Wish Lakehouse looks like something out of a fairytale. Pulling up to the waterfront Ontario cottage rental, its bright yellow exterior and dainty white details stand out against the grey landscape of a cloudy, cold spring day. Despite the weather, the view is gorgeous. Across the road, grasslands give way to a sandy beach, and beyond that, the blue waters of Lake Huron stretch endlessly into the horizon.
A fire pit surrounded by Muskoka chairs in the front of the cottage and a hot tub on the back deck beckon guests to settle in, socialize and relax after a day spent exploring some of the best hikes in Ontario or beautiful beaches found nearby. Inside, there's even more cozy, convivial space.
Wish Lakehouse, waterfront Ontario cottage rental: The vibe
Recently having undergone a full renovation, the four-bedroom, five-bed property is the perfect blend of rustic, whimsical cottage life and modern, comfortable features. Bright pastel hues of yellow, teal and pink are punctuated by cutesy, kitschy pieces like curling floral chandeliers and a princess bed canopy in the master bedroom.
Despite the fantastical decor, the kitchen is outfitted with new stainless steel appliances, including a large fridge and a smaller wine fridge (squee!) with plenty of space for groceries and grown-up beverages.
The two full baths and one half bath are updated as well, infusing a lush city feel into cottage living. There's a slight sulphur smell that comes from the water, but as long as we run the fans while showering, it's no problem at all.
After a long day of hiking and exploring, our group of young couples cozies up on the large L-shaped couch for boardgames (with sports playing on the large flatscreen TV in the background). There are plenty of blankets and the space is set up well for a convivial, social atmosphere.
For meals, the eight-seat table in the dining room accommodates everyone easily. Although, the life-sized unicorn in the room is polarizing: Half the group finds it sweet and whimsical, half find it odd and everyone is tempted to hop on its back. We don't dare — it's for only for little ones. We do have fun counting all the little unicorn figurines and statues throughout the house, though. (There are a lot of them.)
Wish Lakehouse, waterfront Ontario cottage rental: The amenities
While it's too cold to swim during our visit, as soon as the sun goes down, we can't resist the hot tub on the back deck, surrounded by trees. Seating six comfortably, and eight slightly squished, it also offers a prime opportunity for disconnecting from our phones and communing with each other. The colour-changing lights are a nice touch that make it feel like a little party. The large picnic table on the back porch ends up just being a towel holder, but it would be really lovely to sit out in warmer weather.
In front of the cottage, Muskoka chairs lining the porch and surrounding the fire pit offer picturesque views of the Lake Huron landscape. We could sit here all day basking in the natural scenery and the warmth of the fire.
Wish Lakehouse, waterfront Ontario cottage rental: The location
A great jumping off point for hiking and exploring, Wish Lakehouse is about a one-hour drive from Bruce Peninsula National Park and Tobermory, where you'll find some of the most gorgeous views in Southern Ontario. The bright, cerulean waters of The Grotto are a spectacular sight and a must-visit.
The home of the famous Wiarton Willie is about 15 minutes away by car. Visit his enclosure and find plenty of statues, landmarks and photo ops made in his honour. The main strip is worth exploring, too, for cute shops and cafés or just to stock up on provisions for your cottage trip.
In the other direction, Sauble Beach is only 10 minutes away. In the summer, the lively beach town is packed with visitors to the 7km white sand strip.
Wish Lakehouse is a comfortable and whimsical waterfront Ontario cottage rental with excellent amenities, gorgeous views and plenty to explore nearby. We can't wait to go back, and perhaps even make it an annual tradition.
