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What’s in a View when renting a cottage or vacation home?

By Andrew John Cocks | Cottages Ontario

by boozysmurf

What’s in a View when renting a cottage or vacation home?

Article by Alexis Gibson

We are often asked which way our cottage or vacation home faces the sun and the water. For a long time it never occurred to me that this was something religious or cultural, but more of a personal preference. Who wouldn’t want to wake up in the morning and step out onto the deck, or beach to watch the sun rise? Or conversely, enjoy a nice cold beer or glass of Pino Grigio while watching the sun set? Cottage and Chalet rentals that have a breathtaking view of the sun and the water are bound to be a rewarding vacation and getaway experience.

First, there is one thing that everyone who looks for the perfect cottage rental MUST understand and wrap their heads around: the front of the cottage or chalet is the side that FACES the lake, hence the term “lakefront”. This still makes me laugh every time I provide a tour to my guests from the driveway, and they say, “oh yes, let’s go look at the back before we go inside….” referencing the lakefront. LOL.Second, the sun ALWAYS rising in the EAST, and ALWAYS sets in the WEST. This is a fact of nature. So keeping these two important facts in mind will help families understand what their preferences are going to be. If they have kids who rise with roosters at 5 am, MAYBE getting a cottage rental that has a very large easterly view might not be a good idea if mom and dad want to catch a few extra winks before 6 or 7 am.South Westerly ExposureThese are the most popular view points, for a lot of obvious reasons. Sunsets are romantic and in Northern Ontario, they are absolutely breathtaking. “The sun has a sweater mommy!” This is what my daughter would yell at me when we would watch the sunset by my campfire. The sun will set in the west and our southerly positioning of the campfire, lakefront and cottage provides a clear view for all of it. When you couple it with 100 feet of shoreline, you have a nice piece of land to enjoy nature’s TV.Easterly ExposureThere are a few cultures and religions that prefer to have all sleeping beds positioned to the east with all heads facing east. I had no idea how important this was until one of my rental guests rearranged the entire furnishings in my cottage to accommodate this. It took us 2 hours to put everything back before their departure. I was slightly more than annoyed. Folks if you need this for religious purposes, it might not be a bad idea to let your proprietor in on it in advance, and give yourselves a bit more time for departure inspections. If you are an early riser and prefer to see a sun rise by your water’s edge, opt for the north-easterly view point. Sipping on your hot cup of java with your favorite book and slippers by your side, there is nothing like the relaxing sound of a loon in the background as you watch the sun make its climb above the beach. For a moment you think you are in the Caribbean…nope, you are in Sable Beach, Ontario!Northern ExposureHave you ever rented a chalet in St. Sauveur? Blue Mountain or Collingwood? Imagine the experience of opening your sliding doors to an awesome view of the snow covered mountains. There really is nothing like it. I am not a skier but I have rented them and I can honestly say, you feel the wonder of the Canadian Shield when you witness it from your cottage front.My personal preference is south westerly view points with a large enough piece of property to allow for a bistro set in a quiet little nook off to the north east end for my spouse and I to enjoy a quiet cup of java first thing in the morning. We are early risers ourselves, where our kids are NOT, thank Goodness! It gives us an hour to enjoy the quiet calm of nature all around us, while we sip our coffee, read our newspapers and mentally prepare ourselves for glorious vacation day with 5 kids and one very large dog. Whatever your preferences are for your perfect getaway cottage rental, remember to ask about the view. Chances are, if it is as amazing as it is described the owners will have a photograph of it to share with you!

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Ontario Regional Cottage Country Collingwood

By Andrew John Cocks | Cottages Ontario

by djfiander

Ontario Regional Cottage Country Collingwood

Article by Alexis Gibson

Legendary for its Blue Mountain and the winter wonderland epicentre of Ontario, Collingwood has some lovely chalets that attract all walks of life into its northern channels. Located about two hours north of the General Toronto Area, Collingwood rests its shores on the horseshoe of Georgian Bay. It is nestled in one of Ontario’s most mountainous regions and famous for its natural spring water. It has created a small village within the town’s borders that offer every kind of cuisine and cultural past time you will need. And for families travelling through the mountainous regions, you have your absolute pick from a resort type of condo rental for both summer and winter getaways, to the privately owned luxury model chalet, complete with saunas, hot tubs, gaming rooms and the price tags to match. I visited a chalet rental in the area to get an idea of what luxury is for my own knowledge. Wow, I was blown over. The view of the Georgian Bay was spectacular in some of these places. The kitchen was right out of a magazine. And magazines??? Galore, complete with a bathroom for every bedroom and the list goes on and on. These are no 40 year old Viceroy structures. These are custom built luxury models, constructed to attract the well-to-do traveller and family.

I had the opportunity to visit Collingwood recently on business. I was attending a trade show in the area. Everything was booked solid, so I ended up staying in Village 1 in a deluxe suite, complete with a kitchen. The room was very clean, and had an okay view of the parking lot. It did have a “kitchenette”, with a microwave, small little college fridge, sink, and coffee maker. But there is no way a family of 3 or 4 people could survive on this style of rental for a week’s vacation. The kitchenette was designed to reheat leftovers shopped at the local pubs and restaurants. Now if you shopped for home meal replacements at the local market, you could reheat them in the condo. It certainly does make it easier. And it’s really nice to have access to a swimming pool, hot tub, sauna and gym, without having to pay the luxury price tag. I just couldn’t shake the feeling I was in a hotel room. It was small with one bed and a pull out sofa bed; everything was in one room, with one window. It is an option if you are on a budget and only have a few days.Collingwood is the perfect escape for those in search of grand surroundings. It certainly appeals to the luxury seeker. Both a winter paradise and summer beach community, Collingwood can definitely keep your family happy and entertained. Always book cottage for rent ahead to avoid disappointment, as this winter paradise and summer retreat is a very popular tourist spot for travellers coming from all over.

playlongpoint.com Play Long Point was founded to introduce individuals to the natural beauty and diverse activities on Ontario’s South Coast. As long time cottagers at Long Point we have grown to love this community for all it has to offer, and along with enjoying our experiences we’ve acquired prime cottages for rent throughout Long Point which offer clean and comfortable accomodations. These Long Point Cottage Rentals are a haven from which to venture out and enjoy all that the area has to offer.
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