Inspired Travel

Frequently Asked Questions

Renting & Booking:

  1. How far is the cottage from Toronto? The cottage is only 200km from Toronto (401 and Yonge Street). That's about a 2 hour drive. The cottage is 45 minutes north of Peterborough and 45 minutes south of Bancroft and only a 10 minute drive from local amenities in Apsley.
  2. Am I able to claim this weekly Cottage Rental Booking under the new Ontario Staycation Tax Credit? No. We provide instant discounts to you by not charging HST on our weekly cottage rental rate - you receive immediate savings without having to submit for the Ontario Staycation Tax Credit. This way more of your money stays in your pocket and none of your time is spent trying to claim a tax credit.
  3. Can we Rent a Weekend: Sorry, at this time, we do NOT offer weekend rentals. We only offer weekly 7-night rentals. Weekly rentals start Saturday 3pm and end the following Saturday 10am. Availability (and pricing) can be viewed on our secure website www.dontforgetyoursandals.com/cottage-rental.
  4. Booking: Online booking (and deposit/final payment) can be completed through our secure site www.dontforgetyoursandals.com/cottage-rental. A $500 deposit is required at the time of booking. You can expect to receive a booking confirmation, payment receipts, final payment reminder, and occasional important email updates related to your stay. And we will always respond to you as quickly as possible (before, during, and after your stay).
  5. Security Deposit: Your cottage rental is already secured with the booking deposit ($500) you provide, so there is no additional "security deposit" to worry about paying later. Phew! And... it gets even better - that $500 deposit you already paid is fully refundable as long as the Booking Terms & Conditions are adhered to.
  6. Rental Amount & Due Date: Final payment must be received in full at least 30 days prior to your arrival date. Your final payment amount will include your weekly rental rate plus any optional extras you may add, like the Cleaning or Linen Services. To make things easy for you, we always send a final payment request/reminder email about 60 days before your check-in date that links you to payment options (currently credit card via Stripe or cash via eTransfer)
  7. Optional Extras: When booking, you will have the option to select the following, which would increase your weekly rental rate by the amounts listed below:
    • $200/week Cleaning fee (to save the stress of cleaning before departure) and/or
    • $200/week Linen fee (for all linens to be provided for up to 6 guests)
  8. STAY LONGER SAVE MORE: Consecutive (back-to-back) multi-week bookings are the best way to truly get the max relaxation out of a vacation. If you are interested in booking multiple weeks back-to-back, please contact us directly prior to booking. We definitely offer a discount for back-to-back bookings. Book 2 weeks back-to-back and save $200*. Book 3+ weeks back-to-back and save $300*. We will leave this with you to think about, but our vote is for you to enjoy 2 weeks at the cottage!
    • *Discount applied after booking; contact us for assistance
    • Example: For 2 weeks back-to-back, you would book each week separately as a weekly rental. We would then happily apply a discount of $200 to the cost of the 2nd week, reducing that weekly rate by $200. The adjustment would be made in the background and would be reflected in your final payment request. You would NOT have to pay the deposit again.
  9. Adding Extra Nights: If you would like to extend your weekly stay by 1 or more nights, this may be possible if there is availability leading up to or following your booked stay. However, this is something we would only be able to know and arrange the week prior to your stay. (eg. the nightly rate may be $285/night).
  10. What is your Cancellation Policy: The $500 deposit is fully refundable as long as cancellation is requested, in writing, at least 90 days prior to the booked check-in date; otherwise, the $500 deposit is fully refundable within 1 week of the completion of your stay providing all of the following conditions are met:
    • After use, the cottage shall be left as it was found without damage or missing items.
    • There have been no violations to the conditions set out in the Booking Terms and Conditions agreement (found at www.dontforgetyoursandals.com/cottage-rental)
      • Note: If full payment for the booked week(s) is not received at least 30 days before the start of your stay, it will result in forfeiture of the $500 deposit and loss of the rental booking.
      • Note: In the more than 10 years we have been renting the cottage, we have never had anyone cancel within 30 days of their booking. If this situation were to arise, as owners we would reserve the right to determine how much, if any, of the weekly rate and/or deposit would be refunded. We are not unreasonable and would communicate with our guests to reach a fair solution.
  11. Do you Allow Pets: First, please know we love all animals, but suffer from allergies and we also want to provide an allergen-safe space for our guests, so we do not allow all pets to visit the cottage. But we do understand having your fur-friend with you can be an important part of your cottage vacation. So, if you would like to bring your dog(s), please let us know before you book. You will need our written approval and you will also need to agree to the ‘additional’ deep cleaning fee when booking.
    • Note: With ‘additional’ deep cleaning we would still ask that you clean before departure and then we arrange for an additional deep cleaning/disinfection too. In doing so, you not only make it possible for us to extend opportunities to families like yours to enjoy the cottage with their beloved pet(s), but you also help us ensure we keep our commitment to other guests by providing an allergen-safe space. We thank you for your understanding!

