Ontario is not only home to some of North America’s best places to visit, natural attractions such as spectacular Niagara Falls top the list of visitors from across the globe, it’s also where you can experience some of Canada’s best resort vacations.

Ontario attracts a good number of overseas visitors eager to explore its vast stretches of heavily forested and unspoiled scenery. There are also options close to larger urban centers.

Much, of course, depends upon the season. While some areas cater to guests wanting to experience activities such as skiing and snowmobiling in winter, others – such as Muskoka and Algonquin Park – tend to focus on experiences such as hiking and canoeing in the summer months.

Whatever your preference and whatever time of year you visit, we’re pleased to bring you this list of the best resorts in Ontario, Canada.

Here are some top lake resorts to unwind in Ontario:

JW Marriott The Rosseau Muskoka Resort and Spa, Lake Rosseau:

Ontario is blessed in so many ways when it comes to choosing a place to stay. Leading the pack in Muskoka is the impressive JW Marriott The Rosseau Muskoka Resort & Spa. Only the second Canadian resort to be graced with the prestigious JW Marriott moniker, this top luxury resort is undoubtedly one of the best places to visit in cottage country for those wanting an unparalleled high-end vacation experience.

The resort’s hillside setting offers superb views over Lake Rosseau, a body of water that’s famous for being the summer home to Hollywood stars and billionaires (be sure to request a lake view when booking).

Accommodations range from bright studios and deluxe rooms that come with separate living and dining areas to spacious one- and two-bedroom suites. The largest of these measures 117 square meters and comes with a private balcony or patio.

There are plenty of fun things to do on-site, too. Book a meal in one of the resort’s restaurants (better still, on the patio), lounge poolside, or spend time being pampered in Spa Rosseau. Add to this mix canoe and kayak adventures, hiking and biking, nature programs, and year-round kids’ activities, and you’ll not want to leave!

Address: 1050 Paignton House Road, Minett, Ontario

Great Wolf Lodge, Niagara Falls:

When it comes to year-round family fun, Great Wolf Lodge in Niagara Falls certainly delivers. A mix of water park excitement and great accommodations, Great Wolf Lodge offers plenty of fun on-site and is close enough to all the dining, shopping, and attractions in Niagara Falls.

On-site amenities include a vast array of water-based rides, pools, and games; multiple dining options; kids programs; and mini-golf and bowling. There’s also a large fitness center, and both an adults’ and kids’ spa.

Come bedtime, youngsters are going to love settling down for the night in one of the themed “Kid Kamp” suites. Capable of sleeping up to six guests comfortably, these fun suites consist of a tent-themed area with bunk beds just for the kids, along with a queen bed for mom and dad, plus a sofa bed if it’s needed. Other features include large screen TVs, private balconies (or patios), fridges, and coffee makers.

Other options include suites with two queen beds and a pullout and a loft suite with a cozy separate living area.

Address: 3950 Victoria Ave, Niagara Falls, Ontario

Inn at Cobble Beach, Kemble:

Located on a 574-acre parcel of land on rugged Georgian Bay, the all-season Inn at Cobble Beach near Owen Sound offers guests an outstanding Canadian vacation experience.

In addition to having access to Cobble Beach Golf Links, the resort also boasts great dining and world-class spa facilities. Other amenities include a fitness center, indoor golf facility, and a 14-kilometre trail network to explore. For winter sports enthusiasts, most of this expansive trail network is accessible with snowshoes and cross-country skis.

The inn’s accommodations consist of 10 elegantly appointed suites plus an additional five stand-alone cottages. In-room features include spacious bathrooms with separate bathtubs and showers, comfortable up-graded bedding, free Wi-Fi, HD TVs, fridges, and great views over Georgian Bay or the golf course.

When additional space is needed, request a room with a pull-out sofa bed, or opt for the loft suite, capable of sleeping up to eight guests comfortably and with an additional bathroom. Larger groups should also consider renting one of the two-bedroom open-concept cottages, each with two bathrooms, separate living rooms with pull-out sofas, and great waterfront views.

Address: 221 McLeese Drive, Kemble, Ontario

Deerhurst Resort, Huntsville:

Set in the heart of Ontario’s cottage country region of Muskoka, Deerhurst Resort has been synonymous with great Canadian hospitality since it opened in 1896. Since then, Deerhurst has grown into one of the largest resorts in Ontario, offering everything from great family vacations to romantic couples’ getaways and corporate functions.

Its accommodations can handle groups of any size, whether in its nicely finished standard hotel rooms or in its larger open-concept suites. If your budget can handle it, consider opting for a one, two, or three-bedroom unit, many of which boast their own private kitchens.

Where Deerhurst outdoes most resorts, however, is on the activities front. On-site amenities include a large beach area with water toys, indoor and outdoor pools and hot tubs, two golf courses, horse riding, hiking and biking trails, and treetop trekking.

Deerhurst also boasts a wide variety of indoor activities for when the cooler winter weather arrives, including fun things for kids, such as a play zone and rock climbing wall, while adults can enjoy indoor tennis and squash. The resort also has a large fitness center, spa, and great on-site dining options.

Address: 1235 Deerhurst Drive, Huntsville, Ontario

Published on HOLR Magazine.