Deerhurst Resort Hotel Huntsville

The Deerhurst has the reputation of being one of the best resorts in Canada. After staying there I am not sure how they received this accolade. Our room (a Bayview room with hot-tub; according to the hotel one of their best) was in need of renovations and constructed with inexpensive materials. With a few exceptions, the staff were exasperated, unprofessional, and seemingly poorly trained. In sum, I feel we obtained very poor value for our money spent. If I ever return to the area, I will probably try the Delta down the street.

Criticism I have read is fair to a point - the bike paths don't exist, walking is difficult, generally the facilities could do with upgrading. Breakfast was good but other meals expensive.

The lakeside area is great for kids if the weather is good and it is a nice relaxed environment with plently to do. If the weather is bad you would prefer to be at Center Parcs; the indoor recreation is limited and relatively shabby.

Golfers will find all this unimportant and accommodation was spacious.

The area is great and a good holiday can be had here - try and pick good weather.

Stayed here for 3 nights in early August.

I suppose this place is great if you are a golfer. In our case, we brought our bikes to use the advertised biking trails. Well, these are non-existant. There is 1 over-grown, weedy, trail through dense forest, across the highway from the resort. This trail was too difficult for our kids to travel on, and the trail is not marked well. We couldn't even find it on the first day there. Otherwise, there are a few trails for hiking, but we didn't try them.

There are paths and roads throughout the resort, but apparently, these are only for the use of golf carts. When we rode our bikes along a path to go see the horse stables (which were a joke!), we were rudely told to get off the path because we were interrupting the golfers! I don't see how a bike makes enough noise to cause problems. We were actually told to go ride on the highway with our children! How is that supposed to be safe?

Our general impression is that the resort caters to snobs, and the golfers seem to think they own the place. We encountered quite a few people that do not enjoy having children around. We were forced to constantly tell our kids to be quiet. That doesn't make a vacation very relaxing. I suppose, if you are loaded with money, you can 'unload' your kids at one of the children's clubs. I don't understand how that could be a 'family' vacation.

All in all, I think the resort is highly over-rated and too expensive. The food prices are outrageous. We travelled to Huntsville (approx. 10 km away ) to eat and buy groceries.

If you happen to be there when the weather is not too nice, there isn't a lot to do besides swim in the indoor pools, or use the tennis/squash courts ( for the courts you must sign up ahead of time. The resort provides the racquets, but you must purchase the balls!!). We found the temperature of the pool enclosure and change rooms to be too cold. The pool water was fine, but very chlorinated. The whirlpool was much too small.

At the lake there is a small beach area with picnic tables and chairs. There are canoes, kayaks, peddle-boats, and sailboards to use. Use of these is included in your room rate. They provide life-jackets. There are roped-off areas for swimming. Unfortunately, the weather was too cold.

In my opinion, Deerhurst is not worth the money. Many people staying there have snooty attitudes. Even the front desk staff we met were not overly friendly. I wouldn't go there again, it's too much of an elitist club, although most of the amenities are not of the best quality.

I have recently stayed at Deerhurst Resort and the resort is looking rather dated. The waterfront is not well groomed and many amenities are in need of repairs or major renovations. The rooms that I stayed in was said to be renovated last year, however, the carpets were stained and the bathroom looked like it never left the 80's. Even the new main building, the Pavillion, which was built in 2000, looks they built it and never cleaned it. The upholstry on the chairs in the Lobby Lounge are torn an stained, the carpets have seen far better days and the walls are dirty. The resort grounds are not well kept. Many flower beds are unplanted and filled with pieces of garbage. Many walking paths are made of either dirt paths or broken and bricks. The water front has a very poor and cheap cement stone path along it that leads to a new board walk that is severly slanted towards the lake. Over all the staff were decent but, not up to the standards of the staff that you would expect to see at a so called four star resort. The staff were polit however they did not go the extra mile to make my stay a memorable one, they didn't even go the extra step to make my stay a pleasent one. Deerhurst should stop calling itself a four star resort. If would barly even qualify as a three star resort. Think twice before you book a room at Deerhurst and if you do go definity don't expect much. The resort would fit in much better with the Holiday Inn crowd then the four star crowed it is trying to emulate, and the operative word here is trying. Your money will be better spent by staying at the much cheaper and relativly similar Holiday Inn Hidden Valley resort hotel, next to Deerhurst or the beautiful and definitly three and a half star if not four star Delta Grandview Resort also next to Deerhurst. As well, in Muskoka, Taboo Resort (formerly the Muskoka Sands) does a much better job at being a three and a half star resort then Deerhurst does and the Sherwood Inn (Delta/Clublink) really is the only four star resort in Muskoka. Take my word on this or be sorry Deerhurst is not a resort to go to unless you enjoy throwing your money down the drain.

