Try this Port Stanley getaway for a great family vacation

March 24, 2012 By Leave a Comment

 

port-stanley While ‘Cottage Country’ gets all the hype with its Canadian Shield-rimmed lakes and the isolated, rocky splendor of Georgian Bay, there’s a part of Ontario that offers a different style of summer vacation. For those who are seeking fabulous, sandy waterfront with the benefits of being in and around a vibrant village atmosphere, Port Stanley on sunny Lake Erie makes a great choice.

This beautiful harbor-side village offers shopping, sailing, swimming, golf and plenty of restaurants as well as the opportunity to enjoy live presentations at the Port Stanley Festival Theatre. Children will love the long stretch of sandy beach while golfers have the choice of several 9 and 18 hole courses within 30 minutes of Port Stanley.

At just over 2 hours from Toronto this is a great alternative to the cottage country areas where you might be up to an hour from the nearest supermarket or restaurant. So, for families wanting a great vacation destination with waterfront on the doorstep, yet still have enough to keep them occupied off the water, this secret of Southern Ontario may be just what you are looking for.

Port Stanley Retreat is a delightful cottage close enough to the village and beach to walk, but far enough away to enjoy countryside tranquility. Tucked away in a wooded hillside spot and sleeping up to 6 people, it’s a perfect spot for a small family. Book now and plan your Lake Erie getaway.

Filed Under: Featured Cottages, Sandy Beaches

Ontario Cottage Rentals with a Sandy Beach

May 20, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Ontario has over 250,000 lakes but finding a cottage to rent on one that has a sandy beach can be challenging.  Many are booked year after year by the same families, or get snapped up early by savvy families who know how difficult it can be to find just the right place if they leave it too late.

It is not too late to reserve a sandy waterfront if you know where to look.  We list new cottages all the time and want to share some that still have lots of availability for the summer.  There are wonderful sand beach cottages for rent in July and August and here are a few:

kennebecport_beach1 Kennecebport – on Kennebec Lake in Eastern Ontario – sleeps up to 6 people in a traditional cottage.  This is very private and has a fabulous private sandy beach a few minutes walk away.  It is on the cottage property – the cottage is half way down the driveway that continues on to the beach so you can even drive your car down there.  At $1225 per week, it is great value!

rainbowsend_beach1 Rainbow’s End – on Lake Manitouwabing near Parry Sound – is a new listing and will accommodate up to 12 people in its 4 bedrooms and 2-bedroom bunkie.  The big beach will be a hit with all the family as will the decking and extensive docks.  Renting at $3900 per week this is a good deal for two or three families to share.

natures_paradise_waterfront1 Nature’s Paradise is a good budget option.   A shared sandy beach is a 5 minute walk from the cottage which makes the rental rate of $795 per week a real bargain.  It’s a neat cottage sleeping up to 6 and includes a canoe and aluminium boat.

acorns_waterfront1 Acorns is a brand new listing at Lafontaine on Georgian Bay that sleeps up to 6 adults and 2 additional children. Get the benefits of Wasaga Beach style waterfront without the hordes of people.  This beach is shared by a handful of local cottage owners so you can enjoy the crystal clear waters of Georgian Bay at a great rate of $1475 per week.

sharicton_beachp The Sharicton – on Whitestone Lake near Parry Sound – has a new owner who was a previous rental guest who liked it so much she bought it!  There’s a good recommendation.  The beach and lawns make this really great for kids and adults alike – and the dog!  This cottage sleeps up to 8 people at $1850.

We list new properties all the time so keep in touch with us and we’ll let you know what’s coming up.

Filed Under: Sandy Beaches

Spotlight on: Bon Echo Provincial Park

April 24, 2011 By Leave a Comment

bonecho In the first of our series of spotlights on Ontario’s Provincial Parks, Bon Echo stands out as a historical and naturally beautiful opportunity to explore this eastern Ontario leisure location. Found off Highway 41 north of Napanee and Kaladar and 6km from Clyne, Bon Echo’s most well-known feature is the massive Mazinaw Rock rising 100 metres out of Mazinaw Lake and boasting over 260 native rock paintings known as pictographs.

For the active, there are a number of hikes varying in difficulty and length, with a pathway that leads to the top of the rock that offers fabulous views. Canoeists and kayakers can explore the quiet backwaters off the main lake or smaller lakes within the park, and watercraft can be rented from the Park offices. There’s sandy swimming beaches to keep the children happy too. The Mugwump Ferry operating daily in the summer takes visitors across Mazinaw Lake to the Mazinaw rock.

Nearby Smart’s Marina, on Hwy 41 offers boat rentals from a canoe at $25 per day to a pontoon boat at $275 per day. With fishing in plentiful supply on the lake, a full day out will keep the whole family occupied.

Our closest cottage to Bon Echo Provincial Park is Stonewood – a 10 minute drive. Stonewood , on Little Marble Lake, sleeps up to 10 in four bedrooms and is privately located with its own sand beach. A complimentary Park pass will give you access into Bon Echo as many times as you want during your stay. The park is within an hour from many of our other eastern Ontario cottages

Photo of Mazinaw Rock by Napanee Gal on Flickr

Filed Under: Sandy Beaches, Things to do in cottage country

Cottage Rental with a Sandy Beach

July 11, 2010 By Leave a Comment

wasaga_classic_beach2A sandy beach is one of the top criteria for guests wanting a cottage vacation rental and properties with them are in great demand.  If you are willing to scour the rental listing sites you may be in luck and find a week for this summer, or you can check these out.  All have summer availability.

Wasaga Beach

wasaga_classic_exterior7 Wasaga Classic is a new listing right on Wasaga Beach (East) that features 4 bedrooms, Cable TV, fabulous sunsets and a private pathway to the beach.  If you’ve always imagined spending days on the beach and just walking home for a barbecue, watching an amazing sunset and sitting around the campfire at the end of a busy day in the sun and sand, this is it.  Great value at $1375 per week.

twin_lakes_palette One of my all-time favourite spots is Twin Lakes (Muskoka).    The unique aspect of this cottage is that it has a beach on a lake at the front of the cottage and another lake at the back with deep water for diving and jumping.  Facing east and west, there’s a beach for morning coffee, and a dock for sunset watching.  And a perfect cottage….and a hot tub…..and dogs are welcomed….and satellite TV!!  Sleeps 9 at $2200 per week.

woodgreen_deck1 Woodland Beach is a delightful spot a few kilometres from Wasaga.  Woodgreen Lane is set in a leafy, shaded location just a 200 metre walk from the beach so makes the perfect place to spend a summer week.  Enjoy long days on the beach and evenings relaxing on the deck or around the firepit.  Sleeping 8 people in five bedrooms, two families can share the cost and make the $1275 per week rental rate a very economical choice.

The Sharicton on Whitestone Lake near Parry Sound has a beautiful sandy beach area, lots of lawn space for ball games, and is available for a couple of weeks in August.  Sleeps up to 8 at $1700

Oak Manor, near Pembroke would make a super choice for rental guests from Ottawa.  It’s still available for this week and two weeks at the end of August.  A newly built, custom cottage, this is highly recommended for those wanting great accommodation with beachfront, swimming and fishing.

Check our availability calendars for more options and give us a call on 866 323 6698 for more information.

Filed Under: Last Minute, Sandy Beaches