Hotels for a Couples Getaway in Oshawa
Oshawa is not a classic romantic destination, and the six hotels tagged romantic here are modern chain properties rather than boutique inns. What makes a couples' weekend work is the setting around them: Parkwood Estate, the grand McLaughlin family mansion and gardens, the Robert McLaughlin Gallery downtown, and the Lake Ontario shoreline at Lakeview Park. I picked hotels on what their listings confirm, such as the indoor pool and hot tub at the Holiday Inn Express downtown, the garden with an outdoor fireplace at the TownePlace Suites, and the 9.1 rating of the Tru by Hilton.
Oshawa presents a unique personality for romantic travelers, balancing its industrial heritage with a growing appreciation for leisure and culture. It's a city that encourages exploration, from its revitalized downtown core to the serene shores of Lake Ontario. This duality allows couples to enjoy both vibrant city life and peaceful natural settings, offering a diverse range of activities for a romantic itinerary. The local hospitality is geared towards making visitors feel at home, adding a warm touch to any romantic visit.
Gardens, a gallery and the lakeshore
These Oshawa hotels give couples a comfortable, well-rated base for a short break east of Toronto, with ratings from 7.7 to 9.1. The romance comes from the city's gardens, gallery and lakeshore rather than from the hotels themselves, so I looked for pools, breakfast and calm.
The Holiday Inn Express & Suites Oshawa Downtown is the only hotel here with a hot tub, and that makes it my first pick for couples. It sits in downtown Oshawa, rated 8.4 from 463 reviews, with an indoor pool, a 24-hour fitness centre, a complimentary hot breakfast and pet-friendly rooms. From here, the Robert McLaughlin Gallery and the restaurants of the city centre are close, and Parkwood Estate, the former home of General Motors of Canada founder Sam McLaughlin, is a short drive north. A soak in the hot tub after a day in the gardens is the closest thing to a spa evening in this list.
For a quieter stay with outdoor space, the TownePlace Suites by Marriott Oshawa rates 8.7 from 125 reviews. It offers air-conditioned rooms with kitchenettes, an indoor swimming pool, a fitness room and a garden with an outdoor fireplace, and free bicycles are available. I like it for couples who want to cook a simple dinner in the room and cycle to the lake or around town. The Courtyard by Marriott Oshawa, rated 8.8, adds a sun terrace, an indoor pool, a restaurant, a coffee shop and a bar, and it sits near the Oshawa GO Station for a day trip into Toronto.
The highest-rated hotel on this page is the Tru by Hilton Oshawa, at 9.1 out of 10 from 263 reviews. It is a simple, modern hotel with air-conditioned rooms, a fitness room, free private parking, a daily continental buffet breakfast and a pet-friendly policy. It has no pool or hot tub, so I see it as the choice for couples who will spend their days out and want a modern, well-rated room to come back to. The Spark by Hilton Oshawa, rated 8.7, is near Highway 401 and Durham College, includes a continental breakfast, and its listing mentions hiking and golf nearby.
The Best Western Plus Durham Hotel & Conference Centre, rated 7.7 from 413 reviews, is a short distance from downtown Oshawa and has a spa and wellness area along with a fitness centre and spacious rooms. It is the only hotel in this list whose description mentions a spa, which suits couples who want some pampering on site. For an evening out, the Spark's listing points to the Great Blue Heron Casino, which is a drive north of the city. In summer, I would also plan a walk along the Lake Ontario waterfront at Lakeview Park, the most scenic spot in Oshawa for a sunset.
A traveler's takeFor a couples' weekend in Oshawa, I would book the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Oshawa Downtown, because its hot tub, indoor pool and free hot breakfast make the evenings relaxing, and the Robert McLaughlin Gallery is close. For a calmer stay, I would choose the TownePlace Suites, where the garden with an outdoor fireplace and free bicycles suit slow days by Lake Ontario.
