Looking to book an Ontario cottage country getaway at Taboo Resort in Muskoka?
Our comprehensive guide to the popular luxury resort in Gravenhurst features all you need to know before booking a romantic getaway or family holiday.
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Taboo Resort in Gravenhurst
My fondest childhood memories can be traced to the thirst quenching lakes of Muskoka. My family would spend each summer at our cottage on Mary Lake, a stones throw from Bracebridge and Huntsville. We’d forage for local berries in the morning and bake them into fluffy muffins for breakfast. Afternoons were spent soaking up the sun on the dock or waterskiing around timber topped islands. After the sunset we’d fire up the BBQ, stargaze from the boathouse or light a bonfire and roast ooey-gooey s’mores.
Muskoka is now Ontario’s most sought after cottage country, recently dubbed “Malibu of the North,” as marvellous mansions play home to A-List celebrities such as Martin Short, Goldie Hawn, Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks. When Hollywood’s elite and the who’s who of Toronto are looking to kick back and relax in Ontario cottage country they find happiness first at Taboo Resort Muskoka.
The property has been welcoming guests to the shores of Lake Muskoka since 1926, first as the Muskoka Beach Inn, when guests mainly arrived by horse and buggy from the Gravenhurst railway station, then from 1959, as the Muskoka Sands, and in 1985 as the Taboo we know today.
Best Things to Do at Taboo Resort
Taboo Muskoka is a year-round resort, with the Winter and Spring months offering special discounts and deals as it’s the region’s low season. Enjoy a relaxing retreat by cozying up to a good book or organize a ski trip to nearby Hidden Valley.
Taboo Resort’s busiest season is the Summer and Fall, when couples and families arrive to enjoy the resort’s lakeside activities.
Taboo Resort Accommodation
The luxurious lakeside Gravenhurst resort features 59 spacious suites and 93 condos designed in a modernist style by Anna Simone.
Taboo Resort offers a variety of comfortable, modern and recently renovated accommodations that have been upgraded.
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The resort’s guest rooms, suites and condos feature cotton poly blend sheets, a large flat screen LED television, in-room coffee maker and safe, high speed wireless internet, alarm clock radio with Bluetooth speaker and mobile device charger, iron and ironing board, complimentary movie channels, and European style bathroom.
We suggest booking a room with a balcony as they feature two Muskoka chairs. Sit back and relax as one of Muskoka’s legendary sunsets splashes across the sky before your very eyes!
- Taboo Resort Select Rooms: these 300 sqft rooms feature 2 Queen beds and offer views over the resort property.
- Taboo Resort Terrace Rooms: these 300 sqft rooms feature 1 King sized bed, deep soaking tub with shower and a private walk-out terrace.
- Taboo Resort Lake View Rooms: these 375 sqft rooms feature 1 King or 2 Queen sized beds, deep soaking tub with separate rainfall shower, gas fireplace and balcony with beautiful lake view.
- Taboo Resort Condos: guests can chose from condos outfitted with 2 bedrooms, 3 bedrooms or 4 bedrooms. All condos include a kitchen, dining room, living room, fireplace and screened in porch.
Taboo Resort Restaurants
The luxury resort in Gravenhurst offers three restaurants; The Boathouse, 19th Hole Gastro Pub and Bar 19 at the Upper Deck.
Bar 19 at the Upper Deck
Visit Bar 19 at the Upper Deck and enjoy Taboo Resort’s signature Margarita and snack on trendy tacos, corn dogs and quesadillas.
Bar 19 at the Upper Deck is open May to October.
19th Hole Gastro Pub
Grab a bite to eat before or after hitting the trails or teeing up for a game of golf. From breakfast to afternoon guests can enjoy salads, sandwiches, wings, burgers or pizza from the kitchen’s new wood fired pizza oven.
The Boathouse Restaurant
Taboo Resort’s most popular restaurant offers scenic views over Lake Muskoka. The Boathouse Restaurant conveniently sits perched over the resort’s marina and docks. Local cottagers love to motor over to the Gravenhurst resort, tie up their boat and enjoy a romantic meal at sunset.
Due to the nature of its location by the water, The Boathouse Restaurant is open seasonally from April to October.
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There’s nothing lovelier then waking up to watch the sunrise over Lake Muskoka. Light dances on the slick surface, twinkling across a string of petite islands. Wake up to the world while sipping a mug of freshly brewed coffee, nibble on an epic pastry platter and lovingly fork through steaming plates featuring classic Eggs Benedict and local berry topped French Toast.
If you’re keen on a quenching after a long day spent sitting in the sun pop by the Boathouse Bar for freshly muddled libations. Grab a stool and sit perched over Taboo Resort’s marina, gawking at beautiful boats which putter past as you clink glasses of white wine sangria and Aperol Spritz.
Hungry guests gather at the luxury resort’s lakeside restaurant each evening for a casual cottage country inspired feast. Highlights from the kitchen include a bacon and cheddar topped burger, crispy fried fish tacos and epic Mediterranean Platter featuring hummus, tabbouleh and pickled eggplant.
Taboo Golf
Consistently voted among Canada’s Top 50 courses and renowned for its panoramic beauty and innovative use of the dramatic Canadian Shield landscape, the Taboo golf course is a captivating and challenging layout set at the gateway to Muskoka, one of Canada’s truly outstanding golf destinations.
