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Reviews of Algonquin Cabin on the Magnetawan river

Algonquin Cabin on the Magnetawan river
Emsdale, ON

Reviews

9.0

Wonderful

Rating 10 - Excellent. 21 out of 34 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 9 out of 34 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 2 out of 34 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 34 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 34 reviews" "

9.0/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Kevin C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Amazing Winter Cabin
My two friends and I loved everything about our stay here. The website accurately describes what to expect, so make sure to read it in full. If that is what you are looking for, then this place is perfect for you.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Eric H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Cozy cabin
It’s a cozy cabin beside a river, good size for 4. We need to bring water and cook outside, but that’s ok. Most importantly, there is a wood heater. We can enjoy fire inside the cabin when it’s cold outside in October. Host Carine is friendly and nice. We had a happy thanksgiving here.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

David M.

Liked: Cleanliness
This was our getaway for rest, reflection and see the changing colors.
This cottage/cabin is the perfect place to be for peace and quite and to hear a rambling brook next to the cottage. The first day the cottage was very cold, but once my husband got the wood burning stove filled with wood started, it was very cozy for the entire week. The beds were very comfortable as was the other furniture. No running water or having to use the outhouse are very minor things to be concerned about. We cooked all our meals outside, because, that's what we like to do. The evenings were so peaceful. When the skies are clear there are millions of stars to see. This cabin is a great home base to go sight seeing. So many places to see, especially this time of the year. Carine has a wonderful simple cabin. We hope to go back again next year, God willing. Thanks Carine for, letting us the rent the cottage. We left a few things for the next renters. We had no room left in the car. David and Joyce
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Martin R.

Liked: Cleanliness
River fun
The river was a lot fun to hangout on. Tubing, kayaking, a few rapids. Great area!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Nathalia G.

Liked: Cleanliness
Incredible experience once again
For the second year in a row we stayed here and could not have had a better time. Beautiful cabin for the perfect off grid experience while still being close to towns.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Nathalia G.

Liked: Cleanliness
Glamping at its best
Carine’s property is absolutely beautiful! We had a wonderful stay. The cabin was super clean and cozy. Sleeping with the sound of the river was definitely an added bonus! The outhouse was by far the cleanest I’ve ever been in! Although the property is not private per se, we had 100% privacy during our stay. The place is located close to many different little towns to visit and very short distances to many attractions. Absolutely loved this place! Can’t wait to visit again!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 6 Aug 2021
Thank you Nathalia for your review! We will be happy to see you again!

10/10 Excellent

Dania T.

Liked: Cleanliness
Algonquin cabin
My kids and I enjoyed our stay here. It was exactly as outlined on Vrbo and the check in was seamless. We are always concerned about the cleanliness of an outhouse but this one was good, no complaints. There are not many destination spots nearby but the highway is close so getting around was convenient. Overall, two thumbs up!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2020

10/10 Excellent

Navreet K.

Liked: Cleanliness
Relax and rejoice
It was a wonderful stay and very soothing to hear the flowing water sounds. Kids also enjoyed the adventure in nearby river water with the tiny tipy toes and walking down the trail.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2020

10/10 Excellent

Kenzi C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Rustic cabin
This place is just as pictured & described! The host met us when we arrived and when we had questions her communication was timely! We had a very peaceful stay, and would recommend to anyone looking for an off the grid experience!
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2020

10/10 Excellent

Meredith C., Kearney

Liked: Cleanliness
Great experience again
This is our second time at Carine’s cabin! This place is a wonderful glamping experience. We love the sound of the river running. Would definitely recommend to anyone looking to go off-grid for a few days. Carine is a wonderful host and provides us with everything we need. We will definitely come back again
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2019

2/10 Terrible

Martin K.

Disliked: Cleanliness
Not a private or dog friendly place
I drove 2.5 hrs to get there and did not feel welcomed when I arrived. The owner appeared to judge me and my dogs right away did not welcome us, complained that I had 2 dogs which I mentioned when I registered, the place is also misleading in the pictures on how private it is, a better angle of the picture would clearly show that the main house is right next to the cottage, not private at all. It’s not letting me post on here how much I paid for not even staying there, I’m a student not working, all I wanted is a few private nights away to relax. Thanks for non welcoming rude unpleasant hospitality.
Response from VrboOwner on 2 Apr 2020
Dear Martin, Thank you very much for leaving a review. I am sorry that you didn’t choose the right place for you and your 2 furry companions! Please do read carefully the rental advertisement next time and all the reviews of the rental as well before booking your next place. That will give you a good idea of what to expect. The very first thing you said to us when you did check-in is that you were not expecting to have the owner’s house beside the cabin. We did feel right away that you were not a happy person which is very unusual as we do have always very pleasant experiences with our guests. Please read carefully the advertisement again because it says that the owner's house is beside the cabin. Also, many guests did leave a review mentioning that they did find a lot of privacy on the property and the presence of other building/persons didn't bother them at all because we do care about our guests and we do respect their privacy. We are not in each other space and remained unseen most of the time because of the positioning of the buildings. The picture you are mentioning (picture 16) is showing clearly the buildings and has been taken by one of our previous guests! Second you never mention to us that you were coming with 2 large dogs! We do accept 2 small or 1 medium dog per booking as it says in the house rules section. We do love dogs!! We do own a dog and we travel with him all the time. We do try to accommodate dog owners as much as possible. However we do ask the owners to keep their dog on a leash (see rule section) on the property. When you did arrive your dogs were running free and you didn’t have any leash for them. Finally I was ready to offer a refund to you if the place was not at your satisfaction. You did choose to get a refund and choose to leave right away without even opening the door of the cabin and drive back home. That was your own decision. The same day you came I did refund your money. Based on your review you didn’t make the right choice by choosing our property as you wanted more privacy and freedom for you and your companions. Make sure next time that you do rent the right place for you. Make sure as well that you do read the house rule section of the rental and that you agree before making any reservation.

