by Joey Cee
Ontario’s Muskoka District, which is just a two-hour drive north of Toronto, has always been a magnet for me personally since my preteen years at Camp Boulderwood on Gull Lake near Gravenhurst. As an inner-city kid, this is where I was introduced to, and learned to appreciate, nature, relishing its beauty and finding the outdoors invigorating and addicting.
As I grew older, the rush of Muskoka splendour called me back year after year. It was the area I wanted to go to to relive childhood experiences and escape my hectic business life.
The beach was in front of my cottage balcony
Over the years, I’ve enjoyed several different resorts in many parts of Ontario. Then, about a decade ago, I discovered Bayview Wildwood Resort, situated in the historic Port Stanton village on Sparrow Lake. Conveniently located between Orillia and Gravenhurst (just a few miles west of Hwy 11), it hooked me, and it’s been one of my go-to vacation place ever since.
The best way to describe the Resort is to compare it to the movie set of Dirty Dancing: it has the charm of a cottage neighborhood paired with a camp-like feel.
The cottages, which vary in size from one to five bedrooms, each have a name (Chipmunk, Chickadee, Poplar, Oaks, Balsam, Bluejay, etc.).
The first time I saw the names, I knew I was in for a true experience with nature, and I haven’t been disappointed. In 2020, a fox stood watching me as I walked by only a foot away. (FYI, the Resort does not allow pets. But at on website, it does provide alternatives for pet care in the vicinity.)
Boating along the Trent-Severn waterway in my runabout, which I bring to the Resort every year
The Bayview Wildwood Resort is a year-round resort that offers families, couples, singles and groups a range of all-inclusive packages that feature fine accommodations; always-delicious meals served in the Echo Dining Lounge, with its romantic panoramic view of the lake; and a seemingly endless list of activities. Some seasonal specials feature free stays for kids. It also offers corporate meeting rooms “Muskoka Style” for businesses. Great Seasonal Specials are highlighted on their website for a last-minute getaways.
A daily activity schedule keeps me busy and entertained. Whether it’s canoeing, hiking, swimming, Beer tasting, cocktail classes, dancing, playing Bingo, throwing horse shoes, roasting marshmallows, fishing, playing badminton or sunning on the sandy beach, there is always so much to do. For instance, I enjoy the spa, live entertainment and great golfing, and enjoy watching the kids having fun on the tennis courts and water trampoline.
The Resort’s amenities include both indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a whirl pool, a fitness centre, a games room, spa services (including massage and reflexology), free wireless Internet (WiFi), babysitting, laundry facilities, a conference centre, business services and parking.
As I write this review, COVID updates are still advising me to stay home. Nonetheless, just thinking about all the fun times I’ve had at the Resort makes me want to book several visits for this summer and hitch up my boat with plans to stay a while longer.
To find availability, reserve or get resort updates, please visit their website at www.bayviewwildwood.com
