Olivia TaylorDid you know that the two most popular days for marriage proposals are Christmas Eve and Valentine’s Day? The latter is pretty given, but a winter proposal in one of Canada’s Winter Capitals during Christmas Eve sounds like a good idea, right?
There are a ton of spots for romantic getaways near Ottawa that set the stage for a grand or private proposal. If you’re reading this without the intention of popping the question, well, we assume you’re planning a romantic surprise.
We narrowed down the best there is in and near the city, including staycation spots, hotels, cabins, and cottages!
Nordik Spa-Nature
Address: 16 Chem. Nordik, Chelsea, QC J9B 2P7, Canada
Distance from OT: 10 to 15 minutes
Contact Details: +18198271111
Operating Hours: Monday to Thursday, 9:00 am to 11:00 pm, Friday to Saturday, 8:30 am to 12:00 am, Sunday, 8:30 am to 11:00 pm
For a getaway filled with relaxing massage treatments and a spa-like atmosphere, take a 10-minute drive from downtown Ottawa to Nordik Spa-Nature. It’s a spa and wellness center based on Northern European spas.
The spa offers couples access to 10 outdoor baths, 9 saunas, a saltwater pool, a yoga and meditation room, massage pavilions, and an infinity pool within the premises. You can rest and recover from the hustle with your partner in their resting rooms.
You can spend a whole day here and choose from their many spa services like thermotherapy, massages, body care, and other treatments, starting at $54. Or spend a night at the Nordik Lodge starting at $795 per night.
| Tips: There is no time limit at Nordik Spa-Nature, so you can spend a whole day enjoying their spa treatments or dipping in their pools. However, once you step out of the spa, you won’t be able to get back in unless you make another booking or reservation. The spa is also open during rainy days, and won’t provide compensation if you prefer not to come to your appointment due to bad weather. You can, however, request a reschedule, but this needs to be done 24 hours prior to your visit. If it rains during your stay, don’t worry! They have plenty of sheltered areas. |
Clyde Hall
Address: 131 Mill St, Lanark, ON K0G 1K0, Canada
Distance from OT: 55 minutes
Contact Details: +16132592330
Check In: 3:00 pm
Check Out: 11:00 am
Are you a fan of the film The Holiday? You and your partner can get the same cottage-like experience at Clyde Hall.
The cottage bed and breakfast is located in the countryside area of Lanark Village, just an hour away from downtown Ottawa. The cottage features a saltwater pool, hot tub, complete kitchen and bathroom amenities, a barbecue area, and comfy beds.
Your view includes the Timber Run Golf Course and Clyde River. It’s a quiet yet cozy escape from the city, but also pretty accessible as the nearby Town of Perth is just a few minutes away!
| Tips: Clyde Hall also accepts guests who want to use the cottage and its surrounding amenities for small weddings of up to 24 people. The cost is $1,300 per night, which is inclusive of access to all 6 rooms, the pool, hot tub, breakfast for all guests, and a tour around the area. |
Fairmont Chateau Laurier
Address: 1 Rideau St, Ottawa, ON K1N 8S7, Canada
Contact Details: +16132411414
Operating Hours: Open 24/7
The Fairmont Chateau Laurier stands as one of Canada’s premier luxury accommodations, so if you’re up for a glamorous romantic getaway in Ottawa, this hotel is one of the best in the city.
For over 110 years, they’ve welcomed guests worldwide, reflecting their rich heritage through impeccable service, decor, and atmosphere. With its French-style chateau exteriors, it’s a premier wedding venue for many Ottawans.
Booking a night or two here isn’t the most budget-friendly, but the price comes with luxurious rooms, comfy beds, world-class dining establishments, and service that makes you and your partner a priority.
| Tips: The Fairmont Chateau Laurier currently offers a Grand Romance package that’s specifically designed for couples. The package is inclusive of one night’s stay, a la carte breakfast at Wilfrid’s Restaurant or breakfast in bed, late check-out, and chocolate-covered strawberries with sparkling wine. You and your partner can enjoy all this starting at $439 per night. |
Chalet Buckingham
Address: 4651 Chem. Russell, Quyon, QC J0X 2V0, Canada
Distance from OT: 45 minutes
Check In: 4:00 pm onwards
Check Out: 11:00 am
Looking for a secluded cabin in the woods to spend your romantic getaway near Ottawa? The Chalet Buckingham is a place to keep on your radar, especially if you love hot tubs and boating.
The chalet sits on a three-acre waterfront property that gives you front-row views of the Ottawa River and the Gatineau Hills. There are 4 rooms total, but the chalet is available even for just two people.
