Moms Know Best: Canada's Most Family Friendly Hotels

Pacific Sands Resort, on the west coast of Vancouver Island, is just outside of the coastal town of Tofino. When we visit, we chose the beach house accommodation so that we have lots of space for the kids and are able to enjoy the luxuries that the beach houses offer, including a full kitchen, living room, upstairs bedrooms, and multiple bathrooms! In July and August, they offer kids camps that feature education on local flora and fauna and there are surfboard lessons on site with their Surf Sister surf school and a communal bin of sand toys.

Their rooms also have kids-sized rain jackets (and ones for adults too) which is much needed considering the Pacific Sands’ rainforest location. There are plenty of things to do in Tofino with kids whether beachcombing, surfing, boogeyboarding, hiking, great places to eat (I highly suggest you check out Chocolate Tofino for their lavender honey ice cream), kayaking, camping, whale watching, and exploring the botanical gardens. Summer months are the busiest but often the warmest. Winter months can be great for storm watching as well.

We are thrilled to be heading to Niagara Falls this summer. The Falls are great, but there is so much more to do around there with the family; Clifton Hill is full of family activities to keep you and the kids busy for days. The first order of business? Finding a hotel. Being the frugal mom I am, I found the perfect hotel with everything we need, all within our budget: the Country Inn & Suites by Radisson in Niagara Falls.

In addition to great ratings, a close proximity to downtown Niagara (where all of the activity is), free WiFi, and one of the best prices in the area, it has the best amenity of all: FREE breakfast for the family! Saving money on one meal a day makes a huge difference when travelling. Some stellar tips for travelling with kids include pre-planning your meals, by knowing where you are going to eat, or at least, the approximate time you are going to stop, and stick to it to avoid hungry and grouchy kids (and adults!). Also, stop by the convenience store near the hotel for late night snacks. (Trust me, they will get eaten.)

I took my niece and nephew to Great Wolf Lodge and they absolutely loved it. The lodge has an amazing water park with water slides, a splashy wave pool, and a lazy river. Plus, parents can relax knowing there are several lifeguards on duty supervising the water activities. (We were lucky during our mid-week stay in July to find no lines for the water park as well!) Older kids are included in the fun too, with an arcade, bowling alley, and mini-golf course. My niece and nephew thoroughly enjoyed MagiQuest, but keep in mind you have to pay additional fees for each quest and the magic wands. Great Wolf Lodge has several restaurants to choose from; we just loved the pizza at Northwood Pizza.

We had a Standard Family Suite with two queen beds and a sofa bed near the front of the resort. The suite was quite spacious for us and included a microwave, bar fridge and coffee maker. There are so many family-friendly attractions close by including the Butterfly Conservatory; Clifton Hill; and the White Water Walk. My tip is to get the meal plan ($51 per adult; $26 per child) because it includes a buffet breakfast with a huge selection of items, lunch from the snack bars and a buffet dinner so it offers great value.

Our favourite hotel is the Fantasyland Hotel at West Edmonton Mall. Their themed rooms are like something out of a movie and, because the hotel is attached to West Edmonton Mall, the activities are endless and all within footsteps of the hotel so you don’t need to rent a car. The hotel has Luxury Igloo, Polynesian– and Western-themed rooms (to name a few), that will have you feeling like you’re halfway across the world. Their in-suite jacuzzis and amenities will have you never wanting to leave.

My favourite attraction in the mall is the World Water Park, with the world’s largest indoor wave pool, gigantic water slides and even a zipline! West Edmonton Mall also has a full-sized indoor skating rink, mini golf, a casino, and my husband’s favourite, Galaxyland – the world’s largest indoor amusement park, with roller coasters, rides, games. No getaway would be complete without delicious food, and thanks to over 25 restaurants inside the mall, it’s super easy to cater to the whole family, no matter what they’re craving. When we leave the Fantasyland Hotel, we almost immediately start planning our next visit!

I’ve been going to the Pines since I was a small child. My family always spent part of the summer there visiting in-laws, so we usually stayed at the Pines which was nearby. Now, I get to visit the Digby Pines with my family each summer as we do the same trip. We really enjoy the one bedroom cottages because they make us feel like we’re at home. We travel with our dog, so having space for him to roam without disturbing other guests is key.

While we’re there, my husband and I hit the golf course during the day, and then spend the afternoon by the saltwater pool. The beaches of Digby are nearby, great for the dog and my nieces and nephews to burn off some energy in between planned activities. The views from the hotel itself, are fabulous, and each time we grab a meal in the dining room I’m reminded of the family brunches we had growing up. I look forward to returning each summer, and always love exploring the national parks and trails nearby.

One of my family’s favourite Canadian hotels is the historic Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu, a luxury resort hotel in La Malbaie, Quebec about an hour’s drive north of Quebec City. Guests of the hotel enjoy spectacular views of the St. Lawrence River, luxurious accommodations, three restaurants on-site ranging from casual buffet to fine dining and free WiFi for Fairmont President’s Club members. The spacious deluxe rooms work for most families as they are equipped with a Queen sofa bed in addition to either a King, a Queen or two doubles.

