Escape to The Lair in Port Renfrew, a cozy retreat nestled in the Pacific Northwest Rainforest. This charming cottage features a propane fireplace, fully equipped kitchen, and Netflix for relaxing evenings. With Starlink High Speed Internet and Cable TV available throughout your stay.
Reviews
9.29.2 out of 10
Wonderful
Entire home
1 bedroom1 bathroomSleeps 440 sq m
Popular amenities
Kitchen
Pet-friendly
Outdoor space
Barbecue
Fireplace
Add dates for prices
About this property
French Girl's Lair: The Original Renfrew Retreat
Summary:
★ The Original Port Renfrew Vacation Rental just got better! ★
➞ Private Deck with Custom Firepit & BBQ
➞ Minutes to Botanical Beach, Avatar Grove, Lizard Lake, Fairy Lake, Patcheedaht Beach
➞ Walk to The Renfrew Pub, Pacific Gateway Marina & other Restaurants
》Pet Friendly!
》Free parking for two vehicles
》Perfect retreat for couples, friends and small families.
》Stay cozy when the power goes out with a Gas Range, Fireplace and Battery Backup (for internet)
Registration details
Provincial registration number: PM860139052
The Space:
★" We absolutely loved our stay. The fire pit, location and coziness was amazing. We will definitely be back."★
➞ A real gem in the heart of Port Renfrew. The perfect place to escape the city, or unwind and relax after a day of adventure!
➞ The bedroom is quiet and comfortable with a queen size bed and the living room has a pull-out couch.
➞ Enjoy a drink & smore's around the custom-built firepit!
》 Unlike other cottages in the community, we've upgraded to two hot-water tanks...enjoy that shower after a long day of hiking!
》 Port Renfrew is in the wilderness, and the power goes out often - Our battery backup system means you can charge your phone and continue to use the internet for up to 2 hours in the event of an outage!
》 Netflix is available - in addition to a library of classic DVD's.
》 Fun board games!
》 Pets welcome, just not on the furniture :)
Guest Access:
➞ Access to the cottage is via a keypad on the front door. You will receive the entry code upon booking.
The Neighborhood:
Located in a the Wild Coast Cottage community. There are neighbours close by. Privacy may be limited in outdoor areas.
Please note that each cottage in the neighbourhood is privately owned. If you visit at another cottage and bring dishes, chairs etc. please be sure to return them to their original cottage. Some cottages are rented like ours, but most are used only by their owners and families. Please be respectful of their privacy and property.
If you don’t feel like cooking The Renfrew Pub, Bridgeman’s West Coast Eatery, Coastal Kitchen Café and Tomi’s Home Cooking are all a short walk away.
The local General Store is about a 1km walk along Parkinson Rd and has a small selection of groceries, beer, wine and a cash machine. It’s a good idea to stock up on groceries on your way to Port Renfrew either in Sooke on your way from Victoria or in Lake Cowichan.
The list of activities in Port Renfrew are endless; seeing some of Canada’s tallest trees, getting close and personal with marine life at Botanical Beach and hiking the West Coast and Juan De Fuca trails. There is also surfing, beach combing, kayaking, beach combing, whale watching, storm watching and world class fishing.
Getting Around:
There's no public transit here. While you can walk to most amenities within Port Renfrew, you'll need a vehicle if you wish to get to Botanical Beach, Avatar Grove, etc. Restaurants are all within a 10-15 minute walking distance
Other Things to Note:
the cottage is nestled in a rainforest, surrounded by the lush beauty of nature. While the hosts make efforts to clear away cobwebs, animal and bird droppings, as well as leaves and debris before guests arrive, they kindly ask guests to understand that the cottage is situated in the habitat of these creatures. Therefore, it's natural for them to rebuild their webs and nests. Appreciating this delicate balance between human habitation and the natural environment adds to the charm of the stay.
-------
There is limited cell service in Port Renfrew, but the cottage has WI-FI. Guest can email, or enable WI-FI calling on their smart phone, or use other application to call such as What's app, or others. There is also a couple pay phone in town if needed. Current cell phone providers that work in the area are Rogers, Fido, Shaw and limited Telus.
Interaction with Guests:
I will be available by Airbnb messages and email.
