Elmhirst's Resort

We went there for our honeymoon. Even though we went on the off season we were not disappointed. We had a cottage with a whirlpool for two and a wood burning fireplace. It couldn't have been more perfect. We had dinner every night at the restaurant and the food and service were excellent. Because we went in the off season, we had the swimming facilities to ourselves. There is an indoor pool, whirlpool and sauna. It was all very romantic! Can't wait to go back for our anniversary!

Best place for a 2 day girls getaway off season! View of the lake from the 2nd floor bedrooms was spectacular!

Annual pilgrimage to this resort, they have everything needed for a fantastic getaway. Activities on the water, pickleball courts great hiking opportunities. Go see the horses!
Working farm onsite. Kayaks and boards. Always an excellent time.
Restaurant is a favorite of locals and guests. Top Knotch all the way.

We absolutely love this resort at all times of the year. The staff is friendly and helpful and the accommodations are comfortable. The grounds too, are beautiful with spectacular views of Rice Lake.

We hosted our wedding at the resort and overall, our experience with the resort was good but we had a few issues.
First, the check in experience was not as seemless as it was intended to be. We got to the cabin after a contactless check in hours before and it was still locked. We had to go to the front desk and were greeted by the receptionist who didn't seem interested in checking us in.

On the day of the wedding we had a few hiccups with coordination and aspects of the wedding logistics that fell through even when we confirmed in planning. Notably the tear down of the reception dinner that was supposed to be handled by the staff and the decor kept in the office until the next morning. This was agreed upon with the previous coordinator as well as with the new coordinator prior to the event. Some of my guests were told they had to clean it up AND take it to their cabins right away instead of the next morning. We were also promissed that we would have a container with the appetizers we had for cocktail hour set aside for the wedding party to take after photos or even durring but this was not the case either.

They had also failed to mention the construction happening on site that started the day of the wedding.

We had also hopped the coordination would be better considering the emails and phone calls we had prior to the date which they assured us the details would be taken care of and communicated to the new coordination staff. This included the fact that we were told we could decorate the night before the wedding (late night) but then on arrival at the venue the night before we were told that this was not an option. Additionally, according to the wedding contact, we were allowed access starting at 8am the morning of the event, however, we got told we were only able to access the rooms at 9am which is a breach of our original contract.

We did have a good experience with the bartending and serving staff - they were 100% not the problem and did everything they could to help us out and make the day as special as possible.

The main meal was excellent, we got the BBQ menu and it was served family style. However, the late night snack was not well recieved and not worth the amount paid. We had the pizza for our guests and some of it was overcooked (cardboard like) and some was undercooked. We would have chose differently had we known the quality of the pizza was not there.

I would suggest they review details on weddings and consider the following:

As we were in the one bedroom cabin, and it was known that we were the bride and groom, I would suggest they make efforts to make the suite more suited for a newly maried couple. This would mean including a "honeymoon" basket with some general details for the couple, adding a bar above the sliding doors and curtains to accomodate the hanging of a wedding dress, offering a "honeymoon" package to the spa (we were unable to book anything while there or prior to our stay which was dissapointing), etc.

I would also look into the vendor list available as the hairstylist recommended by the venue was not reliable and quit weeks before the wedding.

Made a reservation on Tuesday, person who answered phone stated lots of room available for the Roast beef dinner, I then reserved a 6: 00 spot Got there, at 5: 45 was totally ignored 30 minutes later was then told my name was not on the list. 5 minutes later he found my name, then preceded to put us in the pub area. Stating that other people had made reservations before me. The waitress was good, the meal, was not so good. Very fatty cold roast beef, Yorkshire pudding cooked to much. I will not go back there again.

Beautiful place on Rice Lake. Tons of activities included and a great family oriented place to get people together. My room rating is only cause our cottage was on e of the older ones. The newly renovated ones are fantastic. Hope to go again next year!

Lovely wedding held here. Unfortunately the bride didn't have alot of help from the coordinator as she left before the dinner. Overall it was nice.

We brought a group of 16 for the Sunday luncheon, and were sorely disappointed. The quality of the food was sub par and the service took three hours!

I'm always glad to know Elmhirst's is there. This time we dropped in for dinner with last minute planning on a quiet evening in shoulder season. The view over the frozen lake was perfect, and a fire crackled in the hearth. The food matched the ambience and so did the service. Our experience was relaxing, rejuvenating and delicious.

This place is amazing. The food, rooms and service were all excellent. The cabins are very spacious and affordable. The food was cooked perfectly and all locally raised/grown. The location is right on Rice lake, so lots of water activities available.

