Secluded Cottage on the Lake

• Luxury in a fantastic natural setting

  Luxury in a fantastic natural setting

  • Guest Joe and Lena
  • Date of stay 08/13/12
  • Review Submitted 08/19/12
  We were looking for a place that combines seclusion and natural beauty with the creature comforts of deluxe accommodation. The Cottage in the Woods fit the bill and exceeded expectations in every respect. The setting: Secluded, quiet, beautiful, many acres of pristine woods to explore, tons of wildlife, phenomenal fishing. The accommodations: Everything's been accurately described in earlier reviews. I would add only that this place is Deluxe with a capital D - it has the very best of everything. We're not nearly so pampered at home. We're talking expensive towels and linens, heated floors (oh, the heated floors!!), nice kitchen equipment, designer plumbing fixtures, awesome antiques, one of the best saunas I've been in - the whole kit and caboodle. Really cool and interesting open floor-plan Scandinavian design with very homey, fun, and tasteful interiors. Plenty of places to sit and relax outside: porch, back patio, lakefront patio w/ fireplace, gorgeous screened-porch dining room. Everything is well-built, thoughtfully designed, immaculate and very well maintained. The owners: Very nice people, very easy to do business with, very sensitive to their guests' wishes, very responsive. They immediately sensed that we were really after seclusion and couldn't have been more respectful of our privacy, but they were also super-friendly and accessible, and they seem like really cool and interesting people. A planning tip: No need to hassle with coolers and such. There's a giant and perfectly serviceable grocery store in Rice Lake (comparable to a Milwaukee Pick N Save on the selection/quality scale) where you can stock up right before checking in. There's a little gas station/post office/general store about 1.5 miles N. of 24th on HW 48 that sells beer, bait, and other essentials. And a few miles further north on 48, in Birchwood, there's a grocery store, a breakfast spot, and a couple bars.

  Recommended for: Romantic getaway, age 55+.

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• Quiet Get-a-way

  Quiet Get-a-way

  • Guest Kathy
  • Date of stay 07/14/12
  • Review Submitted 07/20/12
  We were looking for a few days to be alone, together and no stress of the day to day routine, and did we ever find what we needed. LuAnn has left nothing out of the "luxury" of the cottage, every detail has been thought of and attended to. The early morning near the lake and the peacefull collection of the wildlife, soaring eagles, fishing blue heron, and the lonesome sound of the call of the loon reminded us of a much simpler time. If you are looking for a space to relax, refresh and renew, this will meet all of your expectations.

  Recommended for: Romantic getaway, age 55+.

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• Relaxing cabin get-away

  Relaxing cabin get-away

  • Guest Newly weds
  • Date of stay 06/24/12
  • Review Submitted 06/29/12
  We loved every second of our mini-moon at this lovely cottage. We felt welcomed from the moment we arrived, and really enjoyed all of the personal touches that the owners put into the place. The cabin is totally secluded, and we loved that we could wander the property, sit by the lake or on the screened in porch, and have complete privacy. We had such a relaxing stay!!!

  Recommended for: Romantic getaway, age 55+, girls getaway.

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• D and A

  D and A

  • Guest dion666
  • Date of stay 05/26/12
  • Review Submitted 05/29/12
  Simply put ..... Amazing place!!! Plan to return soon. Far more than we expected and it was a most welcome surprise. Thanks for the great hospitaility.

  Recommended for: Romantic getaway, adventure seekers.

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• Superb Lake Retreat for Outdoor Couple

  Superb Lake Retreat for Outdoor Couple

  • Guest Outdoor Couple
  • Date of stay 08/15/11
  • Review Submitted 08/26/11
  We recently stayed at Cottage in the Woods and had a wonderful time. Located on a private peninsula, the cottage is secluded, just steps away from the lake, but hidden by the trees. The lake was quiet and scenic - perfect for paddling – we brought our kayaks, but a canoe and rowboat are available. We also enjoyed the swimming, hiking through the woods, relaxing in the sauna and fires at the lakeside patio. The cottage itself is a joy with its post and beam construction and Nordic influences. LuAnn has provided a warm and welcoming environment with many surprising touches. The kitchen is thoughtfully supplied and we loved dining on the porch with its views to the lake. The master bedroom is a delight with French doors opening to lake views and an amazingly comfortable bed. The upstairs bathroom has both a modern shower and old-fashioned galvanized soaking tub. Overall, a superb place for a couple to get away from it all.

  Recommended for: Romantic getaway, age 55+.

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• We're coming back!

  We're coming back!

  • Guest ycona
  • Date of stay 05/21/11
  • Review Submitted 07/14/11
  My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed a wonderful weekend here. We are photographers and had also invited one of our wedding couples up for the evening to do their engagement photos. We couldn't have chosen a better place! The cottage is thoughtfully designed and the property is pure whimsy with all the little gnomes, frogs and figures hiding on the trails. Our visit was short, but we were able to do so much. I spent an afternoon on a scavenger hunt to photograph the figures. After a peaceful early morning of canoeing on the lake, I also spent a morning soaking in the awesome aluminum tub. The night before, after grilling and dining on the patio fit for two, we also spent some time on the rowboat in the private lake (my favorite!). Breakfast and reading in the screened porch was a blissfully rejuvenating. Oh, did I also mention that we hiked through the trails and had a photo shoot there? All in a day's time! Yes, I also love the "Princess and Pea" bed. It was very comfy and I had to force myself out of bed. I can't speak enough of this place. Luann and Duncan were perfect hosts. We enjoyed the oatmeal raisin cookies that Luann baked for us (so much that we gobbled it all up!), and I appreciated Duncan shipping me the lens cap that I left behind. My husband and I left the cottage telling each other that this will be our little get away year after year. Thank you so much for providing such a serene place for us. We'll see you again soon! :)

  Recommended for: Romantic getaway, girls getaway.

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• Most Romantic Getaway in the Area!

  Most Romantic Getaway in the Area!

  • Guest Mike
  • Date of stay 12/31/10
  • Review Submitted 01/02/11
  First of all, Duncan and LuAnn are way under-charging for this precious gem. We stayed there over New Year's weekend and were quite impressed. For the couple looking to go away for a quite weekend of romance this has to be the best place near the Twin Cities, hands down! Duncan and LuAnn are gracious hosts willing to share their knowledge of the area, or simply to recognize your need for privacy and let you be. You can immediately tell their love and care for The Cottage and it shows. What could be more romantic than a wood-burning fireplace, a sauna, the quite intimacy of the master bedroom, and the large second level bath with unique tub? The fuly-stocked kitchen was ample, and being the foodies we are, we had no trouble cooking our own gourmet meals. The location on the peninsula was quiet and very intimate. We felt as though we were the only ones around for miles. It is the place to go for a peaceful, stressless, quiet, and romantic filled mini winter vaction. My wife and I pride ourselves in finding out of the way places that are off the beaten path, and are torn as to whom we will tell about this place, and whom we will not. My fear is that we will not be able to book it in the future if too many people find out about The Cottage. If you like to be near the action, and want to party, this is not the place. Oh, and to top it all off, Buddy the deer is continually roaming about the place, stopping in to say hi, just to give your stay that little extra special feeling that you are at a destination like no other :) We are happy to give The Cottage our five star recommendation, something that we do not do often. Michael & Margaret

  Recommended for: Romantic getaway.

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• Even Better than Expected!

  Even Better than Expected!

  • Guest ARickhoff
  • Date of stay 10/12/10
  • Review Submitted 10/17/10
  We spent our honeymoon at the cottage and were so happy with our stay. Believe every word you read on this page, it is amazing. The photos do not do the space justice, it is so adorable and there are so many great spaces to relax on the property. The owners are there when you need them, but don't bother you unnecessary. Grab groceries before you get to the cottage, as you won't want to/need to leave. Being city folk, the secluded cottage spooked us a little at night, but even that was fun. You will not be disappointed if you choose to stay in this cottage. We will be back for sure!

  Recommended for: Families with teenagers, sightseeing, romantic getaway, age 55+, families with young children, girls getaway, adventure seekers.

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• C'est Magnifique!!!!!!!!

  C'est Magnifique!!!!!!!!

  • Guest Grandma Penny
  • Date of stay 08/21/10
  • Review Submitted 08/23/10
  Two nights were not enough! The cottage and surrounding property were wonderful. The cottage is cozy and lovely. We enjoyed looking for all the hidden treasures, sitiing by the lake, meals on the screen porch and lots of space to walk and or bike. Many opportunities for photography. The McCannels were wonderful hosts. We hope to return to sample every season.

  Recommended for: Romantic getaway, age 55+, families with young children, girls getaway.

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• A perfect place to rest and relax

  A perfect place to rest and relax

  • Guest R & Y, L & L
  • Date of stay 08/06/10
  • Review Submitted 08/18/10
  On short notice, our family (with two children, ages 8 and 11) decided to take a long weekend to rest and relax – and we found the perfect place at this cottage in the woods -- just 2-1/2 hours from our home in Minneapolis. We were greeted warmly by the hosts, Duncan and LuAnn. Within a half hour of our arrival, we saw a family of 4 deer, a young eagle learning to fly and the call of a loon. The cottage itself is very secluded. It is spotlessly clean, beautifully furnished and equipped with all the modern conveniences, including sauna. A great deal of careful and loving attention has obviously gone into decorating the house, both inside and out. For us, it was great to be there and literally take only a few steps to swim in the lake and canoe. Even though we were there on a summer weekend, there were never more than a few boats on the lake -- someone fishing, another just cruising. A short walk of a few minutes takes you to a small private lake on the property (where we caught a nice-sized walleye). For our kids, the real treat was to meet and feed "Buddy." This is a young deer that Duncan and LuAnn have befriended. They also saved Buddy’s life when a back leg was severely injured. Now he is a three-legged deer who is well cared for. Buddy is gentle a little shy, but with coaxing he allowed the kids to pet and feed him. One thing we learned was there was no reason to go into town (Rice Lake). Bring everything you need when you arrive, so you won't have to leave until your time is up – because you won’t want to leave. We did go into town -- just once and briefly -- and that was to eat at the Norske Nook restaurant and have some of their legendary pie. Try their smelt fries, too!) We were not "needy" guests, but it was clear that LuAnn and Duncan were available and happy to assist in making the stay successful. In fact, they gave us assistance even after we left. It turns out our kids had left behind a cherished Pokemon book and a two other small items. Duncan called us the next day to check if they were ours, and a box with the lost items was delivered to our home 2 days later – helping to resolve a family crisis over the Pokemon book. We just can’t say enough good things about the cottage in the woods. This is a great place for either a small family like ours, but it would be an especially nice romantic hideaway for a couple. Although it was just a 4-day weekend for us, it was probably the most relaxing vacation we have had.

  Recommended for: Romantic getaway, families with young children.

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Additional information about rental rates

Weekly Rate is $1170.00 = tax = $1234.35 (seventh night is free)

Cash or check at check-in. No credit cards

Additional Fees and Taxes:

5.5% State sales tax added to rates