The Fine Print

Deposit & Reservation

To reserve a cottage a deposit (“Rental Deposit”) of $100, $300 or $500 per cottage (depending on the cottage, rental duration and time of year) is required at the time of booking . The balance for your stay is due upon check in. We will require guests to sign a rental agreement and may ask for ID. Minimum age to rent a cottage or boat is 21.

We will also require the following information to finalize a booking – name for reservation, mailing address, email, phone number, number of guests and pet requests.

There is a 2-night minimum stay for all cottage rentals and generally we only offer 7-night (Saturday to Saturday) rentals during the peak summer season.

Cancellation Policy

We hope that once you book a reservation, you will not have to cancel, however we understand that on occasion changes in your schedule may occur. An Administrative Fee of $50 will apply to all cancellations. We encourage all guests to purchase trip interruption insurance to help offset any fees associated with having to cancel plans.

Rental Deposit Forfeiture Period – For stays during our peak summer season, cancellations that occur 90 days or less in advance of your check-in date will result in your Rental Deposit being forfeited. For bookings throughout the rest of the year, cancellations that occur 30 days or less in advance of your check in date will result in your Rental Deposit being forfeited.

Your Rental Deposit will be refundable (less the $50 administrative fee) for cancellations occurring prior to the Rental Deposit Forfeiture Period.

Government Restrictions – In instances where the government imposes a stay-at-home order, travel ban or border closure within 30 days of check-in which directly impacts your ability to honour your reservation, Springwood will give you the option of having your Rental Deposit refunded (less a $50 administrative fee) or applied to a future booking within 1 year of your original booking without penalty. Deposits carried forward as a rebooking under this exception will be deemed non-refundable thereafter.

Changes to Reservations

Guests may make one complimentary change (dates or cottage) to their reservation prior to the Rental Deposit Forfeiture Period without penalty. Additional changes may be subject to a $50 administration fee. Changes within the Rental Deposit Forfeiture Period may be considered a cancellation, at our sole discretion. Changes to the number of guests, pets etc. will not incur any change fees and may be requested anytime in advance of arrival.

Damage Deposit

Each cottage is required to provide a Damage Deposit at or prior to check in. This is typically processed as a preauthorization of $250 on a major credit card. Guests who do not have access to a credit card for the preauthorization, may instead provide us with a $500 cash Damage Deposit. The deposit is fully refundable or simply expires if its a pre-authorization within 7 days of check out, less any incidentals for services or general store purchases and assuming no damage or theft of Springwood property occurs.

Check-in: After 3:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)

If arriving outside the hours of 3-7pm, please contact us to make suitable arrangements.

Generally early check in is not available in July and August. It may be an option throughout the rest of the year, if there are no guests checking out of your cottage on the same day. Please contact us 2-7 days prior to your arrival to make early check in requests and coordinate appropriately.

We offer an advance contactless check-in process, whereby we will email you instructions for signing our rental agreement, paying your outstanding rental amount and providing the pre-authorized $250 security deposit as well as what you need to bring with you. If you have completed these 3 items, and arrive after 3pm (or the agreed upon check in time), then you may first proceed to your cottage, unpack and get settled. Then please make your way to our General Store to receive any updates and to simply let us know that you have arrived safely.

Upon arriving if you have not already paid your cottage balance, taken care of the damage deposit and signed the guest agreement, then please park in the main parking lot and proceed to the General Store to complete the necessary documentation and make payment arrangements for any outstanding balances you owe for your stay. You will also receive relevant information about your stay and be given an opportunity to ask any questions you may have.

If for some reason the General Store is closed upon arrival, please press the “Call” button on the walkie talkie that is outside of the store, or follow the directions on the sign by the door so that we can meet you.

Check-out: by 10am Eastern Stand Time (EST)

We ask guests to check out by 10:00am, unless a later time was agreed upon prior to your check-in.

Generally a late check-out is not available in July and August. It may be an option throughout the rest of the year, if there are not guests checking into your cottage on the same day. Please contact us during your stay to make late check-out requests.

Your prompt departure is appreciated, as it helps us properly prepare for the next set of guests. Unauthorized late check outs will result in additional fees, including an additional day of rental, plus any damages/loss of income incurred by Springwood due to late check-out.

