This past weekend my husband and I went away for our 27th wedding anniversary. We choose to try a new hotel, partially because where we usually went was getting a bit boring. Also, partially because I wanted to try Residence inn, a hotel owned by Marriott is where a client is going to be staying this summer and I wanted to check out the hotel. This was is not in the same location as they are going but we had the same room type. We choose to go to the Muskoka area, and I really enjoyed it! We decided to get a studio lake view room. Which had one Queen bed, one pull out couch, a living room and full kitchen, which consisted of a 2 burner countertop burners, an over the range microwave with a full fridge and freezer and a dishwasher with a small kitchen table. Since this room sleeps 4, we had dishes and silverware enough for 4 people.
Check-in process was very easy, just gave them our name, showed ID and they put a hold on my credit card, I was going to pay by cash, so she explained that I can do that on check out on Sunday. She also told us about all the fun things to do in the area. There are many many snow-related things to do. Snowmobile trails are everywhere! You can bring your own snowmobiles, or go on a guided tour, skiing, snowshoeing, Horseback riding, KOA Cross Country Skiing, so many things to do! There is also wine tasting tours, in the summer months there is Jet Skiing, Mountain bike trails, Hiking, Kayaking, Scuba diving, water-skiing and a nature preserve. Never a shortage of things to do! The desk clerk asked what brought us to the area, and I mentioned that it was our anniversary and we were just here to relax and getaway. We got our room keys and off we went to the 5th floor. Within about 10 minutes of being in the room, we had a knock on the door and we were greeted with a nice complimentary bottle of wine to celebrate our anniversary!
This room was very clean and spacious! We had a TV that swivelled so you can watch it from the couch or the bed, the couch was faux leather but still comfortable. There was a small workspace for your laptop and a telephone if needed. Opposite that was a table that would fit 3 at the most, but 2 is better (not as crowded) The bed was a king-size, but they have rooms with 2 doubles so they would sleep 6 ppl. Ours slept 4 people. The bathroom tub was nice and deep, and the shower-head only had 3 settings, but still nice, with lots of water pressure.
They also have 1 and 2 bedroom rooms, easily sleeping up to 8 people. This would be a great hotel to stay at between Christmas and new years when kids are off school and do some fun outdoor sports activities. This is a pet-friendly hotel (Under 20 pounds) for a charge of $20. They also have rooms with a fireplace, which would be cozy on the cold winter days.
Each room has a nice balcony, which would be beautiful in summer, but since the chairs were covered in snow, we decided not to use the balcony this time. I am sure you understand why. 🙂
We decided to go out for dinner that night, and we went to a Swiss Chalet/Harvey’s combo but I guess since it is a small town, and since it was in the winter the restaurant closed at 8 pm which I found odd. The next night we went to Wild Wings, which was open until 10 pm, so I am not sure if it was just the one place that closed early, but keep that in mind if you are going Gravenhurst in the Muskoka area. You might want to get to Sobeys (local grocery store) and pick up some groceries to cook on your own, or plan on eating a bit earlier in the evening.
Saturday morning we went down the full breakfast that is included in your stay. I was really impressed with the choices!
There was the standard fare of scrambled eggs and breakfast sausages, but also make your own waffles, with homemade raspberry sauce, and REAL maple syrup, there was also vanilla and strawberry yogurt in a large bowl on ice, that you put in your cereal bowl and hard-boiled eggs, 4 different kinds of cereal, with a large pitcher of milk. Also included were English muffins, bagels, and cinnamon rolls. There were salsa and other toppings for your eggs. As well as fruits to enjoy. To drink there were orange and apple juice, with hot chocolate. Included on the hot chocolate table were 2 large jars with a pump for a shot of caramel and vanilla, which tasted delicious in the hot chocolate. As well as your standard flavoured coffee and teas. You will not go away hungry.
Three nights a week they have something called “The Residence Inn Mix” it is described as a fun and relaxing way to unwind, socialize and connect. Three nights a week, they host different social events in the lobby or outdoor space. On Mondays, start your week off with mingling and light bites by the fire. On Tuesdays, enjoy lively conversation accompanied by grilled goodness and cold beverages. And they Mix It Up on Wednesdays, giving you a taste of the local food scene with great food truck fare (guest purchases), local restaurant tastings or perfectly paired appetizer and beverage combinations. So, if are going not going on a weekend, you can enjoy some complimentary items.
Later on in the day, we decided to hit the pool and the hot tub. We assumed since breakfast was busy the pool would be too, but luckily each time we went down we were alone! We had it all to ourselves. Except after dinner, we decided to go back again, and it was much busier.
It seems like this hotel is used as a home base for people just to sleep in, then during the day they go and do all the winter activities in the area and then come back in the evening once it gets dark, and enjoyed the amenities.
So, if you are just going away to relax and do nothing, hit the pool during the day. It is well worth it!
Directly across the lake from us was Boston Pizza and we thought about walking across the lake to go for dinner, but changed our minds because we would be done dinner after dark, and the snowmobiles were still driving around and also, it was cold, and I am a baby with the cold!
We did go for a short walk, just to say we walked on the lake – totally a Canadian thing to do! (I should have brought my winter boots)
If you need to do laundry there are about 8 coin-operated machines, which will add up, but if you have to do laundry it is there for you. They also have a service where you give them your grocery list, go off and enjoy your day and when you get back everything you have asked for is in your fridge or cupboards, and the amount is added to your bill. Outside is a large BBQ Grill if you wish to BBQ something for dinner. It is truly a home away from home.
My husband, being the healthy person he is, hit the gym there, it is the standard hotel gym with a few treadmills, an elliptical, and something that is not standard was some free weights. They offer complimentary headphones, which is a nice perk, sometimes they get forgotten at home, so having an extra pair was nice.
This hotel also had a fireplace room at the front of the hotel with a bunch of board games, which is nice if you are going with your younger kids, then you can sit in front of the fire and enjoy family time.
Check out on Sunday came too fast! It was fast and efficient as well. I just brought down the cash and got my receipt. If you are coming from the USA and forgot to get your money exchanged their posted rate at the time of writing this was $1.00 US Dollar = $1.27 Canadian Dollar. Very close to the current posted rate.
I really enjoyed my time away just relaxing and hanging out in the hot tub. I would 100% go back to this hotel, I recommend it to anyone planning some time away!
