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Think of Muskoka, Ontario and the first images that come to mind are the region’s beautiful mirrored lakes, tall pine trees and rocky shorelines. But there’s another reason to head north of Toronto.
The region’s select luxury Muskoka resorts also offer the opportunity to dine on fine, locally-sourced cuisine that’s well worth making Canada’s most star-studded cottage country part of your summer plans.
If you’re planning a Muskoka vacation at a luxury resort, here are our top picks for where to stay.
We’ve also got tips on the best Muskoka restaurants and top things to do on a weekend getaway from Toronto.
1. Windermere House Lake Rosseau
When it comes to cuisine, you won’t be disappointed with Windermere House, a classic Muskoka resort, 2.5 hours north of Toronto on Lake Rosseau.
While chef’s whites might seem an unusual sight against the iconic green backdrop of pine forest, this luxury Muskoka resort is as much about preserving cottage country traditions as it is about blazing culinary trails.
For sushi lovers, there’s even a take-out menu featuring ultra-fresh salmon sashimi, Black Dragon and California rolls.
Windermere House features four dining options, including Muskoka’s oldest pub, founded in 1870.
For food fans, the menu at the Rosseau Grill (dishes can also be enjoyed on the verandah) features a wealth of locally-sourced ingredients.
You’ll find inventive dishes such as a Milford Bay smoked trout starter and fresh pickerel plucked from the waters of Northern Ontario and crusted with cornmeal and sumac. Vegetarians will be thrilled with the many options.
For the perfect portable boating snack for a day on the water, get an order of sushi to go.
Sitting on the resort’s Victorian-style veranda and sipping a Summer Collins, a defty-mixed cocktail of gin, lemon juice and pink peppercorns topped with soda, is the perfect Muskoka cottage country atmosphere.
And proof that it’s one of the best tourist spots to visit in Canada to experience Canada’s wilderness without roughing it.
It offers the quintessential northern Canadian summer scenery. You’ll be surrounded by gnarled trees, Canadian Shield and endless skies – minus the lumpy mattresses, musty Mad magazines and faded sofas in the typical rustic cottage.
Click here to check prices and availability at Windermere House.
2. J. W. Marriott The Rosseau Resort and Spa
You’ve got to get on the water to truly experience the spirit of the Muskoka Lakes. While a classic thing to do is take the Segwun steamship tour and gawk at digs owned by celebs like Goldie Hawn and Tom Hanks, a top thing to do on a family vacation in Canada is to go fishing.
One of the best luxury resorts for families in Ontario is the J.W. Marriott The Rosseau Resort and Spa. The design of this lakefront resort is modelled on the Royal Muskoka Hotel, a 1901 landmark known for its high society clientele.
You’re likely to see Lamborghinis in the driveway and plenty of million-dollar views, but the resort is also committed to providing authentic Muskoka experiences along with the glitz.
“Sports-fishing is one of the best-kept secrets of the Muskokas,” explained our guide, who hails from Lake Nipissing, earning him instant street-cred.
Instead of the usual leaky 14-foot aluminum boat of my childhood fishing trips, at the J.W. Marriott The Rosseau Resort and Spa fishing has been elevated to a luxury experience.
While I didn’t catch one of the 4- foot long pikes reported to be in the waters of Lake Rosseau, bobbing on the waves was fine with me.
I lounged on a white leather settee while a powerful engine got me back to the resort in time for my spa treatment.
The Muskoka Spa Rosseau draws its inspiration from Muskoka’s rock, wind and water. I soon lost myself in a botanical infused facial that was relaxing as a calm day on the water.
Another memorable experience is dining at Crossroads in Rosseau, helmed by Owners/Chefs, Julie and Richard Lalonde (Phone for reservations 705.732.4343).
Don’t miss trying the hand-cut mushroom ravioli. Another popular option is the Georgian Bay pickerel, pan-seared and served with a refreshing fennel salad.
Click here to check prices and availability at J.W. Marriott The Rosseau Resort and Spa.
3. Touchstone Resort, Lake Muskoka
Another top luxury resort in Muskoka is Touchstone Resort on Lake Muskoka. Built on the former site of Aston Beach Resort and Tamwood Lodge, Touchstone does the Grand Resort revival well.
Soaring buildings hug the rocky granite landscape and haute décor includes skylights and sleek furnishings.
You can float on your back in the infinity pool (Muskoka’s first) and looked up at the night sky through the top of a 100-year-old long-needle pine.
