Americans Flock to Canada, Fueling New Hotel Openings
A surge in U.S. tourism is driving the development of new, stylish hotels across Canada, offering diverse experiences from art-focused stays to luxury mountain retreats.
U.S. tourism to Canada is experiencing a significant resurgence, with Americans making millions of border crossings and spending billions of dollars in the final quarter of 2025 alone. This influx has prompted the opening of nearly 40 new hotels anticipated in 2026, designed to cater to the growing demand from U.S. travelers seeking easy, scenic, and affordable holiday destinations.
New Accommodations Across Canada
In Vancouver, the Hyatt Place Vancouver/Metrotown, which opened in May, offers a four-star experience starting around $220 USD per night. Located in the suburb of Burnaby, the 159-key hotel provides rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows offering city views and is situated near a major shopping center and a SkyTrain station. The hotel features a 24/7 fitness center and its on-site restaurant, SoBu Social, serves a daily breakfast buffet.
Montreal has welcomed SonoLux, the city's first contemporary art hotel, housed in a landmark 1914 Neo-Classical building. This Épik Collection property features 36 rooms and 10 exhibition spaces showcasing rotating audiovisual art installations. Guests can enjoy the underground audio lounge, Subterra, and the immersive dining experience at the lobby restaurant, Lumi. SonoLux is also within walking distance of Old Montreal and Notre-Dame Basilica.
In St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, the JAG Hotel has expanded with its new 85-key Blues tower, bringing the total to 169 rooms. The hotel boasts Soundhouse, a performing arts venue, and Mojo, an eighth-floor lounge with panoramic views. The Revival Wellness Centre offers spa services, a lap pool, and a fitness area. Guest rooms start around $150 USD per night, with various suite options available.
Mountain and Wine Country Retreats
The Kenrick, a design-forward hotel in Banff, has transformed the former High Country Inn. This 67-key property features amenities such as pillow menus, large smart TVs, and suites with record players. The hotel includes a saltwater indoor pool with poolside service, a hydrotherapy spa, and the on-site restaurant, the Fat Ox, serving alpine Italian cuisine. Queen rooms start around $300 USD per night during the low season, with prices increasing significantly in the summer.
Scheduled to open in mid-August, The Clayfield in Niagara-on-the-Lake will offer a chic option in Canada's historic wine country. This 102-key hotel, part of the Unbound Collection by Hyatt, is collaborating with Stratus Vineyards. The property will feature wine-inspired spa treatments and guest rooms with wine-tasting stations. The hotel also includes a rooftop bar, The Terrace, and an on-site restaurant, Terrain. Rooms are expected to start from $300 USD per night.
These new hotel openings reflect a broader trend of increased investment and development aimed at capturing the growing U.S. tourist market in Canada, offering a diverse range of experiences from urban art immersion to tranquil wine country escapes.