Corporate Retreats Made Easy
When retreats begin to feel routine instead of energizing, a shift in backdrop can make all the difference
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Bland, windowless boardrooms. Flavourless conference room coffee you’ll forget before you finish it. Sound familiar? If your team retreats are feeling more like chores than great opportunities, it’s time for a change of scenery.
Elmhirst’s Resort offers everything you didn’t know you were missing: inspiring meeting spaces, fresh farm-to-table cuisine, cracking fireplaces, private cottage accommodations, stunning views and plenty of room to think. It’s the perfect antidote to business-as-usual.
Industry data shows the rise in hybrid and remote work has impacted demand for meeting space. Whereas Monday time slots and weekend retreats used to dominate, now the Tuesday through Thursday meeting window is in high demand. As a result, traditional venues for hosting meetings and conferences are finding themselves squeezed.
In this climate, boutique resorts with flexible schedules really shine.
Enter Elmhirst’s Resort.
Located on the scenic shores of Rice Lake, just under two hours from Toronto, the resort is an optimal choice for conferences, offering both greater availability and lower price pressure, especially in winter, says Henry Elmhirst, Director of Sales & Finance at Elmhirst’s Resort.
“We enable companies to make smart use of constrained budgets,” he says.
Facilities tailored for success
Elmhirst’s is more than just a scenic getaway, it’s built for business.
The resort boasts a wide range of meeting spaces including a private boardroom and flexible event spaces that can be customized for conferences, retreats and corporate gatherings. They all come equipped with modern amenities and afford stunning views of idyllic Rice Lake.
Cottage accommodations offer a relaxed yet professional feel, ideal for immersive sessions, team building or executive retreats.
All cottages are lakeside, with great views, and spacious featuring private decks, fireplaces, LCD TV, cable, WIFI, and fully‑equipped kitchens.
Skilled event staff ensure everything — from from your audio-visual needs to catering — is expertly managed, allowing you to pour your energy into developing strategy and achieving your objectives.
“Our dedicated meeting coordinator ensures every detail of your event runs seamlessly,” Henry says. “Let us handle the logistics so you can focus on connecting, collaborating and achieving your goals.”
Productivity‑enhancing environment
Hosting your meeting at Elmhirst’s during winter delivers distinct advantages such as fewer distractions, fewer competing groups, and a deep‑dive environment for teams to focus.
The lakeside setting and unique accommodations encourage informal exchanges outside meeting hours — fireside debriefs, lakeside walks —fostering deeper connection and inspiring creativity.
Team‑building and wellness activities help elevate your meeting beyond the boardroom. Choose from yoga, hiking the Trans Canada Trail, sleigh rides, spa breaks, or wine tastings for a welcome change of pace from generic hotel breakouts.
Winter offers other curated options from frozen‑lake trails and cozy lodge sessions to après‑meeting gatherings in the Wild Blue Yonder Pub, enhancing your overall programme.
Food, hospitality and sustainability built‑in
True to its heritage, Elmhirst’s delivers top-tier hospitality and delicious, locally sourced food.
Catering features fresh, locally‑grown produce and meats from the resort’s farm served in the Hearthside Dining Room or a more relaxed pub setting.
At Elmhirst’s Resort sustainability matters, deeply. The resort holds a Platinum Certification in sustainable tourism, reinforcing your event’s alignment with environmental and social values.
Make your winter meeting count
Elmhirst’s proximity to the GTA affords easy accessibility without compromising on escape and immersion. Imagine your team arriving mid‑morning on a Tuesday, greeted by the crisp lakeside air, checking into furnished waterfront cottages, then settling into a productive afternoon session in a bright, lake‑view meeting room.
Evening brings a sensational dinner followed by informal chats on the deck. The next day kicks off with a morning breakout session walk along the trail before your strategy workshop begins.
By Thursday afternoon you’ve wrapped up with renewed focus, stronger connections and a tangible plan all while staying within budget and avoiding the noise and distractions of a generic, high-occupancy hotel conference centre.
“We’re not far from the city and we offer so much more than just meeting space,” Henry says. “Our property sets the right tone for focus and engagement, and our cottage accommodations add to an environment of team building.”
Make this year’s winter retreat more than just a meeting away from the office, make it a catalyst. Choose Elmhirst’s Resort and bring your team together where nature, comfort and productivity converge.
Great Escapes Magazine is a publication of Resorts of Ontario, a not-for-profit organization that advocates for resorts, lodges and inns of Ontario's tourism industry.
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