Viamede Resort

Viamede Resort Review: Beautiful Resort in Kawartha Lakes Ontario

There’s something about the hustle and bustle of life where you don’t realize how tired you are until you’re provided the opportunity to wind down.  My husband and I visited Viamede Resorts, located in the Kawartha Lakes in Ontario, where we welcomed the beauty, peacefulness and serenity of its environment.

The resort is about 30 minutes north of Peterborough and about two-hours from Toronto. Viamede is located on the shores of Stoney Lake and spans 165 acres with 6km of nature trails, their own farm, restaurants, spa and lodging.

Viamede Resort

Viamede Resort was like PEI by the lake.  With their rustic cottages in a wooded area, we enjoyed the peacefulness of our surroundings, the calm lake with a smattering of fisherman, and a small amount of wildlife. The first animal we saw was a fox taking his dinner to secluded grounds.  I didn’t have my camera ready but it sure was a sight to see.

The Cottage

At Viamede, we stayed in a two-bedroom cottage with a kitchen and living area combined, and two bathrooms.   The cottage would certainly entertain a family of four quite nicely.  Outside was a nicely manicured landscape with patio and BBQ facing the lake.

We had the option of eating at the restaurants on site, cooking our own meal, or contacting the Boat House, who would prepare a BBQ meal for us.

Viamede Resort-Cottages

Dogs Stay Free at Viamede

Another bonus about Viamede Resort is that you don’t have to leave your furry friends at home.  Viamede cottages are completely pet-friendly and has a beautiful shaded, off-leash dog park on site!

Fine Dining at Mount Julian

Mount Julian was the highlight of my weekend.  We were offered a selection of a 5, 7 or 9 course meal with the option of wine pairing for each serving.  We selected the 7-course meal and we were certainly not disappointed.  Mount Julian Chef, Jay Nutt, provides a hearty serving of local produce, dairy and cheeses.  If you follow the Viamede Resort Instagram, you’re well aware that most of the food comes from their farm or daily excursions through the wood to gather forage and micro greens.

Here’s a little sampling of what you can expect at Mount Julian.

Amuse Bouche

Rhubarb chutney, pulled pork quail egg, drizzled with sunflower oil & crusted bread

Course 1 

Asparagus wild rice grape tomato, wild leek pesto, and goat cheese

Wine Pairing – Fontana di Papa , Product of Italy

Course 2

Rainbow trout, horseradish aioli beet, and cattail hearts.

Wine Pairing – 2014 Zinck Pinot Gris, Product of France

Course 3

Crusted Bread served with blueberry chutney, homemade butter, honey and spruce tips. Canola oil and smoked paprika.

Root vegetable soup with heirloom carrots and onion, crème fraiche and honey with smoked paprika oil

Wine Pairing:  2012 Chardonnay, Grange of Prince Edward

Course 4

Sous Vide Lamb served with mushroom salad, sunflower shoots, charged tomatoes, and pea sprout pesto

Wine Pairing: 2010 Cabernet Franc, Grange of Prince Edward

Course 5 

Beef with potato served with grainy mustard and sunflower shoots

Wine Pairing: 2009 Decero, Product of Argentina

Course 6

Ciabatta crisp bread roasted in sunflower oil, served with hand deck cheese crusted in beer and boozy berries.

Pairing: Disaronno Amaretto

Course 7

Homemade brownie, butter tart ice cream with strawberries and hemp seed

More Dining

And if fine cuisine isn’t something that you would like to experience, The Boat House has a wide selection of options.   Once a dance hall, then a pub, The Boathouse has grown up into a waterfront restaurant with a fresh, locally inspired menu.

Our favourite?  The lake perch fish and chips!

The 1885, located inside the resort’s main building, serves breakfast between 8:30am and 10:00am.  They also serve lunch and dinner.

It is also a location to get cozy, grab a book and sit by the fire, select a board game and play on their balcony, or grab a coffee or cappuccino and take in the gorgeous lake sunrise or sunset.   This area is open 24/7.

Things to do at Viamede Resort

After all, you’re in cottage country: Viamede is where you will experience total relaxation while getting close to nature. The resort is themed on nature and its beauty. They offer nature trail guided or unguided tours, canoes and paddle boats at your disposal, a farm tour, indoor/outdoor pool with steam room and sauna, and a plethora of outdoor activities like disc golf, water trampoline, and tennis. Rest assured your family will never be bored.

It was a cold rainy weekend in May when we visited the resort.  I’d say a typical Canadian scenario, where you hope for the best weather and prepare for the worst.   Although we did walk the grounds and enjoy fantastic meals and libations; we can’t wait to return to experience it all.   Overall, it was a fantastic weekend.  My husband got the rest and relaxation that he so deserved and I learned the ins and outs of my camera.  The cottage was a fabulous refuge for exactly what we needed to do.

Viamede Resort

 

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About the Author

Trina Stewart

Trina Stewart

Trina Stewart is the associate publisher of RISE Publication Inc. As a regular online contributor of food and drink, Trina has worked with Sephora, EOS, and other beauty and fashion brands on her personal blog. Comments

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