Windermere House Resort is an elegant and prestigious resort right on Lake Rousseau, with a price tag to match. My husband, daughter, and I spent 2 nights there in the summer, and here’s my detailed review of the property, restaurants, area, and more.
Getting there
My husband Matthew, our daughter, and I decided to take a two-night getaway to Windermere House in Muskoka. The drive up from Toronto was long but easy, taking us straight up the 400 with minimal hassle. Upon arrival, we found plenty of on-site parking, which was a relief after the drive. Windermere House is located in the tiny village of Windermere, right on the shores of Lake Rosseau. The hotel itself is situated on a hill, just a two-minute walk from the water, offering stunning views of the lake from almost every angle.
The Setting
Windermere House is perched on a hill overlooking Lake Rosseau, with a small secluded beach nearby. Unfortunately, the beach was closed during our stay due to high bacteria levels, which was a bit of a disappointment. However, the docking area at the bottom of the hill made up for it. We noticed that plenty of people would boat in for dinner at either the pub or the main restaurant, adding a lively and bustling atmosphere to the evenings.
History
Windermere House, often referred to as the “Lady of the Lakes,” has a rich history dating back to its original construction in 1870. Situated in the picturesque village of Windermere on the shores of Lake Rosseau, the property quickly became a favorite retreat for those looking to escape the city and immerse themselves in the natural beauty of Muskoka.
Tragically, in 1996, a fire destroyed the historic hotel, leaving behind only memories of its storied past. However, the owners were committed to preserving the legacy of Windermere House and undertook a complete rebuild, restoring the hotel to its former glory. The new structure, while updated, maintained the classic charm and architectural features that made the original so beloved.
During our stay, we experienced a minor issue with the smoke alarm in our room. It started malfunctioning around 9:30 at night, which was a bit unsettling, given the history of the property. Thankfully, a maintenance staff member was quick to respond and promptly fixed the problem, allowing us to relax and enjoy the rest of our evening.
Dining at the Pub
One night, we decided to have dinner at the pub, and it turned out to be a highlight of our stay. The pub was spacious, though a bit on the loud side. If you’re hoping for outdoor seating, I’d highly recommend calling ahead to secure a spot, especially on weekends. Even if you end up inside, there’s plenty of room, and the vibe is welcoming.
For our meal, we started with the WHP Welsh Rarebit, which was more like a cheese sauce perfect for dunking the grilled bread. It was tasty, but we definitely could have used more bread to go with all that cheese. Matthew opted for the Super Smash-Burger Bros Pizza, which was fully loaded with beef, bacon, cheese, onions, and more—exactly the kind of dish that catches his attention, especially with bacon involved. Our daughter went for the Smashburger Tacos, which came with three hefty tacos and a side of tortilla chips. I initially wanted the Roughneck Philly Cheesesteak, but it was sold out, so I settled for the Schnitzel instead. It was a colossal serving, complete with mashed potatoes, and I was more than satisfied. We skipped dessert, but I treated myself to a tasty cocktail instead.
Breakfast at Windermere House
Breakfast was included with our stay, although I found it a bit odd that there was also a breakfast option listed on the reservation form. It turns out breakfast is covered by the resort fee, which is on the higher side. The breakfast spread was lovely, offering a variety of pastries, hot items, cereals, and more. There was plenty of variety to keep us all happy. Matthew, of course, ate his fill of bacon.
Pro tip: Grab a croissant—they were light, flaky, and still warm from the oven.
Dinner at The Rosseau
We also dined at The Rosseau, which came with high expectations, as it’s touted as one of the best restaurants in Muskoka. Unfortunately, it didn’t quite live up to the hype. The restaurant is housed in the same area where breakfast is served, and we didn’t realize we needed to call ahead for verandah seating. As a result, we were stuck in the dining room, which is starting to show its age with fraying chairs and worn decor.
The menu was a bit of a mishmash, with a mix of Asian-inspired dishes and more classic fare like braised short ribs. Matthew ordered the most expensive item on the menu, a NY strip steak, but it came out overcooked. We sent it back to get redone, and so he had to wait for his meal while we ate ours. Our daughter ordered sushi rolls, which were cut so large she could barely eat them, along with a side of miso soup that she said was tasty. We shared the Lovage Crusted Double Smoked Pork Belly, but it was all fat and lacked the smoky flavor we were expecting. I had the Peppercorn Crusted Short Rib, which was okay but didn’t have the peppercorn flavor or crust I was hoping for. For dessert, we shared a Lemon Tart that was visually appealing but disappointing in execution. The tart shell was tough to break, and the lemon curd had an odd texture, more like pudding with too much gelatin.
The lack of seating on the verandah was a real letdown. The manager did try to find us a spot, but it was packed. If you plan to dine here, definitely book ahead and request verandah seating for the best experience.
Activities and Amenities
Windermere House offers an outdoor activity tent where you can sign up for kayaking, canoeing, or grab pickleball rackets and other equipment. While the offerings are decent, there’s not much specifically for kids, so I’d say the resort is better suited for adults or families with older children. We did see some young kids around, but with the beach closed and just the pool available, it seemed a bit boring for them.
Speaking of the pool, the resort has a nice outdoor pool, a hot tub, and three saunas, which were perfect for relaxing and unwinding. We had a dip in the hot tub and tried the saunas, but most of the time we sat on the big hill in comfy Muskoka chairs overlooking the water.
Our Room
Our room was pleasant and spacious, with two queen beds and a large deck that offered great views of Lake Rosseau. The deck was surprisingly large, providing plenty of space to sit and enjoy the scenery. The room itself was comfortable and well-appointed, making it a great place to unwind after a day of fresh air.
Evening Activities
In the evenings, Windermere House offers fire pits and even outdoor movies, which added a nice touch to our stay. It was fun to see guests gathering around the fire pits, and the outdoor movie was a great way to wind down the night.
Final Thoughts
Overall, Windermere House is a charming resort with plenty to offer, particularly for adults or families with older kids. The setting is beautiful, the pub food was great, and the activities, while limited for younger children, were enjoyable.
Pro tip: Walk down to the small marina and grab some ice cream—it’s a delightful treat to end the day.
We had a relaxing stay, and while there were a few disappointments, the overall experience was positive.