Almost Paradise
For almost 20 years, our family has been doing one-week cottage rentals (in this price range) across Ontario. Three Paddles is our consensus favourite so far. Reasons:
> although not large, the cottage is just the right size for a group of 4 or 6
> very clean and nicely decorated … that perfect “cottage feel”
> top-notch, large, well-equipped kitchen
super-comfortable beds
> two of the bedrooms have private outside seating areas
> large dining room table with comfortable chairs
> lots of quality bedding, pillows and towels
> awesome firepit, with plenty of firewood available
> solid, comfortable outdoor Adirondack chairs
> great lake views from house, lawn and firepit area
> quiet lake, with surprisingly little boat traffic or noise from nearby cottages
> lake has an abundance of bird life (herons, swans, geese, raptors, ducks)
> lots of quality water toys (canoe, kayas, paddle boards)
> great dock for sitting, suntanning and launching watercraft
> outdoor gazebo for games tournaments
> working TV with streaming services
> surrounding roads are traffic-light … nice for cycling
> our (late June) stay was largely bug- and mosquito-free
> clear, professional communication with rental agency
Some considerations:
> The lake is not ideal for swimming. It is quite shallow, and it has a lot of seaweed that rises almost to the water’s surface, even toward the middle of the lake. The lake does have a couple of (public) sandy areas, but you’ll have to search them out.
> There aren’t any interesting hiking trails nearby.
> The cottage could use some handyman help. Nothing serious, and we’ve shared our suggestions with the rental agency.
