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Scugog Island EscapeGreat Blue Heron, reviewed independently

Short answers first

Questions we get asked about a weekend on Scugog Island

Fourteen answers, each one checked against the hotel's or the organiser's own page. Follow the links for the longer versions.

1Is the Great Blue Heron Hotel really on an island?Yes, reached by a causeway

Yes. It is on Scugog Island in Lake Scugog, at 21777 Island Road, Port Perry. You drive onto the island over a causeway; no ferry is involved.

2How far is it from Toronto?About 95 km from downtown

About 95 km from Union Station. On empty roads Google Maps estimated just over an hour when we checked; our more cautious routing model says about 80 minutes. From Pearson Airport it is roughly 100 to 110 km, depending on the route.

3What time is check-in and check-out?4 p.m. in, 11 a.m. out

Check-in starts at 4 p.m. and check-out is by 11 a.m. Earlier or later times are at the hotel's discretion and may cost extra.

4How old do we have to be to book?19, with photo ID

The person who books and checks in must be 19 or older and show government photo ID and a home address. Children may stay with an adult.

5Can we bring our dog?Two pets up to 50 lb each

Yes: up to two cats or dogs per room, each up to 50 lb, for a $49 nightly fee and a one-time $49 cleaning fee plus taxes. Pets may not be left alone in the room or go into restaurants or the casino.

6Is there a pool or a spa?Not listed

None is listed on the hotel's own page. The hotel lists a gym and a 24-hour business centre. For a spa visit, look at day spas in Port Perry.

7Is parking free?Yes

Yes. Free self-parking is included with every room, and the operator lists free on-site parking.

And a few more

8Is breakfast included?Not listed with the room

The hotel does not list breakfast with any room type. Water's Edge serves meals on site, and Port Perry has cafés and bakeries 14 minutes away.

9Are the shows at The Nest free?Yes, for the current listings

The current listings are: Desire (a U2 tribute) on 14 November 2026 and Fleetwood Mac Mania on 28 November 2026, each with sets at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m., no cover, all ages, first come, first served.

10Can children go everywhere in the hotel?Not the 19+ areas

No. They may use the rooms, lobby and non-gaming spaces under the operator's supervision rules, but no one under 19 may enter the gaming floor or restaurants on it.

11Is there public transport to the hotel?Train to Oshawa, then a taxi

We found no scheduled bus across the causeway. The practical route without a car is the GO train to Oshawa and a taxi or rideshare for the last 42 km.

12Does sending a request book the room?No, it is a request

No. Our desk checks your dates and the rate with the hotel or a booking partner and replies by email. Nothing is booked or charged until you accept an offer.

13Is this the hotel's official website?No, we are independent

No. Scugog Island Escape is independent. The official pages are on greatcanadian.com, and we link to them throughout.

14Can we choose a lake view?No lake view is listed

Rooms are listed with a casino view or a garden view; no lake view is offered. You can ask for a side in your request, but the hotel assigns rooms.

Where do we find the longer answers?

Rooms and views: rooms. Pets: pets. Children: children and the 19+ rule. The drive: getting here, with routes on Google Maps, or straight to directions to the hotel and the hotel's Google Maps place. Shows: The Nest. Money: our commercial model.

Where this page's facts come from (all read on 31 October 2026):