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3-star hotel

Miners' Bay Lodge

Stay at Miners' Bay Lodge, a 4.8-star resort hotel in Minden, ON offering kid-friendly amenities, restaurant, free parking, and access to nearby lakes for boating and fishing.

9718 Hwy 35, Minden, ON K0M 2L1, Canada View on map
9.6/10
Exceptional Based on 237 recent guest reviews
Breakfast Free parking Kid-friendly Restaurant Kitchens in some rooms
What recent guests emphasize

Insights from guest experiences at Miners' Bay Lodge

Recent reviews highlight a charming, family-friendly resort with a nostalgic atmosphere and warm hospitality, while noting some operational quirks to consider.

Guests often praise

  • The welcoming, friendly staff who contribute to a relaxed and enjoyable stay.
  • The family-oriented, low-key atmosphere suitable for all ages.
  • The scenic natural surroundings, including lakes ideal for boating and fishing nearby.
  • The clean, comfortable accommodations, including well-maintained cottages and some rooms with kitchens.
  • The memorable experiences and traditions that keep guests returning year after year.

Worth knowing

  • The property has an old-fashioned charm that some guests consider a "time capsule," though it shows signs of aging and could benefit from maintenance and upkeep.
  • Wi-Fi is not available, and there is no air conditioning, pool, or fitness center on site.
  • Dining hours may be strict, with limited flexibility at the restaurant, as noted in some guest experiences.
  • The resort is smoke-free and kid-friendly but does not accommodate pets.
  • Occasional menu or food service challenges have been reported but are often addressed proactively by management.

Best for

  • Families seeking a nature-filled, relaxed getaway with activities for children.
  • Visitors looking to disconnect in a rustic, scenic environment without reliance on modern technology.
  • Couples or groups wanting a memorable, community-focused setting for events such as weddings.
  • Travelers who appreciate a vintage, historic lodge atmosphere with lakeside access.
  • Those valuing affordable accommodations with a strong sense of tradition and hospitality.
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About this property

Welcome to Miners' Bay Lodge

Miners' Bay Lodge is a resort hotel set along the scenic shores of Minden, Ontario. Offering a variety of facilities including a beach club, canoe and kayak rentals, and sports courts such as pickleball and volleyball, it caters to visitors looking for an active, nature-oriented escape. The property also provides cottage rentals and traditional lodge accommodations, making it suitable for families, youth groups, and those planning events like weddings.

With a strong focus on outdoor recreation, guests can enjoy nearby natural attractions such as Gull Lake, Shadow Lake, and Head Lake, all popular spots for boating and fishing. The lodge itself offers amenities like breakfast, free parking, kid-friendly spaces, and an on-site restaurant, although it operates without Wi-Fi, air conditioning, pool, or fitness center. Some cottages are equipped with kitchens, supporting longer stays and self-catering.

Feedback reflects a welcoming, low-key atmosphere that appeals largely to families and repeat visitors who appreciate the property's nostalgic charm and community feel. While many praise the friendly staff, clean accommodations, and diverse activities available, some reviews suggest room for improvement in management and maintenance. This blend of tradition and outdoor focus shapes the overall guest experience.

Located about two hours' drive from Toronto Pearson International Airport, Miners' Bay Lodge provides a rustic retreat for those aiming to disconnect and unwind in a natural setting. It is especially well-suited for groups seeking a relaxed environment with opportunities for sightseeing and outdoor fun in a smoke-free, kid-friendly environment.

Summary compiled by GoHotelly editors from verified guest reviews, partner descriptions and editorial notes.
Facilities & essentials

What's on-site and what you should know before you arrive

The short version: what's available day-to-day, and the key practical details most travelers search for.

Most popular facilities

Breakfast
Free parking
Kid-friendly
Restaurant
Kitchens in some rooms
Smoke-free

Not available at this property

Wi-Fi
Pool
Air-conditioned
Pet-friendly
Fitness center
Verified guest reviews

What recent guests are actually saying

Reviews from travelers who stayed here in the last 12 months, grouped to help you spot the pattern quickly.

CM
Carmela Maddalena Apr 08, 2026
10

I’ve been coming to MBL for 24 years with my kids and now as young adults, they still want to keep coming! We meet up with good friends and have great times. It’s a family tradition we cherish and one that’s worth the drive!

