Muskoka Retreat, Waterfront, 2 Decks + Dock, Master Loft, Swim/Boat/Fish, WIFI

Photo gallery for Muskoka Retreat, Waterfront, 2 Decks + Dock, Master Loft, Swim/Boat/Fish, WIFI

A wooden deck with a covered seating area overlooking a lake, surrounded by trees.
A kitchen with wooden cabinets, a stainless steel refrigerator, an oven, a microwave, and a dining table with chairs.
A spacious living room with a large sofa, a coffee table, and a patterned rug.
A wooden staircase leading to a building.
A spacious living room with a large sofa, a coffee table, and a TV on a wooden cabinet.

Reviews

9.2 out of 10
Wonderful

Highlights

  • Family fun awaits
    Top-rated for families.
  • Paddleboard available
    A rare find — hit the water on a paddleboard right here.
4 bedrooms2+ bathroomsSleeps 8

Popular amenities

  • Onsite parking available
  • Dog-friendly
  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Barbecue grill
  • Balcony

Explore the area

View in a map
Baysville, ON
  • Place, Ril Lake
    ‪1 min walk‬
  • Place, Lake of Bays
    ‪16 min drive‬
  • Place, Arrowhead Provincial Park
    ‪44 min drive‬
  • Airport, Muskoka, ON (YQA)
    ‪41 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

4 bedrooms (sleeps 8)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 3

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 4

1 Single Bunk Bed

2 bathrooms, 1 half bathroom

Bathroom 1

Toilet

Bathroom 2

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 3

Bathtub · Toilet · Shower only · Jetted bathtub

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Balcony
Separate dining area
Dining area

About this property

Muskoka Retreat, Waterfront, 2 Decks + Dock, Master Loft, Swim/Boat/Fish, WIFI

Welcome to the Billabong Inn!

Welcome to our family cottage on Ril Lake, where our family has enjoyed Muskoka cottage life for three generations. Between our own stays, we’re happy to share our cottage with guests looking to relax, spend time on the water, and enjoy everything the area has to offer.

Ril Lake is a scenic, spring-fed lake approximately three miles long, located just east of the village of Baysville in the popular Lake of Bays area. The cottage has a beautiful southwest-facing view and plenty of sunshine throughout the day.

The Cottage

Our bright, spacious cottage is spread over three levels and offers 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms, making it comfortable for families and groups.

The main level features an open-concept living and dining area with a wall of windows overlooking the lake, vaulted pine ceilings, skylights, hardwood floors, and a cozy airtight woodstove. There is a comfortable seating area with a Smart TV, with access to your favourite streaming services.

The large kitchen is open to the dining area and is equipped with modern appliances and plenty of extras, including an air fryer, toaster, coffee maker, kettle, slow cooker, blender, sandwich/grill cheese maker, coffee grinder, and electric frying pan.

There are two dining areas, including a lovely dining space beneath the vaulted, skylit ceiling. There is a stereo system and Bluetooth speaker.

The secluded primary bedroom is located above the garage, offering extra privacy from the rest of the cottage. It features a four-poster queen bed, ensuite bathroom with a shower and jacuzzi tub, TV, and access to the upper deck with a lake view.

The other three bedrooms include two queen bedrooms and a bedroom with single/double bunk beds. All equipped with fans.

The lower level offers a separate walkout games room with a pool table and Smart TV, making it a great entertaining space or a place for teens to escape, along with an additional bathroom.

We include baby gates, changing pad, and two strap to the seat high chairs (one with tray). As well as many board games and water toys to keep everyone entertained.

Outside & At the Lake

The cottage has several outdoor spaces to relax and take in the lake views, including a covered front porch, shaded lakeside deck, and large dock suitable for a boat or two.

The dock has plenty of room to sit back and enjoy the water, with a sun umbrella, Muskoka chairs, loungers, and water toys. The shoreline is rocky with a small shallow area where the bottom is sand and pebbles. The water becomes deep at the end of the dock, approximately 10 feet.

A fire pit provides a great spot to gather in the evening and enjoy a campfire by the lake.

