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Booking Notes (FAQ)

We Get Questions.....

When do we book?

Summer rentals are booked starting in January, with previous year's renters given first opportunity to rebook cottages. Cottage availability is posted to the cottage webpages as it is received from our cottage owners. New listings and availability are added throughout the season however, so continue to check our site if you don't find the right cottage when you first visit.

Is the Availability calendar up to date?

The on-line calendar is updated daily but availability changes very quickly during the busy booking season.  We will confirm availability with you when you call to reserve your cottage. Cottage availability calendars that are 'grayed' out (not showing any available weeks) are cottages that are either fully booked for the current year or we are waiting for the cottage owners to determine their rental dates and they will posted when they become known.  Please check back frequently to check for updates.

Minimum Booking Durations?

Each of our cottages has a Minimum Booking Duration for both Low and High Season periods. Most of our cottages are available for one week rentals but some must be rented for a minimum of 2, 3 or even 4 consecutive weeks. Cottages that rent for longer periods may become available for shorter, one or two week rentals in late spring if there are any vacant periods remaining available. Bookings at cottages that rent for longer periods must also be rented back-to-back so that there are not any short, vacant periods between bookings.

How do we book a cottage?

On each of the cottage webpages, there are a series of tabs, the last of which is "Booking". Click on that tab and follow the instructions. You'll be directed to contact our office where we will begin by verifying availability and rate for the cottage which you are applying to rent. Then we'll take some personal information and provide you with our Booking Application form and direction on payment, etc.

Costs/Payments?

All cottage rates and prices are quoted in Canadian dollars. Payment is in Canadian funds only. A deposit on the rental is due within three business days of the date we put the cottage on "hold" for you.

The total cost of the rental will include the cost of the cottage accommodation for the time period being rented plus our per booking, agency service charge of $90.00. All taxes are included in the rates quoted. You will have the option of purchasing RBC Cancellation Insurance as well. Depending on the cottage, there may be several other, optional charges for extra service. Some cottage owners may be able to offer a full cleaning service and /or linens service and in a few cases, there are some extra facilities such as the use of an outboard motor, for which the owner charges extra.

The initial deposit of 30% is charged to your credit card (Mastercard or Visa) with the balance paid by cheque. A post-dated balance cheque (dated 6 weeks prior to occupancy) must be mailed to our office within 10 business days of the time of booking. All bookings made within 4 weeks of occupancy must be paid in full by certified cheque or valid credit card.

What is Holiday Cancellation Insurance?

As a registered travel agency, we are able to offer holiday cancellation insurance with RBC Insurance.

The cost is approximately 6% of  the booking cost. The insurance covers the cost of the vacation accommodation, should you have to cancel for one of RBC's "risks insured". Normally, that means accident, sickness, death in the family, transfer out of province, call to jury duty, etc. For more details ask for a copy of the policy booklet.

What if I don't take the insurance or have to cancel for another reason?

If you don't take the insurance, or have to cancel for a reason RBC does not cover, our standard cancellation policy takes effect. If you have to cancel under these conditions, we would attempt to rebook the cottage on your behalf. If we are successful in doing so, we will refund any monies paid to us, less a non-refundable $200 cancellation fee. If we are not able to rebook the cottage, your deposit (or full payment if within the forty-five days prior to occupancy) are forfeit.

What is a Security/Damage Deposit?

The security/damage deposit (amount varies - please check cottage description - General tab - for the amount relevant to the cottage you have selected) is taken to ensure that the cottage is left in the same condition as found, including cleanliness. The owners are responsible for checking the cottage before and after each booking but renters are expected to leave the cottage clean and undamaged. Renters are also expected to use a credit card or their own mobile phone for any long distance calls.

The security/damage deposit is provided to the Company by way of credit card at the time of booking as noted in the Booking Application form. The amount is not held against your credit card and provided the cottage owner does not make a claim and there are no outstanding long distance charges, the credit card is not debited.

How do I get the keys and find the cottage?

Once we have received and processed your initial deposit and booking form, we forward a TRAVEL PACKAGE  which contains:

• A Booking Confirmation, showing balance owing, dates and time of check in and check out.

• A Cottage Information Sheet - with bed sizes (bed & bath linen are not normally provided - you must bring your own) and the other facilities provided.

• A Map - showing the route/directions from the nearest major community.

• A set of Cottage Instructions - these are the owners instructions and notes on using the cottage including the cottage telephone number if there is service. Please review carefully, prior to going to the cottage and call if you have any questions. The owner's name/telephone number and/or alternate contacts are noted here as well.

