If you're wondering where is renovation resort showdown filmed, you're in the right place.
The HGTV competition series has caught viewers' attention with its beautiful waterfront setting, creative renovations, and resort-style properties, but many fans want to know where the show actually takes place.
In this guide, you'll find the real filming location behind Renovation Resort Showdown, including the resort property, surrounding area, renovation spaces, and if you can visit the location today.
I'll also explain why this spot was chosen for the series. I've researched the show's filming details and location information to create a clear and helpful guide.
Overview of Renovation Resort Showdown
Renovation Resort Showdown is an HGTV competition series, known in Canada as simply Renovation Resort on the Home Network and StackTV.
The show features renovation experts Scott McGillivray and Bryan Baeumler as they guide four contractor-and-designer duos through a major resort makeover over eight weeks. Each team receives a $150,000 budget, and at the end of the season one team wins $100,000.
Scott McGillivray owns the resort properties featured in the show and is also an executive producer. When filming wraps, the renovated cabins become real bookable vacation rentals.
The show has drawn over 13.3 million viewers across linear and streaming, making it one of HGTV's most-watched summer series. Seasons 1 and 2 were filmed in Campbellford, Ontario, while Season 3 moves to the Kawartha Lakes region.
Where Is the Renovation Resort Located?
The resort featured in Renovation Resort Showdown is located in Ontario, Canada.
The specific area has shifted between seasons, but the character of the setting stays the same:clear lakes, forested shorelines, and classic Ontario resort properties.
Campbellford, Ontario (Seasons 1 and 2)
Seasons 1 and 2 of Renovation Resort Showdown were filmed in Campbellford, Ontario, a small community located along the Trent-Severn Waterway.
Campbellford offers a relaxing countryside atmosphere with rivers, lakes, and outdoor attractions that matched the show's vacation resort theme perfectly. Season 1 involved teams renovating aged cabins into modern vacation retreats.
Season 2 raised the stakes by giving teams four cabin shells that they had to build from the ground up, not just renovate. The waterfront setting and peaceful surroundings made Campbellford the foundation for the show's first two seasons.
Kawartha Lakes, Ontario (Season 3)
Season 3 moves the action to the Kawartha Lakes region of Ontario, a stretch of cottage country northeast of Toronto known for clear lakes, forested shorelines, and classic Ontario resort properties.
The Kawartha Lakes location has quickly become the show's new home. Teams in Season 3 convert four lakeside vacation homes with the help of Wayfair as the season's official furnishing partner.
The area gives contestants opportunities to design spaces that connect indoor areas with the outdoors while taking advantage of the lake views that define the region.
The Lakeside Resort Property
The main property featured in Renovation Resort Showdown is a lakeside resort where teams compete to renovate or build vacation cabins. Each team receives a cabin to redesign, adding new features and improving the space for future guests.
Importantly, these are not television sets. The cabins are real vacation rental properties. After filming, guests can book them directly through Scott McGillivray's vacation rental platform at staywithstay.com.
Prices typically start at around $500 CAD per night and vary by cabin, season, and length of stay.
The Waterfront Setting
The waterfront setting is one of the most recognizable parts of Renovation Resort Showdown. The lake views, outdoor spaces, and natural surroundings create the vacation atmosphere that the show aims to capture.
The location gives contestants opportunities to design spaces that connect indoor areas with the outdoors, such as decks, patios, and relaxing gathering areas.
Ontario's lakeside landscapes help create the peaceful and inviting environment that viewers see throughout the series.
What Makes the Location Special
The location stands out because it combines a working resort environment with the natural beauty of Ontario's countryside.
Unlike a typical home renovation show, the contestants are redesigning properties meant for vacation stays, which adds a different challenge.
The setting also adds a commercial dimension:because the finished cabins become real rental properties, teams need to design for guests rather than television cameras. This makes the renovations feel more practical and meaningful than many competition formats.
Where Were the Renovation Projects Filmed?
The renovation projects were filmed at the same Ontario lakeside resorts, where teams transformed existing cabins or built new ones from the ground up depending on the season.
The Vacation Cabins and Resort Homes
The vacation cabins featured in Renovation Resort Showdown were the main focus of the competition.
In Season 1, teams worked on aged cabins that needed updating. In Season 2, they built from cabin shells. In Season 3, they convert four lakeside vacation homes in the Kawartha Lakes.
The cabins were and are real structures, not sets, which added a practical challenge because teams had to balance creativity with actual construction realities and building standards.
The Before-and-After Renovations
The before-and-after changes are a major part of what makes Renovation Resort Showdown interesting.
Contestants begin with outdated or unfinished resort spaces and work to update them into comfortable, modern vacation retreats.
Because the projects take place at a real resort, the changes are designed with future visitors in mind rather than only for television. This helped make each changes feel practical and meaningful.
Outdoor Spaces and Waterfront Areas
The outdoor areas around the cabins are an important part of the renovation projects. Since the resort sits near the water, teams have the opportunity to design spaces that connect guests with the surrounding landscape.
Decks, seating areas, and outdoor features help extend the living space beyond the cabin walls. The waterfront location added another layer to the design challenges because contestants needed to create spaces that were both attractive and functional.
Construction Challenges During Filming
Filming a renovation competition at a real resort came with several challenges for the teams and production crew.
