Mattawa River Resort Review – Your Escape Starts Now.

Disclaimer: Please note that this stay was complimentary, but all opinions are my own. 

​Located near the small town of Mattawa, Ontario on 147 acres of waterfront and woodland, lies Mattawa River Resort – a 15 cabin converted summer camp in the hills. This family-owned resort (husband and wife team, Adrian and Nicole) has been operating since 2017 and is a popular spot to unwind for everything from a couple’s getaway to a family reunion. 

There is plenty to do on the property, such as fishing expeditions, horseback riding, ATVing (book these through the resort office) or simply grabbing a kayak, canoe or paddle boat (complimentary for guests) from the shoreline for a little adventure down the Mattawa River. If you’re visiting in the winter months, as some cabins are 4 seasons, you can look forward to activities such as snow mobiling , cross country skiing or snow shoeing.  ​

All cabins are a stone’s throw away to a large sandy shoreline with walk-in access to the lake. Roast marshmallows at one of two communal fire pits or relax in the sauna before taking a dip in the cool water. There is plenty of seating on a raised deck by the water’s edge to keep an eye on the kids or unwind with a good book. 
The resort is a great spot for your family getaway or event, no matter how big or small. The ‘smallest’ cabin can sleep up to 6 guests, while the largest cabin can easily host up to 16. Each cabin is currently ‘fogged’ with a product called EnviraMist prior to check in to ensure guest safety. EnviraMist has been listed as the ‘gold standard’ in electro chemically activated sanitizers and aids in clearing bacteria, spores, and mold from all spaces. 

We had a complimentary stay in the largest cabin, The Director. The ground level had three bedrooms (two of them had bunkbeds with a double bed on the bottom, and the other with two single beds), one large bathroom with a Jacuzzi tub, a living room area, kitchen and dining space. The upstairs loft was perfect for families with small children, as there was a queen bed and several single beds. The highlight to this cabin would have to be the beautiful back deck, it was so spacious and airy and overlooked the lake and tree covered hills. It looked like something you’d see on a postcard - it was the perfect spot to BBQ or enjoy your complimentary ‘breakfast basket’ in the morning. ​

Something that was pretty unique to any other cabin resort I have stayed in, was the on-site dining!  You’re able to add a meal plan to your reservation and fully enjoy the resort's restaurant The Cardinal, where Chef Simon has an extensive menu that’s sure to please. My husband and I were able to sample some homemade granola bars and a lunch of chicken sandwiches and it was nice not having to cook or BBQ for ourselves every day, it’s something that makes you REALLY feel like you’re on vacation

In the entrance of the restaurant, there is a little gift stop filled to the brim with local goods like soaps, snacks, artwork and bathing suits. Perfect for a souvenir and a great way to support Canadian businesses. 
The Cardinal has a gorgeous dining area that’s frequently rented out for events like weddings or family reunions. The tables are beautifully decorated and overlook the lake, it definitely has the backdrop to make any gathering special. 
The owners and staff are so friendly and welcoming and were able to give us great suggestions on what we could do over the weekend. We were given directions to a “hidden waterfall” accessible only by watercraft. We hopped into a canoe and made the hour paddle over to the natural beach and relaxed in the pools under the falls. It was great to be able to enjoy the peaceful forest and private beach all to ourselves.  ​

If you’re looking to get in on this slice of paradise, stays start at $289 to $749 per night and all cabins are pet friendly. There are also campsites available on site, for more information reach out to [email protected] or visit www.mattawariverresort.com.   

 For a full tour of our wonderful stay, please see this video from my Youtube Channel SarahPSmart Sees.