Tag: renting a cottage

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Cottage Life

4 tips for booking a multi-generational cottage rental

Photo by Christine Glade/Shutterstock

From grandkids to grandparents and all the aunts, uncles, and cousins in between, many families travel together and this often includes multiple generations.

Many memories made on trips like this, and group travel is often more economical. It does, however, require some extra planning, boundary setting, and communication.

If you’re looking to book a cottage rental for your next family getaway, the first thing you need to consider is the area that you want to visit. Once that’s decided, your next challenge is finding accommodation that can cover the varying needs and interests of your larger group.

Here are some suggestions to help you find the perfect rental for your next large, multi-generational family vacation.

Set a budget together

You need to get everyone on the same page when it comes to the budget. While some may be happy to have more rustic accommodations, others may prefer a more luxurious trip. Plus, not everyone wants to (or can) spend unlimited amounts of money for a vacation home. Before booking, try to determine a price range to look within when using a site to search properties. Be sure to set a maximum limit to avoid disappointment or surprises.

Remind everyone in your group that there may be fees for cleaning or supplies that are not included in the rental price (look carefully at your booking site). This is also a good time to consider opportunities to share the cost of food.

Location, location, location

When choosing a location, you not only need to consider your budget, but also that property’s distance from where your group lives. Can everyone get there easily, and how isolated or accessible is the property? Will it be easy to get diapers if someone runs out? If there are health concerns in your group, is there a nearby hospital?

Determine what activities are a priority

When you have grandparents and babies— plus every age in between—finding a place with activities or space that accommodates everyone may not be easy. You’ll want to figure out if there are activities that require you to leave the property to enjoy. For example, travelling to the nearest beach will mean packing everyone up for the day. Conversely, if there is plenty to do on-site, you just need to show up and unpack.

You may find locations with a communal sports area or a private playground for the kids. Additional things to look for your rental to include could be board games or gaming tables, such as air hockey or ping pong.

If you are renting a place with a pool, it is recommended that you have family rules not just for the kids to follow (such as no swimming if there aren’t adults around), but also for the adults. Rotate adults as lifeguards to be within arms reach and help ensure the kids are being watched. Review the property’s pool area for safety.

Maximize the space and sleeping arrangements

Many of us have stories about when we were kids, sleeping together on the floor or small cots with cousins or siblings when we were on vacation. However, you will need to not only abide by the maximum occupancy numbers in your rental agreement, but also figure out the comfort level for your group. Those with babies will need a quiet space for naps and bedtime, while teens may want to stay up later even when the younger (and older) relatives have gone to bed.

Larger outdoor and indoor areas offer adults (and older kids) more quiet spaces to read or take time away from the entire group.

Find a space that is comfortable for everyone. Sharing rooms for the kids may seem like no big deal, but adults will likely prefer to have their own rooms. The same may go for bathrooms. Is one bathroom enough for your family of 13? If not, maybe filter your search to include rental properties with two or more bathrooms.

Making memories with your extended family is precious, but it does take some extra planning to get it right so that everyone leaves with happy memories, not sour ones.

Not sure where to begin? Check out these properties:

Ashton Villa Retreat, Ashton, Ont. 

Le Légendaire, the Laurentians, Que.

Avalon, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont.

Rideau Lakes, Ont.

Kemptville, Ont.

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Cottage Life

Here are the top things Canadian families are looking for in a cottage rental

These days, many families are booking vacations closer to home—especially at cabins or waterfront cottages. The right cottage rental can comfortably accommodate an entire family, and it often comes equipped with all the amenities and extras that make their stay fun and memorable. 

If you own a vacation home and are looking to make some bonus income, it can pay to know what amenities and features renters are looking for, so that you can be sure to add the right details to your Vrbo listing and make any needed improvements. A property that checks all (or most!) of the below boxes will get booked more quickly, and for a higher nightly rate. 

Here are the key features Canadian families are looking for in a vacation rental:  

A modern, charming property

Canadian renters on Vrbo are booking renovated cottages, chalets, and cabins that offer modern amenities like WIFI and air conditioning, but with a rustic twist. Things like check and plaid textiles, wood finishes, and stone fireplaces can create a cozy look that’s preferred for rural getaways. Charming décor and seasonally appropriate home accessories can go a long way in improving your rental’s overall appeal. 

