Welcome to the 2025 Midyear Retirement Home Awards 🎉

Daniel's favourite things from 53 retirement home tours

After touring 53 retirement homes across Ontario in the first half of 2025, one thing is clear: senior living is thriving, and it's definitely not what most people think!

I'm talking golf simulators, gourmet meals, and enough wisdom and banter to fill a few novels. Whether it was morning buzz in the bistro or a pickleball against a neighbour, each retirement home tour offered something special.

So in honour of Canada Day and all the incredible communities I've seen so far, I'm handing out Elderado’s first-ever Midyear Retirement Home Awards. Think of it as the Oscars of Ontario senior living!

We’ve got six categories, dozens of amazing nominees, and plenty of heartwarming moments to celebrate. Let’s get to it! 🏆

Favourite Amenity 🏸 🌊 ⛳ 🎱

Retirement homes have some great amenities that makes them feel more like resorts. These are my favourites.

🏆 Indoor Pickleball Court at Hygate on Lexington

Hygate on Lexington

• I love sports, so having a pickleball count inside a retirement home would be a huge selling feature for me
• This was the first, and so far only, time I've seen a pickleball court at a retirement home
• Bonus points for it being indoors so residents can play all year

Golf simulator & lounge at Parkland Ajax

Parkland Ajax

• What a great space - a golf simulator, billiards table, TV, lounge, and pub
• I could see myself working 9 or 18 into my morning routine, maybe even get a friendly game going with neighbours
• In the evening it would be a great spot to watch the game, read a book, or just unwind in the company of friends

Penthouse Bar & Lounge at VIVA Whitby Shores

VIVA Whitby Shores

• The view over Whitby Harbour alone gets V!VA Whitby Shore's Penthouse Bar & Lounge on this list, and then add in pub fare, billiards, and tabletop shuffleboard, and this is an amenity I'd love to have at my retirement home
• If they rented the space out for weddings it would be one of the top venues in all of Durham Region!

Virtual Tour

Favourite Bite 😋 🍰 🥘

I haven't got to try the food at every retirement home I've visited, but I've had some real standouts along the way!

🏆 Raspberry yogurt cheesecake at Seasons Clarington

Seasons Clarington

• It was light, but flavourful, and sweet, but not too sweet, plus you can't beat raspberries
• It was a great way to cap off a perfect day at Seasons Clarington - compliments to the chef!

Ashley Oaks Retirement Residence Perogies

Ashley Oaks Retirement Residence

• My knowledge of perogies are the kind you find at the freezer section at the grocery store - but these perogies definitely weren't that!
• Served with crispy bacon, sauteed onion, and sour cream - I'm getting hungry just thinking about them!

VIVA Mississauga Beef Skewer

V!VA Mississauga

• Savour Sauga brought together 10 Mississauga retirement homes for an event where community members got to try their food - and the beef skewers from VIVA Missassauga stole the show!
• They were so tender, but the head chef wouldn't give away their secret!

Favourite Suite 🏡 🛏️

I've toured a lot of suites - studios, 1 bedrooms, 1 bedroom + den, 2 bedroom - and these are my favourite.

🏆 The Shores of Port Credit penthouse with the massive balcony

The Shores of Port Credit

• The balcony is the showstopper of this suite - it's massive with an unobstructed view of Lake Ontario
• Seriously, the balcony must have been 300 sq/ft!
• I was only able to get into the suite because it was in between occupants, and with the view it has I can see why it went so fast!

The Village at University Gates penthouse next to Ruby's

The Village at University Gates

• Big, spacious independent living suite with a full kitchen and great big windows!
• A bathroom with more than enough space for 2 people, plus any mobility aids you might need down the line
• It doesn't hurt having Ruby's Restaurant right outside your door for those days you don't feel like cooking

Forestview Retirement Residence jungle oasis

Forestview Retirement Residence

• Near Bathurst and Finch, but feels like you're in a private oasis because the ground floor suite is surrounded by mature trees and a peaceful walking trails, with a walkout
• Don't underestimate the benefits of a ground floor suite around lunch and dinner time!
• I loved the high ceilings and massive windows - I felt like I was at a private resort in a forest

Favourite Atmosphere

Sometimes you walk in somewhere and there's a great feeling or a vibe - that's what this award is for.

