Emerald Lake Lodge in Yoho National Park, AB (Photo courtesy of Canadian Rocky Mountain Resorts)
By Carissa Bluestone
You don’t have to run off to Aruba to celebrate Valentine’s Day or beat the winter blahs: there are plenty of options for romantic long weekends within our borders. Revel in unearthly icy beauty or hide from it in front of a roaring fireplace.
Do read the fine print on special Valentine’s hotel deals, though—some are worth the splurge, but many simply tack on high surcharges for a few nothing more than a few rose petals and a tiny box of chocolates.
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- Never has Canada's busiest metropolis had more romance-worthy luxury hotels available. With the opening of the <a href="http://www.where.ca/listings/listing_detail.php?slug=trump-international-hotel-tower-wh">Trump Tower</a> in January and the <a href="http://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/Toronto/Default.htm">Ritz-Carlton</a> and <a href="http://www.thompsonhotels.com/hotels/toronto/thompson-toronto">Thompson Hotel</a> in 2011—plus old standbys the <a href="http://www.thehazeltonhotel.com/index_main.php">Hazelton</a> and <a href="http://www.where.ca/listings/listing_detail.php?slug=four-seasons-hotel-wh">Four Seasons</a>—you may not want to leave your room. But you should make a reservation for at least one romantic dinner at a top Toronto restaurant like <a href=" http://www.where.ca/listings/listing_detail.php?slug=splendido-wh">Splendido</a> or <a href=" http://www.where.ca/listings/listing_detail.php?slug=north-44-wh">North 44°</a>.
- Photo courtesy Ritz-Carlton
- For the Love of Luxury in Toronto, Ontario
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- Photo courtesy Ritz-Carlton
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- Ottawa couples are only 35 minutes from <a href="http://www.canadascapital.gc.ca/places-to-visit/gatineau-park">Gatineau Park</a>, where you can cross-country ski on groomed trails or <a href="http://www.canadascapital.gc.ca/places-to-visit/gatineau-park/calendar-events/snowshoe-under-stars">snowshoe under the stars</a>. Rough it in park-run <a href="http://www.canadascapital.gc.ca/places-to-visit/gatineau-park/things-to-do/camping-cabins-gatineau-park-winter#cabins-yurts">cabins or yurts</a> or splurge on a romantic spa getaway package at the nearby <a href="http://www.wakefieldmill.com/en/home.aspx">Moulin Wakefield Mill</a>. Wakefield also has a covered bridge, if you’re looking for a spot to propose.
- Photo courtesy Moulin Wakefield Mill
- Winter Wonderland at Gatineau Park, Quebec
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- Photo courtesy Moulin Wakefield Mill
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- Freezing temperatures mean icewine season in Ontario Wine Country. Do your <a href=" http://www.where.ca/blog/getaway/winter-wine-tour-niagara-icewine/">tours of the large wineries</a> and hit the smaller estate wineries for limited releases hard to find elsewhere. Many wineries participate in weekend <a href=" http://wineriesofniagaraonthelake.com/days-of-wine-and-chocolate">wine and chocolate pairings</a> throughout February. <a href="http://www.vintage-hotels.com">Vintage Hotels</a> has several highly recommended properties in Niagara-on-the-Lake (Pillar and Post is our favourite).
- Icewine tasting at Chateau des Charmes (Photo by Craig Hatfield)
- Sipping Icewine in Ontario's Niagara Region
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- Icewine tasting at Chateau des Charmes (Photo by Craig Hatfield)
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- Nothing beats a beachside stroll in winter, and Vancouver’s sunbreaks and usually mild temperatures make even picnicking possible. The cosmopolitan city has every cultural offering you can wish for, from ballet to indie rock. Be sure to stop in at <a href=" http://www.thierrychocolates.com">Thierry</a> for your Valentine’s sweets—the macarons are amazing.
- Kitsilano Beach (Photo by Tourism BC/Cathy Lukovich)
- Beach Break in Vancouver, British Columbia
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- Kitsilano Beach (Photo by Tourism BC/Cathy Lukovich)
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- It’s tough to choose between all of the magnificent destinations within the Canadian Rockies, but <a href="http://www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/ab/jasper/index.aspx">Jasper</a> wins in the winter wonderland category. Along with the typical activities like ice-skating and skiing, there are hikes to frozen waterfalls, guided <a href="http://www.malignelake.com/act_winter.html">ice walks</a> through canyons, and stargazing galore (Jasper is a <a href="http://jasperdarksky.org/">Dark Sky Preserve</a>). Accommodations range from fancy resorts to winter camping.
- Photo courtesy of Tourism Jasper
- Beautiful Solace in Jasper National Park, Alberta
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- Photo courtesy of Tourism Jasper
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- Carriage rides, intimate French restaurants and cobblestone streets all dusted by snow—Quebec City often looks like something out of a fairytale. The obvious choice of accommodation is the <a href="http://www.fairmont.com/frontenac/">Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac</a>, a castle with Old Europe décor and every amenity you can think of. If you want a more modern abode, try the <a href="http://www.germaindominion.com/">Hotel Le Germain Dominion</a>, which will betray its aesthetics long enough to add a few Valentine’s Day touches (roses, chocolates and floating candles in the tub).