Group-friendly spaces

Compared to hotels or resorts, vacation rentals can offer families ample privacy and more space. Everyone can have their own bedroom and/or bathroom, and features like bunk beds and parking for multiple cars can be a big draw. 

For big groups and extended family bookings, particularly sought-after amenities include a well-equipped kitchen for meal prep, and a dining area that’s big enough to seat everyone comfortably. So if you’re advertising a property that sleeps 10, make sure to have enough dining chairs and a table that can fit the whole group!

Popular seasonal amenities

In winter, renters are looking for seasonal amenities like outdoor hot tubs and indoor fireplaces. Looking ahead to the summer months, they may filter their search for properties with features like waterfront access, an outdoor grill, or a private swimming pool. The more amenities you can offer, the more likely your listing will show up in the search results. And by listing with Vrbo, you can ensure those amenities—whether it’s a hot tub or a king-size bed—are front-row centre through filters that help the right renters find you.  

Points of attractions nearby 

Based on popular search terms, in winter many Canadians want a rental close to a ski hill. Generally, your Vrbo listing should highlight any nearby points of interest and tourist attractions, seasonal and year-round. For example, is your cottage close to a provincial park or historical site? Or are there great hiking trails or a public skating rink within walking distance? Be sure this information is advertised in your listing. 

A convenient location

A convenient location is very important for would-be renters; for example, many prefer a vacation rental with a grocery store or food nearby. In your listing, do mention the property’s proximity to grocery stores, shops, and restaurants. Plus, you may want to indicate typical travel times to the cottage from major urban centres, especially if it’s close to a major highway or through route and can be accessed quickly and easily.

Thinking of listing renting out your cottage this season? Open your door to rental income by listing on Vrbo.

Categories
Cottage Life

5 things I wish I’d known before renting a cottage for the first time

Photo by Natali55522/Shutterstock

For many, spending time at the cottage is something they’ve always known—their cottage has been passed down for generations. For others, they’ll visit a friend’s cottage or they know someone who knows someone. Then there’s the rest of us. The wonderful privilege of growing up with summers at the cottage wasn’t an experience I grew up with. But after a very long lockdown last year, I wanted to take a vacation where I could safely include my parents in without risking their health. Renting a cottage felt like the perfect escape, but if you didn’t grow up going to a cottage like me, it can be tricky navigating it for the first time. I learned quite a bit during this first experience. Here’s what I wish I had known before I booked the trip. 

What do you get for the price of the rental? 

When we were looking for the perfect cottage, the one thing we knew we really wanted was to be right on a lake—and while many listings marketed a lake—the more we would dig into it, we would often find that the lake was actually a 10-minute walk or a 5-minute drive away. Other things to note: does it have a TV or any entertainment? Does it include access to a barbecue, laundry, firewood, life jackets, canoes, and other supplies, or does those require an additional fee? Make sure you read the fine print before you commit, or you might find yourself disappointed on arrival.

How accessible is the rental? 

The cottage we ended up renting was in a heavily wooded and isolated area near the tiny town of Severn Bridge, Ont. While the listing did mention that the area around the cabin was quite rocky, we didn’t realize just how inaccessible it truly was for anyone with mobility issues until we were there. My mom has bad knees and wasn’t able to come sit by the fire, as the firepit was located on steep, slanted, rocky ground. If accessibility is an issue for anyone in your party, make sure the place that you’re booking will work for them. 

What is the food and supplies situation? 

The cottage owners noted they would supply little things like salt and pepper, but we ended up bringing many items that we didn’t need. This can be tricky, but if possible, request exact information on what supplies will and will not be provided from your host so you don’t unnecessarily overpack.  

What is the safety situation around the lake? 

The instructional guidebook provided on arrival said that we had to wear life jackets on the lake at all times. Our cottage was on a small lake with no beach area—a dock was the only way to access the water. Powerboats were plentiful on the lake, which could create safety issues if you were without a life jacket. 

What is the rental’s access to the outside world? 

Our cottage had Wi-Fi, which was a non-negotiable for us when we were looking for a place to rent, but the location was hard to find. We had to follow special directions from the owner on the drive up to find it hidden deep into a sprawling wooded area, which made us want to heading back into town should we have needed anything or wanted to explore. This also made me slightly nervous that if anything went wrong, emergency services might have a hard time finding the place quickly.