The landmark Ron Garl designed Taboo golf course opened in 2002, a major milestone in Muskoka’s emergence as a top North American golf destination. It is here in the heart of cottage country where 300 acres of memorable terrain are embraced by dense forests of tall white pines and mature red oaks.
Taboo’s golf holes are shaped by distinctive pink granite outcroppings. Each hole sits in isolation from the rest, with 15-minute tee time intervals helping to preserve that feeling that you’re golfing a private course.
Sea-Doo Cruise To Millionaire’s Row
If you’re a lake lover with a need for speed visit Muskoka Boat Rentals and enjoy an afternoon weaving through waves.
We spent an hour zipping along Lake Muskoka on a Sea-Doo staying close to the shore so we could gawk at the jaw-dropping properties on Millionaire’s Row.
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Paddle Like a Pro
If you’re looking to enjoy a workout on the water hop in a canoe or kayak and paddle your way along the shoreline of Lake Muskoka or the nearby Hoc Roc River. Rentals are complimentary for all Taboo Resort guests.
Mountain Bike Adventure
Pay a visit to Taboo Resort’s Recreation Centre and grab a two wheeler from the resort’s fine fleet of CCM mountain bikes. Peddle across the street and you’ll find an expansive network of nature trails perfect for hiking or biking.
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The woodlands of Taboo’s 1,000 acre resort are filled with forests of old pine and ancient oak, spectacular Canadian Shield rock ridges and beaver ponds, birds and wildlife. There’s always something cool to see on the resort’s 5 km of winding mountain bike trails. Handy, pocket sized Taboo trail maps help guide the way!
Muskoka Lakes Winery
The nearby town of Bala holds the proud title “Cranberry Capital of Ontario,” and there’s no better way to appreciate the locally grown fruit than on a tasting tour of Muskoka Lakes Winery.
The winery’s Bog to Bottle Tour has Canadian Signature Experience status and allows curious guests to follow cranberry production from peat bog to delicious wine.
Highlights include the top selling Cranberry Blueberry Wine and a sweet slosh of Red Maple Dessert Wine featuring the winery’s award winning Cranberry Wine muddled with maple syrup.
Tastebuds Ice Cream & Poutinerie
Leave your calorie counter in the car!
Tastebuds in Gravenhurst is a new addition to Muskoka’s munchie scene offering hungry visitors a selection of Kawartha Dairy Ice Cream flavours, perfectly cheesy poutine and freshly baked butter tarts and Nanaimo bars.
Sawdust City Brewing
Sawdust City Brewing Company is dedicated to the art and science of creating exceptional craft beers. Brewmaster Sam Corbeil and his talented team create award-winning exciting beers that expand the borders of traditional flavour profiles from their 20,000 sq ft facility on the main street of Gravenhurst.
The Canadian-made brewhouse includes a canning line, barrel-aging room, large retail store and Tap Room where live music entertains sud-sloshers every Friday and Saturday night.
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The Tap Room features a 24-foot live-edge bar milled from a 100-year-old naturally felled pine tree, honouring the long history of logging in Muskoka. Hop up on a bar stool here and you’ll find 12 draught lines and friendly bartender keen on walking you through a tutored tasting.
Highlights include thirst quenching Little Norway Pale Lager, refreshing Golden Beach Pale Ale and one-off Kick Start My Heart Sour IPA featuring cherries, raspberries and strawberries plucked from local farms.
Segwun Sunset Dinner Cruise
No trip to Muskoka is complete until you’ve strolled onto the iconic RMS Segwun, North America’s oldest operating steamship.
Splurge on your sweetie by purchasing tickets for the sunset dinner cruise and you’ll romance the night away as you putter along Lake Muskoka in style.
The leisurely 3.5 hour cruise features a three course dinner served in the ships vintage dining salon. Enjoy a swirl of wine as the sunset splashes across the horizon.
Best Local Tours & Activities
- Treetop Trekking Huntsville: Feel like Tarzan while you climb, swing, and zip through the forest canopy in this huge aerial game and zip line park, with activities for ages 9+.
- Flight Helicopter Tours: Enjoy awe-inspiring helicopter tours of the Muskoka region, including aerial & landing tours of the most spectacular features and attractions in the area.
- Brew Tours – Muskoka Edition: Get exclusive tastings, specialized brewery tours, and highly trained Tour Leaders teaching you the ins and outs of the craft beer industry. Featured Breweries: Lake of Bays Brewery, Muskoka Brewery, Sawdust City Brewing Company, and The Griffin Gastropub.
Review Our Travel Checklist When Planning Your Next Adventure!
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Never travel without insurance! We suggest World Nomads comprehensive coverage as it includes over 250 adventure activities such as scuba diving, bungee jumping and surfing.
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Be sure to check your travel destinations electrical plug requirements in advance. If you travel often be sure to purchase a multi-region adaptor.
Whether you’re marching through a city or exploring a rugged rural landscape, it’s important to ensure you’re traveling with comfortable footwear. We suggest these comfortable walking shoes for urban adventures or these waterproof hiking boots when embarking on a hike holiday.
Capture your holiday on a quality camera. We suggest the pocket-sized Canon Powershot G7 or professional SLR we shoot with Canon EOS 6D.
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