Lovely place. Nice room. Very pricy. Paid $289+ tax ($325 Canadian) per day (deluxe suite). At least the breakfast should have been included. I wouldn't recommend it, because it's not worth the money.

We did enjoy the beach chairs, paddle boats and swimming pool.

3 Guys and stove was great as well (restaurant few minutes from Deerhurst). Thanks for the reviews on this site. They helped out a lot...

I recently stayed at Deerhurst for three nights, including a weekend. The accommodation was great, we were in the Sports Villas. However, if you are expecting a quiet time in northern Ontario, you may want to ask whether there are any large sales conferences going on at the same time. There was one while I was there and on a Monday night I was awakened by a noisy group. The noise didn't last long, but just be aware that it isn't always a family oriented crowd staying there.

We also found that not everything was open at convenient times - if you want an early morning paddle in the canoe, it wasn't possible, since the boating only opens at 9am.

While there are many tennis courts, only one had windscreens installed and the water cooler wasn't working; the pool table in the lounge bar has seen better days (one end is held up with about 10 coasters) and you think you're on one of the greens the way your ball takes the slope on the table.

For the daily room rates paid, I would expect better maintenance of the existing facilities. I was there for a conference, but wouldn't go back with my family.

Well....as a resident of Toronto, I've grown up hearing so much about Deerhurst Resort. I finally got to stay there this past weekend. Much ado about nothing! I stayed in the Bayshore rooms down by the water.

Old, worn, seen better days. Rooms are made up late. On the plus side, the lobby at the main building is nice, and there are a lot of activities available such as tennis, racketball, swimming, golf etc.

The people seem nice and very accommodating but.........this resort is VERY pricy. Let me clarify....I dont mind paying big bucks AT ALL, as long as what you're getting is reasonably worthwhile. This is not. It's just a cash grab so you can tell all your friends..."I stayed at Deerhurst". Much ado about nothing.

Every year, I take my daughter to a resort for a mother and daughter spa weekend. This is our fourth year! This year we decided to try the Deerhurst. It is rated as the #1 resort in Canada. The place is big!

When we got there, the woman at the front desk told us she would take us around the resort, but the phone rang and she forgot. The rooms were lovely! We took our bags by ourselves to our room, and did the tour on our own. (I always wonder if men would be treated differently!) We decided to pop in to the pub for a drink before dinner, and there was no bartender at the bar. She was getting nachos for someone, and when she returned she looked annoyed that I was waiting at the bar. You have to keep in mind that these our young people, who don't have any interest in customer service, but they need the cash to get through university. We did the spa and the gym thing. It was good, but we paid for it. We decided to spend the night watching a movie and ordered a bottle a wine. Entertaintment is limited, except for their "Impact Show". No interest there. Kids were running up and down the hall, and knocking on our door. Don't get me wrong, we had a good time, but there was nothing special about the place or the service. I expected more for the money I spent. I think the resort is too big for the personal touch. M.A. from Toronto

I've been to Deerhurst on four separate occasions in the past two years. We usually stayed over a long weekend and once for five days. I have no complaints about the level of service, staff or accommodations.

