LARRY LAW, CEO & Founder Living Water Resorts, Collingwood, Ontario
- CARMEN MORGAN
- Jun 10
- 4 min read
LARRY LAW
“We touch hundreds of thousands guests lives every year,
and extend goodwill to our local community. This isn’t a job, it’s a way of life,
and it’s important to us that guests come here and feel inspired.”
In an industry notorious for high turnover and transactional relationships, Larry Law has built something extraordinary in Collingwood, Ontario—a resort that operates more like a loving family than a corporate enterprise. Living Water Resort and Spa and Living Stone Golf Resort are a vision come to life; what was once a 70-room motel was transformed into a two-hotel resort with 442 rooms, an 18-hole championship golf course, onsite restaurants, swimming pools, spa and marina.
Larry's philosophy is simple, and yet revolutionary in practice: treat staff like family, and that energy naturally extends to guests. “We can’t change the world, but we change company culture,” says Larry. “It starts with feeling seen. When people feel taken care of, that trickles down into both personal- and work-life, and by-default, the guest experience.” And this isn't just feel-good rhetoric—it delivers measurable results. Larry’s resort staff turnover rates are 25% below industry standards, translating to significant cost savings when considering that each new hire costs approximately $25K. Larry's culture-first approach becomes a competitive advantage that directly affects the bottom line. More importantly, it creates an environment where employees don't just perform their duties—they genuinely want to stay. “A model leader is a serving leader with humility, building a compelling team who commits the same company mission,” says Larry.
Living Water Resort and Spa serves as more than accommodation—it's a cultural bridge. Larry has incorporated Indigenous history throughout the hotel's corridors, displaying Collingwood's historical narrative from pre-settlement through modern times. Local artists showcase their work throughout the property, with a commission from sales going to Collingwood Art Foundation, and African stone sculptures in the lobby represent global community support. "Knowing history keeps us humble," Larry reflects. "We're here as a result of the hard-working people before us, and we respect that." This historical awareness creates educational opportunities for visiting families while honouring the community that supports the business.
Living Water Resort and Spa and Living Stone Golf Resort
Commitment to strong company culture is also realized through cultural dinners and access to an onsite chaplain. The team’s ethnic diversity is celebrated through cultural dinners where staff share their authentic cuisine and heritage stories. These events include slideshows about employees' home countries, history, culture, economy and personal journeys. "We learn to live together harmoniously by building compassion and connecting with others,” says Larry. By fostering deep understanding among team members, Larry cultivates an environment where authentic care becomes natural rather than performed. The company chaplain provides workshops and supports staff to navigate professional and personal challenges, addressing mental health and spirituality needs. “We’re not solving everyone’s problems,” says Larry, “but there’s a sense of family support here in a real-life way.” This investment in employee wellbeing creates a ripple effect throughout the organization.
At Christmas, Larry partners with 12 different churches to provide free dinners to the underprivileged. “We are not just writing a cheque to charity,” he says. “Myself and my staff show up in person to volunteer and get to know people. We serve them and dine with them.” These personal touches scale in many ways. Biblical verses beneath artwork in every guest room is another detail that might seem insignificant, but creates profound moments for guests. He recalls a recently divorced mother traveling with her sons who found comfort in a verse about courage during a dark time. “The guest asked to talk to a manager or owner of the hotel, and when we chatted, she expressed such gratitude for the peace that this single moment brought her,” says Larry. These seemingly small gestures demonstrate how personal values can be authentically integrated into business operations at scale.
When the pandemic hit in 2020, Larry committed to paying 90% of staff wages despite closed operations. Before government subsidies became available, this decision required significant financial risk but demonstrated unwavering commitment to his team. When the mayor approached Larry about housing homeless individuals during the pandemic, he agreed despite concerns about potential impact on the resort's upscale reputation. "We still need to prioritize what's the right thing to do," he says.
Larry's next venture—a retirement home—represents a natural business evolution rooted in service philosophy, and only grows the legacy building culture already in practice in his business. Recognizing that retirees deserve to be well taken care of after their contribution to society. “It’s about embracing a community so that seniors are not at risk of feeling isolated,” says Larry. “The facility will also feature a chapel for spiritual support and programming that connects seniors with local high school students for intergenerational talent shows and wisdom-sharing.”
Over the course of his career, Larry has proven that values-based decision-making can coexist with business success. Whatever the adversity, it always presents an opportunity to face a better future in Larry’s view. “Sometimes I look back and see, ‘wow’ this is a wonderful adventure I’ve been on, and I want everyone who comes to stay living his own truth. I want to pass on positive energy to everyone I meet,” he says. “There is lots of bad news in the world, lots of suffering, and that is my motivation, to create a place where people can connect to the goodness.” No matter what Larry gives, he does not expect anything in return. “I feel good when I’ve done something good and brought value to someone’s life. Guests ask me, 'Why do I feel different here?'" Larry says. "I believe it's because this isn't just a job. This work is my calling. It’s business as a mission, and a mission to serve with our loving hearts.”
Carmen Morgan is a skilled business writer and storyteller, collaborating with business owners and executives to tell their stories and share perspectives on growth and success, as well as perseverance and adversity. Over two decades she has refined her interview, writing and editing skills to capture the nuggets and captivating details that engage readers and make a story memorable.
Living Water Resorts, Collingwood, Ontario
9 Harbour St E, Collingwood, ON L9Y 5B5
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