My group had a good time staying at this property. The best parts were definitely the dock, outdoor fire pit, private beach, the canoe, and the water toys available for use. The cottage itself provides a rustic experience, which may not cater to all vacation go-ers; however you definitely get what you pay for - and if you're looking for an affordable place to stay that offers a private beach and plenty of water activities, this would be it.
In terms of our opinions on how the cottage held up against its online listing: the ad listed three bathrooms but we were disappointed to only find two bathrooms. The sleeping arrangements were as listed; however upon arrival, the basement felt damp and had a particular odour - we would have appreciated if the cleaners/property manager had done a walk through of the basement prior to our arrival to ensure that humidity was at a minimum. The dampness and odour lessened once we settled into the cottage and emptied out the dehumidifiers ourselves. This may be something that avid cottage go-ers are used to experiencing but was a little off-putting to my group.
The cottage was stocked with ample linens and towels. Due to COVID-19, we opted to bring our own but it isn't necessary. We also opted to do a run through the house upon arrival to sanitize and disinfect surfaces. While doing so, we noticed that certain areas weren't as clean as one expects when paying to stay in a property; for example, the upstairs refrigerator required further cleaning and there were cobwebs and dust gathering in corners and on the ceiling fans. Some of the ceiling lights and lamps did have blown out bulbs which was disappointing to see but not a big issue. It did seem like the cleaners do a quick surface clean of the property in between guests.
Furthermore, as this is an older property in a small lakeside town, expect some power outages during inclement weather. There is a good-sized generator available for use on the property. There is unlimited wifi but it is a bit slow - again, small town life. Lastly, the cottage is fully secured by ADT, which is terrific for safety.
Throughout our stay, the property owner was quick to respond to any and all issues/questions. Furthermore, the property manager was also quick to respond.
Overall, we had a good stay and I'd recommend this property to those who want a lakeside trip on a tight budget. Don't expect too much from the cottage itself but definitely take advantage of the beach and lake!