Very picturesque location. Dining room had a gorgeous view and the service was spectacular. Had a multicourse breakfast and everything was delicious. Plus there was a brand piano in the dining room for entertainment.

Booked a birthday spa weekend getaway with 8 women 3 months before going. The spa I found to be great, massage was excellent with Martina. The food was very good as well but it wasn't quick service. Unfortunately we were bumped out of the dining room for the birthday dinner for a bigger venue that came available. They tried to say it was a scheduling mishap but when you book that far in advance.need I say more. The cottages are dated but are ok. The main desk is very nice when you are booking but when you want or need something I found they got defensive which is not good customer service.

Family owned and operated. Great place to visit, reasonable rates. Very comfortable and relaxed.

We set up for a wedding. There is a great view of the lake. It's a nice spot for a wedding.

A home away from home. There's so much to do, you have to keep going back. Not even a half a year passed, and we've been there twice. We didn't want to leave.

We were there for a wedding and stayed at the resort. We were not aware that the price of the stay increases with the amount of people staying! It was a surprise when we checked out! Cottage was outdated and could use some upgrades. The food at the wedding was cold and I don't think was worth the amount the bride and groom would have had to pay. It was good we were staying at the resort so we could go back to the cottage and have something better to eat.

We just stayed at Elmhirst in Cottage #33 for two nights. I was very disappointed in our accommodations after reading all the good reviews on this site. The kitchen was poorly equipped, the large element on the stove was broken, only 5 forks in the drawer, no wine glasses and only 3 large glasses, one coffee filter for the coffee maker, a dirty frying pan shoved in the oven too. The master bedroom had a broken bedside lamp and the mattress had wooden slats under it which would catch you in the shins. The bathroom was terrible, the shower is built for a very tiny person, you can’t even turn around in it, the sink has come off the wall and the plug doesn’t fit in the sink. The cleanliness was debatable, lots of spider webs everywhere in light fixtures, lamps and in the railing. The windows need a good clean especially the patio doors.
Overall, even though it is a beautiful resort, I wouldn’t stay here again for the price we paid for a 2 star cottage. Very disappointing. We had stayed here years ago when it was a 5 star resort but definitely not now!

We didn't stay overnight at the resort. We had dinner in the pub. All you can eat roast beef for 4. Excellent. Served on a platter with mashed potatoes, gravy, yorkshire pudding, carrots, parsnips & green beans. Comes with a green salad, dessert and coffee. $29.95 a person.

Food was delicious! I got the Tofu sandwich. Highly recommend! My husband got a Burger, He said it was very good. Loved the Berry Lemonade drink. 100% going back.

Sunday brunch is amazing. Fresh tasty and locally sourced items. One of the best brunch options I have enjoyed.

The pub meals are hit and miss. They can be very goid but we have had a number of not so great experiences.

Staff is ALWAYS top notch and the atmosphere is relaxing with great views.

If your in the area treat yourself

Didn't stay the night but have gone for dinner and events here! View is stunning and food is always delicious!

The cottage was dated and uncomfortable. The "fully stocked" kitchen was a random mis match of things that was almost impossible to cook anything with. Felt like a step up from camping but five times the price. Would definitely not recommend.

Excellent stay especially considering the times we are in. Got the 'couch potato pkg ' which was awesome.a few hiccups- could've outlined details better or updated (they no longer have dvd players in cottages just cd players plus no ' TV Guide ' with a listing of Channels so it helps if you are comfortable figuring out how to use remotes/technology) pkg included Sat breakfast and dinner, Sun Brunch. Scheduled dining room times at time of booking stay at Resort. Excellent Covid-19 Protocol followed felt very safe and comfortable during stay. The staff were all outstanding Especially the dining room servers and our complements to the chef. Food was award winning Bravo We have stayed there before Covid-19 but never ate in dining room. Used to cook our own and visited pub so really enjoyed the experience.

My hubby and I did a date night dinner at the Hearthside Dining Room and it was amazing. The service was attentive, the food was amazing and the ambience was perfect. Highly recommend!

My partner and I stayed for the second time at the Elmhirst this weekend. This stay was much more enjoyable than our previous experience and we're glad we decided to try again. We stayed in cottage 9 which was lovely and well appointed. The bed was somewhat uncomfortable and VERY creaky however and we did have an issue with the main ensuite bathroom's hot water which ran only for a couple seconds and then stopped. We just used the other shower instead. Like others have mentioned, the kitchen is stocked with cutlery, etc.and it could do with an update for sure.

