Island Bliss cottage (#568)

Description from the manager

Cottage Profile Escape to the tranquility of the “Island Bliss“ cottage. Our 2 acre paradise is located on Cranberry Island in Lake Huron offshore of the small lakeside community of Oliphant. Part of the historic Fishing Islands, designated by the Ministry of Natural Resources as ANSI (Area of Natural and/or Scientific Interest), it is a true Canadian cottage experience that should not be missed. New (completed 2009) custom-built, 2 story, three bedroom, 1040 square foot cottage with a panoramic (110 degree) lakeside view of Lake Huron. The sunsets and night skies from the cottage, fire pit, dock, decks, or perhaps most spectacula...rly - the 2nd floor Master Bedroom balcony are simply put, unequaled. Our off-grid cottage is powered by the sun, but is by no means a ‘backwards’ experience. All power generated is converted to 110 volts AC the same as anywhere else in North America. Linger at the cottage. It is handcrafted from local tongue & groove cedar, and pine throughout, while the floors in the main part of the cottage are of soft and inviting cork (a renewable resource).If you enjoy cooking, you’ll love our Heartland Classic Gas Range, this stove is highly coveted by home chefs around the world. Cozy up in a corner with an eclectic mix of books & music, work on a puzzle or partake in a variety of classic board or card games. NOTE: There is NO TELEVISION at our cottage, and there never will be! Solitude and adventure are both at your fingertips. Relax in true Canadian cottage style. Nap in the hammock, sit by the fire, on the decks, or at the dock. Rinse off in the outdoor shower (or the indoor one), eat S’mores by the fire under a night sky that is so vast and full of stars it can take your breath away. Swim in some of the warmest water in all the Great Lakes. Water is shallow by the dock and gradually increases in depth. You will walk out about 50 m before the water is deeper than 1 m. Poke around our 2 acre wooded property or explore the large PSW (Provincially Significant Wetland) adjacent to the back side (south-eastern side) of the property or the unique Alvar (Limestone Plain) with its intriguing ‘glacial scrapes’, located between the cottage and the dock at waterside. Abundant, and some rare, wildflowers thrive from early spring to fall in this unique environment. Look for a variety of wild orchids, lilies, as well as ferns, lichens and mosses. Bird sightings are also commonplace, add to our list. Great Blue Heron, American Redstart, Cedar Waxwing, Indigo Bunting, Scarlet Tanager, Eagle, Merlin, Wild Trumpeter Swan to name a few of the less common species seen from our property. More adventurous? Set out in the * canoe or kayaks to explore or fish. The Fishing Islands provide sheltered paddling for miles & miles, quite likely the safest paddling anywhere on Lake Huron. Discover the wreck of the Sarah, search for the Eagle, Egret and Great Blue Heron nests in the trees of nearby islands. (NOTE – any water bound activity has the potential for danger, always know the weather before venturing out.) Kite boarding is another high adrenalin activity for which the Oliphant area has become a Mecca. ACCESS Rest assured we will do everything necessary to keep your trip from becoming an episode from Gilligan’s Island! You will be met at the Marina (parking provided 1 spot at the dock, other free parking close by ) in Oliphant and delivered to Cranberry Island. You will receive a brief orientation of cottage functions, then be left to explore on your own. We recommend you bring all your food & supplies with you on the initial trip, as it will free you of the task mid-vacation.While on the island there are many ways to get around. You can kayak/canoe to shore in less than 15 minutes - 30 minutes or more to marina.. Call the local * Water Taxi for pick-up/delivery at our dock ($25 one way or $45 round trip {prices subject to change without notice}), rent a powerboat locally, or, you can walk! It is about a 30 minute walk (2 km) to the Marina across the back of the island, you will get wet (crossing 10 meters of less than knee deep water), but it’s otherwise an easy walk.We will deliver you back to the Marina at the end of your vacation. We will ensure that Access will NOT be an issue. So, take the plunge – in our warm, clear waters & our cool ‘Green’ cottage. Your family will return rested and rejuvenated from your summer holiday. Please note that ALL pictures for this property are either from the cottage or of the cottage!

Check-In: 4:30pm

Check-Out: 10:30amRead more

Additional Location Information

What Past Guests Are Saying

Overall Rating

• Adrienne & Brian
  Toronto

  Great vacation spot

  Left on 10/21/2011 for a stay in July 2011
  
  

  A unique spot in Ontario, very enjoyable, our dog loved it as well. Water activities and wildlife were most memorable.

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• kelly
  Port Colborne

  Peaceful get away from the everyday!

