10 Reasons to Stay at Bellmere Winds Golf Resort (Even If You Don’t Golf)

The first thing I’ll say about Bellmere Winds Golf Resort is that the name sells it short. People hear “golf resort” and assume golf is the point. It’s not — it’s one option in a place that has about ten of them, and most of our guests at Mildred’s Lakefront Resort Cottage never touch a club the entire week.

Here’s what’s actually worth coming for.

1. The beach on Rice Lake

Bellmere Winds owns its waterfront. Real sand, gentle entry, deep enough to swim from the dock. Late afternoon when the wind dies and the sun’s behind you, this is genuinely one of the best spots on the lake. Not crowded, not commercial, just open water and trees on the far shore.

2. The saltwater swimming pool

If the lake’s choppy or you’ve got little kids who don’t trust open water yet, the saltwater pool is a couple minutes from the cottage. Saltwater is gentler on eyes and skin than chlorine. It’s heated. Plenty of deck space.

3. The splash pad

Worth its own bullet point. If you’re travelling with kids under ten, the free splash pad is the single biggest reason this place beats a generic Airbnb cottage. Kids stay there for hours. You sit nearby with a drink. Everyone leaves happy.

4. The 19th Hole Patio Grill

There’s always a night when nobody wants to cook. The 19th Hole Patio Grill is on-site, casual, and has actual decent food — burgers, wings, fish and chips, beer on tap. The patio overlooks the golf course. Sunset over there is great.

5. You’re on Rice Lake

A lot of “lakefront” resorts in Ontario are technically near a lake. Bellmere Winds is on it. The waterfront is part of the property. From Mildred’s specifically, you’ve got your own dock and direct access. Step out the back door, walk thirty seconds, you’re at the water.

6. Free use of canoes, kayaks, and SUPs

Most cottage resorts charge $80-150/day for boat use. At Mildred’s, boat rental is included with your stay. Take it out for an hour, take it out for a day, fish off it, just cruise.

7. The fitness centre and sports court

Two more amenities most cottage trips don’t have. The fitness centre is small but functional — cardio machines, free weights, enough to keep a workout streak alive. The sports court is good for kids and teenagers burning energy without taking over the pool.

8. The drive from Toronto

Ninety minutes from downtown. Not three. Not four. Ninety. You can leave Friday after work, catch sunset on the dock, and not feel like the drive ate your weekend.

9. The neighbourhood is actually interesting

Some “cottage country” resorts are isolated to the point of dullness on a rainy day. Bellmere Winds is twenty-five minutes from Peterborough, a city with restaurants, breweries, the Canadian Canoe Museum, and a downtown worth walking. Cobourg is half an hour the other way — historic main street, beach on Lake Ontario, antique shops. Plenty to do when the weather doesn’t cooperate.

10. Yes, there’s also golf

Saved for last on purpose. Bellmere Winds is a legitimate 18-hole championship course, well-maintained, more affordable than most GTA courses. If part of your group golfs and part doesn’t, this place is a rare match — golfers play, non-golfers hit the pool, and everyone meets back at the patio for dinner.

How to actually stay here

The cottages inside the resort are the way to do it. Mildred’s Lakefront Resort Cottage at 75 The Point Drive is a three-bedroom unit that sleeps six, with a shared resort dock, beach access, free use of canoes, kayaks, and SUPs, and full use of the resort amenities.

For 2026, bookings go through Great Blue Resorts. See availability or reach out with questions.

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