Internet & WiFi:

  1. WiFi (Internet): No, there is no WiFi. But, there is excellent cell reception, which makes it easy to create a hotspot. We do this all the time to stream Netflix for example and never have an issue. Working remotely from the cottage using a hotspot should not be a problem - we have done that too! If you experience any technical difficulty, please contact your service provider to seek technical support.

Garbage & Recycling:

  1. Cleaning Service: The addition of this optional extra to your booking currently includes disposal of 1 large clear bag of garbage (bag provided) and 1 bag of recycling following your departure.
    • Note: Guests who prefer not to opt in for the Cleaning Service are required to clean (instructions provided) & remove all garbage and recycling from the cottage/property prior to their departure. A few garbage bags are provided for use if needed.
  2. Closest Transfer Stations for Garbage & Recycling: Anstruther & Haultain; hours of operation can be checked clicking here or calling 705-656-4361
  3. Food Waste (Green Bin): The Anstruther Transfer Station does accept food waste provided it is NOT disposed of in any type of bag other than paper bag. The green bin bags you may be familiar with in the city are NOT accepted. Please bring paper bags if you would like to separate and take food waste for disposal during your stay.

Things to Do - Inside the Cottage:

  1. Games/Puzzles & Books: On the bookcase in the basement bedroom, there is an assortment of games, including some child friendly options like Sorry, Monopoly, Cribbage, Checkers, Dominos, LIFE, cards, etc. In addition, there are puzzles of varying sizes that everyone can enjoy and a variety of books for adults. Under the stairs in the basement (near the life jackets and paddles), you will also find outdoor games, like Ladder Balls, Giant Yard-zee, and equipment for Badminton. Bringing your own games is always a welcomed option too!
  2. TV & Blu-Ray DVD Player: The TV is connected by HDMI cable to a DVD/Blu-Ray Player - that plays actual DVDs & Blu-rays. And for your viewing pleasure, we provide an extensive collection of more than 100 DVDs/Blu-Rays (including a selection of child friendly movies, like Secret Life of Pets and Night at the Museum etc.) stored in 2 locations on the main floor: immediately beneath the TV in the cabinet with the DVD/Blu-Ray Player (plus an Xbox with 2 wired controllers & several video games) and in the cabinet located outside the bathroom.
  3. Do You have a Smart TV: We are not exactly sure how 'smart' the TV is - it's not dumb, but it's not a "smart TV". If you plan to bring an external drive (USB/memory stick/computer sticky thing) with content to watch, there are a couple options you can try. First, make a direct connection between your external drive and the TV via USB. Second, if you are feeling tech savvy and have a laptop, you could plug your external drive into your laptop and then connect the laptop to the TV via HDMI cable. There is already a HDMI cable you can use - it is currently connecting the BluRay player to the TV, so you could carefully unplug the HDMI cable from the BluRay player and plug it into your laptop. If neither is successful, we have an extensive (more than 100) DVDs and BluRays of various genres available for guests to enjoy at the cottage with the BluRay player. And we always make ourselves available 24/7 to our guests by text or phone call - including tech support if required.

