A fabulous addition to a classic Muskoka getaway. And a new way to get there.
I was lucky enough to spend a little more than 24 hours up in Muskoka last week, allowing to take a quick peek at the new Deerhurst Resort outside Huntsville and also to fly home from Muskoka to Toronto on the first Porter Airlines flight. More on that in a bit.
I can’t quite figure out how it happened, but this was my trip to Deerhurst in maybe 36 years. Which is pretty crazy for a travel guy that absolutely adores Muskoka. But there you go.
The invite was issued to several Toronto folks so we could check out the new Lakeside Lodge building, which sits down by the water on the site of the old resort (the one where Shania Twain used to sing).
I’m happy to report it’s a beauty; thoroughly modern and up-to-date with spacious units and just the right touch of Ontario wilderness, including black pillows with a silvery outline of a deer’s head. Thankfully, they went light on the moose motif you sometimes see up north; choosing instead an elegant look worthy of a four or five-star property and allowing the big windows to bring the view inside. And the view is a big reason why we go to Muskoka; that big sky and those deep green trees and the exposed rock faces and the brilliant water sparkling in the sun.
Sunset Bay and part of Deerhurst Resort near Huntsville. JIM BYERS PHOTO
One pamphlet I saw said the design goal for the Lakeside Lodge “was to create a modern take on the era of Muskoka’s grand hotels.” They’ve done just that.
Most units look out onto one section of Peninsula Lake or another, and they have rooms that range from studios to three bedrooms, with 150 rooms in all. You’ll find tons of natural wood, soft, elegant lighting, comfortable, modern furniture and all the kitchen gear you need to whip up a great meal.
My two-bedroom unit had a large dining room table, a stunning kitchen with a stove, microwave, dishwasher, coffee maker and a stainless steel fridge, two bathrooms and a great balcony with vibrant blue Muskoka chairs; a common theme for all the rooms that really stands out.
The lodge took two years to build and cost $60 million. I was told it’s the first waterfront hotel experience to open in Muskoka in a decade.
They had a nice ribbon-cutting to open the new lodge, complete with the grown-up children of the former owners and glasses of sparkling wine. (While I’m thinking about it, I want to apologize to the video fellow who was shooting the ceremony as I mistakenly and foolishly blocked his view for a moment while trying to get a good shot of my own. So sorry about that, my good sir; I forgot you were behind me. A very bad move, but I hope you were able to make it work somehow.)
A lovely suite at Deerhurst Resort’s Lakeside Lodge. PHOTO COURTESY DEERHURST RESORT
I didn’t get to try any of the restaurants except for a nice buffet breakfast on the patio at the Eclipse Dining Room. But Chef Rory Golden did help whip up an incredible dinner for the media, which was served on the grass next to Sunset Bay beach, just a few steps from Peninsula Lake. It was a perfect night and the food was spectacular; especially the crusted rack of lamb (perfectly rare) and the AMAZING seafood chowder, which was chock full of tasty seafood and was creamy and sweet and spiced just right. If it’s not the best I’ve had, it’s in a well-deserved tie for first place.
Golden, by the way, cooked for Prime Minister Stephen Harper, President Obama and other world leaders when the G-8 summit was held here in June of 2010.
I didn’t try it, but the Compass Grill and Bar is a cozy spot right off the lobby that has marvellous, hand-painted murals/maps of the main Muskoka regions. They’re terrific.
We also had a special Deerhurst Deer Tail Ale on the patio at the Maple Pub, overlooking the lake and the Lakeside Golf Course. The beer is made especially for the hotel by the folks at Muskoka Brewery in Bracebridge.
Chef Rory Golden serves up delicious cuisine at Deerhurts Resort. PHOTO COURTESY DEERHURST RESORT
Deerhurst occupies 760 acres and has a dizzying array of activities for kids and adults; everything from golf (two courses, one par 64 and the other a full 72, designed by esteemed golf architect Tom McBroom) to ATV rides to tree-top trekking and water sports, including kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, canoeing, water skiing, swimming, wakeboarding, flyboarding, jet skis, boat tours and more. There’s also fishing, tennis, horseback riding, a petting zoo, paintball, “escape rooms,” a rock-climbing wall, a posh fitness centre, a large indoor pool, an arcade for kids and more. If you’re here in winter they can arrange cross-country skiing or downhill schussing at a club just a minute or two down the road.
We took a 45-minute hike up to a great lookout above the lake and the resort on a lovely Muskoka morning, passing through thick forests with dappled sun, enormous exposed rocks, tiny white wildflowers, pale yellow butterflies and cute, small brown toads that blended in perfectly with the fallen leaves and twigs. The view from the lookout is terrific and it’s not a hard hike.
