Top 5 Essentials for your Great Blue Resorts Cottage Rental Vacation Getaway

The desire to head to a cottage where you can look forward to making family traditions is a dream many Canadians share. If you’re one of them, you’re in luck! We offer resort cottage rentals in Ontario’s cottage country – including Muskoka, The Kawarthas, Perth, and Prince Edward County.

Rent our family-friendly resort cottages, and you can experience an Ontario cottage getaway in the outdoors. However, you might wonder, “What is included with my cottage rental at Great Blue Resorts?” Your resort cottage rental comes fully equipped with a full kitchen with a fridge, stove, microwave, coffee maker, and toaster. The 2-4 bedroom cottages also come with bathrooms and air conditioning for your comfort. There are plenty of entertainment options like TVs with a DVD player, a full-size deck with a BBQ, a fire pit, and a patio set. You will also have full access to all resort amenities, including pools, kayaks, boats, multi-sports courts, beaches, and more!

Even though our resort cottages come fully equipped with the above, there are still a few items that you will need to pack. Here are our top 5 Great Blue Resorts cottage vacation essentials.

#1 – Groceries

When it comes to cooking at the cottage, you’ll want to prepare quick and easy meals while keeping the clean-up minimal.

Every cottage rental includes a BBQ, stove, microwave, coffee maker, and toaster. You will have all the appliances needed to make those perfect for the cottage meals!

Here are a few of our grocery essentials:

Personal Toiletries (toothbrushes, soaps, etc.)
Hot Dogs and Burgers (don’t forget the condiments!)
Juice, Pop, and Bottled Water
Milk and Cereals (the easiest breakfast)
Chicken Breasts and Salad
Fresh Fruit for mid-day snacking
Bacon, Eggs, and Toast (a cottage staple)
Granola Bars
Chips and other delicious snacks
Freezies or Popsicles (the perfect treat for the hot Ontario cottage air!)
S’more ingredients (Chocolate Bars, Graham Crackers and Marshmallows)

#2 – Pillowcases, Bed Sheets and Towels

While the beds are provided, we ask that you bring your own pillowcases, bed sheets, and blankets. Bring some comfy blankets for those chilly nights around the campfire.

In addition to the sheets, you’ll want to ensure you bring enough towels for everyone in your family getaway. Be sure to pack a towel for showering and one for the pool/beach for everyone. If you’re worried about laundry, all our rental resorts (except Lantern Bay Resort) have coin-operated washers and dryers. However, we request that you please bring your own soap/detergent.

#3 – Sun and Bug Protection

You don’t want to spend your family vacation inside of your resort cottage recovering from sunburns or sunstrokes! That’s why we recommend bringing lots of sunscreen, that is at least SPF 30 or higher for your stay. Plus! Don’t forget to pack those hats and sunglasses for added protection from the sun’s harmful rays. Your family will enjoy some fun in the sun while participating in our kid-friendly live entertainment. While swimming in the lake/pool or at our one-of-a-kind resort activities, where your kids will meet new friends, will all include some sun exposure.

In Ontario’s cottage country, bugs can appear at any time. Typically, black flies and mosquitoes don’t usually make an appearance until mid-June but it is best to be safe and pack that bug repellent just in case. Public Health Ontario has great advice on its website to keep safe from outdoor related illnesses.

Pro Tip: Pack a small emergency kit complete with Advil, Benadryl, and Afterbite to cover all your bases and bites!

#4 – Pack Comfortably For Both Day & Night

Though the days are hot, the nights and early mornings in the northern parts of Ontario can get quite chilly. Bring a cozy pullover/hoodie, track pants, and comfy shoes for those early-morning coffees and fireside ghost stories in the night.

Swimming and being out on the water are big parts of the Great Blue Resorts cottage experience. Don’t forget to pack a swimsuit or two!

#5 – The Fun Stuff

Don’t forget to bring your entertainment essentials for when you want to stick close to the cottage and when you venture out on a hike including:

Deck of Cards
Volleyball or Soccer Ball
Badminton rackets and a birdie
Beach / Pool Toys
Board Games
Hiking Gear
Books and Magazines
Camera and Charger
Cellphones, iPads and iPods

Book Your Family Rental Cottage Getaway Now!

Rentals are limited and you don’t want to miss out on your chance to get away in Ontario’s cottage country! Choose from eight resorts including:

Click here to start planning your Ontario resort cottage vacation today.

Why stay for a week, when you can stay for a lifetime?

Once you’ve spent a day or two at a Great Blue Resorts cottage, you’ll never want to leave.
During your stay, ask one of our Great Blue Resort Specialists how you can get your vacation free, and how you can easily become a resort cottage owner!