Customer service could definitely be improved as we found the front desk staff to be friendly but not particularly informative each time we were there. It was like we had to ask questions multiple times to get answers and at one point we were told "well all the information is online" when we asked what activities were available. If this could be improved, I am sure that guests would be more likely to use amenities and participate in activities. Thus I cannot comment on the pool facilities or other activities because we aren't aware of how to use them and couldn't find any information online about CURRENT activities and what was still running or not running (i.e. There was info about water activities like paddleboarding but I can't imagine it was actually available in mid November).

More generally it would be nice if the website provided more information and emails were updated. I had to contact the resort three separate times to ask for information that one would assume would be on the website. I also received emails with conflicting information about check-in which I assume is because of changes made over COVID.

Lastly, VERY important, make sure you call very early (or even when you book) to make/change your pre-assigned reservation meal times if you're staying on a package because when I called two weeks before our stay I was informed that one of our reservations was at 8: 00am for breakfast and our brunch reservation was at 9: 30am despite having previously been assigned a 12: 30pm time. Unfortunately this meant we were up far earlier than we would have otherwise been on a vacation for breakfast (especially when the name is literally "couch potato), and that we really didn't enjoy the brunch because it did not have many morning options for the appetizers and eating mussels and flatbread at 9: 30am in the morning isn't ideal. We also took our desserts to go as a result. We were told this was because the restaurant is very busy which is understandable, but you would think more choice reservation times would be given to staying guests, especially those who booked well in advance.

Despite having listed a few issues here, we did have an overall enjoyable stay but do see room for improvement.

We booked a weekend away for our 10 year wedding anniversary. My husband and I got the best Tuina massages from Martina, the spa manager, EVER! The resort is a perfect place to get away. The cottages have everything that you might need. There is a wood burning fireplace and very comfortable beds. The property is beautiful, there are chickens, ducks, horses and cows. There are wonderful walking trails and lots of things to do. We can't wait to go back.

100/10.got married here.steve and team were nothing but the best 2 years ago.i love this place!
it was a fun weekend a fun wedding a fun fireworks horse carriage and plane ride!

Have to make a reservation if wanting breakfast at their restaurant. I did not think of making a reservation. Turned away at the door one morning.

Great meal, more than average choices for my wife the vegetarian. The outdoor patio was quant but not on the water side of the resort? Not a five rating as their "by the glass" wine selection was only two choices.

Came here for our honeymoon, and highly recommend it to everyone. All the guests and people running the resort are super friendly. Food is fabulous and the scenery is fantastic. When on the signature series seaplane scenic flight and luncheon afterwards. Pilot was great, full of historic info, food was so good. Hope to come back and experience it again.

My massage with Martina was just what my body required after a long week.
Now for the relaxation with an espresso by the water!

Nice enough place, seems a little tired and dated. Only went for dinner, food was good, but not special enough to warrant the high price. Steak was over 25% fat cap. If you are putting goat cheese on steak, tell people in case they don't like it (the case with my wife) or god forbid there is an allergy issue. That was an unforgivable oversight which is why I'm rating just one star

“Pure bliss”=pure torture. “Scalp massage” with a head scratcher? Half an hour later and my scalp still hurts. To be fair it’s all I tried but man don’t try it unless you get an experienced employee.

I didnt stay at the resort but went for dinner for my 44th Aniversary. My wife and I were taken out by friends and to say we were disappointed wasn't close to how we felt about the meal. It was on 16 July about 6.30 my wife had a vegetable Linqui and the vegetables were over cooked, the Linqui was starchy and so much oil it was sitting in the bottom of the plate. I started with a a ceaser salad and to be honest, I can make a better salad at home and it was a small serving. The entree was supposed to have oven roast potatoes, there were about 2 mixed with French Fries. I will certainly hesitate before zI return

Elmhurst Resort is in a beautiful setting on Rice Lake with cottages and rooms available for vacation stays. Lovely gardens cover the property and pool area.
We enjoyed a patio dinner that was delicious.
I have previously had spa services that were excellent as well and my daughter is a regular there.

It was great, the service was 100 percent, the cottages was very clean and very spacious. Me and the family had the best time. And the kids didn't want to leave. We will be coming back. Thank you Elmhirst.

My husband and I visited for the second time this past weekend on the couch potato package and we were soo happy. As always, the food was great, the room was clean and cozy and the view of the lake couldn't be beat. We can't wait to come back to Elmhirst! Great value for the price!

A cottage resort tucked away by kawarta lakes. I couldn't believe how good this place was. The highlight for me and my group was the spa. We had massages, mani and pedicure and I slept off during the massage. The oils were heavenly I had to ask for one to go. I will definitely recommend this resort.

