Fern Resort

Fern Resort began in 1895 as a single cabin built on fern-covered rocks, but the family owned and operated resort has been in business for 125 years. It’s a family tradition to serve guests with “fun, fine food and hospitality.”

The resort features a mix of rooms, suites and cottages, but every room has its own fireplace and most have a view of the lake. The all-inclusive packages vary depending on season.

One of the biggest draws is the all-inclusive dining experience, which means there’s no need to stock up on food before you arrive. For meals in the Heritage Dining Room, you’ll eat at the same table each time and be presented with a rotating menu with plenty of options. The kitchen features vegetarian and vegan options, and there’s a kids buffet for the youngest guests.

During the day, if you’d prefer to enjoy lunch outside, there is a BBQ station with burgers, hot dogs, sandwiches and other delicious options. Kids and adults alike will also enjoy the dessert bar, where you can make your own ice cream sundae or try other sweet treats.

While at Fern, don’t miss a chance to try some of the resort's signature rolls and honey. Ancestors Jim and Mimi Pettapiece coined the phrase “the home of rolls and honey” in reference to Fern, and today you can still grab honey from the same apiary and rolls made from Jim’s original recipe.

For ease of planning, during dinner, guests are presented with a schedule of available activities for the following day. This makes it simple to plan what to do the next day before you’re even ready to hit the sack.

The resort is located on over 1.5 km of shoreline along the lake, features three pools (two outdoor, one indoor), several hot tubs, and plenty of hammocks along the beach. No matter which spot you choose, there’s bound to be a good view of the spectacular sunrises and sunsets. Activities vary depending on what time of year you visit, but there’s plenty to choose from, no matter the season.

In the summer months, guests can partake in a variety of water sports on the lake. Take a pedal boat out on the water, grab a kayak or canoe, try stand-up paddle boarding, or learn to sail on the sparkling water of Lake Couchiching.

Fern Resort also features beach volleyball, basketball, tennis, pickleball, a batting cage, 5-hole golf course and archery. Guests can attempt the high or low ropes courses, use the resort’s bikes and set out on the trails, or go rock climbing. Along with the plentiful activities perfect for summertime, guests at Fern Resort will find plenty of peaceful spots to relax—whether in a hammock, by the pool or by the lake’s shore.

Fall visits to Fern Resort come with fall foliage and crisp evenings. The resort even offers Halloween and Thanksgiving celebrations for couples and families. Guests can take advantage of the gorgeous seasonal weather in the nearby antique shops and craft breweries of downtown Orillia.

When winter arrives, Fern Resort becomes a snowy wonderland. Winter guests have the opportunity to go skating, ice-fishing, cross-country skiing, play hockey and broomball or try their hand at curling on the lake. Fern even offers dog sledding adventures, a horse-drawn sleigh ride and Nordic skiing. Or, head out on the 1.5 km skating trail through the woods, made of a natural ice surface that is magical by day and even more so at night, when it’s lit up by tiki torches.

Those who need to warm up indoors can use the indoor pool, take classes and workshops, or see a variety of weekend shows. There’s always a cozy fire somewhere at the resort.

Come springtime, Fern Resort is reborn as the beauty of the property blooms once again. Along with the regular getaway packages, the resort offers Easter and May 24 offers and themed packages including a scrapbooking weekend, YarnOver Sleepover, and Bridge weekend.

No matter the time of year, guests are welcome to visit the Spa at Fern, which offers an array of massage treatments, facials and rejuvenating care packages.

Fern Resort’s historic charm is evident in every corner of the property, but there are a few things to know before you go. The resort uses actual keys as opposed to key cards, so be sure to bring a keychain or lanyard for handy access to your room. Though the getaway packages are all-inclusive, that doesn’t include liquor of any kind. Downtown Orillia is just five minutes away if you’d like to BYOL (bring your own liquor).