Need a Romantic Getaway?

It's a perfect blend of upscale and rustic.

A stay at The Lodge at Pine Cove is a lot like going on a date – a good date – one with a person who shows you a wonderful time and who is someone you will not want to leave.

In the electronic era, finding the right accommodations for your holiday, like finding the right partner, often involves hours spent surfing the web. But unlike the photos and profiles on dating sites, the reports you’ll read about The Lodge at Pine Cove do not lie. Our past guests, whose reviews on Trip Advisor have lead to our Lodge being ranked the best lodge in Ontario (of over 600) for three years running, tell the honest truth. The photos on our website are authentic too.

A visit to The Lodge at Pine Cove marries the best of the outdoors with, as a guest from Michigan noted on Trip Advisor, “high thread-count bedding.” It is, as a couple from Creemore, Ontario note, “the perfect combination of upscale and rustic.” The most common words to describe The Lodge at Pine Cove" are “peaceful,” “relaxing,” “a sanctuary.” “If you want to browse the gift shops,” wrote a guest from New York, “go elsewhere.”

Romantic-Accommodations-at-The-Lodge-at-Pine-Cove
Romantic Accommodations at The Lodge at Pine Cove

After a peaceful night spent listening to our resident loons, your day begins with a hamper breakfast consisting of Lodge-made granola, yoghurt, fresh fruit and the best croissant this side of the Atlantic, delivered to your immaculately clean, private waterfront cottage. Then wander across the footbridge to our 6000-square-foot lodge where our staff will help you decide what to do for the day. Maybe a great book borrowed from our Toni Harting library will appeal. “But,” as guests from Barrie, Ontario advise, “...don’t linger too long inside – the real jewel waiting for you is outside on the French River!”

We have canoes and kayaks that can be used in Pine Cove at your leisure or, for something more energetic, you can rent them for a day or more to explore the historic French River – Canada’s first Heritage River.  There are plenty of day trips to keep paddlers of all skill levels occupied. A couple of avid kayakers wrote, “[The Lodge is a] fantastic location with 'unlimited' great canoe and kayak options” for both flat water and whitewater enthusiasts.”

Liquid-medicine-for-your-soul-is-an-early-morning-paddle
Liquid medicine for your soul is an early morning paddle

If paddling isn’t for you, there are small fishing boats for hire or you can take a tour with Skipper Alex in our motor launch. “A power boat [excursion] to the Five Finger Rapids is not to be missed,” suggested guests from Wasaga Beach. They added, “Make sure to take a picnic lunch and your camera. You won't stop smiling!” Five Finger Rapids, our most popular destination, marks the dramatic spot where the Little French River roars over a set of large rapids and spills into a deep canyon before emptying into the main French.

Picnic-on-the-French-River
Picnic on the French River

Or if you’d prefer to combine that picnic lunch with a hammock for two, try our Island in the Sun excursion. A couple from Toronto who couldn’t resist the lure of this opportunity, wrote, “They took us and our kayaks [and a gourmet picnic lunch] out by boat, erected a double hammock and we had a dream-like afternoon together in this piece of heaven.”

And when you do return to Earth – I mean your cottage – consider a swim in the French River’s warm water or enjoy a rejuvenating shower using the natural soaps and creams we supply. Then share a glass of crisp cool wine as you watch the sun set from your porch.

Sharing-wine-at-the-Lodge-at-Pine-Cove
Sharing a moment at the Lodge at Pine Cove

But don’t get too comfortable, for you now have the option of cooking for yourselves if you have selected a cottage with a kitchen, ordering a barbeque picnic hamper that will be delivered to your cottage or joining us in our Brulé Dining Room. During the summer, you can sit in our screened verandah with the French River lapping at the sandy beach below. In cooler times, look for a table beside a roaring fire inside.

It may not be possible to marry The Lodge at Pine Cove, but many of our guests would if they could. And when the time inevitably arrives and you must leave, few, if you believe what you read on Trip Advisor, want to. In fact, many of our guests return time and again. For, as one of our guests from Toronto wrote last year, “We have decided to make Pine Cove an annual tradition for us.”

For more information visit WWW.FRENCHRIVER.COM.

About Nicola Ross

Nicola is an award-winning adventure travel writer who specializes in travel, sport and environmental writing. She is also the program director for French Rivers Adventures at The Lodge at Pine Cove.  Read more blogs at http://nicolarosstravel.blogspot.ca

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