Posted : July 29, 2019
Our blog is chock full of great ideas for fun things to see and do in York Durham and Headwaters. We are always adding new content and updating old posts, but sometimes you might stumble upon something from our vault. If this article has inspired you to hit the road, be sure to double-check that the featured stops in this post are still welcoming visitors.
Is work stressing you out? Are you worn down by the non-stop action of city life? Feeling in need of some quality pampering? We at York Durham Headwaters have the perfect solution: The Millcroft Inn and Spa in the picturesque hills of Caledon is the epitome of rural luxury. This tranquil getaway destination will rejuvenate your mind, body and soul, reconnect you with nature, and invigorate your zest for life. The best part? You don’t need to board a plane or spend hours in the car to get there—the Millcroft is a mere 45 minutes from Toronto.
“We joke that as the city expands, we get closer to Downtown Toronto,” laughs General Manager Bill Cutt. “But as you come off the highway, pass some of the local farms and come into the woods where we are, it’s a completely different world out here. The pace slows right down.”
Being a designated heritage property with historically significant architectural features, the Millcroft has held a few different purposes since it was built in 1881. It was originally a knitting mill, the industry of which helped develop the local community and its economy, and it served this purpose until the mid-1960s. Since that time, it has been an art gallery and then a hotel. Today, the Millcroft is a luxury resort and spa that is popular for getaways, small conferences and weddings.
If you’re heading to Caledon for some quality pampering, you can be sure that your spa experience will be top-notch. The Millcroft’s award-winning spa facilities are housed in an 8,000 square foot building, and offer 17 treatment stations, including private treatment rooms, four dedicated hydrotherapy rooms, a fitness centre, indoor and outdoor pools, a sauna steam room, and a fully-licensed spa café.
But there is much more to the Millcroft than just its spa services. If you love the outdoors, then you can take advantage of the five kilometres of hiking trails in the surrounding woods. “We are situated on the height of land for this area,” Bill says. “There’s a spectacular view from the peak of the hiking trails. All you can see is rolling farmland and trees.” If your tastes run to local adventuring, the surrounding area boasts wonderful golf facilities, various agri-tourism attractions, rural villages and cultural destinations like the Alton Mill Arts Centre. Or, of course, you may wish to simply lounge by the pool enjoying a cocktail. It’s your retreat, and the Millcroft invites you to do it your way.
After your day of personally-tailored R&R, head to the dining room for an award-winning, multi-course meal. For nearly a decade, culinary excellence has been a large focus at The Millcroft Inn and Spa. Where once people would come for a dinner on a special occasion, now they are coming for a food experience. This is why Millcroft has elevated its farm-to-table approach and rebuilt its wine program. “We shifted away from the heavy Bordeauxs[KL1] , Barbarescos and Barolos, and began introducing products that came from across Ontario and other parts of Canada,” Bill says. “We wanted new-world wines and wines with interesting stories that matched our food.” Today, from-scratch products like house-cured bacon are paired with local produce to showcase the farm-fresh flavours of Ontario.
The Millcroft’s biggest success story, however, is its proprietary maple syrup and honey, which come from the property’s 25 acres of sugar maples and its on-site apiary. Millcroft maple syrup and honey are then used at the resort in spa treatments, in culinary creations, and in the cocktails served in the lounge. If you’re looking for local flavour, you can’t get any closer than that!
“Right now, we have a signature dessert on our menu all year round that has our maple syrup in it,” Bill says. “We have also partnered with a local craft brewer, GoodLot Farmstead Brewing Company. We took 200 litres of our raw maple sap out to them, and they made beer with it. It was fantastic. It made a really interesting-tasting beer that we sell in the restaurant. That is such a cool connection—the farmer grows the hops, the spa provides the honey, and together we make beer.”
Your luxury getaway at The Millcroft Inn and Spa begins in the Village of Alton, 55 John Street, in the Town of Caledon. To view all the products and services this quintessential country getaway offers, visit online at www.vintage-hotels.com/millcroft, or call (519) 941-8111.
Story by Katherine Ryalen
– Ryalen is a Durham-based author and lifestyle blogger. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram.