Get Out on the Water

Enjoy the lake with the cottage's water equipment, including:

Canoe
2 paddle boards
Pedal boat
Kids' kayak
Variety of life jacket sizes including baby and toddler sizes

Whether you're heading out for a paddle, relaxing on the dock, or enjoying a swim, there are plenty of ways to make the most of your time on Ril Lake.

Explore Baysville & Muskoka

The cottage is just minutes from Baysville, a quaint village where you can browse local shops, enjoy the scenic park and trails, or grab something to eat.

For more shopping, restaurants, and amenities, Bracebridge is a short drive away.

You can drive right up to the cottage, making it easy to unload and settle in.

We hope you enjoy the cottage, the lake, and the space as much as our family has over the years. We look forward to welcoming you to Ril Lake!

Check out our Instagram📸

@billabong_inn_muskoka

For more photos, videos and details about the cottage, Ril Lake and the surrounding area! We also explain the name of our cottage 😀
Our prices include all fees. No hidden fees.

Add dates for prices

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House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 30
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

Pets allowed: dogs (limit 2 total)
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
- Rents Friday to Friday. - Max 8 people anytime. - Pets on approval. - No smoking.

Important information

You need to know

Property # 3794809
This property is managed by a private host (a party not acting within their trade, business or profession). EU consumer law, including the right of withdrawal, will not apply to your booking. The cancellation policy set by the private host will cover your booking.
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a deadlock
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room

About the area

Lake of Bays

Located in Lake of Bays, this cottage is on the waterfront. Baysville Marina and Lake of Bays Brewing Company are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Frost Centre and Ril Lake.
Map
Baysville, ON

What's nearby

  • Ril Lake - 1 min walk - 0.1 km
  • Lake of Bays - 16 min drive - 13.2 km
  • Arrowhead Provincial Park - 44 min drive - 52.3 km
  • Deerhurst Lakeside Golf Course - 45 min drive - 52.0 km
  • Hidden Valley Highlands Ski Area - 47 min drive - 54.5 km

Getting around

  • Muskoka, ON (YQA) - 49 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Lake of Bays Brewing Co - ‬16 min drive
  • ‪Humble Pie Butter Tart Factory - ‬16 min drive
  • ‪Cast Iron Restaurant - ‬17 min drive
  • ‪Miss Nelle's Antiques & Cafe - ‬18 min drive
  • ‪The Hound Lounge - ‬17 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Muskoka Retreat, Waterfront, 2 Decks + Dock, Master Loft, Swim/Boat/Fish, WIFI pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 2 total).

How much is parking at Muskoka Retreat, Waterfront, 2 Decks + Dock, Master Loft, Swim/Boat/Fish, WIFI?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Muskoka Retreat, Waterfront, 2 Decks + Dock, Master Loft, Swim/Boat/Fish, WIFI?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Muskoka Retreat, Waterfront, 2 Decks + Dock, Master Loft, Swim/Boat/Fish, WIFI?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Muskoka Retreat, Waterfront, 2 Decks + Dock, Master Loft, Swim/Boat/Fish, WIFI located?

This family-friendly Lake of Bays cottage is located on the waterfront, within a 10-minute walk of Ril Lake and Porcupine Lake. Ridout Lake is 1 mi (1.6 km) away.

Reviews

9.2

Wonderful

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 21 out of 33 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 10 out of 33 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 33 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 33 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 33 reviews