For contactless check out, please call 613-335-5333 to advise us of your departure and to make arrangements for payment of any outstanding balances owed.

Upon Departure:

• Check to ensure that you haven’t left anything behind
• Leave the key and remotes where you found them
• Return any games or other shareables prior to departure
• Leave the cottage in the same general condition that is was upon your arrival (clean and put and put away any dishes, return all items to their original place, tidy/clean any messes/spills, leave dirty linens in a visible area; and
• Dispose of all garbage and recyclables (in and around your cottage) in the closed disposal bins at the top of the hill by the big white maintenance building (close to the entrance of the resort)

All of our guest Cottages and public gathering areas are designated as Non-Smoking. There are designated places for smoking on the resort – please ask if unsure. If smoking on decks in close proximity to the cottage, please ensure that any nearby windows are closed. Ensure that all butts are extinguished and disposed of properly.

If evidence of smoking is found in a Cottage during a stay, or after check-out time has occurred, there will be a $250.00 fee + HST charged to the Guest. This includes vaping, tobacco products, cigars and cannabis.

We are pleased to welcome up to 2 furry friends in many of our cottages, and with some restrictions on where pets are allowed on the Resort. Pets must be pre-approved and a pet cleaning fee of $80+HST for 1 pet and $150+HST for 2 pets will be applied to the room charges. Any damages or additional cleaning required resulting from pets will be the charged to the guest. Any evidence of pets in non-designated Cottages or when not pre-approved may be subject to additional charges, above and beyond the standard pet cleaning fee.

Pets must always remain on a leash when outside of the cottage and must not be left unattended in the cottage unless they are in their crate (or pet enclosure) and remain quiet. Owners are required to pick up after their pets and properly dispose of any fecal matter. Pets are not permitted on the beach or common indoor spaces, such as the Store or the Games Room and owners are responsible for cleaning up any fecal matter and disposing of it properly. Furthermore, guests are responsible for ensuring that their pets “play nice” and are well behaved. If you have concerns about your pet’s behaviour around other pets, children or adults, we ask that you find alternative arrangements for them during your stay.

With preapproval, and within reason, guests are permitted to invite additional visitors while staying at the resort. Guests are responsible to ensure that their visitors are fully aware of, and follow Resort Policies, Rules, Regulations and Procedures. Prior to any visitor arrival, guests are asked to make arrangements with us, so that we can be sure everyone is accommodated appropriately. Each Cottage has a maximum number of people it can accommodate, and management may at its sole discretion determine the maximum capacity at each cottage.

Prices are as follows if visitors are using resort amenities:

Day and overnight visitors: $50/person.
Week long visitors: $200/person.

We encourage guests to limit the number of vehicles brought to the resort by car pooling or taking public transportation (FlixBus) from Toronto or Ottawa. Please contact us at least 2 weeks in advance to assist in make suitable arrangements if considering Public Transportation.

Only one vehicle is permitted to be parked at each cottage at a time, unless otherwise authorized. Additional limited parking is available at the Marina and in our front parking lot. Also, please do not park your boat trailer in front of your cottage, instead it should be parked at the marina. Vehicles exceeding one per cottage may be subject to additional parking fees.

If you have an electric vehicle, arrangements can be made to charge it from your cottage or at either of the main parking lots using and extension code. Please speak with us to make suitable arrangements.

We ask that all our guests please be considerate of each other and our staff during your stay with us. Keeping in mind things such as keeping the radio, television, or stereo to a moderate and reasonable level. We also ask that all our guests try to be sensible with their choice of words and use of offensive language. We do accommodate many families with young children.

• Resort Outside quiet hours are between 11pm-7am
• Bullying, harassment, discrimination of any sort will not be tolerated
• NO littering (paper, pop cans, pull-tabs, cigarette butts, etc.)
• NO defacing Springwood Cottage Resort property in any way (writing on the walls, floors, ceilings, etc.)
• NO destruction of any kind to the natural environment surrounding us (no peeling bark off of trees, no cutting any trees, etc.)
• NO using shampoo or soap in our lake
• Please keep your cottage clean at all times, both inside and outside & ensure that upon departure you leave your cottage and its contents in the same general condition and state that it was upon arrival.
• Turn off your cottage’s outdoor lighting when not in use, during the daytime hours and once you are in for the night
• Similarly, please conserve electricity by turning off A/C when doors or windows are open or if gone for the day and turn off lights when not in use.

