Millcroft Inn and Spa review: not just for couples!

An honest review of Millcroft Inn and Spa in Caledon

Why did I want to go to the romantic Millcroft Inn and Spa as a single woman? Because the hotel has a small but beautiful outdoor hydrotherapy circuit and I figure why should lovebirds have all the fun!

My visit to Millcroft Inn was a winter birthday present to myself. I booked one of the special Millcroft Croft cabins that come with their own private hot tubs. Two girlfriends also decided this was a fabulous idea so off we went to enjoy blissful soaking at all hours, far away from the city or crowds of larger water therapy circuits.

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This review of Millcroft Inn and Spa in Caledon is part of the series 100 Baths, my search for the world’s best spas and public bathing rituals.

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Millcroft Inn and Spa has definite Hallmark movie vibes.

The main hotel is in a restored historic mill, alongside a pretty river bank. They have a dining room with a table overlooking a small waterfall—surefire date win.

We didn’t come for the food though we came to spa!

Millcroft Inn and Spa’s facilities include:

• 2 outdoor hot spring pools (temperature approximately 104 F / 40 C)
• 1 polar plunge pool (temperature approximately 45 F / 7 C)
• 1 outdoor pool, heated to approximately 85 F / 30 C and open year-round
• 1 indoor pool
• Indoor steam room (co-ed)
• Traditional Finnish cedar sauna (co-ed)

One thing I’ve learned travelling is that the best time to use the pools and hot tubs in a hotel is in the afternoon, between check-out and check-in, when there are the fewest guests to compete with for space. Especially romantic places like Millcroft. Busting up a private canoodling moment is awkward.

So we beelined straight for our rooms, did a quick change into our suits (required) and robes (provided) and hit that spa!

Outdoor spas are magical during snowy winters.

I should mention at this point that this was during pandemic restrictions when indoor spa was closed and it was freaking freezing that day. I mean, I love winter. But this was possibly the lowest temperature I’ve ever had to stand outside in a swimsuit, even for just a few moments. So sliding into a pool heated to 104 degrees was absolute heaven.

We quickly lowered our shivering bodies into the closest of Millcroft’s two soaking stations – a peanut-shaped pool with waterfall. Another group of three women were also using it, and we saw a few couples headed up to the second hot tub with spa jets overlooking the grounds.

We never felt crowded, and conversations were respectfully low-key. It was just the kind of semi-private spa experience we were hoping for.

Millcroft Inn and Spa is not a budget destination, and it comes with high-end service to match its prices. Even in this blasted cold a server came around to check on things and offer drinks. That felt like a real treat.

I know the true benefits of hydrotherapy come from switching between hot and cold, but damn it was tough to get out of that hot tub and into the Millcroft’s icy cold plunge pool. I did it though! The heated swimming pool felt like a warm embrace after that, although given the extreme cold we just splashed around in it for a moment, then back to the real hot tub where we just let our bodies relax in one place, enjoying the peacefulness of the remote location and gentle sounds of falling water and snow.

Rooms with private hot tubs

Our Croft cabins came with fireplace and a small private terrace with its own two-person hot tub. It’s kept nice and hot and ready to use with a simple flip of the cover.

After an in-room dinner beside our wood-burning fireplace, I took full advantage of being able to soak alone naked under the cover of night.

The private hot tubs are definitely designed for couples. They’re not the typical round or square shapes for a group hang; more like a really deep bathtub for two people to lounge in who really like each other. Basically, I’m glad my friend and I each booked our own rooms with our own hot tubs, because I did not want to share mine!

The morning of our check-out, the area was hit with a monster snowstorm of historic proportions. So our second and final visit to the outdoor spa was a chance to really revel in the contrast of hot and cold, of running through deep snow banks, of watching my wet hair freeze unto unusual shapes.

It was tough to leave the Millcroft Inn & Spa pools. And not just because getting back to the city in a snowstorm was a bit of a nightmare. We totally considered just extending our stay for a week and hunkering down with unlimited room service cheese boards and spa soaks. But this short visit was a recon for future trips when everything is allowed to open. So we left with soft skin, calm minds, and plans for future summer day trips.

Know Before You Go

My last visit was January 2022. Information updated January 2024. Always check their website for latest info.

Where: Millcroft Inn & Spa is located on a 100-acre property in Alton, Ontario, about an hour’s drive northwest from downtown Toronto in the Caledon area. In addition to the spa, hotel guests can enjoy walking trails through woodlands, fire pits, snowshoe rentals and other sports amenities in summer months. Most guests to the spa visit as hotel guests, although some come just for the day.

When: Pools are open 9am to 9pm. Hotel guests can access fitness facilities and water therapies from 1pm on the day of arrival until 1pm on the day of departure.

What to bring: Swimsuit! Good robes and slippers are provided. (I brought my own robe because I prefer black, ha.) Quality drinks and food available on site.

How much: Spa facilities are included for hotel guests, and rooms generally start at $300/night in the main building, more for the Croft cabins with hot tubs. On a budget? Look for various package deals including accommodation and food, and definitely consider booking your stay during the week, when prices are discounted.  Otherwise the best way to visit is with a Day Spa treatment. If you book a treatment less than $100 you can add the water circuit for $35 or if you book a treatment valued over $100 it’s complimentary—access is from 2-hours prior to treatment time to anytime after until close at 9pm. There may be walk-up day passes available just for the water therapies at $75 but they are limited to just 10 per day and you cannot reserve in advance—call the spa directly at 519-941-8111 ex. 5357 to enquire.