Winter Getaways Ontario: 17 Best Places to Stay This Winter
Ontario is a large province in Canada with an abundance of options for winter getaways. Whether you are looking for somewhere to spend a relaxing weekend as a couple, or a new town to explore, there is something for everyone on this list of winter getaways in Ontario.
I have spent over four winters in Ontario and can honestly say that you will enjoy the cold Canadian winters much more if you do winter sports and explore the snowy surroundings during winter Ontario getaways .
Muskoka and Haliburton are ideal locations to enjoy winter activities in Ontario. However, there are many other destinations nearer to home or further away in the province. Read this article for inspiration on the other places to visit in Ontario.
Whichever Ontario winter resort you decide to visit, ensure you embrace the cold weather and wrap up in warm winter clothing for your winter getaways Ontario bound. You can also discover more about Ontario’s diverse seasons in this article.
Continue reading for some of the best winter resorts in Ontario.
17 Best Winter Getaways Ontario
The 17 best places to stay in winter in Ontario have been separated into categories, including stays for couples, skiing, and luxury stays.
Ontario Winter Getaways for Couples
What can be more romantic than curling up by the fire with your loved one and a glass of wine? There are many hotels and rental properties perfect for this.
Here are my top choices for a winter retreat in Ontario for couples.
1. JW Marriott Muskoka Lake Rosseau
This hotel is a winter wonderland perched on the edge of Lake Rosseau in Muskoka and is widely thought as best resort in Ontario.
It is a luxury hotel with many outdoor activities to experience during a stay, such as guided snowshoe walks, fat bikes, and an outdoor swimming pool.
I stayed at JW Marriott Muskoka in March and there was an abundance of snow and things to do, so I had a great time. However, the rooms were a little dated. Luckily, there are so many things to do that you do not spend much time in the room.
JW Marriott Muskoka Lake Rosseau has several restaurants to enjoy while at the resort and even offer the opportunity to dine outside in their Ice Caves. I dined at TECA restaurant and it had an enjoyable and romantic atmosphere.
Check out the resort offers on Marriott here.
2. Deerhurst Resort, Huntsville
Deerhurst Resort is a popular resort hotel, ideally located in Huntsville on the edge of Peninsula Lake. Cross country skiing and ice skating are included in the resort fee.
Hidden Valley Ski area is next-door to Deerhurst Resort.
I stayed at Deerhurst Resort during autumn, but there was a lot of information about what to do at the resort in winter and explaining why it is one of the best places to visit in Ontario in winter.
Muskoka Lakes is one of the best Ontario winter destinations, and Deerhurst Resort offers a great base to explore the area.
Deerhurst Resort is also a great place to experience fall in Ontario and to see the autumn leaves in Algonquin Park.
For more Muskoka winter getaways, visit the Discover Muskoka website.
3. Couples Resort, Algonquin Park
Couples Resort Algonquin is an all-inclusive, couples-only hotel on the outskirts of Algonquin Park. The hotel has plenty of activities for couples and serves good food.
The resort is an ideal place to spend Valentine’s Day or for a wintery weekend escape outside the city. Enjoy the trails in Algonquin Park covered in snow, such as Algonquin Park Logging Museum Trail and Bike Trail at Mew Lake Campground.
Algonquin Park is an incredible place to go backcountry camping year-round.
4. Bayview Wildwood Resort, Muskoka
Bayview Wildwood Resort is an all-inclusive hotel on Sparrow Lake close to Gravenhurst. If you book the meal package, breakfast and dinner will be included each day.
The resort has many complimentary activities in winter, such as ice fishing, tobogganing, and snowshoeing. The abundance of resort amenities makes it an ideal location for an active couple’s winter weekend getaway.
5. Fairmont Château Laurier, Ottawa
The Fairmont Hotel in Ottawa is iconic to the cityscape. A stay at this luxury hotel is recommended if the budget persists.
Fairmont Chateau Laurier is a short walk from many of Ottawa’s main attractions, such as the Parliament Buildings, Rideau Canal, and ByWard Market – making it the perfect location to stay in when visiting Ottawa.
Skating along the Rideau Canal is such an iconic winter activity in Ottawa.
Fairmont is a well-known brand of hotels in Canada. You can stay at other Fairmont hotels across the country, such as Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, Fairmont Banff Springs and Fairmont Royal York.
6. Rose-Eh Chalet, Lakefront AFrame Cottage, Bancroft
3 bedrooms, 1.5 bathrooms
Rose-Eh Chalet is a cosy cabin located in Bancroft, North of Belleville and south of Algonquin Park. Get the fire roaring, turn on the fairy lights and enjoy quality time as a couple.
Haliburton Winter Getaways
Haliburton is a region around 2 ½ hours from Toronto, which is further than other cottage countries, such as Muskoka.
However, it is worth the extra drive because Haliburton is spectacular.
