About Us

Established 2022 | Family managed

About Hartley Bay Cottages

Who we are

A Private resort with 3 special cottages!

Hartley Bay Cottages started with a simple love of being outdoors — the smell of pine and lake water, the sound of loons at dusk, a line in the water at first light. There's something about the Canadian Shield that gets under your skin: the exposed granite, the wind through the pines, even the distant, romantic rumble of a passing train drifting across the water at night. When we found this stretch of waterfront in the Killarney and French River region, we knew we wanted more than just a family retreat — we wanted to share it. Every detail we've added to these cottages comes from asking what would make a family's week here unforgettable. This is our way of giving that back: a private, unhurried escape where the fishing is good, the hiking is close, and the memories are the whole point.

3

Private Cottages

6+

Nearby Attractions

What Makes Hartley Bay Cottages Different

What sets us apart is scale and intimacy together. Three independent, modern cottages — The Aspen, The Birch, and The Cedar — sit on one private, south-facing stretch of Badger Lake, each with its own dock, deck, and private hot tub, plus shared canoes, kayaks, a lakeside sauna, fire pits, EV charging, and UV-purified water straight from the tap. Book one cottage for privacy, or all three together (save 5%) for a proper family reunion. It's a balance most single rustic cabins or big commercial resorts can't offer: genuine wilderness quiet paired with real comfort — Starlink Wi-Fi, full kitchens, thoughtful furnishings — family-run by Vidhi and Thomas since 2022, just a minute from Hartley Bay Marina and close enough to Killarney, French River, and Grundy Lake provincial parks to use as your basecamp for all three.

Our Vision

To be a cherished waterfront sanctuary in the heart of Killarney and the French River region, where families and friends create lasting memories amid pristine Canadian nature — blending modern comfort with the timeless beauty of rock, water, and wilderness.

Why Hartley Bay Cottages

What Makes Us Special

3 Private Cottages

The Aspen, The Birch, and The Cedar — each with its own dock and character. Book one for privacy, or all three together and save 5%.

Shared Amenities

A lakeside sauna, fire pits, EV charging, and free kayaks & canoes for every guest to use.

Modern Comfort

Private hot tubs, Starlink WiFi, full kitchens, and UV-filtered water in every cottage.

Family-Run Since 2022

Owned and operated by Vidhi and Thomas — rated 4.9 on Google and 4.7 on Airbnb.

Happy Guests

What Our Guests Say

“Beautiful lake and surrounding. The hosts were very responsive. Had to drive a little past where google maps said the location was and the driveway is clearly marked with the cottage names on the left. Good fishing from the dock for the kids. Pumpkinseed, perch, rockbass, juvenile small and largmouth bads can be caught in bunches with a worm and some big small mouth if you cast out a bit deeper with a lure. Great spot to view the stars and perseid meteor shower. Comfortable beds and a place that felt like a home.”

Brandon — Brantford, Canada · August 2026

“We had a great time at Aspen Cottage. The house truly has everything you need, and we especially enjoyed the jacuzzi and all the outdoor activities like fishing and kayaking. Vidhi was a wonderful host — very responsive and helpful throughout our stay. We would absolutely recommend this cottage and plan to come back.”

Yvonne — Mississauga, Canada · 2 weeks ago

“The location is very beautiful and peaceful! Home has everything you need. Thank you, Vidhi, to share that place! Definitely will come back!”

Anastasiia — Toronto, Canada · 2 weeks ago

“We had a wonderful stay at this beautiful lakeside Airbnb! The location was peaceful, the views of the lake were stunning, and it was the perfect place to relax and unwind. The home was clean, comfortable, and had everything we needed for a great stay. Vidhi was fantastic—friendly, responsive, and made us feel welcome from the moment we arrived. They were quick to answer any questions and made sure we had everything we needed. We would definitely stay here again and highly recommend this place to anyone looking for a relaxing getaway by the lake!”

Brandon — Hamilton, Canada · 3 weeks ago

“The cottage patio was directly facing the water. Enjoying morning coffee in the hot tub was a great way to start the day. Kitchen was well equipped to cook and enjoy our meals or BBQ. Overall a very enjoyable holiday. I would recommend to anyone who loves the northern landscape.”

Kathy — Hamilton, Canada · July 2026

“Amazing hosts!! Extremely transparent, respectful, and very welcoming. Cottage itself was amazing and was more spacious compared to the photos which was a plus, would definitely recommend”

MuHyun — Mississauga, Canada · June 2026

“Enjoyed our stay. Great host!”

Ziyad — 10 years on Airbnb · June 2026

“Great place to stay at, really peaceful and private with a beautiful area.”

Kris — Toronto, Canada · May 2026

“Had a lovely weekend away at Vidhi's cottage. Very remote, quiet location. No boat traffic or other cottages in sight. Great spot to go if you are looking to fully unwind. Would also be a ton of fun to book all 3 cottages with a larger group of people. Highly recommend! We will be back!”

Joel — 2 months on Airbnb · May 2026

“We stayed in the cedar cabin, it was absolutely stunning. The view from the living room made it feel like I was outside. Vidhi was very friendly, helpful and responsive. The only things that kept this little gem from being five stars is 1. the sliding doors are broken and frustrating to use. You can feel a draft and see outside in some corners of the tracks, mosquitoes were getting in from somewhere. 2. the couch is not the one in the pictures and the one that is there is very uncomfortable 3. the barbecue and coffee pot were dirty. Otherwise very cute and peaceful. No guests in the cabin right beside so that added some extra privacy.”

