There are plenty of places in Ontario where you can stay by the water. There are plenty of resorts with comfortable cottages, great dining and plenty to do.
What makes Elmhirst's Resort different is the way history, hospitality and the landscape come together. Here are ten things that make this Rice Lake resort stand out.
1. A Family Story More Than 200 Years in the Making
Long before guests arrived for summer holidays, the Elmhirst family was farming this land on the shores of Rice Lake. Today, the resort is still owned and operated by the fifth generation of the family, creating a rare sense of continuity that guests can feel from the moment they arrive.
Read more about the resort’s history in our Great Escapes Feature: Ontario’s Sustainable Getaway
2. A Cottage Vacation With Resort Perks
There's something special about having your own cottage. You can wake up with the lake just outside your door, enjoy your own space and settle into a slower rhythm. At Elmhirst's, you also have access to resort amenities like dining, recreation, spa services and organized activities, giving you the best of both worlds.
3. Rice Lake Is Your Playground
Whether your idea of a perfect day is fishing, boating, kayaking, paddleboarding or simply watching the water from the dock, Rice Lake becomes part of every stay. Some guests spend the day exploring. Others never feel the need to leave the shoreline.
4. Farm-to-Table Isn't a Trend Here
Fresh ingredients have always been part of life at Elmhirst's. The family continues to operate a working farm, with produce finding their way to the resort's restaurants. It's a connection between land and table that's rooted in generations of stewardship rather than the latest culinary trend.
5. See Rice Lake From a Different Perspective
Most guests experience Rice Lake from the shoreline or out on the water. At Elmhirst's, you can also see it from the sky. Scenic flightseeing tours depart right from the resort, offering a bird's-eye view of the Kawarthas, winding waterways and patchwork farmland below. It's an unforgettable way to appreciate the landscape.
6. Four Seasons, Four Different Experiences
Summer brings boating and beach days. Autumn paints the Kawarthas in rich colour. Winter invites skating, snowshoeing and cozy evenings, while spring offers a quieter pace as the landscape comes back to life. No matter when you visit, the resort is ready with a warm welcome.
7. There's Room for Every Generation
Some families are introducing toddlers to their first cottage vacation. Others are gathering grandparents, parents and grandchildren under one roof. With spacious cottages and activities for every age, Elmhirst's has become a place where family traditions are made (and continued).
8. You Can Slow Down as Much as You Want
Not every vacation needs to be packed with activities. Spend an afternoon at the spa, read on your cottage deck, enjoy an unhurried meal or simply watch the light change across the lake. Sometimes doing less is exactly the point.
9. Every Stay Feels Personal
Staff remember returning guests, recommendations come from local knowledge and hospitality feels genuine rather than scripted. It's one of those qualities that's difficult to describe until you've experienced it yourself.
10. It's the Kind of Place People Return To
Ask longtime guests what keeps bringing them back and the answer usually isn't just one thing. It's the familiar view across the lake. The annual fishing trip. The family dinner. The cottage that feels almost like their own.
The best resorts become part of a family's story. After generations of welcoming guests to Rice Lake, Elmhirst's Resort has become exactly that.