Things to Do - Outdoor Activities:

  1. Can you see the Lake from the Cottage: Short answer: Yes, partially! Long answer: We have recently thinned the foliage on the property allowing for partial lake views from part of the cottage deck. There are partial views from the front portion of the deck that faces the lake. Although you will not see the lake when sitting on one side of the deck or while enjoying the fire-pit, the views of the trees and sky are spectacular! If you book a stay in September (or October) and the leaves should fall before or during your stay, the view improves significantly. We can promise that the lake views from the dock are unobstructed and always incredible!
  2. How far is the Lake & Dock from the Cottage: The cottage is elevated from the water. The distance from the cottage to the dock is about 90m (300ft), which translates into just a short couple minutes walk to reach the lake from the cottage. It's about 100 steps from cottage deck to waterfront dock. There is a landscaped gravel path that winds through the property that you can walk along (allowing you to avoid the stone steps) to reach the lake. The property has been terraced (tiered) to allow for lots of usable flat areas for activities and to make the walk back to the cottage more leisurely. It honestly feels really tranquil to walk through the property (even with the steps).
  3. Dock: The dock is 12ft x 16ft and has boat cleats and multi-step ladder for easy entry into and/or exit from the lake. The water depth at the end of the dock is typically 5-6ft (1.5m) and you can see to the bottom. If you plan to bring or rent a boat, you should have no difficulty docking a boat here.
  4. Can you Dive from the Dock: You can absolutely swim off the dock and you can definitely jump right in and/or shallow dive. When standing on the dock, you will be able to see down to the sand bottom. It is typically 1.5m (5-6ft) deep at the end of the dock and the dock ladder makes it easy to get in/out. You can also enter the lake from the shallow shore where we have installed armour stone steps for easy access. We are not fans of seaweed, so we put a lot of effort into ensuring clean/clear swimmable water at our property! And... as a bonus - Chandos Lake has a beautiful free public beach with lots of clean sand and clear water that you can walk right into (and there's a swim raft too). The beach is only a 10 minute drive from the cottage.
  5. Do you have stand up paddle boards? Not yet, but we do have kayaks, canoe, and pedal boat for your enjoyment. If you are looking to rent stand up paddle boards (SUP) for the week, check out Kawartha Adventure Rentals (click here).
  6. What are some of the things to see and do in Apsley and Kawartha area? There's lots of keep you busy during your stay. From hikes, beaches, and food to 2 golf courses, paddling, and wakeboarding. See our post on Things to Do - click here! Or may I suggest exploring more on Google!?!
  7. Fishing: Yes, Chandos Lake offers amazing fishing! You’ll find species like bass, pike, trout, walleye, etc. From the dock, you can definitely catch smaller bass, bluegills, pumpkinseeds, and occasionally perch. You are welcome to try your hand at fishing from the dock or from the provided watercraft (kayaks, canoe, and/or pedal boat) too.
  8. Boat Rentals: There are a few options for power boat rentals; suggestions below:
  9. Boat Launches: Most of our guests use the free Public Boat Launch, which is really well maintained; alternatively the other 2 marinas on Chandos Lake offer paid boat launch services:
    • Free Public Boat Launch - About 10min drive from cottage (right beside Chandos Lake Public Beach off Hwy 620 *There's even a new boat cleaning station too!
    • Lakeview Marina - About 12min drive from cottage (not far past the Public beach & Free Public Boat Launch)
    • Gilmour Bay Marina 85 Renwick Rd, Apsley ON https://gilmourbaymarina.ca/ *Home of Wally’s Pub https://wallyspub.ca/
  10. Boat Trailer Parking & Cottage Road: You're welcome to park your boat trailer at the cottage. The primary driveway is quite generous. Your boat trailer can be backed in straight up the driveway and parked in front of the shed (partially on the grass). Alternatively, there is a secondary driveway at the other end of the property that you can back your trailer into just past the yellow rope/property line marker (on the gravel path/grass). The private cottage road is well maintained and would be suitable for a vehicle and trailer. And until the short distance you would travel on the private cottage road, the remainder is owned (and well maintained) by the Township and allows for 2-way traffic.
  11. Shantilly’s Place:
    • Shantilly’s to the cottage by power boat would be about 5 minutes; otherwise it’s a leisurely 30 minute paddle
      • Note: While Shantilly’s does not offer boat launch services, it does offer the Best Scoops of Kawartha Dairy Ice Cream AND is the closest location from the cottage to fuel your boat… and pick up snacks!
    • 77 Narrows Rd, Apsley ON
    • https://www.shantillysplace.com/

