CAA/AAA Four Diamond Resort with Contemporary Dining and Spa

As a CAA/AAA Four Diamond Resort Four-Diamond resort, White Oaks Resort & Spa is a destination unto itself. Located in the heart of Niagara-on-the-Lake’s wine country, the 13-acre property is home to one of the area’s largest luxury spas, as well as a 110,000-square-foot fitness center packed with tennis courts, an indoor pool, and three floors of state-of-the-art fitness equipment. Between yoga classes and body wraps, guests can dine at the hotel's award-winning restaurant or grab bites at the health-conscious café. The hotel is a 15-minute drive from the town of Niagara-on-the-Lake, which was named the country’s best food-and-wine destination by TripAdvisor in 2011. It's also near Fallsview Casino and Casino Niagara, where you'll enjoy $50 gaming credit.

White Oaks Resort & Spa is committed to promoting health and wellness. At LIV Restaurant, the chefs customize the menu every season to take advantage of the freshest local produce. In the morning, you'll find organic and gluten-free options along with heartier breakfast fare. Play Urban Café serves craft cocktails until 1 a.m., and there’s a menu of whole-wheat pizzas and traditional pub fare.

The hotel's health-promoting philosophy goes beyond its cuisine. At the onsite spa, you can use your credit to choose from a handful of treatments, such as a Nectar of Niagara body scrub, which uses agave-nectar oil to exfoliate the skin. You’ll also have access to the 110,000-square-foot Club at White Oaks fitness center, where you can swim in the indoor pool or take a group fitness class. Back in the hotel, superior rooms feature luxurious Frette bed linens and bathrooms with wall-mounted TVs.

Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario: Quaint Streets and Wineries just North of the Falls

Named to distinguish itself from nearby Niagara Falls, Southern Ontario’s Niagara-on-the-Lake has become a thriving tourist attraction of its own, earning the nickname "Loveliest Town in Canada." Visitors come for its calm weather and quaint streets lined with brick buildings, antique shops, and art galleries. The town's National Heritage District features the unique Niagara Apothecary, a restored old-fashioned pharmacy, with walls displaying the actual tonics, salves, and cure-alls available in 1869.

The area has 28 wineries, many of which are within a few minutes of each other. Though typical varietals such as merlot and cabernet sauvignon are grown here, those looking for a truly unique wine-drinking experience should try the region’s famous ice wine. Made from grapes that have been frozen during the Canadian winter, ice wine is a dessert wine that’s sweeter and more concentrated than most varietals.

If you're driving to Niagara Falls, the Canadian side of the Niagara River is the ideal place to admire the American, Bridal Veil, and Horseshoe Falls. Although the iconic Maid of the Mist boat tours only run April through October, the Journey Behind the Falls attraction stays open year-round. Board an elevator to descend through bedrock, leading to tunnels and observation decks just steps from Horseshoe Falls' cascading water. A recent addition, Niagara's Fury takes guests on a 4-D, multisensory ride that details the creation of the falls, with special effects that enhance the interactive, 360-degree experience.

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