Dreaming of the perfect weekend getaway from Toronto this summer? Look no further than cottage country, the perfect destination to trade the city crowds for the wide open beauty of the Canadian Shield. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned cottager, our team at All-Season Cottage Rentals has put together this guide to help you plan the ideal trip, from choosing the right location to mapping out your itinerary.
Choose Your Destination
The first step in planning your weekend getaway from Toronto is deciding where you want to stay. All of our cottages are in the Haliburton Highlands region of Ontario, but they are spread across several different cities. Pick your destination based on your preferred driving time and planned activities. Our southernmost properties are situated in the Kawartha Lakes area, roughly a 2-hour drive from Toronto, while our northernmost rentals are located near Kennisis Lake, about 3 hours away.
Select Your Cottage Type
After selecting where you want to stay, it’s time actually to choose the cottage itself. We have three types of cottage experiences for guests to choose from:
- Classic Collection: These are the most basic and affordable cottages in our inventory. Guests are responsible for bringing their own linens and towels, leaving the cottage clean, and taking garbage to the landfill. In exchange, you get a cottage at a lower price.
- Comfort Collection: These cottages are professionally managed, with cleaning services included, and options to book linens or bring your own. These rentals are great for families.
- Luxury Collection: Our luxury cottages are the most expensive and exclusive cottages on the list. They include upscale finishes, elevated service, luxury linens, full cleaning, and garbage removal. These properties are ideal for guests seeking a hassle-free experience where they can simply arrive and depart without worrying about chores like trash disposal.
Skip the search and use our Find My Cottage tool for recommendations on where to stay directly from our team. The earlier you book, the more cottage options you will have.
Leave at the Right Time
The key to a smooth trip from Toronto is timing your departure. Since check-in at our Ontario cottages begins at 4:00 PM, we suggest heading out early in the morning to beat the heavy afternoon traffic and enjoy some local sightseeing first. Standard check-out is set for 12:00 PM. Please note that schedules may vary depending on the specific cottage.
Keep Your Itinerary Simple
The beauty of cottage country lies in its simplicity, meaning you don’t have to schedule every moment of your trip. From lake activities to evening s’mores by the fire, there is plenty to enjoy right at your cottage rental. For those looking to venture out, we are conveniently situated near local highlights such as Algonquin Provincial Park, the Hawk Lake Log Chute, and Haliburton Forest. You can discover more ideas on our blog page.
Browse our Ontario cottage rentals and find the perfect retreat for your weekend getaway from Toronto!