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Shawnigan Lake Cottage with GORGEOUS LAKE VIEWS!

Photo gallery for Shawnigan Lake Cottage with GORGEOUS LAKE VIEWS!

A lakeside view with a dock, boats, and a building with a large tree in the foreground.
A lakeside view with docked boats, a grassy area with chairs, and a wooden fence.
A dining table set with plates, cutlery, and candles, with a vase of flowers in the center.
A wooden deck with two wooden chairs and a small table, overlooking a body of water with distant hills.
A rustic cabin with a wooden deck, surrounded by dense foliage.

Reviews

9.2 out of 10
Wonderful

Highlights

  • Beach equipment
    A rare find — beach equipment ready to go for your days by the sea.
2 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 5

Popular amenities

  • Onsite parking available
  • Kitchen
  • Barbecue grill
  • Balcony
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Balcony or patio

Explore the area

View in a map
Shawnigan Lake, BC
  • Place, Shawnigan Lake
    ‪1 min walk‬
  • Place, Old Mill Park
    ‪12 min walk‬
  • Place, Old Baldy Mountain Park
    ‪1 min drive‬
  • Airport, Victoria, BC (YYJ-Victoria Intl.)
    ‪67 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 5)

2nd bedroom

1 Single Bed, 1 Double Bed and 1 Single Bunk Bed

Master Bedroom

1 Queen Bed

1 bathroom

Bathroom

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Balcony
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Shawnigan Lake Cottage with GORGEOUS LAKE VIEWS!

One of the last original Shawnigan Lake cottages in the Shawnigan Lake area! This 720 sq ft 100 year old plus cabin has 2 bedrooms (sleeps 1 - 5), that sits on private lot surrounded by stately tall trees nestled at the base of Mt Baldy with incredible views of Shawnigan Lake. It had housed E. J. Hugh's parents while they were care takers for the impressive Shawnigan Lake Lodge. Totally renovated in 2006 and upgraded every year since. It is immaculately maintained. Just a stones throw to the lake and the dock which is shared with the cabin directly in front of this property. Many amenities will make your stay comfortable, relaxing and pleasant. Enjoy swimming, fishing, boating and nature watching (watch for the beaver) from the dock. Relax on the covered porch or open deck. Short walk to licensed restaurant, marina and water equipment rentals. Village is less than 2 km (1.5 miles), offering convenience stores, gas station, pharmacy, restaurants, bakery, cafe, boutiques and more. We are here to help you have a great vacation!

Pet Policy, Deposit and Fees
Pets are not allowed due to bylaws/regulations/policies.
NOTE: Persons traveling with and requiring a Service Animal have special rights and must be granted access regardless.

Cleaning on Departure
A fee is charged for Cleaning on Departure
One-time fee of $110.00 CAD for stays of any number of nights or occupants.
The guest is expected to clean the BBQ. Extra charges could apply.
If property is left in unreasonable condition, extra cleaning fee will apply.

Cleaning During Stay
A light Cleaning/Maid service is included in the rent and occurs every 7 days during a stay.

Linen
Linen, towels and beach towels are included in the rent

Parking
2 parking space are available.

Lake Access - Private Dock
Property is near water.
Shawnigan lake access is less than a 1 minute walk from the property. Lake access to launch small boats from small beach with water vegetation, gradient is gradual for a short distance.
Shared dock with our other cottage named "The Lake House". Can moor one boat.

Snow Skiing and Boarding
Property is not near a ski resort.

Internet Service and Fee
Wireless Internet is included in the rent

Telephone Fee
The property does not have a phone.

We are on well water and septic. NOTHING goes down the toilets except what comes naturally from you. No tampons, diapers, food or anti-bacterial products down toilet. No food or anti - bacterial products down sinks. This helps us maintain a healthy septic system.

House rules: No parties nor events or smoking inside (outside okay) please.
Our prices include all fees. No hidden fees.

Add dates for prices

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 21
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Smoking is permitted outside, ashtray provided

Check-out instructions

The host requires you to complete the following before checking out:
Strip any used beds and gather used towels
Remove personal items, remove leftover food and drinks and take out the rubbish
Turn off the lights and lock the doors
Strip all used bed sheets, pillow cases (not decorative gray ones in master bedroom) and bathroom towels and put them in to pillow cases and leave by the front door
Please close and lock all windows and doors, close the blinds, turn off all the lights/fans and turn the heat down to the line on the thermostat and lock the doors on your departure date.
Please take Garbage, Recycling, Compost and Glass to their proper bins at the front of the house. Please refer to the Recycle Guide on the coffee table. Flexible plastic to be place in plastic bag.
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.
House rules: no parties nor events and guests at a minimum

