I’ve always said that while I live for travelling abroad, there’s something so special about discovering hidden gems within Ontario. From Muskoka to Niagara and everything in between, Nitin and I are always up for a new adventure. This past long weekend we had the pleasure of visiting one of Ontario’s finest 5-star, all-inclusive (yup, all-inclusive!) luxury eco-resorts, Couples Resort. Situated less than 4 hours north of Toronto, this hidden gem offers a unique luxury experience unlikely any other resort in Ontario.

The Drive

Ok, I know the 4 hour commute might scare some of you but let me assure you that it is totally worth it, and feels more like 1 hour than 4 once you’re out of the city. Not only is the drive quite easy (says the gal who sits back and drinks coffee the entire trip hehe), but the views along the way are incredible. Nitin and I were surprised to see some leaves already starting to change colour, so I can only imagine how gorgeous this drive would be in a month or so.

I initially thought the resort was a couple hours from home, and truth be told I did a little happy dance when I found out it was 4 hours away. I adore road trips with Nitin because we get rare, uninterrupted time to chat about anything and everything! We laugh, we sing, we cry (ok maybe not the cry part, but you get the point) and enjoy every second of our time together. We usually stop once along the way for Nitin to stretch his legs (there is a super cute Starbucks at Weber’s around an hour and a half from the resort and a Kawartha ice cream ..yum!), but the commute is short enough where a stop isn’t required if you’re in a rush to get to your destination.

All-Inclusive

While all-inclusive resorts are a dime a dozen in the Caribbean, they are a tad harder to find here in Ontario. So what exactly does all-inclusive mean at Couples Resort? I’m so glad you asked! First off, they have a no tipping policy as they prefer guests spend on a relaxing spa treatment or enjoying a bottle of wine which I found to be an amazing concept. When booking Couples Resort, the price you see includes:

• 5 course gourmet dinner (seriously delish!)
• A la carte breakfast
• All water sports
• Rec room
• Pool and patios
• Tesla charging stations
• Gym
• Museum
• Art Gallery
• Algonquin Park daily pass
• Free Netflix + streaming wifi
• Lakeview room with wood burning fireplace and outdoor hot tubs (minimum 600 square feet)

With room service also included, guests can opt to have dinner and breakfast served in their rooms. The only things not included are spa treatments (returning guests receive two free treatments), lunch, drinks from the bar (coffee, cappuccino, lattes are included) and parking.

Accommodations

With 6 gorgeous room types to choose from, each one is equipped with a wood burning fireplace and outdoor hot tub. This luxurious yet intimate resort can host up to 46 couples in one of their following room types:

• 12 Master’s Jr. Suites (1000 square feet)
• 17 King Jr. Suites (600 square feet)
• 2 Utopian Cabins (700 square feet)
• 6 Exotic Jr. Suites (600 square feet)
• 6 Spa Villa’s equipped with separate spa facilities (1000 square feet)
• 3 Chataeaus equipped with separate spa facilities (1400 square feet)

Nitin and I stayed in the Master’s Jr Suite (Gauguin), and it was absolutely stunning. Located in a separate building housing 12 suites, this old-European style room is equipped with a king size bed, wood burning fireplace (probably the most romantic part of our stay), seating area and washroom with heated floors.

This suite also features a walk-out balcony with lounge chairs and a hot tub. We enjoyed beautiful views of the lake and pool each day and couldn’t get over how quite and peaceful the grounds are. A massive perk of booking at the Couples Resort is the fact that each room offers a lake view, and with a spacious lakefront property there literally isn’t a bad view on the resort.

Our room was extremely clean and well maintained, and was more than enough space for Nitin and I to sprawl out.

Activities

From water sports to hiking to spa-ing, this is the perfect retreat to truly get away and enjoy the outdoors. Nitin is nowhere near as outdoorsy as I am (he can’t stand bugs lol), so I love pushing him outside of his comfort zone to experience new things. While we had a blast on the paddle boats we weren’t quite brave enough to try the kayaks this time around, but they’re on the list for our next stay. A great tip we received from the owner John Sorensen, is to stay around 10 feet from the shoreline to get the best views of nature and possibly spot some wildlife (as opposed to floating in the middle of the lake).

The resort also offers canoes, row boats and motor boats, and has a fully stacked Sports Centre on site for all your equipment needs, including life jackets. Whether you’re looking for a quick 30 minute paddle or a half day stroll down the lake, these is something for everyone. We had no issues with booking the boats or equipment, and no time restrictions either which was lovely.

Nitin and I of course jumped on the opportunity to go biking and explore the area, and we also did a hike as there are loads of trails close by. Guests can enjoy seasonal activities such as fishing, horseback riding, cross country skiing and snowshoeing to name a view, making this the perfect resort for any time of the year!

The spa was unfortunately fully booked during our stay, so while I can’t give my feedback I do recommend booking your treatments prior to arrival. There is one RMT on staff, so if you plan to write off your massage you will have to book separate treatments from your significant other. The treatments are all extremely reasonably priced, and if I had to choose one it was probably be the Ayurveda Indian Head Massage.

Aside from the outdoors, Nitin and I also managed to snuggle up in our room with some good ol’ Netflix, and enjoy time on our balcony hot tub with a bottle of wine …not without a game of ping pong first!

Dining

Included in your stay is a delicious five course dinner (drinks are additional), plus an a la carte breakfast. There is a strict guest code for dinner so make sure to pack some semi-formal attire, including a jacket or tie for the gents. There is no dress code for breakfast.

I loved trying new dishes during our stay, but Nitin remained quite loyal to his jambalaya having it both evenings. With two appetizers, an amuse bouche, main entrée and dessert per person, you are guaranteed to be rolling out of Bear Trail restaurant each night.

The only restaurant on site, Bear Trail, is located in the main building and offers live music during dinner, lakeside and property views, and a carefully curated menu with plenty of options for all taste buds, including vegetarians/vegans and those with dietary restrictions. My favourite appetizers were a toss between the crab cakes and quinoa Greek salad, with the bucatini carbonara taking the cake for the most scrumptious entrée. Nitin swore by the risotto jambalaya and was not disappointed. If you’re too full for dessert (the chocolate ganache tower and Japanese souffle were our favs), take it to-go and eat in your room once your stomach can fit it in.

Overall, Nitin and I had a lovely little getaway and would recommend this place for couples of all ages looking to connect with nature and enjoy some quality time together. A huge thank you to John Sorensen and The Couple Resort team for the incredible hospitality and unforgettable experience

SHOP THE POST

Topshop Cropped Sweatshirt in Blue, Topshop Cropped Sweatshirt in Yellow, Burberry Buckle Bag (sold out, but similar here), Topshop Frey Hem Denim Skirt, Tory Burch Jeans.

xo, Kiki