Walker Lake Resort
Location: 1040 WALKER LAKE DR, Huntsville, ca
Star Rating: 8.8 Stars
Property Type: Resorts
About this Property
Tranquil Lakeside Retreat
Nestled in Huntsville, Walker Lake Resort offers a serene escape with convenient access to local attractions.
Waterfront Activities
Guests can indulge in water sports on the pristine lake or relax on the private beach.
Outdoor Adventures
From fishing to canoeing, there are plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy in the picturesque surroundings.
Homey Comfort
With cozy rooms featuring private bathrooms and some equipped kitchens, guests can unwind in comfort after a day of exploration.
Experience the perfect blend of relaxation and adventure at Walker Lake Resort - book your stay now!
Important Information
Please inform of your expected arrival time in advance. You can use the Special Requests box when booking, or contact the property directly using the contact details in your confirmation.
Policies
Check-in: 04:00 PM - 06:00 PM
Check-out: 10:00 AM
Amenities & Facilities
- Offsite parking discounted rates available
- Parking
- Non-smoking rooms
- BBQ facilities
- Board games/puzzles
- Kids' outdoor play equipment
- Outdoor furniture
- Badminton equipment
- Staff adhere to local safety protocols
- Cleaning standards that are effective against Coronavirus
- Physical distancing rules followed
- Hand sanitizer in guest room and key areas
- Cashless payment available
- Fire extinguishers
- First aid kit available
- Contactless check-in/check-out
- Smoke alarms
- Key access
- Screens / Barriers between staff and guests for safety
- 24-hour security
- Free wired internet
- Self parking (surcharge)
- Beach umbrellas
- Offsite parking discounted rates available
- Private beach nearby
- Internet access
- Private picnics
- Fishing nearby
- Water sports equipment
- Beach club nearby (surcharge)
- Beach toys
- Charcoal grill
- Paddle boating nearby
Rooms Available
-
Three-Bedroom Apartment
The unit offers 4 beds.
Max Occupancy: 6 (6 Adults)
-
One-Bedroom Cottage
Guests will have a special experience as the bungalow features a fireplace. Featuring a private entrance, this bungalow consists of 1 living room, 1 separate bedroom and 1 bathroom with a bath and a shower. Guests will find a stovetop, a refrigerator, kitchenware and an oven in the well-equipped kitchenette. The bungalow also offers a barbecue. The bungalow provides a flat-screen TV, a tea and coffee maker, a seating area, a dining area as well as lake views. The unit offers 2 beds.
Max Occupancy: 4 (3 Adults)
- Coffee/tea maker
- Shower
- TV
- Kitchenette
- Refrigerator
- Seating Area
- DVD player
- Toilet
- Microwave
- Private bathroom
- Heating
- Fireplace
- Private entrance
- Sofa
- Dining area
- Electric kettle
- Wardrobe or closet
- Oven
- Stovetop
- Toaster
- Barbecue
- Coffee machine
- Linen
- Dining table
- Outdoor furniture
- Outdoor dining area
- Entire unit located on ground floor
- Toilet paper
- Board games/puzzles
- Books, DVDs, or music for children
- Sofa bed
- Trash cans
- Wine glasses
- Body soap
- Hypoallergenic pillow
- Smoke alarm
- Fire extinguisher
- Key access
-
Family Bungalow
The unit has 5 beds.
Max Occupancy: 8 (8 Adults)
-
Two-Bedroom Cottage
The fireplace is the standout feature of this bungalow. This spacious bungalow features 1 living room, 2 separate bedrooms and 1 bathroom with a bath and a shower. Guests will find a stovetop, a refrigerator, kitchenware and an oven in the kitchen. The bungalow also comes with a barbecue. The bungalow features a private entrance, a tea and coffee maker, a seating area, a flat-screen TV, as well as lake views. The unit has 3 beds.
Max Occupancy: 6 (6 Adults)
- Coffee/tea maker
- Shower
- TV
- Refrigerator
- Seating Area
- DVD player
- Toilet
- Microwave
- Private bathroom
- Heating
- Kitchen
- Fireplace
- Private entrance
- Sofa
- Dining area
- Electric kettle
- Wardrobe or closet
- Oven
- Stovetop
- Toaster
- Barbecue
- Coffee machine
- Linen
- Dining table
- Outdoor furniture
- Outdoor dining area
- Entire unit located on ground floor
- Toilet paper
- Board games/puzzles
- Books, DVDs, or music for children
- Sofa bed
- Trash cans
- Wine glasses
- Body soap
- Hypoallergenic pillow
- Smoke alarm
- Fire extinguisher
- Key access
-
Two-Bedroom Cottage
The fireplace is a top feature of this bungalow. This spacious bungalow comes with 1 living room, 2 separate bedrooms and 1 bathroom with a bath and a shower. Guests will find a stovetop, a refrigerator, kitchenware and an oven in the well-fitted kitchen. The bungalow also includes a barbecue. The bungalow features a flat-screen TV, a private entrance, a tea and coffee maker, a seating area as well as lake views. The unit has 3 beds.
