Some people are lucky enough to have a family-owned cottage that they can use throughout the vacation season. These can be passed down through the generations and a way of keeping family together. Others, like myself, are not as lucky and need to rent a spot if they wish to unwind somewhere that isn’t their own backyard.
Cottages are available in many western countries including all of North America and most of Western Europe. So, if you want to get away but are thinking you want to stray a little further than the average cottage vacation, it is certainly possible.
Most rentals fill up fairly quickly and ideally you book it many months in advance, especially if travelling during high season. You can use a rental service or rent privately in Europe.
In North America, there are cottage rental groups and resorts that rent a number of cottages out within an area or you can go the private route.
1. Private or resort/group
Both systems have their advantages. Groups that have multiple cottages tend to have standard contracts and a more organized system than a private renter, especially someone who is renting their place out for the first time.
If they have multiple places, they are more likely to be able to accommodate you and your group as well.
Private renters are often more flexible though, particularly if you end up going back to the same place year after year. Private rentals are often cheaper and can work well but you should ask about the policies that a group or resort is more likely to have in place like a cancellation policy, maintenance standards for the property between renters, etc.
The internet can be a great place to find a cottage rental. You can search for sites that specialize in cottage rentals and, ideally they may also have reviews from past visitors that have rented the cottage.
While reviews are no guarantee since much can change for better or for worse over the course of a season, if everyone complains about the cleanliness of the place, you can count on that possibly being an issue.
2. Amenities
It’s important to find out what is included in your rental. In the cottage itself, you’ll need to know the number of bedrooms, are linens provided, how many bathrooms, kitchen equipment including pots and pans, cutlery and dishes. Is there a coffeemaker?
If you need coffee in the morning, that’s an important question. What about laundry facilities if you are staying for an extended period of time.
You’ll also want to know about outdoor equipment like boats, canoes, life jackets, beach games like volleyball, etc. You need to think about the activities you enjoy and the equipment required.
If you intend to fish out on the lake and you don`t own a boat, then you need a cottage that either provides a boat or has a boat rental agency close by.
Make yourself a list of things to ask about. It should include the following:
- Linens – what is included and what do you need to bring – many prefer to bring their own pillows even if they are provided, extra blankets
- Kitchen – coffee maker, dishes, pots and pans, cutlery, dish towels, dish cloths for washing up, stove, refrigerator, microwave, kettle
- Bathroom – towels, soap, toilet paper
- Phone – is there a working phone in the cottage, what charges apply if it is used
- Internet – do you need wifi access and, if yes, does the cottage have it
- Chairs – for outdoor use such as lawn chairs or picnic tables
- BBQ – if they don’t provide one you’ll want to bring one, barbeque tools, do they provide charcoal or propane
- Boats – what is available, what can be rented nearby, are there extra charges for using the equipment
- Other sports equipment
- Pool? Some people don’t like swimming in the lake.
- Television?
- Firepit? Firewood?
- Laundry facilities?
- What things have extra charges that apply to them
- Any house rules
- Are pets allowed – and any limits on number or type of pets
- Emergency contact information
- Cancellation policy
3. Location
There are cottages in a wide variety of settings including urban and rural settings as well as the typical lakeside ones. Start thinking about what you hope to do while there.
I know in our family, the guys might take off fishing and the girls might want to go in a different direction entirely. Fishing means there needs to be water nearby where fishing is allowed. Make sure you have a valid license to legally fish in the area you are staying in.
Not all cottages are on lakes. The women in my family love to go horseback riding. There is very rarely horseback riding at a cottage but sometimes it is available nearby. Ask if there are hiking trails nearby for those who enjoy long walks outdoors. Look into the location of swimming pools, children’s activities, etc.
How remote is the cottage? Privacy is nice but how far you have to go to pick up a few groceries or to enjoy a nice cold, ice cream cone on a hot summer’s evening is important too; especially if you have a limited number of vehicles.
If you are renting a cottage at a resort, find out how close the other cabins are. If you are looking for privacy, having a family of five fifteen feet away may not be your cup of tea. However, if you have young children, the prospect of other kids being around for them to play with is promising.
Many families become good friends at cottages and begin booking the same week year after year so they can vacation together.
4. Who are you travelling with?
Cottages come in everything from very basic one bedroom screened-in buildings to elaborate homes that are anything but rustic. If you love living the rustic life, you won’t mind if there is no television, internet, or gourmet kitchen facilities.
If you are not much for camping and like your luxuries, you may want to make sure that some amenities are available for your use.
Some cottages offer three or more bedrooms which is ideal for couples that like to vacation together or families. Going away with another couple can also significantly cut down the cost of your rental since you generally pay for the building, not the number of people staying there.
Some places do limit how many people can stay in the building so inquire about that before breaking the Guinness Record for how many people can stay in a one bedroom cottage.
Regardless of where you stay, it’s important to find something that will give you the relaxation you need. It’s your vacation, decide what you want to get out of it and go rent it.
Cover photo: nearnorthliving.com
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