Honeymoon in Canada! Suggestions where to stay...

JaxJ128

Getting married in Feb next year...we wanted a winter honeymoon...think mountains, snow, cabin, fireplace! I think were pretty set on canada for our destination. Ive been researching and Banff seems like a beautiful place in the mountains to go....debating whether to go there a couple days and then the city a few days like Toronto....or maybe even Niagra falls... I hear there are lots of wineries there too!! Anyone beento canada before and have any suggestions for us? Thanks, greatly appreciated!! So suggested less then 3 months to go for me..gotta get this honeymoon booked!!!

[Deleted User]

February is a fun time to come to Canada. There are some amazing things going on.  In Quebec, you can visit old Quebec City during Carnavale, a fun winter festival.  Montreal is also a fun city with a European flaire, and great shopping. You can rent cross-country skiis and go skiing in the urban park called Mont Royale, or take a carriage ride.  In Ottawa, Winterlude, another fun outdoor festival is held in February. You can rent skates and skate down the Rideau Canal, the world's longest outdoor skating rink.  All three cities are a 2-4 hour drive or train ride from each other, so you could easily several places in one trip.

In terms of romantic places to stay, there is the historic Chateau Frontinac in old Quebec, or Hotel Place D'armes in Old Montreal. In Ottawa, the Chateau Laurier is stunningly beautiful. I'd check out trip advisor for more ideas.

alithebride

i dont know about banff but yes-toronto is great, niagara on the lake (where the wineries are) is nice. Dh and i stayed at the ramada on bloor street in toronto-nothing special but nice, clean, good walking location, parking garage under building. then drove to niagara on the lake for wine tasting and then hit niagara falls (CA side) and stayed at the sterling inn and spa which was outstanding!! free parking, fireplace in the rooms, breakfast in bed 2 blocks from falls, huge bathrooms with soaking tub and great shower, super comfy bed and bar in the room. great restaurant. highly recommend.

cwaggoner07

We almost went to Banff, and did a lot of research. We wanted to stay at the Fairmont in Banff but it was REALLY expensive. It was absolutely breathtaking, though, from the pictures.

[Deleted User]

If you are thinking of doing Banff and Niagara Falls in the same trip, just make sure to plan an extra day or two for air travel.  The nearest international airport to Banff is Calgary, which is a (beautiful) hour's drive.  Toronto to Calgary by air is about a 3.5 hr plane ride, then its about 2 hours drive from Toronto to Niagara Falls. 
Go for it if you're adventurous, but you might find it more relaxing to focus on one area of the country!

kerbohl

I live in Canada, and I've done a number of trips across the country, so I have a few suggestions.  I agree with trinity about Quebec City and Montreal - both really awesome places for a honeymoon.  Two of my siblings went to Quebec City for their honeymoons, and I don't want to be a copycat but I want to do the same because of its beautiful location.  If you want something a bit more adventurous, Quebec also has the Hotel de Glace (http://www.hoteldeglace-canada.com/) which is made from ice every winter.  It is supposed to be amazing!
Banff is gorgeous, absolutely gorgeous.  I have never been in winter though, since I like the hiking there and the trails are a bit more treacherous in the winter, but it would be very nice for a honeymoon, though as cwaggoner said, it can be quite expensive. 
Niagara Falls is also wonderful, but is quite touristy.  It is really romantic in the spring and summer because it has beautiful gardens everywhere, so I don't really recommend for the winter, unless you like Casinos and random museums and haunted houses.  Niagara-on-the-lake is great, and has lots to do. 
Doing Banff and then Toronto is probably too ambitious for a honeymoon - Banff and Vancouver would probably be better.  The flight from Banff to Toronto is expensive as well, so Vancouver is closer and still has a lot happening in it.
I hope all this information helps!  Regardless of where you go, I bet you'll have fun!

Katred08

Quebec City is amazing and so romantic!  FI and I went 4 years ago and it's still the best trip we've ever taken together.  Chateau Frontenac is the classic ($$$) choice, but we stayed at two other great places--Auberge Saint-Antoine in the lower town (amazing), and Hotel du Vieux-Quebec in the old city which was more budget friendly but still really great.  We loved the breakfast basket left on the door each morning.  We went during winter carnival which was a ton of fun.  

