COLUMN: The food, service and facilities at the resort are outstanding

There’s little about the JW Marriott The Rosseau Muskoka Resort & Spa that doesn’t impress.

Everything about this property – the decor, the amenities, the hospitality – has successfully set the standard for luxury and relaxation that other lodge resorts aspire to. And the location, which offers sublime views of the tranquil waters of Lake Rosseau, is second to none.

For 15 years, JW Marriott The Rosseau Muskoka Resort has been creating priceless memories. There’s a spectacular indoor and outdoor pool, a splash zone for the little ones, and a beach that becomes a hub of activity on long, lazy summer days with its cabanas, inflatable water park for kids, and boat trips. HydroSpa Muskoka offers a range of rejuvenating and pampering treatments and, with its exclusive pool and hot tub, serves as a private sanctuary within the resort. The various dining options make dining a delight.

And yet, despite setting the bar for country hospitality, JW Marriott The Rosseau Muskoka Resort is always looking to perfect the experience.

New executive chef Prasanna Kumar has been quick to put his stamp on The Rosseau’s culinary offerings – no wonder, as the resort already boasted a reputation for culinary excellence. The imaginative menus he has created for each celebrate their distinctiveness.

Most recently we dined at Teca, an Italian bistro offering authentic cuisine. The lighting is dim, but Teca offers a ray of culinary sunshine.

“Italian food is a classic and for good reason,” says Kumar, “but there’s so much more to Italian food than pasta, and we’re exploring those boundaries with our menu.”

My roasted salmon in a traditional Tuscan bean soup was delicious, and my wife’s seafood linguine was so rich in flavor, you’d swear you were in a ristorante on the Amalfi Coast.

In 2022, the resort partnered with Crystal Head Vodka, owned by Canadian actor and comedian Dan Aykroyd. The most exciting expression of the partnership is the Crystal Head Ice Bar, Canada’s only all-season ice bar. Chilled to -15C and featuring a serving bar carved from ice, the ice bar offers a unique place to sample all three waves of Crystal Head spirits: Original, Aurora (made from English wheat) and Onyx (made from agave Mexican).

“I’m a proud Canadian. I’m excited to say that Crystal Head Vodka is made in Canada with Canadian ingredients and I’m happy to partner with one of Canada’s premier resorts,” Aykroyd told me in an interview at the time of the launch.

Continuing to embrace star power, last year The Rosseau unveiled an ambitious concert series that has already seen the resort play host to acts such as Gowan, The Jim Cuddy Band, Canadian Tenors and Trans-Canada Highwaymen. Next, on July 20, Barenaked Ladies co-founder Steven Page hits the resort stage.

New this summer, The Rosseau offers parasailing experiences every Tuesday and Wednesday in partnership with Ski-Mazing Watersports. Planning above the lake offers joy and breathtaking views in equal measure.

Also new this summer is the exclusive LIVE package at JW Marriott The Rosseau Muskoka Resort & Spa, where guests are treated like stars. The experience includes valet parking and a welcome drink at check-in, exclusive access to a private beach and pool, opulent cocktail receptions each day, HydroSpa memberships for two and enrichment activities.

But despite the lush new experiences, what impresses me the most is the warm and personal service we receive at the resort.

JW Marriott Rosseau Muskoka Resort & Spa continues to perfect luxury and relaxation—not easy, as the resort has already set the bar high.

Just the facts

Location: 1050 Paignton House Rd., Minett
Web: Muskoka Resort | JW Marriott The Rosseau Muskoka Resort & Spa
Phone: 705-765-1900
E-mail: (email protected)