Ontario Cottage Rentals

Location: Skeleton Lake, near Bracebridge, Ontario.

Tucked onto the shores of clean, clear Skeleton Lake in central Muskoka, Mawarra Cottage is a place of peaceful beauty. Comfort, cleanliness, magnificent views and sunshine, along with a hot tub with a view, will make this a location that will quickly become a favourite.

A few steps down from the parking area leads to the entrance to the cottage. Inside, the living, kitchen, dining area is open concept. Bright colours, large windows with views of the lake, comfortable furniture, lovely hardwood flooring and good use of space are bonuses here.

The kitchen is fully-equipped with everything a chef might need – from cookbooks, a slow cooker, fondue pot and gourmet barbeque, to a picnic basket for outings on the lake! A peninsula in the kitchen has three stools for casual dining, while the dining table has extensions to comfortably seat eight.

Comfortable seating for eight is provided in the living area, with its focal point being a lovely wood burning fireplace. The television has VCR and DVD player and three local channels. Many movies are available – both children’s and adults. Board games, puzzles and books will keep everyone occupied.

One bedroom opens off the kitchen, while two others are accessed from the dining area. There is a queen bed, closets and dressers in two of the bedrooms, with a bunk bed (single on top and bottom) in the third. A four-piece bathroom is nearby.

A door leads from the living area to the large deck facing the lake. Care has been taken to build into the natural surroundings, so a tree was left to be surrounded by the deck and provide shade when needed. Patio furniture is provided.

Stairs lead down from the main deck to another large deck. Additional outdoor furniture here includes an umbrella, lovely teak chairs and sun lounges. Water lines (both hot and cold) extend to this level so that, if you bring an inflatable pool for the little ones, it may be easily filled. The piece de resistance is a seven-seat hot tub on this deck. Imagine an evening here enjoying the starry sky, or a quick warm up after a refreshing swim!

Additional steps lead down to the lake, where there are docks and a boathouse with 30 by 20 foot deck above. The sun-worshipers will enjoy this spot. If you bring a motor boat, it may be moored inside the boathouse. Rentals and a boat launch are close by at Woodland Marine. A paddleboat, and canoe are provided with the cottage.

Swimming is fabulous in this deep, spring-fed lake. The depth off the boat house docks is about seven feet and a ladder is provided.

Skeleton Lake has a circumference of about 25 miles and has been called the clearest lake in Canada. There is much to explore by boat. A short distance around the lake are hiking trails, a waterfall, and a shallow, sandy beach with picnic tables. Fishing is great – in summer or in winter.

If you decide to spend a day away from this idyllic spot, Bracebridge is about twenty minutes away. Here there are good restaurants, interesting shopping, Santa’s Village, an internet café, live theatre and craft shows. The towns of Huntsville (near Algonquin Provincial Park) and Parry Sound (with its access to Georgian Bay) are also less than an hour’s drive.

The cottage name, Mawarra, means “A place of friends.” Come and find out why this suits so well.

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Pricing:

• $1,595 per week during high-season (fourth Saturday of June, until the Saturday after Labour Day.)
• $1,050 per week off season.
• $600 refundable security deposit.