The Top 10 City Hotels in Canada in 2018

By Siobhan Reid
July 10, 2018
Courtesy of Auberge Saint-Antoine
The East vs. West Coast rivalry plays out even in stereotypically polite Canada. And this year, the West Coast won, with six of the 10 properties, including this year’s winner, located in the beautiful province of British Columbia.

Every year for our World’s Best Awards survey, T+L asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe — to share their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Hotels were rated on their facilities, location, service, food, and overall value. Properties were classified as city or resort based on their locations and amenities.

Related: The 2018 World's Best Awards

Of the six properties in B.C., five are located in Vancouver. Readers voted L’Hermitage Hotel Vancouver — an intimate 60-room hotel with plenty of wallet-friendly conveniences — into the No. 4 slot. In addition to complimentary shuttle service, loaner bicycles, and Wi-Fi, the hotel also has suites with full kitchens. The Shangri-La Hotel also made it onto this year’s list, impressing readers with its opulent interiors, luxurious spa, and Jean-Georges Vongerichten restaurant. “The Jean-Georges experience was exquisite,” raved one reader, while another added: “Well-appointed rooms. My home away from home.”

British Columbia’s capital, Victoria, often plays second fiddle to Vancouver, but the crown jewel of the city’s hotel scene, the Fairmont Empress, is truly first-rate. The 1908 landmark property reopened last summer after a full renovation and is grander than ever. Readers love the British-style high tea at the Lobby Lounge and the gorgeous views of Victoria’s Inner Harbor. “Wonderful, historic hotel,” said one fan. “Best location in all of Victoria.”

And while Toronto is no underdog, surprisingly, none of its properties made it onto our list last year. But in 2018, the city’s Shangri-La Hotel and the Ritz-Carlton claimed the No. 6 and No. 7 spots, respectively — a testament to the city’s growing appeal among U.S. travelers.

In Montreal, the Ritz-Carlton jumped from the No. 7 slot last year to No. 2. The historic property, which opened in 1912, has played host over the years to such notables as Winston Churchill, Charles de Gaulle, and Elizabeth Taylor, and underwent a $200 million renovation in 2012. As one of the city’s oldest luxury hotels, the Ritz continues to stand out thanks to its rooftop saltwater pool, five-star service, and location in the buzzy Golden Square Mile. 

For more winners in Canada, scroll down.
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10. Loden Hotel, Vancouver

Courtesy of Loden Hotel

Score: 88.26

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9. Fairmont Empress, Victoria

Courtesy of Fairmont Empress

Score: 88.34

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8. Shangri-La Hotel, Vancouver

Courtesy of Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts

Score: 88.50

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7. Ritz-Carlton, Toronto

Courtesy of The Ritz-Carlton, Toronto

Score: 89.17

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6. Shangri-La Hotel, Toronto

Courtesy of Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts

Score: 89.33

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5. Auberge Saint-Antoine, Quebec City

Courtesy of Auberge Saint-Antoine

Score: 89.58

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4. L’Hermitage Hotel, Vancouver

Courtesy of L'Hermitage Hotel Vancouver

Score: 90.13

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3. Wedgewood Hotel & Spa, Vancouver

Courtesy of Wedgewood Hotel & Spa

Score: 91.11

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2. Ritz-Carlton, Montreal

Courtesy of The Ritz-Carlton, Montreal

Score: 92.21

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1. Rosewood Hotel Georgia, Vancouver

Courtesy of Rosewood Hotel Georgia

Score: 92.41

This 1927 landmark hotel once welcomed the likes of Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley. Fast-forward to 2018, and the property, now managed by Rosewood, is still at the top of its game, in large part thanks to an extensive, five-year renovation that was completed in 2011. An Art Deco vibe runs throughout the 156-room hotel, where details like a gilded lobby clock and burnished wood paneling hark back to the Roaring Twenties. Guests were equally impressed by the dining, particularly at Hawksworth Restaurant, which serves up fresh, seasonal flavors with an Asian twist. The hotel staff was even more impressive. “They are wonderful, greeting you by name, even in the hallways,” said one respondent. “We would go back to Vancouver just so we could stay here.”

See all of our readers' favorite hotels, airlines, cruise lines, and more in the World's Best Awards for 2018.

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