Fairmont Le Château Frontenac

1 Rue des Carrieres
Quebec, Quebec, Canada

TEL: (418) 692-3861
TEL: (866) 540-4460

Email: chateaufrontenac@fairmont.com

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Recently renovated 1893 landmark hotel set above the St. Lawrence River within the walls of Old Quebec. Aristocrat-worthy furnishings, such as carved headboards and antique tapestries, make up for the minuscule size of some rooms.

Room to Book:

Ask for one with a view of the St. Lawrence River.

Insider Tip:

Hurtle down the icy toboggan run at Terrasse Dufferin, next to the hotel.

Auberge Saint-Antoine

8 Saint-Antoine St.
Quebec, Quebec, Canada

TEL: (888) 692-2211
TEL: (418) 692-2211

Email: info@saint-antoine.com

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The stately 19th-century façade of the St.-Antoine doesn't give away what’s behind it: a modern boutique hotel, complete with sharply dressed concierges and an up-tempo lobby soundtrack. But the history of the former maritime warehouse is inscribed in its walls. Shards of blue delft and ancient vial stoppers—all uncovered during the renovation—are displayed in vitrines throughout the lobby. In brisk weather, blazes roar in the lounge’s sleek stone fireplaces. In front of them, children play backgammon while their art director parents relax on pillow-strewn sofas, drinking wine. Past-present juxtapositions continue in the rooms and suites, furnished with a mix of European antiques and contemporary pieces; the bathrooms have huge soaking tubs. The rustic-chic restaurant, Panache, in a barnlike room with hand-hewn beams, stands out for its simple Québécois interpretations of seasonal foods: tender venison rib or hare with yellow beets cooked en cocotte.

Room to Book:

Luxe with Terrace rooms, for the best nighttime views of the old walled city.

Insider Tip:

The bartender in the lobby puts a local spin on traditional drinks. Apple mojito, anyone?

Park Hyatt Toronto

4 Avenue Rd.
Toronto, Ontario, Canada

TEL: (416) 925-1234
TEL: (877) 875-4658

Email: reservationstorph@hyatt.com

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In Yorkville--the epicenter of activity during the Toronto Film Festival--across from the Royal Ontario Museum.

Four Seasons Resort, Whistler

4591 Blackcomb Way
Whistler, British Columbia, Canada

TEL: 604 935-3400

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The Four Seasons’ first Canadian ski resort hugs the base of Blackcomb Mountain, a short walk to the Whistler-Blackcomb lifts and the shops and restaurants of the quaint Whistler village. The 273 spacious and warm rooms are done up in ochre red, earthy green, and golden brown, and have cherrywood doors, roaring fireplaces, and trim, private balconies. Après-ski here means having the concierge arrange a dogsled ride through the forest to an alfresco dinner for two, served under a heated canopy. Or simply lounge in one of the outdoor hot tubs until the staff brings around shots of hot chocolate (or frozen blueberries on a skewer, depending on the season). During the winter months, don’t miss the thrice-weekly “fireside chats” in the library, when local ski instructors dispense insider tips.

Room to Book:

The standard Superiors are actually the same size as Deluxes, the next step up.

Insider Tip:

Earn bragging rights by golfing the 19th Hole from 8,000 feet—golfers are helicoptered to the top of Mt. Currie where they can tee off with the guaranteed longest drive.

Fairmont Chateau Whistler

4599 Chateau Blvd.
Whistler, British Columbia, Canada

TEL: (604) 938-8000
TEL: (800) 441-1414

Email: chateauwhistlerresort@fairmont.com

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Ski-in, ski-out resort in the quiet upper village, with a Robert Trent Jones II–designed golf course.

Room to Book:

Room 1140, a Deluxe Slopeside, has views that rival those of the Penthouse just above.

Insider Tip:

On Friday night, The Mallard Lounge is the apres place to be, with $5 cocktails and live entertainment.

Fairmont Empress

721 Government St.
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

TEL: (250) 384-8111
TEL: (800) 441-1414

Email: theempress@fairmont.com

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Ivy-covered, British-inspired 1908 hotel (don't miss the traditional afternoon tea with scones and finger sandwiches) facing the Inner Harbour; one of Victoria's best addresses.

Room to Book:

Request one of 26 City-view Fairmonts throughout the hotel.

Insider Tip:

The Tea Lobby, which overlooks the Inner Harbour, was recently renovated.

Wickaninnish Inn

500 Osprey Ln.
Tofino, British Columbia, Canada

TEL: 250 725-3100
TEL: (800) 333-4604

Email: info@wickinn.com

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The Wickaninnish Inn, set on a remote, pine forest–ringed promontory, is best enjoyed during fierce weather—the more ferocious, the better. In the 75 rooms, duvet-covered beds and deep soaking tubs sit beside floor-to-ceiling windows that look out on the churning ocean and rain-lashed coast. Don a slicker for a walk on Chesterman Beach, or snuggle up next to your fireplace with a Pacific Northwest Pinot Noir and the binoculars that are provided in each room.

