Canada’s vast landscapes, rich ecosystems, and incredible natural beauty offer travelers endless opportunities to experience the outdoors beyond the typical hotel stay. Whether you’re looking for the rustic appeal of a forest cabin, the charm of a cozy yurt, or the sensational allure of an ice hotel, Canada’s unique accommodations reflect the diversity of its wilderness.
These stays strike an ideal balance of comfort and adventure, letting you fully connect with nature while enjoying an unforgettable getaway. Here’s a closer look at some of the most remarkable places to stay in Canada’s extraordinary outdoors.
- Tofino Cabins, British Columbia – Coastal forest cabins with ocean views perfect for a peaceful, nature-focused getaway.
- Killarney Lodge – Algonquin Park, Ontario – Classic lakeside cabins in Algonquin’s quiet wilderness, ideal for wildlife enthusiasts and paddlers.
- Fundy National Park Yurts, New Brunswick – Cozy yurts overlooking the Bay of Fundy, offering easy access to trails and tidal landscapes.
- Hôtel de Glace, Quebec City, Quebec – Canada’s iconic ice hotel with intricately carved ice rooms and an unforgettable winter atmosphere.
- Tundra Lodge Adventure, Manitoba – A mobile lodge on the tundra with prime views of polar bears in their natural Arctic habitat.
Read on to uncover more unique accommodations across Canada.
Unique Canadian Accommodations
Staying in a cabin, yurt, or ice hotel offers a far more enriching and immersive experience than a traditional hotel or resort. Whether you’re watching wildlife from a cabin in Algonquin Park, cozying up in a yurt under the Northern Lights, or sipping drinks in an ice bar, these stays allow you to connect with Canada’s natural beauty in a profound and memorable way.
Each accommodation type offers its own distinct charm, giving you the opportunity to experience Canada in a way that few others do.
Cabin Retreats – Escape to Nature in Cozy Comfort
The quintessential Canadian cabin is the perfect blend of simplicity and comfort, offering an escape from the fast pace of modern life. Whether tucked away in dense forests or perched on the edge of pristine lakes, cabins offer travelers a chance to reconnect with nature without sacrificing comfort.
Tofino Cabins, British Columbia
Imagine waking up to the sound of crashing waves and stepping outside to mist-shrouded rainforests. That’s the experience waiting for you in Tofino, British Columbia, a popular destination for nature lovers.
The cabins here are located among towering trees and rugged coastlines, offering stunning views of the Pacific Ocean. Whether you’re hiking through the lush rainforests, watching surfers ride the waves, or simply curling up by a wood-burning stove, Tofino’s cabins provide a peaceful, off-the-grid experience.
Activities: Hiking, whale watching, beachcombing and tide pool exploration, sea kayaking.
Mount Engadine Lodge – Kananaskis, Alberta
Nestled in the Canadian Rockies, Mount Engadine Lodge has rustic cabins that offer a blend of comfort and wilderness with stunning views of Spray Valley. These cozy cabins have large windows and wood interiors, offering an intimate connection with nature.
Activities: Hiking, mountain biking, snowshoeing, and wildlife viewing.
Killarney Lodge – Algonquin Park, Ontario
Located on a private peninsula in Algonquin Park, Killarney Lodge features log cabins along the shores of Lake of Two Rivers. Each cabin has a rustic charm with pine interiors, and they include fireplaces and waterfront views.
Activities: Canoeing, fishing, hiking, and wildlife watching.
Lac Fiddler Resort – Laurentians, Quebec
Situated in Quebec’s Laurentians, these upscale log cabins blend rustic charm with luxury. Each cabin offers modern amenities like fireplaces, hot tubs, and full kitchens, all surrounded by the tranquil Laurentian forest.
Activities: Kayaking, hiking, skiing, and spa relaxation.
Yurt and Tent Stays – Glamping in the Great Outdoors
For those who love the idea of camping but prefer a few more comforts, yurts offer a unique blend of wilderness living and modern amenities. Originally used by nomadic peoples in Central Asia, yurts have gained popularity in Canada as glamping (glamorous camping) accommodations. These round, sturdy structures are designed to keep you warm in the winter and cool in the summer, and many come equipped with modern amenities such as heating, beds, and kitchens.
Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge – Vancouver Island, British Columbia
A luxurious twist on rustic, this remote lodge on Vancouver Island features canvas tents with wooden flooring and antique furniture, plus plenty of amenities. Guests can enjoy stunning rainforest surroundings and five-star service.
Activities: Whale watching, horseback riding, and heli-hiking.
Fundy National Park Yurts, New Brunswick
Located along the Bay of Fundy, which is famous for its record-setting tides, Fundy National Park offers yurts that provide a perfect way to experience the area’s natural wonders. The yurts are cozy and weatherproof, allowing you to stay comfortable while enjoying panoramic views of the bay. Spend your days exploring the park’s waterfalls, forested trails, and rocky beaches, and in the evening, return to your yurt for a peaceful night in nature.
Activities: Hiking, kayaking and canoeing, birdwatching and wildlife viewing, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing.
Yukon Yurts, Yukon Territory
If remote wilderness and Northern Lights are on your bucket list, consider a stay in a Yukon yurt. The Yukon’s expansive, untouched wilderness provides the perfect backdrop for a yurt getaway, especially in the winter months when the Northern Lights dance across the sky. These yurts offer a cozy refuge from the cold, equipped with wood-burning stoves and modern comforts, making them ideal for off-grid adventures.
Activities: Northern lights viewing, dog sledding, guided photography tours.
Elk Island National Park Yurts, Alberta
Located just outside Edmonton, the yurts in Elk Island National Park allow visitors to experience the tranquility of Alberta’s prairie wilderness. The park is home to bison, elk, and an impressive variety of bird species, making it a great destination for wildlife lovers. As one of Canada’s designated Dark Sky Preserves, Elk Island is also an ideal spot for stargazing, with minimal light pollution and clear skies on most nights.
Activities: Wildlife viewing, stargazing, hiking, snowshoeing, canoeing, kayaking.
Ice Hotels and Other Winter Wonderland Accommodations – Once-in-a-Lifetime Experiences
For a truly out-of-this-world experience, nothing compares to spending the night in a hotel made entirely of ice or in a mobile lodge on the tundra.
Hôtel de Glace, Quebec City, Quebec
Located just outside Quebec City, the Hôtel de Glace is an iconic Canadian winter experience. Rebuilt each year from ice and snow, the hotel features rooms and suites adorned with ice carvings, an ice bar where you can sip cocktails from glasses made of ice, and even an ice chapel for weddings.
The temperature inside the hotel hovers just below freezing, but don’t worry—you’ll stay warm in thermal sleeping bags designed for extreme cold. The hotel also offers hot tubs and saunas for guests to warm up after a chilly night.
Activities: Guided Ice sculpture tour, hot tubs and saunas, snowshoeing.
Tundra Lodge Adventure, Manitoba
The Tundra Lodge Adventure by Natural Habitat Adventures offers an immersive wildlife experience in the heart of polar bear country. Located outside Churchill, Manitoba, this unique mobile lodge is strategically placed each year on the vast tundra to maximize polar bear sightings. It allows guests to observe polar bears up close from the safety and comfort of specialized accommodations.
Activities: Polar bear viewing, guided wildlife excursions, northern lights viewing, tundra walks.
Things to Consider When Booking Unique Accommodations
When planning a stay in one of these unique Canadian accommodations, there are a few important factors to keep in mind:
Seasonality
Some accommodations, like ice hotels, are only open during the winter months, while others may have limited availability during peak seasons. Be sure to check availability and book well in advance, especially if you’re traveling during busy times of the year.
Location
Decide whether you want a remote experience or something closer to a city. Some accommodations offer complete seclusion, while others are more accessible for those who prefer to stay connected.
Comfort Level
While cabins and yurts often provide a balance between rustic charm and modern amenities, ice hotels are a different experience altogether, with cold temperatures and unique sleeping arrangements. Be sure you’re prepared for the adventure, especially if you’re booking the ice hotel.
Why Choose Unique Accommodations in Canada?
Canada’s vast, varied landscape deserves to be explored in style, and these unique accommodations offer the perfect way to do just that. Whether you’re a nature enthusiast, a winter lover, or simply looking for a one-of-a-kind adventure, Canada’s cabins, yurts, and ice hotels are ready to make your stay unforgettable.
Let’s Have a Conversation:
Have you stayed in a unique accommodation in Canada? Would you stay in one of these accommodations? Tell us what you think in the comments below.