Isaak — Wawa, Canada · May 2026

“We had an amazing time at Hartley Bay Cottages! The place is so cozy, and the lake was perfect for boating and relaxing. A wonderful spot to unwind and enjoy nature, we're already looking forward to coming back!”

Shab Patel — October 2025

“This is the third year that we have rented this cottage and had nothing but great success. The cottage is always clean when checking in and everything is in good working order. It's a great place to make memories at. Thank you for a great weekend!”

joyce nevins — October 2025

“I visited this lake house recently with my friends.it was incredibly beautiful… very thing is clean and nice… very flexible and all around great location…”

Mounika Roshan's — October 2025

“The Hartley bay cottages; Aspen & Birch was a rustic wood endowed slice of heaven, absolute stress reliever, freshest of air and gorgeous views from AM to AM. None of us slept till the early morning hours as we stayed warm in the hotubs and the bonfire, I'm hoping to be back A.S.A.P”

Vinil J — October 2025

“Our family's stay at the Hartley Bay lake house cottages was truly memorable, offering a perfect blend of relaxation and adventure with its beautiful lakefront setting, excellent amenities, and incredibly hospitable hosts. The comfortable, clean rooms with thoughtful touches and free use of watercraft with safety amenities made for a fantastic experience throughout our stay. We particularly enjoyed the stunning views, bonfire and stargazing at night and the opportunity to explore the nearby areas, making our short stay feel like a quick trip to paradise.”

Sumanth K P — Toronto, Ontario · October 2025

“We stayed in the Aspen cottage..!!! It was soooo lovely ❤️ Had a huge yet cozy living room with a fireplace and a TV.. comfortable couches to lounge on..!! Dining table for us to eat together and a spacious kitchen with a flame stove too.. There are 3 rooms with comfy beds and pillows.. the living room opens up into a deck with table and chairs, a functional hot tub and the lake..!! The view, the ambience, the vibes, the comfort, the convenience, the amenities, the lake, the view.. i would give it 100/5 stars..!! We played Uno, cards, had a bon fire, danced, the kids read books (which were in the cottage too).. went kayaking, canoeing and as a group on a boat too.. Over all, we had a GREAT TIME and we will definitely comeback every year to make it a yearly vacation..!! Special shout out to the owners for being so approachable and answered all our questions.. Gave some great suggestions too of what we could do around here..!!”

Kusuma Akunuru — Toronto, Ontario · October 2025

“very nice place to stay, it was nice to hop in a canoe and travel around the place fishing and exploring”

David — 10 months on Airbnb · October 2025

“The six of us wanted to spend a relaxed weekend and felt comfortable in the accommodation! The location and general surroundings are great and you can also spend a day in the accommodation - there is a large facility: hot tub, canoes, fireplace, various seating and dining options, etc. We had a nice time there :) And questions were answered super fast!”

Dana — 5 years on Airbnb · October 2025

“Vidhi was was quick to respond to questions and even helped send back some items if sentimental value that we left at the cabin. The place was great with an outstanding view of the lake.”

Aishwarya — Mississauga, Canada · September 2025

“It's a nice place with beautiful view and nature surrounding. House it's self was overall clean but kitchen cupboards was quite dirty. I understand it's not possible to clean them after every guest visit but to clean it at least once in a while would be nice because they were very dirty with someone hair inside etc. Also, I would highly recommend you to bring your own pots, frying pans and cutting boards because there were like 2 frying pans dirty with someone remaining food in it and scratched (considering it's a teflon it's highly toxic to use them in scratched condition). Additionally there is a train that passes nearby and honks very very loudly 3-4 times and passes 2 times at nighttime, one around midnight, another around 5am so if you're a sensitive sleeper it will be a good idea to bring ear plugs. At the time we were there, there were no mosquitoes. Yay! There are 2 lovely hummingbirds that live around, please fill out the feeder for them! It's 1/4 parts sugar/water.”

Elena — Toronto, Canada · September 2025

“The Birch Cottage was a great location for our family of 5 on our end of summer road trip. The space was great, the kayaks were loved, and surroundings were gorgeous. I would highly recommend if you are looking to reconnect with nature and enjoy the outdoors with your family. The host was very responsive and had great local suggestions. Thank you so much for the great stay!”

Megan K — Havertown, Pennsylvania · September 2025

“Beautiful location - very private and peaceful. The cottage and surroundings need some real maintenance. The hot tub was not prepared for our arrival (was at 85 degrees, instead of the 104 it should be) which was the main reason we chose this specific spot, so that was disappointing. There were no neighbours at the time so we were told to use their hot tub, but it wasn't much warmer (93). You can tell it was once a very loved place, however things have been left to go downhill. There were multiple places where garbage was left outside, blowing around. The cement is falling to pieces with weeds growing everywhere through it. The red chairs are falling apart and need to be replaced. Water pressure is definitely an issue. Toilets don't always flush, and I couldn't shower when the neighbours were using the hose to top up the hot tub. It would have been okay for less money, but it cost us over $1000 total for 2 nights! Not worth that price.”