Kitchen Supplies:

  1. Ice Cube Trays & Drinking Water: We provide several ice cube trays for guests to use. Reminder: Do not drink (or make ice) from the tap water - it is untreated lake water (not potable). Instead, please use the water cooler and bring bottled water. We do provide 2 x 5 Gallon jugs of bottled water for guests to use in the water cooler, but we still encourage guests to bring additional bottled water and/or 5-Gallon water jugs in order to meet your water consumption needs.
  2. Spices & Plastic Wrap/Foil: The pantry is typically stocked with Salt, Pepper, Garlic Powder, Red Pepper Flakes, Cinnamon, Sugar, Vanilla, Toothpicks, Aluminum Foil, Plastic Wrap (Saran), and Parchment Paper. From time to time there may also be disposable paper plates, cups, and/or cutlery etc. Guests are welcome to use any of these supplies during their stay, we just kindly request that should you deplete something during your stay, please replace it before your departure.
  3. Paper Towel: For cleaning during your stay and/or before departure, we provide 1 new roll of Paper Towel. If you love Paper Towel as much as we do, you may want to bring more along (or purchase extra at the grocery store in Apsley).

Kitchen Small Appliances:

  1. Coffee Maker & Filters: There is a Cuisinart 12-cup Coffee Maker. We also supply about 20 filters (Melitta #2 Cone Style) in the kitchen upper cabinet immediately above the coffee maker for guests to use during their stay, but you are welcome to bring your own filters too if you like! Ps. Please bring ground coffee; otherwise you will need to bring a coffee grinder too.
  2. Tea Kettle: If you like tea, it may be helpful to know there is an electric (plug-in; not stove top) 1.8 qt Stainless Steel Cuisinart Kettle. We also supply Tetley Black Tea (in a glass jar on the counter beside the kettle) and granulated sugar (serving jar located with the coffee filters & large bag in the pantry cabinet) for guests to enjoy.
  3. Toaster: You will find a 4-slice toaster in the middle pull-out kitchen drawer to the left of the kitchen sink (and right beneath the cutlery & utensil drawer). Any toast crumbs can be easily emptied from the back of the toaster by pushing gently on each of the 2 bottom tabs and the crumb trays will pop out for easy disposal; slide in to replace trays.
  4. Blender: There is a Ninja blender in the lower corner cabinet. If you use the blender, the arrows on both the pitcher (container) and pitcher lid must be aligned plus the lid handle must then be lowered/closed against the lid for the blender to work. After blending, to remove the lid, simply press the Release button on the top of the lid to release the lid handle, then lift up on the lid handle. Important: please be extra careful as the container blades are very sharp.

Pandemic Planning:

  1. What are your Covid-19 Infection Control Protocols? We take health and safety seriously. Please see our Covid-19 Disclaimer for further information (click here).

Additional Questions?

  • If you have a question that is not covered in the FAQ, Covid-19 Disclaimer or the Booking Terms and Conditions documents please email us at: dontforgetyoursandals@gmail.com

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