8.6/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

9.8/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

9.4/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Jill D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great cottage, spacious and comfortable. Lovely view of the lake from inside. Nice big dock, enough space for everyone. If you are boaters the lake is just the perfect size for wake/surfing/boarding, waterskiing & tubing. Launch is across the lake. Find out about the rocks, there are certain areas to avoid.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 31 Jul 2026
Thank you Jill for the wonderful review! We’re so glad you enjoyed the cottage, the space it offers, the views from our new windows, and the lake for all your boating activities. Next time, try bringing your fishing gear—Ril Lake is also known for its excellent bass fishing! Thanks again for staying with us, and we’d love to welcome you back. -The Preece & Stepanich families
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Rob S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This was a lovely spot for our end of Summer vacation & we were really pleased with the lodging & amenities.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 1 Sept 2025
We’re so glad you had a wonderful stay! Thank you for taking the time to share your experience—we’d love to host you again.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Shesh M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We stayed at this cottage for one week. It is as described. The place was clean and offered the amenities we needed during our week.It was spacious enough for our family of 5, with lots of opportunity for the kids to veg out in various parts of the house.Stairs to get to water are minimal which was great.Kids had fun swimming off the dock.I fished a lot in with a small boat equipped with a trolling motor. Great fishing can be found with minor effort on the lake.Would love to have stayed an extra week!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Martha M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great family spot!

We enjoyed our week on beautiful Ril lake. This is a great spot for a family. Swimming, paddleboarding, campfires at night. Thanks for the opportunity.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 6 Oct 2024
Thanks Martha for staying at our family cottage. We are glad you enjoyed your time.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

David B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great family friendly cottage

Great private cottage for family members of all ages, large cottage with plenty of bedrooms and bathrooms, great fishing, swimming off the huge dock, and access to canoe, paddle boat, paddle boards and kids kayak and all sizes of life jackets was an excellent bonus! Had a great time!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 6 Oct 2024
Hope you caught.some big fish! Thanks for the feedback and glad you enjoyed your time.
Verified review

8/10 Good

SUSAN S.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location
The cottage is in a great location and has charm. We loved sitting on the dock enjoying the view, the lake is beautiful and fairly quiet. I was happy we were allowed to bring our pets. If we book again, we will bring dish cloths and hand soap. Overall we had a great weekend!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 19 Sept 2025
Thanks Susan for staying at our family cottage. We are glad you had a great time and would love to have you back again. Thanks for the recommendation on some additional items to include for guests.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Cory S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

End of summer cottage stay

Cottage had all the amenities for the adults and teens! Definitely a vacation to remember for our family
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 6 Oct 2024
Glad you enjoyed with your family Corey!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Yuriy P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Spacious and Clean cottage right on the lake

The cottage was nice and clean, location is perfect right on the Lake. Darron was very responsive to any questions we had. The only downside is that there were no linens provided on any of the beds, so it's an inconvenience if you're visiting far from home. Other than that everything was great.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 7 Jul 2023
Thanks so much Yuri for the nice review and glad you enjoyed your stay. You guys were great guests. Thx for the feedback on providing linens, we may consider that in the future if it would benefit other guests....we find people are mixed on brining their own vs providing. We hope to see you again.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Eric S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful Getaway

Our group thoroughly enjoyed our stay at this beautiful cottage. It was spacious, clean and well kept. It has a fully stocked kitchen with plenty of dining spaces inside and outside. The views from the dock were amazing! The large dock was a relaxing place for some sun, fishing and swimming. We appreciated having the various water amenities provided. Our host was very responsive and answered all our questions. A wonderful getaway! Thanks for accommodating us!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 6 Oct 2024
Thanks for staying at our family cottage Eric.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

AJ J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing stay at Bellibong

There's no discrepancy when it comes to the ads of this property. Myself and my group of 8 had an awesome time. The water was still, the area quiet, surrounded by other rental properties. Although they are somewhat close in proximity, the neighbours (if renting) are quiet. The house was huge, clean and well kept. Appliances are modern and the cleaners did an amazing job keeping it well maintained and clean and nice smelling for our visit. This is a definite rental once again. Thanks to the owners for sharing this with us.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2019
Response from VrboOwner on 2 Apr 2020
Thanks for dropping us a note and so glad you had a great time. We hope to see you back next year!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Karen L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Annual Cottage Adventure for our Family

