Luxury Retreats | Opulent Hideaways Across Canada and the US

Tucked in between the rugged Pacific Ocean coastline and the soaring cedars and spruces of the Pacific Rim National Park, the Wickaninnish Inn of Tofino is engulfed in the drama of nature. Here, the power of Mother Nature is on view through panoramic windows, ushering in captivating views of trees swaying in the gusty winds and waves crashing in rhythmic motions against the rocks – it’s enough to make any of your problems feel small and obsolete.

Adventurous travellers willing to brave the ordeal of unpredictable weather for a rewarding forest hike or walk along Chesterman Beach will find rooms stocked with rain gear – boots are borrowed at the front desk. If you prefer to stay indoors, the Ancient Cedars Spa features the same wild coastal views and offers daily Hatha yoga classes and treatments at the soothing hands of their spa practitioners and estheticians.

One of Toronto’s trendiest hotels has a cool little brother hiding away in Prince Edward Country: nestled on the shore of Lake Ontario, the Drake Devonshire is the perfect rural retreat for FOMO-suffering urbanites. They’ve got an exciting rotation of live music, book readings and art exhibitions to keep social guests occupied in between countryside strolls, roasting marshmallows in the fire pits, Vinyasa flows and pampering in-room treatments.

A modern farmhouse conversion, The Drake is filled with Mid-Century-Modern decor, that feels like a stylish Wes Anderson Movie. Opt for the Owner’s Suite for a loft-like space with gabled windows looking out over Lake Ontario.

A long way from the nearest neighbours, Trout Point Lodge is a luxurious wellness retreat hidden deep in a remote Nova Scotia forest. The focus here is on healing through interactions with nature within the savage landscape of the Tobeatic Wilderness Area. At the heart of the Lodge’s activity roster is mindful walks across the barren fields, dense wetlands and vast woodlands. The moment you find yourself slipping into worry or anxiety, the call of wildlife snaps you back into the present.

You can explore the bountiful flow of nine major waterways aboard a kayak or canoe and take in the baffling magnitude of our universe during stargazing excursions. Plus, there is nothing like sweating out the stress in the riverside cedar barrel sauna or feeding the soul at the onsite restaurant which serves local, organic ingredients often foraged or grown on site.

A mere three days and the magic staff of Ste.Anne’s Spa can help guests conquer their greatest wellness hurdles. Leading you towards a happier, healthier-self through a wide variety of planned relaxation activities, you’ll be housed in a charming 1858 stone fieldstone farmhouse, set amid 400 acres of fields. There’s nothing quite like being pushed towards your physical breaking point to help you clear out your mind: yoga is one of their most popular activities, with intense three-day retreats promising to clean out all your chakra blockages. Equally rewarding is helping with the morning stable muck out while receiving gentle nuzzles from the horse herd.

With all that exercise you’ll have a ravenous appetite and Ste.Anne’s abundant variety of delicious healthy, organic, locally sourced food will have you heading towards a clean body and clear mind.

The dramatic micro-climate in which Rockwater Secret Cove Resort resides offers the drama of the ocean tides swinging into the Skookumchuck Narrows and the serenity of a lush rain forest. Visitors flock to this Sunshine Coast retreat not only for its trendy tent house suites, accessed via a treetop boardwalk and featuring hydro-therapy tub, rain showerheads and cosy fireplaces, but also the range of spa and wellness services.

Yoga classes take place overlooking the sea in either the Spa Without Walls or on your private tent house deck, feeling the power of nature driving you deeper into your poses. Outdoor enthusiasts can seek out the help of the Activities Concierge to tailor a hiking itinerary or a bucket list kayaking tour to see whales. Mid-afternoons are best spent enjoying a restorative fireside massage in a tent with a view to kill for from atop the bluff and peering straight out onto the ocean.

We’re all guilty of overindulgence, whether it’s finishing up a bag of chips for dinner by tipping the crumbs and extra salt straight into your mouth or forgetting your entire fitness routine during the long winter months. The heavenly climate of Maui Island will certainly ease the blow of getting whipped back into shape at the Lumeria Maui.

The all-inclusive resort is fitness and health-focused, encouraging guests to partake in an extensive list of daily programs including the likes of meditation, hitting the nearby hiking trails on guided excursions and attending sweaty yoga sessions. All that hard work is rewarded with a medley of spa treatments which incorporate traditional Hawaiian healing practices using crystals and smooth hot stones.

You’ll be fed wholesome and nourishing meals prepared with farm to table products from the 200 species of plants which are grown onsite.

The Hotel L’Auberge de Sedona is besieged by views of the dramatic Red Rocks of Arizona which catch your eye from practically every window. The ethereal vistas aren’t the singular natural asset gracing the grounds: the delightful rush of the Oak Creek creates a relaxing soundtrack by which to enjoy seasonal cuisine from either of two acclaimed onsite restaurants.

While you’re only minutes via complimentary car service Sedona’s galleries and shops, the resort feels like its own little peaceful bubble. Indulge in wilderness activities such as; an evening of stargazing with astronomer Dennis Young, meditation by the light and energy of the full moon, morning duck feedings and gentle yoga sessions.

Their L’Apothecary Spa allows patrons to concoct their own bath soaks and body scrubs from regional botanical elements including rosemary and juniper whose intoxicating scent you may recognize emitting from the outdoor fireplaces which dot the grounds.

As a largely urban-dwelling population, the city takes its toll on our psyche which yearns for a return to nature – at least until we start to crave the convenience of Uber Eats. A solution has been identified at the upscale Sorrel River Ranch Resort and Spa where getting back in touch with your pre-digital self doesn’t mean sacrificing your creature comforts. Here the 160 acres of ranchland, Colorado River, Canyonlands and red rock mesas form a natural playground for guests to explore on foot or horseback. The property’s roots lay in ranching and the owners, in turn, pay their respects back to the land that sustains them by utilising the natural resources of their backyard: from farm to table food as well as solar and geothermal technology providing energy.

As the sun drops behind the rugged peaks, the animals are tucked into their hay, and bonfires are lit for guest to roast s’mores. While cowboys once sang a tune to help keep their herds calm at night, Sorrel River Ranch visitors sing for the pure joy of belting one out under a starlit sky.

Located around the halfway point between New York City and Philadelphia, the Lodge at Woodloch is a destination spa in the midst of 150 acres of serene woodland. The retreat offers visitors a wellness program tailored for each season, including cold water plunging in the winter which has seen a surge in popularity in recent years due to its remarkable ability to reduce stress and tackle heart problems.

If you feel jumping into frigid waters is a bit too intense, a winter edition of Shinrin- Yoku, the practice of forest bathing, offers similar benefits of reducing blood pressure and blood cortisol levels. The crisp and clean winter air in the Poconos heightens your senses to the healing vibes of the forest working their magic.

A trip to the steam rooms or saunas can quickly return you to a comfortable temperature and gives you a natural, no-blush needed glow.