4.6Tru By Hilton Oshawa
Romantic · 263 reviewsModern comfort with family rooms and a continental breakfast
Why guests love itTru by Hilton Oshawa keeps a family stay simple: the air-conditioned family rooms are modern, the continental buffet breakfast is included each morning, and parking and WiFi are free. The hotel is pet-friendly, so the dog can come along, and there is a fitness room for parents who want a workout. The front desk is open 24 hours, which helps with late arrivals after a long drive. Guests rate it above 9.
4.4Courtyard by Marriott Oshawa
Romantic · 286 reviewsFamily-friendly comfort with an indoor pool and sun terrace
Why guests love itCourtyard by Marriott Oshawa is well set up for families: interconnecting rooms are available, the indoor swimming pool keeps children busy, and the family-friendly restaurant means dinner without a drive. There is also a coffee shop, a bar, a fitness centre and a sun terrace. Oshawa GO Station is nearby, which makes a day trip into Toronto by train easy. An 8.8 score from 286 reviews backs up the overall picture.
4.4Spark by Hilton Oshawa
Romantic · 413 reviewsModern comfort near Highway 401, with casino and college access
Why guests love itSpark by Hilton Oshawa is a modern, simple hotel near Highway 401, a convenient stop for a family driving east of Toronto. The continental breakfast is included and the internet is fast, which helps parents who need to work. Durham College is close, as is the Great Blue Heron Casino for adults, and there are hiking trails and golf courses nearby for active days. No pool is listed. With an 8.7 score from 413 reviews, I would book it as a tidy road-trip base.
4.4TownePlace Suites by Marriott Oshawa
Romantic · 125 reviewsFamily-friendly suites with kitchenettes, an indoor pool, and free bikes
Why guests love itFamily rooms with kitchenettes at the TownePlace Suites Oshawa make simple meals and snacks easy with children, and the indoor swimming pool covers rainy or cold days. Free bicycles invite a ride around Oshawa when the weather allows, and the garden with an outdoor fireplace is a pleasant spot for an evening. Rooms are air-conditioned with free WiFi, and pets are accepted. With an 8.7 rating from 125 reviews, I rate it highly.
4.2Holiday Inn Express & Suites Oshawa Downtown - Toronto Area by IHG
Romantic · 463 reviewsDowntown comfort with an indoor pool, hot tub, and pet-friendly amenities
Why guests love itHoliday Inn Express & Suites Oshawa Downtown is an easy pick for families visiting Oshawa. The free hot breakfast each morning saves time and money on the first meal of the day, and the indoor pool and hot tub give children a reliable treat whatever the weather. Free WiFi keeps devices running, and pets are welcome, so the dog can come along. Parents can use the 24-hour fitness centre. Guests rate it 8.4/10 across more than 450 reviews.
3.9Best Western Plus Durham Hotel & Conference Centre
Romantic · 413 reviewsComfortable rooms, a fitness centre, and a spa for a relaxing stay
Why guests love itRooms at the Best Western Plus Durham Hotel & Conference Centre are spacious, with a refrigerator, a coffee maker, cable TV and a work desk, which covers the basics for a family weekend in Oshawa. There is a fitness centre and a spa and wellness area, WiFi is free, and parking costs nothing extra. Downtown Oshawa is a short distance away. Guests rate it 7.7 from 413 reviews, a fair but not outstanding result.
Local tips
- 1Want a hot tub? The Holiday Inn Express & Suites downtown is the only hotel here that lists one.
- 2Visit Parkwood Estate, the McLaughlin mansion and gardens, a short drive from downtown.
- 3The TownePlace Suites has a garden with an outdoor fireplace and free bicycles.
- 4For the best rating, book the Tru by Hilton Oshawa at 9.1, with breakfast included.
- 5The Courtyard is near the Oshawa GO Station, handy for a day in Toronto by train.
- 6Only the Best Western Plus Durham lists a spa and wellness area on site.