Property amenities
Internet
Available in the cottage: WiFi
Parking and transport
Onsite parking options include a garage
Kitchen
Coffee/tea maker
Cookware, dishware, and utensils
Electric kettle
Hob
Microwave
Oven
Refrigerator
Toaster
Dining
Dining table
Bedrooms
Bedroom
Bedsheets provided
Bathroom
1 bathroom
Hair dryer
Shampoo
Shower
Living spaces
Dining table
Fireplace
Living room
Entertainment
Games
TV
Outdoor areas
Balcony
Barbecue grill
Firepit
Garden
Comfort
Heating
Pets
Pet friendly
Suitability/Accessibility
Smoke-free property
Services and conveniences
Iron/ironing board
Safety features
Carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools
Rules
The cottage is part of the Wild Coast Cottages community. Some cottages are rented like ours, but most are used only by their owners and families....
Pets
Pets are allowed
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees
Children and extra beds
Children are welcome
Events
No events allowed
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted
Important information
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
About the area
Juan de Fuca Electoral Area is home to this cottage. Pacific Gateway Marina and Port Renfrew Dock are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Juan de Fuca Provincial Park and San Juan River Estuary Ecological Reserve. Visit our Port Renfrew travel guide
Is French Girl's Lair: The Original Renfrew Retreat pet-friendly?
Yes, pets are allowed at this property.
What time is check-in at French Girl's Lair: The Original Renfrew Retreat?
Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.
What time is check-out at French Girl's Lair: The Original Renfrew Retreat?
Checkout is at 10:00 AM.
Where is French Girl's Lair: The Original Renfrew Retreat located?
Situated in Juan de Fuca Electoral Area, this cottage is within a 15-minute walk of Pacific Gateway Marina and Port Renfrew Dock. Port Renfrew Beach and Juan de Fuca Provincial Park are also within 2 miles (3 km).
Have a question?
AI iconBetaBeta
Get instant answers with AI powered search of property information and reviews.
French Girl's Lair: The Original Renfrew Retreat Reviews
Reviews
Wonderful
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travellers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
This was such a cute little cabin. It was tidy and provided us with a comfortable, cozy night as the rain poured down. We were saddened to find that the fireplace didn't work and the BBQ flames didn't always stay lit, however it didn't impact our experience overall. I would definitely come back for another stay!
Well equipped & maintained comfortable cabin with nice privacy on the deck. Very comfortable bed! Nestled in the midst of the spectacular beauty of Port Renfrew. It was only a brief stop for us, but perfect weather and lovely peaceful getaway
Stayed 1 night. Appreciated the selection of movies books and games. Everything was clean except that the dishes needed to be re-washed from the previous guests and the couch cushions looked a little grimy.
Really cute cabin. Comfortable queen bed. Super clean with good size fridge and gas stove. Fireplace inside was nice and took the chill off after being outside all day. There was a fire ban on so didn’t get to use the outdoor fire pit but it looked great. Absolutely loved exploring the beaches and hiking all around Port Renfrew. Would recommend staying here!
The cottage was cozy and cute and extremely clean. All the required information was shared with us online or was accessible via physical binder in the cottage. The kitchen had all you need for simple cooking. A few minutes walk to the ocean, in a nice and quiet neighbourhood. It is a perfect place to unwind, 100% recommended.
Very quiet location and easy access to docks and the park
Simon F.
Stayed 1 night in May 2025
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Verified traveller
4 July 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, communication
We enjoyed our brief stay at Handsome Dans Port Renfrew. The cabin was quaint, comfortable and clean. We were fortunate to be able to stay for one night as many properties require a 3 night stay. The location was close to various beaches in the area.
Verified traveller
Stayed 1 night in May 2025
Verified
8/10 Good
Crystal
23 Aug 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, communication
Our stay here was okay. Location was good, about 10-15min drive from Botanical Beach and about 25mins from Sombrio Beach. There is a cute ice cream place a 2min walk (cash only). Cottage overall needs updating and some TLC though.
Cute and cozy stay. Everything you need within walking distance.
Small concern over utilities but the manager’s reply was prompt and communications were sufficient (although the problem was never resolved). However, the stay was fantastic and offered everything we needed to enjoy our spring break.
I was only on the property for a few hours for a good nights sleep, but everything looked like it did online and the owner communicated well so we could get in easily.
Robyn F.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2023
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Lisa
29 Sept 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
Fabulous location. Travelling with relative from England. They loved it.