Entire home

Birchwood in Bala - Stroll to Town from Your Lake Muskoka Retreat!

Photo gallery for Birchwood in Bala - Stroll to Town from Your Lake Muskoka Retreat!

A large blue house with a dock and red chairs by a pond.
A cozy room with a large window, a ceiling fan, and a couch with pillows.
A sunroom with two wicker chairs, a lamp, and a view of a lake.
A wooden dock with a covered seating area, a boat, and a kayak.
A two-story house with a covered patio, outdoor seating, and a stone staircase leading to the deck.

Reviews

10 out of 10, Loved by Guests
Top 1% of guest reviews in this area
On the lake, this cottage features 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms, accommodating 8 guests. It includes 1 hot tub and offers lake views. Enjoy fishing, sailing, and waterskiing nearby, along with access to a patio for outdoor relaxation. The property is pet-friendly and located near Lake Muskoka and Bala's Museum.

Highlights

  • Beach equipment

    A rare find — beach equipment ready to go for your days by the sea.

  • Discover nearby landmarks

    Near Lake Muskoka
4 bedrooms3+ bathroomsSleeps 8

Popular amenities

  • Hot tub on site
  • Onsite parking available
  • Dog-friendly
  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Air-conditioning

Explore the area

View in a map
Bala, ON
  • Place, Lake Muskoka
    ‪1 min walk‬
  • Place, The KEE to Bala
    ‪8 min walk‬
  • Place, Bala's Museum
    ‪8 min walk‬
  • Airport, Muskoka, ON (YQA)
    ‪32 min drive‬

Where you'll sleep

4 bedrooms (sleeps 8)

Main Floor Bedroom

1 Queen Bed

Primary Bedroom

1 King Bed

Recharge Bedroom

1 King Bed

Relax Bedroom

1 Queen Bed

3 bathrooms, 1 half bathroom

Main Floor Bathroom

Soap · Towels provided · Toilet · Hair dryer

Primary Bedroom Ensuite

Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only · Hair dryer

Recharge Bedroom Ensuite

Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Bathtub · Toilet · Hair dryer

Relax Bedroom Ensuite

Soap · Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only · Hair dryer

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Outdoor play area
Garden

About this property

Birchwood in Bala - Stroll to Town from Your Lake Muskoka Retreat!

Welcome to Birchwood in Bala, a meticulously preserved historic cottage nestled in the heart of Muskoka. This beautifully maintained retreat seamlessly blends timeless charm with modern comforts, ensuring an unforgettable getaway.

Property Highlights

Birchwood graces the shores of scenic Lake Muskoka and offers a quick stroll into the enchanting lakeside town of Bala. Revel in the southwest lakefront exposure, providing sun-drenched days on the dock and breathtaking sunset views from the 8-person hot tub in the evenings.

For families, the sandy beach entry is perfect for children, while swimmers can enjoy 6 feet of refreshing water off the dock. Boating enthusiasts will appreciate the convenience of the 26' covered boat slip, making Birchwood an ideal choice for the perfect family cottage experience.

All upstairs bedrooms boast ensuite washrooms, ensuring privacy and convenience for all guests. Modern amenities include high-speed wireless internet, Netflix-enabled TV, air conditioning, on-demand hot water, municipal water, an induction stove, a cocktail ice ball-making fridge, and high-quality linens and mattresses.

Immerse yourself in the tranquility of Birchwood in Bala, where historic allure meets contemporary luxury. Book your Muskoka escape now for a truly exceptional experience.

Town of Muskoka Lakes Short-Term Rental Licence: STRA-TML-26-0057

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM

Minimum age to rent: 25

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

Pets allowed: dogs less than 9 kg per pet (limit one pet total)

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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Check-out instructions

The host requires you to complete the following before checking out:

Start the dishwasher

Remove personal items

Turn off the lights and lock the doors

Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.

Important information

You need to know

Property # 9916541
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
Long-term renters welcome
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

Bala

Located in Muskoka Lakes, this cottage is on the waterfront. The Port Carling Wall and Gravenhurst Narrows Lighthouse are local landmarks, and the area's natural beauty can be seen at Lake Muskoka and Hardy Lake Provincial Park. Muskoka Sports and Recreation and Santa's Village are also worth visiting. Discover the area's water adventures with jet skiing and kayaking nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with hiking/biking trails and cycling.
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Map
Bala, ON

What's nearby

  • Lake Muskoka - 1 min walk - 0.1 km
  • Bala Falls - 5 min walk - 0.5 km
  • The KEE to Bala - 8 min walk - 0.7 km
  • Bala's Museum - 8 min walk - 0.7 km
  • Long Lake - 20 min walk - 1.7 km

Getting around

  • Gravenhurst Station - 21 min drive
  • Muskoka, ON (YQA) - 31 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Don's Bakery - ‬5 min walk
  • ‪Hook and Ladder - ‬9 min walk
  • ‪Bala Falls Pub - ‬9 min walk
  • ‪The Pearl - ‬12 min walk
  • ‪Jack And Stella - ‬10 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is Birchwood in Bala - Stroll to Town from Your Lake Muskoka Retreat! pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 1 total) with a maximum weight of up to 9 kg per pet.

How much is parking at Birchwood in Bala - Stroll to Town from Your Lake Muskoka Retreat!?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Birchwood in Bala - Stroll to Town from Your Lake Muskoka Retreat!?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Birchwood in Bala - Stroll to Town from Your Lake Muskoka Retreat!?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Birchwood in Bala - Stroll to Town from Your Lake Muskoka Retreat! located?

