Romantic Rendezvous at the Spa

Rekindle the romance in a lakefront suite. Share a pampering spa treatment for two, then linger over a late dinner. Ontario's charming inns and full-service spas will set the mood.

With a reputation for great food and service, the Delta Sherwood Inn (1090 Sherwood Rd., Port Carling, 1-866-844-2228, www.deltahotels.com) has long been a favourite with couples seeking to combine a rustic wilderness setting with sophisticated dining. With 1,500 feet of prime Lake Joseph shoreline, there's plenty of space to enjoy the towering pines and loon calls.

After a sunset paddle, enjoy chef Marcus Anthony's four-diamond cuisine, then retire to a room with a view of the lake and sleep to the sounds of water lapping the shoreline. Built in 1939, the lodge exudes the charm of a New England inn. Recent expansions have added the Amba Health & Beauty Spa offering treatments for men and women, including an outdoor massage on the shores of Lake Joseph and yoga classes by request.

The resort's most luxurious accommodations are found in the Boat House Suite, aptly named for its on-the-water setting. Starting Sept. 26 and continuing through October, the Sherwood celebrates a Muskoka Harvest Festival with culinary demonstrations, romantic evening cruises and specialty dinners paired with Ontario wines. Golfers will appreciate the opportunity to play any of the three Club Link Muskoka championship courses nearby: the Mark O'Meara Course at Grandview, Rocky Crest Golf Club and the Lake Joseph Club.

The elegant Inn at Manitou (McKellar Centre Rd., near Parry Sound, 1-800-571-8818, www.manitou-online.com), known for its impeccable service, great tennis and fine dining has also earned kudos for its new spa.

A member of the prestigious European Relais & Chateaux, The Inn at Manitou brings big-city luxuries to the shores of Manitowabing Lake in Parry Sound. Relax in a Muskoka chair on the dock and soak up the scenery, or hit one of the 11 tennis courts--the resort is known for its first-rate instruction. Whether you are a novice golfer or just want to improve your score, the 10-acre golf academy offers attractive greens and great instruction to strengthen your short game. Need a special outing that will impress? Book a floatplane or helicopter trip over the 30,000 islands in Georgian Bay,

Men love this spa for its sports massage; either before or after tennis, it helps reduce muscle tension and increase range of motion. Women adore the oxygen facial. Whether you choose spa-style nouvelle (broccoli and white asparagus souffle) or classical haute cuisine (duck liver terrine with quail confit), the dining room will delight. French silverware and fine crystal set the tone. You'll be glad you brought a dinner jacket.

The guest rooms are all wonderful, but a special celebration calls for a luxury suite with fireplace, sauna and private balcony high above the lake. Sleep late and order in a champagne breakfast.

BACK | Library Main Page | Search for your Match