Location: Napa
Bed & bath: 2 bedrooms, 1 bath
Top amenities: Library, gazebo, walkable to downtown Napa

Wine Country romantics, this stately Napa residence feels like stepping into a beautifully preserved chapter of the past. Built in 1898, the Stoddard House is a grand European-style home with vaulted ceilings, original red fir floors, and a double parlor that once hosted family weddings and daily life more than a century ago. Wander through Victorian cottage gardens before settling underneath one of the stately chandeliers, which illuminates an eclectic mix of Victorian, Art Deco, Asian, and contemporary design. Thoughtful renovations have brought modern comfort. Expect a weekend full of long baths, quiet hours in the library, and evenings spent in leather club chairs with a glass of Napa Valley sparkling. Best of all, the home is just a leisurely stroll from downtown restaurants, tasting rooms, and boutiques.

There are plenty of reasons to head to Capitol Reef National Park in Utah, not the least of which is the wonderful views and park access you can expect from the nearby lodging options. Whether you’re on the hunt for something off-the-grid or a boutique hotel just steps away from a hiking path, staying in one of the spectacular vacation rentals and hotels near Capitol Reef National Park can make your trip that much more memorable.

All five of Utah’s national parks (Arches, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, and Zion) dazzle with otherworldly vistas and red rock views. But aside from Capitol Reef’s incredible natural landscapes—soaring arches and massive sandstone bridges—it’s known for something the Instagram-famous Zion is not: its lack of crowds.

When I first visited 15 years ago, Capitol Reef and its gateway town, Torrey, felt almost like a ghost town. Amenities in Torrey were few, and you could drive in on a Friday afternoon and find a prime camping spot right inside the park. During last year’s spring visit, I found the park somewhat busier than in the past, but many visitors still chose to skip it in favor of big-name favorites like Bryce and Zion.

I’ve returned many times throughout the years, and now, new coffee shops and restaurants line the town’s streets, and those formerly walk-in camp spots require reservations year-round. But you’ll still get a sense of solitude you may miss at Utah’s other parks, while enjoying views of the petroglyphs, red-rock arches, and scenic roadways that wowed me on my first visit—no park shuttle or park reservation required. To experience Capitol Reef best, stay at one of these vetted Airbnbs, boutique hotels, glampsites, and modern cabins. Read on for my favorite places to stay around Capitol Reef National Park for year-round stargazing, hiking, and nature views.

When I moved to the US from Canada eight years ago, I quickly learned that several words have different meanings between countries. One of those words is “cottage.” Growing up just outside of Toronto, I’ve always known a cottage to be a vacation home—a second property to escape to when you need to touch grass, most often large and luxurious enough to house an entire friend group, located near a lake for swimming and boating, and with a firepit out back to drink Molsons and Mooseheads around. But Americans, I found out, think of small, simple structures when they hear the word “cottage.” Something more akin to a shack than a multi-level lakehouse. But that’s all changing now that Heated Rivalry has taken over screens, hearts, and minds on both sides of the border.

The television show, which focuses on the queer love story between two pro hockey players—based on author Rachel Reid’s popular Game Changers book series—sees protagonists Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov bring their relationship to a climax when Ilya decides to fly out to visit Shane’s multi-million-dollar cottage outside of Montreal, Quebec. Showrunner Jacob Tierney has shared that the cottage scenes were actually filmed in the neighboring province of Ontario, at a private property called Barlochan Cottage in the Muskokas, a lakefront region about two-ish hours north of Toronto that defines “cottage country” for many Canadians—myself included. And viewers have fallen head over ice skates for what they’ve seen on the screen.

As a Canuck who has spent time in both the Muskokas and Montreal (I went to McGill, where Shane’s dad played hockey, humble brag), I went ahead and scouted out some of the most exquisite cottages for rent across Ontario and Quebec, should you be after a little romantic rendezvous—or just a G-rated escape into nature—of your own. Much like Hollander’s hideaway, many of the properties on this list boast floor-to-ceiling windows for gazing out at the lake, modern kitchens for whipping up delicious tuna melts, and plenty of cozy lounge spaces for…relaxing. Read on for some of the finest Canadian cottages on the market—trust me, you’re going to want to book one before hockey season ends and cottage season begins.

We’ve selected these listings based on Superhost status, ratings, amenities, location, decor, editor stays, and previous guest reviews.

Number of guests: 4
Bed and bath: 2 bedrooms, 1 bath
Why we love it: Lake view, electric bikes, heated pool, sauna

This spotless, lakeside home in Germany’s Windenbruch village is essentially a private resort, with different things to do at every season. In the summer, choose from a swim in the pool or the crystal clear lake, kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding, or reading a book on the sun loungers. In the winter, curl up by the fireplace, or have a sweat in the sauna or hot tub. The hosts offer complimentary electric bikes, too, so you can ride around the foothills of the Ebbe Mountains.

Neighborhood: Windebruch
Things to do nearby: Atta Cave, Burg Schnellenberg castle, Bigge Reservoir

Number of guests: 4
Bed and bath: 1 bed, 1 bath
Why we love it: In-unit washer/dryer, room-darkening shades, proximity to metro

Perfect for a group of four, this newly refurbished apartment features a private balcony overlooking the city skyline, including an unobstructed view of the Eiffel Tower. Completely dressed in neutrals, the space is a calm oasis, perfect for unwinding after hours spent exploring the city. There’s one queen-size bed, one sofa bed, and plenty of plush seating areas to lounge around in. Be sure to take advantage of the two-minute walk to the Felix Faure metro station.

Neighborhood: 15th arrondissement
Things to do nearby: Luxembourg Gardens, Champ de Mars, Statue of Liberty

Bed & bath: 5 bedrooms, 5 baths
Top amenities: Heated in-ground pool, two large balconies, hot tub

Whether you’re looking for a spring break retreat or a summer getaway, this five-bedroom home could be the perfect fit. The entire home can sleep up to 16 people across three king bedrooms, a queen bedroom, and a room with two sets of bunk beds. Plus, it’s just 53 steps from the beach (yes, the hosts counted). The coastal vibes are prominent in each of the bedrooms, with beachy, floral wallpaper and bright colors. The kitchen is ideal for making easy meals or just dishing out cereal for breakfast, but since the home is so close to many of the best restaurants, you’ll likely be going out to eat for dinner. Outside, a heated in-ground pool and hot tub make for a fabulous place to hang out and enjoy some fun when you want a change in scenery from the beach.

Bed & bath: 2 bedrooms, 1 bath
Top amenities: Pink sofa, rain shower, clawfoot tub

This shotgun cottage in Tremé may have old bones, but inside it’s the stuff of Instagram dreams: a millennial pink sofa and soft mint paint, gleaming white subway tile, rattan furnishings, and strategically placed monstera leaves. There are two queen beds, plus a single, and a shared penny-tile bath with a rain shower, twin vanities, and heaps of cushy spa towels. The dining room table seats up to six guests, or your crew can gather for meals in the backyard, where the only thing sweeter than the bright blue picnic table is the clawfoot bathtub teeming with plants. In terms of location, the 7th Ward is a diverse and historically Creole neighborhood, walkable to the Degas House, City Park, and Le Musée, a.k.a. the Free People of Color Museum. The French Quarter, meanwhile, is about 20 minutes away by taxi.