8/10 Good

Khalid S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Owner is awsome. Pricing is confusing
Good experience.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2019

8/10 Good

Todd B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great little weekend getaway
A great location easy to get to. Great for a quiet getaway. This would also be a great base camp for any of the ATV crowd as Kearney is right at the end of the same rd with access to endless miles of trails. Day trips for canoe folks would also work from here as Algonquin is only a stones throw away. Carine has a beautiful trail along the river that she has set up a screen tent at the end. perfect place to relax and enjoy the river sounds without the bugs. This river runs fairly fast and as such is surrounded by a deep gorge on either side. The cabin sits at the top of the gorge over looking the river below. Enjoyed the stay. Thanks for sharing your property with us.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2019

10/10 Excellent

Johannah B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Charming cabin on the river
Very clean and very charming cabin in a wonderful location. Very scenic.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2019
Response from VrboOwner on 2 Apr 2020
Thank you Johannah for your review! It was nice meeting you and your friends!

10/10 Excellent

Rebecca L.

Liked: Cleanliness
Amazing stay
The property exactly how it is described on the website, my fiancé myself and our dog had an amazing 3 nights at this remote cabin. It’s beside the owners house but we still had lots of privacy. The bugs where pretty bad but was worth the stay. Thanks Carine for everything we will most definitely be back.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2019

10/10 Excellent

rachel r.

Cozy Get Away
This cabin has exceeded my expectations! It’s right beside the river and the property is huge. Carine is a wonderful host and gave lots of privacy. We had camp fires, walks on the trails and got to see the waterfall which is just a short drive down the road. The cabin does not have running water and the stove is the only source of heat, just like Carine’s post says, but it was perfectly manageable. If you’re looking to visit this beautiful cabin, make sure you bring lots of clean water. I’d recommend this cabin to those who have camping experience and good fire building skills! :) - Thank you Carine!
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2019
Response from VrboOwner on 2 Apr 2020
Thank you Rachel for choosing our property! Have a great summer! Carine

8/10 Good

ashley g., Ontario, Canada

Cozy Cabin
Carine responded quickly to any questions I had. The cabin is exactly as described. It was definitely cold when we arrived (however it was -20*C outside). It is only wood fire heated - after the fire was going it took approximately 2 hours for it to be comfortable. Once it heated up the cabin was very cozy and relaxing. Definitely be prepared during winter to go (i.e. food only cooked via fire, plastic dishes etc) as there is no running water. It is very close to nice snowshoeing areas - we hiked Brooks falls; there was even deer in the yard when we arrived. Carine came around to the time we arrived to ensure we had everything we needed.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2019

10/10 Excellent

Maximilian R.

Lovely remote basic cabin.
Just stayed for one night and enjoyed the remote location next to the little creek. Great host who lives in the house next door welcomed us and gave us a short tour with great tips about what to visit in the area.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2018
Response from VrboOwner on 2 Apr 2020
Thank you very much Maximilian for your review; it was nice meeting you and your dad! Carine

10/10 Excellent

Guillaume B.

Nice camping-like experience. Lovely cabin.
Nice spot by the river. Washroom on the outside, mostly no electricity but a nice stove to keep you warm, in comfortable cabin. Host was very nice, had a chance to taste some Muskoka beer.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2017
Response from VrboOwner on 2 Apr 2020
Thank you very much Guillaume for your comment. It was a great pleasure meeting you and your family! Carine

6/10 Okay

Harmoni H.