Everyone agreed that this was a wonderful cottage for our family to stay at for one week. There was plenty of space for 6 adults, 2 children and 1 dog. The kitchen offered so many extras including a blender and electric skillet! The paddle boards were very popular and the 5 year old became a superstar on the kids kayak! The lake is lovely and quiet. Although you can see the neighbours when on the dock and share a few friendly waves, everyone kept to themselves. Given a choice, I'd prefer not to have to provide our own bedding and towels. All in all, a fabulous week on Ril Lake. Thanks for everything. :)
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 6 Oct 2024
Thanks Karen. I'm glad you enjoyed your time.
Verified review

8/10 Good

Tracey L.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The location is perfect with gorgeous views. Cottage is roomy with lots of room for the 6 of us and our dogs. The separate primary suite with ensuite bathroom was wonderful and provided privacy and quiet.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2026
Verified review

4/10 Poor

Verified traveller

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Disliked: Cleanliness

Great location, but has mice and mould

We were so looking forward to our trip to Muskoka. The location is beautiful. Unfortunately, we were disappointed to find a serious mouse and mould problem. Mice droppings were all over the kitchen every morning, despite ensuring all our food was either in the fridge or in sealed containers. We had to vacuum and sanitize the kitchen every morning, and wash every cooking utensil and dish before using each time. We saw mice in the kitchen in the evenings. Mould was evident throughout the basement, both visually and a strong smell, especially in the basement. When we got home, all of our clothing and bedding had a strong smell of mould. While the owners responded quickly to email, they brushed off our concerns, saying mice were unavoidable. Mice are not unavoidable if the problem is properly addressed.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 10 May 2023
Thanks for your feedback. We are sorry you experienced the issues while you were there and we've addressed the issues noted and hope you will stay with us again in the future.
Verified review

8/10 Good

Jennifer C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location

Great time!

The property needs some maintenance but that didn't interfere with our vacation. Our children and grandchildren had a wonderful time and my husband and I enjoyed the privacy of the master suite. We all want to return next year. Thank you Sean and Darron.
Stayed 10 nights in Aug 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 10 May 2023
Thanks so much for the feedback and glad you enjoyed your stay. We hope to see you again next year.
Verified review

8/10 Good

Alanah D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Good stay

The cottage was great, lots of space. Loved the pool table and kitchen space. View of the lake was like no other! The jacuzzi tube was a bonus! The only downside was no soap, hand towels or toilet paper was provided. We would have preferred that was advertised rather than communicated last minute so we didn’t have to rush out to grab it before we got to the house. All round amazing cottage and love it!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 10 May 2023
Thanks for your feedback! We appreciated your stay and hope to have you stay with us again.
Verified review

6/10 Okay

Marcie M.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location
Disliked: Cleanliness

Rustic Lakehouse

Rustic home on Ril lake. Perfect for two small families or group of friends. Home has large outdoor upper deck and good size kitchen with plenty of eating space. Living room is small but not needed if you're spending your time on the great lower dock. Great non-motorized water toys and large sun umbrella for a little shade. House is in need of TLC and basement is unusable due to dampness and strong moisture smell, despite the dehumidifiers. Driveway is very steep into the house. Lots of stairs from house to lake. Might not be suitable for those with mobility issues. *This site has very weak cell signal therefore phone calls have poor reception and no to cellular data. Not ideal when the cottage has no wifi. Expect to be completely off-line. Data coverage is available at the local community centre in Baysville or Dorset ( each is15 - 20 minutes away).
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 10 May 2023
Thanks for staying with us and the feedback. We've resolved the basement issue and also installed high speed internet and WiFi at the cottage that can be used for guests going forward. We hope to see you back in the future.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Stephen S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Fantastic Stay

This was my first experience at a cottage, and my families first as well. All I can say is it was a trip to remember. All of the pictures were accurate to how the cottage actually was. It felt a lot more spacious than expected, as I had a group of 10, and we all felt very comfortable, never felt overcrowded. One of the best parts has to be the backyard and the jetty, as it was a great area to sit down and take in the beauty. Although it had storms during my entire stay, we did get 2-3 hours of clear skies, where we made full use of all the water equipment, which was really fun! One of the highlights for sure. The owners were very responsive prior to my trip and answered all my questions. I had to give cleanliness 4 stars, but this is solely because in the main floor washroom there was a weird smell coming from the sink upon our arrival. I'm not sure what is was, but it was not pleasant. Other than that one small hiccup, the place was great. Would highly recommend it to others and would love to go back again! Thanks for the stay, my family and I thoroughly enjoyed it!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 10 May 2023
Thanks so much for the review and glad you enjoyed your stay.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great getaway