Max Occupancy: 6 (6 Adults)
- Coffee/tea maker
- Shower
- TV
- Refrigerator
- Seating Area
- DVD player
- Toilet
- Microwave
- Private bathroom
- Heating
- Kitchen
- Fireplace
- Private entrance
- Sofa
- Dining area
- Electric kettle
- Wardrobe or closet
- Oven
- Stovetop
- Toaster
- Barbecue
- Coffee machine
- Linen
- Dining table
- Outdoor furniture
- Outdoor dining area
- Entire unit located on ground floor
- Toilet paper
- Board games/puzzles
- Books, DVDs, or music for children
- Sofa bed
- Trash cans
- Wine glasses
- Body soap
- Hypoallergenic pillow
- Smoke alarm
- Fire extinguisher
- Key access
-
Two-Bedroom Cottage
Featuring a private entrance, this bungalow is comprised of 1 living room, 2 separate bedrooms and 1 bathroom with a bath and a shower. Guests will find a stovetop, a refrigerator, kitchenware and an oven in the well-equipped kitchenette. The bungalow also has a barbecue. The bungalow offers a tea and coffee maker, a seating area, a dining area, a flat-screen TV, as well as lake views. The unit offers 2 beds.
Max Occupancy: 4 (4 Adults)
- Coffee/tea maker
- Shower
- TV
- Kitchenette
- Refrigerator
- Seating Area
- DVD player
- Toilet
- Microwave
- Private bathroom
- Heating
- Interconnected room(s) available
- Private entrance
- Sofa
- Dining area
- Electric kettle
- Oven
- Stovetop
- Toaster
- Barbecue
- Coffee machine
- Linen
- Dining table
- Outdoor furniture
- Outdoor dining area
- Entire unit located on ground floor
- Toilet paper
- Board games/puzzles
- Books, DVDs, or music for children
- Trash cans
- Wine glasses
- Body soap
- Hypoallergenic pillow
- Smoke alarm
- Fire extinguisher
- Key access
-
Two-Bedroom Cottage
Featuring a private entrance, this bungalow also is comprised of 1 living room, 2 separate bedrooms and 1 bathroom with a shower. Guests will find a stovetop, a refrigerator, kitchenware and an oven in the kitchenette. The bungalow also has a barbecue. The bungalow offers a tea and coffee maker, a seating area, a dining area, a flat-screen TV, as well as lake views. The unit offers 3 beds.
Max Occupancy: 4 (4 Adults)
- Coffee/tea maker
- Shower
- TV
- Kitchenette
- Refrigerator
- Seating Area
- DVD player
- Toilet
- Microwave
- Private bathroom
- Heating
- Interconnected room(s) available
- Private entrance
- Sofa
- Dining area
- Electric kettle
- Oven
- Stovetop
- Toaster
- Barbecue
- Coffee machine
- Linen
- Dining table
- Outdoor furniture
- Outdoor dining area
- Entire unit located on ground floor
- Toilet paper
- Board games/puzzles
- Books, DVDs, or music for children
- Trash cans
- Wine glasses
- Body soap
- Hypoallergenic pillow
- Smoke alarm
- Fire extinguisher
- Key access
-
Three-Bedroom Cottage
The fireplace is a top feature of this bungalow. Boasting a private entrance, this spacious bungalow also comes with 3 bedrooms, a seating area and 1 bathroom with a bath and a shower. Guests will find a stovetop, a refrigerator, kitchenware and an oven in the well-equipped kitchen. The bungalow also includes a barbecue. The bungalow features a flat-screen TV, a tea and coffee maker, a dining area, a wardrobe as well as lake views. The unit has 4 beds.
