The Beach Motel is Ontario's best kept secret

Jordan Shore

Robin Winship

5 months ago

Everyone wants to travel. After two years of being confined to our homes and hindered from jetting off abroad due to restrictions, the urgency to book a last-minute beach trip or European vacation has never seemed more appealing. Yet, with skyrocketing hotel and airfare prices, paired with horrendously long lines plaguing Pearson Airport, that overdue vacation may seem better suited for next season.

Now, what if I told you that you could skip the $2000 roundtrip, the back-breaking custom lines and the logistical nightmare of travelling outside of the country – but still have that well-deserved vacation?

Husband and wife duo Dane and Samantha Buttenaar have the solution. Located three hours north of Toronto in the town of Southampton, a quaint Ontario town perched on the pristine sandy beaches of Lake Huron is The Beach Motel. A newly renovated lakeside resort – guaranteed to immediately transport you to a far-fetched destination you've only been dreaming about. Ontario has never looked so picturesque.

Opened back in March of 2022, The Beach Motel has always been a dream for Dane and Samantha Buttenaar. The pair met in their last year of university at McMaster; Dane, a Southampton local and Samantha, a hospitality vet who gained plenty of experience working in the industry growing up in Collingwood, had always dreamt of opening a rental property.

Prior to The Beach Motel's inception, Dane had his hands full running a landscaping business. During the off-season, Dane and Samantha would spend their time travelling the world. Spending months backpacking through Southeast Asia and staying in resorts left a lasting impression on the two, which would later influence the eventual concept of The Beach Motel. Dane eventually shifted his focus to running a construction company, converting single-family homes into multi-unit duplexes, but the end goal was to always launch a vacation rental property.

The two started to toy with the idea of making their retirement dream a reality a little sooner than both anticipated. After looking at several properties, they kept coming back to an old-decrepit motel located on Huron Street. The property would sporadically come on and off the market and after months of eyeing the 1950s-era property, Dane and Samantha bought the motel.

A memorable, relaxing getaway is really what we're striving for. We want them to experience something different and not have to travel too far.

Initially, the intention was to undergo a few minor renovations and a couple of coatings of paint. Still, as the project progressed, both Dane and Samantha realized that they would have to undergo a full renovation to achieve the vision they had always dreamed of. Samantha enlisted Common Good Studio to conceive the concept and after 18 months of renovations, The Beach Motel unveiled itself.

Vital to the well-travelled couple was for their experiences abroad to be reflected in everything from the design to the operations of the motel. Functioning like a higher-end resort, one can expect everything from a welcome drink, turn-down service and top-notch service at your beck and call – a rarity in Ontario's travel industry.

When asked what Samantha wants people to take away from their stay at The Beach Motel, she says, "A memorable, relaxing getaway is really what we're striving for. We want them to experience something different and not have to travel too far."

Successful in its mission, The Beach Motel brings something elevated yet attainable to Ontario's travel industry and has us realizing we don't have to go far to get that well-earned vacation.

While pulling up to the motel, you will immediately feel transported to a beachy paradise. Decked out all in white, with light-wood panels for detailing, the motel is a beacon just off Southampton main street.

Sprawling over two levels, the motel is reminiscent of a tropical resort, with calming music softly playing in the public spaces and a gorgeous upper deck, perfect for sipping on wine, munching on charcuterie, or tanning the day away.

Upon arrival, you'll head into the quaint lobby, which features more exquisite woodwork. The details are impeccable, from the art-deco-inspired light fixtures to the modern furniture, to the little crab-shaped concierge bell at the check-in desk. Once greeted by the staff, you'll be pampered with a warm towel and a glass of Madagascar iced tea to cool off after a long drive.

Once checked in, you'll be given a Beach Motel bracelet with a built-in FOB, that acts as your room key! Simply press one end to your door, and you'll be admitted access into your cozy quarters. Each room comes fully equipped with bathrobes, slippers, a Nespresso machine and a tablet device programmed to be your personal concierge throughout your stay. Should you need to make a dinner reservation, book a spa appointment or request anything from the staff, all you have to do is shoot them a message on the tablet.

Though minimalistic, the rooms themselves feature soft blue, green and yellow hues, and they emanate the feeling of comfort. Aligning with the rest of the property, each room is unique and has been meticulously decorated with plenty of storage for your attire. For those working remotely, the rooms are equipped with a desk so you can send off those final emails before heading to the beach, with your complimentary beach towels to use during your stay (sold at their retail shop). Don't forget to have a chill on your personal hammock swing right outside your room!

The Sandbar restaurant is their on-site dining destination, with a cozy indoor setting, a sprawling patio and a variety of seating options. Inside, the room is decorated in light pastels and warm tones, beautifully complementing the beachy vibe. Boasting comfy couches, meticulous decor, a white brick fireplace and a breakfast buffet bar, the interior is absolutely gorgeous and will make a splash on your Instagram feed.

Moving outside, the Sandbar patio is certainly the place to be. There are seating options for every kind of vibe, with the option to chill out on one of the couches by the fire, relax at a picnic table, or post up on one of the high-top stools. Breakfast is complimentary, so be sure to load up for the day with fresh fruits, bread, juice and an assortment of cereals.

As for the rest of the day, chef Erin Scholz has created an outstanding menu, with a number of gluten-free and vegan options. Chef Scholz grew up in the area of Saugeen Shores and always held a keen interest in the natural landscape, foraging in the woods and fishing for salmon in the lake. Her passion for the culinary arts continued to grow throughout her education and following university, chef Scholz made the move to Toronto, where a 10-year career in the industry ensued. After a long stint at a popular barbeque spot, she chose to learn more about nutrition and took on a position as Chef de Cuisine with a top vegan caterer. With a focus on whole plant-based foods, she was inspired her to expand her cooking skills to center around nutrition and wellness, and the healing powers of food.

Kick off your meal and warm up with a bowl of Miso Mushroom Immunity Broth. Poured tableside, this comforting soup is rich in flavour with a touch of spice. Complete with glass noodles, mushrooms, wild ginger, garlic, dulce, turmeric, bok choy and napa cabbage, this soup will set up the palate for what’s to come.

Get your veggie fix with the Roasted Vegetable Salad, a hearty portion of beautifully roasted root veg, greens, seeds and kimchi, doused in a rich and creamy garlic tahini dressing. Part salad, part veg starter, this gluten-free, vegan plate is perfect for sharing with a little bit of everything.

For those looking for a savoury option, indulge in the Kolapore Springs Smoked Trout Melt. A generous portion of warm smoked trout is piled high on top of fresh wild yeast sourdough, with accoutrements including red onion, zucchini, herbs, dill and almond havarti.

Continuing with the vegan and gluten-free dish trend, dig into the Cauliflower Curry as your main. Crunchy spiced chickpeas are mixed in with the curried cauliflower, and sit on a bed of spiced basmati. Mix it all together, and each bite will warm your soul with a cacophony of texture, and flavour.