Mandi — Woodstock, Canada · September 2025

“The listing is misleading — this property is not in Killarney but in Alban, about 1.5 hours away from Killarney. The cabins are very close together, so there isn't much privacy unless you rent all three. We had several issues during our stay. On Saturday, the cleaning lady came by with her three young children, who were running around the property and even fishing off our dock. She also took something from our deck without asking, which we had to retrieve ourselves. There was no acknowledgment or apology. Later that same day, the yard maintenance crew showed up in the middle of the afternoon, making it too loud to enjoy being outside. On the positive side, the lake and the view are beautiful, and this could be a good spot for a large family group renting all the cabins together. However, based on our experience, we would not stay here again.”

Ryan — Greater Sudbury, Canada · September 2025

“What an amazing experience at the Hartley Bay cottages. Beautiful and peaceful place right on the water. Amazing amenities as the cottage is equipped with pretty much everything you need for a water front stay. More than anything the hosts were absolute delight. They were so nice and took care of us while we were there like family. A must visit.”

Anup Gandhi — August 2025

“I recently stayed at this beautiful cottage, and it was honestly one of the best getaways I've had in a long time. The place was spotless, cozy, and thoughtfully decorated — it felt like a home away from home. The kitchen was fully equipped, which made cooking meals really easy, and the living area was perfect for relaxing after a day outdoors. The surrounding area was peaceful and scenic — whether it was enjoying my morning coffee on the deck, sitting by the firepit at night, or going for walks nearby, everything about the location was relaxing. You could tell the hosts really care about the guest experience. They were friendly, responsive, and made sure we had everything we needed for a comfortable stay. If you're looking for a quiet, clean, and charming place to unwind, I highly recommend this cottage. I'll definitely be coming back!”

Michael Troiani — August 2025

“We just spent a week in the Aspen cottage and had a wonderful time. The cottage is the perfect blend of rustic yet retains all the comforts of home. Beds were comfy (some were a bit creaky though). The kitchen is well stocked, there is wifi and streaming apps on the TV, puzzles and games, etc. The water is wonderful for swimming and deep right off the dock (no beach for small children so take note!). I enjoyed my daily swims and watching the loons. The French River landscape is absolutely stunning! Take note that the dry sauna is an IR sauna. The hosts were super friendly and accommodating too! I would highly recommend for people who want to "level up" from camping yet still appreciate a cottage with some rustic appeal.”

Johanna Lively — August 2025

“We really enjoyed the Burch cottage ! Lots of room for 6 adults Really appreciated the window air conditioner Had our boat at Hartley Bay Marina caught lots of fish on the French River Thanks Hartley Bay Cottages for an excellent 5 days!”

Steve Diefenbacher — August 2025

“Such a restful, idyllic getaway at Hartley Bay cottages. Vidhi is such a fantastic host, she thoughtfully had a basket of treats for us on arrival. Keyless entry/exit to the cottages was seamless and our stay was splendid and we felt looked after. The cottages are upgraded and we had a wonderful 3-day stay, exploring nature, fishing, kayaking and enjoying the borealis at night in the hot tub!! Each cottage was independently equipped with all our needs and the view of the lakefront was magnificent. If you are looking to get away and connect with nature, I would certainly recommend Hartley Bay cottages. It was just the reset we needed for the summer!”

Michelle D'Souza — August 2025

“we rented the Aspen cottage. it was a great trip and would definitely come back. very peaceful location and a beautiful way to spent a vacation.”

Scott — Cambridge, Canada · August 2025

“It was a great place to have a family gathering. You can fish off the docks or at local marina. Wild blueberries nearby. We loved our time away. Beds were comfortable and despite high temps and no air condition, there is always a great breeze to keep the cabin cool. Everything was there as posted with a great big fridge and a chest freezer to store ice and meat for the week. Views from the patio were truly lovely.”

Christine — 5 years on Airbnb · July 2025

“We had a nice stay at the Birch. It is right by the water with a fantastic view. You can jump into the lake and swim onto a floating pad. It was buggy when we were there - we can handle the mosquitoes but there were also a lot of biting flies during the day, which made it difficult to relax on the floating pad. A private hot tub was a nice touch. The cottage was spacious, and there is a gazebo with great views. The hosts were very friendly and their son even took us out on their motor boat. One note is the place does need maintenance. Thomas tried to quickly fix things that were broken like outlets not working or a light not turning on, but one issue that was inconvenient was the toilets not flushing well, with the ensuite toilet unable to flush even toilet paper. This appeared to be due to a problem with the septic system and was fixed but unfortunately not until near the end of our stay. The toilets worked perfectly after. Overall we enjoyed our stay and had a relaxing vacation.”

Nelson — 4 years on Airbnb · July 2025

“Unfortunately, the house was in a very bad condition. It was not clean at all and we found quite a lot of leftovers from former guests. The terrase definitely needs some maintenance, the life vests for the canoes are very worn down and full of mold and dirt. Luckily, the weather was very nice during our whole stay and we didnt had to spent to much time indoors.”

Florian — 10 years on Airbnb · June 2025

“This was the last leg of our 3x AirBnB road trip across the province. And it was lovely. Private setting on water, exactly how it was described. Great to have on site laundry for a quick load. Huge kitchen. Great master bedroom. The other two were on small side but perfect for sleeping. The place is far from many things - so be sure to fill up on gas before heading in. Stations are few and far between. The road in is gravel, and so travel slow to not lose control in the winding gravel washboard road. And also - bring a ton of mosquito stuff. They are insane this year. We had some of the burning coils and lit it on back table near the sliding door - to try and deter more from entering as we were in and out. My last night there I killed 20+ in my room with fly swatter and even more while trying to sleep. It is a bad year for them for sure. Enjoyed hot tub 1 night before it went green. Host was responsive and offered a solution to resolve. Overall 2 thumbs up!”

