The hype
Families love the endless entertainment options for kids, but couples often find the main hotel rooms underwhelming and noisy.
Deerhurst Resort
$150-350/ night
Book this if You want a classic 'Dirty Dancing' style family resort experience in Muskoka with year-round activities, and you don't mind trading modern luxury for nostalgia.
Why People Love It
- Massive array of activities: escape cabins, paintball, tree-top trekking, and golf
- Lakeside Lodge rooms offer a modern condo experience right on the water
- True four-season appeal with an ice-skating trail in winter and inflatable water park in summer
Quick Take: A sprawling Muskoka institution where the activities are world-class but the main building rooms are stuck in 1995.
Reviewed by @nourishandwandertravel: I stayed in this suite and it was the perfect escape. Having a full kitchen and separate living room made it feel like a home, but that balcony view of the lake was the real highlight. Totally worth it for a quiet weekend.
Guest Who Stayed Here Said
Reality check
You are paying for the resort amenities, not 5-star room finishes (unless you book Lakeside Lodge).
- You have active kids who need constant entertainment
- You are planning a multi-generational trip and need condo-style units with kitchens
- You want a winter getaway with skating, snowshoeing, and skiing all in one place
Cleanliness & Maintenance
7
- Housekeeping: Generally responsive, but missed spots (dust, hair) are common in older rooms.
- Bathroom hygiene: Pavilion bathrooms often have mildew in grout lines due to age.
- Maintenance: Older rooms show wear—peeling paint, chipped furniture, worn carpets.
- Linens & towels: Clean but basic. Some reports of stained bedskirts in Pavilion rooms.
- Odors & scents: Older rooms can have a faint musty smell; Lakeside Lodge smells fresh/new.
Sleepability™
6MODERATE
0-4LOUD
4-7.5MODERATE
7.5-10SILENT
- Hallway traffic in the Pavilion building
- Wedding parties and events on weekends
- Connecting room doors (sound leaks through)
Before you book
Good to know
- The resort fee (~$40 CAD/night) is mandatory but covers parking, wifi, and most non-motorized equipment.
- The indoor pool is in the Pavilion; if you stay at Lakeside, you have to walk or shuttle to it in winter.
- Restaurants book up fast on weekends—reserve tables before you arrive.
What to pack
- Beach towels (resort supplies run out or are small)
- Your own ice skates (rentals available but quality varies)
- Bug spray (Muskoka mosquitoes are no joke in June/July)
Room Genie
Best picks
- Lakeside Lodge (newer, gas fireplaces, full kitchens, but a 10-min walk to main building)
- Bayshore Rooms (direct beach access, ground floor walkouts are great for families)
Rooms to avoid
- Pavilion Rooms near the elevator or ice machine (high traffic)
- Summit Lodges if you have strollers or heavy bags (no elevator)
- Any room with a connecting door if you aren't booking both sides
Room Request Genie – copy & paste
“I would like to request a room in the Lakeside Lodge if available, preferably on a higher floor for the view. If I must stay in the Pavilion, please assign a room at the end of a hallway away from the elevators and event spaces to minimize noise.”
FAQ & Hidden tips
Everything you actually want to know before you book.
Is the pool open year-round?
Yes, the indoor pool in the Pavilion is open daily 7am-10pm. Outdoor pools are seasonal (June-Oct).
Is there a resort fee?
Yes, approx. $39.95 CAD + tax per night. It includes parking, WiFi, and access to seasonal equipment like canoes or snowshoes.
Are pets allowed?
Yes, in specific designated rooms (mostly Pavilion). Fee is around $50+ CAD per stay.
Is there EV charging?
Yes. Two free Tesla Destination chargers (first come, first served) and paid FLO Level 2 chargers ($15 flat fee/session).
Can I walk to town?
No. Huntsville is a 10-15 minute drive. You need a car.
Do the rooms have fridges?
Yes, most have mini-fridges. Lakeside Lodge units have full kitchens.
Insider Tips
- ✨
The 'free' Tesla chargers are often occupied; plan to use the paid FLO chargers ($15 flat rate) overnight if needed.
- ✨
Request a 'Bayshore' ground floor room if you want to walk straight out onto the grass/beach.
- ✨
The shuttle runs between buildings, but it can be slow. Walking is often faster if you're able-bodied.
5 things to know before you go
💡The 'Summit Lodges' have zero elevators—a nightmare for parents with strollers.
💡The indoor pool deck can get slippery and chaotic; it's not a relaxing oasis.
💡You can hear your neighbors in the Pavilion rooms if they talk at normal volume.
💡The 'resort fee' effectively makes parking 'free' only because you're forced to pay the fee anyway.
💡Coffee options are limited early morning if the on-site shop isn't open; bring instant coffee just in case.
Local Playbook
Map
See where Deerhurst Resort is located and what's nearby.