I didn’t have time, but the on-site Amba Spa looks and smells terrific. Facials and pedicures are quite popular, as are the full massage treatments.
On top of all that, there’s a beautiful art gallery with Muskoka and Algonquin art and a truly wonderful gift shop that sells, among other things, resort-made maple syrup.
Deerhurst Resort offers up all sorts of outstanding water activities. PHOTO COURTESY DEERHURST RESORT
The original property was built by Charles Waterhouse and opened in 1896. It has grown into perhaps the premiere destination in all of Muskoka and a huge centre for meetings and conventions. There’s 40,000 square feet of meeting space and 26 meeting rooms. That includes the marvellous Legacy Hall, which is 11,000 square feet and has a full stage.
Deerhurst also hosts top names for concerts and shows, including Jim Cuddy of Blue Rodeo, fiddler Natalie McMaster and Randy Bachman of Bachman Turner Overdrive fame.
There are a variety of buildings around the grounds, some offering golf course views and others tucked into leafy woods. It’s a bit of a hodge podge, but it all works nice and provides a nice amount of choice; some 575 guest rooms in all.
The Lakeside lodge officially opened for reservations on June 28. The day before that were the first-ever Porter Airlines flights between Toronto’s Billy Bishop Airport (the Island Airport) and Muskoka Airport, located in Gravenhurst and nearly midway between Gravenhurst and Bracebridge.
It was a momentous occasion for Muskoka tourism, which has wanted to get Porter up their way for years. Fly GTA airlines currently flies much smaller planes, and they’re great. But that’s not the same as a big-name airline like Porter.
A marvellous sunset at Deerhurst Resort in Muskoka. JIM BYERS PHOTO
The first Porter flight was greeted with a water-spraying ceremony by local firetrucks. A couple folks in folding chairs sat in the steaming heat on the tarmac for nearly an hour just to see the plane come in, while dignitaries mingled and tried to find a bit of shade.
The Porter flights can connect passengers from other cities, including U.S. destinations, through Billy Bishop Airport. And that’s a great way to increase international visitation and visitor spending. Foreign visitors tend to spend a great deal more on Canadian holidays than do domestic visitors, so going after international travellers is a good business plan.
“Porter has received strong interest in its seasonal Muskoka flights since we announced service in the spring,” said Robert Deluce, executive chairman of Porter Airlines. “Travellers value convenience and we are dedicated to making Muskoka more accessible, whether you’re taking the short flight from Toronto or connecting from one of our other destinations.”
Porter flights will operate twice a week, with service on Thursdays and Mondays until Sept. 3. (If it’s a long-weekend, I’m told the Monday flights move to Tuesday).
Deerhurst Resort has been captivating visitors to Muskoka since 1896. JIM BYERS PHOTO
I fell in love with Muskoka on my first visit there back in, oh, 1980 or 1981. There are few places in the world that make me as happy, and it’s truly a destination that everyone can find something wonderful in. The resorts are magnificent, the scenery sensational and the small towns a joy. I especially love Port Carling and Huntsville, but also love Don’s Bakery in Bala and a visit to the Kee to Bala to see great bands, such as Blue Rodeo. In Gravenhurst, be sure to check out Peter’s Players for awesome music in a tiny but marvellous setting. And do not miss a chance to try a lake trip on one of the old boats in the region. The Segwun and Wenonah steam their way out of Gravenhurst, while the beautiful SS Bigwin glides about on Lake of Bays.
Explorers’ Edge, the regional tourism organization, also launched its seasonal shuttle bus service, providing Porter passengers transportation from Muskoka Airport to accommodations across the region. Deerhurst Resort is one of the properties taking part. The organization is also offering a traveller incentive of $100 in spending vouchers for those booking a flight and accommodation.
The first Porter Airlines flight from Toronto to Muskoka lands on June 27, 2019. JIM BYERS PHOTO
I’m also told that Discount Car Rentals in Bracebridge can arrange to have a car ready for you at the Muskoka Airport, which is quite small but a charming facility. Hammond Transportation also can arrange cars to whisk you to your favourite resort.
“Explorers’ Edge is excited to have partnered with Porter Airlines to introduce seasonal service to the Muskoka Airport,” said James Murphy, executive director of the regional tourism organization. “Muskoka and Algonquin Park are among the nation’s most popular vacation destinations, and this service will allow domestic and international tourists to have much easier access to a spectacular holiday here. We are very pleased to welcome the world via Porter’s extensive network.”
NOTE: My visit to Muskoka and my return flight to Toronto on Porter Airlines was paid for by Deerhurst Resort and Muskoka Tourism.
They did not review or see this story prior to publication.
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