Sherri — Cambridge, Canada · May 2025

“We enjoyed our time in the cottage at the lake very much. Communication with Vidhi was always very friendly and reliable. The location is very idyllic right at the lake with direct access. The house is spacious and has all one needs for a good stay. There are a few smaller shops in about 15-20 min reachable by car. There are loads of different activities all around and a wide variety of Provincial Parks for great day trips. We can very much recommend staying with Vidhi!”

Patrick — Kaiseraugst, Switzerland · October 2024

“Vidhi was a great host! Very responsive. The cottage was clean, cozy and peaceful. We have stayed twice and will definitely be back again!”

Heather — 4 years on Airbnb · October 2024

“We had a great time at the cottage. The whole family loved it.”

Julian — Aurora, Canada · October 2024

“Our stay at the Aspen was lovely. Clean, comfortable, and very picturesque. A lovely setting and nice cottage with all the amenities. Vidhi was wonderful to deal with, and very helpful and friendly. She responded quickly to any questions we had. We look forward to another visit at some point.”

Lynn — 2 years on Airbnb · September 2024

“Beautiful scenic lake front areas, built around boulders, make it quite scenic from the lake and great for our dog to climb on. The driveway from the road is quite steep, bumpy and rocky. If you have a low to the ground car you will have difficulty getting back up without at least scraping your car underneath. Otherwise fun ride! Photos are spot on with an improvement to a large smart tv with access to Netflix with a cottage account (very nice touch!). The main bedroom mattress is quite soft so if you need a more supportive mattress the spare rooms would be better. Best stand up paddle boarding I have done was here. Mirror like reflections on still water. We spent 6 nights and I was the only person out there. Whole lake is about 6km around. Well worth it in the gorgeous morning sun. It is quite close to the other 2 cottages so you will not have privacy and can be noisy pending on your luck with other guests staying. All in we had a great time and also spent days at Killarney.”

Matthew — Hamilton, Canada · September 2024

“Vidhi's cottage was amazing and so relaxing. Luckily we were the only people at the 3 cottages available which made it even more relaxing. Great views of the water, took the canoe out fishing everyday (pike and bass) and sat in the hot tub for hours. the internet was fast allowing us to work easily from the deck. we would definitely go back if given the chance and can't recommend this to anyone else enough”

Adam — Guelph, Canada · September 2024

“Beautiful weekend in Cedar Cottage. Cottage is clean and spacious. Vidhi has a really fast response time which was appreciated. Enjoyed using the canoe, kayak and paddle board. Two lovely afternoons spent hanging out on the water, and two incredible nights sitting around the fire in awe of the night sky. The bbq, hot tub and wifi made this cottage luxurious to me. Definitely recommend for location, scenery and the cottage itself. Thanks for being the meet up place for old friends!”

Julianna — Thunder Bay, Canada · September 2024

“awesome cottage in Ontario wilderness on waterfront with modern amenities and helpful host. highly recommend!!”

Emil — Lakewood, Ohio · September 2024

“Super location by the lake, with laundry, canoe, kayak, barbecue and gazebo. Hot tub was the highlight. Property needs an upgrade. Heating is not the most effective and things look old.”

Siddhesh K — August 2024

“I had an amazing weekend at Birch! Great cottage! Excellent spot for the family. The cottage has everything you'd need.Very clean and comfortable. Big bonus- the cottage has lots of water toys to keep everyone entertained. Loved the kayaks. Was a great vacation and we would definitely stay here again!!”

Alleandra Lobo — August 2024

“Great place to spend vacation with friends & family to relax, it has the Gorgeous lake view. Kids enjoyed the water play area near the shore, they spent lot of time out doors in water doing fishing & Kayaking. During our stay we made good use of available canoes, kayaks, life jackets to explore the river beauty & fishing. 3 different cottages reside close by each other best vacation spot to spend time with your loved ones.”

Poorni K — August 2024

“We recently booked all three cottages at Hartley Bay Cottages for a group of 18, and it was an absolute blast! The cottages were immaculate, spacious, and perfectly equipped for our large group. The setting was picturesque, with stunning views of the bay. The highlight of our trip was the abundance of activities available right at our doorstep. We spent our days kayaking, boating, and fishing on the serene waters. The jacuzzi and sauna were the perfect way to unwind after a day of adventure. The cottages were well-maintained, and Vidhi and Tom who are the hosts went above and beyond to ensure our stay was comfortable and enjoyable. We had everything we needed and more! If you're looking for a fantastic group getaway, look no further We can't wait to come back and create more memories! Thanks, Hartley Bay Cottages, for an unforgettable experience!”

Albert Pradeep — August 2024

“We loved the lake setting so much! We kept busy exploring the area. The main area of Aspen cottage was very spacious as well, for indoor living and activity. We enjoyed our stay. The place smelled clean when we arrived - which is always a relief!”

Rob — Listowel, Canada · August 2024

“This cottage was exactly what we were looking for. A dock to jump off into deep pristine water, a quiet lake to paddle, a fire pit, a cozy space to bond with our family of 4. I would have loved to disconnect completely but I was also grateful for the good internet to get my work done in the evenings.”

