EXCITING NEWS! Our award-winning property has been featured in the beautiful coffee table book 'Homes For Our Time: Contemporary Houses around the World' by Philip Jodidio, published by Taschen
AN ARCHITECTURAL GEM SET IN YOUR OWN PRIVATE WILDERNESS. Luxurious Canadian outback living comes to the the Haliburton Highlands with this international architect-designed property, beautifully situated in the heart of the Canadian wilderness. Featured in Architectural Digest magazine, and winner of the American Institute of Architecture (AIA) National Housing Award 2018 and the AIA Merit Award 2017 (amongst others), our beautiful four-season property thoughtfully fuses modern master craftsmanship with indoor-outdoor connectivity.
Completed in 2015, the unique hand-crafted wood structure offers floor-to-ceiling windows, wood-burning granite fireplaces (inside and out), a soaring two-storey ceiling, fir beams and heated hardwood floors throughout. The Bear Stand (named after an old hunting stand found on the property) fuses the traditional cabin experience with the best in contemporary design.
AT HOME IN THE HEART OF NATURE. Set on a secluded - and very private - 99-acre waterfront property, guests can enjoy 1,300 feet of secluded shoreline and over 5 kms of private groomed hiking trails and boardwalks. Our 3,400 sq ft four-season, four-bedroom, three-bathroom cabin sleeps 12; for primary renters aged 35 yrs+.
The sunken two-storey Great Room has floor-to-ceiling windows, beautiful views, a wood burning fireplace, large granite chimney, skylight, minibar, high-end sound system and reading nook. Foodies will love the glass-enclosed cantilevered lakeview dining room (seats 8), open gourmet kitchen with professional appliances and reclaimed timber breakfast bar (seats 4). The outside living spaces have been carefully designed for maximum enjoyment, with a spacious outdoor terrace complete with teak dining table and lounge furniture, an inbuilt BBQ and warming drawer, plus an expansive furnished screened room with wood burning hearth and inbuilt radiant heaters.
WELCOME TO YOUR OWN PRIVATE WILDERNESS EXPERIENCE. There are two fire pits (forest- and lake-side), a lakeview hot tub, connecting stairs and footpaths, a canoe rack, two canoes, a tandem kayak, canoe dock and swim platform. The grounds are carefully landscaped to transition from garden environs to the surrounding forest setting and include a children’s jungle gym, shallow beach area, and lakeside walking path. For nature lovers, we offer an incredible network of private hiking trails, 2.5km of professionally groomed and sign-posted footpaths, marsh boardwalks, scenic overlooks and nature viewing platforms. Our Trails at Contau connect to two other lakes (one on our property) and link to a further 3.4 km of adjacent crown land trails. Perfect for hiking, wildlife spotting, dog-walking or snowshoeing.
Bedrooms and Bathrooms
4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms: 1 upper floor master bedroom suite with king bed, granite chimney, gas fireplace and skylight plus large ensuite bathroom with built-in wardrobes, twin vanities, freestanding lakeview tub, rainshower, screened outdoor soaking tub and adjacent sitting terrace; 1 large upper guest bedroom with king bed and inbuilt wardrobe, adjacent bathroom with twin vanities and combination tub/rainshower; 1 lower guest bedroom with king bed, inbuilt wardrobe and adjacent bathroom with rainshower; quad children’s upper bunkroom with inbuilt bunks, counter desk, shelving and storage. Upper den with large flatscreen TV, PS4 gaming console, minibar, leather queen pull-out sofa (sleeps 2) and outdoor lakeview terrace. All bedroom suites have been designed to offer complete privacy for guests, making The Bear Stand ideal for multiple couples with children.
Maximum occupancy: 12 persons (for family groups a maximum of 8 adults or 6 children at any one time. Infant/toddler cots (up to 2 years) and high chair available on request. For adult-only groups, 10 adults permitted at any one time, minimum age 30 years). Primary renter must be 35 years+.
