When you hear the words “resort vacation”, what comes to mind? Is it a luxurious golf resort in Hawaii? An all-inclusive in the Bahamas? One of those overwater bungalows in the Maldives that’s been on my bucket list forever? You may be thinking of a far-flung destination… but don’t forget that Ontario is home to over 100 fabulous resorts! Whether you’re looking for an active “adventure” resort, a serene spa retreat or a romantic beachfront getaway, there are tons of options that don’t require a plane ticket. This summer, Tania and I were lucky enough to win a stay at the JW Marriott Resort & Spa in Muskoka, and we had an amazing time! Like many Ontarians, I’ve always dreamed of owning a Muskoka cottage… but if you’re like me and that’s not in the cards for you anytime soon, a stay at this resort is the next best thing – or dare I say, even better?! Cottage ownership may be a quintessential element of the Canadian Dream®, but it also comes with a ton of chores and maintenance. At the JW Marriott, you get none of the work with all of the perks!
Located in the little village of Minett on Lake Rosseau, the JW Marriott is one of Muskoka’s most popular hotels. The 700-acre property was originally home to Paignton House, a summer resort that first opened in 1894. The family-run business operated successfully for decades, with the original owners passing the torch down to their children, but it was eventually sold in 1973. Paignton House operated under new management for almost 30 years, but sadly, the historic building was destroyed by a massive fire in 2000. It would eventually be replaced by the grand and glorious JW Marriott Resort, which opened its doors in 2008. The JW Marriott Muskoka boasts stunning contemporary design by mackaywong, 221 rooms and suites, over 13,000 square feet of event space, and tons of incredible amenities… but it hasn’t forgotten its roots. There are charming nods to the original resort throughout the property, from its Paignton House Wing to the building’s original foundation, which can still be seen from the rooftop terrace.
With its elegant facade and New England-esque architecture, the JW Marriott wouldn’t be out of place in Maine or Rhode Island. Think classic East Coast summer vibes.
The accommodation options range from single-bed studios to multi-bedroom suites. As I mentioned earlier, we were fortunate enough to win this stay in a giveaway (how lucky is that!?) and they put us up in a Two-Bedroom Executive Suite. I’m not kidding when I tell you this suite was bigger than my last Toronto apartment! It was so large and spacious that it honestly felt a little crazy for the two of us, but that was the prize, so we just enjoyed every moment of it.
The Executive Suite has two bedrooms and two full ensuite bathrooms with double vanities, separate showers and soaker tubs. The principal bedroom has one king bed, and the second has two queens. Both have beautiful lake views, but the principal boasts a walkout to the private balcony.
There’s an open-concept living/dining area with a sofa and chairs, TV, fireplace, and six-seater dining table. The sofa pulls out to a sofa bed for more sleeping space.
The kitchen goes way beyond your typical hotel kitchenette: there’s a full-size refrigerator, oven, microwave and dishwasher. The cupboards are fully stocked with pots, pans, serving dishes, plates, glassware and cutlery, so you could actually cook and serve full meals in here.
Our favourite part of the suite? The stunning balcony! It wraps all the way around and has gorgeous panoramic views of Lake Rosseau.
Even on cloudy and chilly days, the balcony is the place to be! All you need is some good wine and cozy clothes (matching Muskoka sweaters from Big Bear Outfitters optional, but highly encouraged.)
The balcony views are equally breathtaking from morning to night.
I wouldn’t blame you for never wanting to leave your hotel room, but there’s so much more to discover on the property: five restaurants, indoor and outdoor pools, a spa, fitness centre, private beach, and tons of onsite activities.
The restaurants at the JW Marriott include:
- Muskoka Chophouse, a classic steakhouse
- Teca, an intimate Italian bistro
- Lakes Bar & Lounge, a lobby lounge serving classic North American fare
- Cottages, a casual restaurant offering breakfast, lunch and dinner buffets
- The Deck, an outdoor pizzeria overlooking the lake (open summer only)
I’d describe the vibe of Lakes Bar & Lounge as “elevated sports bar”, but – if you’re lucky enough to snag a table – they also have this beautiful jewel box of a dining room, with soaring ceilings and dramatic sculptural lighting.
Wherever you sit, be sure to order the truffle fries – they’re some of the best I’ve ever had!
I love the yellow colour palette at Cottages – it’s so cheery and nostalgic.
The Deck offers beautiful views of Lake Rosseau.
If you just want coffee or a quick bite, pop into the Country Market for snacks, breakfast pastries and hot beverages. They also have the cutest branded merch and souvenirs.
The JW Marriott is also home to the Crystal Head Vodka Icebar, a -15°C ice lounge – made from no less than 15,000 pounds of ice – which offers vodka tasting flights in a fabulously frosty setting. We didn’t get the chance to visit the Icebar during our stay, but would love to come back and check it out – perhaps in winter when we have our puffer coats at the ready!
Despite everything you’ve just read, there’s way more to do at the JW Marriott than just eat and drink. The resort has plenty of other amenities, including pools – both indoor and outdoor – for guests to enjoy. The on-site Hydrospa has its own private outdoor pool and hot tub, exclusively for the use of spa guests. This award-winning spa features a therapeutic water circuit and offers massages, body wraps, facials, manicures and pedicures, and hydrotherapy treatments.
Our favourite amenity was the private beach!
The JW Marriott grounds are so beautiful, and you could easily spend a few hours just wandering around and admiring the natural surroundings. The resort offers guided nature walks, paddle tours and year-round bicycle rentals to help visitors make the most of the property.
In fact, there are tons of on-site activities guests can enjoy at the resort: their comprehensive “enrichment schedule” includes everything from yoga classes to arts-and-crafts workshops, scavenger hunts to trivia nights, and everything in between.
While Muskoka may be best known as a summer destination, it also happens to be particularly gorgeous in the fall. If you’re looking for the perfect autumn staycation, I can’t think of a better spot than the JW Marriott. Just imagine waking up to a crisp morning, strolling out to your private balcony with coffee in hand (pumpkin spice shot optional) and admiring the views of Lake Rosseau surrounded by vibrant fall foliage. And Muskoka also happens to have plenty of fun activities and events to get you in the autumn spirit! Why not check out…
- The annual Fall Festival at Sandhill Nursery (September 13 – October 26)
- The “cranberry plunge” at Muskoka Lakes Farm & Winery (September 20 – October 31)
- The Heritage Fall Fair at Muskoka Heritage Place (October 3 – 5)
- The Bala Cranberry Festival (October 17 – 19)
- Oktoberfest Muskoka (October 23 – 26)
- Fall Colours Cruises on the Muskoka Steamships (various dates in October – see their schedule for more details)
If I missed any fun fall events in the Muskoka area, feel free to send them my way so I can add them to the list. Thanks for reading and until next time, I hope you have a great rest of your weekend – and a wonderful week ahead!
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