Lauren — Brantford, Canada · August 2024

“The view was beautiful out front and the cottage clean and well equipped. The 2 other cottages on the lot were very close - you look at cars out the windows on either side. The smell of sewage was overpowering outside the front door and the kitchen window, and the driveway into the cottage was almost impossible to get out of, we had to take 3 tries to get out and almost ripped the muffler off the car. Overall, a disappointing and expensive holiday.”

Andrew — Guelph, Canada · August 2024

“This was a great experience and would definitely stay again! Vidhi was very proactive and stayed in touch. Having the private gazebo was a refuge, especially since this cottage is in the middle so you don't feel that much privacy from the cottages on either side - but you also had space between the cottages, so it wasn't like you were on top of one another either. The lake is great (no beach - it's just a sheer drop off the dock). Very iron-rich so not a lot of fish or plants. We saw lots of water snakes and even a rattlesnake! The kayaks & canoes were great to have, some of the life jackets are a little worn down and sun-bleached so best to bring your own. A couple of things - definitely some mice, so be prepared for that and the cottage has really settled and the floor is uneven. Okay for us, but if some of our elderly family had joined us I think we might have had some slips and trips. The cottage is a 10-15 min drive from the highway but still very convenient.”

Katherine — Canada · August 2024

“Vidhi's place was perfect for our cottage vacation in a bit more of a remote location near the French River area. The lake and surroundings are beautiful. The deck, dock, lawn and hottub got a lot of use!”

Kevin — Toronto, Canada · August 2024

“Pristine lake with access to kayaks and canoes.\n\nPlenty of life jackets and paddles”

Rhoda — Toronto, Canada · July 2024

“We had a lovely time. Good space and the lake was large and quiet. Host was friendly and helpful.”

David — Toronto, Canada · July 2024

“We had a great week enjoying the beautiful lake and cottage. Would definitely return to this wonderful spot ☺️”

Rosa — Toronto, Canada · July 2024

“We had an amazing time at Vidhi's cottage. The property is very well maintained, the lake is beautiful and the fishing was great. French River Provincial Park is only a few minutes drive from the cottage, I really recommend it.”

Alexandre — Whitby, Canada · June 2024

“We had a great stay at Aspen cottage, it had everything you can think of. Hot tub, BBQ, lake facing deck, fire pit, kayak made it a perfect relaxing vacation. It is a bit far from stores, but we carried everything needed as described in the stay description. Cellphone network is not good in area but wifi provided is pretty good.”

Saima — Toronto, Canada · October 2023

“The location is ideal. However, the last stretch of the road is a bit rough and the road entering the property is steep and needs to be re-paved. We enjoyed our stay and will definitely visit again. For those who wish to visit Killarney Provincial Park and its surrounding trails, this place is ideal if you don't wish to camp. You can reach Killarney Park within an hour. Way better than renting a hotel in Sudbury.”

Bash — Mississauga, Canada · October 2023

“Warm, cozy and peaceful. Exactly what I was looking for for the last trip of the season. The property is beautiful, you have all the privacy needed. Vidhi, the host, is extremely quick at responding to any inquiries. Would definitely book one of these cottages again!”

Olivia — Uxbridge, Canada · October 2023

“We really enjoyed our stay and Vidhi was very accommodating and prompt to return messages.”

Heather — 4 years on Airbnb · October 2023

“Had a great time! Would definitely go back for another stay!”

Jeremy — Tillsonburg, Canada · October 2023

“We had a great time in The Cedar swimming and paddling in the lake. Cabin was easy to find and easy to check in. Lots of paddling options and lifejackets were appreciated!”

Randle — Saugeen Shores, Canada · October 2023

“We stayed at the Aspen for 2 nights and I would highly recommend. The cottage was very clean and easy to find. It had everything you needed. The view was so peaceful. You will not be sorry to rent this beautiful cottage and I do have to mention the host was fantastic. Thank you for a great weekend.”

Joyce — 3 years on Airbnb · September 2023

“The property was very nice, exactly as described and had everything you would need and then some. Canoes and kayaks were a bonus! Vidhi was great to correspond with. Friendly, helpful and always very quick to respond.”

Kurt — Sault Ste. Marie, Canada · September 2023

“Cottage was a great get away especially for my husband who has mobility issues. Everything was as described and Vidhi responded to all questions right away. Will come back”

Annette — 9 years on Airbnb · September 2023

“My family loved this experience. The scenery was beautiful and picturesque. The local stores are equipped with anything you need but Sudbury isn't too far away. We had lots of fun on the lake and made some great memories. The accommodations were more than enough for adults and children. I would recommend this place to any large family group or smaller couples.”

Aine — 4 years on Airbnb · September 2023

“What a wonderful memory! It has everything you need, and more, in the chalet. The environment is very serene, with crystal-clear air; we very much appreciated the canoeing at our ease and the hot tub after the hike. 1.5 hr drive away, Killarney Park is breathtaking!!! Pleasant restaurant (burgers) and quality 15 km away, which is the closest. Otherwise, the first supermarket is 50 km away (Noelville)! So bring your food. Good BBQ. On the other hand, the 3 cottages are close so we were lucky enough to be alone. The final access is impressive because it's VERY steep! Glad not to be in winter! Vidhi is very responsive, which is important because the isolation may seem total!”

Sylvie — 10 years on Airbnb · September 2023

“Vidhi was an excellent host. We stayed in Cedar Cottage . The cottages are in a beautiful and peaceful location. We had an excellent time and would highly recommend it.”

