December • 2023
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somersetlakesideresort.ca
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A Home Away from Home: Find Tranquillity at Somerset Lakeside Resort Picture yourself sipping a steaming cup of coffee on a still morning by the lake, the world of hustle and bustle far away from your corner of peaceful relaxation. In our fastpaced daily lives, these moments are few and far between, but they don’t have to be. On the picturesque shores of Paudash Lake in Ontario sits a unique cottage country getaway
and corporate retreat destination that promises a tranquil home away from home. Season after season, the warmth at Somerset extends far beyond the flicker of fires and hearty meals. From the moment you step onto the grounds, you can feel genuine warmth and friendship in the caring interactions between staff and guests, powered by a love for the natural world surrounding them.
© COURTESY OF SOMERSET LAKESIDE RESORT
Here, the pace of life slows: leave your fingertips. behind the calls of hustle culture • Fully stocked kitchens for and technology and allow genuine those who prefer to create connections to flourish. culinary delights. • Unlimited coffee and tea to WHERE MEMORIES keep you refreshed and invigoARE MADE rated throughout your stay. Somerset Lakeside Resort proves • Complimentary access to kaythat you don't need to board a aks, canoes, and paddle boats plane or embark on an extravagant for those eager to explore the journey to find a place to create lake's beauty. cherished moments with loved • Cozy nightly fires fueled by ones. The resort crafts an environcomplimentary firewood, ment where memories are forged perfect for sharing stories and around crackling fires, over hikes forging connections. through nearby parks, and out on • Free BBQ access for all rooms the frozen lake, where ice fishing and private BBQs for the becomes an adventure of its own. cabins, ensuring every meal is a The resort leaves no stone unspecial occasion. turned when it comes to pamper- • Skating access directly on the ing. With a range of amenities, lake for winter enthusiasts seekfrom unlimited coffee and tea to ing a touch of magic on the ice. cozy nightly fires, each element of • Bookable ice fishing huts and the resort is designed to elevate your equipment for an unforgettable stay to a level of comfort and luxury winter experience. that feels like a warm embrace. • An onsite restaurant, 28 When you stay at Somerset, North Bar & Lounge, where you enjoy: meals and drinks await to • In-room dining and iPad satisfy every palate. access for convenience at • Quick access to renowned
tourist attractions such as Eagles Nest Lookout and Silent Lake Provincial Park—there's never a shortage of adventure. EMBRACE EVERY SEASON While Somerset Lakeside Resort is a summer haven, it's equally enchanting in winter. The resort transforms into a wonderland with a skating rink, ice fishing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, winter hiking, and more. The restaurant's daily soups, seasonal coffee menus, and homestyle meals offer a cozy respite from the cold. Come as a guest, leave as a friend. Experience the serenity, warmth, and connection that await you on the tranquil shores of Paudash Lake. Come how you are, and leave feeling better, more rejuvenated, and inspired to return to your at-home lives. Your oasis of tranquillity and connection awaits. Book your trip today at somersetlakesideresort.ca or email bookings@ somersetlakesideresort.com
Support Refugees When You Travel: magdas HOTEL for workers. Those two don’t often come together, especially When magdas HOTEL opened in hospitality, where you need in 2015, the refugee crisis quality staff.” was beginning to take flight As part of the social busiin Europe. According to the ness group magdas, which UNHCR, by the end of 2016, was founded by Caritas of the nearly 6.2 million refugees and Archdiocese of Vienna, the migrants arrived in Europe hotel became Austria’s first from Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, social business hotel when they and other countries torn apart opened their doors some eight by war. years ago. By operating as a With their location in the social business, they aim to give heart of Vienna, the owners at people a chance. Since they magdas HOTEL knew refugees began offering jobs to refugees, would begin arriving in their area they have been able to employ looking for a place to live, work, more than 80 refugees. and create a new life. And they “As Austria’s first social busiwere right—Austria hosts around ness hotel, we aim to give people 146,000 refugees and more than who had to flee their countries 18,000 asylum seekers. a chance and access to the job The hotel, which had always market,” Sonnletiner explained. referred to itself as a social busi- “And to find a job or training ness, focused on opening jobs position far from rejection based to refugees and asylum seekers. on origin, religion, language bar“Our opening was very riers or skin colour.” timely, as it coincided with the In addition to the refugees they refugee crisis,” Chief Executive employ, magdas HOTEL also Gabriela Sonnletiner told the strives to make a difference with UNHCR. “Motivated people the design of the rooms. The furwanting to work arrived when nishings are made with upcycling the labour market was looking design, and at their first location, ALLIE MURRAY