Max Occupancy: 6 (6 Adults)
- Coffee/tea maker
- Shower
- TV
- Refrigerator
- Seating Area
- DVD player
- Toilet
- Microwave
- Private bathroom
- Heating
- Kitchen
- Fireplace
- Private entrance
- Sofa
- Dining area
- Electric kettle
- Wardrobe or closet
- Oven
- Stovetop
- Toaster
- Barbecue
- Coffee machine
- Linen
- Dining table
- Outdoor furniture
- Outdoor dining area
- Entire unit located on ground floor
- Toilet paper
- Board games/puzzles
- Books, DVDs, or music for children
- Trash cans
- Wine glasses
- Body soap
- Hypoallergenic pillow
- Smoke alarm
- Fire extinguisher
- Key access
-
Two-Bedroom Cottage
This bungalow offers a fireplace. Featuring a private entrance, this bungalow consists of 1 living room, 2 separate bedrooms and 1 bathroom with a bath and a shower. Guests will find a stovetop, a refrigerator, kitchenware and an oven in the fully equipped kitchenette. The bungalow also provides guests with a barbecue. The bungalow provides a tea and coffee maker, a seating area, a dining area, a flat-screen TV, as well as lake views. The unit offers 3 beds.
Max Occupancy: 4 (4 Adults)
- Coffee/tea maker
- Shower
- TV
- Kitchenette
- Refrigerator
- Seating Area
- DVD player
- Toilet
- Microwave
- Private bathroom
- Heating
- Fireplace
- Private entrance
- Dining area
- Electric kettle
- Wardrobe or closet
- Oven
- Stovetop
- Toaster
- Barbecue
- Coffee machine
- Linen
- Dining table
- Outdoor furniture
- Outdoor dining area
- Entire unit located on ground floor
- Toilet paper
- Board games/puzzles
- Books, DVDs, or music for children
- Trash cans
- Wine glasses
- Body soap
- Hypoallergenic pillow
- Smoke alarm
- Fire extinguisher
- Key access
Guest Reviews
- gabriela (9/5): -
- Gaulke (8/5): Schöne Lager in einfacher, aber uriger Hütte. - Ruhige Lage am Walker Lake, aber dennoch gut erreichbar. Küche war eher einfach eingerichtet und es gab keine Schalen für Müsli, aber dafür Gasgrill vor der Tür.
- Céliane (9/5): Au top - Super accueille de Joyce! Canoës, pédalo, et trampoline flottant pour s'amuser dans le lac. Fire pit en commun avec les autres chalet. Super bien situé pour se balader dans la région. Nous avons un peu galéré avec le chauffage, nous sommes venu en fin de saison et les températures été déjà bien basse. Aussi la terrasse n'est fermé que via des moustiquaires donc les repas était a la fraiche.
- John (6/5): - Lovely lake. Taking our trash about 400m. You pay 600+ a night and you have to carry your trash like it's a camping ground. No service between stay either.
- Ralf (9/5): Wonderful - The cottage was directly on the lake. We had our own canoe and kajak for the full duration of our stay.
- Celien (8/5): -
- Carlos (10/5): -
- Emiliya (9/5): I highly recommend this resort, especially for families with kids. - We recently had the pleasure of staying at this charming vacation resort for two nights, and our stay was very good. The one bedroom cottage had renovated bathroom, kitchenette with large fridge, sofa bed, sun-room and it was very clean. The area was very quiet and tranquil. We could swim in the lake or use boat/kayak. All was good
- G (8/5): Very good -
- Noeni (10/5): The perfect cabin for a holiday by the lake! - Amazing location right next to the lake. Comfortable and clean with lots of activities like kayaking and canoeing. The hosts went above and beyond to make sure we had everything we needed and gave us great recommendations of things to do nearby. Nothing, it was amazing.
- Ali (8/5): Very good -
- X (9/5): It’s great -
- Robin (10/5): Exceptional -
- phoenikia (10/5): Nice place to stay, beautiful location - This was my first stay. I booked the Pine Cottage, which is set back from the other 6 cottages. It has a dock from which you can swim, kayak or canoe.
The Pine Cottage has a nice mix of original trim and panelling, and new beds, mattresses and appliances. The bathroom is new. There is a kitchenette with a Breville toaster oven, new fridge, and a range.
The towels were nice quality.
The mattress was extremely comfortable.
There's a small dining table in the screened in porch/ Florida room.
I love that I could see the lake from the front bedroom.
Joyce, the manager, was very welcoming.
I stayed here for a conference at Deerhurst because I didn't like my stay at Deerhurst too much last year. Deerhurst was 11 km/ less than a 10 minute drive away.
This is a quiet, cozy place to stay. 2 km north of Highway 60.
This resort was formerly the Norseman.
The restaurant has closed. I got take-out dinners from Huntsville both nights.
The location is lovely.
- Glen (10/5): Exceptional - Fantastic location on the lake. Really warm welcome and well looked after by our hosts Joyce and Ed Nothing
- Mofei (10/5): Exceptional -
- Sarvar (8/5): Very good - Location was nice with good facilities. The property was clean and pleasant.