Our family went to the resort after learning of a serious illness of one member who is only in her early 30s. We needed family time so we booked a 4 bedroom cottage and the special food package. Our goal was simply to spend time with her for as along as we can.

Pro's:
Cottage was lovely, clean, not musty, well appointed, beds were very comfortable, on the lake, lovely view, really nice!
Staff were very friendly.
Food tastes were very good and flavourful.

Con's:
- You might as well say they do not have wifi or internet as it never worked. It would come on for 1 minute and then be off for 20. It never worked at all so we all used our phone data.
- The biggest BEWARE is the spa! Our one daughter booked and bought 3 massages for 3 family members. The massage was not a massage. I don't know what it was but the person didn't really seem to know what she was doing. During the first massage her breathe was really laboured and she seemed to be struggling to breathe. Her strokes were inconsistent, extremely light and she would do a little circle here, then there, then somewhere else. She chopped down one leg and not the other. It was actually laughable. While she used scents, her feet could be smelt during the second and third massage. It was the most expensive excuse for I don't know what. We lost 300+ for nothing.
- Every time we went to order off the menu the wrong menu was posted so we would have to reorder.
- The escape maze is truly only a hunt. Not really an "escape" anything. For $50.00 for 4 people. Not worth it.
- The frying pan in the room was unusable, the whisk corroded, we asked for a replacement and heard nothing. It was after 10: 00 when I had to call back that I was told they didn't have any? We were on the dining meal plan but had a 3 year old that wouldn't eat much so we wanted to make scrambled eggs and potatoes. It was an unfortunate discussion but we did finally get 2 frying pans and a whisk replacement.
- Serving portions were inconsistent. If you order the steak you get a big steak, although we had to reorder as we asked for rare and it was well done. But one person ordered the chicken breast and it was soooo small it must have belonged to a pigeon!

Friendly and provided a sense of calmness being so close to the water. The spa was excellent, trails, indoor fireplace and jacuzzi tub were highlights.

I have stayed at this resort several times and have never been disappointed. Beautiful cottages - we stayed in one that was recently renovated. Beautiful cozy cottage on the water with private deck. Beds are very comfortable! Food (farm to table) is amazing. Staff are excellent - helpful, professional and super friendly. Beautiful setting on Rice Lake, nature trails, tranquil. I consider this place one of my favourite vacation spots. HIGHLY RECOMMEND

We had a great long weekend at Elmhirst. The employees were all incredible and really made our stay memorable. Special thanks to Martina, Matt and Steve. Food is excellent and would recommend going on the weekend for the Saturday night dinner and Sunday brunch! The property is beautiful and was cool to be able to walk along the massive farm and see the animals there. Great walking trails in the area also. We look forward to returning!

Great welcome to a three day Travelzoo special, view from cottage (2 bedroom) this morning. Both with ensuite. Fully equipped kitchen. Easy checkin More to say later.

It was a top notch resort unfortunately we visited during covid so many amenities weren't available. On the plus side cottage was spotless and food was excellent

We had a great stay at Elmhirst. The cottage was clean, the whirlpool tub by the window and the king bed looking out to the lake were magical. We unfortunately had to cut our stay short for an emergency at home, and even though it was last minute, Elmhirst only charged us for the one night. Definitely recommend!

Great views and clean cottages. Rented a cottage that sleeps 6 people. I had 2 adults and 2 kids but was charged extra for kids. 2 nights was about 700 dollers.

I've stayed in some high end places befor and I must say from my own experience, if I'm gana spend a grand for a weekend it wont be at this resort again.the cottage was dirty, clothing from previous people under the bed, dirty socks, not worthy of my money.

Had a great experience doing my float rating here. The instructors were nice and very thorough with the training! Would highly recommend.

Only 3 stars! The restaurant had a Thanksgiving special, my wife and I ordered the steak instead because we were having Turkey on Monday. My sister and brother in law had the Turkey, they couldn't finish because it was cold and the meat was overcooked. Will not be coming back.

Beautiful resort! We used the spa and they were all incredibly friendly and very professional! Had lunch in the fabulous dining room overlooking the lake! Stunning view AND meal! Can’t wait to reserve a cottage!

The resort has its own private beach, beautiful view. We had lunch there on Saturday. All staffs are police, welcome and professional. From Fran who helped us make a reservation, to Heidi, the waitress entertaining us in the dining room. The food was great, we had duck leg salad and Elmhirst signature burger, all great! We would love to visit again and live for a night or two next time.
Thanks for all the staff!

This was a terrible stay. Room smelt like mold, there was NOT HOT WATER and the manager shrugged it off saying they can't do anything about it. The building is old and needs serious maintenance. At the restaurant we ordered the steak and it seemed like they gave us a roasted chestnut instead! This was a nightmare, I would never go back. The worst part is that the management couldn't care less.

