O Canada, will you marry us?

Just as brides and grooms seek recommendations for dresses and tuxes, so do they need ideas for honeymoon locales. Well, the short answer is Canada--especially given the country's revolutionary decision last spring to legalize gay marriage.

It's a big country with lots of love to offer, so we asked our expert contributors, fellow editors, and know-it-all friends for their favorite Canadian honeymoon destinations. Here are a few ideas (alphabetical by province).

PRINCE OF WALES HOTEL (WATERTOWN, ALBERTA)

Some honeymooners complain that their partners take more photographs of the hotel than of them; avoid this problem by keeping our photo. This hotel, dramatically perched on a spit of land in Waterton Lakes National Park, was built in 1927 to look not unlike a giant Swiss chalet. Despite its alpine charms, it's British at heart: Guests are greeted by kilt-clad young men (remember, you're just married) eager to carry your bags. Don't go looking for drag shows; the wildest this place gets is at high tea in Valerie's Tea Room. Horseback-ride, hike, tee off, or sail within the confines of the national park (that's Montana across the way). Open yearly May 30-September 22. 403-859-2231; www.princeofwaleswaterton.com, under "Lodging."

THE FAIRMONT BANFF SPRINGS (BANFF, ALBERTA)

A sophisticated 770-room outpost in the western Rockies, the town of Banff and its namesake national park offer some of the most splendid scenery on earth--so much so that the United Nations has designated the environs a "World Heritage Site." Though there's no overt gay life here, the Centre, a performing arts center in town, is a major magnet for artsy brothers and sisters from Canada and beyond. Don't be surprised to find yourselves sharing the gondola ride to the top of a nearby mountain with other gay honeymooners. 403-762-2211 or 877-441-1414; www.fairmont.com

FAIRMONT CHATEAU LAKE LOUISE (LAKE LOUISE, ALBERTA)

In the winter, dressed in snow, Lake Louise is pure whiteout. Once your eyes readjust, you'll see that this is one of the loveliest spots on earth, perfect for lovers of any age. Chateau Lake Louise is at once gargantuan and homey, almost a city unto itself--which it has to be, since your chattiest neighbors in this outpost are moose. Even if winter sports don't seduce (North America's largest ski area surrounds you), you can become transfixed gazing at the snow-covered lake--and into each other's eyes. When you're done with that, you can wander in your state of bliss to the spa. 403-522-3511 or 877-441-1414; www.fairmont.com

WHISTLER, BRITISH COLUMBIA 

You may want to time your honeymoon to coincide with Altitude, the town's now-legendary gay ski week (February 1-9, 2004; www.mywhistler.com). Whistler is a scenic hamlet with big-city attitude. This world-class skiing locale the focal point for the 2010 Olympics--is just 75 miles north of Vancouver. Even if what appeals to you most about skiing and snowboarding are the outfits (and those in them), there is plenty of sport to be found in the shops and restaurants.

SYLVIA HOTEL PACIFIC PALISADES HOTEL (VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA)

If you want to make your romance cheap--pricewise, that is--these two hotels in gaycentric Vancouver are perfect. The Sylvia is close enough to English Bay to hear the breaking waves at night and the swish of trees in Stanley Park. The Pacific Palisades, in the heart of Vancouver on Robson Street, was once a residential high-rise, so the rooms feel like real apartments--with separate kitchens, living rooms, and bedrooms. In fact, the rooms are so homey that many TV and movie types stay here during a filming in town. Sylvia Hotel, 604-681-9321, www.sylviahotel.com; Pacific Palisades Hotel, 604-688-0461 or 800-663-1815, www.pacificpalisadeshotel.com

HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA 

Nova Scotia's largest city offers honeymoon couples bliss with an array of gay establishments. The Centretown Guest House ([e-mail]; 902-422-2380) is gay-owned and operated; Bob's Guest House (902-454-4374) caters to a mixed clientele. Club NRG is the dance palace of note, and Reflections Cabaret will make Liza lovers feel right at home.

LE ROYAL MERIDIEN KING EDWARD (TORONTO, ONTARIO)

What has been the place of choice for Rudolph Valentino, Liberate, and Liz Taylor to stay overnight is certainly the right place for you to honeymoon. Since it was completed in 1903, every king and queen, movie star, and rock and roll legend (the Beatles, Rolling Stones) passing through Toronto has taken up residence at this palace-like edifice. It's the hotel's 100th anniversary (join in the celebratory events taking place all year) and the start of your first anniversary--what a coincidence. 416-863-0888 or 800-543-4300; www.lemeridien-kingedward.com

L'HOTEL GAULT (MONTREAL, QUEBEC)

Go ahead, move the furniture, it's encouraged. Here's your first chance as a married couple to decorate as you wish. The only problem is that there isn't a whole lot of furniture to move around in these ultrachic, ultraminimalist interiors (most pieces are discreet built-ins). But why be concerned with fabrics and finishes when your real agenda is love? What was once an ornate Second Empire temple of commerce in Old Montreal has been transformed into a modern-day boutique hotel with 15 spare but warm rooms. For this special occasion reserve a room with a private terrace, where you can go to cool off. Or you might request his and his--or hers and hers--Swedish massage therapists. 514-904-1616 or 866-904-1616; www.hotelgault.com

HOTEL DOMINION 1912 (QUEBEC CITY, QUEBEC)

On your way here, you'll course the narrow streets of Old Quebec and make promises to go and explore as soon as you unpack. Yet once you check in to this 60-room boutique property, romance rules. Suddenly, you're content to lounge in the soft robe that's waiting for you and relax in your plush, cocoonlike room. You might make it to the fireplace in the bar. 418-692 2224 or 888 833-5253; www.hoteldominion.com/en/accueil.asp.

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