One of the perks of working with CLRM is getting to experience our cottages the same way our guests do — as a true weekend getaway. These “We’ve Stayed Here” visits help us better support our owners and make sure we’re marketing each property to its fullest potential. In late January 2026, I had the pleasure of spending a three-night winter stay at Bells’ Dream Lakehouse on Bark Lake with family and friends — and it absolutely lived up to its name.
I’m based in the Eastern Kawarthas, so the drive was a bit of a trek for me, but very manageable — and especially convenient for guests traveling from the Ottawa area. After a relaxed lunch stop along the way, we continued on under bright blue winter skies. The roads were well maintained (not always a guarantee with winter cottage travel), which made the final stretch easy and stress-free.
When we arrived, the cottage was beautifully cleaned, staged, and ready for the weekend. The large driveway and parking area made unloading simple, with only a few steps to the front door. Inside, the layout immediately impressed me. Just off the main entrance is a convenient powder room and a mudroom — ideal for managing boots, snow gear, and all the extras that come with a winter cottage stay. Around the corner, the space opens into a thoughtfully designed kitchen and living area, with the main floor primary suite tucked privately to the side.
The kitchen at Bells’ Dream Lakehouse was exceptionally well equipped — one of the best-stocked I’ve seen — with plenty of cookware, serving dishes, mixing bowls, knives, and small appliances. Whether you’re cooking a quick breakfast or a full family dinner, everything you need is there. We gave the primary suite to the friends joining us so they could enjoy the five-piece ensuite and main floor privacy. My brother claimed the lower level king bedroom near the sauna, while upstairs the sleeping loft worked perfectly for the rest of us — a twin room for the kids, a queen for my husband and me, and a cozy nook bed for my mom. I can confidently say these were some of the most comfortable beds I’ve experienced across many cottage stays.
The bathroom layout also worked extremely well for a group. With the primary ensuite, a lower level bathroom, a shared upper bath, and the main floor powder room, everyone had space and convenience without feeling crowded.
Shortly after arrival at Bells’ Dream Lakehouse, I hosted a Facebook Live walkthrough — something I love doing during these stays. Live tours give future guests a much better sense of how a property flows and functions than photos alone ever can. Afterward, I completed an interior photo shoot and saved the exterior shots for the next day’s sunshine. Then it was time to truly settle in: wine poured, bags unpacked, and a homemade lasagna dinner followed by a lively (and slightly too late) card game night.
Saturday morning started with cartoons for the kids and a big breakfast of French toast and bacon. While the cottage doesn’t offer unlimited Wi-Fi, the generous data allowance easily supported streaming movies and shows throughout our winter stay — more than enough for typical guest use. After breakfast, we bundled up and headed outdoors. The guys went ice fishing while I captured exterior photos, and the kids enjoyed toboggan runs right on the property with Grandma. While the hill isn’t huge, it was perfect for younger children and got plenty of repeat runs.
Later, we joined the fishing crew on the lake, where the kids tried ice fishing for the first time. The ice measured roughly 22–24 inches thick — very solid — with snowmobiles traveling across throughout the day. We even had a friendly visit from the local conservation officer checking licenses, which the kids found very exciting. One fascinating feature this winter was the lowered water level managed by OPG, which created dramatic ice formations and natural slopes out on the lake — something I hadn’t seen before in all my years visiting cottages.
We attempted a lakeside campfire that afternoon, but with a windchill near –28°C, our charcuterie board and drinks froze faster than we could enjoy them. It quickly turned into a “warm up and head inside” situation — still memorable and full of laughs. That evening we shared a full roast beef dinner and called it an early night after a full day outdoors.
Sunday brought a slower pace: cartoons, a warm breakfast, and gradual departures for part of our group. My mom, the kids, and I stayed an extra night and made the most of it with a winter walk and more tobogganing at the nearby boat launch just a few driveways away. The afternoon was spent curled up on the large sectional watching movies by the gas fireplace — which did an excellent job warming and drying all our winter gear. A simple pasta dinner and a quiet evening capped off the day at Bells’ Dream Lakehouse.
Before heading home, I completed a quick and easy dump run just minutes away — straightforward and well organized, with helpful staff on site. Always a plus when those practical details are simple.
Bells’ Dream Lakehouse truly delivered as a winter getaway: comfortable, functional, beautifully maintained, and thoughtfully equipped. It works exceptionally well for multi-family groups, offers great winter activity options, and provides the kind of cozy indoor space that makes cold-weather cottage trips special. I would gladly return — and I’d especially love to experience it again in the summer to enjoy everything Bark Lake has to offer in warmer weather.
