The Kawarthas -- think Peterborough -- is a ruggedly beautiful land of lakes and rivers, forests and rock outcroppings. The Haliburton Highlands, Muskoka's eastern neighbour, has all that plus hills big enough to ski.
My wife and I have just revisited both, overnighting at three properties, all members of Resorts Ontario and open year round.
I've quoted their summer rates, but prices are substantially lower the rest of the year. My personal preference would be late September-early October, when fall colour is usually at its finest.
PINE VISTA RESORT
Where: On Stoney Lake, just north of Lakefield, about a four-hour drive from London.
What: 25 two- and three-bedroom housekeeping cottages/townhouses. The one assigned to us had two bedrooms, a bathroom with a jacuzzi tub, a big kitchen/dining room/living room with a TV and DVD player, a water view and a deck with a propane barbecue.
Amenities include swimming pool, small sand beach, playground, games room, fitness room, availability of massage therapist, recreation programs for children and adults, and a new "eco-walk'' through a signposted marsh area. Guests have golf and dining privileges at Wildfire, a private club just down the road.
Utilizing pull-out couches, units can accommodate large numbers, making Pine Vista particularly well suited for family gatherings, girlfriend getaways and the like.
How much: There are several packages and specials. For example, a seven-night Summer Fun Family Getaway starts at $1,510 based on four persons sharing a two-bedroom unit.
Information: Phone 1-800-634-2848 or visit www.pinevista.com.
BURLEIGH ISLAND LODGE
Where: On Stoney Lake, on Highway 28 at Burleigh Falls, where water moving from Lower Buckhorn Lake into Stoney creates roaring rapids.
What: Eleven-room lodge, nine motel units and four cottages. Our third-floor room was spacious, with king-size bed, two-person jacuzzi tub and satellite TV, but was up two long flights of stairs and faced the highway. The motel units have two double beds, microwave, bar fridge and a screened porch with a view of Burleigh Bay.
Known as the Park Hotel for more than a century, this property has undergone a $10-million overhaul. Recycled water washes over a massive chunk of Canadian Shield and rock removed during reconstruction has been incorporated into the landscaping.
The spa and salon on site and the fact there are three golf courses within a 20-minute drive suggests this as a getaway spot for grownups.
How much: Lodge rooms start at $175 in summer, motel units at $215.
Information: Phone 1-877-565-0479 or visit www.burleighislandlodge.com.
SIR SAM'S INN
Where: On Eagle Lake, just north of Haliburton, about a five-hour drive from London.
What: Twenty-five guest rooms, most in the main inn or a separate lakeside building. All overlook the water. Our second-floor inn room had king-size bed, wood-burning fireplace, bar fridge and whirlpool tub.
Rates usually include either breakfast or breakfast and dinner. Our meals were excellent. Three choices of appetizer and four of a main course were offered at dinner. The hit at breakfast was cheese scones my mother-in-law, who knew a thing or two about baking, would have been proud to serve.
There are tennis courts and an outdoor pool, and a ski club nearby, but was really impressed me was the WaterSpa, a gorgeous room where guests can follow a circuit that focuses heated, salinated water on different parts of the body.
Definitely a spot for couples.
How much: Summer rates start at $265 per couple per night for B&B, $365 with breakfast and dinner. Ask about packages.
Information: Phone 1-800-361-2188 or visit www.sirsamsinn.com.
