Sometimes a weekend away is the most useful thing a relationship can do. A change of setting, a good dinner, somewhere you can actually pay attention to each other. Ontario has a lot of options for that, within a couple of hours of most of the province.
These are some of our favourite member resorts for a couples’ getaway, grouped by what kind of trip you’re after. For the full list, browse our romantic resorts.
For couples only
Couples Resort & Algonquin Spa in Whitney is worth knowing about. Every suite and cottage comes with a private Jacuzzi, wood-burning fireplace and firewood already stacked. The resort is adults-only and sits on a semi-private lake on the edge of Algonquin Park, so privacy is built into the address. Five-course dinners are included, and there’s a full-service spa if you want to work in some treatments.
Cottage and cabin getaways
Springwood Cottage Resort on Kennebec Lake in Arden is the one to book if you want a private cottage with a hot tub, away from crowds. Nine of their eighteen cottages have private hot tubs, and the setting between Ottawa and Toronto makes it an easy reach from both. They run well year-round, so it’s a solid pick for a winter weekend too.
Muskoka
Sherwood Inn on Lake Joseph is what most people picture when they imagine Muskoka: pine trees, lake views, cozy rooms, good food. The Vintages dining room is a reason to stay in for dinner, and the lake itself is the reason to stay at all.
Windermere House is a grand old lakeside hotel in the heart of cottage country, with a four-bedroom cottage available for those who want more room. The common thread at both is the kind of quiet that’s hard to find closer to the city.
Spa and wine country
Millcroft Inn & Spa in Alton is popular with couples for good reason. It’s a 100-acre country estate with outdoor hot spring pools and contrast hydrotherapy, a restaurant built around local and seasonal ingredients, and Shaw’s Creek falls just outside. In winter, the outdoor pools in the cold air are the whole point.
In Niagara-on-the-Lake, Pillar and Post Inn & Spa adds winery access to the mix. The 100 Fountain Spa has an indoor hot spring pool and a couples’ massage suite, and the wine country is a five-minute drive in most directions.
Near Toronto
The Briars Resort & Spa on Lake Simcoe is an easy drive from the city and a comfortable, four-season escape, with private studio cottages steps from the lake. The spa, golf, and waterfront mean there’s no shortage of things to do when you’re not relaxing.
A unique setting: the Thousand Islands
Glen House Resort on the Thousand Islands Parkway is one to know if you want something different. Waterfront accommodation, golf, paddleboarding, kayaking and an indoor pool, with the St. Lawrence River and the islands right there. It’s the kind of spot that surprises people.
Romantic winter getaways
A few of these resorts are especially good in the colder months. Millcroft’s outdoor hot spring pools are at their best in winter. Springwood runs year-round and the cottage hot tubs are obvious cold-weather motivation. Living Water Resorts in Collingwood is the pick if you want skiing in the mix alongside the spa and the Georgian Bay views.
Planning tips
- Hot tub or fireplace? Springwood, Couples Resort and Millcroft all deliver on both, each in a different setting.
- Watch Hot Deals. Couples packages turn up regularly on our Hot Deals page.
- Off-season is worth it. Mid-week and late fall dates are usually cheaper and quieter.
- Gift certificate. If you’re planning this as a surprise, a Resorts of Ontario gift certificate works at any member resort.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best romantic getaways in Ontario?
It depends on what you want. Couples Resort is the choice for something adults-only and private. Millcroft and Pillar and Post are the picks for spa and hot springs. For Muskoka scenery, Sherwood Inn and Windermere House are both strong. Browse the full list at our romantic resorts page.
Are there romantic cabin getaways in Ontario?
Yes. Springwood Cottage Resort has private cottages with hot tubs on Kennebec Lake. Couples Resort has suites and cottages with fireplaces and Jacuzzis at Algonquin Park. Both are booked for exactly this reason.
Where can couples go for a unique romantic getaway in Ontario with a hot tub? Springwood has nine cottages with private hot tubs. Couples Resort has in-suite Jacuzzis. Millcroft and Pillar and Post both have hot spring pools on-site.
What are good romantic winter getaways in Ontario? Millcroft Inn & Spa in Alton and Pillar and Post in Niagara-on-the-Lake are popular year-round. For winter specifically, Millcroft’s outdoor hot spring pools and Collingwood’s ski and spa combination at Living Water Resorts are the two most-asked-about options.
How far from Toronto are romantic getaways in Ontario? The Briars on Lake Simcoe is about an hour. Millcroft in Alton is under an hour. Niagara-on-the-Lake is about 90 minutes. Muskoka is two hours. Most options are a comfortable drive.