2009
Lunch at Red Leaves in Muskoka
This is the newly opened Red Leaves Resort in the village of Minett, Ontario. This section is called The Rosseau and it is where Canada’s first J.W. Marriott hotel resides. It is a huge $750M undertaking transforming over 1 mile of Lake Rosseau shoreline on about 1400 acres. It has not been totally embraced by the locals in the area due to its mammoth size, environmental footprint and more.
While having lunch in the resort restaurant called “Cottages” I noticed our Minister of Industry, Tony Clement chowing down with his family right beside me. He had mac n cheese with a Pepsi and I had the seared ahai tuna and a long cool Muskoka lager .. or two. Tony baby has been spreading some tax dollars around the area as next year Muskoka will be hosting the G8 Summit
This photo is a panoramic shot of two photos stitched together. Behind me was a spectacular view of Lake Rosseau which I shall post another time.
click the image for a large 1280 pixel photo
2020
COVID-19 Casualty
It is exciting to be back in cottage country and out on the water. I drove by Clevelands House recently to see if anything was going on. Cleves has been my litmus test to get an idea on how busy things are in Muskoka. I have to say it was a bit of a disappointment when I approached the 150 year old resort. The docks looked dirty with debris, the iconic Muskoka chairs were not lined up and it looked completely abandoned. A bit surreal to actually see this. Shortly after my visit I received the following notice.
It is with a heavy heart that we will not be opening Clevelands House Resort accommodations this season. However, we are excited to plan for the future, and look forward to unveiling the long-term vision soon. Please be advised that the Rock Golf Course and SWS Boatworks Marine at Clevelands House are now open for the season. The opening dates Pie Wood Fired Pizza, Abbey’s Bake House and the Marine Yoga Studio will be announced shortly. Stay safe & healthy.
In my opinion Clevelands House has not been the same since the Cornell family sold it. It became part of the late Ken Fowlers big vision to establish a village in Minett that included the Red Leaves Resort, (JW Marriott Hotel) Wallace Marine (now SWS), Clevelands House, Lakeside Lodge and the Rock Golf Course. Unfortunately the vision wasn’t successful with many of the properties falling into receivership. In recent times successful Canadian businessman Mitchell Goldhar has purchased the 1200 acre properties with much optimism. Many cottagers are looking forward to seeing how things go in the future. You know its definitely strange times when Cleves won’t be open for the summer of 2020
In: historic muskoka, in and around muskoka ontario, on the water
2015
Ouno Island Boathouse
I have been informed that there are four unique boathouses that are designed to store sailboats on the Big 3 Muskoka lakes. I often pass by this cool boathouse on Ouno Island near Clevelands House and Red Leaves Resort on Lake Rosseau. I never get tired of looking at Muskoka boathouses.
In: in and around muskoka ontario, on the water, uncategorized
2012
Going to the Chapel
Last year I noticed construction of a new chapel going up on the Wallace Marine property on Lake Rosseau. I immediately thought maybe it was going to be a non-denominational chapel in support of the many weddings booked at the Red Leaves Resort right next door. Nope, it turns out to be the new home of Abbey’s Bake House opening this season. Looking forward to checking out the gooey butter tarts.
2011
Riding Off Into the Setting Sun
I usually tour new cottage guests around Lake Rosseau for their first visit due to the proximity of all the unique landmarks. Lake Rosseau has Winderemere, Red Leaves, Clevelands House, the Church in Morinus, a Lighthouse and a bunch of other interesting and historical sites. I’m not discounting Lake Joseph or Lake Muskoka, by any means as both have their own unique sites to see.
It was a long day and we were on our way back to the cottage after touring the lake and stopping for a swim in a quiet bay. BBQ strip-loins and big bold Cabernets were on our minds as we zoomed back into the setting sun.
In: boathouses of muskoka, in and around muskoka ontario, on the water
2011
Looking out over Lake Rosseau
Yup – Sorry folks the lakes are still frozen in Muskoka. With the warmer temps arriving this weekend the meltdown should accelerate. With any luck we should see open water before Easter. This is a shot looking out at Lake Rosseau with Clevelands House Resort below. There is a little trail that will bring you up to this cliff. I believe its called Resort Lookout which gives you a great panoramic view of Red Leaves, Cleves and Lake Rosseau.
2010
The Russians are Coming … The Russians are Coming
Paignton House Road leads to the Red Leaves Resort near the village of Minett in Muskoka Canada. As part of the G8 Summit expenditures this small piece of road cost the taxpayers a mere $410,000.00 to pave and beautify. The resort is located about 75 km’s from where the G8 is in the town of Huntsville, Ontario. According to the Honourable Tony Clement the Member of Parliament for Muskoka-Parry Sound,“ The Paignton House Road will be an important route taken by VIPs attending the 2010 G8 Summit, as they travel between The Rosseau resort and the summit site each day,” More from Tony baby here
Rumor has it the Russians are staying here this weekend. I wonder how the Vodka inventory is?
2010
Hanging out in the Hotel Lobby
This is what you see as you walk through the front entrance of The Rosseau, part of the Red Leaves resort in Muskoka. The resort features the only JW Marriott Hotel in Canada and 1 of 37 in the world. It truly is a world class facility with good restaurants, Spa, nature trails, golf, and great water access. They have done a great job at capturing the spirit of Muskoka throughout the entire place from architecture down to the library filled with Canadian books. The most impressive aspect I have discovered in my many visits are the people that work here. Always friendly and accommodating with bright smiles. Someone has done a great job at hiring the right people, trained them and instilled a belief system that customers really matter.
Unfortunately with overruns and the economic downturn it was forced into receivership. If you have a few hundred Mil you don’t know what to do with you may consider adding this baby to your portfolio.
2008
The JW Marriott in Muskoka
There is only one JW Marriott Hotel in all of Canada and its located at the Red Leaves resort near Minett in Muskoka. This is a massive resort built on 1400 acres and located on the shores of Lake Rosseau. There is a 700 acre nature trail, spa, restaurants, theater and more. It was still under construction when I strolled by but parts of it should be opening soon.
2008
The Sun Sets Over Clevelands House in Muskoka
The sun sets over Clevelands House to end another summer/fall season in Muskoka. I took this photo from a new trail that opened up along the shoreline from the Wallace Marina over to the New Red Leaves Resort. Of course Red Leaves now owns Clevelands and the entire shoreline around to the resort. It has to be close to 2 miles of shoreline on Lake Rosseau in Muskoka – do the math.
Click for bigger size
In: boathouses of muskoka, historic muskoka, in and around muskoka ontario, on the water, uncategorized
2008
A walk through the Muskoka Forest
The fall colors were at peak this past Thanksgiving weekend and you couldn’t ask for better weather. I was lucky enough to tag along on a nature hike with one of Canada’s foremost naturalists, Robin Tapley. The nature hike was courtesy of Red Leaves Muskoka Resort who have setup an impressive 700 acre nature preserve with trails for hiking, skiing and biking which will be open to the public to explore.
Another picture taken from one of the many trails deep into the Muskoka wild and marshland. I highly recommend anyone who spends time in Muskoka to take a walk through these trails. I noticed they are building a maple sugar camp in the bush which will be ready for the spring thaw.
2008
Not Everyone has a Million Dollar Place in Muskoka
While driving just outside of Minett, Ontario in the Muskoka district I noticed these decrepit old buildings along the roadside. I haven’t been around the area long enough to know their history. I am sure all of these old homesteads will vanish over the next few years especially with the new Red Leaves Resort going in around the corner.
In: historic muskoka, in and around muskoka ontario, tripin around towns
