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Travel

Couples Resort – A Romantic Anniversary Retreat

Couples Resort is romantic getaway for any couple that needs to relax and reconnect, without the kids in tow. Last week Jim and I dropped our youngest daughter off at camp in Muskoka near Huntsville. I had heard of Couples Resort and we hadn’t yet had time to celebrate our 25th anniversary, so I planned to surprise my husband with two nights away. We headed up past Algonquin Park after dropping Ainsley at camp and Payton at her aunt’s house.

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The drive from Huntsville was about 90 minutes. I’ve never been through Algonquin Park and loved seeing the Moose Crossing and deer crossing signs. On the way back we popped into the Park entrance and I noted all the wildlife that had been spotted in the park the week we visited. Beavers, black bears, herons and moose! You can’t see those in London, Ontario!

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Spending time at Couples Resort was a gift just to us. We travel often with our family and I write about that a lot. But we rarely have time just for us. Between parenting, Jim’s job, my blog, my consulting business and all the family and business obligations that come along with all of that, it’s rare for us to get time away together. Like so rare it’s been 5 years or so. And while that’s to be expected when you have a family, sometimes it’s nice to get away and get some one-on-one time with the person you married before all the responsibilities of life kicked in. That’s why Couples Resort was such a welcome opportunity.

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Couples Resort is All About Romance

From the moment you enter the resort, you can tell it’s different. First it’s quiet. Peaceful. No Partying campers next door, no loud jet skis ripping up the water. Just a beautiful rustic resort nestled near the shore of Galeairy Lake close by Algonquin Park.

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This destination is unique – romantic, calm and pretty all year round. Everywhere you look, you see the beauty of nature, the gorgeous grounds, and accommodations that are rustic on the outside and super cozy and comfy on the inside. As soon as you arrive, you know you’ve come to the right place. Couples resort is a great spot to celebrate an anniversary or just rekindle that sense of being together.

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At a little over 3 hours north of Toronto and around 3 hours west of Ottawa, Couples Resort isn’t a long trip for many. It wasn’t long from Huntsville, but all told from London it was easily 5 hours. Since we were celebrating and in no rush to be anywhere else we were happy to take the time. The drive down Highway 60 was pretty straightforward and it was worth it.

 

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The Rooms

The buildings have a feel of rustic simplicity that is really nice. But once you enter, you’ll be immediately struck by how well appointed the rooms are. While they may look rustic on the outside, on the inside, they are 5-Star all the way. Each room and cottage is individually designed with themes ranging from Old European to Boutique Algonquin. We stayed in a junior suite on the top floor. It was cozy and inviting, with lots of wood, and earthy tones to lend the decor warmth. It was comfortable immediately and not at all overwhelming. With warm wood and a big Jacuzzi tub inside and a hot tub on the balcony of every unit, it was perfect for relaxing.

 

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Room Styles:

Chateaus:

At Couples Resort the rooms are organized in many different price points and sizes. There are extremely well appointed chateaus with maximum privacy. Some of the most beautiful features of the chateau are: the steam room; the in room jacuzzi which looks extremely fancy, double sided fireplace and the extras. For instance with a chateau you get the window seat at dinner every day. That’s magical. There are some in room extras too – like the spa goodies included. In several other rooms there’s a surcharge for those. Espresso machine too.

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Spa Villas:

Lovely private lakefront again. Cabin style. There are six with private driveway as well. Set back a bit from the suites. Sauna/ steam room gazebo and sundeck. Espresso machine too.

 Chalet:

The chalets are private too. Furnished with cedar the rooms are dark, bathrooms are marble and the shower is a rain shower.

Exotics:

Exotics are decorated with an African flare. There is an exotic junior suite and a grand exotic at two different prices.

Master Junior Suites:

All named for painters. Decor and furniture are a big more opulent and European than the junior suites.

Junior Suites:

We stayed in a junior suite so most of the photos you see here are of that space. It was a large room and perfect for us. Loved that hot tub on the balcony. There was also a jacuzzi in the room. The shower was beautiful as well. There was a large King bed and a sitting area.

All the rooms:

  • Exceeds 5 Diamond and 5 Star Room Standards.
  • Have real wood fireplaces
  • Free Internet and Wifi
  • Streaming Netflix

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The Time

This was the biggest thing on my and my husband’s agenda for Couples Resort. The time we had was amazing. Being able to decompress from the daily responsibilities of our jobs and parenting was perfect. Our room had a Keurig machine and a mini-fridge, where we could store wine as needed. There is a wine steward at dinner and you are able and encouraged to bring your own wine in. TIP: Do it – wine is not included.