Jamie — August 2023

“Visually stunning place! Beautiful location, absolutely gorgeous cottages. This location is very unique in itself, peaceful and mesmerizing. This is one place where you can be alone with nature, enjoy with kids and family. Cottages are very well kept with nice interior, hot tubs (each cottage has its own), barbeque, board games, TV with DVD player, high speed internet and all you need to be in the middle of lake, floating and talking to nature. Yes, they do have Kayaks, canoe with life jackets :) So, visitor dont have to carry. Hosts were so welcoming and helpful, they had even kept fruit wine in ghe cottage as a gesture which makes you feel welcoming. We went to French River, very near to the cottages..which was another beautiful place to visit. Dont forget to visit French River Trading post if you want buy some gifts. This is a must visit place to relax, away from City chaos...to be with your ownself.”

mohit arora — August 2023

“Hosted my micro wedding right at the cottages and then had all my guests stay there for a long weekend to celebrate! Turned out absolutely perfect, and Vidhi was an amazing host who made sure we had everything we needed. Set up the arch + chairs for the ceremony on the deck of the middle cabin, set up chairs and tables on the deck of the first cabin and everything was absolutely beautiful.”

Marissa Sherrard — August 2023

“Had a very nice and relaxing time at the cottage. Owners are very helpful, generous and very accommodating. Cottages were clean. Enjoyed hot tub and fishing during the weekend. Nearby Marina is also great place. Well appointed kitchen. Very clean & well maintained property. All amenities including internet, TV, Blu ray player, dishwasher, etc made our stay very comfortable. Can be a good place for anyone to stay and work from there. Very good hiking spots nearby. Great neighborhood.”

Arpit Aryan Arora — August 2023

“This was the fourth year we stayed at the Hartley Bay Cottages on Badger Lake and the first time with Vihdi and Thomas as owners. They are extremely responsive to any communication or expressed concerns. They made some really nice additions, especially the UV water system so we didn't have to lug water. Also the private hot tub at each cottage was a nice addition. We rent the Birch for two weeks each year and rent the Cedar for one week so we can have a true family vacation with our adult children and grandchildren. The cottages are clean and comfortable but not fussy...just what you want for cottage life!! The lake is very quiet with no big power boats and only a few other cottages. The swimming off the dock is amazing. We kayaked the lake several times. We love the Gazebo that is part of the Birch because it gives protection from the elements. This is truly my happy place and we have already reserved for next year!!!”

Randy Copland — August 2023

“A beautiful spot. The lake and view are ideal. Nice deep water off the dock for some fabulous swimming. Having the canoes and kayaks available was great for an easy paddle. Really nice that there are virtually no motorboats zooming by. We saw one the whole week we were there. So very peaceful. Really easy to get there and Vidhi was a great communicator and very attentive.”

Martha — Toronto, Canada · August 2023

“If you're looking to get away from day to day distractions, the Aspen cottage is the perfect place. With the closest town about 40 minutes away you'll need to carefully plan ahead, but the serenity makes it so worth it. The cottage is well equipped with the necessities. We are a family of 8 with 2 dogs and it was perfect for us. We spent our days swimming, kayaking, playing games and fishing. The mosquitoes in late July are still a bit much at dusk, so bring your favourite repellent. Thank you Vidhi, we'll be back!”

Maureen — Orillia, Canada · July 2023

“Very quiet, peaceful property on a pretty little lake, literally beside the French River. The primary bedroom was super comfy, beautiful breeze every night and when that wasn't enough, the ceiling fan was great. Kitchen was well equipped as was the private BBQ. We loved the deck overlooking the lake, enjoyed our time reading and eating our meals outside with that gorgeous view. The hot tub was an amazing feature of the cottage, so nice to come home to after a day of hiking or kayaking. The cottage is off the beaten path, which we loved and was appealing to us. It is a bit of a drive to restaurants and other amenities like groceries or gas stations (20 to 30 minutes), but we knew that ahead of time and planned accordingly. What we loved about the location was we were within easy driving distance to Killarney and multiple access points to the French River for kayaking. Thank you, Vidhi, for sharing your space with us and for being so quick to respond to us.”

Kelly — London, Canada · July 2023

“We had a wonderful relaxing week in the spacious Birch cottage. We spent so much time in the cozy gazebo overlooking the water, and loved listening to the loons. The week flew by so fast! Host was super helpful and responsive to any questions we had along the way. Highly recommend!”

Christina — Toronto, Canada · July 2023

“Beautiful setting. Very remote which was lovely. We thoroughly enjoyed using the kayaks and canoes. The host was very friendly and accommodating from the moment we booked to moment we left. Would highly recommend”

Laura — 7 years on Airbnb · July 2023

“This cottage was a great find!!! The location was absolutely beautiful; right on a private lake in the French River region. One of the best lake swimming spots I've ever been to. Lots of spaces to relax and enjoy the beauty outside the cottage itself (enclosed gazebo, beautiful deck with great shade in the morning to drink your coffee or tea, other outdoor sitting areas). The kayaks and canoes were so nice to have access to and the lake is very calm to paddle around leisurely. You don't need to spend much time indoors here but the indoors is a cozy cottage feel, it was 30 degrees out plus humidex and the window air conditioner cooled indoors down nicely. Would recommend a vacation here for sure.”

