Top 7 Hotel Experiences You Can Only Have in Canada
When it comes to unforgettable travel moments, where you stay can be just as impactful as what you do. Canada, with its vast and diverse landscape, offers some of the most unique hotel experiences in the world—where nature, culture, and innovation come together in unforgettable ways. Whether you’re chasing the northern lights, sipping cocktails at sub-zero temperatures, or waking up in a luxurious lodge surrounded by wildlife, these Canadian stays offer once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Here are the top 7 hotel experiences you can only have in Canada.
1. Sleep in a Hotel Made Entirely of Ice and Snow
Where: Hôtel de Glace, Quebec
Each winter, just outside Quebec City, a team of artists and builders craft the incredible Hôtel de Glace—North America’s only ice hotel. Built fresh every year with over 30,000 tons of snow and 500 tons of ice, the hotel features intricately carved rooms, a grand ice bar, and even an icy chapel. Guests are wrapped in thermal sleeping bags and treated to cocktails in ice glasses before bedding down in rooms that look like frozen fairytales. It’s the ultimate winter bucket-list stay.
2. Watch the Northern Lights from Your Bed
Where: Blachford Lake Lodge, Northwest Territories
There’s something magical about lying back and watching the sky dance with auroras—especially from a cozy bed inside a wilderness lodge. At Blachford Lake Lodge, located deep in the Northwest Territories near Yellowknife, guests have front-row seats to one of the best aurora-viewing spots on Earth. With no light pollution and panoramic views, the lodge offers a luxurious yet rustic experience complete with chef-prepared meals and on-site saunas.
3. Wake Up Beside a Glacier
Where: Glacier View Lodge, Alberta
Imagine sipping coffee while staring out your window directly at the ancient Athabasca Glacier. Located along the legendary Icefields Parkway in the Canadian Rockies, Glacier View Lodge offers just that. Perched on the edge of the Columbia Icefield, the hotel provides an intimate glacier experience, including exclusive after-hours glacier tours and stargazing opportunities. A rare blend of comfort and remote adventure.
4. Sleep in a Floating Lodge in the Middle of the Wilderness
Where: Knight Inlet Lodge, British Columbia
Accessible only by floatplane, Knight Inlet Lodge floats on a remote fjord in British Columbia and is one of the best places in the world to see grizzly bears in their natural habitat. The experience includes guided wildlife tours, kayaking through misty inlets, and evenings spent dining on freshly caught seafood. It’s a true immersion in the pristine wilderness of Canada’s West Coast.
5. Stay in a Treehouse Above the Pacific Ocean
Where: Free Spirit Spheres, British Columbia
For a whimsical escape unlike any other, the Free Spirit Spheres offer spherical treehouses suspended in the lush forests of Vancouver Island. These floating pods are designed to sway gently with the trees, giving you a peaceful, almost dreamlike experience in nature. The interiors are cozy, modern, and surprisingly luxurious. It’s perfect for those seeking a mix of solitude, serenity, and novelty.
6. Sleep in a Historic Lighthouse
Where: Quirpon Island Lighthouse Inn, Newfoundland and Labrador
History buffs and ocean lovers will relish a stay at Quirpon Island Lighthouse Inn, located on a remote island at the tip of Newfoundland. Only accessible by boat, this historic lighthouse offers simple but comfortable accommodations and dramatic views of icebergs, whales, and rugged Atlantic coastlines. There’s no Wi-Fi or TV—just you, the ocean, and the timeless charm of a working lighthouse.
7. Camp in a Transparent Dome Under the Stars
Where: Ridgeback Lodge, New Brunswick
Blending the line between camping and luxury, Ridgeback Lodge offers geodesic domes with panoramic views of the night sky. Nestled in the forest of Kingston Peninsula, these “glamping” units include cozy beds, wood-burning stoves, and private hot tubs. It’s the perfect romantic escape for couples who want a rustic retreat with just the right touch of indulgence.
Final Thoughts
Canada’s hotels don’t just offer a place to sleep—they deliver full-on experiences that connect travelers to the land, the seasons, and the stories that make this country unique. From sleeping in a frozen palace to floating in the Pacific wilderness, these stays turn travel into something extraordinary.
So if you’re planning a Canadian getaway, consider stepping beyond the ordinary. With nature as the backdrop and creativity as the common thread, these hotel experiences will leave you with memories as awe-inspiring as the landscapes themselves.