With business trips on the rise, “bleisure” travel—a mix of business and leisure—is a hot trend as more and more people make it a point to enjoy their work time on the road. Think: spa treatments, wellness programs, fitness or extending a work trip to soak in a new place or the surrounding nature. From coast to coast, we’ve rounded up some stellar hotels across Canada to experience bleisure travel.
1. 1 Hotel Toronto, Toronto
As the financial centre of Canada, Toronto sees its fair share of corporate travellers. The sustainable and wellness-focused 1 Hotel has taken bleisure travellers into consideration with a full roster of corporate event spaces—small and large—as well as a curated approach of care for the mind, body and soul. The Wellness Suite Retreat package allows guests to get a 60-minute personal training session in their Field House gym, followed by a healthy recovery smoothie. For those who prefer a private sweat session, the hotel has a built-in partnership with Alo Studios in its app so you can take HIIT and strength training sessions. Guests also have the opportunity to borrow a complimentary bike and take one of several suggested routes around the city (options include the Toronto Islands and Don Valley Trail). Finally, having one of the city’s best rooftop pools doesn’t hurt for an early morning or post-meeting dip.
2. The Wickaninnish Inn, Vancouver Island
The Wickaninnish Inn has long been considered a jewel in B.C.’s hospitality crown. The Relais and Chateaux property is found right on Tofino’s Chesterman Beach, arguably one of Canada’s most tranquil locations. The Inn has an events team available to plan off-site meetings and corporate team-building retreats for a wide range of group sizes. On the wellness end, the hotel has a suggested schedule for rejuvenation and balance: grab an early morning tea from the Driftwood Cafe to take on a beach and forest stroll before an aligning yoga class in the hotel’s Rainforest Haven room. Next, check into the award-winning Ancient Cedars Spa for a reflexology treatment followed by an afternoon bike ride into nearby Tofino then a second spa-check-in for a rainforest inspired massage. The area is also known for its storm watching during the winter months.
3. Hotel William Gray, Montreal
Montreal’s Hotel William Gray has been a longstanding pillar of the city’s upscale hotel scene, housing its own luxury spa. That alone makes this Old Montreal spot a great place to mix business and leisure. The property has over 10,000 square feet of event space (with natural light, may we add) designed for smaller meetings, larger conferences and everything in between. Spa William Gray offers plenty of treatments for corporate travellers to enjoy, plus a full thermal experience with both Finnish and herbal saunas, a cold room, a Himalayan salt room, a steam room and experiential showers, as well as a seasonal outdoor pool. Guests can book access to spa amenities sans treatments around their work schedules for a chance to recharge and unwind. Beyond the hotel, Old Montreal itself is especially charming with plenty of cafes (Café Olimpico and Tommy’s), postcard-worthy streets and stylish shops—like the flagship store for Canadian fashion retailer Ssense—to enjoy during downtime.
4. Fairmont Banff Springs, Banff
Canada’s Castle in the Rockies remains a staple for both business and leisure. The legendary Fairmont Banff Springs is no stranger to corporate events big or small, but the hotel—set in an incredible mountain landscape—also doubles as a wellness sanctuary and adventurer’s paradise. There’s plenty of space to relax with the 40,000 square-foot spa, known for its waterfall plunge pools and mountain inspired treatments like a hot stone massage. There’s also plenty of activities on the menu for an after-meeting or extended stay excursion that can be set up through the hotel’s personalized guest portal, including private campfire experiences, forest bathing, tours of Moraine Lake and cocktail classes in the Rundle Bar. There’s also plenty of hiking and running trails, and a well-appointed fitness club.
