What Guests Are Saying

“Our family had an incredible week at Island View Retreat! This property is immaculately clean and comfortable for large groups. It truly is even more beautiful in-person! We're so thankful for our opportunity to make lifelong memories here! Thank you Corey and Kevin! - The Howard Family”

“My friends and I were very impressed with our accommodations. Everything was as described clean and tidy. One of the best thing of this cottage was the very nice people that own the marina beside the cottage very helpful to navigate the lake and I was able to rent a boat and bring my own motor for fishing which was very reasonably priced. We also did a day of golf at the 9 north golf in cloyne and the owner there was fantastic too. I will book again here. Glenn”

“We had a large group and booked this place last minute. Communication was quick and clear. All instructions provided in detailed writing. Cottage itself is in immaculate condition. Everything was as described. They even left s'mores and marshmallows for the kids by the fireplace as a bonus. Free firewood. I would highly recommend for large families. There's free use of kayaks and canoes. There's also a boat rental right next door if you want to go fishing or just explore this beautiful lake.”

“We had a wonderful time during our stay at this cottage! The experience was everything we hoped for and more. The view was absolutely stunning — the perfect backdrop for a relaxing getaway. The cottage itself was cozy, comfortable, and felt very homey. It had everything we needed, from the essentials to the little touches that made our stay extra enjoyable. Highly recommend for anyone looking for a peaceful and beautiful retreat!”

“Everything as expected! Lots of space for our three generations. The grandkids enjoyed the sandy beach, the water and activities. The adults enjoyed the canoes & kayaks. The cottage is comfortable for everyone with lots of spaces to enjoy meals, inside and out, along with spaces for indoor activities. This was our second summer to enjoy this little piece of paradise. Loved our time in 2025.”

“Our friends and family had a great week at Island view retreat. Everything was in impeccable condition when we arrived. Nice and clean. Kevin was great to work with throughout our booking and even after we arrived. Always available to answer our questions. Kids had a great time playing in the sand and water. Thank you Shelson family for a great week. Wouldn't hesitate to return again. the Hill family. Also the owners at Camp Bay. Marina were wonderful.”

“Island View Retreat is a gem!! 8 children and 8 adults for a week had a great time in a great place in a great location. Swimming - superb. So much fun especially on the floating raft. Fishing - big enjoyment. Many trips out in the big lake. One of the children caught 9 fish in one day off the dock. Kayaks and canoes - used again and again by young and old. Beach and sand - highlight for the young ones who played with joy in it all 7 days. Accommodation - 4 families with 16 people had great times indoors. Seclusion - close enough to the marina to get ice cream which all enjoyed and information that helped with the fishing yet felt private and on our own. Help - Kevin was great - personable, helpful, and working to make the week happen for our best experience. Again Island View Retreat is a gem!!!”

“Island view retreat was an excellent place for our group. The owners were great to deal with and the information provided was well organized. Our group loved the dock and view from the beautiful deck, we enjoyed all of the great amenities this beautiful cottage provided. The furniture, beds and linens provided were very comfortable. Everything was very clean and the kitchen was very well stocked. We would highly recommend for a large group of friends or a family with children.”

“The Island View Retreat is amazing. It is a beautifully appointed cottage. The owners are organized, accessible and kind and have considered everything you would need or want in a vacation property. It is a bit of a jaunt to grab groceries etc. so be mindful about the travel into town for things, but the cottage itself is perfect. With multiple bedrooms, a huge kitchen, great patio with stools overlooking the lake, dock fishing, water toys, fireplace, etc. it isn't missing a thing. A fun, beautiful and serene setting.”

“What a beautiful property for our multi-family weekend. With 8 children ranging from 10 years old to 6 months old (and all their parents), we had an absolutely lovely time here! The kids spent a ton of time on the fantastic sandy beach, and fishing off the dock. There was plenty of room for everyone to sit and relax and eat. The deck looking out over the lake was a beautiful place to enjoy a morning coffee. The kitchen and BBQ were great - enough of everything to get all 16 of us fed and watered. Bedrooms were roomy and comfortable. And a short walk for ice cream — huge win for the kiddos! Loved it here, highly recommend, thank you Kevin & family!”

