Canada's Best Resorts 2026

British Columbia has captured a commanding 73% share of Canada’s luxury hospitality sector, securing 11 of the top 15 positions in the 2026 Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards. Led by Tofino’s iconic Wickaninnish Inn at number one and Whistler’s lakeside Nita Lake Lodge in second place, the national ranking highlights the province’s unmatched range of coastal storm watching, alpine ski sanctuaries, Indigenous-led eco-resorts, and remote island wellness retreats.

Determined by 798,867 reader votes in the 39th edition of the annual survey, the results demonstrate the extraordinary concentration of high-end travel properties across Western Canada. With four winning properties based in Whistler, three along the rugged beaches of Tofino, and four situated across secluded maritime islands and coastal inlets, British Columbia outpaced all other Canadian provinces combined, setting a clear benchmark for international travelers planning premium wilderness and alpine holidays.

Official Rankings: Canada’s Top 15 Resorts in 2026

The national ranking features 11 British Columbia properties alongside celebrated historic mountain châteaux in Alberta, a ski resort in Quebec, and an Atlantic coastal golf retreat in Nova Scotia:

National Rank	Resort Name	Geographic Location	Reader Score	Core Experience & Signature Setting
1	Wickaninnish Inn	Tofino, British Columbia	99.08	Pacific storm watching, Chesterman Beach, Ancient Cedars Spa
2	Nita Lake Lodge	Whistler, British Columbia	99.00	Serene lakeside retreat, rooftop hot tubs, alpine recreation
3	Fairmont Banff Springs	Banff, Alberta	98.96	Historic "Castle in the Rockies", thermal spa, alpine golf
4	Kingfisher Pacific Resort & Spa	Royston, British Columbia	98.80	Pacific Mist Hydropath, oceanfront wellness, Vancouver Island
5	Four Seasons Resort Whistler	Whistler, British Columbia	98.33	Alpine luxury, stone fireplaces, private ski concierge
6	Fairmont Tremblant	Mont-Tremblant, Quebec	98.24	Laurentian mountain ski-in/ski-out, French-Canadian village
7	Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge	Jasper, Alberta	98.16	Lac Beauvert heritage cabins, dark sky preserve, wildlife
8	Fairmont Chateau Whistler	Whistler, British Columbia	97.61	Blackcomb base, 519 rooms, Two Michelin Keys distinction
9	Long Beach Lodge Resort	Tofino, British Columbia	97.60	Cox Bay surfing, panoramic Great Room dining, ocean suites
10	Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge	Tofino, British Columbia	97.22	Ultra-luxury safari glamping, seaplane arrival, wilderness sound
11	Pan Pacific Whistler Village	Whistler, British Columbia	97.14	Residential suites with kitchens, central village gondola access
12	Cabot Cape Breton	Inverness, Nova Scotia	96.64	Oceanfront links golf, dramatic Atlantic cliffs, maritime dining
13	Sonora Resort	Sonora Island, British Columbia	96.15	Relais & Châteaux salmon fishing lodge, Discovery Islands
14	Klahoose Wilderness Resort	Desolation Sound, BC	95.80	Indigenous-led eco-tourism, grizzly tracking, marine tours
15	Brentwood Bay Resort	Brentwood Bay, BC	95.11	Adults-only boutique waterfront suites, Butchart Gardens hub

Tofino’s Triple Crown: Wild Pacific Coastline and Wilderness Glamping

Situated on the western rim of Vancouver Island, the surf community of Tofino achieved three positions in the national top ten, affirming its position as North America’s premier temperate rainforest retreat:

[Tofino's Award-Winning Resort Trio]
├── Wickaninnish Inn (#1 - Score: 99.08) | Chesterman Beach & 30th Anniversary
├── Long Beach Lodge Resort (#9 - Score: 97.60) | Cox Bay Surfing & Great Room Dining
└── Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge (#10 - Score: 97.22) | Luxury Glamping & Seaplane Access

1. Wickaninnish Inn: 30 Years of Pacific Storm Watching

Celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2026, the Relais & Châteaux-affiliated Wickaninnish Inn earned the highest score in Canada (99.08). Situated between the ancient temperate rainforest and the crashing surf of Chesterman Beach, the inn pioneered high-end winter "storm watching." Its panoramic Pointe Restaurant showcases sustainable Pacific Northwest seafood, while the Ancient Cedars Spa offers restorative treatments infused with local seaweed and cedar essential oils.

2. Long Beach Lodge Resort: Front-Row Cox Bay Surfing

Ranking ninth nationally (97.60), Long Beach Lodge sits directly on the sands of Cox Bay, offering private surf instruction and equipment lockers steps from the breaks. Its post-and-beam Great Room provides guests with dramatic floor-to-ceiling vistas of winter wave action alongside regional coastal dining.

3. Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge: Ultra-Secluded Eco-Glamping

Securing tenth place (97.22), this Baillie Lodges property in remote Clayoquot Sound is accessible strictly by floatplane from Vancouver or boat transfer from Tofino. Guests reside in custom prospector-style canvas tents featuring radiant in-floor heating, bespoke timber furnishings, and outdoor rain showers, paired with helicopter glacier tours and marine wildlife excursions.

Whistler’s Alpine Dominance: Four Peaks of Mountain Hospitality

Whistler secured four winning entries, demonstrating the variety of hospitality models available across the world-renowned Coast Mountain destination:

1. Nita Lake Lodge: Lakeside Calm Away from Village Crowds

Claiming second place nationally (99.00), Nita Lake Lodge in Whistler Creekside provides an intimate boutique sanctuary along the shores of Nita Lake. With rooftop plunge pools framing Whistler Mountain and direct access to Creekside Gondola, the property offers a peaceful wellness-focused alternative to the central village.

