A Quick Getaway To Cottage Country!

Giddy.  Giddy is the best way to describe the way I felt as my Hubby threw my bag into the trunk of the car and we drove away leaving the suburbs in the rearview mirror.  Not because we were headed away for an entire weekend without the kids, although that was kind of fantastic, but we were going up to cottage country to explore all that Viamede Resort had to offer.  The lakes, the pine trees, the cool crisp air, the laid-back life.  Cottage country is one of my favourite places in the world.

Located in a gorgeous location on Stoney Lake, Viamede Resort is just a short 2-hour drive from the GTA .  The resort itself is a rustic century-old hotel located on 165 acres of untouched wilderness.  In 2010, the property was purchased by Ben Samann, who is transforming Viamede into something he and his staff are making “Boldly Different”. Viamede could be described as having a vintage classic charm, it’s family friendly, super pet-friendly, and unpretentious.  It boasts three restaurants, 9 km of private forest trails, a fairly new gym and sauna, an indoor and outdoor pool, a sandy beach, a historic wedding chapel, and an on-site farm.

This cottage resort is open all year round and offers accommodations in traditional hotel style rooms and suites as well as pet-friendly cottages.  Some cottages on the property have up to three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a patio with BBQ.  Great for those traveling with the entire family and looking for that “true” cottage experience.  You can spend the day in the lake and BBQ dinner on your own porch as the sun goes down.  No matter which kind of accommodation you choose a full buffet breakfast is always included in your stay.

The three restaurants at Viamede Resort include:

Club 1885:  Buffet breakfast is served daily and a gratis coffee bar is available all day long.

The Boathouse:  A lively atmosphere enjoyed by those staying at the resort as well as locals.  It offers casual dining dockside. Open Canada Day to Labour Day.  I recommend the burger and fries!

Mount Julian:  A nine-table restaurant where the Head Chef focuses on farm to forest to table, this restaurant is not to be missed!  You enter the warm almost homey feeling restaurant and are immediately whisked away to another era.  A stone fireplace in one corner, a record player soothes with notes of jazz in another.  Then your culinary experience begins.  Mout Julian will amaze with it’s 5, 7 or 9-course tasting menus.

We were treated to a tasting menu at Mount Julian that I can scarcely do justice here.  Created and served with great care were these mouth-watering courses…..each better than the next.

• Grape leaf stuffed with wild rice.
• Caraway and rye bread served with homemade sumac and honey butter.
• Cold pea and mint soup.
• Crispy pickerel on a bed of warm brown buttered zucchini.
• Taste of Kawarthas salad with strawberries and a nasturtium flower.
• Smoked duck with sumac.
• Beef with caramelized mashed potatoes and green beans.
• Cheese plate with 3 different kinds of cheese.
• Flourless chocolate torte topped with a maraschino cherry and Kawartha Dairy ice cream.

And did I mention there was a wine pairing with each course?  This tasting dinner was so divine people should be lining out the door for the opportunity to experience it.  Mout Julian Restaurant is truly a hidden gem in the Kawarthas.

Do it all or nothing at all.  We spent our days walking the paths to explore the property, saying hello to the animals at the farm, and contemplating a game of Frisbee Golf.  We sat in the sun, tried our hands at paddle boarding and even managed to go for a short canoe ride without tipping!

One day we were lucky enough to have good friends pick us up in their fabulous boat right from the long dock out front.  After a whirlwind tour of the lake and a cocktail or two, it was time to say thank you and head back to Viamede for the remainder of our getaway.

At night the main event was always dinner, the food never disappointed,  and on one occasion stopping at the DVD library to snag a complimentary movie to pop into the DVD player located in our room.  It was a quiet, quaint getaway – and in some ways I felt as if I’d stepped back in time.

If you are considering a stay at Viamede be sure to check out their array of packages where they are sure to have something to suit your needs.

What You Should Know:

• This is a century-old hotel.  It’s not modern, and in some cases, the rooms and bathrooms are reflective of its age.
• Viamede provides a comfortable cottage experience.
• Reservations are required for Mount Julian – don’t forget to make them before you go.

What I Loved:

• Viamede Resort is completely tip-free.  If you feel the need to tip Viamede asks you instead to say hello to a stranger or give a few dollars to charity
• The tasting menu at Mount Julian – perhaps reason alone to make the trip to Viamede.
• The friendly and welcoming staff.
• You can charge everything – meals, drinks etc. to your room so there’s no need to carry your wallet around the resort with you.
• This hotel offers kayaks, canoes, bicycles, paddle boards, and even opportunities to go fishing and roast s’mores at night – all are included in your stay.  No upcharges.

Thanks to Viamede for a relaxing weekend!

Disclosure:  Accommodations were made in order to help provide this review.  As always all opinions on this blog remain my own.  For more information on all that Viamede Resort has to offer, click here.