Friday Harbour Resort — Hotel in Innisfil

Friday Harbour Resort is an absolute gem and truly a must-visit destination, whether you’re looking for a spontaneous day trip or planning a relaxing weekend getaway. Nestled along the shores of Lake Simcoe, this resort blends natural beauty with charming amenities, making it one of the most delightful spots in Ontario to unwind and recharge.

From the moment you arrive, you’re greeted with stunning views, clean surroundings, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere. The entire area is thoughtfully designed, with a modern yet cozy feel. The marina is the heart of the resort, and strolling along the boardwalk feels like something out of a postcard — sailboats gently bobbing in the water, friendly locals, and a laid-back pace that instantly puts you at ease.

There’s no shortage of things to do at Friday Harbour. Whether you’re into outdoor adventures or simply want to relax, there’s something for everyone. The trail nearby is a wonderful way to take in the natural beauty of the area. Surrounded by trees and fresh air, it’s a peaceful place to walk, run, or even cycle. It’s especially lovely in the early morning or around sunset when the light filters through the trees — perfect for a scenic photo or a quiet moment of reflection.

Foodies will also be thrilled with the dining options. There are several great spots to eat, offering everything from casual bites to more refined meals. Whether you're grabbing a coffee and pastry or sitting down for a waterfront dinner, the service is always friendly, and the food is fresh and delicious. The restaurants and cafes along the promenade add to the vibrant, resort-town vibe, and you’ll find yourself wanting to try something new every visit.

Shopping is another highlight. The boutiques and shops are beautifully curated, offering everything from fashion and decor to gifts and essentials. It’s easy to spend an hour or two browsing — or more if you're with friends. The shops complement the laid-back lifestyle Friday Harbour promotes, and many feature unique items you won’t find in big-box stores.

Of course, one of the best parts of visiting Friday Harbour is simply enjoying the water. Whether you're relaxing by the shore, renting a paddleboard, or just taking in the view with a cold drink in hand, the lakeside setting is incredibly peaceful. In the warmer months, the beach area is perfect for families or couples looking to soak up the sun, and in the cooler seasons, it still offers a serene spot to relax and take it all in.

What really sets Friday Harbour apart, though, is the atmosphere. It feels like a mini escape without needing to travel far. Everything is clean, safe, and well-maintained, and the staff across the resort are consistently courteous and helpful. It’s clear that a lot of care goes into making sure visitors have a great experience.

All in all, Friday Harbour Resort offers a little slice of paradise that’s close to home. Whether you’re coming for the day or staying for the weekend, it’s a place that lets you slow down, breathe deeply, and enjoy life’s simple pleasures. I can’t recommend it highly enough — I’m already planning my next visit.

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Further to my review, It was great that you updated your site regarding information for nonmembers, but you could have tried to reach out to talk to me to acknowledge my concerns, rather than just change the info on your site. Secondly, I called a few days later to speak to someone about what happened, and one minute into my explanation there was complete silence on the other end. I kept saying hello but there was no one there. I was hung up on! Come on, what’s with that? Does anyone employed by Friday Harbour or it’s owners care about anyone but themselves? You have zero customer service and should be ashamed. I have no more words......

Friday Harbour..looks nice but ISN’T. My mother and I made reservations at the beach club for lunch. I was sent an email confirming the reservation, along with instructions upon arrival. We were told to park in the East parking lot and then to phone the restaurant advising of our arrival. They were then to send a shuttle to bring us to the restaurant. Called the restaurant and was told the shuttle was only for members and that they could not pick us up. When I explained that their site gave us the instructions above, and that I was with my 85-yr-old mother who could not make the long walk in 90 degrees, the response was “sorry there is nothing we can do”.

We then went to the trailer on site in the parking lot and the woman told us she would call security and make sure someone came by to get us. After standing in the heat for 45 minutes, waiting for the shuttle to take us to our now 45 minute late reservation, someone showed up. He also said “sorry members only”. I begged him to take us as we were 45 min late and my mom couldn’t make the walk. He apologized but said he couldn’t. I believe the ride by shuttle is probably 5 minutes.

Lastly, we saw another shuttle and I tried one more time. I was told the same thing. He felt bad and called in to security to explain our situation. We were finally told we could drive in and park in handicap parking as long as we had a sticker. As I was driving my car and not my mother’s who had the sticker,, the Head of security said if we didn’t have a sticker, no go.

What is wrong with you people? Firstly, update your site advising that nonmembers can indeed come to any of your restaurants, but expect to park and walk there. Also, no shuttle would be picking them up. Had I known that, I would not have driven 1 1/2 hours with my 85-year-old mother who is incapable of walking in sweltering heat to get to a patio! No patio is worth that. Secondly, learn compassion. Treat people with respect and dignity. Just because we were non-members, we were treated like we had leprosy. Go the extra mile, try to help. We were so disgusted by the entire experience. We then needed to start looking at 2 pm for another place to eat outside of the precious Friday Harbour.

You have a lot to learn about customer...

On August 17, 2020, a year prior to my booking with Melissa and Domenic Canini who own and rent their unit at Friday Harbour, I etransfered 1/2 the total cost of a three night stay at their condo. They confirmed the deposit and the booking for September 23-26., 2021. This was originally planned as a wedding gift to my niece who was to be married at Friday Harbour on September 25th.

On May 7, 2021, I emailed Melissa to let her know that my niece's wedding had been cancelled due to Covid and I asked her for a refund of my deposit. After waiting almost 2 weeks for a reply and not receiving one, I assumed she was not in agreement with the cancellation so I told her I would find someone else in the family who would use the booking. She later replied with an apology that she had been unable to respond but did not offer me the option of a refund.

As a result, I decided to give the booking to my daughter and her boyfriend who was visiting from the UK. A couple of days before the booking, I messaged Melissa to let her know that they would be arriving at Friday Harbour at approximately 3:00 and that I would need details of parking, unit #, etc.. She texted back the morning of September 23rd saying the condo was a mess due to the prior booking and she needed time to clean it and repair a stained couch. She indicated this would mean no one could stay there on the Thursday evening. In her words "I'm so sorry! I have no intention of cancelling but the guests that checked out yesterday were disgusting and there's no way we can host today". I proceeded to ask her in several subsequent messages whether she meant my daughter could stay there the following 2 nights but she didn’t respond. As a result, I had to book a last minute unit at Friday Harbour. The unit was more expensive and not as well appointed as the one I had originally booked.

I have now been following up with Melissa and Domenic for the return of my deposit. I have sent various texts and emails over the past several weeks to no avail. I believe Melissa double booked the unit at a higher price and therefore, my booking was cancelled. I am very angry about how I was treated in this transaction as well as the Canini’s unwillingness to return my deposit. After reading my story, I know you’ll agree that this is akin to fraud and no one should have to go through what I’ve gone through to get money back that they have no business keeping - they cancelled the booking, not I. I am writing my story to warn others of the risk of booking with the Canini’s. They have chosen to steal from me. It is a scar on them as well as...