Where Celebrities Vacation in Canada Over the Summer

Long considered the “Hamptons of the North,” the Muskoka region has become a hotspot for celebrities looking to forgo the typical tropical vacations and indulge in something a little more rustic and a lot more private.

Celebrities who consider themselves summertime locals include Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks, Cindy Crawford (along with the rest of the Gerber clan, including doppelganger model-daughter Kaia) and Justin Bieber, who has rented out luxury cottages in the area in previous summers.

Another in the Muskoka mix, Lake Rosseau has also been coined “Millionaire’s Row” — not to be confused with “Billionaire’s Row” in Lake Joseph (read on for that one) — and is considered one of the most prestigious areas of cottage-country for the elite and wealthy.

A-lister fans who have summer properties on this lake include Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell, who enjoy spending time in their home away from home, situated close by to Goldie’s daughter Kate Hudson’s own vacation spot. And who wouldn’t want to be neighbours with Canadian-born comedy icon Martin Short, who also owns a home on the lake?

Shark Tank alum and mega-successful businessman Kevin O’Leary and his wife Linda own their own slice of cottage heaven in what’s known as the “Billionaire’s Row” of Lake Joseph in the Muskoka region. Residents since 1998, the couple own prime shoreline real estate with a home rumoured to be just under 10,000 square feet! Hard to believe with all of this, Kevin O’Leary makes our list of millionaires who won’t be leaving their children much of their fortune…

This may seem like a wintertime-only destination, but resorts like the upscale Fairmont Chateau play host to countless celebrities year-round, including those famous faces who like to get away and get pampered in the luxurious hotel after a day of hiking or just taking in a swim in the summer months.

If you manage to book a room this summer, look out for famous guests like Justin Timberlake (and family) and Reese Witherspoon, who’ve been known to frequent the hotel and take in the sights in town.

Situated near Bancroft, Baptiste Lake is home to Canadian funnyman Jim Carrey, who enjoys flying in on his private jet before holing up at his rustic waterfront oasis.

New Brunswick-born Donald Sutherland doesn’t need to cross the border to get in his vacation fix. The actor has a summer cottage in Georgeville, Quebec, where he and fellow actor and son Kiefer Sutherland can often be spotted doing their shopping in town.

Did you know? This father-son duo also make our list of celebrity kids more famous than their parents!

For celebrities looking for a little less rest and a little more adventure, the Canadian Rockies has become a hot spot for A-listers like Alec Baldwin, who filmed his 1997 thriller The Edge around some of the treacherous peaks of the area and has since spent time there hosting the Fairmont Banff Springs Sports Invitational. An environmental advocate, it’s no surprise Alec keeps coming back to the Rockies, where the beauty and abundance of nature is all around.

Besides taking credit as the province which gifted us with Hollywood heartthrob Ryan Reynolds, Van City has a lot to offer celebrities looking for a place to spend their summer breaks. Vancouver knows how to cater to celebrities off-duty, offering up luxury hotels, hidden rustic hideaways and even gated mansions available for rent in the north shore. And since Vancouver’s become such a popular destination for filming, celebrities working over the summer can get the best of both worlds with accommodations that have them feeling completely at home.

Some celebrities who’ve mixed work and play while on set over the summer in recent years are Matt Damon, who stayed over the summer of 2011 with his family while filming and George Clooney, who called Vancouver home while shooting the blockbuster Tomorrowland.

The small town of Saint-Hippolyte, located in the Laurentides region of Quebec, is the perfect destination for anyone in search of a quick escape from city life. Just 45km outside of Montreal’s metro area, the town offers jaw-dropping mountain and lake views, as well as a uniquely tranquil atmosphere.

Though Halle Berry put this 63-acre property up for sale in 2011, you can still score a peek inside her Saint-Hippolyte retreat.

The village of Ucluelet is situated on Vancouver Island, on the edge of the Wild Pacific Ocean. Known for having some of the best surf on Canada’s west coast, the long shoreline and sandy beaches provide locals and visitors with the ultimate playground for water sports.

Jason Priestley counts himself as not only a resident, but also part owner of Terrace Beach Resort Ucluelet where he and his family offer beachfront lodging rentals. The property features hot tubs, loft-style suites and all the cottage-comfort amenities you might want while enjoying the best of Ucluelet.

For once, it was the Royals doing the stargazing, as Duchess Kate and Prince William took in the Northern Lights and shooting stars on a trip to Yellowknife in 2011. The pair are said to have stayed at Blachford Lake Lodge, which offers the very best views of the spectacular night sky.

Specifically, the luxurious Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel — a celebrity hotspot that’s seen everyone from Marilyn Monroe to Woody Harrelson pass through their doors. A-listers Meg Ryan and Alec Baldwin have also had a hand in hosting an annual gala weekend held at the hotel in support of fundraising for ecological concerns.

Considered to be Canada’s “Castle in the Rockies,” the hotel offers year-round 5-star accommodations, championship golf in the summer months, skiing in the winter, as well as an award-winning spa for guests to unwind. Aside from the incredible views that surround visitors, Banff is home to several museums, upscale shopping and dining, and and the popular Banff Upper Hot Springs.

Gwyneth Paltrow visited the remote island, located in “Iceberg Alley” in the Labrador Current in July of 2016, documenting the visit in a photo on her Instagram, where, via a hashtag, she referred to the island as “heaven.” With untamed wilderness at every turn, this is the perfect spot for those looking to immerse themselves in nature.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is a fan too, having brought his family to stay at the modern Fogo Island Inn over Easter in 2016.

Rumoured to be long-time visitors to Okanagan, British Columbia, Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban have previously been spotted vacationing there; taking in hockey games and casually enjoying the atmosphere of this low-key celebrity hotspot.

Actress Christina Ricci and John Cusak also spent some time in the area while shooting scenes for the 2018 thriller Distorted.