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Waterfront Family Retreat | Sauna & Hot Tub

Cottage in Drummond-North Elmsley with sauna and Hot tub

Photo gallery for Waterfront Family Retreat | Sauna & Hot Tub

View from the Dock
Exterior detail
Family Room
Property grounds
Exterior

Reviews

8.6 out of 10
Excellent
4 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 13

Popular amenities

  • Spa pool
  • Washing machine
  • Dryer
  • Pet-friendly
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Air-conditioning

Explore the area

View map
Lanark, ON
  • Place, Lanark Timber Run Golf Course
    ‪7 min drive‬
  • Place, Blue Heron Golf Club
    ‪9 min drive‬
  • Place, Temple’s Sugar Bush
    ‪10 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

4 bedrooms (sleeps 13)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 3

4 Single Beds

Seasonal Bunkie

1 Queen Bed and 3 Single Beds

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only · Hair dryer

Bathroom 2

Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only · Hair dryer

Spaces

Dining area

About this property

Waterfront Family Retreat | Sauna & Hot Tub

Welcome to our peaceful waterfront family retreat on the beautiful Mississippi River. Set on two private acres in Lanark Highlands, Ontario, this spacious cottage offers calm water views, room to relax and reconnect, and simple wellness amenities including a wood-burning sauna and outdoor hot tub. Designed for families and groups, it’s a place for slow mornings by the water, shared meals, outdoor play, and cozy evenings together in nature.

Seasonal sleeping configuration:
• Sleeps up to 13 guests from May–September (including a seasonal bunkie)
• Sleeps up to 8 guests during fall and winter months

The private waterfront and flat, grassed area are perfect for both kids and adults. Whether it’s swimming in the calm water, relaxing by the campfire, kayaking, paddle boarding, or playing lawn games, this retreat has you covered. The setting creates a quiet, peaceful oasis ideal for families and groups looking to unwind.

Our cottage has been completely renovated and features an open-concept layout with wall-to-wall windows and gorgeous Mississippi River views, allowing you to feel connected to the outdoors throughout your stay. Guests have full, private access to the main cottage and outdoor spaces.

Sleeping arrangements:
• The main cottage sleeps up to 8 guests year-round
• From May–September, a seasonal bunkie is available, increasing total capacity to 13 guests

The property includes three bedrooms, two full bathrooms, a spacious kitchen, laundry, central A/C, propane furnace, Wi-Fi, fireplace, and large decks for outdoor living.

Outdoor and seasonal amenities include a sleeping bunkie with a queen bed and two single trundles, as well as a flex games bunkie featuring a large games table and air hockey for family entertainment. Board games are also provided.

Guests will access the property via a secure lockbox for self check-in. We respect our guests’ privacy, but are always available by message or phone to answer questions, provide recommendations, or assist if anything comes up during your stay.

Seasonal highlights:

Summer: Enjoy the calm, walk-in waterfront or jump off the dock, gather around campfires at one of our three fire pit areas, and explore the river with two adult kayaks, two children’s kayaks, and two canoes. The property also offers a BBQ, lawn games, and plenty of outdoor space for families to relax and play.

Winter: Cozy up by the fire, enjoy winter campfires, snowshoe nearby trails, and take advantage of skiing and seasonal attractions in the area, including the local Maple House.

Seasonal bunkies & amenities:
From May to September, guests have access to two seasonal bunkies — a sleeping bunkie and a flex games bunkie featuring a large games table and air hockey. During this same period, guests may also enjoy the wood-burning sauna and outdoor hot tub. These seasonal amenities create additional space for families and groups to relax and spend time together.

This property is best suited for families and groups seeking a peaceful, nature-focused getaway. With calm waterfront access, spacious outdoor areas, and shared wellness amenities, it’s ideal for multigenerational stays, extended family gatherings, or relaxed group retreats. This is not a party property; it’s designed for guests who value privacy, comfort, and meaningful time together in a quiet setting.

