Boating, Luxury and Wilderness
Perched on the Killarney Channel between Georgian Bay and Killarney Bay and situated directly across from George Island, Ontario, stands Killarney Mountain Lodge, which has blossomed into one of the finest boating destinations in the Georgian Bay area.
Originally built in the late 1950s as the private hunting and fishing camp of the Detroit trucking magnate’s family, the Fruehaufs, Killarney Mountain Lodge is no longer a well-kept secret.
A bit of Killarney history...with the establishment of a trading post on this site on June 28, 1820, Etienne Augustin Rocbert de la Morandiere chose an ideal location for trade with voyageurs passing through the sheltered channel as they began their journey onto Lake Superior. Originally known by the native name Shebahonaning, an Ojibwe tribal name meaning “canoe passage,”it was later renamed “Killarney” (date unknown). Lady Dufferin, wife of the Governor-General ofCanada, was credited with the name change because she mentioned Killarney for the first time in her journal entries dated 1874, describing her journey through the area.
Early on, the Lodge was accessible only by water. To make sure that every minute counted while at his retreat, Fruehauf Trailer President Roy Fruehauf would fly clients into Killarney aboard the company’s Grumman Mallard amphibian aircraft. To this day, Killarney Mountain Lodge is frequented by seaplane enthusiasts, with the Seaplane Pilots Association “Splash In” meeting a recurring event. Boasting 50 acres of land, Killarney can accommodate dozens of these aircraft on property and it’s quite a sight to see them all arriving like a great squadron of naval aviators.
In 1962, a new chapter for Killarney Mountain Lodge began. That year, a road into Killarney was opened, introducing the world to the wonders of Killarney and what would eventually become, Killarney Provincial Park. That same year, the Fruehauf Trailer Co. sold Killarney Mountain Lodge to Maury and Annabelle East.
The Easts were experienced resort operators, and began an ambitious expansion with the construction of additional rooms and dining spaces. Using their considerable hospitality and business skills, they offered a unique example of the Canadian vacation experience featuring outstanding outdoor experiences, home-cooked meals and friendly service. It’s this successful combination that has contributed to a long-lived, multi-generational, loyal client base that the lodge benefits from today. Throughout the years, the Easts improved the lodge, expanded the experiences and grew the business.
Killarney Mountain Lodge has been under the ownership of London, Ontario-based Holden Rhodes since January 2015. The new ownership has embarked on an ambitious $18 million 3-phase plan to renovate, reinvigorate, and expand the property. In phase one, all rooms have been newly renovated, including The Pilot House Chalet, a two-bedroom cottage situated on the water. Presenting a panoramic view of the Channel, this two-bedroom cottage has been upgraded with marble baths, new flooring, bead-board wall, and new furniture.
Phase two saw the construction of 28 additional guest suites with waterfront views (to be finished by April 29 of this year) with another 30 rooms scheduled for construction next year.
Returning boaters will find a totally new, full service marina and renovated boathouse, adding 25 percent more dockage space and including new service modules with 30-, 50- and 100-amp power, WIFI and water. Boaters can refuel at Killarney’s new gas or diesel pumps. The maximum boat length is 100 ft. There are 28 slips for this boating season, including the new docks that were installed in 2015. A ship’s store is at boaters’ disposal. Travel hoists are available within 3,280 feet of the marina. Sailors take note: Maximum keel depth is 12 ft.
Boaters need not trek far for that morning cup of coffee. Just off the docks, the aroma of freshly baked pastries wafts from the brand new “Curds n’ Whey” coffee and bakeshop...or boaters can sample world famous blueberry pancakes in the main dining room -- devastatingly delicious!
Although plenty of attention has been paid to the waterfront, foodies haven’t been left out. The Lodge’s “Chef’s Across the Great Lakes” program, guided by General Manager Kelly McAree and Chef du Cuisine, Guy Bedard, has recently traveled to Michigan, providing a Georgian Bay touch to the Henry Ford Museum Roots dinner series last November.
This year, the Henry Ford’s Chef Mike Trombley will return the visit in early June. Petoskey’s Twisted Olive restaurant will visit the Killarney kitchen in May, while Killarney chefs will return the favor in October. Other chef exchanges are planned throughout this year and next. For those individuals interested in spirits, the Lodge has tastings of various wines and spirits like the Glenlivet Single Malt Scotch, scheduled for August 2016. Rather stay aboard?...boaters may have orders from the dining room delivered to their slips.
The focal point of evening entertainment is the Carousel Lounge. Carefully refurbished thanks toreclaimed barn board flooring and restored historic furniture, it’s the place to enjoy one’s favorite libation in casual comfort while watching copper tinted azure skies above the Killarney Chanel. Sit by the spectacular fireplace in the round and listen to live entertainment from Sundays to Thursdays or draw the clean mountain air from an adjacent patio...Killarney won’t disappoint.
Those new to Killarney will soon realize this is a boater’s and nature lover’s paradise, offering fishing, swimming, hiking, tennis and more. Lodge guests can rent canoes, kayaks, and fishing boats. Nearby, guests have access to 187 square miles of pristine mountain wilderness atKillarney Provincial Park. With a bit of luck, visitors may spot the occasional moose munching shoreline veggies as they kayak by.
Ontario has identified the shoreline of the Great Lakes from southern Georgian Bay to the north shore of Lake Superior, an area of mountainous beauty, as a heritage site that must be forever protected.
For those interested in corporate getaways, Killarney Mountain Lodge offers extensive conference facilities and guided outdoor experiences in and around the forests and waters of Georgian Bay.
If all of this isn’t enough, according tooanda.com, the Canadian-US Dollar exchange rate is near an all-time high, with eachUS dollar worth about $1.44 Canadian, which gives Americans visiting Killarney Mountain Lodge a real bargain.
Killarney Mountain Lodge “We’re Wild”
www.killarney.com
Toll Free: 800-461-1117
Marine Channel 68
GPS
Latitude: 45.9694
Longitude: 81.508775
