Good relationships are built on solid foundations with a sense of adventure and adaptability at their heart. Ontario resorts are your entry point to new landscapes and quaint small towns, adventure in sprawling provincial parks and serene wilderness that offers couples young and old a chance to reflect rediscover one another. There are starry skies, lakeside Muskoka chairs and plenty of wine awaiting you in the pristine surroundings of these Ontario getaways, made all the better with a hand to hold as you and your beloved explore the natural beauty and luxurious accommodations of these Ontario resorts.
On your way to the Westwind Inn make sure to stop by Kawartha Country Wines, a small premium family-owned winery in nearby Buckhorn, Ontario. Here local fruit is used to express the local landscape as wines, sauces, vinegars and jellies. Pick up a deep ruby Baco Noir or a dry Chardonnay which carries the aroma of local honey and rhubarb and retreat to your lakeside chalet room at the inn. There will be firewood waiting for you and your partner next to your fireplace or perhaps you prefer to warm up in the double air jet hot tub. The lake view will go well with any wine you pick and the old-fashioned four poster bed wit handmade quilt will make you feel warm and fuzzy. On the scorching summer nights fire up the AC in your spacious, tastefully decorated room.
Start the following morning with a hike – thousands of acres of crown land are right outside your door. Bike, hike, or take a leisurely stroll through the surrounding wilderness. The Inn is located in the midst of towering pines, rose-coloured granite outcroppings and other unique geological formations which contain abundant wildlife for nature lovers in Ontario’s Kawartha Highland. In the evening take a row boat or water bike out on Lower Buckhorn Lake and take in an unforgettable Kawartha sunset or lay side by side in one of the double hammocks by the shore. Later that night light a bonfire in one of the fire pits and roast some marshmallows to sweeten the deal.
Sherwood Inn is a beautiful example of the old truism that opposites attract. Equal parts rugged Muskoka backcountry and elegant luxury resort, a stay at the historic inn will help new couples get to know one other and established couples to reconnect. Situated on picturesque Lake Joseph, its crystal clear waters and stunning views will be the focal point of your getaway for two in this LGBT friendly resort.
Your mornings will begin with a hearty warm breakfast in the upstairs Vintages Dining Room overlooking the lake. Maybe you’ll rekindle fond childhood memories with buttermilk pancakes hot from the griddle or spoil yourself with a classic eggs benny with butter-rich Hollandaise. After your bellies are full and you’ve had your cup of morning coffee the world of Muskoka wilderness and the luxurious amenities of Sherwood Inn will be your oyster: sunbathe on the floating dock on Lake Joseph observing the one hour rule before going for a rejuvenating swim or take one of the resort’s canoes for a date on the water exploring the shoreline. Perhaps you just want some quiet time to relax and get to know your partner again – pull two Muskoka chairs to a shady spot near the shore and dip your toes in the sand. As the water laps at your feet you’ll be reminded of why you’re with that special someone.
At lunch you can return to the dining room or for added privacy, the resort’s Execute Chef Jose Caneira can prepare a picnic lunch for you and your sweetie to take into the surrounding forests. Grab a blanket or enjoy one of the picnic tables. The prepared meals include ingredients foraged from the surrounding woods and the property of the inn. Return to the Vintages dining room for a candle-lit dinner and explore the creative selections of the resort’s extensive wine cellar. In the evening the clear starry skies over Lake Joseph will illuminate your date night and help you create new memories with the one you love.
As you and your partner cross the threshold of your premium one bedroom suite at Rocky Crest Resort, the first things you’ll smell are the fresh firewood near your fireplace and the fresh linens on your king-sized bed. Fresh fluffy robes will be waiting for you and you can take in the splendor of your temporary residence or get your bathing suits and head for the outdoor hot tub on the Lake Joseph pool deck.