Important information

You need to know

Property Registration Number H902018518
Property # 4205900
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
This property accepts cash
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, a first aid kit 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

Shawnigan Lake

Located in Shawnigan Lake, this cottage is on a lake. Merridale Estate Cidery and Damali Lavender & Winery are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those looking for area attractions can visit Cowichan Bay Maritime Centre and Cowichan Wooden Boat Society. Travelling with kids? Consider Quw'utsun' Cultural Centre and Cowichan Aquatic Centre. Discover the area's water adventures with jet skiing and kayaking nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with ecotours and mountain biking.
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Map
Shawnigan Lake, BC

What's nearby

  • Shawnigan Lake - 1 min walk - 0.1 km
  • Old Mill Park - 12 min walk - 1.0 km
  • Old Baldy Mountain Park - 1 min drive - 0.7 km
  • Shawnigan Lake Museum - 4 min drive - 3.0 km
  • Butchart Gardens - 57 min drive - 25.7 km

Getting around

  • Victoria, BC (YYJ-Victoria Intl.) - 55 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Cobblestone Pub - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪McDonald's - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪Tim Hortons - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪Drumroaster Coffee - ‬12 min drive
  • ‪Serious Coffee - ‬11 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Shawnigan Lake Cottage with GORGEOUS LAKE VIEWS! pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much is parking at Shawnigan Lake Cottage with GORGEOUS LAKE VIEWS!?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Shawnigan Lake Cottage with GORGEOUS LAKE VIEWS!?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Shawnigan Lake Cottage with GORGEOUS LAKE VIEWS!?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Shawnigan Lake Cottage with GORGEOUS LAKE VIEWS! located?

This family-friendly Shawnigan Lake cottage is located on a lake, within a 5-minute walk of Shawnigan Lake and Old Baldy Mountain Park. Old Mill Park and Memory Island Provincial Park are also within 3 miles (5 km).

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. 26 out of 40 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 12 out of 40 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 40 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 40 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 40 reviews

9.6/10

Cleanliness

9.8/10

Check-in

9.6/10

Communication

9.2/10

Location

9.2/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
What a beautiful spot. We would absolutely return here, so calming.Thanks,Skyler & Matty
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 16 Jul 2026
It was a pleasure to have you both stay with us at Strathcona Cottage. I am so very pleased you enjoyed your stay with us. We hope to see you again.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great location for a Shawnigan Lake vacation. Our family enjoyed it very much. It is a nice cabin with a lovely lake view. Despite being across the road from the water, the shared dock worked really well to have as much access to the lake as we desired. 100% recommended
Stayed 2 nights in May 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 21 May 2026
Thank you for your kind review. It was a pleasure to have you and your family stay with us.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great lake views. Cottage was well equipped with everything you'd need. Providing shampoo and conditioner would be an added bonus. Loved the wood stove. There was a bit of road noise in the mornings if the windows are open. Owner was easy to communicate with.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 18 Feb 2026
I am so happy you enjoyed your stay at Strathcona Cottage, it was a pleasure to have you stay with us. Also, thank you for your suggestions.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Wonderful stay

We had a lovely time.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 18 Jul 2022
Thank you for a wonderful review! We enjoyed having you and hope to see you again in the future. Thank you again for choosing SLVR - Strathcona Cottage as your vacation home this summer.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Birthday Getaway!

Cute little cottage steps from the lake - nicely appointed with everything you need for a relaxing getaway. The bedding is definitely on point.Thanks for everything!
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 29 May 2025
We make sure the bedding is nice and comfortable for our guests. I am glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for choosing Strathcona Cottage as your vacation home. It was a pleasure to have you stay with us. We hope to see you again.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Wonderful restful retreat!

We have family to visit in nearby Cobble Hill…so the Strathcona Cottage location (close to .wineries..restaurants.. & Mill Bay Mall.) amenities, and stunning Shawnigan Lake view perfect for us..The owner was well organized and most helpful in communicating with us. We plan a return visit!
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2021
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Family getaway

Great cottage for our family of 5. It was the right size for us. Very comfortable and had all the required necessities in the cottage. We did many hikes around the area and it was nice to have a cozy place to relax in afterwards
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 22 Apr 2021
I am so happy that you took advantage of our local hiking trails at Shawnigan Lake. We also have great biking trails too, especially, the Kinsol Trestle Trail. I am also glad your family found the the cottage was comfortable and cozy. We try to keep our cottages fresh and updated. Thank you again for staying with us!!
From a partner site

10/10 Excellent

Amazing Cottage in Beautiful Shawnigan Lake!

