Gravenhurst Muskoka Wharf — Attraction in District Municipality of Muskoka

I recently stayed at the hotel with my family including my elderly parents and mother-in-law. We booked 3 separate suites and upon the check in the service actually quite friendly. Pet owners beware though as though they do allow pets, they charge and exorbitant $100/night/pet that I was not made aware beforehand or even during my checkout. They asked me to sign a pet waiver and apparently the charge was hidden in the fine print and was never verbally mentioned to us during the check in process.

The worst part of the stay is very clearly photographed below. Breakfast was included in the stay in the form of pre-ordered breakfast boxes. The croissants that we received were covered in mold and almost eaten by my elderly parents. Luckily we noticed before they each took a bite but as you can imagine that ruined the entire vacation for them I emailed Marriott Customer Service regarding this issue 5 days ago and have not received a response. I am a Marriott Bonvoy Gold member who was a big fan of the Marriott brand prior to this issue but they clearly do not appreciate their loyal customers.

The blurb below is taken from their own website:

"At Marriott, food handlers and supervisors are trained on safe food preparation and service practices. The company's food and beverage operations are required to conduct self-inspection using its food safety standards as guidelines, and compliance is validated by independent audits. Marriott is also enhancing sanitation guidelines and training videos for associates that include hygiene and disinfecting practices."

I would have thought that in this day and age that health and safety would have been a top priority but if they are so careless with the food items despite the supposed training, I can only imagine how closely they are following proper health and...

If you're a tourist just don't bother. In its current form the wharf is boring at best and sad at worst. The Town of Gravenhurst has failed its residents, tax payers, and tourists with what has been allowed to happen with the Wharf project. This failure has been 20+ years in the making. Over the last several years they have allowed an Accountants office, a Chiropractor, and a Hearing Aid business to open up in prime waterfront buildings which were originally intended to create a vibrant waterfront destination. There is virtually no community programming and nothing being done to draw more people in. Therefore, a ln accountant and the like are the only ones willing to pay rent in these spaces. There is no shuttle bus to town which could bring boaters and cottagers in to support the Main St. businesses. There is really nothing to do at the Wharf. However, The Shipyards and the Ice Cream shop are good and appropriate businesses for the area. Both are worth stopping into but that's about it. The 3 restaurants good too but that's relative considering the limited choice of dining options anywhere in Gravenhurst. If you're traveling here just skip it and go to Port Carling...

A surreal place to watch the lifestyles of the muskoka summer people. A rare breed of fun loving, water babies and their doting, over compensating parental units. A culture unlike no other, raised in excess and hubris. Beware they are everywhere.

Colour the picture anyway you want, it still comes out oversaturated and steeped in pretentious affectation if you only visit the warf.

Take the time to witness the geography, the lakes that bring peace to your soul and mind. It is a stunning world of rock and trees, the gestalt lives in this communities heart. Art is everywhere.

Those that live here year round will welcome you. Be polite and courteous and you may make a friend for life.

Take pictures, leave...