I can’t say enough about this place. Stayed here for four nights with two girlfriends for an “0” birthday celebration. The cabin we had was right on the lake. The property is well designed so that you don’t feel cramped or on top of the other guests. Sure, you may see people walking down a path, but the layout means you also have your privacy. Breakfast is served to your cabin each morning, and there is also a coffee pot in the well equipped kitchen to make a brew beforehand if you need to! Breakfast is huge. Croissants, muffins, a boiled egg, fruit, yogourt. No way we could eat in all, so we kept the muffins each day and had them as a snack on the hiking trail. Lunch wasn’t necessary after a breakfast like that! The kitchen is well equipped so we cooked dinner there each night. Not a lot of selection nearby for restaurants anyhow, so that worked well for us. The bugs (biting flies, mosquitoes) can be fierce in Algonquin, so the large screened porch meant you could enjoy being outside without the critters feasting on you. Canoes are provided at the property as part of the fee, so it is nice to be able to take a boat out for as long as you like. There are heaps, so never an issue of not having enough to go around! Single kayaks or Canadian canoes are available, as well as a cute two seater paddle thing. Erin was very helpful in providing a lake map and showing us where to go. We liked the paddle over to the portage point in the park (to Cauliflower lake). Took us about an hour and a half of leisurely paddling to get there, have a snack break, and then an hour to get back, as we fortuitously had the wind behind us. It is about a half hour drive to get into the park itself (East entrance). Erin kindly has a couple of park passes for guests to use. The visitor interpretative centre is great. Definitely worth checking out for an hour or so. There are a myriad of hikes, mostly short, which you can string together to make the most of your time in the park. We enjoyed the Centennial Ridge hike, which took us about 3 hours of hiking and an hour for a couple of snack breaks, so four hours all up. It is not strenuous, so don’t be put off by the description! It makes for a nice half day hike. Whitney is the nearest town, about 15 minutes away from the lodge. There is a petrol station there and a small grocery store. Basic, so stock up in a larger centre if you plan on cooking. Bancroft is a larger place to get provisions.
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Date of stay: July 2019Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Erin-HayLake, Owner at Hay Lake Lodge and Cottages
Responded Jan 27, 2020
Thank you so much for such a thorough review! I am always happy to get feedback, especially when it covers several aspects of staying at Hay Lake. I must say, the breakfasts have come to an end, but as you say, the kitchen has all you need to make your meals. It was fun being one part of your multi-trip celebration - come back any time!
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This is our 3rd visit to Hay Lake Lodges in the past 6 years. We have been to so many countryside cottages and we have to say this is the place we highly recommend. Owner Erin Morlock and her crew are super nice and friendly. If you are looking for family vacation, friend’s get-together, or romantic couple getaway, you are looking at the perfect place. You can enjoy the earful natural sounds, beautiful sunrise & sunset, quiet and peaceful moment, unlimited fishing & boating experience, and many more. Last but not the least, we would rate the cleanliness of the lodges over 5 stars, especially how they handle the sanitization during the undecremented time.
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Date of stay: June 2020
Cleanliness
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Room Tip:All cabins come with best views and private deck for resting
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Erin-HayLake, Owner at Hay Lake Lodge and Cottages
Responded Jul 1, 2020
Thank you! I am so glad to know you enjoyed your visit. The Covid situation has so many people worried, and it is good to see our intentions to provide a safe and relaxing holiday carried through. It is also reassuring to see that you have returned and enjoyed all that Hay Lake offers, although the breakfast has been discontinued. Do come back when you are ready for more unwinding :)
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These cabins are so spotless this self proclaimed clean freak couldn’t find a single thing to improve upon. Everything sparkled! The site also is beautifully kept. If you are looking for a quintessential Ontario getaway this is a perfect choice. Knotty pine interiors, screened in porches, fire pits by the water, loon calls carrying across the lake and canoes aplenty. Best of all a warm welcome from Erin, the caring owner and her staff.
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Date of stay: September 2020Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Erin Morlock, Owner at Hay Lake Lodge and Cottages
Responded Sep 14, 2020
Thank you for taking the time to post a review. We are an old-fashioned kind of place - quiet log cabins, plenty of time for paddling and reading - and our intention is to provide that traditional feel with totally current amenities. I'm glad you could come, even for a short visit, and hope you'll come again.
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My husband and I booked cabin #2 for a two night stay. We arrived to a beautiful clean one room cabin with 3 piece bathroom, fridge, stove, microwave and all your kitchenware. Two lazy boys and a fireplace with nice private screened in porch( table and chairs) directly outside was a waterfront view with two chairs overlooking the water. In this cabin we had a touch of wi/fi due to being beside the main lodge which was a plus. Lodge is beautiful with a small bar/bakery snacks, games and books. If your looking for an out of city getaway this is great. They also include canoe/kayak use ! The only thing I would have liked to see if I had the kids were a small play area but I feel like it’s more geared to older people anyway! Thanks for the lovely stay!!
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Date of stay: June 2021Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Erin Morlock, Owner at Hay Lake Lodge and Cottages
Responded Jul 24, 2021
Oh my, I missed this! Thank you for you wonderful review. I'm so glad you enjoyed your stay. We do have families visit, especially in the summer and the children spend a lot of time in the swimming area, but it's true that many of our guests are past that stage :). Thanks again, and do come back when you can.
