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FTF's annual Top 10 survey of award-winners highlights Taboo Resort as one of 2004's best places to host your family's next reunion.

In 2004, FTF evaluated businesses in the hospitality, cruise and tour sectors that excel at satisfying the needs of children and adults participating in family reunions. Winners were determined from more than 100 nominations made by travel experts, contributiong editors and 80,000 site visitors. By considering and evaluating their location, available transportation, variety of accommodations in different price ranges, activities for all ages, unique attractions, dining options and group discounts before making site inspections, FTF discovered the top value reunion destinations.

Top Recreational Getaway

Taboo Resort, Golf and Conference Centre
Gravenhurst, Ontario, Canada
800/461-0236

Situated in Ontario’s lovely Cottage Country, 90 minutes’ drive from Toronto, Taboo Resort is a luxurious place to gather an outdoors family. Taboo’s setting on the shores of beautiful Lake Muskoka means swimming, boating and related activities keep water-lovers very happy in summer. The resort’s 1,000-acre private parkland is the backdrop for an active environmental program for children and adults. Golfers will be anxious to play on the home course of Mike Weir, 2003 Masters Champion, and those looking for pampering and rejuvenation will flock to Indulgence, the spa. When parents want to play golf or treat themselves to a massage, there’s an active Kids Club for 3 to 12-year-olds supervised by counselors and naturalists. Above all, Taboo’s quiet, manicured grounds envelop guests in a way that shuts out the roar of the world and allows you to focus on family, the goal, of course, of your reunion.

Room and suite accommodations are available in the main lodge building, or you can choose from two, three or four-bedroom condo units, all of which are beautifully appointed. The condos or “cottage chalets” offer fireplaces, full kitchens and gas barbeques on screened porches in which to prepare some family meals and snacks. Don’t want to cook? Taboo features several restaurant options ranging from the casual poolside café to a family-friendly grill, a more formal main dining room, perfect for that celebratory dinner, and a gourmet’s delight serving five, seven and eleven-course “Tasting Menus” based on regional Canadian produce and game.

Expert at business meetings and small conventions, Taboo’s event planning department is available to book your reunion space and make any special arrangements you require. Room rates range from CDN$295/N for a lodge room for two people to CDN$1,085/N for a deluxe four-bedroom condo, sleeping eight. There is a 20% group discount on the room rate if your family books 10 or more units. Remember that the rates are priced in Canadian dollars which offers additional savings for American families, and enables frugal relatives to "splurge" on a true luxury resort. While their standard reunion package includes three meals a day at CDN$82/D per adult, CDN$45/D for children 4 to 12-years-old and CDN$65/D for children 13-years and older, a credit is applied for meals prepared in the condos, or eaten off-site if your family prefers. There are some wheelchair-accessible rooms, and golf carts are available for transportation around the grounds.