Entire home

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

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

Property grounds
4 bedrooms, desk, iron/ironing board, free WiFi
Smart TV, video games, DVD player, toys
Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop
Dining
Reviews
9.8

Exceptional

Popular amenities

  • Hot tubHot tubHot tub
  • Free WiFiFree WiFiFree WiFi
  • WasherWasherWasher
  • DryerDryerDryer
  • KitchenKitchenKitchen
  • Air conditioningAir conditioningAir conditioning

Check out the area

Map
Bala, ON
  • Popular LocationBala's Museum3 min drive
  • Popular LocationMuskoka Lakes Winery10 min drive
  • Popular LocationTorrance Barrens Dark-Sky Preserve15 min drive
  • AirportParry Sound, ON (YPD-Parry Sound Area Municipal)32 min drive

Space details

4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, sleeps 13
2000 sq ft
Bedroom 1
    1 queen bed
Bedroom 2
    1 double bed
Bedroom 3
    3 twin/single beds
Bedroom 4
    1 queen bed
Common area
    1 sleep sofa/futon

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 newly 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 double futon. There are DVDs, board games, books and cards. And an air hockey table! Access your Netflix and other streaming services accounts on the smart TV.

Location, Amenities, Conditions:
On Porter Lake - very quiet - no motorboats or other motor craft permitted.
Canoe + 3 kayaks.
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)

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 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 gradually deepens more. 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. There's an air hockey table for rainy days.

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 loungers
  • Beach towels

Ski

  • Cross-country skiing nearby
  • Snowboarding nearby

Pool/Spa

  • Spa tub

Internet

  • Available in the cottage: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Car recommended
  • Onsite parking options include a garage

Kitchen

  • Blender
  • Coffee grinder
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Dishwasher
  • Electric kettle
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Paper towels
  • Refrigerator
  • Spices
  • Stovetop
  • Toaster

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 4 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided
  • Sofa bed

Bathroom

  • 2 bathrooms
  • Bathtub or shower
  • Hair dryer
  • Shampoo
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Dining table
  • Living room
  • Wood stove

Entertainment

  • Books
  • DVD player
  • Games
  • Smart TV
  • Stereo
  • Video games
  • Video library

Outdoor areas

  • Balcony
  • Dock
  • Firepit
  • Garden
  • Outdoor furniture

Laundry

  • Washing machine

Work spaces

  • Computer monitor
  • Desk
  • Desk chair

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoke-free property

Services and conveniences

  • Iron/ironing board

Location highlights

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

Things to do

  • Arcade/game room on site
  • Kayak on site
  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Casino nearby
  • Golfing nearby
  • Hiking/biking trails nearby
  • Ice skating nearby
  • Kayaking nearby
  • Motor boating nearby
  • Sledding nearby
  • Snowmobiling nearby
  • Swimming nearby

Safety features

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

General

  • 1 unit
  • Garden
  • Unit size: 2,000 square feet

Similar properties

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

Special check-in instructions

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

Pets

Pets not 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

We should mention

A car is recommended for transportation to and from this property

Property is also known as

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

About the area

Bala

Located in Muskoka Lakes, this cottage is in a rural area and on the waterfront. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Lake Muskoka and Torrance Barrens Dark-Sky Preserve. Enjoy the area's slopes with cross-country skiing and snowboarding, and don't miss out on the snowmobiling and sledding.

What's nearby

  • 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
  • Lake Joseph Golf Club - 22 min drive

Getting around

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

Restaurants

  • Clear Lake Brewing Co - 6 min drive
  • Don's Bakery - 15 min walk
  • Ice Dreams Soda Shop - 17 min walk
  • Kee to Bala - 12 min walk
  • Cottage Cravings - 3 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is The Hideaway - Waterfront Cottage with private dock on Porter Lake - Muskoka pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at The Hideaway - Waterfront Cottage with private dock on Porter Lake - Muskoka?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at The Hideaway - Waterfront Cottage with private dock on Porter Lake - Muskoka?

Check-out is at 11:00 AM.

Where is The Hideaway - Waterfront Cottage with private dock on Porter Lake - Muskoka located?

This family-friendly Muskoka Lakes cottage is located on the waterfront, within 1 mi (2 km) of Lake Muskoka and Bala's Museum. Muskoka Lakes Winery and Hardy Lake Provincial Park are also within 6 mi (10 km).

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 14 out of 16 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 16 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 16 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 16 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 16 reviews" "

9.6/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

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