“My family and I had an amazing time at this charming cottage over the September long weekend. The place was cozy, well-maintained, and offered everything we needed for an enjoyable getaway. We enjoyed plenty of water activities, from kayaking to swimming, which kept everyone entertained throughout our stay. The kids enjoyed canoeing onto blueberry island for a nice little adventure. The spacious deck offered a stunning view of the lake, making it the perfect spot to relax with a morning coffee or enjoy our family meals all together. The cottage was a great balance of privacy and tranquility with some properties nearby although not too crowded or isolated. The host was exceptionally welcoming and attentive, making sure we had everything we needed for a comfortable experience. We are already looking forward to our next visit — my family had an absolute blast! Highly recommended for anyone looking for a perfect getaway!”

“We loved everything about this place. Perfect location on the Lake. The cottage was perfect size for our family. Camps Bay Marina right next door was very convenient as well. The kids got ice cream every night and the owners were amazing.”

“Absolutely beautiful! This cottage made for a wonderful getaway for our family. We went with an extended family, and it was enjoyable for all ages! The sand was great for the kids, as was the gradual slope into the water. They spent hours in the sand and on the kayaks and canoes. The dock was great for fishing off of, and docking our boat. The lake itself was beautiful for boating! The cottage and yard are very well maintained, neat, and clean! The cottage is spacious and very well equipped! Lots of space outside as well, it has a large deck with lots of seating - an outdoor dining set, bar stools, picnic tables, and chairs around the campfire - lots of options to either gather together or have some time on your own. The outdoor bar stools were especially a hit, getting to sip our morning coffee and evening wine while overlooking the lake, listening to the sounds of nature - so peaceful! The owners were also very accommodating, and so pleasant to deal with. We cannot wait to visit again! Highly recommend this cottage!”

“We had a wonderful time staying at Island View Retreat. Beautiful home, great beach and clean lake. Everything we needed was readily available and we can't wait to visit again!”

“The Shelson family have created a little piece of paradise for making memories. Ideal for families. There was something to entertain our three generations. The cottage was well equipped from the every day kitchen needs; to the comfort of beds and linens; to the kayaks, standup boards & canoes; to the lovely sandy beach and firepit. Lots of places to be together or to have some time on your own. The views and the lake were spectacular. Thank you for sharing your home away from home. We look forward to returning next year!”

“We loved staying at the Shelsons beautiful cottage. We had a party of 13 people, and everyone was very comfortably accommodated in the cottage. Communication leading up to and throughout our stay was fantastic. The kids and family loved the dock and beachfront area for playing and kayaking. Couldn't ask for a better experience.”

“We stayed at the Shelson's cottage this past May long weekend. We were a party of 12 and found the space very conducive for everyone to feel comfortable. It was very cozy. The waterfront and available watercrafts were the highlight of our visit. The kids loved to go the short distance out to the little island that's in view of the cottage. They also loved the clean beach area to play in the sand and wade in the water.”

“This is an amazing place! Everything you need for a very enjoyable vacation. Spend the week with our kids and nine grandchildren. The grandkids had so much fun fishing from the dock. Kevin is very helpful with anything you need.”

“It was one of the coziest cottage I've ever been. Kevin was very helpful with many things, and the cottage was very clean and beautiful. I highly recommend.”

“Spent a weekend at the cottage. What a fabulous place. Very clean, well taken care of and fully equipped. The owners were extremely helpful and easy to deal with. Will definitely be going again.”

“Amazing people to deal with. The place is absolutely beautiful and well equipped. I'd highly recommend a vacation here.”

“We spent a beautiful week at this cottage, enjoying the gorgeous view, playing on the beach, and taking walks in the incomparable fall foliage. I can't imagine a better location for our extended family stay, and would recommend this heartily to anyone. We enjoyed the kayaks, canoe, and paddleboards, and spent hours playing games around the kitchen table. The pre-teens were happy to enjoy the Roku, and the WiFi was excellent for working remotely. Thanks for a wonderful vacation!”