Could be greatly improved
this cabin could be greatly improved by having a covered area over the BBQ & closer to the door. We had a lot of rain during our stay so cooking was not great because of this. The shower stall has a camping shower hanging from the ceiling with was plugged up from what I assume is sand since the water from the river has a lot of sand in it. Thankfully we had a 4 wheel truck to manage the driveway which is becoming overgrown..more like a path through the forest..my Honda Fit would not have managed this driveway. Although you never see anyone the cabin is right beside the owners house. There is a canoe & kayak but there are rapids in both directions which meant we could not go far..the canoe is also patched with tape!! There was also dirty dishes & the wood on property @ cost of $10 a day which you find out about after booking was terrible so we went to get our own...on the plus side there is a very comfortable bed, quiet place. This property could be greatly improved if the owners put in a bit of work...It would also be very easy for them to run water to the cabin for washing.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2017
Response from VrboOwner on 2 Apr 2020
My response for you to review - Thanks for your feedback regarding your stay at the cabin on my property. 1 -The BBQ area is uncovered due to fire regulations. Unfortunately it was raining a lot this year. If you had asked I could have provided you with an umbrella. 2 -Yes the shower bag could plug up with sand. Next time I can clean it out for you. I don't take showers at the cabin so I was unaware it was plugged. 3 -The driveway into the cabin has been used without any issues by several drivers of small and large cars for three years. Perhaps you were inexperienced in driving an unpaved road. 4 -Yes I have mentioned that the cabin was beside the house in the advertisement but as you noted we were not in each others space and remained unseen because of the positioning of the buildings. 5 -I spend an average of 3 hours between renters to make sure that the place and the dishes are clean. Sometimes renters will leave dishes in places that are unusual and I don't see it. Please let me know and I can pick them up. 6 -I always give to my guests the option of bringing their own wood. There are many gas stations or convenient stores around that sell fire wood. 7 -I have purposely not running water in the cottage yet as I find that people enjoy getting off the grid and also appreciate the low rental price. 8 -Water is very accessible as the cabin is located right beside the Magnetawan River. Experienced guests can canoe or kayak both ways on the river. I get lots of positive feedback about being on the river as people enjoy fishing, paddling, swimming or just going to sleep beside running water and a beautiful setting. I appreciate your feedback. I believe it may make sense for you to stay at a cabin that is on the grid which will be at a higher price point. Regards, Carine

8/10 Good

Jie G.

Overall a great experience
Only inconvenient part is the washroom is outside, about 20 meters away from the cabin.

8/10 Good

Julia G.

Great mini- vacation in the wilderness !
Simple but clean little cabin right on the river. The forest around it is beautiful so is the falls walking distance. The owner greeted us warmly and gave us lots of useful tips. We were able to try some river canoeing! Thank you Carie .
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2017
Response from VrboOwner on 2 Apr 2020
Dear Julia, I was very happy to meet your family! I am glad to know that you liked it and you are welcome to come back! Each season is very different and offers a unique experience! Warmly, Carine

10/10 Excellent

Sarah P.

Great Winter Weekend
This little cabin was the perfect spot for a quintessential Canadian winter getaway. Heating the cabin with the wood stove was not a problem, as long as you kept the fire well-stoked. The cabin was cozy, yet spacious enough for the 4 of us staying. There was snow much snow! We had five dear greet us in the morning, which was a delight. Lots of skiing and snow-shoeing nearby. The simplicity of a weekend at this cabin was exactly what we were looking for.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2017

4/10 Poor

Karen M.

Nice property
We arrived after looking at the property online and booking. We felt a little deceived not advertised as being next door to owners house. We went for total privacy. The Wood stove didn't work properly and after trying to keep it warm every time we closed the door with the damp we on the fire went out. It was like the building was just put there on blocks. The last rustic cabin we rented she had books and the fire was going when we got there. We left disappointed.
Response from VrboOwner on 2 Apr 2020
Dear guests, I am glad that you left me a review as I was a little bit concerned not seeing you after your arrival. I want my guests to enjoy their experience on the property so I am hoping that travelers will read carefully the ad and all the reviews as the place is not advertised as a place with total privacy. The cabin is completely detached with its own driveway but my house is beside it as the ad mentions it. I don’t think that there is something wrong with the wood stove; it is a brand new Drolet certified wood stove who has been installed by a certified professional in September 2015. I had guests last fall and last winter; during the coldest days in February (-40 celsius) for 2 nights and I remember that they said to me that they reached a comfortable temperature inside despite the weather. I would like to let my guests know that damp conditions can alter the start of a fire and patience and dry tinder/kindling and logs are the must in these particular conditions. There are some books on top of the closet in the smaller bedroom. The cabin sits on piers like most of the cabins and there are some pictures on the ad that shows the sitting. Again I am sorry to hear that you left disappointed. In the meantime I appreciate that you left me a comment that could help any future guest to make the right choice for their accommodation. Sincerely, Carine

10/10 Excellent

Kala B., Comox, BC

Such a retreat
This property was such a wonderful getaway from it all and my sons, partner and I feel so refreshed after our weekend at Carine's little oasis. Should you wish to evade every day life (however temporary), I definitely recommend.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2016

10/10 Excellent

Oxel G.

One of the best experience
I never have so much peace, you sleep with the sound of the river and the birds. The river is only 20 seconds walking and you can take a bath if you want. Very recommendable, I'll go again.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2016

8/10 Good

Ashleigh G.

3 night stay in July - great experience
We had a great stay. Carine was a great host in that she was there to greet us and show us around when she got there, and then we were given complete privacy for the entire stay. Her house is directly next door, but you would never know it. The campfire site and bbq area is a perfect place to spend the evenings, and totally secluded. The cabin was nice and clean, the bed was comfy, and sleeping with the river sounds was the most relaxing thing. We spent our days lazing in the river, either sitting on the rocks out in the middle, or tying off some tubes to float in. Fell in love with that river! Would definitely go again.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2016