 

 

“Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.” —Lao Tzu So our 25th wedding anniversary was back in June but we were ridiculously busy then. Sunday we took our youngest to camp in Muskoka and drove up to @couplesresort – semi-formal dinners are a treat for us. We enjoy dressing up. The meals here at the adults only, all season, all inclusive, 5 star luxury Couples Resort, are a highlight. Bring your own wine. Don’t forget your tie. Oh and no cell phones 📱 in the dining room. Not going to wait so long for a couples travel next time. This was a really great idea. This lake is pristine, remote, quiet and charming. Worth the drive and the investment in you. . . . #travel #hosted #ifwtwa #love #canada #ontario #muskoka #outdoorliving #lakelife #lakelifestyle #canoeing #watersports #travelblogger #traveling #travels #travelmassive #happy #mybestthingsinlife

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Couples Only and All-Inclusive

SCORE! Couples Resort is an all-inclusive, couples-only affair, which means that my husband and I were free of any worries about extra costs and there were no kids anywhere. I love kids. I have two. That being said, kids are not what you want to see when you’re on a romantic retreat. You can choose from various packages at Couples. If you love it, you can probably find it there.

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Fine Dining

The food at Couples Retreat is top notch. My husband and I love a good dining experience, so that’s important to us. After all, we are in charge of the meals for our family, or when we dine out we opt for the family friendly restaurants. Chain restaurants are good for kids’s birthdays and Sunday dinners, but they will never compare to a leisurely five course gourmet meal plated beautifully and served with wine. They use fresh ingredients to bring a variety of first class dishes that will delight any palette. For your information they have a large organic garden on property where they get some of the ingredients for meals.

From breakfast to dinner, Jim and I were able to share lovely meals that added to the overall feel of the entire trip. And because Couples Resort is couples only, dinner is a quiet, romantic semi-formal affair. Men: bring your ties and fancy shoes. Ladies: cocktail dresses and nice shoes too. Dressing up is part of the experience. If you sit to eat meals in your room you can do that instead. BUT, I highly encourage you to go the distance and enjoy the dining offered here. NO extra tipping. It’s all included which is nice as a patron.

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Watermelon salad starter

 

Hot Tubs, Jacuzzis, and a Pool

Each room has a private hot tub and jacuzzi for some great relaxation as I mentioned. And they have a salt water pool that is open May until Labor Day weekend. There’s a self service patio with lakefront view and a double fire pit so you can sit and enjoy a nice fire in the evening.

The Spa

Couples Resort features a top-notch, fully appointed spa if extreme relaxation is your thing. Couples can get massages, hot stones, manicures, pedicures, scrubs, wraps, facial, waxing, and more. Book in advance. We did not do this because we didn’t have time and really had other priorities for our visit.

Activities

Couples Resort offers a wide variety of activities for you and your partner to enjoy. When we visited we did some canoeing, hiking and cycling too. Of course we went swimming a couple of times. You can also do horseback riding, kayaking, paddle-boating, row boating, fishing motor boating, tennis, and more. They also have indoor activities like ping pong, foosball, shuffleboard, and darts in the recreation room. In winter months there’s cross country skiing, skating and various other winter sports.

Get Back to Nature

You can enjoy the beauty of nature not only on the grounds but around the grounds, as well. Head from Couples Resort to nearby Algonquin park to enjoy 17 hiking trails, canoeing, wildlife spotting, the Art Center and Logging Museum, the Algonquin Art Gallery, and more of that’s your style.

And by the way there’s a small museum and an art gallery right at Couples Resort. Don’t forget to visit Gertrud’s Gallery. She was the owner of the resort until a short while ago when her family took over that responsibility. She is extremely friendly and will be happy to tell you anything you want to know about Couples. Gertrud also did several of the art displays around the property.

Couples Resort – The Best Time You Can Have with Your Partner

We thoroughly enjoyed our time at Couples Resort. It was amazing to have a weekend just for us and the food was memorable. There’s something so valuable about getting away – just you and your partner – and hiding from the responsibilities of parenthood for a while. It was one of the best weekends we’ve ever had as a couple, and it was long overdue. In fact I think we might have even realized we love quiet adult only travel as much as family adventures.

We were hosted while at Couples Resort which means we received our accommodations, activities and food in exchange for this post. My opinion is all my own and it is also truthful. 

Mom of two beautiful active girls, traveller, fitness junkie, social media consultant, and keeper of the sanity.

7 Comments

  • Monica

    What a fabulous resort, love all of the great amenities and there certainly is something here for everyone. Next time we drive up from the Maritimes to visit our son (who incidentally lives in London!) I think we should take a little side trip, I have never been to the Muskoka region and enjoy a romantic getaway at the Couples Resort.

    • Paula

      It really is so beautiful and Canadian. I will return to Algonquin some time soon. LOVED it even if just passing through. SO beautiful. AND I know it sounds weird but I didn’t see any bears so I pretty much need to go back, right?

  • Aimee geroux

    What an amazing resort. I could definitely use a little adult only retreat asap. It’s been a rough few months and that looks like the perfect place to recharge and reflect!

  • Little Miss Kate

    Wow it looks beautiful there! I am making note of this place, sounds like a great getaway with lots of activities to do and great places to relax and unwind. I enjoy kayaking and paddleboarding, so love that those are offered there.