The grounds are well maintained and it is a pleasure to stroll throughout the complex. The food is a bit overpriced at the Eclipse; however, if a burger, nachos or plump and tangy chicken wings hits the spot, then the bar downstairs is reasonably priced. There are two restaurants that are a must in Huntsville. Three Guys and a Stove is top shelf and reasonably priced and the "Mill" hmmm... not sure that is right. It is just before the bridge on the right as you drive through Huntsville's main drag. The food is quite good and service is friendly.

Not fast food prices but it won't break the bank either.

I'm not quite sure what the other reviewer was talking about when they mentioned the "beach". Sounded like a tropical oasis. It's a sandy area by the lake, for Pete's sake! Just kidding, don't take offence!

The water sports, indoor and outdoor tennis courts, small fitness room, swimming pools (indoor and out), the squash courts and walking trails add a unique element to this above average resort. Add in the "little extra$" like power-whatever on land or sea and the cost of your stay goes up exponentially. Oh, did I mention golf? The "valley course" is short, lush, not so tough and a pleasant walk. I reached a par four with a four iron, downhill with the wind, cleared the creek and rolled onto the first cut (made par, sigh.)

The Highlands, well... that is another story. The first hole is downhill with a panoramic view of the lake. Now THAT, is breathtaking, certainly worth the greens fee alone. Bring lots of balls and don't forget to enjoy the scenery because the course will eat you alive.

The resort caters to families and there are two options for kids. The Bambi club (for toddlers) and the Deer Club. My little guy (six) L*O*V*E*S the Deer Club, prefers hanging out with the teenaged girl counsellors over his parents, go figure... They are attentive and the kids all have a good time. Gives the parents a chance to play a little tennis or hike the trails.

Enjoy your stay, there are lots of activities, if you are so inclined or sit back and relax. Ontario is beautiful in the autumn with the changing leaves and the lack of mosquitoes.

I have been to deerhurst two times now, and I am back to critique it for the second time. Deerhurst is absolutely a slice of paradise, there is no doubt about it. You will find yourself completely moved from the time you step in the lobby/lounge. Elegant furnishing and only the finest of furniture and artwork, Deerhurst is full of beauty. But, don't read this the wrong way...this is a family oriented resort also -there is LOTS for the kids to do and enjoy. At the beach...there is hundreds of things to do. Lay back and relax and work on that tan! Or kayak, paddle boat, canoe or even windsurf the water! Take a relaxing paddle or balance your way out onto the lake while windsurfing. You'll find hours of fun by the beach as soon as you step foot on the sand!

Tube riding is very fun...you can go in one tube or take your friend along with you in a two seater tube. Try water skiing or some other wild water sport. But be careful, your going to get wet! The accommodations...are very elegant and comfortable, your sure to catch a good nights sleep. I have never stayed in any other part of deerhurst but in the pavilion, where the rooms are large and spacious and are well suited to your needs. The conditioner and soap they leave you in your room lets off a soft aroma and smells vibrant. But, beware of the bottled water (in your room) drink that and you may end up with a $6.00 fine on your bill...PER BOTTLE! Near by attractions...are located in Huntsville and don't worry there is at least TWO Tim Hortons down town :). The food at the eclipse... is all right, however it may leave a dent in your wallet. For three people, the breakfast buffet may cost you over $50.00. I know because that was how much it was for the three of us. Also, the morning we had breakfast somehow the food was cold!

And I am not talking about the danishes and the cereal (because their supposed to be cold) I am talking about the EGGS, and the BACON and all that other stuff that is SUPPOSED to be hot! I recommend eating at Harvey's, 3 GOOD (and HOT) breakfasts can cost only $12.00 including drinks. The other recreational activities at Deerhurst are tennis, racket ball, ping-pong, swimming, GOLFING and much much more...If your looking for luxury, soothing relaxation and good old fun, (For the entire family) I recommend...DEERHURST RESORT!