A substantial part of the Canadian Dream includes living the life in cottage country. The only problem? Finding that perfect cottage setting in a commuter-friendly distance from the urban hub. In this day and age, the modern working Canadian living in, for example,the GTA in Ontario, simply doesn’t have the time to afford long travel hours, or time spent bumper-to-bumper when seeking coveted relaxation.
Enter Friday Harbour, a new four-season resort (and Toronto’s answer to The Hampt
ns) located only 45 minutes out of the city. Dubbed the “Cottage Country for Commuters”, the Friday Harbour community on Big Bay Point on Lake Simcoe is a mere 7 minutes from the Barrie GO Station; an enticing location for both those looking to skip gridlock, and even those driver’s license-less city dwellers (yes, they still exist, and I am one of them) looking for an escape that’s accessible without a car. Even a shuttle bus will be provided to transport commuters from the GO station to the resort.
To be honest, even the Hamptons isn’t this easy to get to for New Yorkers.
From celebrities to celebrity designers, the notion of success has always involved a component of country life. It’s an element of “glam” added to an otherwise hectic lifestyle that is mainly comprised of experiences within major cities across the globe. But the idyllic concept isn’t restricted only to the celebrated elite, or to locations outside of Canada. For the first time ever, an ‘haute’ resort life is available steps outside of a major North American city, and in this case, Toronto. “We travelled all over North America and there is no other destination resort within one hour of 6.5 million people,” says Boaz Feiner, president of Geranium Homes, which will build the residential units of Friday Harbour.
Emphasizing the pleasure and the anticipation of the end of the work week, the Friday Harbour name was carefully selected to encourage the mentality that “every weekend can be a long one”, says Feiner.
So what can be experienced in a weekend at Friday Harbour? Here are some of the main attractions to take note of:
If total serenity isn’t quite your ideal weekend outside of the city, enjoy the hustle and bustle of The Marina Village where you can shop 40 retail stores, or take the opportunity to catch up with friends and loved ones in one of the resto-bars or bistros along the shoreline, on a patio with a lakeside view.
For those looking to focus on their physical well-being on the weekends, Friday Harbour’s Lake Club will be available for workouts in the Training Centre, as well as restorative appointments in the Wellness Centre Spa. The club also includes a lap pool, wading pool, hot tub, and Kid Zone for on-site childcare.
Big Bay Point can serve those seeking a convenient dock as active boaters, while also providing entertainment for those on land with live music and fireworks. Visitors of the pier can choose to relax on the sand, or get involved in a game of beach volleyball at the Beach Club.
Rest assured, the golf course is, of course, a prominent feature of the new resort and will be readily available to residents upon occupancy this fall.
Not only will Friday Harbour be complimented by condos, hotel units, restaurants, shops, a boardwalk, lake clubhouse and 300-seat performing art centre, but it will be open for business 12-months of the year to ensure the ‘long’ weekends don’t stop all year ’round.
“This will be a true four-season resort,” says Feiner. “There is a huge winter need as well. Here, you have ski hills half an hour away and ice fishing on Lake Simcoe.”
Four-season cottaging? Now that is truly the ultimate Canadian Dream now isn’t it? For more information on Friday Harbour please visit: http://fridayharbourresort.com
xo
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