Fern Resort

We booked a stay for our family of 7, so not a cheap vacation. The dining room service was slow and poor for the most part. One excuse brought up time and again was that it was “very busy”. Well they should know it will be busy given the number of people who are staying there and when everyone is expected to be there for dinner between 6 and 7, of course it will be busy! One day we spent 2 hours getting breakfast (shouldn’t take that long to make waffles and porridge) and 2.5 hours for dinner (which arrived cold when it did come). Kids don’t last that long and we would rather not spend half a day in the dining room, missing events we would like to attend. We were told by several staff that the manager would contact us about our concerns, but that never happened.

It’s hard to believe that this was our 13th visit to Fern Resort since 2000. This fact alone speaks volumes, as we only return to places that offer something truly special, and there is indeed something unique about this Orillia resort. From the moment you arrive, you almost immediately feel a sense of calm and peace. This year was no different; however, “great” does not necessarily mean “perfect.” While the resort consistently strives for improvement each season, there are a few areas where it could enhance the experience. Starting with: Evening programs: Years ago, the resort offered two evening programs each night. The first program was aimed at guests of all ages, while the second, which followed shortly after the first, was specifically designed for adults and often featured musical entertainment. This was a much better experience compared to the current option of a “silent disco.” Additionally, many of the main evening programs tend to be focused on children. While this can be enjoyable, many adults would appreciate more entertainment options tailored to their interests. Regarding adult programs, we regret the conclusion of the wine-tasting and cocktail-mixing sessions. These programs were unique and very popular, often filling up quickly. If that’s the case, consider offering them daily instead of weekly. You already do this with other programs, so why not with these? If you are running a program that charges guests an additional fee, please follow the schedule as planned. We signed up for the Sunset Cruise, which was set to leave the dock at 7:30 p.m. and return by 8:15 p.m. Unfortunately, we had to wait for three latecomers, two of whom were delayed because they hadn’t received their dinners in time. It’s important to remember that if you have a scheduled activity, you should have your dinner by 6:00 p.m. when the Dining Room opens. The boat captain shouldn’t have to hold up the entire cruise for a few individuals. Remember, “The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few, or the one.” Ultimately, the two women decided to cancel their participation, and because we departed late, we arrived too late to see most of the evening’s entertainment. Now, let’s talk about the food. Most meals are excellent, and everything is delicious. However, there are times when simple dishes, like scrambled eggs, do not meet expectations. Still, the majority of meals are great, especially lunch, which many (most?) people enjoy at the BBQ Gazebo. If you’re there, be sure to try one of the many desserts offered, particularly the butter tarts—they are amazing! The array of desserts available at dinnertime is also impressive. As I mentioned earlier, we love this place; it isn’t perfect, but it’s still an amazing place to spend time in the summer, and I would recommend it to anyone considering travelling north. All being well, we will be back next summer! I would rate this year's visit 8/10.

Fern has been part of our Victoria Day long weekend since 2001. We keep coming back every year as we enjoy our time here. Its been a tradition to come with two of my siblings and their families and we have labelled ourselves the "Fern Family". Its always sad when the long weekend has come to an end but we know we will be back next year! Fern has lots to offer for both the very young and the not so young. The food, atmosphere, entertainment and activities are Ferntastic!! We highly recommend Fern to anyone that is looking for a wonderful place to come and start their own family traditions.