Island View Retreat
A Lakefront Venue for Women's Retreats & Girls' Getaways
Whether it's an annual girls' trip, a book club that finally books the weekend, a wellness gathering, or a church women's group — the venue makes or breaks it. Island View Retreat gives your group the whole property: 16 real beds, a private sandy beach, morning coffee on the screened porch, paddleboards on a calm bay, and a fire pit for the conversations that only happen after dark.
Who It's For
Groups of women who want privacy, comfort, and zero logistics friction: friend groups marking a milestone, book clubs and craft circles, yoga and wellness gatherings, church and community groups, or colleagues who've earned a weekend off the clock. Everyone gets a real bed — no couch lottery — and the whole place is yours alone.
Why Big Gull Lake
16 Real Beds, No Couch Lottery
2 queens, 5 doubles, and 2 singles across 5 bedrooms plus a waterfront bunkie. Nobody 'volunteers' for an air mattress, which changes the whole tone of a group weekend.
Spaces That Fit the Day's Mood
Sunrise coffee on the screened porch, an afternoon reading on the wraparound deck, group dinner for the whole crew, evening around the fire — the property has a setting for every hour.
Calm Water, Included Toys
Two paddleboards, two kayaks, and two canoes are included. Big Gull Lake's bays are calm in the morning — ideal for a first-ever paddleboard session or a quiet solo loop.
A Kitchen Built for Group Cooking
Full kitchen with dishwasher, Weber BBQ, and dining space for 28 — potluck-style weekends and long shared dinners are what this place was made for.
Affordable When You Split It
Shoulder-season stays start at $600/night for the entire property — under $40 per person per night with a full group, including everything.
What You Can Do Here
Morning Paddles
Glassy water, loon calls, and two paddleboards, two kayaks, and two canoes at your disposal — no rental counter, no time limits.
Beach & Swim
A private sandy beach with gentle entry, plus deeper water off the dock for real swimmers. No shared waterfront, no strangers.
Deck Yoga & Quiet Corners
The wraparound deck and lawn have room for group stretching or a solo mat at sunrise; the screened porch is the reading nook.
Long Dinners
Cook together, eat on the porch, linger. Four dining areas mean the meal moves wherever the evening takes it.
Fire Pit Nights
The waterfront fire pit under dark, star-filled skies is where the real agenda of a women's retreat gets covered.
Nearby Wanders
Bon Echo Provincial Park's cliffs are 45 minutes away for a group hike; Camp's Bay Marina next door has ice cream for the walk back.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people can a women's retreat host?
Up to 16 guests in real beds — 2 queens, 5 doubles, and 2 singles across 5 bedrooms and a waterfront bunkie. A sofa bed adds flexibility, and premium air mattresses can be rented if your group runs larger.
Is the property private?
Yes — you book the entire 1.2-acre lakefront property including the private sandy beach, dock, bunkie, and fire pit. There are no other guests and no shared facilities.
What does a weekend cost per person?
Shoulder-season rates start at $600/night with a 3-night minimum — for a full group of 16 that's under $40 per person per night for the whole property. Summer peak is $6,850/week, about $61 per person per night at capacity.
Do we need to bring our own equipment?
Water toys are included: 2 paddleboards, 2 kayaks, and 2 canoes. The kitchen is fully equipped, and there's WiFi, A/C, laundry, a BBQ, and a fire pit. Bring groceries, towels, and personal items — or add the $250/week linen service and skip the towels.
Is it doable without everyone driving?
Most groups carpool — the cottage is about 3 hours from Toronto, 2 from Ottawa, and 1.5 from Kingston, and once you arrive nothing requires a car. Groceries in, keys, done.
Can we hold a structured retreat with sessions?
Yes — the great room hosts full-group sessions, the screened porch and deck take breakouts, and WiFi keeps a hybrid speaker reachable. Groups regularly run book clubs, craft weekends, and wellness programming here.