- Marco (9/5): Superb -
- Shadi (9/5): Beautiful setting and stunning view from cottage and dock-will be back when bug season is over!!! - Great location, excellent amenities and friendly staff Bugs!!! It was the time of season that all the mosquitoes and black flies were in full force so got bit like crazy even with bug spray all over and just not possible to sit out for long
- Samia (8/5): Very good -
- Abhitej (8/5): Very good -
- Leila (10/5): Very beautiful resort by the lake. So peaceful & breathtaking views. Loved it. Amazing resort managers! - Great location, clean, well equipped cottage.
- Helen (7/5): a perfect location to see fall colour & to relax . serenity environment. staff is friendly & helpful - cottage is on the lake shore. Beautiful lake front view. canoes and boats are available for guests with safety measures.
The public dock is quite roomy with chairs
and a gazebo. staff is quick to respond guest's requests and accommodating for an unexpected late check -in.
Location is very convenient to drive to Algonquin Park and to Huntsville. the cottage we stay, we found the floor is not level. a slightly seasick feelings as walking on it.
- Rachel (9/5): Lovely cottage in peaceful lake setting - Joyce was very warm and welcoming, and sorted out any queries we had immediately. We made use of the kayaks, canoe, paddleboard, and the lake was wonderful for swimming. The cottage is spacious and well-equipped, with a lovely wood burner for cooler evenings. Plenty of hot water and excellent shower. Super-comfy beds too. We also made good use of the outdoor games, including ladder-toss, badminton and croquet. Easy drive to Algonquin Provincial Park for day hikes, and supermarket 10 minutes or so away. It would have been amazing to have had a washing machine and clothesline, but we managed with a bit of hand-washing, and Joyce lent us an airer.
- Stephen (8/5): Very good - How quiet it was and the land was stunning.
- Liz (9/5): Superb -
- Devon (9/5): recommend to almost anybody - super friendly and helpful owners of this cottage property. It’s directly on a lake and people staying in a cottage can use the available canoes for free.
- sharonbL2261WM (10/5): GREAT PLACE FOR EVERYONE!!! - Anyone would enjoy Walker Lake. Lots of activities. The lake is beautiful and calm. Kayaks, canoes, water boards etc. are all there for your use. But if you choose just to sit and relax at your cottage or on the dock with its amazing muskoka chairs and gazebo you can. Something for everyone. The cottage was super clean and comfortable. Fully equipped with everything you need to have a great stay plus an outdoor BBQ. Charming and peaceful area with a great view of the lake. We heard the loons every day. The owners are very friendly and considerate. Dan, the manager is a great guy. Very helpful and informative. It was like a home away from home. Would like to return for sure. Thank you for giving us the peace and quiet so needed. It was wonderful!
- A5828GOelenas (10/5): Great Place! - We loved the quiet beauty of Walker Lake Resort! We stayed at Cedar Cottage. The cottage was very clean and newly renovated, the view of the lake was spectacular, which provided us with a very tranquil, wonderful rest. At night we enjoyed gathering around the fire pit with other cottagers. There is also a lot to be said about the kindness and hospitality of the management. They treat you very well and work hard to make your stay pleasant. When my car broke down, Jenny went above and beyond to help us. Wonderful place. We are definitely coming back.