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Our family has been going to Hay Lake for the past 12 years! We have a wonderful time whether rain or shine. Erin and her staff are always there when you need them - makes us feel like family. Our cabin is always clean - lights on when we are arriving late. This is a trip the whole family looks forward to.
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Date of stay: October 2021
Value
Rooms
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Room Tip:It's beautiful no matter which cabin you choose.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Erin Morlock, Owner at Hay Lake Lodge and Cottages
Responded Oct 23, 2021
Oh thank you! It is such a treat and a privilege to watch your family go from tiny kids to university students- and still sharing the same cabin! Our lights will always be on for you :)
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Had a weekend with my girls and stayed at the Birches. We were the first one to stay there this season. The resort is owned by a wonderful lady Erin who is so accommodating and makes sure your stay is a 5 star. Our cabin was AWESOME. The cabin is super clean! Everything you need is there which was lovely. They offer canoes and kayaks which are in top shape. The lodge is amazing and my girls loved it. Docks are well kept with chairs you can use. The lake is like no other, its clean and quiet with no motor boats that I saw. Its perfect for canoe and kayak. Our weekend could not have been more perfect. We wished we could stay longer. I could only imagine in the fall how spectacular it would be there. We did not venture out but lots of things near by such as Algonquin and the town of Whitney.
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Date of stay: June 2021
Location
Service
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Erin Morlock, Owner at Hay Lake Lodge and Cottages
Responded Jul 24, 2021
Having your family here was such a great way to start our season. You were the first to try our newest cabin The Birches and I am so glad you enjoyed it. It was a short visit but I hope it won't be your last! Thanks for the review - it really helps others to get a feel for Hay Lake. Best to you all.
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We just returned from 3 nights at Hay Lake. We have stayed there many times before and were excited that Erin was opening up this summer. The protocols she and her staff have put in place to deal with Covid-19 are extensive and well thought out. We felt completely safe the whole time. Everything was spotless and the staff, as usual was amazing. You're still totally taken care of - just from a distance. It was an amazing escape from the city...and sitting alone on your porch or in your canoe, you can almost forget about the stresses of the pandemic. We highly recommend the trip - IF you can find a vacancy!!
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Date of stay: July 2020
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Erin Morlock, Owner at Hay Lake Lodge and Cottages
Responded Sep 14, 2020
How did I miss this??! It was lovely to have you back and I am truly grateful to be open this season. It is clear that many many people need a getaway and I'm glad that people can feel relaxed and safe here. Here's to visiting in 2021!
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The cottage was very well equipped, premises very clean and well kept, service was excellent and Erin was a very accommodating host. Lovely screen porch, beautiful view of lake, very peaceful - thoroughly enjoyed our time at Hay Lake.,Saw lots of interesting wildlife - a fox family, loons on lake, turtles, and some interesting birds that I hadn’t seen before! Close proximity to Algonquin Park. Highly recommend this property - will definitely return!
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Date of stay: June 2022Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Erin Morlock, Owner at Hay Lake Lodge and Cottages
Responded Jun 30, 2022
I was so glad you could join us and happy that you enjoyed your stay. We are so fortunate to have so much wildlife around us, and the Park right next door. Will be happy to see you again!
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My husband and I visited for the first time just before our wedding 2 years ago, and returned this year to celebrate our 2nd anniversary. We stayed in the Cedar Point cottage (formerly cottage 6) and it is so private, you feel like you are out in the woods but still have all the conveniences you need to make it feel like home. It is such a great place to unplug (not much cell service up there, which is a good thing) and connect with nature (and each other). We cherish our time here and look forward to coming back again to make more memories. This year we went on the final weekend in October and although most of the leaves had already fallen, it was still beautiful with a great view of the sunset from our private dock.
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Date of stay: October 2021Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:It books up quickly, so you might have to book a year in advance.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Erin Morlock, Owner at Hay Lake Lodge and Cottages
Responded Dec 7, 2021
How nice of you to post a review. It is such a help to other people who are considering staying here. It was a pleasure having you back and I'm glad to ready you plan to come again. I do have to agree with you - there is never a bad time to be at Hay Lake!. Thanks for the kind words and I look forward to your next visit.
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I've been struggling with whether to post a review for a while. We want to keep coming back but it's like a great fishing spot - you don't reveal it other than to your loved ones ☺️❤️. My friend and I spent a MAGICAL weekend last Spring at Erin's and are coming back again this Spring. And setting the intention that it will continue to be our annual tradition. The lake is large and beckons to be explored, including secluded estuaries teeming with life (great for skinny dipping also!), hiking trails within a few minutes' walk and friendly critters right on the property. Well worth the drive from Toronto!
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Date of stay: May 2022
Value
Cleanliness
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ah me.... This season we have added locks and keys to our cabins. There was a time when people would relax when they realized keys were not necessary, but these days the security seems to matter more. We want our guests to truly relax so, yes, there are locks on the cottage doors. Thanks for your interest. I do hope you can join us sometime. -Erin, Hay Lake Lodge and Cottages
I am sorry - somehow this question slipped past me! In general we have a no pet policy ( and yes, wildlife is a factor) but we do have two cabins where we can make exceptions. Email us if you would be interested in our Pet Policy. Thanks for thinking of us!
There are more places to choose from in the Whitney area.
LOCATION
CanadaOntarioNortheastern OntarioWhitney
NUMBER OF ROOMS
1
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