Septic System (Toilets & Drains)

Unlike in the city, we use a septic system which is much more sensitive to abuse and overuse. Therefore, we supply each cottage with 1-ply toilet paper to use in order to help prevent the unpleasant and costly consequences of any potential septic issues. Please let us know at the General Store if you need more and we will gladly supply it for you.

Please ensure that you do not under any circumstances dispose of any foreign object, including feminine hygiene products, contraceptives, personally supplied toilet paper, toys etc. into the toilet or drains. Instead place these in the garbage. Guests will be held responsible for any costs related to misuse of our septic system.

Should the power go out, the plumbing systems will not work. Please do not use (flush toilets, etc.) until power is restored. The resetting of the water system takes 15 to 20 minutes after power is restored to be back to full functionality.

Missing/Damaged Items

In the event that any of your items are lost or go missing, kindly notify us immediately, so that we may assist in locating them. Similarly if you find a lost item, please bring it to our attention so that we may assist in reuniting it with its owner. Guests must report any damaged items in their cottage within 12 hours of arrival. If nothing is reported within the first 12-hours of arrival, it is assumed that everything is in good working order, and you accept responsibility for missing/damaged items in your cottage.

Linens

We now provide professionally laundered bed linens and bathing towels for guests. Furthermore, all of our beds and pillows are protected with a covering. 

One set of bed linens per bed per stay will be provided. Bed linens will be folded at the bottom of each bed, ready for you to make. Please note that the top and bottom sheet are flat sheets, and will therefore require tucking in under the mattress in order to stay in place. Please ensure that you make the beds with both sheets and pillow cases, as soiled mattress covers or pillow protectors will be subject to an additional cleaning fee. In order to avoid this, it is important that all beds which children and pets have access to are made promptly upon arrival.

Similarly, for each stay, two sets of towels (bath, hand and face towel) per bedroom per cottage will be provided. Additional towel sets may be available at a cost of $25 per set, subject to availability. We ask that you do not bring bath towels to the beach and that you bring your own beach towels. If you have forgotten your beach towel, we have some available for purchase at our General Store.

Should your sheets or towels become soiled during your stay, we do have laundry machines on site available at your convenience for a small fee (from May to October). Alternatively, additional towels or bed linens may be available for a fee of $25 per set of towels or set of bed linens and are subject to availability. 

Hot Tubs

Guests who have access to a hot tub are reminded of the following:

• Please shower before use. Bodily oils and lotions are not good for the hot tub & upset the delicate balance required for your hot tub to properly function.
• Please keep the water level above the jets to not burn out the motor in the hot tub. There is a hose nearby that will reach into the hot tub for refilling. Please ask if you need assistance.
• Do not unplug the hot tub.
• When not using the hot tub, please keep it covered.
• NEVER turn on an empty hot tub.
• Pets are not permitted in the hot tubs
• Children should never be left unattended in or around the hot tub
• Staff will be by daily to periodically check the water and perform any required maintenance

Garbage / Recycling

All garbage and specified recycled materials are to be properly disposed of as required throughout your stay and before checking out. Upon checkout, do not leave recycling or garbage inside or outside of your cottage. Closed labeled bins for garbage, tin, plastic and alcohol cans/bottle empties, are located at the top of the hill (near the entrance) behind the big workshop/garage. Place material inside the closed bins, and please do not leave garbage etc. on the ground outside of the bins. Garbage bags are provided. Further details can be found in the cottage and our online guest booklet.

Beach & Playground

Our beach and playground is NOT SUPERVISED; an adult must be present at all times. Please take note of the following beach regulations:

• Leave the beach area clean; daily and nightly (do not leave any garbage or personal belongings behind).
• Glass containers are not allowed on the beach, and are prohibited from all fire pits.
• No boats (including non-motorized boats like kayaks and canoes) permitted in the swimming area.
• No fishing in the swim area.
• No diving from the swim raft.
• No animals allowed on the beach.