Nice cabins and great food. But the service was good. Maid service us $25 if you need your cabin cleaned. And spa was lacking.

Quaint location with delicious locally grown and cultivated food (they own their farms and raise livestock for the Inn). High caliber service - a treat and lovely indulgence fir us.

A fantastic place.and reminds me of An Old fashioned Resort
Kinda like in Dirty Dancing but without the Controversy

An amazing LGBT+ friendly place for a wedding!

We had our wedding there on June 22nd, 2019 and we cannot say enough positive things about how amazing the venue, food and staff were. From our initial site visit with Steve, to booking our guest’s accommodations with Joyce, and Alex providing excellent day of coordination, wedding planning with Elmhirst’s Resort was seamless for us as they tried (and succeeded) to make the wedding of our dreams come to life.

Our guests will not stop talking about how incredible the food was – with several folks saying it was the BEST wedding meal they have ever had – and how efficient and friendly the service was from bartenders and waiters throughout the night. After an amazing weekend at Elmhirst’s Resort, many guests told us they intend to come back to stay again, and we booked a cabin for our 1 year anniversary on the spot.

We also managed to squeeze in some amazing treatments at the Spa with extremely friendly attendants who were happy to take two guys through their first manicures! The sightseeing seaplane flight is also an absolute must do activity!

Overall, as two men getting married, we were blown away with how accepting and enthusiastic the staff were about hosting a LGBT wedding. Elmhirst made us feel like part of the family and we can’t imagine any other place to have had our wedding. Highly recommend if you are looking for an outdoor venue, cottage getaway, or having the best wedding food of your life!

We recently had our wedding at Elmhirst’s Resort, and we would highly recommend this venue to everyone. Steve was amazing with everthing, was so professional, relaxed and organized. The food was outstanding, we had so many compliments on how good it was. The venue was beautiful and the cottages were excellent for the weekend.

Was not what I expected at all. People with me could not even eat the meat is was so grizzly and fat! Fresh put out mashed Potatoes were ice cold. No drink menu offered. Only water, coffee or tea.

We enjoyed our stay in cabin 4A. The fishing was good, beach was beautiful, and amenities were terrific. My husband and I enjoyed the spa too. Boys really liked visiting the hen house and learning to throw axes. Can’t wait to return next year!

This was an amazing experience. I went on a sea plane for the first time (first time in a plane ever) and it was a great experience. The staff here are very friendly and love to help you!

Beautiful resort, staff is fantastic, scenery off the map and cottages a great place to stay or hide forever.

Got married there, and spent the night.
As a wedding venue, the place is amazing. Steve Elmhirst, who is the wedding coordinator, is very attentive. We had to make a few changes to our setup, to accommodate guests, physically and otherwise, and Steve was 100% willing, and able, to meet all of iuour requests. He and his staff were available to ensure the entire day ran smoothly; and it did.
As a resort, I can't say too much, in terms of amenities. I spent obe night in a cottage, but it felt very similar to a hotel. Soif you're looking for camp activities, but still want the bedtime comfort of modern home, this would be a good fit.
One caution I will add, is payment. I experienced 2 instances where payment was attempted twice. I don't believe this is intentional; maybe just a lack of communication between staff, on the subject. Perhaps a system rejig for consistency could help them. In any case, be attentive of what has already been paid.

This is a great place. Spa is nice. If you have the time take the float plane flight. Very cool. You will never find a nicer bunch of people than the management and staff of Elmhirst's.

Great food, location & atmosphere.
We had the opportunity to rent a float plane for a couple hours and flew across the lake. There is a island that used to have a railroad directly to it! I’ve attached a picture of it, now underwater.
Great experience! Highly recommended

We have come to this resort multiple times. The cabins are very clean and cozy and offer a great place to come and relax. Each one comes with a wood burning fireplace.

Pets are welcomed which is nice. We don't have to worry about setting up our dogs for boarding.

Always amazing, great staff that want to make sure you have the best time, and their cabins are spacious and comfy. Consistently blown away by the cabins and food.

Awesome time spent with girlfriends at the wild women's weekend
Well organized, lots of fun activities and great food and cabins

Everything about the resort was polished and comfortable. The staff was wonderful and welcoming, especially the restaurant staff. The food was beyond expectations, really delicious. If we had more time and it wasnt rainy we would have loved to explore the rest of the amenities. As it was, we only got to use the indoor pool and sauna and that was clean and spacious, the water was warm and the sauna was great. Overall, it was the perfect relaxing weekend.