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Anne White
Director Public Relations
T 416.566.9297
F 416.883.8975
awhite@deerhurstresort.com
Originally built in 1896 by a young Englishman, Charles Waterhouse, Deerhurst Resort was the first major resort on the northern lakes of Muskoka. At that time, Deerhurst was accessible only by steamboat and consisted of a main lodge situated on four acres of prime waterfront. During it’s first week of operation, Deerhurst hosted two guests who paid $3.50 per person PER WEEK, which included three meals a day!
While its clientele was predominantly American, Deerhurst attracted guests from all over the world who enjoyed gracious hospitality, fine meals and invigorating outdoor pursuits in the refreshing Muskoka air – traditions that continue over a century later.
Throughout three generations of the Waterhouse family -- Charles, his son Maurice, and his grandson Bill, Deerhurst grew to become one of Canada’s leading resort destinations. In the 1970s, Deerhurst went through its first significant renovation to become a year-round operation. In the mid 1980s, the resort expanded dramatically with the addition of luxurious multi-bedroom condominium suites, the Pavilion sports complex, the Deerhurst Highlands Golf Course and the redesign of the Deerhurst Lakeside Golf Course. By the beginning of the 1990s, Deerhurst had grown to nearly 800 acres and could accommodate 1,000 guests.
For most of the 90's, Deerhurst was managed by Canadian Pacific Hotels until it was acquired by Massachusetts Mutual, through its subsidiary Cornerstone Real Estate Advisers, in 1998. New Castle Hotels, a hotel company based in Shelton, Connecticut, was assigned management of the resort.
With the ownership change came a new chapter in Deerhurst’s proud history with the launching of a magnificent $25 million expansion of the Pavilion which was completed in 2000. In March 2005, management of the resort was assumed by Atlific Hotels & Resorts.
Today, with over 100 years of continual improvements and growth, the beauty of Muskoka remains as Deerhurst Resort’s most enduring asset. There are still deer at Deerhurst, silently poking their way through the forests in the early morning. And the peacefulness of the sunset at the end of the lake and the call of the loon still hold the same appeal today as they did for Charles Waterhouse and his guests over a century ago.
