3 Pines Lodge Muskoka

We booked the loft suite for my husband’s birthday, and the room wasn’t ready even though we arrived an hour after check-in. There was a black hair in the sheets, which didn’t look like they’d been washed after the last guest. I’m a redhead. The place also looked like it hadn’t been updated or cleaned in years, and the photos were wildly misleading. Most outlets didn’t work, including all three upstairs, apart from the ones for the TV and kitchenette. Neither fireplace worked. Dust and flies filled the light fixtures, and only some of the lights worked. The baseboard heaters did nothing, and the little space heaters they gave us couldn’t be used because there were no working outlets. I had to call the front desk at check-in because nobody was there, and no one was around at checkout either. There was dust everywhere. A horrible stay, and I won’t be back.

The one bright spot was Holly, who was amazing. She stripped the bed and cleaned the bathroom for us, but we’d already waited an hour and 25 minutes to get into the room. The whole thing made our vacation feel wasted. We arrived at 3:45, after the 3 pm check-in time, and found the room hadn’t been cleaned. The man who’d cleaned it later walked right past us in the lobby without saying whether it was ready. I had to ask him, and he assured me it was. But when we went upstairs, all he’d done was make the bed. The sheets were still dirty, with blood specks and hair, so it was clear they hadn’t been properly washed. I work in hospitality and understand things happen, but this was frustrating.

We loved the open mic on Friday, with 7-8 musicians and singers, and the restaurant and bar had great food and a fun atmosphere. The wings may have been the best I’ve ever had, and there was a big selection. The owners and staff were super friendly, and the service was fantastic. The lodge is a little dated, but the young owners are working hard to bring this hidden gem, built in 1923, back to life, and they’re doing a terrific job. The beach is just a 5-minute walk down the street. My wife and I had a fantastic weekend at 3 Pines Lodge in July 2025. We’ll definitely be back and recommend it to our friends.

The check-in staff were very friendly, and the entrance and restaurant looked appealing, but the stay didn’t live up to that first impression. Our room smelled strongly of cat urine. It seemed like someone knew about it because the sliding door was left open when we arrived. Cleanliness was disappointing elsewhere too. There were wet towels on a stool at the front desk, random things lying around, and heavily stained carpets. The next morning, dishes from the night before were still on the restaurant tables. I’d wanted to enjoy my stay, but couldn’t.