Beyond the Ordinary

Seven Experiences To Enjoy at Ontario's Resorts

Take a cooking class

At The Waring House in Prince Edward County, the region’s food culture often becomes part of the stay. The property hosts a hands-on cooking school with culinary workshops that teach practical techniques while working with seasonal ingredients from nearby farms.

With the County’s strong focus on local produce, meats, and artisanal foods, these sessions offer a relaxed way to spend an afternoon and learn a new skill.

The Waring House

The Waring House

Sleep Like A Rock Star

At Hard Rock Hotel London, music is part of the stay from the moment you arrive. The property celebrates rock history through memorabilia displays, music-inspired design, and playlists that set the tone in guest rooms and public spaces.

Hard Rock Hotel London

Hard Rock Hotel London

Guests can even borrow a guitar through the brand’s signature music program, turning a quiet evening into an impromptu jam session. It’s a playful twist on a traditional overnight stay — one where the soundtrack is built right in and every guest gets a chance to feel, at least briefly, like the headliner.

Hard Rock Hotel London

Hard Rock Hotel London

Indulge in Hydro Therapy

Hydrotherapy is one of the signature experiences at Ste. Anne’s Spa, where guests can spend time moving between a series of warm outdoor pools and hot tubs designed for relaxation and muscle recovery.

Set on the spa’s peaceful countryside property near Lake Ontario, the pools are open year-round and surrounded by gardens, stone terraces, and quiet seating areas. It’s a restorative ritual that encourages visitors to slow down and enjoy the calm pace of the property.

Run the Rapids on the Ottawa River

For travellers looking to add a little adrenaline to their getaway, a day on the Ottawa River delivers one of Ontario’s most exciting summer adventures. With OWL Rafting, guests tackle the powerful rapids of the Ottawa River alongside experienced guides who steer rafts through rolling waves and swirling whitewater.

Between the thrills, there are chances to swim, float through calmer stretches, and take in the rugged beauty of the river valley. It’s an unforgettable way to experience Ontario’s wild side.

OWL Rafting

OWL Rafting

Hold an Epic Games Night

At Springwood Cottage Resort, evenings can turn into an epic game night thanks to a board game collection of more than 1,000 titles. Shelves are packed with everything from classic favourites to modern strategy games, party games, and hidden tabletop gems waiting to be discovered.

After a day spent in nature, guests can challenge family and friends, learn a new game, or settle in for a marathon session that stretches long past sunset. With so many options to choose from, no two game nights are ever quite the same.

Springwood Cottage Resorts

Springwood Cottage Resorts

Take to the Skies

At Elmhirst’s Resort, the adventure doesn’t stop at the shoreline. The property is home to Elmhirst’s Resort Air, offering guests the chance to take a scenic flight over the lakes, farmland, and rolling countryside of the Kawarthas.

These sightseeing flights depart right from the resort’s private airstrip or dock, giving visitors a rare opportunity to see the region from above. It’s a memorable way to experience the landscape — and one of the few Ontario resorts where your getaway can quite literally take flight.

Float in a Sensory Deprivation Tank

At Dimensions Retreat, guests can experience float therapy as part of the property’s wellness offerings. The float tank is filled with warm water and a high concentration of salts, allowing the body to float effortlessly while light and sound are minimized or eliminated, based on your comfort level.

The experience is designed to encourage deep relaxation and mental reset, giving the mind a chance to unplug completely. Surrounded by forest in the Haliburton Highlands, it’s a quiet and restorative addition to a stay focused on wellness and reflection.

Dimensions

Dimensions

Great Escapes Magazine is a publication of Resorts of Ontario, a not-for-profit organization that advocates for resorts, lodges and inns of Ontario's tourism industry.

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