- 977sherryz (2/5): Worst Experience Ever - Family Vacay - This ‘place’ Needs to provide friendly hospitality and certainly Customer Service. Still ranking at 350.00 plus a night the cottages should be redone as they are run down and tired. As a single mom after covid opened up phase 2 after 5-6 months of a gruelling pandemic, my oldest daughter wanted to gather to reunite. It was a last minute decision - spontaneous as we needed family time , as yhe world over did. I sat infront of my computer over night running the dates we as a family could provide. Finally on a cottage rental site the dates gelled and up popped Walkerlake Resort showing 4 nights midweek not booked for the second week in July from Monday to Friday. I quickly opened another window on my browser and quickly looked through the ‘Launching page’ of the website and the Cedar cottage overview page. Nowhere in that exploration did the term No Pets identify itself. I even double checked. My youngest daughter has anxiety and Covid played havoc with her. The cat 🐈 or rather still kitten really, kept her calm and is a lap cat, a working cat. I am allergic to dogs to an extreme and therefore she has a cat, which is tolerated with antihistamines when needed by me. Satisfied I tried booking on line immediately- credit card in hand. The site would not let me book. I called the ‘resort’ and spoke with Toby who said he was the cleaner and cant help me. I would have to call tomorrow morning. when I asked if there was someone who could call me back he said no and I would have to wait till tomorrow. Fearful I would lose the possible reservation, I tried booking on my cell phone and completed the transaction. Within minutes I had a call from JENN at the front desk who stated she was glad to see I was able to book. My point is somebody was there the whole time. She then called me back an hour later and said that my credit card did not go through it was expired. I immediately gave her another card and concern called the credit card company. when they reviewed the transaction they stated she entered the expiration date incorrectly. I asked them to be sure walker resort did not charge double on the first credit card. anyways we arrived at the resort Monday just before 4 PM as we were rigidly informed not to arrive prior. My other daughters checked in park their car, I rolled in and went to the front house to check in. JENN walked up to my car saw my daughters lap cat in her lap under the seatbelt, and without greeting us stated it is a pet free resort and we have to go. I was not permitted to remove the cat from my car. The cat had been in the hot car with us for four hours. Then she insisted she had my credit card right away. There was no option for negotiation she would not engage in conversation she would not listen to our side of the story and she did not believe me when I told her I did not see no pets on the website. She also again ask for my credit card before I leave. And that’s a quote. I stated I would go down to the cottage to check on my daughter’s first. The whole thing blew up with JENN coming down the hill and again asking for my credit card to complete the transaction that I was not allowed to stay for. She also brought a card to a pet hotel without any consideration to our budget. Also my youngest daughter would not settle to have her lap cat for comfort not with her. when I said that was unacceptable JENN then begin discussing it With somebody who was not even in our family. All of this was going on right in front of me. Once again I try to explain the situation with the cat and possible resolutions that could be negotiated. I was told we had to leave. I asked for a refund and I was told no. I suggested she keep the deposit and we will just leave, she stated no that I had to pay in full and she asked again for my credit card. Then on top of it 295 a night which was listed on the website Became 350 a night, and then on the Friday night she bumped it up to 395 a night because it’s a weekend. But on the booking website it showed as a time slot for four nights five days which was clearly a gap and not booked. I made this reservation last minute those timeslots with never been filled. So the long and short of it is I asked to go in the cottage to use the bathroom the cottage was terribly rundown did not look clean was not like the pictures, I took my cat out of the car anyway and put her in the lake to cool her off before we put her back in the car and turned around after for our hot summer drive up and drove back to Toronto. this was supposed to be family time after Covid. In addition, my daughters were devastated we were all so tired hot and upset, everybody was in tears, my credit card was charged over $1200 for a 20 minute stay over a last-minute booking. Literally a last-minute booking. This is the worst resort experience I’ve had in my life and my kids and I usually do something like this once a year. Had they have just kept the deposit we would’ve had budget to maybe find shelter somewhere else. I do not recommend this resort, it is a money grab there’s no hospitality, there is no customer service, they are rigid and rude. They upset an entire family, devastated my youngest who has anxiety, took away my opportunity to get us all together due to my budget, and felt absolutely no remorse or compassion for the situation. One opportunity of negotiation would’ve been A potential $250 cleaning cost for the additional cat situation. This is an indoor fixed, calm lap cat. The cat would not of even been out of the room my daughter sleeps in because that’s how it’s trained. Or option to keep our deposit and allow us to leave peacefully with an apology on their behalf for not clearly marking no pets allowed on their website. I do not recommend this resort for anybody especially people with children.
- lcurrent (10/5): Labor Day Weekend 2018 - We decided at the last minute to try and find accommodations in Huntsville for the Labor Day weekend. We by accident came upon this resort on line. We weren't sure what to expect and we were pleasantly surprised. We stayed in the cedar cottage. It was a perfect size for a family of 4. We had great access to the dock, canoes, kayaks and paddle boards. The lake was quiet and great for swimming and fishing. Overall a very relaxing and fun family vacation. Would definitely go back.
- 610julianas (2/5): The worst cottage in beautiful lake - We stayed two days in the resort in two bedroom'acorn'cottage.
The cottage is old, uncleaned and not maintained. The bathroom is extremely small with peeling paint off the walls. The toilet is durty. When we expressed our concerns to staff we were told the bathroom is brand new and the peeling paint is due to ongoing moisture...
We weren't able to open any windows and asked staff for help. One bedroom window didn't have screen. Few windows had broken glass. The floor is uneven and wasn't washed in ages. The double bed is squaky and uncomfortable. All bed covers in bedrooms and white couch cushions in living are extremely durty.
We paid expensive price for two nights and didn't expect to end up in durty motel we have ever seen.
Stay away from this place and don't spend your money !