- Hotel Le Germain Dominion (Photo courtesy of Groupe Germain)
- Fairytale Vacation in Vieux Quebec
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- Hotel Le Germain Dominion (Photo courtesy of Groupe Germain)
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- Victoria is a popular honeymoon destination, and its charms don’t fade much in the winter light. Gardens and waterfront promenades are strollable any time of the year, and restaurants offer up Valentine’s <a href=" http://aurarestaurant.ca/">tasting menus</a>. For a short excursion out of town, head west about an hour to the coastal town of Sooke and stay at the sumptuous <a href=" http://www.sookeharbourhouse.com/">Sooke Harbour House</a>, which has its own art gallery and ocean-view rooms with private decks, fireplaces and claw-foot tubs.
- Photo by Rahsek Fatmi
- City Break by the Sea in Victoria, British Columbia
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- Photo by Rahsek Fatmi
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- Less crowded than nearby Lake Louise, <a href="http://www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/bc/yoho/index.aspx">Yoho National Park</a> is just as gorgeous. The <a href="http://www.crmr.com/emerald">Emerald Lake Lodge</a> has cabin-style rooms with fireplaces and views of the frozen lake. If adventure tends to bring you closer together, try the <a href="http://www.lakeohara.com/">Lake O'Hara Lodge Lodge</a>—you’ll have to ski or snowshoe in to your lakeshore cabin.
- Emerald Lake Lodge (Photo courtesy of Canadian Rocky Mountain Resorts)
- Doing it Naturally in Yoho National Park, British Columbia
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- Emerald Lake Lodge (Photo courtesy of Canadian Rocky Mountain Resorts)
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- Even in winter, the Sunshine Coast is one of the warmest regions in the country. If you’ve been living under several feet of snow, this might feel like a Caribbean vacation in comparison, and forest hikes and even kayaking may be possible if the weather cooperates. Among the lovely accommodations along the coast is the <a href="http://www.rockwatersecretcoveresort.com/">Rockwater Secret Cove Resort</a>—its suites have views of the cove and you can tuck into a five-course Valentine’s dinner and get a couples’ massage in a tent heated by a roaring fireplace.
- Rockwater Secret Cove Resort (Photo by Tourism BC/Danielle Hayes)
- Action on the Sunshine Coast, British Columbia
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- Rockwater Secret Cove Resort (Photo by Tourism BC/Danielle Hayes)
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- For an epic winter journey, book a <a href="http://www.vacationsbyrail.com/canada/train_travel_vacations/winter_rail/suite_romance_rail/index.html">Suite Romance by Rail Tour</a> cross country to Vancouver or Toronto. VIA Rail suites have queen-sized beds and include breakfast in bed. City and national parks overnights are in Fairmont properties and transfers are done by limousine. If all that’s a little too rich for your blood, VIA Rail also has shorter <a href="http://www.trainpackages.ca/en/packages/seasons/winter/?season=winter">Valentine’s packages</a> with stays in Fairmont hotels in Montreal and Quebec.
- Photo by Ryan Keene
- Romance by Rail Train Tour
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- Photo by Ryan Keene
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- There are many places to see the northern lights, but Yellowknife has the perfect combination of isolation and amenities. Fly-in lodges allow you to view the light show from a hot tub or the deck of a private cabin. The <a href="http://blachfordlakelodge.com/packages/aurora">Blachford Lake Lodge</a> has packages that include guided snowmobiling or dog-sledding tours—and hey, it was good enough for the newly wed Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (aka Prince William and Kate Middleton) in 2011.
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- Northern Lights Spectacular, Northwest Territories
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- Photo by David K K
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- The suites at the lakefront <a href="http://www.manoirhovey.com/">Manoir Hovey</a> are simply stunning, ranging from frilly to hip. And the special <a href=" http://www.manoirhovey.com/eng/packages/34-valentine-s-at-manoir-hovey.html ">Valentine's package</a> (good February 3–19) is one of the more reasonably priced and inclusive we’ve seen. Private snowshoeing trails and a skating pond are onsite, and full spas with outdoor Jacuzzis, ski trails, sleigh rides and a benedictine monastery with a cider-and-cheese shop are all nearby.
- Photo courtesy of Relaix & Châteaux
- Lakeside Respite in the Quebec Countryside
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- Photo courtesy of Relaix & Châteaux
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- Québec’s <a href="http://www.hoteldeglace-canada.com/index.php">Ice Hotel</a> may seem a bit touristy, but this seasonal “hotel” sculpted from ice and snow is so pretty the experience is exhilarating nonetheless. After a few icy drinks at the bar, snuggle into thermal sleeping bags; premium theme suites even have fireplaces that cast a toasty glow on the ice without melting it. Romance packages include an overnight stay (along with a room at the Four Points by Sheraton in case the novelty wears off), dinner offsite and access to nearby spas.
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- Icy Retreat to the Hôtel de Glace, Quebec
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- Tofino’s oceanfront inns have found a winter trade in the storms that batter the western shore of Vancouver Island. Snuggle up with your sweetie, sip some brandy and watch those awesome waves roll in. And when the weather lets up, you can have a romantic, if bundled up, beach stroll. <a href="http://www.pacificsands.com/packages/pacific_wild_for_winter.php">Pacific Sands Beach Resort</a>, the <a href="http://www.wickinn.com/promotions.html%23WestCoastRomance">Wickaninnish Inn</a>, and the <a href="http://www.middlebeach.com/packages.html">Middle Beach Lodge</a> are just a few hotels that offer discounts and special packages during storm-watching season.
- Photo courtesy of Tourism British Columbia
- Storm-Watching in Tofino, British Columbia
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- Photo courtesy of Tourism British Columbia
Stay, Dine, Do