“Very nice place with a beautiful view of the lake. The cottage was clean and very well kept. We were a group of 11 people and there was lots of room for everyone. Corey and Kevin were great to deal with. Very responsive to any questions we had. Would stay here again.”

“This is a wonderful place to create cherished memories with your loved ones. The pictures here don't do justice to how gorgeous the cottage is in real life. The cottage was clean and tidy when we arrived and the owners were wonderful about providing all the information we needed during our stay. The cottage has a wonderful layout, there's plenty of space around the dinner table when you want everyone together but also plenty of space for people to go off and do their own thing. The kitchen is fully equipped and between it and the massive Weber BBQ outside, we had everything we needed to cook some really wonderful meals. The WiFi was great and I had no issues working remotely. There's a Roku TV with Bell satellite although that was rarely used as the view of the lake was more impressive anyway. We were initially worried about the neighbouring marina but that turned out to be a value add as we were able to walk over and rent a boat for a couple of days. Speaking of which, there's plenty of fish in Big Gull Lake — during our stay we caught 3 walleye, several smallmouth bass, and a pike right off the dock! Overall this was one of the best cottage rental experiences we've had and we'll certainly be back.”

“There aren't enough words to describe how perfect this cottage is. Ten people from 2-62 had the best week ever. There was something for everyone. Accommodations were perfect. Owners were excellent to work with. We will definitely return!”

“We had a great week recently with three generations of our family. The large sandy area and shallow water entry were a hit with our little ones. We also had fun catch-and-release fishing off the dock, using the many watercraft and swimming out to the floating platform. Kevin was quick to respond to any questions. Thanks for a memorable family holiday!”

“We absolutely loved our stay at Island View. It was perfect for our stay as a three generation family. Everything was easily accessible and there were plenty of beds/bedrooms for everyone. The cottage is a wonderful blend of rustic and modern and exceptionally clean. The sandy beach was perfect for the smaller kids to play and swim and the older kids loved fishing off of the dock. We also utilized the canoe, paddle boards and kayaks a lot and our favourite thing to do was paddle to "Fairy Island". Kevin and Corey were very responsive and even when the power went out on our first night after a big storm, they responded quickly to our questions at 11pm! It was also very convenient to have the Camps Bay Marina right next door for essentials and a boat rental (and ice cream cones!).”

“If you are looking for a comfortable cottage, with magnificent scenery, for a large extended family then this is the place for you. Stayed with my elderly mother and my 3 sisters with their teenage children. Room for everyone. Multiple indoor and outdoor eating areas for adults and kids. Multiple fridges, chest freezer, and a well stocked kitchen with high-end BBQ to cook. Close to small town amenities if you forgot something. Sit outside under cover, by the fire, on the sandy beach or on the dock. Canoe, kayak, or stand-up paddle board in the clear waters of Big Gull Lake. Coming back next year.”

“We had a beautiful and quiet stay at this cottage. The location and view were amazing and we were able to make good use of the canoe, kayaks and paddle boards to explore the bay the cottage overlooks. Although the weather did not entirely cooperate with us to enjoy the outdoors for the entirety of our stay, we made excellent use of the board games and puzzles and enjoyed sitting on the covered patio with a drink to experience the storms. We very much enjoyed our stay and are looking forward to returning in the future.”

“We were a group of 11 guys that rented Island View Retreat for a weekend in early May and it was PERFECT! The location is great. The cottage is well placed between Ottawa and Kingston but you feel like you're a couple hours north and wouldn't guess how accessible it is. When you're at the cottage, you can't see the neighbours since there is enough distance and trees around and you have a real good feeling of privacy. There is however Camp's Bay marina right around the corner for any small things you may need to buy or if you need to rent a boat. There are some really great fishing spots close to the cottage and you really don't need to boat far to find a perfect anchoring spot for the morning! The owners are extremely agreeable and made the experience of renting the cottage very pleasant. They are involved and invested in your stay and it is clear that they want you to enjoy your visit as much as you do. Awesome selection of board games as well. Otherwise, kayaks, fireplace, and outdoor activities were great! A perfect stay!”

