Fun For Everyone!
Reviewed by: Jennifer
Reviewed by: Jennifer
Overall Grade: A
Kid’s Rating: n/a
Location: A+
Amenities: A+
Food: A
Service: A
Fun Factor: A
Service: A
Fun Factor: A
Best For: Anyone could do a vacation here; families, couples, girlfriend getaways
Date of Stay: June 2010
Date of Stay: June 2010
The Lowdown: What do you get when you throw together 11 UrbanMoms bloggers, a couple of GM vehicles, a deluxe resort and specifically-designed itineraries? A guaranteed fun weekend away!
Early in June, UrbanMoms staffers Jen and Carol, and bloggers Christine, Sara, Sarah, Jennifer, Vicky, Shawn, Nancy, Leigh and Amreen were whisked away from their normal lives of kids’ schedules, homework and housework, and travelled up to the Westin Trillium House Blue Mountain for a two-day getaway.
Blue Mountain had designed specific itineraries for us; some of us followed a romantic couples getaway, others had plans for a girlfriend weekend. Some of us followed a great itinerary for a family with young kids, and others for a family with tweens or teens! We went our separate ways, and reunited to share our experiences and have some fun together.
Blue Mountain is a great destination for this summer’s hottest travel trend, the staycation. Centrally located in southern Ontario, Collingwood is an easy two hour drive from Toronto. The town boasts all of the modern amenities you need (the drive-thru Starbucks was well-used) and all the charm you want from a getaway locale.
Top 5 Things You Should Know About a Stay at Westin Trillium House Blue Mountain, and Blue Mountain, in general:
- The Rooms: Pulling up in front of the Westin Trillium House Blue Mountain, I realized that this was not the old rustic northern resort I’d been picturing with outdated decor and basic amenities. The Trillium House boasts all of the fantastic luxuries we expect from the Westin, from the trademarked heavenly beds to the heavenly showers. Christine gushed with appropriate enthusiasm on her blog.
- The Setting: You can probably tell from the photo above that we didn’t have sunshine and balmy temperatures for our weekend away, but we were still able to appreciate the beautiful setting of the Trillium House. Many of us took gondola rides up to the top of Blue Mountain, and though I had a moment entering the fog of the mountain where I felt like I’d taken a wrong turn into a crazy horror movie, it was a wonderful way to see all of Blue Mountain Village and our gorgeous resort. Shawn and I took full advantage of the tree dotted mountains by enjoying a 300 foot zipline at the nearby Scenic Caves.
- The Spa at Scandinave: I wasn’t one of the lucky bloggers who got to experience the Spa at Scandinave (no I was busy whizzing from tree to tree with a halter fitted to me by a hungover teenager making minimum wage…not that I’m the least little bit bitter!). We did all meet up for lunch after Nancy’s experience at the Spa, and I saw firsthand the relaxation and zen-ness of those lucky bloggers who visited the Spa.
- Restaurants and Shops in the Village: We had some fantastic meals together at Blue Mountain. (see how happy we look in that photo above? It’s not just because we didn’t have to cut up anyone’s meat or accompany someone to the washroom just as our meals were served). Food was delicious for lunch at 3 Guys and a Stove and we had a fantastic dinner at Copper Blues Bar and Grill. The highlight of the culinary experience for me was the martinis at Twist Bar, and of course the fantastic conversation. Throw 11 bloggers on a site and you’ve got UrbanMoms, throw those same bloggers at a table and you’ve got pandemonium!
- For the kids: Shawn blogged hilariously about his experience at Plunge, a vertitable splash central for kids and their parents. Not the relaxed experience of the spa, or the heart racing experience of the zipline, Splash sounds like the perfect place to take your young kids for a fun getaway. And that was the great thing about our weekend at Blue Mountain; we were able to find time to get together and get to know one another, but we were all treated to incredible adventures that would suit anyone and everyone!
You were so brave to do this- I chickened out in Alaska- so I think you are amazing as I want to conquer my fear of this and I know you were a little afraid. Well done! Plus you look about 15 in the picture!Nancy
I had a such a great time and my room was to die for. I was lucky enough to go to the spa… it is such a great deal!