Summer may be officially over, but vacation season can last forever thanks to this four-season waterfront rental that's begging you to pack up and head to Haliburton.
Stornoway is a dream of a vacation home that spans 1,200 square feet and stands tall at the edge of White Lake. Fitted with everything you could ask for in a getaway-haven including a hot tub, sauna, outdoor shower, and a small sandy beach, the place is available from $550 per night with a two-night minimum stay, and makes a serious case for a cold-weather holiday.
Firstly, the main cottage features a wood-burning fireplace and a decked-out kitchen. Just think about it: cozy coffee around the living room's flame after your morning meal at the breakfast bar island. To stay caffeinated, you'll make frequent trips to the dolce gusto and drip machines, and as lunchtime comes to pass you'll surely take advantage of the panini press, blender, soda water machine, bread machine, and juicer. In the evening, as the setting sun peeks through the window, you'll savour spending slow and steady time creating a warming and hearty casserole for dinner -- to be enjoyed with red wine, of course.
Upstairs, the loft area features a master bedroom with a California king bed and a heated mattress pad, plus convenient reading lights and a 42" TV. Also in the loft space is a semi-private sphere with another king bed, while two guest rooms wait below on the lower main floor. Presenting opportunities for deep relaxation, a four-piece bathroom with a soaker tub waits. Here, you can expect to sink into some bubbly waters with a book and, presumably, more wine.
The cottage en masse is wired with a Bose sound system, as well as satellite radio and iPod docking. If it rains, no fear, as movie nights will be a breeze thanks to a quartz halogen projector, and a 109" electric movie screen, which can be used with via a computer.
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What's more, onsite, there's also a separate and intimate bunkie, which features a double bed (and space for an additional single), a flat-screen TV with a PlayStation, and a private screened porch. As a whole, the property sleeps 10, and pets are welcome to come along for the stay.
Outside, the main cottage is fixed with a large, wrap-around, screened-in porch -- which features an extra fridge -- and an outdoor dining room prepped with a heat lamp, a smoker, and a large Weber barbecue. The four-person hot tub, two-person sauna, and outdoor shower are also major draws to spend as much time as possible in nature, while the massive stone fireplace offers the chance to cozy up and enjoy s' mores at the water's edge and under the stars.
Location-wise, Haliburton offers the ideal mingling of naturescape -- lakes and rivers abound -- and vibrant culture, as arts and eats are accessible throughout the area. Those keen to infuse a little more action into their stay can choose to rent an ATV, or even go horseback riding along nearby trails.
With availability from mid-winter and into next year's warmer months, those intrigued by exploring cottage life in cold weather simply must put this property on the coming season's "to-visit" list. And for those who may not have considered visiting a remote vacation home in January? Stornoway is sure to make a believer out of you.
EXTERIOR
LIVING AND LOUNGE
KITCHEN AND DINING
BEDROOMS
BATHROOMS
PORCH
OUTDOOR SHOWER
BUNKIE
OUTDOOR
