Whispering Springs Wilderness Retreat
My husband’s idea of camping is a 3 star hotel. He wasn’t coming with me…
“But this is #glamping,” I pleaded, “there’s a king sized bed – a fireplace…a bath! They bring us a breakfast basket – It’s going to be great…romantic…a log frame Safari tent in the woods – come on!”
The Big Apple, Colborne Ontario
And so we headed east on the 401 to Port Hope, where we stopped for a late breakfast and a wander around the pretty town. Then we hit the “Big Apple” at the 401 and Hwy 25 to pick up some supplies – we had a choice of ordering a dinner basket at Whispering Springs with food all set to barbecue – or stop at local farmer’s markets and bring our own.
What a welcome!
About 90 minutes straight through from mid-town Toronto there it was. The thing about Nancy and John Corcoran is they really don’t miss a trick – Nancy was Innkeeper at St. Anne’s Spa and has a nose for all those little extras that make things perfect for a picky person like me who craves feeling pampered – Nancy did not disappoint.
A welcome glass of wine, the cutest kitchenette stocked with necessary accoutrements, cozy throws, plush towels, a bed to die for complete with crisp pressed linens, an electric fireplace to take the night chill off when you hop out of the bath and wrap yourself in plush robes – yes, this is all in a tent, (a tent that may actually be a little larger than our daughter’s first condo mind you.)
We chatted over our local beer, wine and charcuterie board at The Watering Hole about plans for Whispering Springs – it only opened at the end of August 2017 and the plans are as big as the tents. Horses and a tennis court will be joining the salt water pool and spa…the massage pavilion overlooking the water is good to go – excellent after a hike through the 200 acres of woods, a strenuous yoga class or after a session with the holistic nutritionist! You can even play beach volleyball or badminton on a natural sandy spot close to where campers and trailers will be able to nest as the weddings roll in next year – 4 booked already in the ‘Forest Chapel’ which the talented and clearly handy John whipped up in just a couple of days.
The Watering Hole
Forest Chapel
It has a very “Outlander” feel to it – I imagine the weddings will be as magical as the atmospheric location. Now if they could just rustle up some tall stones and Jamie Fraser, I would never leave.
Our tent, EvenSong
We were going to indulge in some gourmet s’mores at the communal campfire but after lighting our own blaze in our private fire pit and settling in with dinner and a little more wine…we opted to relax in the soaker tub ..wrap ourselves up in robes and gaze at the starry sky – we slept extraordinarily well only to be happily woken by the sound of breakfast being delivered – beautifully presented and equally delicious.
Whispering Springs is very much a family affair, and all the members of this family should be very proud of what they have created – a little piece of paradise – one my husband says he plans to visit again – a #glamper is born!
by Kate Wheeler – kate@whatshesaidtalk.com