Christine — Ontario, Canada · July 2023

“Everything went as planned and was well worth the price. Vidhi was very helpful and made the stay memorable”

Tristan — Lincoln, Canada · July 2023

“We really enjoyed the property, and Vidhi really set us up for an enjoyable week. We had stayed at this property before, and this time around, there were hot tubs, which really added to the enjoyment. We rented 2 of the cottages and were able to split up accommodations to suit each group. There are three cottages so this would be a great location for 3 families.”

Wayne — Mississauga, Canada · July 2023

“Incredible place. Vidhi was great. Very communicative and very accommodating! Thank you for letting us experience this location!”

Ravi — Toronto, Canada · June 2023

“This cottage was what I needed, a sanctuary at home. It's felt nostalgic when I entered the place. Reminded me of childhood trips during the summer. The place is great, and the gazebo is an awesome addition. Spent most of my time on the dock taking in the views. I highly recommend this place for anyone looking for a peaceful weekend up north.”

Adam — Toronto, Canada · June 2023

“We had a great weekend at the cottage. It's a beautiful spot. The hosts were amazing, they provided recommendations, checked in and were very responsive. We enjoyed some hikes in the surrounding parks and did some canoeing. It is a more rustic area/space. Bring your bug spray :) There were some ants and we found some mouse droppings in the kitchen, but generally the place was clean. You need to bring everything kitchen-wise - parchment, oil, salt and pepper etc. and your own towels. We recommend this cottage to anyone looking for a relaxing weekend or hoping to explore French River and Grundy parks. Thanks for a lovely family weekend!”

Kate — Penetanguishene, Canada · May 2023

“Vidhi's place is a great find. The cottage is very well-equipped with kayaks and canoes. The backyard is great for stargazing in the hot tub and she has some great recommendations for the area. Look forward to coming back in the future!”

Patrick — Toronto, Canada · May 2023

“We had such a wonderful weekend in this beautiful and private location that offered my partner and I a weekend of relaxation and quiet that was exactly what we needed. Vidhi was so wonderful and always available should we need anything. The space was very clean and welcoming. We will look to book in the future bringing our family to enjoy it with next time.”

Todd — 4 years on Airbnb · October 2022

“We had a great time. The location was scenic and serene.”

Michael — Toronto, Canada · October 2022

“This was our second visit to this property. We stayed in Birch (3 bedrooms) this time with two couples and in Aspen last year (2021, two bedrooms with one other couple). We would go back again next year. We enjoyed the natural beauty and quiet atmosphere right next to Badger Lake. Lots of outdoor activities nearby. The fireplace and hot tub created some nice memories for us. The cottage itself is spacious enough for 6. We were alerted by Vidhi that the dishwasher wasn't working - so no surprise, but it needs to be replaced. Vidhi was super fast responsive to all our questions. Definitely recommended!”

Devdatt — Toronto, Canada · October 2022

“This was a wonderful long weekend get-away spot! Very beautiful and quiet lake with not many cottages and boats compared to similar areas. There was a beaver out and about sometimes. Cedar cottage seems to be the most private of the 3 onsite. The hot tub, kayaks with life jackets, and welcome treats were much appreciated. We'll be back with friends or family :)”

Kate — Guelph, Canada · October 2022

“Very nice place for the reunion with nature! The place is absolutely gorgeous for meditation and relaxation. The energy is magical and incredibly special! My fiancé and I really enjoyed our stay!”

Danil — Vaughan, Canada · September 2022

“The cottage was clean, had a lot of great amenities. Fantastic stay.”

Ali — 4 years on Airbnb · September 2022

“Have everything essential for staycation! Host is very friendly and responsive. Awesome stay for long weekend! Excellent location for boating, hiking, stargazing and family/friend time. Nice hot tub, grill and fire pit set for northern light experience! They even have electric car charger! Will definitely book again :)”

Ying — Toronto, Canada · September 2022

“Great location awesome spot great renters”

Matthew — 4 years on Airbnb · September 2022

“We enjoyed our stay at Vidhi's place: great location at the lake and close to Killarney park, canoes and paddle boards are provided free of charge, hot tube and bbq on the patio, well-equipped kitchen, and a clean bathroom. The deck is in a shabby condition though, and might need a clean-up. We'd recommend the place to everyone who would like to spend a quiet getaway in the nature.”

Alexandra — 9 years on Airbnb · September 2022

“We have stayed at the Cedar several times over the past few years. It is the smallest of the three cottages but has all the amenities of its neighbours. We like that it is the one in the grouping that has a yard suitable for lawn games. The view from the deck is incredible and the private hot tub was well used, especially as the weather during our stay this time was a bit less than ideal. This is a very quiet lake with few cottages and only a couple of small motor boats which are hardly ever seen or heard. Great for canoeing and kayaking. Highly recommend.”

Randy — Smithville, Canada · September 2022

“We had a great time at Vidhi's cottage. The place was clean, the area is gorgeous, the lake amazing, vidhi responded quickly to our questions. I recommend!”

Lionel — Hamilton, Canada · September 2022

“We had a one week stay in the "Cedar" cottage, and it wasn't long enough!! The cottage has the most spectacular lake views from the living/dining room windows, the morning sunrise would greet us at the start of every day over breakfast. The cottage was clean, cozy and had everything our family of four needed for our stay. Our kids appreciated the strong WiFi that was available, as cell service can be spotty up that way. We made full use daily of the available canoes, kayaks, life jackets and assorted floaties to explore and play in the lake. The fishing was great off the dock, around the shore of the cottage and all around the lake from the canoe and kayaks. If you enjoy the Georgian Bay and Killarney area, this cottage will not disappoint!! We are looking forward to going back again next summer!”