Families love vacationing here any time of the year as it is a true year-round resort with activities that include mini-golf, tennis, hiking, swimming in indoor or outdoor pools, and carriage rides around the property in the summer, and dogsledding, ice skating, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing during the winter months. The resort is also a great home base for exploring the province’s Charlevoix and Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean regions especially the majestic Saguenay Fjord which is one of the world’s most beautiful whale watching sites. Le Manoir Richelieu is perfect for families wanting to explore the Canadian outdoors while still enjoying a luxury hotel stay.

Located minutes away from Quebec City, North America’s most European-feeling city, the Entourage sur-le-Lac Resort offers families a wide array of free and fun activities, such as parent-kid yoga, outdoor bootcamp, kayak and paddleboard on the breathtaking Lac-Beauport, painting workshops, and volleyball on its private beach. The Lac-Beauport Suite grants guests floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the serene lake. Two large bedrooms with each an en-suite bathroom, a fully equipped kitchen, a wide living room and a spacious balcony will exceed all family member’s expectations and provide precious privacy to all.

Exercising at the well-equipped gym is made easy for parents, since only large windows separate it from the kids’ playroom full of toys, video games and a popcorn machine. Why not spend quality time as a couple, sampling the self-serve wine bar, savouring an exquisite dinner at the Restaurant L’îlot Repère Gourmand, and then unwinding in the hot tub, while children are watched over by a certified babysitter? Because after hours playing outside together, you’ll already have earned the title of “best parent ever”.

When looking for a resort, it needs to be a family-friendly spot that is just far enough away from home to feel like a true getaway. Being a mom of four (ages 7-24), I need to find that place! In searching for that perfect family vacation, I found Pillar and Post Inn & Spa in Niagara-on-the-Lake. It has something for everyone in my family. There is a restaurant on site as well plenty to eat within walking distance. The resort also offers a shuttle if you do not feel like walking or driving. There is a beautiful outdoor pool that offers food and drink service that gives off a ‘Caribbean’ feel. Then, there is an indoor pool, tranquil spa and a gym.

Plenty of activities outside of the resort such as shopping, sightseeing, a walk by the lake, great ice cream and coffee shops round out this resort, not to mention Niagara Falls is close by. Did I mention free WiFi? These getaways can be exciting and recharge everyone’s batteries for the week ahead.

Mom tip: Create silly Insta vids and pics to share your trip with family and friends. Dance and singing parties are a must. Have fun, after all, you are on vacation!

The Fairmont Waterfront Vancouver is one of our favourite Vancouver hotels for the family, with gorgeous modern rooms, a year-round heated outdoor pool and even a rooftop herb garden with beehives and guided tours. Be sure to try to snag one of the one or two bedroom family suites. They’re spacious at 770-1155 square feet and beautifully appointed, but the real draw for us was the view of Vancouver’s inner harbour. Our kids never tire of watching seaplanes land and cruise ships dock like the Disney Wonder. Some suites have views of beautiful Stanley Park as well, which is a short walk away.

The hotel is in Vancouver’s bustling downtown across from Canada Place, so it’s a quick walk or SkyTrain ride to most of the city’s attractions and eateries. There’s top-notch food in the hotel at the ARC Bar and ARC Restaurant, which make delicious food using herbs and honey from the hotel’s own rooftop herb garden and beehives. Children age five and under eat free from the children’s menu and kids aged six to eleven eat for half price from the regular menu. Childcare can be arranged with the ever helpful concierge, and there are plenty of child-friendly amenities, including cribs, high chairs, children’s robes, and complimentary use children’s bicycles and a children’s bicycle trailer and more.

The Magnolia Hotel in downtown Victoria is an ideal spot for small families to rest their heads while simultaneously enjoying a bit of boutique luxury during their stay. Picturesque in every way, their beautifully-designed rooms boast stunning views of Victoria’s inner harbour and the quaint historical architecture that surrounds the downtown area. Their attentive staff are very helpful for local recommendations and ensure that your family is happy and well-situated. Located on Courtney Street, you are a very short walk away from the water as well as many arts and culture attractions and shopping.

Victoria is fantastic to visit at any time of year but I especially love July. The city really goes all out for Canada Day and the Magnolia Hotel is only blocks away from the British Columbia Parliament Buildings. If you’re travelling with older children, you can take advantage of the Magnolia Hotel’s fleet of cruiser bikes and curated maps that will take you everywhere from Beacon Hill Park to the Art Gallery. If you happen to experience a wet, Coastal rainy day, families will be happy to know that the Royal British Columbia Museum is only a six-minute walk away.

Squamish is a favourite destination for our family year-round, whether it’s a quick overnight trip, a weekend getaway or a longer staycation. When we visit, we stay at the Sandman Hotel and Suites. It’s excellent value, kid-friendly and centrally located making it super easy to take in the many attractions in the area. The Sandman offers a continental breakfast each morning which we find is often perfect for our family. It has an indoor pool with a waterslide which is always a huge hit with the kids and they offer adjoining rooms which I love and comes in really handy when you’re travelling with a larger group.

Whether you’re visiting for a specific annual event like the Bald Eagle Festival in January, the Squamish Wind Festival in July, Squamish Days Loggers Festival in August, or one of the many family-friendly events offered at the West Coast Heritage Railway Park there is something for everyone. Our favourite attractions are the Britannia Mine Museum which is a short jaunt down the road to Britannia Beach, the Sea-to-Sky Gondola which offers breathtaking views and gorgeous scenery. A great way to tire out the kids is to hike the Stewamus Chief or spend the day exploring the estuary discovering all sorts of wildlife.