Elmhirst's Resort

Elmhirst's is a venerable old cottage resort, updated for the 21st century. There are many cottages, of various sizes and shapes, almost all with views of, and access to, Rice Lake. The cottages are comfortable and not too rustic, but not the height of luxury either. (The wind fairly whistled though our back door in Cottage 5.) There's a full kitchen, and most things you would need for an extended stay. It's just a short walk to the main building where you can find the reception, restaurant, pub, swimming pool, gym, as well as conference facilities. There are trails around the property, as well as further afield along the lakeshore or through the woods. If you have kids, there is a playground, basketball, tennis and volleyball courts, and of course the lake. We were there in the off-season, so it was nice and peaceful, but I can imagine it gets pretty busy in the summer and fall. The food is actually pretty good, with a better choice for vegetarians than most rural lodges; there are several veggie choices both in the restaurant and in the pub. If you're into sustainability, Elmhirst's is trying its best. The cottages use efficient electric heat pumps, and the main building has solar panels on its roof. It taps its own maple syrup, produces its own honey, makes its own cider, and grows what food ingredients it can, including eggs and meat. The resort website has a nice little video showing how guests can help its recycling and composting efforts. If you have an electric car, I couldn't see an outside socket on the cottage for trickle charging, but there are two free Level 2 chargers in the main parking lot (just ask for a key in reception to get it working). Great!

M our relatives had the couch potatoe special. Cottage was beautiful with wonderful views. The heat pump wasn’t working right it was either really hot or cold wasn’t a even heat. Went to dinner with our relatives on valentine day and wasn’t impressed my steak was half grizzle couldn’t eat it. Service wasn’t the best. Think this will be our last visit there

Great food. Roast beef dinner was delicious and so filling. Staff is accommodating. Wine tasting is so much fun and informative. Cottage was clean and spacious. Sauna and hot tub hit the spot. We were able to go snow shoeing and walking around .

Very friendly staff. Property is updated but yet has a great cottage feeling. Just wish check out time is not 10:00am…

We had a girls trip with the couch potato package. Great value. The cottage was spotless and beds were comfy. Excellent A/C. Dishwasher was a bit quirky, needing to open the oven door to open the d/w..LOL but happy there was one! All our meals were included and were very good with ample portions although the Sunday Best was extremely slow and the managers didn’t seem to notice in order to check in on us or help the servers out. The Saturday Supper beef was delicious!

This was our first experience visiting Elmhurst Resort we visited midweek on the couch potato package While booking this package I spoke with Fran on several occasions and she couldn't be more than accommodating and lovely to deal with. We had heard many great things about the food unfortunately that was not our experience. The first night I ordered the beef rib it was inedible all fat can't say I really saw any beef and cold in the middle, I likely should have sent it back but I did not my husband gave me some of his fish and chips which we had read good reviews on unfortunately that too was not enjoyable a little crispy on the outside but very soggy batter on the inside with a fishy taste. Breakfast was okay and we did enjoy the desserts. We had pre-booked a pontoon boat as we took up another couple to spend our middle Day fishing on Rice Lake this was a highlight of our trip the morning we were to pick up the boat at 8:00 a.m. they informed us that they did not have one as the one we had I guess been assigned to was not working to make a long story short the owner (Greg)did make it right we ended up getting the pontoon boat by 2:00 in the afternoon and they did not charge us still a big disappointment we were pretty much sure when we checked in the day before they already knew this was the case and we should have really been notified. The cottage was fine needs definite updating but fulfilled all our needs and the view was lovely on the way home I said to my husband do you think we'd go back? The reason we did the package was so that us two ladies didn't have to do a lot of cooking in the end I think we would have enjoyed it better if we had of cooked our own food again will we go back we'll have to think about it.

This was what I was looking for. I went September midweek and found the quiet and peace I was hoping for. I did auto check in and when I arrived the cottage was spotless, soft music playing (nice touch), all the info I needed was displayed, the air conditioner was on and as it was a very hot day, very much appreciated. There were even ice cubes in the freezer. This is an older resort and my deck definitely needed replacing as it had a very amusing slope to it. Upon looking around, you can tell that theses decks are being replaced so no points off for a work in progress. There are all newer windows and patio door. Sitting on the deck by the lake, hearing the water, enjoying ducks and the blue heron that spent hours on the dock; wonderful. All the staff I spoke to were extremely friendly and helpful.

We arrived on Labour Day for a two day visit. There were a lot of people around when we checked in but all of them with kids left (we assume for school) that night. The cabin had good A/C, was scrupulously clean and well stocked. The nights were very quiet (we heard nothing) and we spent the two days hiking, resting and eating. We had the indoor pool, hot tub and sauna to ourselves most of the time. Meals in the restaurant were good and reasonably priced. Overall, we would return for another visit.

We dined at the restaurant there. It was the perfect way to spend a hot summer’s day. Judging by the grounds and the staff there I would suggest this resort. It is the way a summer getaway should be…..quiet, rustic , quaint and no pretence …absolutely lovely.