Adam M — August 2022

“The cottages were amazing ! Very clean and comfortable. The hosts were very helpful making suggestions along the way, and the area was beautiful. Definitely worth a trip up there. Privates access to water with docks, and spacious living space and bedrooms for comfortable stay. Peaceful and quiet. Loads of amenities at the cottages themselves so really only need to bring food and some towels and have fun BBQ, canoes, wake board, paddles, fire pit, all available for use Even had a jacuzzi !”

Azkah Wasem — August 2022

“We rented all 3 cottages and loved the place, amazing view, relaxing and peaceful. Lots space for our group. The owner was very nice and responsive and loved her welcome message and some goodies to make us smile 😊 Oh the internet was fast!!!! I give this place 4 stars just because it doesn’t have a shallow water for children to hang out longer time in water, but over all my experience was 4.5 ⭐️ you can do go many places from there and lots of water activities. The place is fully equipped with water Toys for all ages! I am sure you will enjoy your stay, but just keep below points in mind. 1- wake up early and enjoy the view and clam water that looks like mirror 🪞 2- Put kids and pets mostly on life jack if they don’t know how to swim as water is deep and you want walk into water! 3- You have 10-15 minutes drive in semi paved street 4- don’t forget lots bug spray as you are in cottage country and specially at night you need it and if you like to camping ⛺️ to watch the stars ✨ get your clear net before leaving the city! 4. Don’t forget your first aid ⛑ as it is small town 5- local stores are 20-25 minutes drive away with minimum veggies and fruits. 6- for wood go to Cedar village marina they sell wood 🪵 very cheap and nice ones. You can get a supply of 2-4 days for $20 which is amazing. Plus if you need to rent a boat go to cedar village Marina. It is just 15-20 minutes away! And very reasonable rental available. Note: the cottages are a little closer to each other, therefore if rented separately and you looking for total privacy keep that in mind and rent the Aspen or Cedar as Birch is right in the middle. Overall I will go again! Thanks to the owner for being a great host! Enjoy your stay!”

Palwasha — August 2022

“We had a great stay at Vidhi's cottage! Check in was seamless and she was very responsive. We were a little skeptical what it would be like sharing the property with two other cottages but it was lovely! Each cottage has its own privacy (especially the Aspen). We were able to use the walk-in beach area when needed for the dogs to cool off which is located beside the Cedar. The Aspen is covered by trees so the cottage itself stays quite cool. There are massive ceiling fans that also help. The views are amazing and the water was so calm during our stay. We did some fishing off the dock but i think you would need a boat to catch anything worth keeping! No seaweed at all and very nice lake to swim in! Lots of kayaks and canoes to also use! Just an FYI - items not provided which you will need to bring with you: dish towels, bathroom hand towel, garbage bags, recycling bags, shower towel. Overall, great week!”

Shannon — Milton, Canada · August 2022

“We recently spent a week in the Aspen cottage on Badger Lake. We really enjoyed our time there - we have three daughters and there was lots of space for us all in the cottage and everything we needed in the kitchen. The view from the deck is amazing - Badger Lake is beautiful and quiet. We loved sitting outside on the deck reading our books. I feel I should mention there is a train that runs fairly close by (not right beside - no tracks too close). It did not bother us and we kind of came to enjoy the sound of it - but some people might want to have a heads up. It was great having the hot tub on the deck! We all especially enjoyed the canoes and kayaks and exploring the lake that way. The lake was great for swimming - it is deep right off the dock so good to just jump in :) The fire pit is great too - we had some nice fires. We drove the hour-long drive into Killarney Provincial Park twice (worth the drive for us)! And also went to Grundy Lake and French River. Closest places for groceries and gas are 25 minutes - not too bad but plan accordingly! We would come again for sure. Vidhi was very responsive and easy to communicate with and even left a welcome gift for us on our arrival! Thanks!”

Rebecca — London, Canada · August 2022

“The Birches is a huge cottage - more than enough room for 4 adults and 2 big dogs. Bring most of your food - you don't want to drive the 12 km of gravel road constantly. Once you are at the cottage, there is lots to do. There are canoes, kayaks, and a paddle-board to explore the lake, swimming, the hot tub, a fire pit (when there is no fire ban), fishing, relaxing, puzzles, board games and books. WiFi is good, but my phone service was zero bars, so I could disconnect, and answer only what I chose to. A perfect vacation. The lake is amazing - about 100 m wide, but 4 km long. There are only about a half-dozen cottages on the whole lake, and no one has jet-skis or fast boats. The worst you get is a neighbor trolling up and down the lake. There is the CN rail line at the west end of the lake and the trains have to whistle at the crossing at Hartley Bay, but at the distance we are away, the sound is more romantic than annoying.”

Robert — Milton, Canada · August 2022

“What a gem! Stunning surroundings, perfect for families and those that love to fish. Communal paddle boards, kayaks, and floaties. The stars here are unreal as there is little to no light pollution. 45min to nearest store. Perfect! This cottage is fully stocked for all your needs and comes with a private hot tub under the stars.”

Anthony — 7 years on Airbnb · July 2022

“The Aspen hot tub under the stars was unforgettable. Starlink WiFi worked great and the cottage felt like home away from home.”

James & Linda K. — Ottawa, ON

“The Cedar has the best lake views of all three cottages. Waking up to that sunrise over the French River was worth every mile of the drive.”