Games Room

Due to the expensive nature of the items in the Games Room, there is security camera in the Games Room.

HOURS: 10am to 10pm

Key Rules:

• Please note that children under the age of 16 are not permitted without responsible adult supervision. And children are to be supervised at all times in the Game Room.
• Pets are not permitted in the Games Room.
• No smoking, eating or drinking inside the Game Room. For your convenience, you may bring a beverage and leave it on the window sill just outside of the Game Room. 
• Please respect our equipment and games inventory. We have invested heavily in this for your enjoyment and we’d love to keep this for all guests enjoyment for many years to come. These items can be easily damaged and pieces can easily go missing, so please take care when using it. 
• Please be respectful of other patrons. Take turns, don’t overcrowd the space, keep noise levels at a reasonable level and be a good sport.

If you remove game from the shelves, please allow us to return them to their proper home on the shelves and instead place in the bin near the door. When borrowing games from the Games Room, please sign them out from the clipboard by the entrance and promptly return them promptly in the same condition ready for others enjoyment.

Flammables – bonfires, fireworks, gas/flammable items

Open (Bon) Fires

Local bylaws require Open Fires be reported to the Fire Department. Consequently, please inform us prior to starting a bon fire so we can inform the Fire Department and ensure there is not fire ban in place as required by our fire permit. Also, fires are only allowed from two hours prior to sunset to two hours subsequent to sunset (roughly 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.). Failure to comply with the bylaws may result in a fine from the fire department up to $5,000.00 and up to a $500 fee plus damages by Springwood.

Open fires are only acceptable on the beach and at those cottages with private fire pits. We have campfire wood available free of charge. Never leave fire and children or pets unattended. And please put fire out before you leave or turn in for the night.

Fireworks

Fireworks are only permitted by law from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. on New Years Eve, Victoria Day, Canada Day, American Independence Day, Labour Day and three days before and after each of those holidays. If you wish to set off fireworks on these days, please check with management first and do so safely from our beach away from trees or other hazards and dispose of the casings that evening once its safe to do so. Setting off fireworks in undesignated places or on unauthorized days may result in a fine from the fire department, as well as a $500 fee plus damages by Springwood.

Gas / Flammable Items

Some of our cottages are equipped with pellet stoves. Pellets for these stoves is provided at no additional cost. Do not use any other form of wood or flammable material in these stoves. If you are unsure or uncomfortable with starting your pellet stove, please do not hesitate to ask for assistance.

Due to insurance, environmental and safety concerns, we ask all guests, NOT to bring extra gas in portable jerry can containers. Gas and oil are available from our marine facility. We cannot allow portable jerry containers to be stored inside or outside of your cottage either. You are also prohibited from bringing any type of propane containers into the resort. We can provide you with these upon request. A $500 fee plus any damages will be applied to anyone who breaches the gas/flammable items policy.

Docking & Docks

• Please no docking at the beach, rock face or anywhere else other than boat docks.
• Fishing and loitering is prohibited on the marina boat docks. We have provided docks for your enjoyment that will allow fishing and hanging out.
• Please give priority to fitness classes on the “fishing” dock in July and August from 9:30-10:30am

Marina – Watercraft Rentals & Services

• Our on-site Marina is open from 9am-5pm daily in the summer months.
• Motor boat rentals should be made at least one day in advance.
• A security deposit of $100 is required at time of booking if non-Springwood guest. The security deposit is fully refundable if cancellation occurs more than 3 days in advance of reservation or if operator cancels.
• A damage/security deposit in the form of a pre-authorization on a major credit card of up to $2,750, depending on the size of the boat, is required for all boat and motor rentals.
• Guests who have an early morning boat rental, are asked to speak with Marina staff the day before to ensure arrangements are finalized.
• If your rental is scheduled to be picked up or dropped off outside of our hours of operation, additional details for pick up and return will be pre-arranged.
• Motorized boats are rented in by the day. The rental boats must be returned; by or before; the time period allotted; in order to avoid an additional service charge. Unauthorized late return services fees are at the discretion of management but may result in the loss of your damage deposit or part thereof depending on damages/loss of income incurred by operator.
• Additional Marina fees:
  • Service call on the lake (due to human error) – min. $100+HST service fee plus reasonable expenses
  • Boat launch service using our staff and vehicle $25+HST (in and out of the water)
  • Hydro usage for boat/vehicle battery chargers plugged into cottages or fish hut: $35+HST per week.
  • Boat slip $95 per week, $60 per weekend, or $35 per day
  • Delivery of boat rental to Big Clear Lake is available for a fee. Please discuss with management for quote prior to booking.
• Cottage rentals include access to our non-motorized kayaks, canoes, and SUPS at no additional cost, based upon availability, for up to 2 hours at a time. These boats are also available to rent to the general public and are subject to a $250 damage deposit.