- vcb87 (10/5): saved our holiday - We had booked a house in Bracebridge through Airbnb which didn't suit us when we arrived there. I contacted Mallary who was super fast at responding to my email. We ended up in Cedar which is one of the renovated lodges and actually the closest to the jetty and the boats. It was perfect for us as a famliy of four and saved the last week of our holiday from being a total disaster.
Rob and Mallary took this place over last year and we could see that they have been working hard over the winter to update the accommodation and the restaurant. They are very honest in their descriptions of the accommodation and clearly state that they are relatively new owners working hard to create a great resort - in my opinion they are well on their way with this. I would go back if we ever are in Canada again. Thank you so much for a really great time.
- Grammy-D55 (10/5): Great meal, great hospitality! - Thank you Mallary and staff. We enjoyed the perfect meal and the perfect evening. The service was great; the meal was great; the music was great. Thanks for making sure all was well. We will certainly be back and we will certainly tell other how awesome our evening was.
- L3185PMmarkp (10/5): Fabulous setting, great food, comfortable accommodations - Stayed here for 2 days/nights for a company retreat. It's a gorgeous Muskoka setting on a quiet lake (no motorboats or jetskis), comfortably warm for swimming in mid-June. The cottages are recently renovated and were spacious and comfortable. Food at the Norseman restaurant was delicious.
- F6956MVchristinef (8/5): Lovely location and accommodations for a company retreat or an affordable lakeside family vacation! - We recently held our senior staff company retreat at the resort and it was an absolutely perfect setting! The cottages have all been tastefully updated and are very clean and comfortable. I stayed in the "Spruce" Cottage which I would certainly recommend for any family who wants to enjoy an extremely affordable and comfortable lakeside cottage experience.
Additionally, the restaurant only steps away from the cottages has a lovely ambiance and the food was delicious!
- torontoeddy (4/5): pretty awful - We had booked a 4 day weekend there but fled after 2.5 days. It's a shame because the lake and the property are so lovely but the cottage and the resort upkeep were dreadful. The weather was rainy which didn't help as it forced us to spend more time in the cottage with the spiders and bugs and greasy film that covered most of the kitchen, floor and utensils. When we did have a few hours outdoors we discovered the moldy lifejackets, beaten up water toys and broken muskoka chairs. Despite the good reviews of the restaurant it was too dark and dingy looking to even attempt a meal there so we didn't. Thankfully Hunstville is close so we did enjoy 3 guys and stove one evening. I think that I read that the ownership changed since we were there last summer and though we loved Walker lake I don't think that we can bear to give this resort one more chance.
- ericacX3498TD (10/5): Norseman restaurant - Visited the Norseman for Valentine’s Day. Nice small restaurant with limited seating. Nicely decorated and delicious food. Very attentive staff. Would highly recommend. The baked Camembert was a big hit!
- MuskokaPorters (10/5): Our Amazing Wedding at the Norsemen Walker Lake Resort! - We had our wedding at the Norsemen - Walker Lake Resort in September 2017. It was absolutely perfect! The location on Walker Lake was phenomenal and being that our wedding was in the peak of the fall, the colours were spectacular! Not only was the resort perfect, but so were the staff, always going above and beyond for us!
My husband and I had always desired an intimate wedding so we decided on the Norsemen - holding all the cottages on the entire property from Friday to Sunday so that our family and close friends could stay and enjoy the weekend with us. It was the hottest September weekend on record and therefore felt like a summer day but we also had the pleasure of enjoying the fall colours!
From the moment our guests started arriving, staff were excellent to deal with and well organized. The bridal party was given plenty of time to organize decorations and plan with our onsite coordinator, Mallary Duncan - who managed the property with her family.
A month prior to the wedding, we got a rather urgent message - stating to our surprise - that the resort had switched ownership. As you can imagine, this came as a shock to us - the old owner whom we had dealt with for the past year while planning our wedding, was no longer present. We didn't know if the new owners had any of our plans leading up to and including our big day. We had no idea if they had any of our reservation information. Or even if they had copies of the emails back and forth for the last year about planning. After all, we had just spoken to the old owner a couple weeks prior and nothing was mentioned to us at all! This is how we were originally introduced to Mallary. We arranged a site meeting and met with her, her husband and her parents who as a team, were managing the resort. From day one, they were fantastic... So easy to talk to and easy to work with! Mallary was our main point of contact and it became clear very quickly that she knew what she was doing and was on top of everything - ensuring us that our special day would be perfect. And it was! We are so relieved they took over the resort!
