We are a senior couple - we were verbally abused by the groom at a wedding who insisted that we shouldn't be there and weren't welcome as he had a contract for exclusive use of the resort. We were assured by management that this was not the case but they offered very little support. We chose to leave. We expected more support and a follow up but got neither. We will never go back. All about the money.
Stayed at the Westview Cottage on a whim for a quick getaway. It sounded really good on the phone and the booking was easy. Westview Cottage is private but a close walk to the main lodge area. There's a reason they don't post images of the inside, we wish we saw it before we booked. The cottage stunk, the beds were uncomfortable, the bathroom was a joke. The shower barely fits 1 person and the tub had dead ants. Needless to say our first night was miserable. The saving grace of this trip was that we got firewood for late night bonfires, the BBQ with the propane supplied, the proximity to the lake, the covered porch and the seclusion that the cottage offered. All in all my family and I made the most out of it. Sadly we won't be going back just alone backseat the inside was a train wreck and the sleepness nights we endured. Management needs to fix the inside for the price they are charging, especially the slopping floor on the way to the king size bedroom which caused constant tripping. In addition the beach area at the main size is small and although booking was easy, checking was not so great. The gentleman was wearing a dirty shirt and provided no directions on how to get to the cottage. Directional signs to the cottage would be great. This lodge location is such a missed opportunity with all the great trails and outdoor area surrounding it. It really could be better.…
Severin Lodge feels like summer camp with fun activities and a friendly, young staff. The exception: the restaurant manager who bungled customer service. We were two family groups with one reservation. He offered us two different times for our dinnertime reservations when we all wanted to eat together. With Covid we hadn't seen our family in 18 months. We chose to eat dinner outdoors near the dining room. We could, we were told. However, we got no table service. We had to pick up cutlery, drinks and all three courses at one time. Covid restrictions meant no room cleaning. Fine. However, why insist we wear sweaty, grimy lifejackets for all water sports. Wash them regularly!
We chose this venue for a 3 day getaway because they offered 3 meals a day, daily maid service and a heated pool. Upon arrival we found the parking lot was at the top of a significant hill and the path to the office rather slippery. At the desk there was a notice to advise, as of September 6th (our checkin date) lunch would not be included in our package, and due to Covid, there would not be maid service but they would exchange towels. We then asked for help with our luggage and were told there were large wheel barrels for us to use for that purpose. We are both over 80 and the pathways were very uneven and difficult for walking let alone while pushing a loaded wheel barrel. Our room was disappointing. During our stay there was a wedding and their guests seemed to receive priority for service in the dining room and it was not until our last dinner that we had a table and server assigned as suggested in the Fall Package. For breakfast there was lots of choice and it was hot and regularly replenished. Dinners were excellent and there was a choice of three entrees followed by a choice of deserts. After checking out, getting our luggage back to our car was extremely difficult as it had rained and the path and hill were very slippery, actually a fellow guest had slipped on some steps and had a fall. Once again there was no help available to get our luggage up the hill to our car. This is not a place for seniors.…
This was our fourth trip to Severn Lodge in the last five years. As always, there was lots to do and the setting continues to be spectacular. The gardens this year were exceptional. We found the servers to be far better than last year: they were right there shortly after we sat down and they were friendly and polite. All of the meals offered a variety of delicious options. The waterfront staff went out of their ways to be helpful and instructive. Our only concern was the lack of flexibility for the evening meal. Eating at 7:40 p.m. all three nights is just not fair. Moving us forward even twenty minutes on one evening would have been appreciated. Twice, we found menu items already gone.
I have been here a few times and the location and view are certainly nice. The beach is perfect for families. Food was ok… edible but that was it…. Edible. People were super nice. But… rooms are rudimentary. Stayed in one of the Tamarak rooms. Basic furniture with bedding that is old and stained. Beds old and uncomfortable. Bathrooms very old and tight . Rooms are clean but dated ( Think Holiday Inn in the 1980s) So when booking this resort consider the honest opinion above. You are going to pay a fair $ for what you get. A couple I met at the resort summed it up fairly - “this place is a step up from camping in a tent”.
