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The Hideaway - Waterfront Cottage with private dock on Porter Lake - Muskoka

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Photo gallery for The Hideaway - Waterfront Cottage with private dock on Porter Lake - Muskoka

Property grounds
Smart TV, video games, DVD player, toys
4 bedrooms, desk, iron/ironing board, free WiFi
Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop
Property grounds

Reviews

9.8 out of 10

Exceptional

Entire home

4 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 13186 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Washer
  • Air conditioning
  • Kitchen
  • Dryer
  • Free WiFi

Explore the area

Map
Bala, ON
  • Lake Muskoka
    12 min walk
  • Bala's Museum
    3 min drive
  • Muskoka Lakes Winery
    10 min drive
  • Muskoka, ON (YQA)
    36 min drive

Room options

About the area

Bala

On lake.You'll be within half a mile (1 km) of Lake Muskoka and 2 miles (3 km) of Bala's Museum with a stay here. Muskoka Lakes Winery and Hardy Lake Provincial Park are also within 6 miles (10 km).

What's nearby

  • Lake Muskoka - 12 min walk
  • Bala's Museum - 3 min drive
  • Hardy Lake Provincial Park - 9 min drive
  • Muskoka Lakes Winery - 10 min drive
  • Torrance Barrens Dark-Sky Preserve - 15 min drive

Getting around

  • Gravenhurst Station - 26 min drive
  • Muskoka, ON (YQA) - 36 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Clear Lake Brewing Co - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Muskoka Lakes Winery - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪Don's Bakery - ‬15 min walk
  • ‪Hook and Ladder - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Kee to Bala - ‬12 min walk

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

The Hideaway - Waterfront Cottage with private dock on Porter Lake - Muskoka

Hideaway Cottage is a lovely and private all-season cottage near Bala, Ontario in the heart of Muskoka. This is a family-friendly house that we use ourselves when it is not rented.

Wood floors, a BBQ, a dock on a quiet lake and 70+ acres of privacy make this the ideal escape in the spring, summer or fall. Cook on the BBQ, play in the large backyard, lounge in the hammock, roast marshmallows at the fire pit, go for a swim in the lake, or just plain old hang out.

The amenities make your stay easier. There's a fully equipped kitchen with new induction stove/convection oven, fridge, microwave, dishwasher, espresso machine and drip coffee maker.

The living-dining area is L shaped with a cathedral ceiling. The dining area seats 12. The living room is bright with windows overlooking the woods and the lake, and there is a tile woodstove.

The main level master bedroom has patio doors opening to a deck looking out through trees to the lake. Two bedrooms that accommodate 7 people and a play area are upstairs, perfect for the kids. Linens are included.

There's a Muskoka Room (a screened in porch) overlooking the back garden, with a dining table and seating for 4.

The ground level has been recently renovated: there’s a bright bedroom with a queen-sized bed with an intimate view of the woods, a 3-piece bathroom, and a games room/tv room with a sectional sofa and pull-out double bed. There are DVDs, board games, books and cards. Access your Netflix and other streaming services accounts on the smart TV. Did we mention the air hockey table?

Location, Amenities, Conditions:
On Porter Lake - very quiet - no motorboats or other motor craft permitted.
Canoe + 3 kayaks + 2 stand up paddleboards
Games & toys available for kids.
Outside fire pit and marshmallow forks are included! Bring s'mores!

What's Nearby:
Town of Bala and Bala Falls
Near Bala’s stores, restaurants, TD Bank, LCBO and Beer Store, library and skating arena.
Concerts at Kee to Bala
Downhill skiing Mount St Louis Moonstone
Johnston's Cranberry Marsh
Muskoka Steamship Cruises in Gravenhurst (30 minutes away)
Hardy Lake Provincial Park with great walking trails (15 minutes away)
Torrance Barrens Dark Sky Preserve (only 15 minutes away).

Restrictions:
No pets on the property.
No smoking.
No hunting on the property.

Summer rentals: 1 week or longer only. Cleaning is included.

The cottage is on a small and quiet private lake, with about 1,000 feet of frontage on each side of the lake. Swimming is primarily from the dock, with plenty-deep water that is usually quite warm in the summer. There are 3 kayaks, 2 paddleboards and a canoe for exploring and you'll find lots of lifejackets on site for adults and kids.

There is a treed slope down to the water; a mix of Canadian Shield and grass. The water is about 2ft deep at the shoreline and then deepens to more than 12ft deep at the end of the dock. The lakebed is firm to soft sand/gravel/rock bottom.

On site there are tons of books for both adults and children, a variety of board games, and toys for young children. Play soccer in the backyard or have fun playing volleyball, bocce ball or croquet. A hammock in the backyard overlooks the garden.

Bring your fishing poles - there are lots of bass in the lake.

This reservation has a flexible cancellation policy - refunds will be issued up to 14 days prior to the check in date.

A 100% refund is provided for travellers cancelling at least 14 full days before check-in. No refunds are provided for travellers cancelling less than 14 days prior to check-in.

