Best weekend getaways from Toronto include romantic lakeside retreats, relaxing spas and eco-friendly yurts. Regardless of your budget, getting away for a few days of well-deserved rest is easy, with many great choices just a short drive away from the city.
A variety of activities awaits year-round, such as guided hikes, canoeing on a lake, yoga, snowshoeing, horseback riding, golf and spa treatments.
Taboo Resort: Lakeside Spa Getaway
Taboo Resort on Lake Muskoka is a scenic getaway with a great spa, a beautiful golf course and gourmet restaurants serving locally sourced food. Book one of the Premier Lakefront rooms which have large windows overlooking the lake. These rooms feature modern decor, deep soaking tubs and a private balcony which lets you enjoy a breakfast with a view of Lake Muskoka.
If you are planning a family weekend getaway from Toronto, ask for one of the Cottage Chalets which have two to four bedrooms, laundry facilities, a fully equipped kitchen and an outdoor BBQ.
Spa Taboo uses organic oils in its treatments, letting you relax your body and mind in a natural setting. Rooms start at $185 per night (tabooresort.com, 800-461-0236, 705-687-2233).
Langdon Hall: Luxury Weekend in Cambridge, Ontario
Get away for a weekend of great food and spa treatments in a peaceful country setting at Langdon Hall. The hotel is a member of the prestigious Relais & Chateaux hotel group, known for its five star service.
Choose from 52 guest rooms and suites, featuring antique furnishings, baths with soaking tubs and walk-in showers. Ask for one of the suites with a wood burning fireplace and a private terrace overlooking the gardens.
Langdon Hall is located in Cambridge, Ontario, about one hour from Toronto. Rooms start at $375 on weekends (langdonhall.ca, 519-740-2100).
Ste. Anne's Spa
Located on 400 quiet acres in Grafton, Ontario, Ste. Anne's Spa is one of the top spa getaways in the world. 16 guest rooms at the Main Inn and 6 cottages are individually decorated in Old World style. Ask for one of the rooms with a romantic fireplace on your weekend getaway. All-inclusive rates start at $800 per night.
In addition to overnight stays, Ste. Anne's Spa offers day spa packages starting at $170 per person which include lunch, afternoon tea, a $120 spa credit and complete use of the spa facilities (steannes.com, 888-346-6772, 905-349-2493).
Grail Springs Wellness Retreat
Grail Springs is located in Bancroft, Ontario, in the heart of the Canadian Shield, surrounded by a pristine forest, meditation gardens and a beautiful lake. The resort offers a variety of accommodation options, including luxurious rooms with lake views. If you are looking to reconnect with nature, book one of the eco forest cabins in the summer.
Grail Springs offers many activities, including yoga, snowshoeing, horseback riding, guided hikes and evening guest speakers. In the summer, enjoy the lake beach, canoes, paddleboats and the labyrinth.
Spa facilities include an outdoor hot mineral salt tub, cold-plunge salt pool, outdoor dry Finnish sauna, steam sauna and infrared sauna. All-inclusive two-night retreats start at $480 per person, including all meals, activities and $100 spa credit (grailsprings.com, 877-553-5772, 613-332-0154).
Affordable Weekend Getaway at Ontario Parks
A relaxing weekend getaway from Toronto doesn't have to break the bank. Stay overnight in a heated yurt or cabin in one of the provincial parks in Ontario.
For example, Windy Lake Provincial Park has 4 new yurts where you can have fun outdoors year-round. Each yurt sleeps six people and is equipped with a table and chairs, lighting, electric heat and an electrical outlet. Outside the yurt, there is a firepit, picnic table, and propane barbeque with side burner (ontarioparks.com, 888-668-7275, 519-826-5290).
Blue Mountain Resort
Blue Mountain Resort, just 90 minutes north of Toronto, is a year-round playground for kids and grown-ups alike. The resort offers diverse accommodations, a 40 acre pedestrian village, and 45 restaurants, bars and shops. There are two spas at Blue Mountain, as well as the nearby Scandinave Spa, perfect for a relaxing weekend getaway in the mountains.
In the winter, guests have access to 40 ski and snowboard trails. During the warmer season, activities include golf, tennis, hiking, mountain biking, open-air gondola, Ridge Runner Mountain Coaster, Mountaintop Segway Tours and the Aquatic Centre (bluemountain.ca).
