The Pearle Hotel and Spa is waiting for you.

Have you ever stayed in Burlington? Probably not, as it’s usually driven past by day-trippers with Niagara Falls or Toronto on their radar. If they had entered Burlington in their GPS, they’d leave the busy QEW behind and pull into an attractive lakeside city that consistently ranks as one of the best places to live in Canada. They’d also discover The Pearle Hotel and Spa.

Opened in 2021, this family-founded lakefront stunner is the first hotel in Ontario to be part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection, and for good reason. The moment you arrive, a valet appears to take care of your car so you can relax and take in the design. The Pearle’s double-height lobby channels a breezy, lake-house vibe with a sculptural spiral staircase, twinkly suspended lights and carefree, nature-inspired colours. It invites the eye to travel, and you feel part of a special place.

Elevators, discreetly out of frame on one side of the lobby, are positioned next to an unexpected vignette: a wall-mounted antique mailbox with a display of postcards for the taking. This is where The Pearle gets personal in the sweetest way. When the Ciancone family founded the hotel, they named it after their matriarch, Pearle Ciancone, who loved personal touches and handwriting. The complimentary postcards here and in each guest room encourage guests to write to loved ones—a novel act in a world where cursive script is no longer the norm. Postcards can be dropped in the mailbox, and postage is complimentary. 

This thoughtful approach informs every aspect of The Pearle where hospitality is the name of the game. The 151 rooms are airy sanctuaries with warm wood panelling, floor-to-ceiling windows, and serene bathrooms that meld contemporary design with a relaxing lakehouse feel. The full-menu spa is not to be missed (it’s a hit with locals), and its indoor turquoise pool that overlooks the lake just might make you feel like you’re in the Mediterranean.

In the afternoon and evening, Isabelle, the on-site restaurant, is a showcase for chefs who infuse local Ontario ingredients and produce from the hotel’s own farm with global flavours. Whipped feta with harissa, crispy farro and date syrup served with house-made pita is a pleasant start to any meal. There are vegan dishes, comforting crowd-pleasers like rotisserie chicken and burgers, alongside made-in-house pastas. The Nova Scotia lobster linguine with farm pesto, pecorino, and kale tastes as fabulous as it sounds. Try to snag a table on the covered and heated patio. It boasts unobstructed views of Lake Ontario and amps up the vacation vibes.

In-room dining is an option (the labneh parfait bowl is yummy), and there’s the Pearle’s Café, which also has a street-side entrance. Locals and guests congregate here for excellent coffee and treats like the best-selling power cookie. 

The city itself is a joy to discover. There’s an art gallery, royal botanical gardens, independent shops, a charming village square (complete with a red British telephone box), and much more. So, while the throngs are heading to better-advertised cities, make Burlington your getaway and treat yourself to a stay at The Pearle.

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