Life in the big city is never boring, but there are times when you just need to blast off and recharge. Fortunately, there is an abundance of getaway options within a few hours’ drive of Toronto and I’ve just found a good one: Fern Resort, on Lake Couchiching, in Orillia, Ontario.

I like my country with a side of civilization, so Fern Resort is perfect for me. From the moment you are greeted by their sign and head down the driveway lined with majestic willows, all the stresses of the city just melt away.

The Rooms

The Main Inn contains the lobby and main dining room, in addition to being the entrance to some of the spacious Family Rooms. We stayed in a very spacious one bedroom Bayshore Cottage, but all rooms, suites, and cottages at Fern Resort are spacious enough for a family of four, and most can accommodate more than that.

All accommodations at Fern Resort have mini-fridges and coffee makers in the room.

The Food

Breakfast, lunch & dinner are included with most packages at Fern Resort, and chances are you will not need to pack or purchase additional snacks. The food is delicious and the portions are generous.

A kids’ buffet accompanies every meal, but they’ll do a half or smaller portion of anything on the adult menu. There is an abundance of fresh fruit and vegetables available, and the chocolate chip cookies are particularly good.

A 24-hr coffee and tea service is located in the Main Inn, and beer, wine, and cocktails are also available. The Beer Store and LCBO are located in the town of Orillia, a ten minute drive away.

The Summer Fun

Fern Resort is open year-round, so what and how much you do depends on when you go. As we went late summer, we were spoiled for choice: a dip in the lake or in one of three pools, a jump on the trampoline, a ride down the zipline, then a rousing game of mini-golf? We did it all and then some.

There’s a five-hole golf course, tennis, basketball and badminton courts, yoga, shuffleboard, bocce ball, baseball, volleyball, fishing and paddle boats.

All of these activities are included, and you can arrange for water skiing and boat rides through the front desk.

The summer season is also when Fern operates its PlayVillage, a drop-in centre for children 0-6. Cheerful and attentive University students will play with and supervise your little ones, should you require a little adult time or a romantic dinner à deux.

The Winter Fun

In fall and winter, the outdoor pools shut down, but cooler temperatures create more activities. Try their indoor pool, steam room, Nordic skiing, snowshoeing, outdoor curling, broomball, large skating rink, ice hockey, horse drawn hay rides, dog sledding, snowmobile rentals, fitness centre or spa services. 

As the temperatures climb in spring, so does the list of activities available until it’s back to the full roster of summer fun.