Photo courtesy Pinestone Resort & Conference Centre
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From skiing and snowmobiling in winter to boating and swimming in the summer months, there’s no shortage of things to do in Haliburton. Located just a few hours’ drive from Toronto and Ottawa, the Haliburton Highlands have a little something for everyone. From its picturesque lakes and rolling hills, its quaint small towns, its excellent restaurants, as well as its vibrant arts community, all add up to making Haliburton an ideal and versatile vacation destination.
But just as important as your time outside are the accommodations you come back to when you’re done having fun. While not uber-luxurious, this curated a list of top Haliburton hotels that will have you coming back again and again.
Whether you’re a couple looking for a romantic weekend getaway or a family looking for some holiday fun, this list of the best resorts in Haliburton is guaranteed to serve up a memorable Cottage Country experience.
The Best Resorts in Haliburton
Sir Sam’s Inn & Spa
No matter what time of year you visit, there’s never a shortage of outdoor activities to enjoy when you’re staying at Sir Sam’s Inn & Spa. In the summer, the inn takes advantage of its location on the shores of Eagle Lake to offer an array of water sports for its guests to enjoy.
In winter, the resort partners with local companies to offer snowmobiling and dogsledding packages. The hotel is also right next to Sir Sam’s ski hill (Sir Sam’s Ski / Ride) and has a network of hiking, snowshoeing, and cross-country ski trails. After enjoying all the outdoor amenities, head to the inn’s WaterSpa or to the soaking tubs featured in most of the rooms.
Widely regarded as one of the most romantic inns in Ontario, Sir Sam’s started over 100 years ago with just the main inn, but has since expanded to offer a range of accommodations from cozy rustic rooms in the inn – perfect for a couples getaway – to private cottages with multiple bedrooms and full kitchens. The resort is adults only, so it’s ideal for couples and friend groups looking for a rustic getaway.
LuxuryOntario Recommends: To learn more about what is widely regarded as one of the best places to stay in Haliburton, visit Sir Sam’s Inn & Spa
Pinestone Resort & Conference Centre
Vacation-goers wanting to experience beautiful views of the Haliburton Highlands should search no further than Pinestone Resort. With over 160 acres of land to explore, the resort offers a variety of seasonal activities to get its guests into nature, including snowshoeing and Nordic skiing in the winter and an 18-hole golf course in the summer.
Pinestone was originally built to host NHL players who were teaching at a nearby hockey camp in Minden Ontario, and has hosted such greats as Bobby Orr and Wayne Gretzky, which speaks to its excellent amenities. The resort offers rooms as well as villas and chalets which overlook the golf course, so it’s great for small family getaways as well as larger groups.
LuxuryOntario Recommends: Learn more at Pinestone Resort
Heather Lodge
Heather Lodge offers a uniquely intimate experience among Minden hotels, making it ideal for a couple’s getaway. With just 12 rooms on the property, guests can relax away from the noise on the tranquil shores of Twelve Mile Lake, take advantage of the in-house massage therapist, and indulge in locally sourced ingredients in the dining room.
The lodge offers a variety of water sports, a swimming area, and everything guests need to lounge on the docks. Twelve Mile Lake is also known for its fishing and is part of a three-lake chain which guests can explore by boat.
LuxuryOntario Recommends: Find out more at Heather Lodge
Bonnie View Inn
Bonnie View Inn offers a great kid-friendly Ontario vacation with a wide assortment of seasonal activities. In the summer, the resort features water trampolines, beach volleyball, mountain biking and an on-site school teaching water skiing, jet skiing, and flyboarding. In the winter, Bonnie View has tobogganing hills, skating on the lake, and discounted tickets to Sir Sam’s ski hill. All in all, a huge variety of activities to keep the little ones entertained.
And when you need a break from all this activity, Bonnie View Inn offers a dockside patio and stunning views of Lake Kashagawigamog. Each of the property’s 26 rooms has a view of the lake, and the Honeymoon Chalet is actually on the beach, just steps from the water.
LuxuryOntario Recommends: See more at Bonnie View Inn
Ogopogo Resort
Ogopogo Resort is a cozy family-owned resort perfect for vacationers looking to explore the beautiful lakes in the Haliburton Highlands. It’s located on crystal-clear Mountain Lake, which is connected to the Minden White Water Preserve. It’s also near the Frost Centre, a stunning region of lakes and forests which contains nearly 40 km of hiking trails, and 22 km of groomed cross-country ski trails in winter.
Ogopogo offers fishing boat rentals in the summer and ice fishing in the winter, among many other exciting outdoor amenities. The resort has six cottages, ranging from studios to three bedrooms, with rustic exteriors and modern interiors for guests’ comfort.
LuxuryOntario Recommends: Find out more at Ogopogo Resort
Dominion Hotel
The Dominion Hotel in Minden is a unique vacation destination because of its historic feel. It opened in 1862 (before Canada was even a country) and has the Minden main street on one side and the Gull River on the other. The building has been recently renovated to feature modern amenities while maintaining the historic ambiance.
The Dominion is deeply immersed in the town’s culture, with rooms on the second floor and a pub on the ground floor where events and concerts are regularly hosted. The pub serves local Haliburton-area beers and has a rooftop patio which overlooks the river.
LuxuryOntario Recommends: See their rooms and events, as well as rates and reviews, at Dominion Hotel
Getaways At Haliburton Heights
Getaways at Haliburton Heights offers spacious suites and beautiful views and is great for families or couples looking to explore the area. The resort is right across from Lake Kashagawigamog, which is great for swimming in the summer and strolling across in the winter.
Located just outside of Haliburton, this hotel is ideal for those who want to explore what the town has to offer from local art and events to skiing and hiking. It offers spacious rooms complete with dining areas and kitchenettes, which makes it perfect for groups and families who want to spread out in their home away from home.
LuxuryOntario Recommends: Find out more a Getaways At Haliburton Heights
Red Umbrella Inn
If you’ve ever wanted a spa experience without having to leave your hotel room, the Red Umbrella Inn is perfect for you. Guests at the Inn can stay in their own cottage on the shores of Twelve Mile Lake with a private jacuzzi or sauna exclusively for their enjoyment. The saunas even have one-way windows so you can enjoy the scenic views while you relax.
The Red Umbrella Inn also has a beautiful lakeside dining room, where guests can get three-course meals and hot breakfasts included in the price of their stay. The variety and luxury of their accommodations make the Red Umbrella a standout among Haliburton hotels.
Visit www.redumbrellainn.com/index.html for further details
Minden House Cottages
With the original house built in 1866, Minden House Cottages continues to offer guests a quaint and historic stay in Minden. Their five cottages overlook the Gull River where guests can canoe and swim in the summer. This charming cottage resort features bikes that guests can borrow to explore the town of Minden and the surrounding countryside, as well as snowshoes for winter excursions.
Each of the private cottages has a full kitchen which comes stocked with cookware if you decide to prepare food during your stay. The largest accommodation is the Marigold Cottage, which has two bedrooms and can sleep up to six people, making it ideal for families and groups.
See more on their website at www.mindenhousebb.com/
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Contributor Charlie Wagner-Chazalon is a travel enthusiast who splits his time between Muskoka and Toronto Ontario.
