5 OF THE BEST HOTELS IN EASTERN CANADA

OTTAWA, ONTARIO

Andaz Ottawa

Byward Market

With landscape-inspired artistic gestures, hearty cuisine and unfussy hospitality (in two languages, no less), the Andaz is the very essence of Canadiana. Each floor takes on the persona of a Canadian province or territory, with art curated by the Canadian Council Art Bank, and all 200 rooms have a distinctly residential feel, championing Canadian materials and motifs via wool and felt upholstery, light wood furniture and warming copper accents. Feast + Revel restaurant is a meat-and-potatoes kind of place that’s nevertheless a little on the fancy side, while rooftop bar Copper Spirits & Sights is the top spot for cocktails with a view all year long, thanks to the open fire pits on its patio.

Doubles from £175, not including breakfast (0808 196 2712; hyatt.com)

NOVA SCOTIA Fox Harb’r Resort

“Luxury without pretention” is the unofficial slogan of this 1,100-acre seaside retreat on the shores of the Northumberland Strait. Guests sink into the comfort of 88 traditionally designed townhouse-style suites, and refuel on excellent seafood. There’s even a private air strip and hangar, a deep-water marina (with a 60-foot private yacht, a particularly good spot for sunset cocktails), a full spa and sporting lodge, which offers clay shooting, axe-throwing and archery

– lessons included.

Doubles from £145, not including breakfast (001 902 257 1801; foxharbr.com)

PRINCE EDWARD COUNTY, ONTARIO Merrill House

Eclectic traditionalism best sums up the aura of this rejuvenated 1878 heritage hideaway in Picton, Ontario. Filled with a mix of antiques and contemporary furnishings and art, it’s a jumble of installations and artefacts, from Persian rugs to pink velvet. This bold environment carries throughout the 14 themed guest rooms and drawing rooms, with permanent little exhibits of art dressing up the halls. Swinging through town or staying for a few days, visitors to the County make sure to tour the wineries, and pop into the markets and quaint gift shops.

Doubles from £195, not including breakfast (001 613 476 7451; merrill-house.com)

CITY, QUEBEC Auberge Saint-Antoine Quebec City’s awardwinning Relais & Châteaux gem is quintessentially Quebec – sophisticated but not stuffy, elegant but not exaggerated. Archaeological treasures discovered on the site when it was built have been worked into the decor, some dating back to the 1600s, while the rooms reflect a mix of traditional and contemporary styling, with stone walls, tufted headboards, low furnishings and flowing drapery. Expect a farm-to-fork, family-style experience at Chez Muffy restaurant. The historic Old Port is right outside the door, offering up haute heritage, fun markets and a marina.

Doubles from £145, not including breakfast (001 418 692 2211; saint-antoine.com)

MONTREAL, QUEBEC Humaniti Montreal Straddling the border between Downtown and Old Montreal, this is Marriott’s first Autograph Collection hotel in Quebec. Part of a complex that also comprises residences, offices and commercial space, the boutique hotel has a modern, almost glam feel. The rooms follow clean lines, with bright colours punching up neutral tones, while the outdoor rooftop pool acts as a little oasis of calm beside a skyscraper sea.

Doubles from £160, not including breakfast (001 514 657 2595; marriott.com)

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