PLEASE PUT THE TRAVEL PACKAGE IN A SAFE PLACE - THIS IS THE ONLY TRAVEL PACKAGE/INFORMATION YOU RECEIVE FOR YOUR BOOKING AND IT IS SENT OUT WITHIN TEN DAYS OF OUR RECEIPT OF YOUR BOOKING FORM AND DEPOSIT.

Keys

Most cottages will have a lock box beside the door at the cottage. You will receive the combination for the lock box approximately one week prior to the start of your holiday. If there are keys for the cottage, they will be forwarded to your home address approximately four days prior to the start of your booking.

What time of day to we check in and check out?

Most of our "high season" i.e. summer bookings, start and end on Saturdays - to allow the owner to check the cottage between bookings. 

Generally, the check in time is 2:00 pm and the check out time is 11:00 am. But please check your booking confirmation - some cottages have different times. The owners need that three hours between bookings to cut grass, make a security check etc.

IT IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT - that you leave by the check out time - and not arrive earlier than the check in time. Failure to depart on time means the owners are rushed in their work and the next people checking in are delayed. We do thank you for your consideration.

Do I have to clean the cottage?

The short answer is YES!  The cottages we represent are all privately owned  - and one of the owner's primary concerns in renting out their vacation home is how the cottage will be left by renters. In most areas of Cottage Country, it is difficult to arrange cleaning services on a consistent basis.  Therefore, we have found the only system that works consistently, is to require renters to clean the cottage prior to leaving - basically leave the cottage in the same condition as you found it - and everyone will be happy.  Cleaning supplies and equipment are always left at the cottage. As noted elsewhere, the owners will check the cottage between rentals to ensure that the cottage is in appropriate condition for your arrival but renters are responsible as noted above. Please refer to the Cottage Instructions.

Cleaning and Linen service may be available at some cottages at an additional cost. The availability and cost for these additional services must be confirmed with the cottage owner at the time of booking.

What do I need to bring?

Please check the cottage information sheet provided to you at the time of booking for a list of cottage facilities and amenities. Most cottages provide pillows and blankets, but do not provide bed/bath linens, unless otherwise noted.

If you have pet allergies...

Please do not assume that a property is pet free just because the cottage is restricted re: pets and smokers. Some owners have pets (or are smokers) but still restrict renters from bringing pets.  If you have allergies, please check the Cottage Information Sheet - and ask us to confirm for you.

But why can't I bring FIDO?

The dog/cat - not the phone...  Some owners have allergies themselves, or concerns about damages, or their neighbour's peace of mind - so if the cottage is pet-restricted, please observe the restriction. Some cottage owners are ok with dogs, but not cats, and vice versa. Please check the Cottage Information Sheet Restrictions and please note - if pets are permitted - this permission is for ONE PET ONLY. If you expect to have more than one pet - please check  with us to make sure the owner is comfortable with that situation. 

NO PETS - means no pets - inside or outside the cottage - and ditto for guests who might have pets.  Thank you for your consideration.

Can I have guests? 

For many families, entertaining is part of cottage life. If that's the case for you, make sure the cottage you rent will accommodate the TOTAL group - guests, children, as well as your own family. 

The MAXIMUM OCCUPANCY is clearly noted on the Cottage Information Sheet. It is the number of people the cottage can safely accommodate with respect to septic system, pumps, etc.  Owners are very concerned about the number of people at a cottage with respect  to the wear and tear on the cottage systems, which are much more sensitive than our city dwellings.

Can I use my cell/mobile phone?

You shouldn't assume that your cell phone will work throughout Cottage Country. Many areas of the province have little or no cellular service depending on the service provider. Check with your service provider to determine whether a specific area has service. 

Can I hook up my laptop?

While most of our cottages have telephone service, some do not have the necessary jack and private, touch-tone line service that will permit you to hook up your lap top, a fax  machine - or even call home to check messages. Please check the Cottage Information Sheet for the status of your cottage - or ask us if it's not clear. 

What about long distance telephone charges?

Renters are responsible for all long distance telephone charges made from the cottage during their occupancy.  If a telephone is provided at the cottage, you are welcome to use it for local calls - without charge.  If you make long distance calls, we would ask that you use a credit card.  If you cannot - we will rebill you, adding a $25.00 admin charge, once the owner sends us the bill. 

How do I locate a marina for boat rentals and what about fishing?

