When I was up at Fern Resort at the end of March this year, there was still ice along the shores of Lake Couchiching. Fern has been known as “The home of rolls and honey!” since 1918, when Jim Pettapiece, an Ottawa baker, bought the place site-unseen for $750. Guest rates at the time were about $10 a week. And the fresh rolls were right there in a basket when we sat down in the dining room facing the lake. So I proceeded to dig into the Crerar’s Honey and find out what all the fuss was about. True to form, despite my wife’s warnings about ruining my appetite, I didn’t stop until the basket was empty, my fingers were sticky, and the waitress was smiling at my indulgence, no doubt having witnessed this kind of behaviour more than once.
When you’re looking for a summer escape to a family friendly resort, you don’t want just any resort. You want one that will thrill the entire family, from children to restless teens to deserving parents. You want one that children will have to be pulled away from, where parents can truly unwind, one where cherished family memories that will be fondly recalled at gatherings for years in the future are made. Thankfully, Ontario has a number that fit the bill to a tee, each one elevating a family escape to OMG-heights in their own unique ways: among them Bayview Wildwood Resort, Shamrock Lodge, Bonnie View Inn, Pine Vista Resort, and of course, Fern Resort. You don’t need to go far to relax and rejuvenate as a family. “What’s the perfect family vacation? It’s one where the kids are entertained, parents are relaxed, and where parents aren’t looking ahead to the next expense,” says Scott Collens, General Manager of Fern Resort, an Orillia property which has been perfecting the family vacation for 120 years. “That’s where an all-inclusive, family-friendly resort like Fern comes into its own. There’s so much to do that you never have to worry about children getting bored, and with their children (infant to teens) enrolled in a kids club program, parents get important alone time.” Though Fern Resort is a magical year-round destination for kids, it truly comes alive in summer with oodles of family-oriented activities—from wall-climbing to mini-golf to tennis and knee-boarding, not to mention swimming in two large pools or the clear waters of Lake Couchiching. It’s like a cruise ship on land.
Mark pointed out the in-room jacuzzi tubs and hi-speed wi-fi, the modern conference facilities and Bergwen’s magnificent ballroom, but he really got my attention when he started talking about the history of Fern Resort. Stories of romantic adventure, intrigue, tragedy, pranksterism, business success and adversity going back over a century is what I like. I like the stories. Mark’s extended family is moving into its fifth generation at Fern Resort and some of his guests have been coming every year for almost as long. It’s enough to fill a book. In fact, they have filled a book. You can pick up a copy of No Reservations at the check-in counter for about 20 bucks.
Fern Resort is one of the founding members of Resorts of Ontario, which was established in 1942.