Our house rules: primary renter must be 25 or older, no smoking, no parties or events, no pets.
No smoking indoors and no littering.
Rules for disposal of garbage must be followed.
Fires must be moderate in size and in outdoor fire pit only.
No additional overnight guests without permission.
Renter assumes liability for any and all damages including damages by family or guests.

Important limitations of liability:
- swimming, boating, hiking, skiing, encounters with wildlife (there are bears, poisonous snakes, etc. in Muskoka), walking on lake ice, use of BBQ or fire pit, and other outdoor activities may be hazardous and may present a risk of injury.
- The cottage -- including the surrounding property and any boats, life-jackets, barbeque or other items on site (collectively the "furnished cottage"), are provided on an "as is" basis without warranties of any kind, either express or implied.
- We disclaim all warranties, express or implied, including, but not limited to, implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose.
- In no event shall the cottage owners ("we", "us") be liable for any direct, indirect, special or consequential damages, or any other damages of any kind whether in an action in contract, tort (including but not limited to negligence) or otherwise, arising out of or in any way connected with the use or inability to use the furnished cottage.
- In no event shall the aggregate liability of us -- whether in contract, warranty, tort (including negligence whether active, passive or imputed), product liability, strict liability or other theory -- arising out of or relating to the use of the furnished cottage, exceed any compensation you pay, if any, to us for access to or use of the furnished cottage.

Property manager

Gillian

Languages

French

Property amenities

Beach

  • Beach towels
  • Beach sun loungers

Ski

  • Snowboarding and cross-country skiing nearby

Internet

  • Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Onsite parking options include a garage
  • Onsite parking
  • Car recommended

Kitchen

  • Refrigerator
  • Stovetop
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Dishwasher
  • Paper towels
  • Toaster
  • Coffee grinder
  • Spices

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 4 bedrooms
  • Bed sheets provided
  • Sofa bed

Bathrooms

  • 1 bathroom
  • Bathtub or shower
  • Toilet paper
  • Hair dryer
  • Shampoo
  • Soap
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Living room
  • Wood stove

Entertainment

  • Smart TV
  • Arcade/game room
  • Video games
  • DVD player
  • Music library
  • Stereo
  • Video library
  • Games
  • Books

Outdoor areas

  • Balcony
  • Garden
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Firepit
  • Dock

Laundry

  • Washing machine and dryer

Work spaces

  • Computer monitor
  • Desk
  • Desk chair

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Suitability/Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Area rugs in public areas
  • Hardwood flooring in public areas
  • No elevators
  • 7 stairs to reach property
  • Tile flooring in public areas
  • Upper floors accessible by stairs only
  • Smoke-free property

Services and conveniences

  • Iron/ironing board

Location highlights

  • On the lake
  • On the waterfront
  • In a rural location
  • Near the bay

Things to do

  • Kayak on site
  • Hiking nearby
  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Hiking/biking trails nearby
  • Marina nearby
  • Ice skating nearby
  • Kayaking nearby
  • Swimming nearby
  • Snowmobiling nearby
  • Casino nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector installed (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
  • Smoke detector installed (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • Fire extinguisher
  • First aid kit
  • Deadbolt lock

General

  • Recycling
  • Unit size: 2000 sq ft (186 sq m)

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 3:00 PM
Contactless check-in available
Minimum check-in age: 25

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM
Contactless check-out available

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.

Important information

You need to know

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
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy.
A cash deposit, credit card, or debit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
    This property is managed by a private host, not a professional engaged in trade or business. This property accepts cash. Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited. For guests' safety, the property includes a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock in each accommodation.

Property is also known as

The Hideaway Cottage Muskoka Bala Ontario
The Hideaway Cottage Bala Ontario Muskoka

The Hideaway - Waterfront Cottage with private dock on Porter Lake - Muskoka Reviews

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 16 out of 18 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 18 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 18 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 18 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 18 reviews" "

9.8/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Tawny F.

Liked: Cleanliness
Another great visit!
Our family enjoyed a wonderful week on this private lake oasis. This was our second consecutive year at this cottage and can't wait to return again.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Paul K.

Liked: Cleanliness
Peaceful and quiet
Beautiful
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Fran V.

Liked: Cleanliness
Little piece of paradise
This cottage was perfect for our family! Beautiful views from balcony! Everything was provided as far as entertainment ,water sports, yard games! The owner was great friendly and very responsive when we need help! Thank you Gillian and Steve for everything! Highly recommend!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Tawny F.