Mallary doubled as our wedding coordinator the Saturday of our wedding. She was organized, well spoken, experienced and was just amazing to deal with!! Every detail we had discussed in advance had been taken care of and our decorations in general (and reception setup) looked nothing short of beautiful! Our vision had come to life! We can't say enough great things about Mallary (and her immediate family) who were so nice and who went above and beyond!
If you haven't had the opportunity to check this place out, do it!! The cottages are a bit rustic but we knew this and were totally fine with it! We understand that some of the cottages have undergone some renovations (for anyone out there who otherwise may be a bit weary of the word 'rustic') Or to those who were scared off because of the odd old negative review based on the rustic aspect. But honestly even before the renos, the cottages were cozy and nestled beside the lake - who can complain!?
The food was phenomenal - both chefs were amazing and I'd recommend the food to anyone! Since our wedding, there have even been some renovations in the restaurant and it looks fantastic. No regrets here though - our reception was truly beautiful and exactly how we envisioned it to be. Mallary and her family had only been managing for a month prior to our wedding and shortly thereafter had made the decision to make some changes that obviously the previous owner had neglected to look at.
Needless to say, our wedding weekend was amazing! We plan to return for our anniversary and see first hand some of the changes & renos - to date, we've only gotten a sneak peek at some pictures. We had such a memorable experience and we cannot thank Mallary enough!!
If you are considering a wedding in Muskoka, prefer a quiet lake, like the idea of staying in fully equipped cottages and still having the option of 5 star food options in the restaurant, this is your place!! Otherwise, if you are simply looking for a nice delicious dinner, visit the Norsemen Restaurant. We promise you won't be disappointed!!!
We can't thank you enough, Mallary!!
The Porters
- nicolinog2015 (2/5): THEY LET ME DOWN AND COULD NOT CARE ABOUT - This was the worst experience I had during my all life. I was looking forward to enjoy the cottage on the lake, with fireplace and BBQ; to relax and have fun at the same time. Ok let's go ahead and pay deposit and outstanding balance on arrival. I really was looking forward to this 4 days vacation.
Well it ended up to be a nightmare. Very uncomfortable, dirty, very old beds and mattresses. Bathroom???well better not to talk about. Just think I was keeping the sleeper on to take a shower in the "Jacuzzi" bathtub.
I strongly believe this cottage was net rented out for at least a couple of year. The smell inside was awful.
I asked to show e how the BBQ was to be switched on; well I discovered it was so dirty that probably it was not cleaned for at least a couple of year as well and have told the guy that I am not cooking the meat on top of this filthy BBQ
Best thing to do form me was going out hiking, trekking, biking and canoeing from 08:00 am and go back after a good dinner a good restaurant in the city round 11:00 pm. It became a must to stay as less time as possible in the cottage. By he way the name of the cottage I rented is "The Spurce". I do not know about the other cottages however from the outside I think they are all in the same conditions.
Linens, towels and cooking utensils are also included....well and of course need to be washed before using it linen included. Also do not believe what they have on the website; this is how they present the Spruce Cottage:
"The Spruce is a quaint and cozy three bedroom cottage accommodating up to 8 people. One bedroom has a luxurious king-size bed, one bedroom has two double beds and the third bedroom has two single beds. Maple floors and pine walls and ceilings provide a cozy rustic experience. It has a lovely living room with a wood-burning fireplace and wall to wall windows providing a beautiful view of the lake and woods. It also has a Jacuzzi bathtub, a full kitchen and an outdoor deck with a bbq. The kitchen is equipped with full-sized fridge and stove, coffee maker, pots, pans and dishes. A gas BBQ on the deck outside your door and a picnic table are also provided. The Spruce cottage overlooks the lake, so the beach and dock are just steps away."
It looks much better form the pictures they have on their website from which I have them downloaded and included in this review but the reality is completely different
On check out I had the chance to talk to the owner and have told them everything about. No reaction nor trying to do something even if it was too late but at least to show some concerns or good willing. They did not offer for any compensation nor even tried to offer something. Then I understood why on arrival they wanted to have the outstanding balance on my credit card even before to show me to the cottage. I told them that those cottages should not be rented out in these conditions but apparently they could not care less. To make a long nightmare story short, STAY AWAY from this "Resort".
- snarkym (4/5): Don't stay in the "Maple" Cottage - When we checked in the new owner of the resort, Pam, let us know it was her third day running things. The up keep on the grounds looked better in just a weeks time so hopefully this is a sign of things to come. It is a great location on a tranquil lake. Our son really enjoyed the paddleboat and the water trampoline. I would have liked to go kayaking but the life jackets provided had black mould all over them and the kayaks needed some TLC. I'm confident Pam will have this issue resolved by next summer.
