| Here are some tips on how to book cottage | | | | responsible people who would treat their cottage |
| rental: | | | | with respect. For example you will be asked to |
| 1. Make up your mind. | | | | provide total number of people who plan to visit |
| Before even starting a search for rental cottage, | | | | the cottage, their age, if there is special purpose |
| you need to decide for yourself what you want | | | | for this trip (e.g. bachelor party), what kind of |
| from it. First - define your goal. For example, big | | | | pets will be brought if any, if you rented private |
| family get-together, friends gathering, celebration | | | | cottage before, etc. |
| of some events, explorations, get away into | | | | You also should confirm any details that you |
| wilderness, etc. Once the goal is set, identify | | | | found in the listing and ask additional questions. For |
| people who will join you, your maximum budget | | | | example, how close is the water, if the cottage |
| and "must have" features of the cottage rental. | | | | has shared facilities, how to get there (you might |
| For one type of renters "must have" features | | | | find that the cottage is only accessible by water), |
| would include popular location with many | | | | what is the final price with all fees and taxes. Any |
| attractions and direct access to water, for others | | | | potential referrals might be helpful as well. For |
| - sandy beach, high-speed internet, sauna and | | | | some cottages you might find cottage reviews |
| billiard in private location. | | | | on our website. |
| 2. Start searching | | | | Another important discussion you should have |
| There are literally hundreds of listing websites that | | | | with a cottage owner is booking deposit, |
| provide you some kind of cottage rental | | | | cancellation and damage policies. |
| inventory in Canada. Rental management agencies | | | | 4. Reserve cottage |
| also host websites with the properties they | | | | If you have made enough research, you probably |
| manage but usually it is limited to 20-200 | | | | should know if you are getting a good deal or not. |
| cottages. First, we deal both with private owners | | | | Please note that there are no free breakfasts in |
| and rental agencies. Second, we have unique | | | | cottage rental business. Good cottages in prime |
| feature that allows you to see accurate and | | | | places are rented for $2,000-$3,000 per week |
| instant price quote for any cottage for any given | | | | during summer months and if your cottage is |
| period of time. Compare it to the manual way of | | | | cheaper - most likely there is some sacrifice |
| determining your final price depending on the time | | | | involved (distance, location, cottage features, etc). |
| of the year and duration of your stay. Third, our | | | | Once you ready to reserve, you would need to |
| search engine allows in narrowing your results | | | | give your credit card or send a check to the |
| based on cottage features, location, number of | | | | cottage owner to reserve your spot. There are a |
| people, price range, etc. | | | | lot of scam going on with personal checks, |
| Please note that during summer season and | | | | therefore cottage owners prefer credit cards (if |
| around New Year most cottages can be booked | | | | they can process them) or certified checks or |
| only on weekend basis. Another important point is | | | | checks that are received long time in advance. |
| that for private cottages the weekly rental usually | | | | At this stage you also need to sign and fax/email |
| starts on Saturday. If you have some flexibility in | | | | "Terms and Conditions" of your rental. Read it |
| your rental dates, you can use our "Flexible Date | | | | carefully before signing to avoid any surprises. |
| Search" feature to get better selection of | | | | 5. Arrival |
| cottages for the best price. | | | | There are three possible scenarios for getting |
| 3. Contact cottage owner | | | | access to the cottage: you will be provided with |
| Best way to contact cottage owners is to phone | | | | access code from the lock box that contain a |
| them. Many cottage owners are located in | | | | key, owner will give you the key on your way to |
| remote areas where internet is still a luxury and | | | | the cottage or owner will meet you at the |
| many of them don't check their email on regular | | | | cottage. |
| basis. | | | | Once you arrived, immediately check cottage for |
| Once you contacted the cottage owner, be | | | | broken equipment or furniture. If you will find any |
| prepared to answer and to ask many questions. | | | | damage, notify cottage owner immediately to |
| Good cottage owners always have many | | | | avoid damage penalties for things you did not |
| screening procedures that are designed to make | | | | break. |
| sure that the cottage keys are given to | | | | |