Disclosure: We received a complimentary stay at Fern Resort. All opinions are my own.
We refused to let summer slip away. We soaked up the sun, felt sand between our toes, swam in the pool, caught fish from the lake and ate until we were satisfied. Each night we fell into bed exhausted and woke ready to do it all again. That was our Fern summer.
At the end of August we took one last road trip to make the most of our time together as a family, and Fern Resort proved to be the perfect choice. With more than 120 years of experience, Fern Resort knows how to cater to families.
Located on the shores of Lake Couchiching and just 90 minutes from Toronto, Fern Resort offers a relaxed, family-friendly getaway. With supervised kids’ camp, all-inclusive dining, evening entertainment and a long list of daytime activities, you can pack your days full or simply lounge by the pool with a book.
With three active boys in our family, we planned to do it all.
Fern Resort Activities
Each evening at dinner you receive The Daily Buzz, an overview of the next day’s activities so you can plan ahead. Staff-led activities like zorbing and the ropes course run on a schedule, while options such as basketball or mini-golf are available at your leisure. It was a great chance for us to try new things: the boys climbed the rock wall to the top, and my husband and I tried archery for the first time. Fishing off the dock quickly became the boys’ favorite—sunfish were biting and they loved catching and releasing them, and even spotting turtles along the lakebed. We also explored the property on pedal cars, which was a fun way to enjoy the forest trails.
Fern Resort Entertainment
After dinner many sports close for the day, but the evenings come alive with family entertainment. We joined a few games of Candy Bingo and attended nightly shows in Bergwen’s Theatre at 8:30. One night featured Dueling Pianos; another was Force of the Fern, a Star Wars–themed event where the boys trained in Jedi skills and came home with certificates. The evenings offer a nice mix of lighthearted and interactive entertainment that keeps the whole family engaged.
Fern Resort Dining
Fern Resort operates as an all-inclusive property: meals and non-alcoholic beverages served during scheduled dining times are included. A small fridge in the room is available for extra drinks between meals. On your first visit to the dining room your table is assigned, and you’ll typically return to the same spot for the duration of your stay, often served by the same waiter or waitress. The menu is organized into Starters, Salads, Entrees and Desserts, with new options introduced each night so variety is never an issue. Children can choose from a kids’ menu or the buffet, and adult entrees are often available in child-sized portions, which makes it easy for picky eaters.
Lunch can be enjoyed outdoors at the poolside grill or inside the dining room. I particularly enjoyed the soups and salads—my go-to was the Caesar multiple times. Desserts deserve special mention: generous sundaes, chocolate lava cake and orange sorbet were highlights. Breakfast was a favorite meal for our crew as well.
Watch our short video review for a tour of the room and more activities from our stay.
