Frequently Asked Questions

First, take a look through our website. We offer a full range of cottages to meet every need. We invite you to look through the photographs, read the descriptions, choose the cottage that suits you and your family best, and confirm its availability for the dates you want.

Next, complete the online cottage rental application form and submit it to our office. Our experienced staff will contact you by telephone to confirm details and to complete the booking process.

No booking is considered confirmed until your application has been approved and we have received your deposit.

Please note that Cottage Vacations approves all cottages on our platform, but does not visit each property prior to each individual stay.

You may submit a rental application at any time. We are adding new inventory frequently, and updating our owners’ calendars accordingly. If you have specific dates or seasons in mind, feel free to reach out to our guest experience team.

The calendar is updated constantly. Once a booking is confirmed, it will be immediately reflected on the calendar. Please be aware that availability changes quickly, so book your choice early to avoid disappointment.

In high season, the minimum booking period is typically one week. In Spring, Winter and Fall, the minimum stay is two nights. The minimum booking over long weekends is three nights.

Some cottages offer exceptions. Please contact us directly to discuss your needs.

If a cottage is identified as renting “weekly only” during a specified time period, it means it can only be rented for the full 7 days. You are welcome to book multiple weeks, or speak with our guest experience team to inquire if the cottage owner would provide an exception.

Long weekends in the Summer are typically the most requested and booked weeks of the year, so we recommend booking early. Most of our owners restrict bookings for these weekends to 7 day minimums.

Alternatively, May Long Weekend, Labour Day and Thanksgiving are often available for shorter stays.

Absolutely! We will work with our owners to make sure the property is ready for you as soon as you need it.

Cancellations must be in writing. If some or all dates are successfully rebooked to another group, you will receive a refund, pro-rated, less a cancellation fee of $199 plus HST per week. If the cottage cannot be rebooked, monies paid are forfeited.

You would receive refund.

We represent many high-end private properties and cherished family cottages. Cottage owners want to be sure they are renting to responsible people who will treat their property with respect. Think of what you would want if you were renting out your own home. Our aim is to give our cottage owners that same high level of comfort.

All personal information provided on the application is used for internal screening purposes only.

Once we receive your completed application and pre-authorized deposit hold, we will vet your application and make sure that the property and the property owner is the right fit for your group. Once we confirm with the owners, you will receive a confirmation email approving the reservation, followed by balance payment details.

Deposit: Most renters prefer to pay their 30% deposit online. This is easily done through most major Canadians banks. We accept VISA and Mastercard through our secure site. Cheques are accepted but we cannot guarantee that you will receive your first choice of cottage if your deposit is delayed in the mail.

Balance: Balance Payments are due 90 days prior to the start of your holiday. If your booking occurs in less than 90 days of arrival, the balance payment is due within 7 days of a confirmed booking. We accept online internet banking payments, cheques, or money orders.

International vacationers can wire funds directly. Contact us for details.

Yes. Upon receipt, your payment is deposited into a Travel Industry Council of Ontario Governed Trust Account. CottageVacations.com is licensed by The Travel Industry Council of Ontario (TICO), registration number 50011981. Your payment is further protected through TICO’s Compensation Fund and we are fully PCI compliant.

Upon receipt of your 30% deposit, we will send you written confirmation of your booking and an invoice.

Unless otherwise noted:

Weekly bookings:

·      Arrival at 4:00 p.m.

·      Departure at 11:00 a.m. 

Weekend or midweek bookings (less than one week):

Regular check in and check out will apply unless otherwise arranged.

All our renters will receive a Welcome to the Cottage Digital Guidebook that provides all the necessary information for a successful stay! The keys will either be located in a lock box beside the door of the cottage, or there will be a combination lock on the door. You will be advised of the combination at least 48 hours before your holiday.

Each cottage can accommodate a specific number of people. This number is either based on the capacity of the water system and the septic system or based on local by-laws and short-term rental licensing. For greater clarity, infants and children count as 1 person.

Cottages that accept pets are specifically identified in their profiles. We must request the cottage owner’s permission to bring a pet. Please provide the breed, age and size on your application. Renters or their guests who bring a pet to a non-pet cottage will be asked to leave with no compensation for lost vacation time and will be in breach of their Terms and Conditions.

Two weeks before checking in, you will receive a Welcome to the Cottage Digital Guidebook that will provide all the necessary information of what to bring and what the cottage provides. For greater detail please refer to the description category on the particular cottage listing to know whether the cottage provides, linens, towels, particular appliances etc. Alternatively, please contact our guest experience team, and we will be happy to help.

You are expected to leave the cottage as you found it. Dishes should be put away, garbage removed and the cottage should be left ready for a cleaning crew to come and do the linens and get it ready for the next group. Furniture should be in the same place as you found it and all interior and exterior areas should be as you found it.

Instructions for garbage disposal are provided at each cottage and will be in your Digital Guidebook, there will be a fee for any garbage left at the property at a price of $25.00 per bag.