© ALEKSANDRA PAWLOFF
furnishings were donated. At the hotel, the goal was to reuse as much as possible to reduce the production of waste. Parts of the interior are renovated pieces from the '60s and '70s, and the design of the hotel was put together with the support of volunteers and local artists. Notably, the hallways were
transformed into exciting works of art by Michaela Polacek, who drew a mural on the walls and designed the bathroom cups with an individualized look for every room. The rooms themselves also have artwork made by local artists Franza Maier, Ivana Kralj and Elisa Schlifke. If you fall in love with one of
the pieces, you can take it home with you—after paying for it at reception, of course. The hotel has also added greenery in a unique way—replacing a former parking lot with a garden. There are also climbing plants on the façade of the building and large plant troughs embellished on the rooftop terrace. The hotel also features a restaurant, magdas LOKAL, making breakfast, lunch, and dinner with organically farmed produce. While the restaurant features Austrian flavours, the menu also includes international specialties. The cuisine is influenced by the staff who have been able to introduce their cuisine to the hotel. magdas HOTEL is creating a new experience for travellers, influencing the travel industry to adjust their business model to match an ever-changing world. By opening their doors to refugees, magdas hopes more hotels around the world follow suit, allowing the process to be simpler for those seeking refuge. ADVERTORIAL
Thrive Tours Welcomes You:
Award-Winning Tourism Infused with Indigenous Culture Embark on a transformative journey through the tranquil waters and scenic trails of breathtaking Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada. Located at the Heart of the Great Lakes, Thrive Tours invites you for a unique eco-tourism experience that blends guided adventures and Indigenous culture designed to awaken your senses and connect you to a place. AWARD-WINNING AUTHENTICITY Thrive Tours is proud to be Indigenous-owned and operated and is deeply committed to engaging in a carbon-conscious approach, winning five Ontario Resiliency Tourism Awards in multiple categories since its inception in 2020. Thrive Tours invites you to share the beauty of nature by providing outdoor offerings ranging from canoeing and kayaking to guided interpretive hikes. Each program is steeped in the wisdom of Indigenous ancestry, offering a transformative
© TAYLOR BURK
experience that educates, inspires, and unites. From the pristine waters to the lush forests, every detail of every tour is put together with nature in mind, honouring Mother Earth in a way that is new, exciting, but most importantly, sustainable. The seasoned guides will lead you through carefully curated experiences that delve deep into the rich tapestry between Indigenous culture and the natural world,
where every trail has a story and every waterway a song. As both land and water are explored, Thrive Tours enriches the experience by sharing ancestral songs with traditional hand drums or shakers. These melodies fill the air and connect us to the land, to our heritage, and to each other, echoing practices that have long been integral to Indigenous communities. Traditional stories of the Land and Waters are woven
into each experience to explore a food systems, sourcing foods loworldview that connects people cally and sustainably contributes to this incredible location. to the economic well-being of the community. INFUSION OF FOOD AND CULTURE CUSTOMIZED Thrive Tours believes that nourish- EXPERIENCES FOR ALL ing the body goes hand-in-hand Thrive Tours programs are with enriching the mind and Spirit. meticulously crafted to foster For those looking for a fully en- a sense of belonging and are compassing cultural experience, open to everyone, regardless of Thrive Tous offers an option to background or experience level. infuse your journey with locally They offer customized products sourced Indigenous foods. Sharing and tours to meet the diverse a meal isn't just about sustenance; needs and interests of their guests. it's a celebration of community, a Thrive Tours focuses on delivering tribute to the Earth, and an act transformative experiences deeply that has been central to Indigenous rooted in authentic Indigenous cultures for generations. In addi- traditions. Specialized workshops tion, many Indigenous foods have and Cultural Wellness Retreats spiritual significance, and the act are also available to deepen of sharing these foods can offer connections to Indigenous culture spiritual enrichment, connect- and holistic wellness. ing participants to something Complete workshops for greater than themselves. Foods t e a m - b u i l d i n g e xe rc i s e s , prepared are consciously aligned Outdoor Leadership Workshops, with the seasons, honouring the and family-friendly experiences Earth's natural cycles. By actively are also offered. participating in the preservation and celebration of Indigenous Visit thrivetours.ca to book.
YEAR-ROUND INDIGENOUS GUIDED ECO-TOURS AND EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCES THRIVETOURS.CA
SAULT STE. MARIE, ON