Smooch711

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_honeymoon_honeymoon-in-canada-suggestions-where-to-stay?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:11Discussion:5db50938-e470-494c-b270-8d51cee0ac41Post:7dab9865-e32d-4ea8-a5ab-e0c4f81fb788">Re: Honeymoon in Canada! Suggestions where to stay...</a>:
[QUOTE]If you are thinking of doing Banff and Niagara Falls in the same trip, just make sure to plan an extra day or two for air travel.  The nearest international airport to Banff is Calgary, which is a (beautiful) hour's drive.  Toronto to Calgary by air is about a 3.5 hr plane ride , then its about 2 hours drive from Toronto to Niagara Falls.  Go for it if you're adventurous, but you might find it more relaxing to focus on one area of the country!
Posted by trinitygc[/QUOTE]

This.

We went to Banff and Jasper National Parks for our HM in September. Highly recommend. But I was exhausted, and they're just 4.5 hours (drive) apart. Doing west coast Canada AND east coast (Toronto) is way too much, imo.

If you're really interested in Banff, let me know. We stayed three nights at the Rundlestone Lodge. We'd definitely stay there again.

JaxJ128

Thank you everyone for all the input and advice!!! Decisions, decisions! Ughhh we gotta decide what side to stick with....I think Vancouver/Banff because we want to see mountains since we dont have that in Florida.

[Deleted User]

Just remember Vancouver and Banff aren't that close either.  Its still a plane ride (or a spectacular train ride through the mountains which could be ultra cool on the Rocky Mountaneer!).  Calgary-Banff-Jasper might be a good doable trip, and you'll still get to see a lot! 

This might help you plan your trip a bit better:

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g154911-s301/Banff:Alberta:Arriving.And.Departing.html

mtgsimpson

I live in Canada.  Banff/Lake Louise are my favorite places...you can also do Big White Ski resort in Kelowna British Columbia and then go down to Kelowna and visit the wineries(Mission Hill)  ....Toronto is great too I live here though...Montreal and Quebec City are apparently nice.

mtgsimpson

I live in Canada.  Banff/Lake Louise are my favorite places...you can also do Big White Ski resort in Kelowna British Columbia and then go down to Kelowna and visit the wineries(Mission Hill)  ....Toronto is great too I live here though...Montreal and Quebec City are apparently nice.

JaxJ128

You guys are so helpful and full of information!! BUT now we are thinking of staying in the States and doing perhaps Lake Tahoe or Colorado.... because I think it will be less expensive....anyone have any info on any of those places for me? lol

souptin

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_honeymoon_honeymoon-in-canada-suggestions-where-to-stay?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:11Discussion:5db50938-e470-494c-b270-8d51cee0ac41Post:90c4fe7a-cc64-48bd-b902-708bb144450e">Re: Honeymoon in Canada! Suggestions where to stay...</a>:
[QUOTE]<strong>You guys are so helpful and full of information</strong>!! BUT now we are thinking of staying in the States and doing perhaps Lake Tahoe or Colorado.... because I think it will be less expensive....anyone have any info on any of those places for me? lol
Posted by JaxJ128[/QUOTE]

But of course, we are Canadian! its in our blood to be polite and helpful :)

Kidding of course

I would still strongly encourage a Canadian honeymoon! the train trip from Banff to Vancouver that was mentioned above is just about the most beautiful trip imaginable. We are so luck to live in such a gorgeous country!

[Deleted User]

Just came back two weeks ago from our Honeymoon in Niagara Falls. We had a great time. Stayed at the Embassy Suites overlooking the falls. There are a lot of wineries you can go to in the Niagara on the Lake area, but you will need a car. Many of the site seeing things are closed for the winter, like Maid of the Mist. There are two casinos (their buffets are best place to go eat) and other things to do. In our suite we had a faux fire place which was nice.