Room to Book:

Rooms on the top floors of the Point or Beach buildings, for panoramic views.

Insider Tip:

Follow trails through the temperate rain forest of Pacific Rim National Park—or just join the Saturday morning nature walk right at the hotel.

Post Hotel & Spa

200 Pipestone Rd.
Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada

TEL: (403) 522-3989
TEL: (800) 661-1586

Email: info@posthotel.com

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Family-owned chalet-style lodge with a 26,000-bottle wine cellar—one of the country’s largest.

Room to Book:

B-line Deluxe rooms on the quieter "preferred side" for wood-burning stone fireplaces, whirlpool tubs, and river views.

Fairmont Banff Springs

405 Spray Ave.
Banff, Alberta, Canada

TEL: (403) 762-2211
TEL: (800) 441-1414

Email: banffsprings@fairmont.com

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Gaze out at the white-capped peaks of Banff National Park. Ski packages include lift tickets, equipment rental, and lessons at three nearby resorts.

Room to Book:

Room 711, for its jacuzzi tub and panoramic views of both the Bow and Spray River valleys.

Insider Tip:

Play the original Stanley Thompson 18-hole course with Hickory shaft clubs. OR: Soak in the mineral pool at the spa.

Arizona Inn

2200 Elm St.
Tucson, AZ, United States

TEL: (520) 325-1541
TEL: (800) 933-1093

Email: reservations@arizonainn.com

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Just north of the university, 14 sublimely private and controlled acres deploy a succession of gardens crazed with flowers and trees, separated by little gates and laid out with the whimsy of an English estate. It is a feat to find your room, but on your way you bump into teams of gardeners busily planting pansies and stock, trimming hedges, cutting lawn. The Arizona Inn was built in 1930, in what was then the desert, by the rich and compassionate Mrs. Isabella Greenway. Today, 50 years after Mrs. Greenway's death, staying there is like being the guest of a vastly wealthy great-aunt with centuries of Yankee tradition behind her, who is very happy that you are there but doesn't really want to see too much of you. Afternoon tea is served in an immense library with dark oak tables and plenty of tempting books to borrow. Rooms are huge, furnished with mahogany, and where the mini-bars, in the best WASP tradition, are empty. Guests can take breakfast by the large but curiously private pool. The marmalade is made on the premises, thick, sweet, and rugged with peel. Dine on an extravagant dinner in the restaurant and leave feeling like one of the many movie stars that have stayed on this famous property.

Enchantment Resort and Mi Amo Spa

525 Boynton Canyon Rd.
Sedona, AZ, United States

TEL: (928) 282-2900
TEL: (800) 826-4180

Email: info@enchantmentresort.com

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Adobe lodgings surrounded by red-rock cliffs entice the whole family. Leave the kids to their sand-painting while you get an aura cleansing.

Room to Book:

Casita one-bedroom suites have beehive fireplaces, kitchenettes and built-in gas barbecue grills with dining area on large decks.

Insider Tip:

Feel the energy on the daily guided Vortex walk to the sacred rock spire called Kachina Woman.

The Phoenician, A Luxury Collection Resort

6000 E. Camelback Rd.
Scottsdale, AZ, United States

TEL: (480) 941-8200
TEL: (800) 888-8234

Email: info@thephoenician.com

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After a three-year, $20 million makeover, The Phoenician—Scottsdale’s grande dame resort—has reemerged triumphant. The 647-room complex’s aesthetic now fuses France of the late 1930’s with a dash of Southwestern flair. Grandmotherly furnishings have been banished from the main lobby; the rooms and suites have been “un-done” in muted earth tones; and guests staying in the secluded, 60-room Canyon Suites have access to an S550 Mercedes Benz and driver. With the hotel’s 2-to-1 staff-to-guest ratio, you can easily forget that you’re sharing three golf courses, nine pools, 12 tennis courts, and six restaurants with 1,800 other guests. Chef Bradford Thompson, formerly of Manhattan’s Daniel, maintains the award-winning status of Mary Elaine’s (French with a modern twist), while the Jamaican-themed poolside menu works well for lunch.

Room to Book:

Grand Deluxe guest rooms have large marble bathrooms, and terraces or balconies with pool or golf course views.

Insider Tip:

Take a complimentary audio tour through the $25-million art collection, which ranges from Navajo rugs to 17th-century French tapestries.

