People in and around Ontario can look forward to a green getaway this summer, if they’re so inclined to seek out Sir Sam’s.
Located in Haliburton Highlands, adjacent to Ontario’s popular Muskoka District, Sir Sam’s Inn and Spa is an adults-only retreat marketed especially to couples.
Now, according to a press release from Cannabis Hotels, Sir Sam’s has become the province’s first resort destination to welcome guests who want to consume cannabis during the plant’s first legal summer season.
Cannabis and cottage country were never too far apart, as many can attest to camping under the stars with a joint or passing one around a campfire in the woods. The actual allowance and permission of the substance, however, remains stigmatized in particular settings. Boutique resorts and classy cottage communities may be wrestling with newfound approval of the substance.
“Somewhere like Sir Sam’s, which is more of an experience resort and more of a boutique type of hotel, it gives them more leeway to move in that direction,” said Wendy Forell, founder and CEO of Cannabis Hotels.
“(Many hotel owners are) waiting to see what others do. It’s still very early days so they’re all holding back a little bit. Sir Sam’s is fully embracing this.”
Sam’s Inn is a luxury four-season retreat with 25 rooms featuring cozy accommodations and scenic views of Eagle Lake. Guests can enjoy dining, recreation, and spa amenities, or choose to organize wedding or conference experiences on the grounds.
The resort’s “cannabis-friendly” designation might cause some unrest among its loyal clientele, which is something operators are cautious about. They don’t want to be lumped in with stoner stereotypes, nor do they intend to be.
“We’re not looking to become a signature pot-smoking hotel or anything like that,” said Jon Massey, Sir Sam’s Inn’s director of business development to The Chronicle Herald.
The adults and couples’ resort acknowledges the newly legal climate while maintaining its reputation as a place where professionals can come to relax and unwind in a peaceful setting.
“[It’s] a natural progression,” said Massey. “We thought it was a unique opportunity. It was simply finding a way to say ‘yes.’”