D
Deb Mar 23, 2026
10

This place is a time capsule. Wonderful to sit back and forget about responsibilities for a short time. New management must not forget about maintenance of physical plant. The wood continues to age and painting goes a long way.. First arrived at Miners Bay in 1959.. Keep it as it was. Protect it and visitors will always return. Respectfully Al/Debbie Day

TS
Trevor Seath Mar 10, 2026
10

I stay in my trailer at Miners’ Bay Lodge. The property is beautiful with a low-key family-friendly vibe that’s suited to people of all ages. The staff are friendly and helpful. It’s always a fun, relaxing getaway.

WE
William Eede Mar 09, 2026
8.0

We made reservations for dinner at 6pm. We showed up at 553pm and the girl says dinners not til 6. Told her it was our first time visiting. No welcome nothing just you can sit on the bench outside until we ring the bell for dinner. My wife rolled her eyes at me so we went elsewhere for dinner. So much for trying something new A follow up Manager asked us to come back and give them another try so we did. Staff was amazing, food was really good. We took home a menu so we could get takeout as well. Our first visit was a misunderstanding and I'm glad we gave it a 2nd chance. Will definitely be back.

TD
Tony Doyle Feb 23, 2026
10

Miners’ Bay is one of my favourite places in the world. Everyone goes out of their way to make you happy and welcome, and there is an incredible range of activities to keep kids busy. From the staff, to the food, to the views, we begin looking forward to returning as we reluctantly have to drive away each year. Thank you to everyone at MBL!

CB
Chris Butski Feb 22, 2026
10

Miners bay is a gem well worth visiting. It has everything that is needed for a fantastic experience of all expectations. My wife and children have been coming for the past 3 years ever since a friend told us about this amazing place. This year was by far the best yet. The staff is amazing, the cottage was clean,food is , the beach, the views, the memories, so many things this spot has. Our family will never stop going.

JW
Jeff Watson Feb 14, 2026
10

We will me returning to Miners Bay for many years! We love the atmosphere and food, and management is doing a great job updating and modernizing while keeping costs affordable for families.

MF
Maddy Fisher Dec 30, 2025
10

We recently had our wedding at Miners' Bay in mid September and it was without a doubt the best day of our lives. We had originally thought of having our wedding at a summer camp - we wanted to bring everyone together for the weekend in a nature-filled, relaxed environment. When we realized many of the options were out of our budget, we happened to stumble upon Miners' Bay. It wasn't a summer camp but it had more than enough cabins to host our nearly 100 guests and it had the feel and culture we were looking for. The property in September was absolutely gorgeous. The trees had started to turn and the historic buildings added a charm that no modern wedding venue would be able to replicate. It had the rustic, vintage vibe we had been searching for. Not to mention, it offered tons of fun amenities for our guests. When we arrived a couple days earlier to set up, the wonderful admin/maintenance/housekeeping team were present, ready to help us out, and always so lovely to work with. The accommodations were awesome, very clean and well kept. We managed to book up the whole resort with the exception of a couple cabins - everyone was comfortable and able to connect with each other on the day of and after the wedding. We could really feel the hospitality from all the staff, including the servers, who had grown up going to Miners' Bay and came back from the regular season to assist with the event. It became apparent that everyone was not only aware of the wedding, but had been looking forward to it all summer. The obvious buzz of excitement from the staff was so pleasant and unexpected, it really felt like they were celebrating our marriage with us! We left truly feeling the love from the unique community that is Miners' Bay Lodge, something that money can't buy. There were some last minute complications with the food/menu and Darren, the general manager, somehow pulled it together. In the end, the food was incredible - our guests were remarking on how it was some of the best wedding food they had ever had. Given they are not a full-time wedding venue, we did have to put in a bit of extra work transforming the spaces into the wedding we dreamed of. But they were always open to our ideas and supported us in making it happen. If you are in the market for a laid back, super fun wedding, we would highly recommend this venue!

Location & neighborhood

Where you'll find Miners' Bay Lodge

Minden, Ontario, Canada

Based on sightseeing, recreation, and getting around

  • Toronto Pearson International Airport 2 hr 16 Car
  • Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport 2 hr 33 Car
Things to do nearby

Worth the walk or a quick ride

Curated spots travelers usually pair with a stay in Ontario. Distances are rough real-world times, not straight-line.

Gull Lake 58 reviews

Gull Lake

Minden Hills, ON, Canada

4.7 · Lake
Shadow Lake 11 reviews

Shadow Lake

Kawartha Lakes, ON K0M 1K0, Canada

5 · Lake
Head Lake 91 reviews

Head Lake

Kawartha Lakes, ON, Canada

4.6 · Lake
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