You have complete amenities (kitchen, living room, appliances, electronics, and utensils) to keep you and your partner occupied for a day or two. There are board games too, if you’re down for a night of wholesome fun!
| Tips: If you book a stay at Chalet Buckingham in the summer, the dock will be ready for water activities like canoeing, kayaking, and paddle boarding. For bookworms, the chalet also has an open library. This means you can leave a book of your own and take one from many in the chalet’s collection. You give and take! |
Kokomo Inn
Address: 1175 Rue Jacques-Cartier, Gatineau, QC J8T 2W3, Canada
Distance from OT: 15 minutes
Check In: 3:00 pm onwards
Check Out: 11:00 am
If you want more romantic getaways near Ottawa, you can rent a room at the quaint Kokomo Inn. Situated on the edge of La Baie Park of Gatineau, this tropical-themed bed and breakfast lets you spend a night in a serene waterfront setting.
The whole inn has five rooms for you to choose from, all equipped with ensuite bathrooms. In line with the tropical theme, rooms are named after tropical countries and are decorated with tropical elements like plants, palm tree-clad linen, and cool colors.
There’s a large patio and a fire pit in the backyard where you can snuggle up with your partner by the river. It’s not exactly a beachside paradise, but at least you won’t have to travel thousands of miles to feel like you’re in one!
| Tips: Since it’s technically a house, you’ll be sharing a large kitchen area with other guests (but it’s fully stocked with food all throughout the duration of your stay!). If you book directly from Kokomo Inn’s website, the management gives you the opportunity to negotiate the rates they offer online. Doing so may grant you a room at a discounted rate. You can cancel your reservation at any time. For more info, check out this page. |
Myers Cave Resort
Address: 2471 Hwy 506, Cloyne, ON K0H 1K0, Canada
Contact Details: +16133369900
Distance from OT: 2 hours and 5 minutes
Check In: 4:00 pm onwards
Check Out: 11:00 am
Myers Cave Resort is a little further away from Ottawa unlike most places on this list, but the cozy cottages and romantic suites for two make the trip worth it. The resort is located within a 5-acre property and has been around since 1892.
Most of the structures you’ll find here have since been remodeled and renovated, but the cottage-core charm is still honored through the interiors, decor, and mostly stone and brick structures.
The Suite is specially designed for couples, with its own private entrance, wrap-around windows, and a large patio for quality time outdoors. You’ll also get Wi-Fi, a fully-equipped kitchen, and a dedicated fire pit for snuggles!
| Tips: Myers Cave Resort is also a popular wedding venue for couples who want a cottage-core wedding or winter nuptials. The resort offers a wedding package that lets couples rent the whole venue for their celebration. The package is inclusive of a wedding planner, a cottage for two pax with a hot tub, a gazebo for the ceremony, and use of the whole lodge rooms for wedding guest accommodations. The package can be customized to your liking but is only available if you’re booking at least a three-night stay at Myers Cave Resort. |
Auberge Tom
Address: 1090 Quebec Rte 105, Chelsea, Quebec J9B 1P3, Canada
Distance from OT: 20 minutes
Check In: 4:00 pm onwards
Check Out: 11:00 am
Auberge Tom is a bed and breakfast situated just 20 minutes away from downtown Ottawa and has the charm of a rustic cabin with scenic views of the Gatineau River.
The bed and breakfast features four spacious rooms, all with views of Gatineau Park. The interiors are shabby-chic-inspired, giving guests a cozy and snuggly atmosphere when they enter.
Amenities include a sunroom for lounging, a cozy living room with a fireplace, two terraces, and lush gardens. You can book a single room for two or the entire cabin for extra space and privacy.
| Tips: During Valentine’s season, Auberge Tom offers a Sweet Valentine’s Getaway Special Offer for couples staying over for a night or two. There are two types, Silver and Platinum, with dining options such as Champagne and Chocolate and Gourmet Dinner. The Silver package is inclusive of a two-night stay and two three-course breakfasts. The Platinum package offers a one-night stay with free breakfast and an additional in-room snack service. The Platinum package requires a minimum one-night stay if bookings are made on a weekday and two nights for weekends. |
Somewhere Inn Calabogie
Address: 5254 Calabogie Rd, Calabogie, ON K0J 1H0, Canada
Contact Details: +16136969600
Distance from OT: 1 hour and 5 minutes
Check In: 3:00 pm onwards
Check Out: 11:00 am
If you love winter retreats, Somewhere Inn Calabogie is a romantic getaway destination you shouldn’t miss out on. The 1970s-revived inn is surrounded by snow-capped mountains and forests of the Ottawa Valley, so it’s pretty secluded.
All the rooms in the inn are Hygge-inspired, so they’re made for guests who want to snuggle and stay in while enjoying the snowy views from the bed. Large windows line the walls, so you get tons of sunlight during the day!
If you want to take a dip, book the Calabogie King with Soaker Tub, which is a spacious room featuring a king bed and a deep soaker tub that can fit two people. The tub sits right next to your own fireplace, by the way!
| Tips: Somewhere Inn Calabogie’s rooms are analog on purpose (no TV or electronic entertainment devices) to ensure that guests stay present with their partners during their stay. You can still stay connected to their Wi-Fi connection, however! |