In the morning take the Island Queen Cruise leaving Perry Sound Harbour and slowly exploring the unique landmarks and summer retreats of Georgian Bay. There are rugged inner islands and narrow channels to discover, some of the most picture perfect and breathtaking scenery on Georgian Bay. Perhaps travelling by sea plane is more your style: take the 30,000 Island Tour from nearby Georgian Bay Airways and discover unique sites such as Killbear Provincial Park and the ghost town of Depot Harbour. The glacially carved shorelines of Sans Souci offer breathtaking views, photo opportunities and will surely create memories for you and your better half to share for years to come.
If you rather stay on the resort ground and take in the beautiful locale, recline on the sun deck in a chaise lounge or play in the sand on Rocky Crest’s beach. Relax from a brisk swim with a little nostalgic sand castle building. For even more nostalgia, the weekend bonfires include marshmallows for roasting. Better find you and your honey some long sharp sticks to enjoy the gooey goodness and for those who want to add an extra touch, bring chocolate and graham crackers for that campfire favorite smores.
The peaceful country surroundings of Beachwood Resort can be the setting for some unforgettable date nights. After a hearty and locally sourced dinner on the lakeside patio at Frederick’s restaurant head over to Paint Nite where a professional artist will provide all the supplies and Harry’s Bar will provide the beverages – laugh and explore your creative sides and paint some flattering or humorous portraits of one another. Budding culinary artists and foodies will want to check out the cooking classes, exploring new flavours and techniques including wine pairings.
Elmhirst’s Resort has so many options for the perfect date. To start you can take advantage of their Signature Canadian Experience package and take your partner on a floatplane for a sightseeing tour of beautiful Rice Lake. Lunch on the plane is included and features fresh ingredients produced on Elmhirt’s farm. Spend a night or two in one of their lakeside cottages and have a couples day in the on-site spa then explore the surrounding wilderness trails on horseback. Whether you’re waiting for the perfect moment to propose marriage or looking to reignite the spark in an established union, a few days at Elmhirt’s Resort will cast your relationship in a new light.
Nature lovers who crave the comforts of a full-service resort will feel at home at Killarney Lodge. A stay at the lodge will instill a sense of wonder and exploration in your relationship with a personal canoe waiting right outside your waterfront cabin door and Algonquin Park’s majestic terrain offering pristine beauty in every direction. True natural solitude will let you see the beauty of the night sky and hear the silence of a true wilderness escape, the ambience of nature sounds instilling tranquility for your romantic escape.
If we were to make a list of the most romantic getaway destinations in Canada, Niagara-on-the-Lake would be somewhere near the top. Make the Pillar and Post resort your home base as you navigate the romantic potential of the surrounding area. Wine lovers will find an olfactory treasure trove on a trolley wine tour, the wine pairing dinners at Vintages Restaurants and the many orchards and family wineries that surround the resort. All that vino will pair well with the local entertainment: why not take in opening night at one of the world-class theatre productions or enjoy the soothing twang and jaunty syncopation of the Hillebrand Jazz and Blues Festival?
Pine Vista Resort is perfect for couples wishing to get away from it all. The tranquility of the wilderness surroundings will only be disturbed by the crackling of your fireplace, the sloshing of your private whirlpool bath or the cork popping on your bottle of bubbly. Take in a couple’s massage and continue to soothe your sore muscles in the outdoor hot tub as you gaze upon the night sky. If you want even more privacy, take a picnic lunch down one of the natural trails and find your own perfect spot. This relaxing, quiet atmosphere will rekindle your passion and sense of gratitude for one another.
The bountiful wilderness and majestic groves of Ontario can be the setting for the romantic getaway of a lifetime. A quiet hike with the one you love can be restorative and life-affirming as you share your affection for one another in the serene natural beauty of Ontario. Life is too short and it’s time you and your honey did something just for yourselves. The quiet solitude and outdoor adventures at these resorts combined with world class wine and dining amenities have all the ingredients for one of the best romantic getaways of your lives.
