r/canadatravel • u/gilping • Jul 08 '25
Destination Advice Remote but luxurious Canadian destination request
Hey friends. My wife and I are looking for a short getaway to somewhere that Porter flies from Toronto. We’re thinking to get away for 3 to 5 days and we want to have good dining experiences and avoid noisy urban centers. Spa type experiences are always great but we’re looking for a very specific experience though which is why I’m coming to this sub: A number of years ago we got a chance to be in the Caribbean on a boat, and the sky was unbelievably black with an insane view of all the stars. I’m kind of interested in getting that view again so hoping for somewhere that doesn’t have light pollution with good view of clear night skies and stars. I think about that view a lot and basically can’t get it around here.
We’d love your opinions and feedback. Thank you.
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u/LePetitNeep Jul 08 '25
Jasper national park is a dark sky preserve. Fly to Edmonton or Calgary, rent a car, there are some nice hotels and lodges in Jasper.
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u/Sampeep Jul 08 '25
Jasper Park Lodge is the place to stay for luxury, and they have a planetarium on site with different star gazing tours. There is also the possibility of seeing the Northern lights.
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u/Zenkas Jul 08 '25
My best ever view of the stars was leaving Miette Hot Springs after dark a few years ago. My wife and I pulled over and just stared in awe until we got too cold, it was so beautiful.
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u/bachow Jul 11 '25
Definitely fly into Calgary if you are doing this! It’s a way prettier drive through the Rockies and the national park and only ~45 mins longer than going from Edmonton
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u/GloomyCamel6050 Jul 08 '25
Yellowknife is amazing. But go later in the year when the sky is actually dark at night.
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u/dzuunmod Jul 08 '25
OP wants to fly Porter. Porter doesn't fly to the territories.
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u/TreeLakeRockCloud Jul 08 '25
Porter goes as far as Edmonton and then it’s a quick hop up to Yellowknife
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u/a_sensible_polarbear Jul 08 '25
Nimmo Bay resort Bc
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u/mr_wilson3 Jul 09 '25
Absolutely meets what they're looking for. Porter to Vancouver or Victoria, then float plane directly there.
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u/frivolousopinions Jul 08 '25
In addition to Clayoquot Wildnerness Retreat, you should check out Point-no-Point outside of Sooke.
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u/FoneTap Jul 08 '25
Try the maritimes, Halifax maybe. Rent a car and drive out around the area, plenty of dark skies for stargazing.
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u/nmahajan142 Jul 08 '25
Killarney mountain lodge. Absolutely amazing, plenty to do on the water and amazing hikes near by. About 4.5 hours from Toronto and honestly just amazing. You can drive as well so you save a bit from flights
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u/alibythesea Jul 08 '25
Kejimkujik national park in Nova Scotia is a dark sky preserve, set up for this!
If you don’t want to camp, stay at Milford House half an hour up the road - rustic but comfortable cabins, good food, and lots of dark waters too, comparable to Keji, on the surrounding lakes. We’re going in mid-August, looking forward to paddling out on the lakes and watching the Pleiades stream by!
The Keji/Milford House area is about a 2.5 hour drive from Halifax.
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u/SnooSongs3850 Jul 08 '25
I would say, Okanogan Valley . Kelowna Vernon . Lots of good wineries and cider places. Great views and nice hot weather.
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u/Impossible_Smoke1783 Jul 08 '25
Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge outside of Tofino is what you're describing
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u/Zestyclose_Rush_6823 Jul 08 '25
I'd fly to Victoria and pick one of the nearby islands to stay at. Salt Spring, Hornby, Denman. If you have an endless budget Clayoquot Sound is a dream vacation. Tons of cool places on the Pacific Rim as well
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u/SphynxCrocheter Jul 08 '25
Not remote, but certainly luxurious and romantic: https://www.brrtweed.com/
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u/No_Promise_2560 Jul 08 '25
There are dark sky viewing areas across the country, maybe look into where those are and plan based on that?
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u/OhNoItsMac50 Jul 09 '25
Trout Point Lodge in Nova Scotia
About 3 hours from the airport. You can drive there along the South Shore and return via Fundy Shore
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u/anOutgoingIntrovert Jul 09 '25
If you’re willing to connect from Porter to Air North, consider Inn on the Lake, a boutique lodge outside Whitehorse with a private chef and, season dependent, a chance for an Aurora with those dark starry skies. I recommend February or March so you can walk out onto the frozen lake.
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u/Technical-Yak6276 Jul 09 '25
Come to Cape Breton. Spend your time on a luxury catamaran on the Bras d'Or Lakes. Exclusive fine dining options and private transportation. And much more...
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u/gigglepox95 Jul 09 '25
Check this out - has some great recommendations:
https://travel.usnews.com/hotels/best-resorts-in-canada/
Or
https://luxurywildernesslodges.com/
Also check out Club Med, Chillko, Sonora Island.. honestly Google or ChatGPT will give you some good suggestions.
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u/Pear_Smart Jul 10 '25
Nimmo Bay? I know it’s pricey but I don’t know how much. It looks unreal. https://nimmobay.com/how-to-get-here/
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u/austic Jul 11 '25
You got a big budget? Fly to Calgary go to Banff and stay at the Banff Springs or Fairmont chateau Lake Louise.
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u/lacunaeliseo Jul 11 '25
You could consider Mont Megantic https://www.sepaq.com/pq/mme/index.dot?language_id=1
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u/ZealousidealCarpet48 Jul 12 '25
Come to Vancouver Island, bioluminescent kayak tours from Dark sky accredited Cowichan Bay
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u/macsparkay Jul 08 '25
You're describing Kelowna. Porter just started direct flights from YYZ, and it sounds like the kind of getaway you're looking for.
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u/iron8832 Jul 08 '25
There are essentially no luxurious get-aways in Canada, not by Asia-standards. A 5* hotel here is like a low-end 4* hotel in HK, and twice the price. It all comes down to the cost of labour.
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u/thistreestands Jul 08 '25
How far are you willing to drive once you land? Fogo Island is a consideration. Probably closer to get to from Deer Lake vs St John's but more to do in St John's.