We loved our time at the cottage, which was very well equipped to host our group of friends and family. The kitchen was fully functioning and the rooms were spacious and very well decorated, a fit to any age group. This is a beautiful and spacious cottage in a gorgeous setting and we would not hesitate to book it again! Thanks for hosting us!
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2020
Response from VrboOwner on 10 May 2023
Thanks for the fantastic review and glad you enjoyed your stay. We hope to see you again int he future.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful

So nice and peaceful place. Loved the house, very charming and clean and had everything you need. Three decks to enjoy for sun or shade.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2020
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Lisa Z.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A Slice of Heaven!

Our family enjoyed every moment of our stay! The lake is gorgeous, a quiet cove, and we spent most of our time either on the dock, in the water, or paddle boarding. The dogs loved the walk in beach too ;). We had more than enough room to be together when we wanted to and to get a bit of solitude when we needed that too. The cottage is spacious, bright and fully functional...I was grateful for the washer/dryer! We will be back again soon!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2020
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Ryan M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect getaway

This is our second summer in a row staying at the cottage (labour day weekend). We were a group of 10 last year and a group of 8 this year. There is more than enough space for 10 ppl and cottage has everything you need in terms of dishes, cutlery, pots, pans, etc. They also have some stocked pantry items like spices. Property is on a smaller lake in the Baysville area, so definitely quieter than the Lake Muskoka/Joseph/Rosseau area of Muskoka; a positive in our opinion. Lake is perfect for swimming.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2019
Verified review

8/10 Good

Lori u.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Muskoka oasis

Great location Clean and quiet location Dock was awesome...weather was fantastic Great for a family retreat
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2019
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Monika L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Fantastic getaway!

I can't say enough about how happy my family of seven is after staying at this beautiful property! Cottage is huge and all we needed was there; well equipped kitchen, roomy bedrooms, two decks, fire pit, bbq, pedal boat etc.. and so mach more. Breathtaking surroundings and clean , quiet lake .Close enough to Baysville to buy whatever we were lacking but still well hidden in the woods.Charming, relaxing ,serene. Check in /out process very easy . Thank You Darron and Sean for sharing this treasure with us!
Verified review

8/10 Good

carl b.

Great cottage

Fantastic lake views. Spacious with lots of amenities
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2018
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Linda S.

Great spot for relaxing and enjoying the fall colours.

We were very pleased with our stay at this cottage. Very nicely appointed and perfect for a large family. The view was amazing.and we really enjoyed sitting down by the water. The weather was extraordinary for Thanksgiving weekend. Owners were very responsive to our question. Hope to visit again in the future.
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2017

About the host

Hosted by Darron Stepanich & Sean Preece

Host profile image
Our two families live in Milton and the State of Washington, originally growing up in Oakville where our parents built the cottage in the early 80's.

We loved spending our childhoods at the cottage, sharing it with friends and family. We spent the summer barefoot on the rocky roads, water skiing and tubing on Ril and literally swimming all day long!!

We love being hosts as we get to share our happy place with others. When we aren't hosting we are each busy with our families driving kids to baseball, lacrosse, soccer and cheerleading - together we have 5 boys and 1 girl. And always dreaming of our next stay at the cottage.

Why they chose this property

Our parents found this lot and chose it due to its southern exposure and being in a quiet bay!

You will find a photo album of the cottage construction in the family room.

We've made many close friends over the years on Ril Lake having been here for over 40 years.

What makes this property unique

The property has a great view but it has easy access from the driveway while it's also easy to access the dock.

The cottage has all of the common day amenities and is spacious, which is important to us as we love being together but also enjoy so separation too. 😂

We are close to amenities in Baysville and Bracebridge.

Languages:

English
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