Boating Safety & Laws

Kennebec lake is monitored by the Ministry of Natural Resources and OPP law enforcement. Prior to operating a boat, please familiarize yourself with all boating and fishing laws and safety guidelines, including but not limited to the following rules, to ensure everyone has a fun and safe experience:

• Due to insurance, environmental and safety concerns, we ask that all guests not bring extra gas in portable jerry can containers. We have gas and oil available, as well as on-lake services.
• All persons in a boat are required BY LAW; to wear life preservers. (Available upon request at the Marina)
• As a reminder it is illegal to have open alcohol on a boat and drivers must not be impaired or under the influence of alcohol or drugs, including cannabis.
• When operating a boat, it is mandatory to stay at least 100 feet away from all shorelines or 150 feet if the water level is low.
• An adult must accompany children when on the docks and when riding in any type of watercraft.
• Boats must have a dedicated spotter if towing tubers, water skiers etc.
• Boats (including non-motorized) are not permitted in swimming areas, including our beach.
• We suggest that all boaters familiarize themselves with the lake by taking a slow ride around the lake prior to engaging in tubing or other high speed boating activities.
• Failure to adhere to all boating and fishing laws, may result in a ticket, fine or much worse consequences.

Water & Land Toys/Games

We have a number of water and land toys available for guest usage. Kayaks, Canoes, Pedal Boats and SUPs may only be borrowed for a maximum of 2 hours at a time during our Marina operating hours.

Bikes, snowshoes and other outside “toys” and games may be borrowed by contacting a staff member. We ask that guests return these within 4 hours of borrowing so other guests may enjoy them too.

Indoor “toys”, including puzzles, books, DVDs and table-top games may be borrowed from our Indoor Share Shed located near the Convenience Store. Please return these with all pieces and in good condition promptly when you are done with them so other guests may enjoy them.

We ask that games borrowed from the Game Room be signed out and returned with all pieces and repackaged with care to the bin inside the Games Room.

If you notice any damage or pieces missing to any shareable item, please notify us immediately, so that we may remedy.

Fishing & Fish Hut

By law, you are required to always carry your fishing license with you when fishing. Those who are fishing are responsible for familiarizing and adhering to local fishing limits imposed by the Ministry of Natural Resources. We also ask that you be respectful of our lake by not over-fishing. The more fish left in the lake ensures more fish next year.

Please adhere to the following when cleaning fish that you catch, failure to do so will result in a clean up penalty fee, each and every time:

• Please do not clean fish in the cottages, use the Fish Hut instead and ensure that you clean up after yourself immediately
• Please do not put any garbage or fish scales outside or leave them in your cottage. All scraps, scales, etc., must be put in sealed plastic bags and stored in the Fish Hut freezer.
• When cleaning fish for freezing and transporting, please leave enough skin or scales on the fish to be able to recognize its species to avoid any problems arising with the Ministry of Natural Resources.
• Please do not place fresh fish in the cottage freezers. Instead pack them into sealed plastic bags and label with your name and cottage and leave in the Fish Hut freezer.

This resort is not only a business, but also our home, and we consider you to be our guests, not customers. We take great pride in our home and spend a lot of time focused on maintenance and upkeep. We hope that you will respect our home and its property and that your stay with us is enjoyable and provides you with many memories for years to come. If there is anything that will make your stay more pleasant, please do not hesitate to ask.

Finally, if you have enjoyed your time, please tell your friends and share your pictures and reviews on social media, if there is something not to your liking, please speak with us first to give us an opportunity to rectify it.

Many Thanks,
Christine, Ed and the Staff of Springwood Cottage Resort