Royal Palms Resort and Spa

5200 E. Camelback Rd.
Scottsdale, AZ, United States

TEL: (602) 840-3610

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Located just a stone’s throw from the base of iconic Camelback Mountain, Royal Palms was originally built in the 1920s as the winter home for a New York financier and his wife—a place for privacy and relaxation. Today, the atmosphere at Royal Palms continues to be one of serenity thanks to meandering paths that lead to intimate courtyards, lush gardens, and gurgling fountains. Scattered on the property’s 65 acres are 117 casitas and guest rooms carefully appointed with custom-made Mexican- and Spanish-inspired furnishings—four-poster beds, leather-covered coffee tables, tall armoires. Plus, there are en suite fireplaces and bathrooms with deep soaking tubs and oversize showers. Private patios, terraces, and courtyards afford covetable views of the mountains and the resort’s dramatic landscaping (think fragrant bougainvillea, Egyptian palms, and exotic plants). T Cook’s, the on-site restaurant, serves rotisserie specialties prepared in the 1930s fireplace.

Room to Book:

Ask for a casita with a beehive fireplace; area designers individually decorated most of them.

Insider Tip:

Let the resort’s Director of Romance help you plan the ultimate surprise for you and your travel companion. Perhaps you’ll love a bubble bath topped with rose petals or a couple’s astrology reading?

JW Marriott Camelback Inn Resort & Spa

5402 E. Lincoln Dr.
Scottsdale, AZ, United States

TEL: (800) 242-2635
TEL: (480) 948-1700

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At this classic Phoenix inn, low-slung, cream-colored casitas and banks of rooms twist along 125 acres and provide north-facing views of Camelback Mountain. (Named for its shape, the peak really does resemble a camel nestled into what’s now the center of metro Phoenix .) Choose from among 45 different room types: eight suites have private pools, and every room is drive-up (a plus in this car-obsessed town). The 1936-era lobby is undergoing a restoration to preserve its original adobe appearance (set for completion in August 2008), and the spa consistently wins awards from local and national publications; town residents favor the hot stone massages. The spa restaurant, Sprouts, serves dishes that are both healthy and tasty; the yellow-pepper gazpacho is a must—and best enjoyed poolside.

Room to Book:

The 600-series rooms were built in 1995 and are more spacious than the older rooms. They’re also located at the highest elevation (close to the spa), which means coveted vistas of Camelback Mountain; its rocks are Sedona red and particularly beautiful at sunrise and sunset. Rooms 618 and 619 offer extended patios—a plus for the mountain-obsessed.

Insider Tip:

Access to the fitness center typically requires that you purchase a one-hour spa service, which will top $100. But hotel guests can buy a day pass for just $25.

Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North

If you’re looking for hustle and bustle, go elsewhere: this Four Seasons outpost is tucked up against some of the remotest desert in town. Opened in 1999, it’s already undergone a $17 million renovation. The new “desert chic” palette is meant to evoke the colors of sunset and the arid region in bloom—which sounds corny, but in the hands of Dallas -based interior design firm Paul Duesing Partners, is anything but. The innovative look is supersophisticated, with unexpected splashes of color (heavy carved Mexican wood chairs covered in bright green leather, mixed and matched florals and stripes in bawdy hues), buildings designed to blend into the surrounding desert, and whims indulged at every turn. (Think complimentary fresh fruit and Popsicles delivered to you poolside.) Champion golfer and course designer Tom Weiskopf renovated the Troon North’s 36 holes—considered the best in this greens-covered town. Book a private dinner in the wine-tasting room at on-site restaurant Talavera, where the chef will pair a different wine with each dish.

Room to Book:

The Jerome suite, one of three two-bedroom suites, features unobstructed views of the McDowell Sonoran Preserve (16,000 acres of desert protected by the city of Scottsdale, with hiking, biking, and horseback riding access) plus two outdoor garden showers, private plunge pool, and indoor and outdoor fireplaces.

Boulders Resort & Golden Door Spa

The Boulders has always meant golf, golf, and more golf. Now, with the addition of the extraordinary Golden Door Spa, it is also a first-rate spa hotel. Walking to your casita in the chill of the night, past the boulders and the cacti, across wood bridges over dry arroyos, the air scented with piñon drifting from the fireplaces—it's as romantic a desert moment as you can hope for. The Boulders has always had the location, where the wilderness merges with the city, and the layout too, with 160 large casitas scattered across its two famous golf courses and the fringes of the desert. No two rooms have the same view, and it's impossible for the front desk to guess which one will please you, so just keep trying until you find the right fit. You'll emerge to play golf, to sun by the pool at the base of a boulder-strewn hill, and to dine at the restaurant, the Latilla, which is built into the boulders themselves. In the spa enjoy the site-appropriate treatments like the turquoise body wrap, which involves honey, blue cornmeal, and a rain stick.

Hotel Alyeska

301-room hotel 40 miles south of Anchorage in a valley below a ski mountain, and, in 2012, a revamped high-speed lift.

Grand Hotel Marriott Resort, Golf Club & Spa

The look is old-guard traditional at the 405-room resort on 550 acres overlooking Mobile Bay; the new pool, tennis, and fitness center fronts a private lake.
Room to Book:

Those in the Spa Building offer Mobile Bay views and easy access to treatment areas.
Insider Tip:

Borrow one of the resort’s free bikes and ride past the giant live oaks and Southern mansions surrounding the resort.