Please note, following any online booking via Homeaway, the Primary Renter must complete The Bear Stand Booking Terms & Conditions Agreement (we will forward it to you via email) and return it to us together with a copy of Primary Renter government issued ID within 48 hours. Failure to do so will result in your booking cancellation. Thank you for your understanding.
Amenities:
Indoors: Kitchen features professional Monogram GE appliances – stainless steel double oven and gas stovetop, refrigerator with pull-out freezer drawer and inbuilt ice-maker, inbuilt bar fridge, professional espresso/cappuccino maker, filter coffee maker, Nespresso machine, French Press and various Cusininart/KitchenAid handheld appliances including food processor, waffle maker, blender, toaster and kettle. Custom fir cabinetries paired with Caesarstone countertops throughout, including built-in pantry, kitchen island with double stainless sink, reclaimed timber breakfast bar, built-in dishwasher and speedcook convection microwave. Cellular internet access, high-end wireless Sonos sound system, with iPhone/iPad/iPod docking and charging stations throughout.
Laundry: high-end, high capacity LG washer and dryer facilities with iron and ironing board, vacuum plus mudroom with boot bench, coat cubby and large stainless steel farmer sink with wand spray.
Mandatory cleaning charge (C$250) applies, Plus linen service – sheets, duvet covers, pillowcases and indoor towels (C$200). Pillows and duvets supplied. Beach towels not supplied.
Outdoors: Lakeview hot tub plus screened outdoor Japanese soaking tub, beautiful granite and cedar wet sauna, outdoor shower with foot rinse, lakeside hammock, a Wolf professional gas BBQ, teak patio furniture, Adirondack lounge chairs, canoe dock, two fire pits (lakeside and forestside), two canoes, tandem kayak with third seat, children's jungle gym and a private 2.5km professionally groomed and signposted trail network linking to a further 3.4km of adjacent crown land trails.
Location:
We are located in the beautiful Haliburton Highlands on wild and picturesque Contau Lake near the town of Gooderham, 2.5 hrs northeast of Toronto. Our 99-acre waterfront property is reached by private lane, has two secluded bays, is surrounded by crown land and accordingly enjoys high levels of privacy and a beautifully-natural environment. It is equidistant from Algonquin Park, the Queen Elizabeth Wildlands and Kawartha Highlands Provincial Park. Haliburton Forest and Wildlife Centre is a 40-minute drive away.
Year Round Enjoyment:
The Bear Stand is specifically designed for four-season enjoyment; the perfect place to witness the change of seasons for which Canada is so famous.
In Summer, the beautiful shoreline and secluded wetlands offer excellent canoeing and kayaking opportunities; take a dip in the lake (our shallow sandy beach is great for kids), go rock jumping opposite into deep clear water or simply sunbathe on our deck loungers. Explore our trails (it’s like having your own wilderness park), try your hand at cooking in our gourmet kitchen, relax in our hot tub, enjoy outdoor entertaining and share some s’mores and tales around our campfire. And don’t miss a movie night at the infamous Highlands Cinema, just down the road. When temperatures cool, take in the area’s famous Fall colours, embark on some local art tours, or stay in and stoke a roaring log fire. In Winter, try snowshoeing our beautiful trails, choose from our wooden Japanese tub or lakeside hot tub and watch the snow fall, enjoy a steam in our sauna, read a book by the fire or get out and try Nordic and alpine skiing, toboganning, dogsledding or snowmobiling at any number of venues across the Kawartha, Haliburton and Algonquin Highlands region. Whatever the season, we promise you will feel spoiled, relaxed and at home in the heart of nature at The Bear Stand.
Local attractions:
There are too many year-round attractions and activities in the area to list here - but to get you started here are some of our favourite ways to enjoy this beautiful, fun and adventure-filled part of Canada. All guests at The Bear Stand will receive the full listing prior to arrival. We hope you will enjoy the property and it surrounding area as much as we do.