Situated on the waterfront, this cottage is within a 10-minute walk of Lake Muskoka, Bala Falls and The KEE to Bala. Bala's Museum and Jaspen Park are also within 15 minutes.

Reviews

10

Exceptional

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. 20 out of 21 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 1 out of 21 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 21 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 21 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 21 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful Lake Home with all the modern amenities while maintaining that lake house charm.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We stayed with our adult children and one grandchild for 4 nights and enjoyed all the touches and amenities in this beautiful cottage, It was clean and comfortable with lots of spots to relax and enjoy the lake view. We made good use of the paddleboat, hot tub, BBQ and fire pit.It's an exceptionally convenient location as a 5 minute walk into Bala allows you to pick up groceries, rent a canoe, or get some amazing fritters from Don's Bakery (go early as they sell out).The only down side of the location is the proximity to the freight trains which come through a few times a day. The noise is not too bad if you are in the cottage but very loud if you are outside.The host was responsive and communications were clear.I highly recommend this cottage for a family get-away!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
A beautiful cottage on Bala Bay. Has everything to entertain guests of all ages. We would book again!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
So welcoming! Wonderfully equipped kitchen. Beautiful decor. Even special occasion decorations. Great location. Superlative stay.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Awesome Property!

It was a great weekend with friends. Communication was great with host. Would stay there again for sure!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The owners were great to communicate with, the property could not have been cleaner, and the property was just as described and better
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Beautiful Birchwood

Just a beautiful property, with the perfect combination of historical architecture with modern amenities. Very well provisioned and easy access, made for a tremendous stay.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We loved our stay at this property. The home has been lovingly updated while retaining bits of its history. The view of the lake and proximity to both town and the marina is perfect (shout out to the team at Bala Cove Marina who are wonderful!) Liam is responsive and helpful and we were able to extend our stay an extra day. If you want to visit Bala this the place … bonus hummingbird sightings and terrific mugs!!
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We had a wonderful stay at Birchwood and really enjoyed our time in Bala! The house was exceptionally clean, spacious and very well stocked. The kitchen had everything we needed, and there was plenty of room for our family, including three full bathrooms upstairs and a half bath on the main floor. The beds were very comfortable, and there was an abundance of bath towels, linens, beach towels and shower toiletries.The location is fantastic—an easy walk into Bala for groceries, shops and restaurants while still offering a beautiful waterfront setting. The sandy, shallow walkout into the lake was especially enjoyable for young children.Communication with our host was excellent throughout our stay. He was extremely responsive to all our questions and went above and beyond when we mentioned that our daughter has celiac disease by providing brand-new cookware for us to use. This was incredibly thoughtful and very much appreciated. The property is clearly well cared for, and our host also made sure our firewood was replenished throughout our stay. A paddleboat was available for guests to use, although no additional watercraft or water toys were provided. We brought our own inflatables, so this was not an issue for us, but kayaks, canoes or additional paddleboards would be a wonderful addition to the property.Overall, Birchwood was a beautiful, comfortable and thoughtfully maintained place to spend our family vacation. We had a lovely stay and would happily recommend it.
Stayed 8 nights in Aug 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 1 Sept, 2026
Thank you so much, Kristin! It was an absolute pleasure having you and your family at Birchwood. We really appreciate the kind words, and especially how thoughtfully you treated the cottage during your stay. We’d be very happy to welcome you back anytime!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Pretty Cottage

Thoroughly clean and well kept. It had all the ammenities you would need. Very pretty cottage.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Beautiful spot

Great weekend with family. On the lake and a 5 minute walk to town. Enjoyed the train! Every room upstairs has their own washroom. Lots of places to relax!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

End of Summer get-away

We were beyond happy staying at this gorgeous cottage, it was stunning and described perfectly in the ad. The cottage had everything we may have needed in the kitchen, plenty of clean fluffy towels, very comfy beds and exquisitely clean. Don’t hesitate on booking.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Bala

Overall, five star
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Best Cottage Experience

There are to many outstanding things to say about this cottage and the wonderful host. The location is walking distance to awesome restaurants, marina and local shops. The cottage itself is fantastic! The beds are comfortable, the cottage is very clean, and the amenities are abundant. We loved the boat house and dock with the steps down to the little beach / lake. The kids loved their rooms as well as the parents. We cannot wait to go back!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024
Verified review

8/10 Good

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

A taste of historic Bala

We enjoyed our the lake house and it’s well laid out common area including many thoughtful tidbits - well stocked kitchen, tons of towels, blankets..even hiking trail maps. We felt right at home in no time at all. Only caution we had relate to the location - there is a train track not more than 150 yards from the property. The train appears to run about every 3 hours. Our party included two infants 2 and 3 years old…at first they were enthusiastically taking it in but after awhile, the horn and rumbling did disturb their sleep.Were it not for the proximity of the train, we would all have rated this property 5 stars.
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Train noise but not bad
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful cottage tucked away in a nice little town. The property and the house were clean and neat and had everything you need for a little vacation. The local bakery was pretty good too.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Absolutely breathtaking! The whole family loved every minute and didn’t want to leave. The host was very helpful and lovely to deal with. Would 100% recommend.
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Excellent location. Clean. Great communication. Everything we needed. We had a fantastic getaway with our family. Thank you
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, location, listing accuracy
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025

About the host

Hosted by Liam Robinson

Host profile image

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests

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