Our stay at the cottage was absolutely perfect in every way! We instantly felt at home as soon as we arrived! The cottage is extremely well maintained, immaculately clean, nicely decorated and well stocked! Furthermore, the beds are very comfortable, the owner is super nice and helpful and the view of the lake from the front porch is just beautiful!
Stayed 13 nights in Oct 2019
Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location

Would stay here again when in Shawnigan

The picture for the property made us believe the property was on the water but realized afterward that it is the other side of the street. However, there is access to the dock on the lake side of the street.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Wonderful restful retreat!

Our second summer vacation visit to lovely, historic, Strathcona cottage! Love the lake view , tall trees,. and sitting in the rocking chairs on the front porch. Lesia the owner is friendly, very helpful and well organized.. A very pleasurable vacation experience!
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 19 Aug 2022
It was wonderful to have you back again for your Wedding Anniversary celebrations. I am glad your stay was lovely and you got out and did more sight seeing. We look forward to having you again next year!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

.

Rustic but comfortable, all amenities we needed, great view on front porch of lake to drink coffee :)
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2020
Response from VrboOwner on 7 Aug 2020
I am so glad you enjoyed your stay at Strathcona Cottage and your time at Shawnigan Lake. We wanted to have the look of the old world charm of Shawnigan Lake with old photos of the area and found objects (that range up to 80 years old) but with modern amenities. It was great having you and thank you for staying with us!
Verified review

4/10 Poor

Disliked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication

Lovely equipped cabin with a lovely view! of the lake.

Cabin was beautifully outfitted. The steep gravel driveway is a bit dangerous for some vehicles and pedestrians. Having to cross a highway to reach the lake was unexpected. A lot of stairs for older adults and carting equipment down and up from the lake.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 6 Sept 2022
I am happy that you liked the Strathcona Cottage. But....I am sorry that you missed the location tab on the Strathcona Cottage page as it clearly shows the exact location of the cottage. If you had inquired first, and, asked if this was a good location for a physically challenged person, we could of discussed if this was the right cottage for you to rent. We want happy guests.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Absolutely perfect

What a lovely little cabin at Shawnigan Lake. Everything you need to be comfortable and enjoy the area. Lesia is a perfect host. She was very friendly, attentive and helpful, keen to make our stay memorable and comfortable. It was the perfect space for my son and I and it provided us tremendous ease and enjoyment. I would highly recommend this property and cannot say enough about Lesia and her hospitality. Fabulous!
Stayed 34 nights in Apr 2021
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Shawnigan Lake Cottage

My family recently had the pleasure of spending a relaxing week at the Shawnigan Lake Cottage. The cottage is nestled in the trees, a welcome reprieve from the scorching temperatures this week. The owners had done an excellent job of maintaining the place and making it feel like a home away from home. The rustic charm of the interior décor added to the overall ambiance, setting the stage for a tranquil and relaxing stay. One of the standout features of this cottage was the breathtaking views it offered from the deck. The upper and lower deck was ideal for morning coffees and evening dinners, providing outstanding views over the lake. What truly made this cottage stay exceptional was the access to the dock. This amenity provided a gateway to endless adventures on the lake. In addition to the outdoor activities, the surrounding area also had plenty to offer. The owners were hospitable and ensured we had everything we needed for a comfortable stay. Our stay at the cottage was perfect ~ I can't wait to return!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

The perfect girls (or family) get-away spot

Arriving at the Shawinigan Lake Cottage was easy-peasy, exactly as described, tho' perhaps the driveway wasn't as daunting as I imagined. The cottage is as presented in the photos! Aside from a beautiful venue, vista, & locale --- top marks for superb mattresses, quality sheets, pillows, linens & towels! All 100% natural fibres, crisp, & smelling of the beautiful air of the lake! The kitchen is v. well appointed, with all you need for preparing meals. We didn't use the bbq, but have no doubt it was also super. We ate all of our meals out at the little table, beautiful under the trees. Communication with the venue was terrific --- even after we left, leaving behind an item or two but quickly sorted out. The cottage is ideally located beside the lake, within a quick drive of no end of spots to explore, wineries, Butchart Gardens and more. If there is any complaint, it's that WE should have booked in for longer. Definitely coming back.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 15 Jul 2021
Thank you Kate for a wonderful review. We are so happy that you enjoyed yourself at Shawnigan Lake and that cottage was very comfortable for you and your family. We try very hard to make your experience at Strathcona Cottage a good one with annual updating with quality items and having a very clean and safe environment. Plus, I always dry the sheets outside so one can have a great sleep. We look forward to hosting you again. Have a great summer.
Verified review

6/10 Okay

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

Too many rules to enjoy our stay

This is a very cute cabin but I've never stayed in a vacation home with so many rules. I have waited to rate so I could objectively gather my thoughts. No long showers or showering close to each other. The driveway is steep so if you happen to spin some gravel out you have to let the owner know so she can have the handyman bring over a rake so you can rake it back or she will charge you if she has to do it. I wonder where the handyman was when we used the microwave and coffee machine at the same time and the breaker blew, I was told to move the microwave off a higher shelf to another plug in and find another for coffee machine. We wanted to use our own Roku on the TV and she sent me a nasty message asking why I was putting our Roku on her TV??? Maybe we could rent a movie which is normal. Check out 10am so I had anxiety to get up and be expected to put all our bedding in the pillow cases as well as all the towels. and if the mattress cover is dirty add that also. Then the kitchen has to be exactly as you found it, oven cleaned, bbq cleaned. My gosh what was the cleaning fee for? The first page said garbage outside and separated in bins, the second page said leave garbage by fireplace. And lastly you cannot sleep with the windows open, it is noisy as you're on a busy road between the cabin and the lake and it was super-hot while we were there and the fans were not enough. If you use PayPal there is a note left that you need to leave $5 on the table. BTW I am very clean.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful cabin by the lake! My family and I loved relaxing on the dock and taking the kayak out and about. Would love to come back to this gorgeous home again
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Lakeside fun

Cabin is well stocked, has a great view of the lake and the kayak they provided was a lot of fun!
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Shawnigan Lake stay

A great neighbourhood and almost everything we needed for our short stay👍
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2022
Verified review

8/10 Good

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

Sweet retro cabin with lovely views

A little gem! Perfect size for two adults and two kids (the bunk beds were a big hit). Lovely lake views and outdoor spaces. Cozy and quiet. Lesia was so welcoming and helpful.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Short family vacation

Everything was good. The cottage was equipped with everything. My kids enjoyed Disney+, we canoed and kayaked. Lots of fun.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2021
Verified review

8/10 Good

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

Summer delight

The cabin was very well supplied with all the necessary equipment to make for a great summer get-away. Our only concern was the road noise which can sometimes start early in the morning but with lots to do and a dock to enjoy we were quite happy.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2021
Verified review

8/10 Good

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

A girls getaway 😊

Was a very nice peaceful spot. A touch to dark for my liking but we really enjoys our stay
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2021
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Restful Vacation

This location was a nice cozy place for us to kick back and relax for a week. There were lots of puzzles and games to entertain ourselves, and overall we had a great relaxing week.
Stayed 5 nights in Feb 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 23 Feb 2021
I am so glad you enjoyed your stay at Strathcona Cottage. We certainly enjoyed having you! Good luck on your training...
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Cozy Stay

Cozy little place with great lake views. The owners are excellent to work with.

About the host

Hosted by Shawnigan Lake Vacation Rentals

Host profile image
Our family has been at the Shawnigan Lake since 1979. We have watched our children play in the lake and now watch our grandchildren play in the lake. Strathcona Cottage is our happy place. We have created fond memories and now we want our guests to create memories for themselves. In 2006 we decided to bring Strathcona Cottage up to modern day amenities with a big renovation and decided to rent it as a vacation rental.

Why they chose this property

Strathcona Cottage is one of the original cottages left on the lake. It has seen the lake change from a rural resort area to bedroom community of Victoria. With nearly 100 years of sitting on, this house has seen many changes from a caretakers house (E.J Hughes parents lived in this house when they were care takers for the great Strathcona Lodge) to a pottery studio to now a family cottage. Kick up your feet and relax on either our leather comfortable couches in the cottage or on the dock watching osprey make their nests or take out the double kayak to the estuary to the right of the dock or around the lake. In our bay we have varieties of wild life from Bald Eagles, beavers (that chewed one of our trees on the water front property), mink, fish and birds and so much more. We also have, memorabilia, of what was just trash when Dunsmuir built the E & N Railway in 1886 to objects of interests now. The great painter E.J. Hughes (whose paintings hand in the National Gallery of Art in Ottawa) lived next door and painted from his bedroom window many paintings of the lake. You will be able to see replica's in our cottage. It is a wonderful place to spend your time at.

What makes this property unique

The unique benefits of staying at Strathcona Cottage is that has a lot of history and comfort behind it. With it's name being named after the great Strathcona Lodge Resort as it was actually built for the caretakers for the resort. Our decor celebrates the past with the present with old photographs of our bay area and memorabilia to flat screen TV's and comfortable seating and bedding. Behind the cottage you can walk down the old E & N Railway tracks to where the very last spike that on August 13, 1886 Prime Minster Sir John A. MacDonald drove in the last spike. Come and relax and kick up your feet and enjoy the lake like our family has done so for many years.

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English
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