marigold. The colour-blocked wall is Benjamin Moore’s Apricot. And of course there’s rattan, too.

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If you’re looking to escape to a four seasons’ playground, consider this cozy chalet that’s a short drive to Blue Mountain Village – a place with outdoor offerings all year round. Although once you arrive, you may not want to leave this stylish getaway thanks to its modern amenities (like not one but two gas fireplaces) intertwined with laidback yet refined furnishings (hello teak and rattan!). To book, click here.

If nature is your thing, you’ll definitely dig the lush green grounds this private abode looks out to. From a large pond to a rustic red barn, there’s plenty to look at while wandering the 3.6-acre property. And if nearly 4 acres isn’t enough, the home is located near countless hiking trails, so you can explore until your heart is content.

Perhaps shopping and dining out is more your thing than escaping to the countryside – if that’s the case, we’ve got you covered. Set right amongst the trendiest restaurants and shops in Toronto is a boutique hotel that manages to feel like a home away from home. The SoHo Hotel, which occupies the first four floors of the building (the rest are long-term suites and condos, minus the penthouse), recently underwent a major facelift and the result is a huge win for guests. To book, click here.

Not only are the rooms swanky after being completely gutted and modernized this past spring but each one offers guests plenty of space to unwind and relax. Aside from the sleeping and seating areas (which, let’s be honest, are huge), you’ll be delightfully surprised at how large the bathrooms and closets are (if this hotel was built today, rooms would be half the size!)

You’d be forgiven for thinking this waterfront bungalow overlooks the ocean instead of Lake Ontario. It’s the view that made owners James and Catie Brooks purchase this stunner in early 2021. The couple turned the once-dark interior (read: murky navy overload) into a bright and airy space that includes two spiffy new bathrooms (not to mention a chef’s kitchen, a sunroom with infinite water views and an expansive deck with hot tub). To book, click here.

How delightful is this wallpaper? It sets the primary suite’s cheery tone that’s furthered by thoughtful touches like a dual-zone mattress heater, serene water views and a newly renovated ensuite stocked with a hair dryer, plush towels and deliciously scented toiletries.

The Birchwood Cottage Co. on Kennisis Lake combines the best of both worlds: a setting so serene it instantly lowers tensed up city shoulders, and amenities so thoughtful you’ll feel like you’re in a boutique hotel. Positioned on a private peninsula overlooking a pristine lake, this getaway boasts a hot tub and multiple outdoor decks (all nicely furnished) with indoor perks to spare – think a Smart TV, a cook’s kitchen, two bathrooms, crisp bed linens and off-the-charts decor. To book, click here.

The primary bedroom conjures a ‘Ralph Lauren ranch aesthetic,’ thanks to the dynamic mix of a focal wall clad in salvaged barn board, a contemporary monochromatic colour palette and a showstopper platform canopy bed. The king-sized bed faces sliding doors that lead to a deck with sigh-inducing views of trees, the sky and lake. It’s a room where you can watch the sun rise from bed… total bliss.

Built in 1878 as a family home for a prominent lawyer, Merrill House is now an award-winning hotel with 14 rooms and suites, all individually decorated. The striking entrance is a microcosm of the overall aesthetic: carefully preserved original features (that gorgeous banister! those floors!) enlivened with decadent new additions such as Ottoman-inspired, gold-foil wallpaper. Details truly abound here. To book, click here.

The Dreaming Suite was originally the Merrill family’s primary suite and as such features the original 1878 floors and functioning, wood-burning fireplace (such a romantic treat during a winter’s stay). A heavenly ceiling mural looks at once dreamy and sophisticated, while the separate seating area feels comfortably decadent.

Run, don’t walk, to the four-season Runaway Rooster to reserve one of four rooms tucked inside a Pan-abode chalet-style home (translation: there’s lots of red cedar and an angled ceiling). The B&B has a cozy interior and an airy living room; all of which is made for relaxing with a cuppa. Or take it outside to the leafy grounds where a chipmunk might stop by to say hello. To book, click here. Keep flipping to check out the sweet guest cottage.

Here’s the Runaway Rooster’s cheery guest cottage. Styled in primary colours, this lovely self-sufficient pad has four skylights that keep the space bright, a gas fireplace and luxurious linens and beds. Here’s some more photos.

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You need to put The Pearle Hotel & Spa on your radar. Set on Burlington’s stunning waterfront, this custom-built hotel, which opens its doors this month, is all about luxurious downtime. An oh-wow, contemporary lobby with a cascading spiral staircase sets the design tone for the perks to come: a state-of-the-art gym with Hammam steam room and indoor pool, an organic farm-to-table restaurant and an exclusive 10,000-sq-ft event space with breathtaking lake views. Wait till you see the rooms! To book, click here.

Endless lake views and cushy amenities mean you may never want to leave The Pearle. Spacious showers, luxurious linens and furnishings made by local artisans enchant, and we’re enamoured with the personal aspect of this beautiful destination. It was named after the owners’ grandmother Pearle and taps into travel nostalgia by offering guests complimentary, postage-paid postcards to fill out and drop in mailboxes throughout the hotel. How sweet is that?

Set in the pretty town of Elora, which is replete with charming 19th-century limestone buildings, The Elora Mill Hotel & Spa makes for an ideal getaway year-round. The 200-year-old-former grist mill was carefully restored and renovated and boasts a line list of reasons to check in – notably the pool that’s cantilevered over the gorge and open year-round (romantics take note: the water is lit red for Valentine’s Day). To book, click here.

All of the rooms are individually furnished, and we’re drawn to the Solarium Suites which have floor-to-ceiling windows with bird’s-eye views of the gorge (you might spot a heron or mink on the banks). When you tire of sitting beside your wood-burning fireplace, take a bath in the yawning tub before hitting the Frette linen sheets in your king-size bed. Oh, and don’t miss the spa or the restaurant with a hyper seasonal menu that changes weekly based on the organic harvest from their farm.

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