Wigamog Inn – Ontario (Rest and Fun) (Ontario)

Member Name: dragonone

Product:	Ontario
Date:	23/08/01 (556 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Peaceful, relaxing, Families welcome

Disadvantages: semi-remote but worth it

The Wigamog Inn is a classic country inn and all year resort set on the shores of Lake Kashagawigamog, yes it is a real name, about three hours drive north from Toronto in an area referred to as the Haliburton Highlands. The inn caters for a variety of visitors from families to businessmen.

Accommodation comes in a number of styles: Economy Rooms in the main inn are clean with no frills, is also available in a cottage. Standard rooms in the main inn or the Moose Motel, generally with two beds, bathroom and a fridge. One to three Bedroom cottages, warm and cosy on the edge of the wood set back from the Main Inn. They also have pool and lakeside studio apartments, cottages with Jacuzzis and the Executive Suite.

During the Summer months there are indoor and outdoor pools, whirlpool, sauna, 2 tennis courts with practice wall, safe sandy beach, water slide on raft, water trampoline and water slide, mountain biking, billiards, ping pong, video games, canoes, kayaks, paddle boats, volleyball, basketball, baseball, badminton, shuffleboard, horseshoes, 10 station fitness trail, hiking and nature trails, fishing,

In the Winter there is cross country skiing, Indoor Pool, Whirlpool, Sauna, Dog Sledding, Wine Tasting, Skating Rink, Shinny Hockey, Broomball, Snowshoeing, Wicked Toboggan Hill, Billiards, Ping Pong, Darts, Video Games, Board Games, Sleigh Rides in the Hinterland, Spa Service.

What else can you do? You really need a car, Canada is a BIG country. I went to the Haliburton Wolf center, excellent value with good interactive displays and a glass fronted observation room that can take you ‘inside’ a live wolf pack. The Algonquin Provincial park is close by with breath taking scenary. I went shopping in Barrie and picked up some excellent kids clothes (for my nephew) maple syrup and the usual tourist at the Rail’s End Gallery in Haliburton Village is worth a visit. There is always the golf course (par 71) with discoun
ted rates for Wigamog Inn guests

The food was of a good standard and the portions are ample, they have gourmet evening which are well worth attending. Picnic baskets can be provided on request, Breakfasts consist of fresh fruit, yogurts, nuts and grains, freshly baked muffins, danishes, croissants, eggs any style, bacon, farmer sausage. Three entree choice dinner menus are varied with soups, garden fresh salads, freshly baked rolls, traditional roasts, fresh 'catch of the day' and crisp seasonal vegetables. Hungury? I was and I ate long and well.

The Staff at the Inn were very friendly and would put themselves out to help you get the best out of your stay. Canadiasn are NICE by default.

I stayed in the Main Inn with a room overlooking the lake, it was warm and dry, very comfortable with a well equipped bathroom. I stayed there in Oct/Nov ’98 for two weeks with a snow on the ground for the first week, breathtaking scenery with the mirrored lakes, clear skies and fresh air. What to do while there depends on when you go. In Oct/Nov they are just changing over from the summer to the winter season and it is the middle of hunting season, so my options were a little limited. As I hired a car I spend my time exploring and meeting the locals, there is a good Chinese takeaway and Fish&Chip shop in Minden village. I think the best day of my stay was Holloween, there was a power cut and the staff rallied, an put on a really spooky dinner.

Costs: The costs listed here are as up to date (Aug 2001) as I can make them. Please note $ = Canadian Dollars

London-Toronto Return from £400 to £500
Car hire from Toronto from $30 per day + $300 deposit + $5 per day insurance upgrade
1 Week in Economy Room = $630 (double occupancy)
1 Week in Poolside room/cottage = $985 (double occupancy)
Ski hire/Trail pass = $20
Picnic basket from $25 to $40
Bike Hire = $30 per day
Wolf Centre = $30

I foun
d the Wigamog in to be a good place to relax and enjoy myself, it also proved to be a good base from which to explore the local area and I am looking forward to going back next year (2002).

Summary: