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Planning a corporate retreat is an excellent way to foster team collaboration, boost morale and align company goals. If your business is based in Ontario, you’re in luck, the province offers a range of incredible retreat venues, including scenic lakeside resorts and urban conference spaces.
If you’re organizing a leadership getaway, a team-building weekend or a company-wide strategy session, this guide will highlight some of the best locations in Ontario for 2025 and help you plan a retreat that your team will remember.
A well-executed corporate retreat offers a host of benefits:
Boost Morale: Rewarding your team with an offsite retreat shows appreciation and increases job satisfaction.
Planning a corporate retreat takes time, especially when booking popular venues in Ontario. Here are some tips to get started:
Nestled at the base of the Niagara Escarpment, Blue Mountain Resort is a favorite destination for corporate retreats. This four-season resort offers breathtaking views and a variety of activities that make it ideal for teams seeking adventure and relaxation.
What Makes It Great: The resort combines modern conference facilities with outdoor adventures, making it easy to balance work and play.
Activities: Skiing, hiking, ziplining and wellness programs. During the winter, your team can enjoy ski lessons or snowshoeing, while summer months offer mountain biking and paddleboarding.
Best For: Teams looking for an energetic retreat with plenty of options to stay active.
Langdon Hall offers an elegant escape just an hour’s drive from Toronto. This historic property is perfect for small executive retreats or leadership meetings.
What Makes It Great: Known for its luxurious accommodations and award-winning dining, Langdon Hall provides a tranquil setting for focused discussions and relaxation.
Activities: Enjoy fine dining, spa treatments and guided garden tours. For teams seeking a culinary experience, Langdon Hall offers cooking classes led by its chefs.
Best For: Executive teams or companies planning a high-end retreat.
Deerhurst Resort is a classic Muskoka destination, renowned for its scenic lakefront views and team-building options. It’s a fantastic choice for companies hosting larger retreats or summer events.
What Makes It Great: The resort features extensive meeting spaces and a wide range of outdoor activities to engage teams of all sizes.
Activities: Water sports like kayaking and paddleboarding, hiking trails and championship golf courses. Deerhurst also offers team-building workshops, including escape rooms and scavenger hunts.
Best For: Larger teams or companies planning multi-day retreats.
Known as Ontario’s wine country, Niagara-on-the-Lake combines charm and sophistication, making it ideal for intimate retreats or creative brainstorming sessions.
What Makes It Great: Boutique hotels, historic architecture and a thriving wine scene make this town a unique destination for corporate events.
Activities: Wine tours and tastings, heritage walks and team cooking classes. For a cultural touch, plan an evening at the Shaw Festival Theatre.
Best For: Smaller teams and companies looking for an inspiring and scenic location.
Elmhirst’s Resort offers private lakeside cottages, perfect for teams seeking a peaceful and intimate retreat.
What Makes It Great: This family-owned resort combines modern amenities with a tranquil setting, ensuring privacy and focus.
Activities: Farm-to-table dining, boating and guided nature walks. Teams can also enjoy fishing excursions or evening bonfires by the lake.
Best For: Teams needing a mix of relaxation and productivity in a serene environment.
Located in the heart of Canada’s capital, Fairmont Château Laurier offers a blend of historic charm and modern luxury, making it a standout choice for corporate retreats.
What Makes It Great: The hotel’s proximity to Parliament Hill and national museums adds a cultural touch to any retreat.
Activities: Guided tours of Ottawa’s landmarks, culinary experiences at on-site restaurants and spa treatments.
Best For: Government teams or companies wanting a retreat with a mix of history and modernity
Set on a pristine lake in Muskoka, this five-star resort is designed for teams that value luxury and natural beauty.
What Makes It Great: Premium amenities like an award-winning spa, waterfront dining and spacious meeting rooms set the stage for productive and relaxing retreats.
Activities: Canoeing, paddleboarding and yoga sessions by the lake.
Best For: Leadership retreats or celebrating company milestones.
Scandinave Spa is a wellness-focused retreat destination that prioritizes relaxation and rejuvenation.
What Makes It Great: The spa’s outdoor thermal baths and silent zones create a peaceful atmosphere for teams to unwind.
Activities: Hydrotherapy, massage therapy and mindfulness workshops. Combine your visit with nearby hiking trails for a balanced experience.
Best For: Teams focusing on wellness and stress relief.
Located just outside Toronto, Hockley Valley Resort offers a combination of modern amenities and beautiful landscapes.
What Makes It Great: The resort’s spacious conference rooms and outdoor amenities make it a versatile location for retreats.
Activities: Golfing, winery tours and adventure trails. Teams can also take part in guided leadership workshops.
Best For: Mid-sized teams looking for a mix of indoor and outdoor activities.
For teams wanting to unplug and reconnect with nature, Algonquin Park provides a one-of-a-kind experience.
What Makes It Great: Rustic cabins and eco-friendly accommodations allow teams to disconnect from technology and focus on bonding.
Activities: Guided canoe trips, hiking trails and evening storytelling by the campfire.
Best For: Nature-loving teams seeking an adventurous retreat.
The success of your corporate retreat often depends on starting the planning process at the right time. Let’s break down the planning timeline based on group sizes to ensure you have enough time to coordinate all necessary elements.
For intimate team gatherings, begin your planning three months ahead. Start by researching and booking your venue, as even smaller venues can fill up quickly during peak seasons.
Once you’ve secured the location, focus on developing an engaging agenda that balances work sessions with team activities.
Consider your team’s preferences and energy levels when scheduling events. In the final month, confirm all catering arrangements and address any
Mid-sized retreats require more coordination and typically need a six-month runway. Begin by shortlisting venues that can comfortably accommodate your group while offering the right mix of meeting spaces and breakout rooms.
Once you’ve secured the venue, focus on developing a program that allows for both large group sessions and smaller team interactions.
Transportation becomes crucial for this group size, so consider arranging shuttle services or group transportation to ensure everyone arrives smoothly and on time.
For large corporate gatherings, starting your planning 10-12 months ahead is essential. These events often require multiple vendors, extensive coordination and careful scheduling to ensure everything runs smoothly.
Begin with securing a venue that can handle your group size comfortably. Develop a comprehensive agenda that includes multiple tracks or session options to keep everyone engaged.
Consider bringing in professional event planners or using your venue’s corporate planning team to help coordinate the many moving parts.
Planning a corporate retreat requires careful budget consideration. Here’s a detailed breakdown of what different budget levels can offer:
This budget level provides everything needed for a productive retreat. You’ll get comfortable accommodations, typically in standard hotel rooms or lodge-style settings.
Meeting spaces come equipped with basic audiovisual equipment and standard setups.
Meals include buffet-style breakfast and lunch, with a sit-down dinner option.
Team activities might include guided nature walks, basic workshop materials or simple team-building exercises.
The enhanced package offers notable upgrades that can significantly impact your retreat’s success.
Accommodations feature more spacious rooms or upgraded amenities.
Dining options expand to include themed meals, cooking demonstrations or local specialties.
Activity choices become more diverse, potentially including guided adventure experiences, professional facilitators for team building or specialized workshop leaders.
Meeting spaces include enhanced technology options and more flexible setup choices.
At this level, your retreat becomes a truly premium experience.
Luxury accommodations might include suite-style rooms or private cottages.
Dining experiences feature gourmet options, private chefs or exclusive venue access.
Activities can be fully customized to your team’s interests, from helicopter tours to private performances.
You’ll also receive comprehensive planning support, on-site event coordination and access to top-tier facilities and equipment.
Beyond basic arrangements, focus on creating meaningful connections through carefully chosen activities. Local food experiences might include farm-to-table cooking classes or wine tasting sessions led by regional experts.
Outdoor adventures can range from guided hiking expeditions to sailing challenges that build teamwork. Wellness sessions could incorporate sunrise yoga, meditation workshops or stress management training.
Consider adding skill-building workshops that provide lasting value, such as public speaking training or creative problem-solving sessions.
Social impact projects connect your team with local communities, creating meaningful experiences while giving back. These might include habitat restoration projects, food bank volunteering or community garden initiatives.
Effective measurement starts before your retreat begins. Survey participants about their expectations and current team dynamics. During the retreat, track engagement through participation levels and feedback sessions.
After returning to the office, monitor how team collaboration evolves and whether new skills or strategies are being implemented. Consider conducting follow-up assessment by simply creating a survey in Google Form to measure lasting impact on team performance and company culture.
Choosing the right venue for your corporate retreat can make the difference between a good event and an exceptional one that delivers lasting benefits for your team. Remember that the success of your retreat lies not just in the location, but in thoughtful planning that aligns with your company’s goals and culture.
Planning business travel and corporate events requires expertise and attention to detail. At Inspired Travel Group, we specialize in creating seamless corporate travel experiences that allow you to focus on what matters most – your team and your business objectives. Contact us to learn how we can help streamline your corporate travel needs.