“We had a wonderful time at the Island View Retreat. The grandness of this waterfront cottage must be seen to be truly appreciated as it is more of a Lake Lodge than a cottage! We are a 3 generations family and there was something for each generation to enjoy. Some of our highlights: The sandy beach with shallow entry into water for the little ones. The waterside fire pit. The nearby islands you can explore (pack a lunch and spend the day)! Spending hours lazing about in the luxury lawn furniture. The air conditioners were a life saver in the few humid days we had. The water toys - so fun to get out onto the water. The unobstructed, beautiful views of the lake. We can't wait to return next summer!”

“Amazing cottage! Stayed for 1 week mid August. Absolutely NO bugs. Cottage and property were immaculate! Cottage was very spacious (4 adults and 2 children with LOTS of extra space). Tons of comfortable seating both indoors and outdoors. LOVED the kayaks and paddle boards! The convenience store at Camps Bay (neighbouring property) was an added bonus - saved us a few trips into town. Owners were outstanding to deal with - very friendly and quick to respond to any questions. Highly recommend this cottage rental. We absolutely will be coming back next year!”

“This is our third year staying in this cottage. It is our home away from home. It has everything our multi generational family needs. The new kayaks and paddle boards were a great addition. Memories made on Big Gull Lake will be cherished forever.”

“The Island View Retreat is truly a hidden gem! Since the 1980s, we have been visiting Big Gull Lake every summer and vacationing there for over 40 years. This was our first visit to Island View Retreat, and it was one of the most enjoyable experiences of our lives! We brought our children and grandkids along, and we were blown away by the spaciousness of the property and layout - you would never have known we had 14 people there! It felt like we had our own private bay to enjoy each day. Throughout the week, we swam, used the stand-up paddle boards, and enjoyed kayaking every day. The cottage is fully equipped as if you were at home — they've thought of absolutely everything you could possibly need. Definitely plan on visiting again!”

“We stayed at this wonderful cottage in July 2021. Fishing off the dock was very successful as my husband caught a pike and bass right off the dock. My daughter and I caught rock bass, which is perfect for the impatient fisherman. The fire pit was the best one we've experienced after +20 years of cottaging. It is right on the waterfront and lined with sand and has a nice view of the gorgeously lit house. Kayaking and SUP boarding was very peaceful and we had a nice tour around the lake. The house is very roomy and having two bathrooms a definite plus. Lots of seating areas to choose from. Our favourite was having my morning coffee on the stools on the porch overlooking the lake, while the chipmunks greet you. The owners were very communicative and felt they wanted us to feel comfortable and welcomed.”

“I would highly recommend this beautifully set cottage. It is spacious and met all our needs for a very relaxing stay. The screened in porch made meals very enjoyable. Sandy beach for our children to play kept them occupied for hours. Added touch was the bunkie looking onto the lake allowing some quiet time to catch up on emails. Easy boat launch at Camp Bay Cottage Rental. The lake is quiet and calm and many fish caught. It was fun to tie up to Bone Island and take a short hike which is located directly across from the cottage. Our visits to buy ice cream at Camp Bay Cottage Rental was a nice treat as it is a 1 minute walk down a pathway from the Island View Retreat. View of the lake from the top deck was amazing and night campfires so enjoyable. We will most definitely be booking again.”

“Probably the best cottage we've been to, in fact our 2nd time going (first time with new owners). This place has been completely improved, from a way better lakeside firepit surrounded by sand to a renovated, fully wifi-enabled beach house where we can do work without the kids driving us nuts. The house has everything you need for a 1-2 week stay and with the store a 20m walk from the cabin we never needed to drive anywhere. We were even able to rent a catamaran for the week with no effort! What was the cherry on top was some of the best fishing we've done in years, so from 6am to when the kids woke up at 9am was enough time to catch the biggest pike and smallmouth bass we've ever seen. Yum! Will go again next year, totally worth the penny especially with the renovations.”