The Deerhurst Story

TO THE LAKES AND WOODS

In 1896, a young, aptly named English entrepreneur named Charles W. Waterhouse opened the lodge that would become Deerhurst Resort on a prime four-acre plot along Peninsula Lake.  Originally only accessible by steamship, the first major summer resort on Muskoka’s northern lakes had 18 bedrooms, a dining room, a smoking lounge and a verandah.  

During its first season of operation, Deerhurst hosted two guests who paid $3.50 per person per week, which included three meals a day!

Perhaps inspired by British riverside villages of the same name, Waterhouse’s choice of Deerhurst, meaning “a wood frequented by deer” has always been fitting.  And while Deerhurst Resort’s once predominately American clientele has both diversified and transitioned closer to home, travellers are still drawn to Muskoka for the same combination of accessible nature, outdoor recreation and charming comfort that first attracted visitors over a hundred years ago.

A FAMILY AFFAIR

Under three generations of the Waterhouse family -- Charles, his son Maurice, and his grandson Bill -- Deerhurst grew into one of Canada’s leading resort destinations. In the 1970s, Deerhurst underwent its first significant renovation, becoming a year-round operation.  In the mid 1980s, the resort expanded dramatically with the addition of multi-bedroom condominium suites and the Pavilion sports and conference complex.   

The 1980s would also put Deerhurst firmly in the entertainment spotlight as home to what is now Canada’s longest-running stage show production, where a singer named Eileen (Shania) Twain began her rise to music superstardom.

When the resort opened Deerhurst Highlands and redesigned the Deerhurst Lakeside in that same period, it laid the groundwork for Muskoka’s later emergence as a major Canadian golf destination.

By the start of the 1990s, Deerhurst had grown to 780 acres and could accommodate over 1,000 guests.  For most of that decade, Deerhurst was managed by Canadian Pacific Hotels until it was acquired by Massachusetts Mutual, through its subsidiary Cornerstone Real Estate Advisers, in 1998.

MODERN MILESTONES

With this ownership change, a new chapter in Deerhurst’s history arrived -- the introduction of a $25 million expansion of the Pavilion which added a new hotel wing, conference centre, lobby, main restaurant and indoor pool in 2000.

Today, the original Lodge still stands proud, now home to Deerhurst’s stage as well as refreshed meeting space. The property has developed as a major conference and event destination for sports competitions including an Ironman 70.3, the Canadian National Pond Hockey Championships and concerts by major performers like Chantal Kreviazuk. In June 2010, Deerhurst continued to make history as host venue for the 36th G8 Summit of world leaders. And in March of 2011, Deerhurst was acquired by Toronto-based Skyline Hotels & Resorts, the largest hotel owner/operator within the province of Ontario.