A Weekend at the Briars Resort

Jackson's Point is a township of suburban greenery and winding roads straight out of sedan commercials. The Briars Resort is a cute colonial mansion tucked away on a quiet road next to the lake. Although the room decor is cheap and the exercise facilities a joke, this place is worth visiting for its serenity and restorative powers. There are many quiet places to sit down and enjoy the view and the bird song. Inside, there are reading rooms aplenty, each with comfy armchairs, old maps, and book-lined shelves. There are guest activities like boating and walks, though I didn't find any of them compelling enough to participate. Prices include meals, which is nice, but some meals include a dress code, which is annoying. Be sure to learn the code before packing! The staff is polite and friendly, and will even find you alternate dinner seating if you didn't bring the requisite wardrobe. The guests on this particular weekend seemed the cheery, respectable middle-class that the avantgarde types will surely find boring. The resort has a spa with competent services best booked well in advance.

The place is about 75 minutes' drive from downtown Toronto, through spectacular scenery of lush green fields, farmhouses, and cow pastures.