Champlain Waterfront Hotel
Looking for a Staycation type of get-a-way that includes a beautiful waterfront harbour, fabulous boutique shops, a market or even a casino? Then look no further! The Champlain Waterfront Hotel in Orillia Ontario is the perfect setting for your small-town exploring adventure.
Vacation is a state of mind…. Anonymous
Why we chose the Champlain Waterfront Hotel?
- Location
- History of the hotel
- Area Amenities
The Location of this chic boutique hotel is perfect. Directly across from Orillia’s main street which is full of fabulous shops and eating establishments – this hotel is perfect for exploring the downtown core. It is also within walking distance of Orillia’s famous waterfront – – The Port of Orillia which is filled with boats and activities during the summer months.
The historical figure – Samuel de Champlain – came to Orillia to strengthen trade relationships with the Wendat tribe in the early 1600’s. He was an explorer who founded Quebec and much of eastern Canada and upper state New York. There is a monument honouring Samuel de Champlain situated in Couchiching Park.
The area amenities near the hotel are fabulous:
- Mariposa Market
- Orillia Farmer’s Market
- Alleycats Music
- Orillia Boat Cruises
- Champlain Monument
- Orillia Opera House
- Casino Rama
- Santa’s Village Bracebridge
- Snow Valley Ski Hill
- Horseshoe Valley Ski Hill
- Stephen Leacock Museum
To give you a glimpse at a few of these local attractions:
Mariposa Market is filled with gifts, pastries, coffee and charm.
The Farmer’s Market is year around with a Winter season as well as their popular summer season.
Alleycats music is one of the best record stores we stumbled upon. You will certainly find what you are searching for here
The Orillia Opera House hosts many fabulous performances – including Broadway type shows, hit stars like Bruce Cockburn and Dan Hill, as well as Orillia’s own Gordon Lightfoot at one time.
Couchiching Park – with Champlain’s Monument – as well as playgrounds, picnic areas, boat launch, fountains, and many festivities during the summer months.
Casino Rama is just a short drive away and includes not only their large casino, but also many fine eating establishments and a 5000-seat theatre which has hosted acts like Air Supply, Glass Tiger, Reba McIntire, Alanis Morissette, and the upcoming comedien Jerry Seinfeld.
These are just a few of the area’s top attractions – which having grew up in the area – amaze me each time when I visit with its beauty and endless activity selections.
Hungry for a great meal? You will find some fabulous restaurants in the area as well.
Fionna MacCools – which is directly attached to the Champlain Waterfront Hotel – is a great pub-style establishment offering some authentic Irish dishes as well as traditional Canadian selections. If you show your room key – you do get a 20% discount.
Theo’s – a scrumptious Italian eatery priding themselves on the best place in town for food and atmosphere.
Apple Annies Café and Shop – a charming café, gift shop, gallery and music venue.
Amenities of the Champlain Waterfront Hotel:
The hotel is situated within walking distance to the waterfront as well as the main street core of the town of Orillia. Owned by the Choice Hotel brand – It is roughly 4 hours from the Ottawa area and less than 2 hours from Toronto. For our short stay – we had booked 2 rooms – a King room as well as a two double bed room.
Both rooms were newly decorated with modern décor, coffee Keurig, a bar fridge as well as 2 welcome chocolates and a sweet note for our arrival. Although each room is of the ‘quaint’ size – they were equipped with everything we needed for our stay – wifi – plenty of towels, as well as plenty of coffee or tea options were also provided free of charge.
Sidenote: There are other room options available as well. After reading reviews prior to booking, we made sure to book an upper floor room since there are rooms available on their basement level. Since we prefer plenty of light during our stay – we opted to request an upper floor (which we were granted).
The hotel does offer a continental breakfast each morning, however the selection is a bit minimal. You will find a selection of bagels, English muffins, breads (with a toaster available) and many different spreads for your liking. Breakfast granola type bars and apples were also on hand as was yogurt, cereal, muffins, and fruit cups. Tea, coffee, and a water center were also available within the designated breakfast area.
Also available within the hotel is a fitness center. We did not have the opportunity to use this facility, but it is always nice to have a hotel offer this amenity to their guests.
Our stay at this fabulous hotel was a short one – a simple one-night stay – but it was a pleasant one. We were greeted warmly by the hotel team and we were pleasantly surprised that we could check in early. A team member was always on hand to answer any questions, provide any necessity that may have been forgotten, as well as, provide insight as to where to eat or what to do.
Making the Champlain Waterfront Hotel your go-to hotel to stay in while visiting Orillia for pleasure or for work will certainly not disappoint you. The warm boutique feel you will experience will make any visit a pleasant one. So, go – pack your luggage and create some well-deserved laughter with your spouse or your family. A weekend away may be just what you need this spring. It’s also what you deserve.
