A good girls’ weekend does something a regular weekend off can’t. No one’s schedule to work around, no reason to get dressed before noon, and enough uninterrupted time to actually finish a conversation. Ontario is built for it. Within an hour or two of most of the province there’s a lakeside resort, a full-service spa, or a small town that runs at exactly the right pace.
We represent over 100 resorts across Ontario, so we have a good sense of which ones friends come home talking about. Here are the ones we’d point a group toward, grouped by the kind of trip you’re after. Most are part of our collection of spa and wellness resorts, so a massage and a long soak are easy to fit in.
What we’d look for
A couple of things make the difference. A spa on-site means nobody’s driving between a treatment and dinner. Cottages and multi-bedroom suites give the group room without anyone having to split off. And staying an hour or two from the city keeps the travel short. Every resort here does at least two of those well.
Best for a spa weekend
If the point is to be looked after, start here.
- Ste. Anne’s Spa in Grafton gets requested by name. It’s all-inclusive: a robe from check-in to check-out, meals and wellness classes part of the stay, treatments back to back if that’s what you want. It’s an easy drive east of Toronto and a safe choice for a group that wants everything handled.
- Millcroft Inn & Spa in Alton sits on a 100-acre country estate. The year-round outdoor hot spring pools and contrast hydrotherapy are reason enough to book before you’ve picked a single treatment.
- Living Water Resorts in Collingwood has a full-service spa, Georgian Bay views, and condo-style suites with kitchens, which groups appreciate when they’d rather have a slow morning in than head down for breakfast.
Muskoka, for the classic lake escape
Muskoka is the Ontario you see on the postcards, and the resorts hold up to it.
- JW Marriott The Rosseau Muskoka in Minett is the high-end pick: a hydrospa, a year-round indoor and outdoor pool, and a few restaurants without leaving the property.
- Windermere House is a grand old lakeside hotel with rooms, suites and a four-bedroom cottage, which works for a bigger group that wants to stay together.
- Sherwood Inn on Lake Joseph keeps it simple with rooms and cottages set back in the pines.
- Trillium Resort & Spa near Huntsville is adults-only and spread over 104 forested acres, so it stays quiet.
An hour from Toronto, when time is tight
Short on driving time? These keep the weekend close.
- Hockley Valley Resort in Mono is about 45 minutes out, with a spa, golf, a winery and a ski hill all on one property. In winter the spa lounge looks out over the hill, which is a good place to sit with a tea while everyone else deals with the cold.
- The Briars Resort & Spa on Lake Simcoe is an old inn with gardens and a quiet waterfront.
- Fern Resort on Lake Couchiching has been taking in friends and families since 1895 and runs all-inclusive across four seasons, so the meals and activities are already covered. Both are a comfortable drive from the GTA.
The Kawarthas, for cottage-style comfort
Elmhirst’s Resort in Keene puts your group in a waterfront cottage on Rice Lake, with a full-service spa, farm-to-table dining, a working farm and 250 acres to walk.
Eganridge Resort, Golf Club & Spa on Sturgeon Lake has a spa and a scenic course, which suits a group that wants to split its time between treatments and tee times.
Niagara – wine country
If a winery visit is on the list, base yourselves in Niagara-on-the-Lake. White Oaks Resort & Spa has a large spa and quick access to the wineries.
Pillar and Post Inn & Spa adds a hot spring pool and the Monet-inspired gardens.
Adults-only wellness retreats
For a weekend that’s mostly about the wellness side, Dimensions Retreats in the Algonquin Highlands is an adults-only, all-inclusive lakeside retreat built around rest.
Northumberland Heights Wellness Retreat & Spa near Cobourg has luxurious rooms, hot tubs with a view, and both international and Ayurvedic treatments, about an hour from Toronto.
Planning a girls’ weekend on a budget
A ladies’ weekend doesn’t have to be expensive. A few ways to keep the cost down:
Go off-season. Late fall and mid-week dates are quieter and usually cheaper.
Share a cottage. Resorts with multi-bedroom cottages and kitchens let the group split one booking and cook a few meals instead of eating out every time.
Watch the deals. New packages go up regularly on our Hot Deals page, spa offers included, and they don’t last long.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best girls’ weekend getaways in Ontario?
Spa-focused stays like Ste. Anne’s Spa, Millcroft Inn & Spa and Living Water Resorts are popular with groups, along with Muskoka resorts like the JW Marriott The Rosseau and Windermere House. The full list of spa and wellness resorts is a good place to compare.
How far from Toronto do you have to go?
Not far. Hockley Valley is about 45 minutes, and the Kawarthas, Lake Simcoe and Collingwood are all easy drives for a two-night trip.
Do Ontario resorts offer spa packages for groups?
Yes. Most of the resorts here have full-service spas, and many offer packages that bundle accommodation, dining and spa credits. Check the resort’s listing or the current offers on Hot Deals.
When is the best time for a girls’ getaway?
Any season works. Fall and winter are quieter and better value. Spring and summer open up the waterfront and the patios. Mid-week and off-season dates are usually the cheapest.
Can I buy a gift certificate for a girls’ trip?
Yes. A Resorts of Ontario gift certificate works at any of our member resorts and doesn’t expire, so it’s an easy way to organize a group trip or thank whoever did the planning.