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Hot tub
Washing machine
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi
Air conditioning

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 18
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

Events allowed: family gatherings, birthday parties, weddings
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Pets

Pets allowed: dogs (limit 1 total)
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Parties and events (including family gatherings, birthday parties and weddings) are allowed on site. Maximum attendees: 40
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property

About the area

Drummond-North Elmsley

Drummond-North Elmsley is home to this cottage. Perth Museum and Watson's Corners Community Hall are local landmarks, and the area's natural beauty can be seen at Purdon Conservation Area and Temple’s Sugar Bush.
Map
Lanark, ON

What's nearby

  • Lanark Timber Run Golf Course - 7 min drive - 4.4 km
  • Blue Heron Golf Club - 9 min drive - 11.6 km
  • Temple’s Sugar Bush - 10 min drive - 13.1 km
  • Perth Museum - 14 min drive - 16.7 km
  • Stewart Park - 14 min drive - 16.7 km

Getting around

  • Smiths Falls Station - 34 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Temple's Sugar Bush Ltd - ‬11 min drive
  • ‪Woody's Pit Stop - ‬12 min drive
  • ‪The Crossroads Tea Room - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Lanark Landing Restaurant - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Munchin' junction - ‬4 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Waterfront Family Retreat | Sauna & Hot Tub pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 1 total).

How much is parking at Waterfront Family Retreat | Sauna & Hot Tub?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Waterfront Family Retreat | Sauna & Hot Tub?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Waterfront Family Retreat | Sauna & Hot Tub?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Waterfront Family Retreat | Sauna & Hot Tub located?

Situated in Drummond-North Elmsley, this cottage is 2.5 mi (4.1 km) from Lanark Timber Run Golf Course and within 6 miles (10 km) of Blue Heron Golf Club and Temple’s Sugar Bush. Baird Trail and Former Drummond Townhall are also within 9 miles (15 km).

Reviews

8.6

Excellent

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
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Rating 10 - Excellent. 1 out of 4 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 3 out of 4 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 4 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 4 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 4 reviews

9.0/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Amenities

8.0/10

Property conditions & facilities

8.0/10

Eco-friendliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

8.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

8/10 Good

David G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
A great stay at Julie’s Resort on the river, would definitely recommend it!!
Stayed 13 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Calvin and Kate J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Exactly as Described

Beautiful property with ample to do, and unique decor throughout. Even on a rainy day, there is lots to do inside of the cottage.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

8/10 Good

Denise R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location
Lovely property and great, responsive host. Unfortunately, the listing said there was a hot tub under "popular amenities", and there wasn't one. And the chairs in the dining room are not suitable for young children. But otherwise it was great. Canoeing on the river, bonfires with marshmallows, grilled food, comfortable beds... all wonderful. We had nine adults and two young kids who had an amazing weekend.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025

8/10 Good

Liz

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
Lots of things to do. Game options, sleds for tobogganing, laneway blown out well. Would come again to experience in summer months.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2025

About the host

Hosted by Julie Gilchrist

Host profile image
We’re a family who loves spending time outdoors and creating a space where families and groups can slow down and reconnect. We chose this location for its calm waterfront, privacy, and natural beauty, and have thoughtfully renovated the cottage to be comfortable, welcoming, and easy to enjoy in every season. We take pride in being responsive hosts and want our guests to feel relaxed, well cared for, and at home during their stay.

Why they chose this property

We chose this area for its quiet, natural setting and calm waterfront. The Lanark Highlands are known for their peaceful pace, scenic landscapes, and family-friendly atmosphere. The river here is gentle and ideal for swimming, paddling, and relaxing by the water, while the surrounding area offers space, privacy, and easy access to nature. It’s a great spot for families and groups looking to unplug, enjoy the outdoors, and spend quality time together without the noise or crowds of busier cottage destinations.

What makes this property unique

What makes our property unique is the combination of calm, walk-in waterfront, generous outdoor space, and simple wellness amenities designed for families and groups. Set on two private acres, the property offers room to spread out, play, and relax without feeling crowded. The addition of a seasonal sleeping bunkie, a separate games bunkie, a wood-burning sauna, and an outdoor hot tub creates shared spaces that bring people together while still allowing privacy and comfort. It’s a peaceful, family-friendly retreat that balances nature, space, and thoughtful amenities in a way that’s hard to find.
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