🏆 The morning buzz of Harmony Square at Harmony Hill

Harmony Hill Retirement Community

• Right went I walked into Harmony Square I could feel it was alive with energy
• Harmony Square is the main common space for Harmony Hill
• There was a drum fit class and waffle social going on upstairs, there was a daily market set up on the main floor, and residents and their friends were milling about in the various sitting areas having a coffee and catching up

Chartwell Hollandview Trail live music at their open house

Chartwell Hollandview Trail

• Right when I walked in the front door I could hear the band playing, and see residents dancing and swaying along
• It was standing room only, and everyone was having a great time

Aspira Traditions of Durham Beach Party Open House

Aspira Traditions of Durham

• Themed parties don't always land, but when you've got staff and residents who don't take themselves too seriously they can be a blast
• If you stumbled into Aspira Traditions of Durham that day you'd guess it was a residence wide celebration, not an open house
• There was so much positive energy, I recall thinking what a great first impression it would be for anyone dropping in

Favourite Resident Interaction

I've got to meet some incredible people at the retirement homes I've visited. These are some of the interactions that really stood out.

🏆 Welcoming home Horace at Scarborough Retirement Residence

Scarborough Retirement Residence

• Horace was returning to Scarborough Retirement Residence after a procedure at the hospital, and a number of residents invited me to join the welcome tunnel of 20-25 people who were waiting to greet him when he returned home
• This moment gave me perspective on who and what is important, and what community really means
• I feel fortunate I got to be part of the moment

Glowing endorsement of the food at Amica Taunton

Amica Taunton

• When I was walking down the hall in independent living one of the residents stopped me to tell me how good the food was at Amica Taunton. I saw her again in the lobby as I was getting ready to leave, and she hurried over to again tell me about the food - even asking the concierge to grab a menu so she could point out her favourites from the a la carte menu so I knew what to try when I stopped in for a meal
• I loved her pride in the food that was available in her home, and it's one of those moments I think back on often

Meeting Daniel and Maya at Seasons Clarington

Seasons Clarington

• I met Daniel to film a video about his dog, Maya, and the conversation came so naturally - we just clicked
• We talked about the community, golfing, our dogs, and more
• This was one of the first times I was actually interviewing a resident, and Daniel made it so easy for me - I really appreciated it

Other Cool Stuff 🪟 🌳 🍷 🔌

Windows at Sunrise Senior Living of Aurora

Sunrise Senior Living of Aurora

• Much like houses often have a window next to their front door, Sunrise Senior Living of Aurora has small windown next to the front door, so it feels like you're walking through the neighbourhood when you stroll the halls
• Sunrise Senior Living of Aurora specializes in higher levels of care, so they've put a big focus on making every element of the home feel as homey as possible

The Residences on Yonge Care Companion Technology

The Residences on Yonge

• Leveraging a variety of sensors, The Residences on Yonge are able to monitor residents wellbeing without having to wake them up through the night
• Their sensors can also show early signs for UTIs, and other high risk illnesses for older adults

Generator plugs at Winchester Glen

Winchester Glen Retirement Community

• I was very impressed when Sara pointed to an electrical plug cover in assisted living and explained that even if the power goes out, that plug will continue to work because it's connected to the generator
• This is so important for residents in assisted living who rely on various powered equipment such as oxygen machines

There's a jungle INSIDE Chartwell Gibson

Chartwell Gibson

• Seriously, with a massive tree and loads of greenery
• I toured Chartwell Gibson in the winter, and I felt like I was transported to a tropical paradise, it was amazing!

Curbless, roll-in showers at Amica Taunton

Amica Taunton

• I think showers without a lip are a tremendous value add for a retirement home suite
• I first noticed them at Amica Taunton, and I think they do wonders to help residents maintain independence
• You don't have to worry about stepping up, or stepping over, and if you have a walker you can take it into the shower with you

Little Italy at Aspira Villa da Vince

Aspira Villa da Vinci

• I love the way they lean into their 98% Italian resident population
• There were 50-60 residents all observing Mass on Wednesday morning when I was there
• Wine is served with lunch
• Daily pasta
• An expansive courtyard with a fountain
• Photos of Italy cover the walls throughout the home

Rooftop Patio at Parkland on Eglinton West

Parkland on Eglinton West

• Nice spot above all the noise, with a view of the Toronto skyline

Amica City Centre lower level amenities

Amica City Centre

• Indoor shuffleboard, a chipping and putting green, oversized chess, library and lounge, and more - it feels like you're walking through a resort when you stroll the lower level at Amica City Centre

#Don Mills Assisted Living Outdoor Space Don Mills Retirement Residence

• For a retirement home that has a relatively small footprint for their size, they have some great outdoor spaces, highlighted by an outdoor terrace for assisted living resident
• Fully enclosed so it's safe for residence, it's got great seating areas, and it's the perfect place for residents to get some fresh air

100 Retirement Home Tours in 2025

Thank you to all the retirement homes that have welcomed me in the first 6 months of 2025. I plan to tour at least 100 retirement homes in 2025, so I've got at least 47 more to go. If you're interested in having me visit your retirement home, send me an email at [email protected]. I plan on getting to all corners of the province this year, and I'd be happy to find a time to go for a tour at your retirement home.