Jeremy just turned the big 3-0 so we needed a winter getaway in Ontario to celebrate! We stumbled across Couples Resort which ticked all the boxes – plus it’s just 3.5 hours drive from Toronto. It’s an all inclusive resort right next to Algonquin Provincial Park with grandiose rooms and plenty of charm. The resort sits right on the edge of a lake, and there are so many activities that you can do all year round. If you want to check out other things to do in Canada, you can read about our trips to Tobermory, Grey County or Norfolk County.

Chalet - Couples Resort
One of the cute chalets at the resort!
Couples Resort view
A little fishing hut on the frozen lake

For those of you interested in the resort itself, every single room, villa and chateau has its very own hot tub. We were lucky enough to have a hot tub on our balcony, a jacuzzi in our room (next to the bed – how very retro!), AND a steam room.

Couples Resort Spa
Our hot tub looked out to the frozen lake – freezing out there but so warm in here!

When we walked into our room, our jaws dropped. We’re not sure why the rooms need to be so big… but we totally loved it. It almost felt like a mini-apartment rather than a hotel room and we can definitely see why the resort is so popular with couples in Ontario! We’d also arranged for dinner to be waiting for us – in the form of room service. Being an all inclusive, you get to choose whether you have your meals in the dining room or delivered! That means you can have breakfast in bed – every. single. day.

Couples Resort in Algonquin Park
Breakfast in bed!

One of the reasons we chose the Couples Resort is the array of equipment and activities they offer. If you stay with them, they’ll lend you an Algonquin Provincial Park pass to use while you’re there. They also provide bird seed so you can feed the cutest little birds and squirrels!

Squirrel in Algonquin Park
Squirrel in the snow
Feeding Birds in Algonquin Park
Feeding the birds
Chickadee in Algonquin Park
Cutest little chickadee!

Algonquin Provincial Park is the perfect place to go if you’re into wildlife spotting. During winter there’s lots of birds and a few other critters around. Jeremy was really hoping to see a moose, but that’s super rare in the winter – so we’ll just have to go back!

Pine Marten in Algonquin Park
The first Pine Marten we’ve ever seen. They are the best little things!
Gray Jay in Algonquin Park
We got to see a bunch of Gray Jays as well

Couples Resort has a gorgeous dining room which was perfect to celebrate Jeremy’s birthday together. They have a strict dress code, which made us worry that it was going to be too formal – but it was actually really nice. Men are required to have ties, which Jeremy definitely doesn’t have (we are pretty un-fancy) – but there are plenty you can borrow!

Dinner at Couples Resort
Celebrating together with delicious food
Dinner at Couples Resort
How gorgeous are these fairy lights?

The only thing we wish we could’ve changed about our stay was that it was too short. We’d definitely recommend 3 nights there instead of 2, especially if you’re making the drive from Toronto. Hopefully we’ll be back – sooner rather than later. Thanks so much to Darlene at Couples Resort for hosting us such last minute.

Snow in Algonquin Park
We love you, Algonquin!