If you want a true winter retreat with piles of snow, stunning views across frozen lakes, and miles of trails for some winter activities, Haliburton is the right option for you.
There are several residential properties in Haliburton, which is where I have been able to experience this region. But many properties are rented on VRBO or Airbnb, as you can see below.
7. Beautiful Year-Round Cottage on Paudash Lake
3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
This is a charming Paudash Lake cottage with plenty of space for a large group of friends or a family. The cottage is close to many hiking trails and Silent Lake Provincial Park’s cross-country ski trails.
8. The Baltic – Luxury Treehouse, Minden Hills
1 bedroom, 1 bathroom
The Baltic is a luxury treehouse experience for two in the Haliburton Highlands. There is also a private hot tub for you to use outside the treehouse.
Check out other winter getaways in Ontario on Airbnb.
Skiing Ontario Resorts
For those adventure seekers and ski or snowboard lovers, you need to book one of these hotels for a winter skiing getaway in Ontario.
Ontario skiing is a great way to maintain your skills while building up for bigger resorts, such as Whistler and Blackcomb ski resorts.
Make sure you know the correct clothes to wear for your cold getaways in Ontario and know how to layer properly for skiing.
10. The Westin Trillium House, Blue Mountain
Blue Mountain is one of the most well-known ski resorts in Ontario, which is why you can stay at a renowned Marriott property during your stay. This is one of the best Ontario winter resorts because it is on the footsteps of the Blue Mountain ski resort.
The rooms at The Westin Blue Mountain are equipped with a kitchenette so you can prepare some snacks at your convenience. Otherwise, there is the Café Grill within the hotel.
If you are a big ski fan, you can read about Blue Mountain ski resort here and also learn about Whistler Blackcomb ski resort here.
When I skied at Blue Mountain in January and I could not believe how cold it was, which is why The Westin in Blue Mountain is one of the best winter getaway resorts. You can easily go back to the safety of your hotel room to warm up throughout the ski day.
11. Hockley Valley Resort, Mono
This resort is close to Orangeville, making it a winter getaway in Ontario closer to the Greater Toronto Area.
Visit this website for information about the Hockey Valley Ski Resort.
12. Sir Sam’s Inn and Spa, Haliburton
This adult-only hotel is located on Eagle Lake in Haliburton. In addition to the cosy rooms with a fireplace and whirlpool bath, there are also numerous outdoor activities to keep you occupied during the day at Sir Sam’s Ski Hill.
There are 14 runs and 4 chairlifts for skiing and snowboarding at Sir Sam’s Ski Hill. See the trail map here.
13. Calabogie Peaks Resort Hotel, Calabogie
This is an ideal option for those looking for an Ontario winter getaway nearer to Ottawa, as it is just over an hour’s drive from Ottawa. While the hotel is a little tired, the location is excellent for skiers and hikers.
Calabogie Peaks is the tallest public ski resort in Ontario, which is great news for winter sport fans.
14. Cozy Chalet close to Hidden Valley Ski Hill
2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
As mentioned previously, Hidden Valley Ski Hill is in Muskoka, near Deerhurst Resort. If you are looking for a more private experience in a rented house with family or friends, this chalet is well-suited.
It is a modern and well-maintained house that provide a comfortable stay in Muskoka.
Read more: 18 things to know about skiing in Whistler
Luxury Winter Getaways Ontario
Booking a large house for an Ontario winter getaway is a great way to spend time with a group of friends or family. These accommodation options have several rooms which will allow you to be together but with some privacy.
Treat yourself to one of these luxurious house rentals in Ontario.
15. Luxury Lake Front Log Home, Orillia
6 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms
This large log home on Lake Couchiching in Orillia has a cosy living room, a large kitchen, and a basement with a games room. There is also a fire pit and sauna to stay warm while outdoors.
There are numerous hiking, biking, skiing, snowmobiling, and ATV trails nearby.
16. Stunning 8 Bedroom Executive Cottage on Lake Muskoka
8 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms
This holiday rental is a large property on the well-known Lake Muskoka with plenty of room for a big group.
Enjoy the ping pong table and abundance of winter activities in the area.
17. The Bear Stand on Contau Lake, Haliburton County
4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
This luxury accommodation is near to The Kawarthas, Haliburton and Algonquin Highlands. Due to its award-winning design, it was featured in the Architectural Digest and is typically fully booked months in advance.
The Bear Stand has a vast network of hiking trails, with 2.5 km of pristine interior wetlands, scenic overlooks and nature viewing platforms, ideal for snowshoeing. It has nearly 100 acres of private land.
Further Reading
For more information on winter in Ontario, and the rest of the year, read this article on the Best Time to Visit Ontario. If you are not from Ontario, it will give you an insight into what it is like living in Ontario Canada.
Alternatively, read this article on Canada winter clothing to get inspiration for your winter wardrobe.
