What Our Guests Say

Real reviews from real stays at Hartley Bay Cottages.

Google Reviews

4.9 · Based on 42 reviews · live from Google

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October 2025

“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
August 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 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 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 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

“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.”

Michael R. — Sudbury, ON