The Long Weekend Staycation

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Here, some top picks for  the “jet-set urbanite” long weekend staycation.

Mr. and Mrs. Smith may sound familiar, most likely as the birth of Brangelina. But, in the wanderer’s world, Mr & Mrs Smith is actually a travel service. Born from a guidebook publishing house, now the agency also features a highly curated collection of hotels around the world, based on reviews from its members and international tastemakers (word has it that CBC’s Jian Ghomeshi is one of them), and chronicled in luxurious book form.

Entry level “Blacksmith” membership is free upon booking or with the purchase of a hotel guidebook, and includes such perks as champagne on arrival and a 1 per cent cash back program. Oh, and Mr & Mrs Smith? They’re actually U.K.-based James Lohan (no relation to Lindsay) and his wife, Tamara Heber-Percy. With their recent entry into Canada, Tamara gives us her favourite picks for what she calls the “jet-set urbanite” long weekend staycation. 1-800-464-2040; www.mrandmrssmith.com

Wickaninnish Inn, Tofino, B.C.

“The inn is perched up above the Pacific, an ideal and very dramatic vantage point to watch winter storms roll in. The food is excellent, and the rooms all feature fireplaces. In summer, the inn offers a clever package for storm watching: upon checkout, they give guests Winter Storm Bucks against a future stay during a set winter period.”

Shangri-La Hotel, Vancouver

“Good for the body and soul. It has stunning views of the city, the water and mountains. It is a short drive away to some of the most stunning slopes for skiing and snowboarding, after which the hotel’s masseuses will work your muscles back to health in the CHI spa and then you can eat yourself silly in the restaurant, Market by Jean-Georges, by Michelin-starred chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten. What’s not to love?”

The Drake Hotel, Toronto

“It transforms its rooftop into a maple sugar shack during the winter months.”

St. Paul Hotel’s Old Montreal Hotel

“Award-winning and design-savvy – it’s in a restored heritage building, in a beautiful winter wonderland.”

 

Planning a special trip? As part of the Zoomer Perks program, our readers can get 50% off 3-night vacations with Mr & Mrs Smith, an award-winning travel club specializing in finding the world’s most inspiring boutique hotels. Find out more here.