The desire to head to a cottage where you can look forward to making family traditions is a dream many Canadians share. If you’re one of them, you’re in luck! We offer resort cottage rentals in the most sought after areas in Ontario’s cottage country including Muskoka, The Kawarthas, Perth, and Prince Edward County.
When you choose to rent one of our family-friendly resort cottages, you’ll have the opportunity to spoil your family to an Ontario cottage getaway where the outdoors is high on the agenda. However, you might be wondering “what is included with my cottage rental at Great Blue Resorts?” Your resort cottage rental comes fully equipped with a full kitchen (fridge, stove, microwave, coffee maker and toaster), bathroom, 2 – 4 bedrooms, air conditioning, TV with DVD player, a full-size deck with a BBQ, a fire pit, patio set and full access to all resort amenities including pools, kayaks, boats, multi-sports courts, beaches, and more!
Even though our resort cottages come fully equipped with the above, there are still a few items that you will need to pack. Here are our top 5 Great Blue Resorts cottage vacation essentials.
Download our printable cottage vacation checklist.
#1 – Groceries
When it comes to cooking at the cottage, you’ll want to prepare meals that are quick and easy to make, while keeping the clean-up minimal. Every cottage rental includes a barbeque, stove, microwave, coffee maker and toaster, so you have all of the appliances needed to make those perfect for the cottage meals!
Here are a few of our grocery essentials:
- Personal Toiletries (toothbrushes, soaps, etc.)
- Hot Dogs and Burgers (don’t forget the condiments!)
- Juice, Pop and Bottled Water
- Milk and Cereals (the easiest breakfast)
- Chicken Breasts and Salad
- Fresh Fruit for mid-day snacking
- Bacon, Eggs and Toast (a cottage staple)
- Granola Bars
- Chips and other delicious snacks
- Freezies or Popsicles (the perfect treat for the hot Ontario cottage air!)
- S’more ingredients (Chocolate Bars, Graham Crackers and Marshmallows)
#2 – Pillowcases, Bed Sheets and Towels
While the beds are provided, we do ask that you bring your own pillowcases, bed sheets and blankets. Additionally, make sure to bring some comfy blankets for those chilly nights around the campfire.
In addition to the sheets, you’ll want to make sure you bring enough towels for everyone in your family getaway. Be sure to pack a towel for showering and one for the pool/beach for everyone. In case you’re worried about laundry, all of our rental resorts (with the exception of Lantern Bay Resort) come equipped with coin-operated washers and dryers, but please bring your own soap/detergent.
#3 – Sun and Bug Protection
You don’t want to spend your family vacation inside of your resort cottage recovering from sunburns or sunstrokes! That’s why we recommend bringing lots of sunscreen, that is at least SPF 30 or higher for your stay. Plus! Don’t forget to pack those hats and sunglasses for added protection from the sun’s harmful rays. Your kids will be taking part in our live entertainment, swimming in the lake/pool, enjoying our one-of-a-kind resort activities where they’ll be meeting new friends and having fun in the sun.
In Ontario’s cottage country, bugs can appear at any time. Typically, black flies and mosquitoes don’t usually make an appearance until mid-June but it is best to be safe and pack that bug repellent just in case. Public Health Ontario has great advice on its website to keep safe from outdoor related illnesses.
Pro Tip: Pack a small emergency kit complete with Advil, Benadryl and Afterbite to cover all of your bases and bites!
#4 – Pack Comfortably For Both Day & Night
Though the days are hot, the nights and early mornings in the northern parts of Ontario can get quite chilly. We recommend bringing your most comfortable pullover/hoodies, track pants and shoes for those early morning coffees and late night ghost stories around the fire.
Swimming and being out on the water is a big part of the Great Blue Resorts cottage experience. Don’t forget to pack a swimsuit or two!
#5 – The Fun Stuff
Don’t forget to bring all of the entertainment essentials for when you just want to stick close to the cottage and when you venture out on a hike including:
- Deck of Cards
- Volleyball or Soccer Ball
- Badminton rackets and a birdie
- Beach / Pool Toys
- Board Games
- Hiking Gear
- Books and Magazines
- Camera and Charger
- Cellphones, iPads and iPods
Book Your Family Cottage Getaway Now!
Rentals are limited and you don’t want to miss out on your chance to get away in Ontario’s cottage country! Choose from seven resorts including:
- Cherry Beach Resort in Prince Edward County
- McCreary’s Beach Resort in Perth
- Bonnie Lake Resort in Muskoka
- Lantern Bay Resort in Muskoka
- Bellmere Winds Golf Resort in The Kawarthas
- Woodland Estate Resort in The Kawarthas
Plus, for a limited time, take advantage of our PRE-SUMMER SALE!
Book now and receive 25% off nightly rates when you book your vacation between June 14- June 27, 2019.
Click here to start planning your Ontario resort cottage vacation today.
Why stay for a week, when you can stay for a lifetime.
Once you’ve spent a day or two at a Great Blue Resorts cottage, you’ll never want to leave.
During your stay, ask one of our Great Blue Resort Specialists how you can get your vacation free, and how easily you can become a resort cottage owner!