# Elmhirst's Resort Keene, ON · Mapped: on the map. It has not cleared the selection standard yet, so read it as coverage, not a recommendation. - Page: https://mindreachgetaways.com/on/keene/wellness-retreat/elmhirsts-resort - Book direct: https://elmhirst.ca/book-now/ - Their site: https://www.elmhirst.ca - Find it in Maps: https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=Elmhirst's%20Resort%2C%201045%20Settlers%20Line%2C%20Keene%2C%20ON%2C%20Canada ## Our read The water is the reason to come, and it stays small enough to feel like a house rather than a hotel. ## Come here for - Being told what happens next, instead of planning it - Staying somewhere that takes its land seriously - Bathing culture over treatment menus - Small groups and solo travellers who dislike crowds ## Skip it if - You want resort scale, with several restaurants and a crowd to disappear into - You would rather improvise your days than follow a timetable - A trip without meat on the menu would frustrate you ## The place Elmhirst's Resort is a family-owned, Green Step Platinum Certified lakeside resort spread across 240 acres on the north shore of Rice Lake in the heart of the Kawarthas. Approximately 90 minutes from Toronto and 3 hours from Ottawa. The property's sustainability credentials are among the highest available to Canadian tourism operators, grounded in a long history of land stewardship and a genuine commitment to ecological responsibility that extends to how food is sourced, energy is managed, and waste is handled. Thirty waterfront cottages line the shores of Rice Lake, each fully equipped with kitchen, BBQ, private deck with dock access, fireplace, flat-screen TV, and Wi-Fi. Beyond the cottages, Elmhirst's offers an impressive wellness and activity infrastructure: the Spa @ Elmhirst's provides a full menu of registered massage therapy, acupuncture, tui na massage, facials, body treatments, manicures and pedicures using sustainable vegan products; the indoor pool, whirlpool, sauna, and fitness centre offer year-round restorative capacity; and the outdoor pool and direct lake access add summer-season options. The dining program runs across two venues. The Hearthside Dining Room and the Wild Blue Yonder Pub & Patio. With ingredients from the resort's own farm and local Kawartha suppliers. Guests who want activity can access 10 km of onsite trails, treetop trekking, sightseeing flights from the resort's dock, canoes, kayaks, paddleboards, waterskiing, tubing, and an escape maze. Elmhirst's is genuinely remarkable for delivering high-quality spa, accommodation, dining, and outdoor adventure within a single sustainable property. ## What it is like - 30 waterfront cottages on Rice Lake: Fully equipped cottages with private docks, kitchens, fireplaces, and decks on one of the Kawarthas' most beautiful lakes. A home-away-from-home experience at resort scale. - Spa @ Elmhirst's. Vegan and sustainable: A full-service spa with RMT massage, acupuncture, tui na, and facials using sustainable vegan products. Therapeutic depth uncommon at Ontario cottage resorts. - Floatplane sightseeing from the resort dock: Sightseeing flights depart from Elmhirst's own dock on Rice Lake. An aerial perspective on the Kawarthas that makes for an unforgettable resort activity. - Green Step Platinum sustainability: One of Ontario's highest-certified sustainable tourism operations. Local and farm-sourced food, ecological stewardship of the Rice Lake shoreline, and values embedded in daily operations. - Farm-to-table Hearthside Dining Room: Beef raised on the resort's own farm, vegetables from local Kawartha suppliers, and two on-site dining venues that anchor the resort experience with genuine provenance. ## Ways to stay - Cottage Stay (1–3 Bedrooms) · Seasonal rates. Confirm at elmhirst.ca · https://elmhirst.ca/book-now/ - Spa Day Package · Confirm at elmhirst.ca/spa · https://elmhirst.ca/spa/ - Group Spa Package · Confirm at elmhirst.ca/spa · https://elmhirst.ca/spa/ ## Best seasons - Summer (June–August) for Rice Lake swimming, waterskiing, tubing, kayaking, and treetop trekking - Autumn (September–October) for Kawarthas foliage, quieter spa availability, and farm harvest dining - Winter (December–March) for sauna, indoor pool, cross-country skiing, and snowmobile trail access - Spring (April–May) for migratory bird watching, first-of-season trails, and uncrowded property ## Stay lengths - 2-night spa and cottage weekend - 3–5 night Kawarthas cottage stay - Weekly summer cottage rental ## Getting there Elmhirst's Resort is at 1045 Settlers Line, Keene, ON K0L 2G0. From Toronto: take Highway 115 North toward Peterborough, then head east on County Road 2 toward Keene, approximately 90 minutes. From Ottawa: take Highway 7 West toward Peterborough, then south toward Keene, approximately 3 hours. Ample on-site parking. ## Questions **Where is Elmhirst's Resort located?** Elmhirst's Resort is at 1045 Settlers Line, Keene, Ontario. On the north shore of Rice Lake in the heart of the Kawarthas. It is approximately 90 minutes from Toronto and 3 hours from Ottawa. **What sustainability certifications does Elmhirst's hold?** Elmhirst's holds Green Step Platinum Certification, one of the highest sustainability certifications available to Canadian tourism operators. The resort's practices include local food sourcing, energy efficiency, waste reduction, and ecological stewardship of the Rice Lake shoreline. **What does the Spa @ Elmhirst's offer?** The Spa @ Elmhirst's is a full-service day spa open to resort guests and day visitors. Services include registered massage therapy (RMT), acupuncture, tui na massage, facials, body treatments, manicures, pedicures, waxing, and eye care. All using sustainable, vegan products. Day spa and group spa packages are available. Appointment required. **What cottage options are available at Elmhirst's?** Elmhirst's has 30 waterfront cottages on Rice Lake. All include a fully equipped kitchen, BBQ, private deck, dock access, fireplace, flat-screen TV, and Wi-Fi. Some cottages include hot tubs. Sizes vary to suit couples, families, and small groups. See elmhirst.ca for current configurations and rates. **Can I take a floatplane tour from the resort?** Yes. Sightseeing flights depart from Elmhirst's own dock on Rice Lake. An unusual amenity that gives guests an aerial view of the Kawarthas landscape. This is available seasonally; confirm availability and pricing when booking. **What dining venues are at Elmhirst's?** Elmhirst's has two onsite dining venues: the Hearthside Dining Room, which serves farm-to-table meals with ingredients from the resort's own farm and local Kawartha suppliers; and the Wild Blue Yonder Pub & Patio, a more casual option with local craft beer and pub fare. Beef served at Elmhirst's is raised on the resort's own farm. **What activities are available at Elmhirst's Resort year-round?** Year-round activities include spa treatments, hiking on 10 km of onsite trails, indoor pool and sauna use, fitness centre, wagon rides, wine tastings, and the onsite escape maze. Seasonal activities add kayaking, canoeing, paddleboarding, waterskiing, tubing, treetop trekking, sightseeing flights, swimming, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling trail access nearby. **How do I book at Elmhirst's Resort?** Book directly at elmhirst.ca or call the resort. Spa treatments require advance booking and are open to day visitors as well as cottage guests. Summer cottage weeks and holiday weekends book early. ## How far to trust this Written from what the property publishes. Not yet checked by hand. Confirm on their site before you book. MindReach Getaways does not take the booking. You book with the property.