Unlike the Windermere and J.W. Marriott, Touchstone Resort is a collection of luxury waterfront resort condominiums. This means many of the other guests are owners or renters who are staying for longer than just a few nights. This adds to a more relaxed feel.
It’s also very well-suited for a family vacation. The units vary in size with 4-bedroom villas being perfect for a family vacation in Muskoka.
If you’re travelling with small children, you might want to pack some of these travel rail beds for toddlers to stop your little ones from rolling out of bed.
Couples on a budget can opt for a smaller studio suite in the Main Lodge. They’re located near the spa, restaurant and infinity pool.
Although there are dining options available onsite (or for take-out), each of the units (including studios) come equipped with kitchenettes or full kitchens.
Click here to check prices and availability at Touchstone Resort.
The Muskoka Lakes region is definitely one of the top destinations for a summer weekend getaway in Ontario.
Top Luxury Muskoka Resorts Travel Guide
Getting to Muskoka: If you’re headed to Muskoka Lakes Ontario and want to avoid the traffic, Cameron Air Services offers float plane service on their fleet of Cessna planes to Muskoka, Georgian Bay and Temagami. It’s not cheap but the scenic views of the Muskoka Lakes (and Toronto) are unforgettable.
Another, more economical option for flying to Muskoka is via Porter Airlines. Porter Airlines has launched seasonal service from downtown Toronto to Gravenhurst, Muskoka (YQA). The flight takes 35 minutes and you’ll skip all the highway traffic.
Once you arrive you’ll be a short drive to Muskoka’s lakes, luxury resorts and cottage docks.
Porter Airlines flies to Muskoka from June 25, 2020 through September 8, 2020 on Thursdays. One-way fares cost around $116 CAD.
Getting to Muskoka by Car: A great base to begin a Muskoka vacation is Port Carling, located in the heart of cottage country along Highway 118 northwest of Gravenhurst. Known as the “Hamptons of the North”, Port Carling offers small town atmosphere with the cachet of the moneyed crowd.
It’s not by accident that both the Lake Rosseau Circle Tour and the Lake Muskoka Circle Tour include Port Carling on their carefully chosen scenic drives.
Pick up a Muskoka Driving Tour map at the Visitors Centre (1 800-267-9700; www.discovermuskoka.ca), Highway 11 north of Severn Bridge.
If you’re coming from Ottawa, it’s a 4 hour drive.
Travel Resources: Ontario Tourism Official Tourism Site
What to Pack: Unlike other cottage country areas of Ontario such as the Kawartha Lakes where dining out is as carefree as throwing on a cover-up and flip-flops, Muskoka resorts and restaurants are more upscale.
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Culture Tripper
The setting and infinity pool at Touchstone resort is stunning! Much more appealing than wading in on muddy lake floor–always think I feel fish brushing against my legs. I would definitely be up for the northern Canadian summer experience at one of these gorgeous resorts in the ‘new’ Muskoka.
budget jan
Lovely writing Michele – very evocative – I felt I was along rediscovering Canada with you.
Cathy Sweeney
I love it when I learn about cuisine that preserve traditions while creating unique dishes with new ideas. Sounds like Chef Marchment is doing just that. Muskoka certainly looks like a beautiful place to enjoy new culinary experiences. I admit I wouldn’t mind spotting celebs in the area, too. 🙂
Billie Frank
One of the things I love about reading travel blogs is discovering places I’ve never heard of. Muskoka is new to me- clearly not to celebrity radar. Would love to visit!
Sue Reddel
This updated classic summer resort looks like a perfect spot to relax and enjoy. That infinity pool looks so inviting and I’m sure the Summer Collins would help melt all your troubles away.
jenny@atasteoftravel
How fabulous to have such a beautiful area so close to Toronto. The hard decision would be to choose where to stay! I’m now intrigued and can see on that beautiful verandah, sipping a sumner Collins and deciding which restaurant to go for dinner!
Betsy Wuebker | PassingThru
Hi Michele – Your description of a Canadian summer – lumpy mattresses, Mad Magazines, et al. – took me back immediately to my own childhood in Michigan, and later to time whiled away at my husband’s family’s cabin in Northern Minnesota. We love that a bit of sophistication is being added to the classic traditional whitefish and s’mores camping menus! Muskoka has so much appeal not only for the nostalgic, but the present. It’s no wonder that celebrities have appropriated a lakeside hideaway for themselves.
Irene S. Levine
Your post beautifully set the stage for a mouth-watering story. I had never heard of Muskoka. It looks like a wonderful summer getaway!