Unfortunately, we have to base this on the experience we had staying in a poorly maintained cottage due to the previous owners' negligence. The urine like-smell others previously smelled as early as 2014 is still an issue. It might be on the loveseat, carpet, or the subfloor. Put the brown loveseat out of its misery and throw it out! The floors are slanty, the entire cottage is musty and poorly ventilated. It's fair to say we aren't rustic cottage people if rustic is the "Maple". Our son did not enjoy the spiders. The weather ending up being fairly chilly the week we stayed. Having an electric heater that requires a 3 prong outlet and then having almost all of the electrical outlets on the walls as 2 prong hurt my head. We didn't dare try setting a fire in the wood stove because I was too worried about the adjacent gas line in the floor.
- lucky1995 (4/5): Lakefront - You are on Lake front, cottages are run down and not kepted up. View of Lake is not bad but to many trees in view, here for a week grass is not cut, only one firepit between 7 cottages, oven don't work, BBQ handle is broke off. Cottages are not maintained at all. screen doors are broken and windows are full of spiders and leaves
- PengD_12 (6/5): Relax long weekend with friends - We stayed in Acorn cottage for 3 nights. Overall were good, if you are looking for some modern decorated cottage, this may NOT be a good choice.
There was a severe storm on the first day so we have to stay inside. We even lost the electricity. Lucky enough, part of the rooms still work so we can still use the fridge, the kitchen, and the lights.
The next 3 days were getting better, we went to Algonquin park for a 10 km hiking.
The Cottage provides 2 motored boat, 4-5 kayaks, 3 canoes, and paddle boats which are great choices. My wife went for kayaking for hours and she enjoyed it a lot.
Fishing and BBQ are the best activities, if you would like to explore the Algonquin trails, you can drive there within an hour :)
Remember to bring anything to prevent being bitten by the mosquito !!!
- gormaanda (10/5): Awesome Lake Side Cottage - Huntsville was experiencing near blizzard like conditions the day my girlfriend and I arrived for a weekend stay at the Walker Lake Resort's Cedar cottage, Upon entering the cottage we were immediately delighted by the view provided by the huge windows in the vaulted-ceiling living room that overlooked the snow covered lake. The lake must be no more than 50 feet from the cottage. That proximity and access to the lake must be of even more benefit in the summer. The living room featured two comfy large leather couches and a wood-burning fire place. I set a fire and was able to make the cottage nice and toasty. Although WiFi is available we both turned off our cell phones and played games and watched a DVD one night. It was a wonderful experience to disconnect and simply enjoy the present moment in such a beautiful setting. The kitchen was modern and fully equipped with dishes and utensils. The full sized bathroom was thoroughly clean and modern. The Cedar Cottage features two bedrooms. Both were large and and in good condition. Whilst at the cottage I experienced some of the most restful sleep I have had in recent memory..
The Cedar Cottage is one of seven cottages at the Walker Lake Resort. Also located at the resort is the Norsemen Restaurant. A unique dining experience that is truly exceptional. See my glowing review on TripAdvisor. If you need to do any shopping Walker Lake Resort is about a 10 to 15 minute drive to downtown Huntsville.
We plan to return to the Walker Lake Resort. We can't wait to experience the other seasons at that wonderful lakeside setting.
- H2541TCmarkd (4/5): Bring your own toilet paper...winter visit disappointing - Stayed in a two bedroom cottage, the views were very nice from the large windows in the main room, but unfortunately the cottage was in disrepair and was unclean; cobwebs and dust on the ceiling, hair in the beds when we entered, unpainted walls, and we had the unfortunate need to look for a car key that had fallen between the couch cushions...
It seems that there is no water water available if the other cottage has a tap turned on or is using their shower.
Been in worse places, but was a disappointing treat for our family.
- asdphil (8/5): Enjoyable Fall/Thanksgiving weekend - Stayed at a 3 bedroom cottage for the weekend. The cottage is modest but very clean, comfortable and had all the basic amenities we needed. The host was very welcoming and gave us a good orientation upon check in. The cottages are situated so that privacy is maximized. You have the option of cooking your own meal which we did on the first night, but you can also choose to try their on site restaurant (would recommend trying as the service and the food we had were very good). The resort is a few minutes drive to Arrowhead Park and from the quaint town of Huntsville (more options for shopping and dining).
The resort has canoes, paddle boats, and other options for water activities.
It would've been excellent if the weather cooperated a bit - was too chilly for any water activity - but we had excellent photo opportunities as the fall colours were spectacular.
Good value for money!
Photos