The Bala Bay Inn is an inn in Bala, one of the best-known villages of the Muskoka Lakes, set where the waters of Lake Muskoka meet the Moon River. Bala is a classic cottage-country village with a small main street, waterfront, cranberry country nearby and a busy summer calendar, and it feels very different from the larger towns of Bracebridge and Huntsville. Staying at a village inn puts you inside that atmosphere, with a short walk to the water, the shops and the places to eat, and it is a good choice for a quiet weekend or a stop on a longer loop. Room styles and inclusions, from breakfast to parking, change by season and rate, so check when you book.
Location and getting around
Bala is on the western side of the Muskoka Lakes, about two hours by road from Toronto, and it is one of the villages strung between the big lakes along with Port Carling, Windermere and Minett. The village is small enough to wander on foot, and the nearby falls, the cranberry country and the lake outlook are all a short drive.
A car is useful for the rest of the district. Bala is busiest in summer, when boat traffic and the lake calendar fill the village, and quiet in winter, so check what is open if you travel out of season.
The rooms and the feel
An inn is more personal than a hotel, so expect a smaller property, individual rooms and a village setting. Bed sizes, bathrooms, view categories, breakfast, pet rules and parking differ and change through the year, so read the details of the room you choose and check when you book. Water-facing rooms, where offered, are the most in demand and cost more at peak times. Do not expect a spa, a big pool or a range of on-site restaurants. The appeal here is the scale, the location and the cottage-country mood.
Who it suits and what to know: couples, small groups of friends and anyone who wants a calm base among the lakes will enjoy it most. Families can use it too, but those who want a pool or a kids club should compare the resorts on this page. July, August and the autumn colour season book early, so reserve ahead and compare cancellation terms before paying.
Pair a stay with a lake cruise, a walk along the village waterfront, a visit to local cranberry producers in season and a drive to the neighbouring villages. If you arrive late after the drive from Toronto, tell the inn in advance so check-in can be arranged.
Why stay here
- ✓Village inn in Bala
- ✓Muskoka Lakes setting
- ✓Short walk to the village waterfront
- ✓Cranberry country nearby
- ✓Cottage-country atmosphere
- ✓More personal scale than a chain
- ✓Parking arrangements (check when you book)
- ✓Rates vary by season
Good questions
Where is The Bala Bay Inn?+
It is in the village of Bala on the western side of the Muskoka Lakes, a couple of hours by road from Toronto.
Is Bala quiet in winter?+
Bala is busiest in summer and calmer in the cold months, so check what is open if you travel out of season.
Does it have a spa or pool?+
Do not assume so. It is a village inn, and facilities vary, so check when you book.
