This weekend, my boyfriend and I had the pleasure of staying at Westview Cabin on Lake of Bays in Muskoka. This cabin is owned and operated by Muskoka Waterfront Retreat. With a view of the fully frozen lake and snow-capped forest from our back deck, it was a much-needed escape from the city. Not to mention, the drive-up was absolutely gorgeous.
Check-In (10/10)
This had to be the easiest hotel check-in I have experienced thus far. Once your reservation is confirmed, they email you the door code for your cabin and the main lodge, which I will elaborate on later. While it is a little disappointing that you don't see much (or any) staff around for assistance when needed, there is a toll-free number posted in the cabin to text 24/7 if anything is needed.
Even better than check-in is check-out - just make sure you have all your belongings and hit the road. Nothing worse than checking out and having to wait in a line while dead tired and dreading a drive home.
Amenities (7/10)
In the summer, amenities at Muskoka Waterfront Retreat are plentiful, from kayaks to an on-site beach and docks for fishing. That said, in the winter, there is a little less going on. The outdoor fire pit is sadly also out of commission for the season. The cabin did come stocked with a lighter and Firestarter for your cabin firepit, which was appreciated. One downfall is that I had to ask other visitors where the firewood was located, as no note or guidance was left upon arrival, via email, or in the cabin.
Speaking of the cabin, it came fully stocked with toiletries, kitchen utensils, baking/cooking supplies, a Keurig, k-cups, tea, spices for cooking, as well as a dishwasher and detergent. I will say having a full fridge, microwave, stove, and oven should be an accommodation available at any hotel. An item that was missing was a dish rag. Using so many paper towels to wipe dishes is a waste, and a towel could have saved work and unnecessary mess.
In the main lodge, there is a pool table, foosball, and a bunch of board games that you can use throughout your stay. The building also has a dining area with a lot of seating. The only downfall is that there is nowhere on site to get food or drinks. It would be nice if there was a breakfast buffet that everyone could go for. This way, you can connect with other guests and find people to socialize with later in the day/evening.
Cleanliness and Appearance (10/10)
The cabin and lodge were very clean. Usually, I go to a hotel and can find one stain at the very least, but there were none to be found. Everything is very well maintained throughout the property.
Food (7/10)
As I mentioned previously, the resort is missing a place to get food. That said, it is a nice sentiment that there are spices and cooking oil provided. There is a convenience store nearby where some items can be acquired, but keep in mind that they operate under limited hours. Downtown Huntsville is only a 15 minute drive away, so there is plenty of restaurant and shopping options nearby. We ended up with Pillsbury cookies, pizza, and French fries (lol). Though I didn't get the chance to try them, even closer to the property is Muskoka on the Rocks (which looks like a cute restaurant/pub).
Local Area (10/10)
Every time I visit Muskoka, the local area is a 10/10! As I said, Huntsville is a quick drive away. While there are tons of outdoor activities, from Treetop Trekking to dogsledding, my boyfriend and I visited Jamie at Find Your Wild. From Hok skiing to axe throwing and snowshoeing to ropes courses, Find Your Wild is the ultimate Canadian outdoor adventure. In February, they are introducing "Woodland Warriors Archery Tag and Capture the Flag." I got a test run of the foam archery arrows, and let's just say I will be back for a Hunger Games-style adventure soon. The best part is that Find Your Wild's unofficial mascot is Stanley, the Norwegian Elkhound and the sweetest pup I've met.
Overall Stay (9.5/10)
The freedom you get while staying at a cabin rather than a hotel is unmatched. While I do wish there was a food option, the gorgeous view, silence of Muskoka, and warmth from the fireplace, despite the -20C weather, made the stay one to remember.
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