Liked: Cleanliness
Private and peaceful
Beautiful lake for swimming off the spacious dock with lots of water toys for use. We had perfect weather and enjoyed lawn games and bonfires at night. A huge bonus was having the firewood provided. The week went by too fast!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Philip Y., Thornhill

Liked: Cleanliness
Superb in all aspects
Had a great time here. Both the adults and children in the group were able to find so much to fall in love with. The design of the house really lends itself to a more social atmosphere and proves itself well in handling a higher number of guests. The amenities were a welcome change to what we have experienced at other rentals and really helped allow more people to commit to coming on our trip. The property itself was easy to find and navigate and is a great location that was close for us but still gave the vibes you want from a Muskoka getaway. We'd all love to come back!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

8/10 Good

Heather M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Family time
Lovely dock and lake area. Wonderful family time. A/C is only in one area of main floor. Apart from leak and power failure was a successful stay.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Michael H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Summer Week: 4 Adults & 4 Kids
We rented this cottage for the first week of July. Our group was two families incl 4 Adults and 4 Kids ages 5 - 11. Proximity to Bala is great for access to anything you'd need/want, or to take in a show at the Kee, but at the lake it feels like you are very secluded. Small/quiet lake with 3 docks, and no boat launch so no motor boats which we found very quiet and safe for kids paddling on their own. Very large property, with so much distance from neighbours you won't see anyone else if you don't want to. It was a great week and we will very likely be back next year.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Barbara H., Hamilton, Ontario Canada

Liked: Cleanliness
Peaceful vacation on a quiet lake!
Hideaway Cottage is a lovely spot on a very quiet lake (no motor boats). The cottage is comfortable and well equipped, and is particularly suited to young families as there is a wide assortment of toys and games. The location is very close to Bala and a short drive to Port Carling, making shopping convenient, and there are lots of things to do and places to explore in Muskoka. We had a great week and hope to be back.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Veronica P.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great memories made!
A group of 8 adults and 4 small children under 5 years of age - we had a great time! The only thing we were unclear on was the path down to the water and how steep that would be - but we made it work. The lake was so quiet and private, the long driveway made some fun walks and bike rides, the fire pit and green space were amazing for the kids to run around. The sun room / play room was well equipped with lots of toys and books for the kids. There is no AC in the children’s rooms at the top level but tons of fans available for air circulation. Kitchen was pretty well stocked. The view of the lake was so peaceful. We would definitely recommend this place again!
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Allison J.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful Stay with Family and Friends
We had a beautiful week. Property was exactly as described. Clean and well-appointed with everything we needed. Loved the dock, the lake, the kayaks and canoes. The beds were comfy and there were lots of nice places to sit. Loved the location and would return again.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Jacqueline B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Relaxing family getaway
We had a wonderful time with our family at this cottage. Gillian and Steve were so welcoming and helpful with anything that we needed. The cottage was completing stocked with anything and everything that we needed and was especially great for our toddler (lots of toys, games, and books). The Lake was perfect for swimming, fishing and relaxing. Most of our days were spent on the dock! We had such a great family vacation and look forward to returning in the future.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Steve E.

Liked: Cleanliness
Amazing property & cottage, only 3 cottages on the lake, we saw no one else the entire week.
Amazing! & Extremely well equipped, the extra fridge is a life saver!
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2021

10/10 Excellent

quenneville

Liked: Cleanliness
great family cottage
This cottage was very private on a quiet lake with a great dock for sunbathing and relaxing. The amenities were bountiful, with lots to do on site. Cute little town of Bala close by.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Joe S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful cottage and a relaxing stay
We had a wonderful vacation at Gillian's cottage. Gillian was great with communications and provided the most comprehensive list of things available we’ve ever seen for a rental, which really helped with packing. Check-in was seamless and the cottage was very well-kept and clean. The kitchen was well-stocked with tools and dishware, so we had everything we needed for meals. The cottage came with so many books, toys, games and sports equipment that it was easy to keep our 4-year-old son entertained and we got lots of quiet time while he played in the Muskoka room. The lake was small and quiet and perfect for canoeing and kayaking. We also had a lot of fun fishing and swimming off the dock. We would definitely book here again and recommend this rental, especially for families with kids.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2021

10/10 Excellent

Geoffrey C.

Liked: Cleanliness
A great cottage getaway
We greatly enjoyed Gillian and Steve's marvelous cottage. Near all conveniences, but set away on a serenely peaceful lake with no motor traffic and distant neighbours. Well-equipped, comfortable, tons of toys and books for the little ones. And lots of space for sleeping. Really great for a family stay!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2020

8/10 Good

Kelly M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Family holiday
We just finished a week stay at the Hideaway cottage. We had a wonderful week and very much enjoyed our time in Bala. The lake is absolutely beautiful for swimming, very quiet and private. The cottage has with everything you would need and more. Our kids enjoyed the endless toys and books, they were a big hit. Communication with owners was efficient and easy and they were very helpful especially leading up to our stay. We hope you enjoy this cottage as much as our family did.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2020

10/10 Excellent

wendy d.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great experience
The property was everything described and more. Very private and lots of space to explore. Can get a little buggy but that’s part of the experience. Gillian as a host was great, all the necessities and more was provided. The lake was especially nice to swim in and great spot for fishing. We truly enjoyed our stay and love to come back in coming years.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2020