We were looking for a place where we didn’t have to cook and the water toys were already included. A+++ Found it! The kids club was excellent, the meals were excellent…it surpassed all our expectations for a wonderful Ontario family resort experience. How quickly can I book the same week for next year?
We had a wonderful few days in the White Oaks, a two-bedroom suite in a cottage containing two identical units. The staff was absolutely superb. Many were clearly new, and every last one was pleasant and friendly and helpful. The young women running room to room in the pouring rain was unexpected and they were not complaining the smallest amount. We were sure to tip in-person on those occasions. Sam at the boats was absolutely incredible with the kids. I left him a tip at the front desk when I checked out. The grounds seemed well organized and clean. The only reason for my 4, rather than 5, star review is the facility's ability to adapt under Covid. The food is likely top-notch under ordinary circumstances, and eating in a dining room reduces issue with food missing/items missing/etc., most certainly. They are absolutely doing their best, but they are clearly not a venue designed for service outside or within the rooms. At the same cost as that convenience, it is difficult to attribute a 5 star rating. As it rained our entire trip, we had four meals served in our rooms. The organization to order was a little chaotic as our rooms did not have a reliable, working phone for us to await a call to take our order. I was staying with my two young daughters, and the first night one of their meals never arrived. This was fine as I split the other into two :). We were also missing their dessert and some other items such as salt, pepper and condiments (I realize after we could have called and I'm sure they'd be delivered). Balancing the two little ones on my own I did not bother to call back but I'm sure the office would have fixed the issue quickly. On that note, there was only one chair in the room so we had to take turns eating at the table/on each other's laps/on the bed - tricky with two small children! This is related to my 4/5 review. The next morning my daughter's pancakes were undercooked, actually they were uncooked (wet inside) but I suspect this was due to the kitchen working extra hard and extra fast as they adapted. I was unfortunately unable to split my other daughter's breakfast with her, as that serving size was very small (even for a 4 year old). We were there celebrating my father's 70th birthday, and his breakfast was unfortunately forgotten altogether. I did check in that time and they were very fast to rectify it and very friendly :). It was a few hours after breakfast by that point and he opted to skip lunch as a result. He was very happy with the service when it was corrected, though :). Lunch was wonderful. My next dinner was great but again the kids' meals (pizza) were not cooked. Some was though so we made it work by splitting the plates :). Dessert was fantastic. The room was fairly clean. There were some hairs in the in tub when we arrived but otherwise it wasn't too bad. The beds were very comfortable! The TV didn't work very well, which would ordinarily not be an issue but with the torrential rain and two small children those little things are more noticeable ;). The pool was lovely. Our time for using it was severely limited due to the weather. Jerome who was serving at the bar was polite and attentive. Unfortunately the pool and the hot tub were also closed the one day the weather cleared, but this was due to how much rain had come through the night before. We are planning on possibly returning in 2022 after the pandemic ends. If not for the eating in the rooms and torrential rains I think the trip would have been a 5/5. I'm sure the room service organization and rain plans for eating locations will be well addressed long before that, though. They're doing very well, all things considered, but for the expense I would recommend checking food orders before they're sent out and making sure the rooms are equipped for inside dining for guests. If the rates were reduced during Covid to make up for this loss in service, it would most definitely be a 5/5! But not for the cost as-is.…
This was last minute and not the typical resort I go to. I haven’t been to a family resort in a while, but Severn Lodge had what I was looking for, for this quick get away. I wasn’t expecting much, but I was joyously surprised. The manager, Gary, was hands on, approachable, friendly and professional. The other visitors staying, were friendly and welcoming. There were lots of great activities for the children, who seemed happy and excited with all the events. I was able to participate in adult happenings or just grab a chair by the water to relax. The equipment was kept in great shape and cleaned. There was always a kayak or canoe available when wanted. Severn Lodge had good protocols in place. Lastly, the food and selection was excellent. I will end by saying protocols were in place due to Covid and I felt very safe there. I am looking forward to another visit soon. …
We had our wedding here September 18th. It was amazing - literally a dream. None of us or our guests had previously been to the resort and everyone raved about it. It was perfect. The food was delicious. The views are gorgeous. The staff were extremely helpful and friendly - they were exceptional. We will definitely be back. One of Ontarios hidden gems.
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim Your Listing