Owners of Ontario Cottage Resort Offers Tips and Solutions to Simplify Vacation Planning

Danette and Steve Fernandez owners of an Ontario cottage resort in the Almaguin Highlands region http://www.sandlake.on.ca and parents of three small children realized that vacation planning can be so much easier if one website can cover the accommodations and attractions all on one site. This led them to create a one-stop vacation directory http://www.almaguin-vacation.com

Almaguin-vacation.com is unique in many ways. Tourists can decide where they would like to stay and from there the website will also tell them everything that area has to offer. It allows you to find the perfect lodging and it also lists all the golf courses, boat cruises, hiking spots, fishing spots, ski hills, theatres, atv trails, snowmobile trails, and other unique attractions in that same area.

Project Manager Paul Randall says, “I wanted to spend my week golfing during my vacation in the Almaguin Highlands and this directory listed all of the golf courses in the immediate area. I was so excited to find a cottage rental and a long list of golf courses on one website”.

Danette is happy to help other hospitality clients find potential vacationers. Danette has been in customer service for 20 years and she enjoys helping people find what they need.

When planning your vacation up north be sure to check out this great article “The Essential Cottager’s Companion” written by Catherine Copelin at http://www.hgtv.ca

Ten Things to Consider Before Renting a Cottage

Increasingly cottages and vacation properties are becoming more expensive and more difficult to rent. The properties book up fast, and due to increasing popularity of some areas you can expect to pay quite a hefty amount for a week- long rental. Often, bookings are made over the phone, with someone you've never met for a cottage you've never seen. It's important that you ask the right question, of yourself and the owner, to ensure that you get what you are looking for. Here's a helpful list:

1. It's never too late to plan for next summer. Most cottage rentals book a year in advance. Spring and early summer is the best time to scout out where you would like to relax the following year.
2. Consider geography. Where do you want rent? By the beach, by the lake or in the mountains? How close to home do you need to be - will you be commuting back to the city during the week or simply staying put?
3. How long and when? Are you setting up shop for the entire summer or just a week? And what month will suit you best? September is just as nice as August in cottage country, minus the crowds and bugs.
4. What are your physical requirements? If you have bad knees, a long stair climb to the cottage is the last thing you need on a holiday. Also, if you have small children do you want a sandy shoreline or a rocky one?
5. Do you have any reason to be near a medical centre, or would you like easy access to one just for peace of mind?
6. Do you want a quiet area with few cottages nearby or would you rather be social? Remember that quiet cottagers will not appreciate renters who make a lot of noise or party all night.
7. How much are you willing to spend? As mentioned earlier, cottage country is getting pricier every year, so it might help to make up a detailed budget, factoring in the price of food, gas and other supplies.
8. Always consider space. You can expect cottages to be smaller than home for the most part and this contributes to the cosy charm. But how many people does the cottage have to sleep? With a large family and lots of guests the cosy factor can get lost quickly, and simply become crowded!
9. Do you need a full bathroom or can you handle an outhouse? Be sure to ask about plumbing and water conditions so that you are not unpleasantly surprised.
10. The best people to ask before you rent are friends and family who cottage in the summers. They should point you in the right direction and might know of some reputable neighbours or acquaintances who rent in their area.

The Almaguin Highlands is a region on the west side of Algonquin Provincial Park and north of Muskoka in Ontario Canada. The area boasts numerous activities and a wide variety of accommodations for all seasons.

Visiting beautiful cottage country and Algonquin Provincial Park allows tourists to escape from their busy lives and take some time to just relax and take in some of the many local attractions.