10 tips to help you find the right cottage this summer

Are you thinking of renting a cottage for your vacation this summer? If so, you probably dream of fun and games on the water, lazing on the dock with that book you’ve been dying to read, balmy evenings spent barbecuing and watching a knockout sunset, and roasting marshmallows on the campfire. Then waking to the sound of loons calling before another day in paradise.  These practical tips will help to make sure your dream becomes a reality and not a potential nightmare, so do your homework and have a great time this summer We'll help you find the right cottage for your vacation!

Don’t leave it to the last minute

2008 was the year of the last minute booking, with a huge scramble for remaining cottages in July and August, however, the rental agencies are reporting a brisk business in enquiries and early bookings.  If you have specific needs, for example, a cottage that sleeps more than 8 people, a sandy beach, or have to have queen beds in more than one room, you should make your reservation now.

Decide what is important to you and what you could live without

Have a family conference, decide which area you want to visit, how far you are willing to travel, how much you want to pay, how remote you want to be, what facilities you must have, and which are not as important. Make a list of these in order of their importance to you – remember, you may have to sacrifice some of your wants, the later you leave your booking.  If you have small children, a sandy beach with shallow waterfront for wading may be number one on your list as could be a washer and dryer; if you really want to get back to nature, privacy and adequate distance from neighbors might be your priority. Get these wishes clear and the less likely you are to be disappointed.

Be selective about your waterfront A vacation can be spoilt if the children can’t swim because the volume of boat traffic and wake affects their safety. As lakes become busier, boats get bigger and schools of teens on seadoos are the norm, it can be very annoying if all you want to do is relax and enjoy some tranquility. And don’t make the mistake of thinking smaller lakes mean quieter lakes – they often have a higher concentration of watercraft vying for limited waterspace. If you dream of  peaceful canoe or kayak trips and gentle evening swims, it may be wiser to choose  no-motor lake or a river.

 Make a list of questions to ask

Don’t take it for granted that the facilities listed on a website are accurate, so if something is very important to you and your family, check it will be available to you. Cottage owners change things all the time, mostly for the better, but if something breaks or needs repair, they may not get around to it, and occasionally it just doesn’t get replaced. Most agencies will update their listings regularly but private advertisers who list on several websites might forget to update them all when there is a change at the cottage.  For example, check on sizes of beds in each room, what appliances are available, type of watercraft and life jackets provided, and whether the water is drinkable. Get clarification on the waterfront too. Is it rocky, sandy, shallow, deep etc? With water levels dropping in many places a common complaint from cottage renters is about weedy waterfronts they were not warned about.

Keep a record of your cottage search

There are so many websites and so many cottages for rent that it is easy to forget where you saw that lovely one with the great sandy beach, and hot tub! Create a new folder in your browser’s bookmark section and label it clearly; then simply save the cottages you like  in the folder. You can even break that down further into different areas or price range. Alternatively, create a chart in Excel listing all your criteria along the top, with the web addresses of the cottages you find, down the side. This is easily done by right clicking your mouse on the address in the blue bar at the top of the listing. Then copy and paste the address into your chart.  This hyperlinking will make your favourites much easier to find. My favourite is to use Google Notebook because you can share this with friends and family. Great if you are vacationing with other people.

Be honest about your intentions

Just as you expect to get accurate information from the cottage owner or rental agency about the facilities and amenities of the cottage, you should be open about your intentions for your time there. Most cottage listings show a maximum permitted occupancy and in general this includes children. If you are intending having day or overnight guests, make sure you check this is OK. The rule of thumb is, only those people listed on your application can occupy the property during the period of the rental. Keep in mind that cottage communities are very close and most owners have neighbours who keep an eye on the property for them. If there is any perceived overcrowding, you can bet your bottom dollar someone will let the owner know, and if this is in breach of your rental agreement, the cost may be a deduction from your damage deposit or at worst, you will be asked to leave the cottage.

Payment protection

If you use an agency ask if it is registered with TICO (Travel Industry Council of Ontario). Not only does this give protection for your money if the agency goes out of business, but it demonstrates that the company you are using is a member of a professional register and conducts its operations in accordance with provincial regulations. If you rent your cottage from a private individual, the transaction is based on trust so make sure they have a good rental agreement that lays out the obligations of both parties. Expect to pay a deposit of up to 50% of the total cost with the balance paid anywhere from 45 days before the vacation takes place onwards.

Cancellation policy

An agency will have its policy on cancellation clearly available on its website or in the documentation you receive on booking. For private bookings, make sure you know what the owners’ policy is. Taking out a simple travel insurance policy will cover cancellation on medical and emergency grounds;  some of these even offer a ‘change of mind’ clause that will cover your deposit if you decide not to complete the reservation.

Make your payments on time

The high season weeks of July and August book up quickly and both owners and agencies are inundated with enquiries from January onwards. So, don’t expect either to honour a telephone or email booking if you haven’t sent your deposit. If you can’t use a credit card, then send a cheque by Express Post. Read your booking agreement carefully as you may not be sent a reminder when the final payment is due. Mark the due date on your calendar and mail the payment to ensure it arrives in time.

Have fun while you wait

Don’t wait until you start your vacation to find out what’s on in the area and what the local attractions are. Look at the Chamber of Commerce website for the region and call or email them for tourist information, maps and guides. Remember that some trips need to be booked well in advance. For example, the world renowned ‘Walk in the Clouds’ in the Haliburton Forest gets booked up very quickly so you would need to make advance reservations. Ask the cottage owner or agency representative for suggestions on activities – after all they are the experts.