  Left on 10/21/2011 for a stay in August 2011
  
  

  We had such a wonderful time here! Very peaceful, beautiful property. It was nice to get away from the city and we really enjoyed learning to live 'off the grid'! The cottage was beautiful and had everything you could possibly need. We had some bad weather but we were never bored as there were plenty of books and games to entertain everyone. The walk to the mainland was extremely enjoyable and we with we had done it more. The kids loved chasing the frogs! Only downside was that the swimming was not good...very mucky, slimy bottom in front of the cottage. We did enjoy the kayaks though..just wish it hadn't been so windy so we could have gotten out more.
  The cottage itself is gorgeous with the tongue and groove throughout. The balcony off the master bedroom was very nice.
  The owner was very nice and helpful!

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• The Keys
  Kitchener

  What a wonderful, relaxing time!

  Left on 08/12/2011 for a stay in June 2011
  
  

  It was a beautiful cottage that was in excellent condition and had everything we needed. The location was very peaceful and quiet. The marina was a nice 30 minute walk where we got a little wet going through a waist high creek but it was easy to find. The beach at the cottage was a little muddy; but we got to use the canoe and kayaks which were nice! The cottage had dozens of books, games, puzzles and much more all provided by the owners to use during our stay as well as a beautiful gift basket as a welcome gift. The owner promptly met us at the marina and took us to the cottage with a guided tour of the area. He also made sure we were taken care of and showed us all around the cottage and made sure we were comfortable with everything before he left. Overall we had no major problems and were very pleased with our stay and returned home relaxed and rejuvinated!!

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• Truely Blissful!
  Guelph

  A little piece of paradise!

  Left on 08/30/2010 for a stay in July 2009
  
  

  If you want a quite location to relax, enjoy nature, and just generally leave all the every hustle behind this place is for you. This is the first vacation where we actually felt refreshed at the end of the week.

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• Bursey Family
  Kitchener

  Best week of our summer!

  Left on 10/29/2009 for a stay in September 2009
  
  

  We had such a good time. We booked last minute once we realized the summer was almost over and we are so glad we did. Being at an off-the-grid cottage taught us lessons we continue to heed. It was peaceful, quiet, relaxing, and fun too. We loved the frogs and minnows, flowers and trees. We will definitely be back!

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  Would you recommend this vacation rental to a friend? Yes

  Recommended for: Travelers, Friends, Tourists, Families w teenagers, Romantic, Families w children, Rugged, Singles

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• Bookseller
  Hockley Valley

  Island Bliss Review

  Left on 09/11/2009 for a stay in August 2009
  
  

  Owner very welcoming. Helped us carry supplies over a fairly long rockey area to cottage.
  
  Cottage very nicely finished. Locally milled cedar in bathroom which smelled at bit cedarey after a shower - lovely.
  
  Beautiful outlook from front. Lots of birds (including egrets) and frogs.
  
  Good swimming was a short pleasant walk away.
  
  The "off the grid" experience was very interesting and taught us things we should do at home. A bit of problem with the toilet which the owner came and dealt with quickly.
  
  Located on an island with a number of other cottages. Privacy still very good. Swimming not the best in front of cottage but a short walk away. Canoe and kayaks are a great plus. Used daily. Easy to use.
  
  We were a bit more island bound than we had originally thought. The "walk" to mainland involved getting wet and muddy. We did canoe in one day but with loaded boats and inexperienced paddlers it took an hour. Water taxi cost $45.00 round trip. Once we relaxed about the island part, we loved it.
  
  Hope this helps
  
  Joanne Gunn

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• colemancraig
  halifax nova scotia

  Switch Off and Recharge at Island Bliss Cottage

  Left on 09/07/2009 for a stay in July 2009
  
  

  The service provided by the folks at RentCottage was great. Prompt, courteous and friendly. They even helped arrange for linens. The owners were helpful in transporting us to the Island on our arrival and gave us a really practical orientation of their cottage. They made us feel very welcome.
  
  The "Cottage Profile" for Island Bliss was totally accurate. This is a clean, comfortable and well equipped family cottage. It is ideally suited for folks who want to stay-put and relax. We enjoyed the cottage for seven days (with a 5 year old) and only left the island once (by water taxi) for a day trip to Sauble Beach and a few groceries.
  
  The cottage is very private, surrounded by a rocky shore line and a few neighbouring cottages. Exploring rock pools and catching frogs, swimming off the dock and kayaking in the shallow waters were our main activities. This cottage lends itself to reading, relaxing and recharging your batteries. Barbeques on the deck followed by bedtime stories and watching the sunset by the fire-pit...a perfect family retreat.
  
  The peaceful and somewhat remote setting of Island Bliss makes this the ideal place to reconnect with your family away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. The eco-friendly aspects of this off the grid cottage make you mindful of our relationship with the environment in a positive way.
  

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  Detailed ratings for this rental

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  Would you recommend this vacation rental to a friend? Yes

  Recommended for: Friends, Tourists, Families w teenagers, Romantic, Families w children

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  Was this review helpful? Yes