2. Four Seasons Resort and Residences Whistler

Taking fifth place (98.33), the Four Seasons blends alpine timber architecture with personalized luxury. A dedicated ski concierge team handles slope-side gear management at Blackcomb Mountain, while private heated courtyard pools provide year-round relaxation.

3. Fairmont Chateau Whistler: Landmark Scale and Two Michelin Keys

Earning eighth place (97.61) and recognized with Two Michelin Keys in the 2026 Michelin hotel selection, the 519-room ski-in/ski-out resort stands at the base of Blackcomb Mountain. It combines expansive conference facilities and world-class golf with alpine dining at The Wildflower and The Grill Room.

4. Pan Pacific Whistler Village Centre

Ranking eleventh (97.14), this all-suite property caters to extended family stays and independent travelers, offering residential units outfitted with full granite kitchens, gas fireplaces, and private balconies in the heart of Whistler Village.

Coastal Sanctuaries and Indigenous Cultural Tourism

Beyond Whistler and Tofino, British Columbia’s maritime coastline features boutique wellness retreats and culturally immersive wilderness lodges:

Kingfisher Pacific Resort & Spa (#4 - Royston): Overlooking the Georgia Strait on Vancouver Island, this 65-key boutique retreat is famous for its Pacific Mist Hydropath, an eight-step hydrotherapy circuit that guides guests through sandstone sea caves, Swiss needle showers, mineral pools, and cascading tidal waterfalls.
Sonora Resort (#13 - Discovery Islands): Transitioned from a 1979 sport-fishing camp into a premier Relais & Châteaux eco-adventure haven, Sonora pairs helicopter glacier picnics and guided chinook salmon fishing with oceanfront luxury suites.
Klahoose Wilderness Resort (#14 - Desolation Sound): Owned and operated by the Klahoose First Nation, this off-grid eco-resort immerses travelers in Indigenous traditions, ocean voyaging, and guided grizzly bear tracking in Toba Inlet, showcasing community-led stewardship.
Brentwood Bay Resort (#15 - Saanich Peninsula): Featuring 33 adults-only waterfront suites with jetted spa tubs, this calm marina sanctuary offers private boat charters and convenient access to Butchart Gardens.

Traveler Logistics Guide: Navigating British Columbia’s Premier Resorts

Given British Columbia’s vast geography, international visitors must plan transit legs, ferry crossings, and seasonal clothing carefully:

Aviation Routing and Gateway Hubs:
- Vancouver International Airport (YVR) serves as the primary transpacific and transatlantic gateway.
- To Whistler: Drive the Sea-to-Sky Highway (Highway 99) in approximately 2 to 2.5 hours via rental car, or book the scheduled YVR Skylynx motorcoach departing directly from airport arrivals.
- To Tofino: Board Pacific Coastal Airlines for a 45-minute flight from YVR South Terminal to Tofino-Long Beach Airport (YAZ), or take Harbour Air floatplanes from downtown Vancouver. Alternatively, drive via BC Ferries (Horseshoe Bay to Nanaimo Departure Bay, 1 hour 40 minutes) followed by a scenic 3-hour drive along Highway 4 across Vancouver Island.
- To Remote Wilderness Lodges: Sonora Resort and Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge provide coordinated floatplane transfers departing directly from YVR’s South Terminal water docks.
Seasonal Activity Windows:
- Winter Alpine Sports (December–April): Peak season for skiing and snowboarding at Whistler Blackcomb. Book ski passes and lessons weeks in advance to secure optimal rates.
- Storm Watching Season (November–March): Peak atmospheric coastal weather in Tofino. Bring heavy-duty waterproof footwear; resorts provide complimentary heavy-weather rain slickers.
- Summer Marine and Wildlife Tours (June–September): Prime timing for orca and humpback whale watching, bear viewing, alpine hiking, and ocean kayaking across Desolation Sound and the Discovery Islands.
National Park and Marine Permits: Visitors exploring the beaches around Tofino require a Pacific Rim National Park Reserve entry pass, available at park entry kiosks or visitor centers. Travelers combining BC with Alberta’s Fairmont properties should acquire a Parks Canada Discovery Pass for Banff and Jasper National Parks.

Strategic Outlook: Defining Canada’s Ultra-Luxury Identity

The results of the 2026 Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards underscore a structural transition in luxury tourism. Rather than settling for conventional urban hotels, discerning travelers increasingly seek properties that offer profound geographical connection, architectural integrity, and restorative wellness experiences.

By dominating nearly three-quarters of Canada’s premier resort ranking, British Columbia demonstrates the global appeal of its untamed coastlines, ancient cedar groves, and snow-capped peaks, cementing its reputation as Canada’s undisputed capital of experiential luxury travel.

FAQ: Canada's Best Resorts 2026

Which resort was ranked number one in Canada for 2026?

Wickaninnish Inn in Tofino, British Columbia, claimed first place with a score of 99.08 in the Condé Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Awards.

How many British Columbia resorts made the national Top 15?

Eleven British Columbia resorts earned places in the national top 15, representing approximately 73% of all recognized Canadian properties.

What are the top-ranked resorts in Whistler?

Whistler's winning properties include Nita Lake Lodge (#2, 99.00), Four Seasons Resort and Residences Whistler (#5, 98.33), Fairmont Chateau Whistler (#8, 97.61), and Pan Pacific Whistler Village Centre (#11, 97.14).

How do travelers reach remote resorts like Clayoquot or Sonora?

These remote properties are accessible by scheduled floatplane flights from Vancouver International Airport (YVR) South Terminal, private helicopter transfers, or coordinated water taxis from regional Vancouver Island ports like Tofino and Campbell River.