First, check with us. We will probably have the necessary information on file for marina/rental facilities in the area of one of our cottages. You can also check for a marina at www.marinasontario.com . It's worth noting that some marinas do not handle rentals at all while others are limited to certain types of watercraft. 

The nearest Ministry of Natural Resources (Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources) is your best source of information on fishing in the lake you'll be on- you can check with the local Chamber of Commerce or Tourist Information Center for their location.

Can I drink the water at the cottage?

Most cottages use the lake as the primary source of water, including drinking water. We recommend you bring in some bottled water or boil the water prior to drinking, regardless of the water source, and whether or not it is filtered. Most owners bring in drinking water and we recommend that you do the same.

What happens if the barbeque runs out of gas?

Most cottages have propane barbeques. We ask owners to ensure that the tank is full at the beginning of the season - and if possible that they have a second filled tank available. However, we do ask renters to refill empty tanks prior to leaving the cottage - there usually isn't time for the owners to deal with refills when they check the cottage between bookings.   

What do we do about noisy neighbours?

Sometimes, but not very often, there will be a noisy neighbour, or someone on the lake with noisy watercraft - or an unexpected construction project nearby. Unfortunately, there is little we or the owner can do in these circumstances, which like the weather, bugs and lake levels, are beyond the owner's control. (Please refer to the Booking Terms & Conditions.)

What do we do with our garbage?

Cottage Life is very different than life in the city. Everything you bring up to the cottage has to be disposed of, one way or another, including garbage.

At most cottages, you have to bring your garbage to the local dump - and a dump pass may be required. Some dumps have recycling facilities. Some dumps have bag limits. All of them have odd hours of operation. A few cottages have curb side (!) pick up. Check your Cottage Instructions for details.   

The most important thing to remember is NEVER leave garbage outside unless it's in a metal or wood container. If you can't get to the dump on your last day - please take your garbage with you.

Firewood

Most cottages provide a limited supply of firewood for fireplaces and campfire pits but please check your Travel Package to determine it is supplied at your rental property.

Safe boating regulations.

The Federal government produces a "Safe Boating Guide" we encourage all renters to read.  It covers the safety equipment required in ALL watercraft (including paddle boats and canoes) and covers the new Operator Competency Requirements that are being phased in over the next few years.  Since 2002, all operators of  motorized watercraft under 4 meters have been required to have on board, proof of competency. And there are age restrictions for youth  in place now.  Please obtain a copy of this booklet - (call 1 800 267 6687 or visit their web site at (Boating Safety)... Safe Boating is Everyone's Business...

What do I do if I have a question while I'm at the cottage?

If you have a question or a problem while you're at the cottage - by all means contact our office or the owner or the local/alternate contact noted on the Cottage Instructions. Owners would much prefer to hear from you BEFORE a small problem turns into a bigger one.

Television reception.  

Television reception is almost non existent in many parts of Cottage Country. If there is a television - it is usually there for use with a VCR (you may have to bring your own).  If there is a satellite system - it may have less channels than you are used to as well. 

Lake water levels.

In Ontario, many of the lakes are on controlled water systems such as the Trent Severn Waterway System - and usually, the water levels will change during the course of the year, sometimes dramatically. This will vary from lake to lake and from year to year depending on precipitation levels and waterway system requirements.   

We try to advise you about particular lakes - and if our video was taken at a particularly "high" or "low" water level, we'll try and point that out too - but the bottom line - if you'll pardon the pun - is that we don't know - and cannot know or control the lake levels on your destination lake. 

What about cottage life of the four-legged kind?

Or eight-legged for that matter - both flying and crawling, and scurrying animal and bug life, are a part of Cottage Country.....   Life out there is usually pretty different from life down here in the city - after all - that's why you're going on vacation right? So relax - read a book - maybe a book on cottage country wild life - and remember that most critters are more frightened of you than you are of them. 

Seriously, it is important to observe some  rules when vacationing up north....for example - don't leave food out on the kitchen counters - or anywhere else - ants and mice love your leftovers. Don't leave patio doors open - chipmunks and squirrels are brazen little things - not to mention mice - and will enter at the slightest invitation. Lights at night will attract moths - and other types of flying insects, some small enough to penetrate screens...

Mother nature, seasonal temperature variations, life cycles etc., can all create unexpected visitations...again, part of cottage life that we all have to deal with. Check your Cottage Instructions for any notes the owner may have made about visiting wildlife.  If you have questions or need help - by all means call the owner or local contact - and have fun - it's all a part of Cottage Life.