Contestants had to manage construction schedules, weather conditions, material choices, and unexpected issues. The eight-week timeline added significant pressure, as teams needed to complete major updates within a set period while building to real hospitality standards.
Why Did Renovation Resort Showdown Film in Ontario?
Renovation Resort Showdown was filmed in Ontario because the province offered the ideal mix of waterfront scenery, resort properties, and production-friendly locations.
The lakes, forests, and peaceful surroundings of both Campbellford and the Kawartha Lakes created the perfect setting for a show focused on vacation renovations.
Ontario also has a strong connection to Canadian television production, with both hosts having built their careers there. Scott McGillivray owns the resort properties himself, making the choice to film in Ontario a natural fit.
The natural beauty of the region helped the renovated properties feel like genuine getaway destinations.
Filming Locations Used Throughout the Series
The lakeside resort settings in Ontario provided the main backdrop for the renovation challenges, outdoor scenes, and final property reveals throughout the series.
Season 1 Resort Location
The first season was filmed at the lakeside resort property in Campbellford, Ontario. Teams renovated aged cabins into modern vacation retreats.
The winner of Season 1 was the duo Rotem and Troy Lamsee, a Toronto-based married couple whose Mediterranean-themed cabin took the $100,000 prize.
Season 2 Waterfront Cabin Locations
Season 2 returned to Campbellford but changed the format significantly. Instead of renovating existing cabins, teams received four cabin shells and built them from the ground up.
The winner of Season 2 was Graham and Hollie Laird, a father-daughter duo from Orangeville, Ontario, who won with their warm homestead heritage design.
Season 3 Kawartha Lakes Location
Season 3 premieres July 1, 2026, on HGTV in the US and on Home Network and StackTV in Canada.
The season moves to the Kawartha Lakes region and features four new teams from Dallas, Niagara, and Vancouver.
Weekly challenge prizes are added alongside the $100,000 grand prize, making it the most competitive format the show has used.
Design Challenge Areas
Throughout the series, different areas of the resort have become part of the design challenges. Contestants work on cabin interiors, outdoor spaces, and features that improve the overall guest experience.
By using actual spaces within the resort, the show allows viewers to see how design decisions can change the way a vacation property feels and operates.
How the Location Influenced the Show
The Ontario resort locations played a major role in shaping the style and direction of Renovation Resort Showdown.
The waterfront setting influenced many design choices, encouraging teams to create spaces that connected with nature.
The fact that Scott McGillivray owns the properties and lists them as real rentals after filming adds a layer of accountability. The teams know that real guests will be staying in what they build.
Can You Visit the Renovation Resort Showdown Filming Location Today?
Yes, fans can do more than just visit the filming locations. They can actually book a stay in the renovated cabins. The finished properties from the show are listed as vacation rentals on staywithstay.com through Scott McGillivray's host profile.
Prices start at around $500 CAD per night. Visitors can also try the broader Campbellford and Kawartha Lakes areas, which offer lakes, waterways, and natural landscapes that reflect the scenery seen throughout the show.
If you are planning a trip to see the filming locations, checking with the rental listings beforehand will give you the most current availability and access information.
Fun Facts About Renovation Resort Showdown Filming
The show uses a real lakeside resort setting to create a renovation competition focused on vacation properties and outdoor living.
- The series films in Ontario cottage country:Seasons 1 and 2 used Campbellford, Season 3 moves to the Kawartha Lakes region northeast of Toronto.
- The resort cabins are real vacation rentals:After filming, guests can book the renovated properties through staywithstay.com.
- Scott McGillivray owns the properties:He is both executive producer and property owner, and the rentals remain part of his investment portfolio after the show.
- Each team gets $150,000 and eight weeks: The budget and timeline create real construction pressure that shapes every decision.
- Season 2 built from scratch:Unlike Season 1's cabin renovations, Season 2 teams started with bare shells and built the properties from the ground up.
- The show has 13.3 million viewers: It is one of HGTV's most-watched summer series across linear and streaming.
- The show airs under two names:Renovation Resort in Canada on Home Network and StackTV, and Renovation Resort Showdown on HGTV in the United States.
Conclusion
I hope this guide answered your questions about where is renovation resort showdown filmed and helped you learn more about the beautiful location behind the series.
I always find it interesting how a place can influence the way a renovation project feels, and this show is a great example of how nature and design can work together.
The fact that you can actually book a stay at the finished cabins makes it especially worth visiting.
If you ever visit Campbellford or the Kawartha Lakes, visiting the lakeside scenery can give you a closer look at the setting that inspired the show.
Have a favorite renovation from the series? Leave a comment below, share this guide with other fans, or try our other filming location articles.
Frequently Asked Questions
What resort is used in Renovation Resort Showdown?
The properties are lakeside resort cabins owned by host and executive producer Scott McGillivray. The renovated cabins are listed as real vacation rentals on staywithstay.com after filming.
Can you book a stay at the Renovation Resort Showdown cabins?
Yes. The renovated properties are real vacation rentals. You can book them through Scott McGillivray's profile on staywithstay.com. Prices typically start at around $500 CAD per night.
Who has won the Renovation Resort Showdown?
Season 1 was won by Rotem and Troy Lamsee with a Mediterranean-themed cabin. Season 2 was won by Graham and Hollie Laird with a homestead heritage design. Season 3 premieres July 1, 2026.
