4 Seasons Cottage Resort near Algonquin Park, Ontario, Canada
Customer Comments from Cottage Guest Books

Celebrating Special Occasions

Cottages
     Shangri La
     Chalet
     High Noon
     Island View
     Maples
     Sunset

Things to do and See

Web Site Customer Comments

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Celebrating Special Occasions – Customer Comments

September, 1998 - Chalet
“We had a wonderful time! We got exactly what we came for .. lots of rest and relaxation!! After the tension and the stress of the wedding it was wonderful to just get away from it all. The Chalet is beautiful and more than we expected, the lake, stars and fires at night … we’ll definitely be back”

September 1998 – High Noon - Oshawa, Ontario
“This was a surprise weekend for me. My boyfriend planned it all. I knew wherever we were going it would be nice. He knows I love nature and the outdoors. When we arrived it was late and I couldn’t really see anything until the next morning. Let me tell you – I was overwhelmed with beauty of the surroundings. We had a wonderful time. It was the perfect time of year. The colours were beautiful. It was so peaceful and calming I’d love to see it during the winter. My boyfriend knew I needed to get away and he chose the perfect place to take me. I love for being so caring about my needs and for planning this beautiful getaway for both of us. I loved everything about it….”

October 1998 – Sunset - Hamilton, Ontario
“We couldn’t possibly think of a more wonderful way to celebrate our first wedding anniversary. The weather was beautiful and we shared it with some of our closest friends, we are already booked for next year. Can’t wait.”

August 2001 – Sunset - Windsor, Ontario
“A great week in a most quaint little Sunset. A time for Mom and Dad to become Monique and Patric. Had a great time.”

October 2001 - Sunset
“Beautiful surrounding, comfortable cottage, great location! Perfect spot for our 34th anniversary holiday and watching the leaves change. Close to many canoeing routes.”

December 2001 – Shangri La
“I brought my boyfriend here as his xmas gift and it turned out to be the best gift either of us could have received. The hot tub, the fireplace; cosy atmosphere and everything is so clean and welcoming. We had a wonderful, relaxing time and would love to come back. Thank you for sharing your wonderful Shangri La.”

January 2002
“What a wonderful idea our kids had when they booked us in at the Blue Moon Retreat for our 50th birthdays. We had a relaxing mini-vacation and managed to do work on our own cottage plans as well – even got some ideas from here!!.”

April, 2002 – Shangri La
“We don’t know how other people might have spent their honeymoon; but, we decided to come up here for our honeymoon. Very relaxing and enjoyable stay.”

June 2002 – Sunset - London, England
“Got married here at a family reunion…”

July 2002 – High Noon
“We had a beautiful honeymoon this past week and would love to come back to celebrate next summer our first anniversary together.”

August 2002 – Sunset - Hamilton, Ontario
“Blue Moon was such a wonderful place to come for our honeymoon. It gave us a chance to relax and enjoy the outdoors. Thank you for everything! We look forward to visiting again…”

September 2002 – High Noon - Muskoka, Ontario
“My husband and I had a great time here; we were here for the weekend of our honeymoon. What a beautiful and relaxing spot to be.”

September 2002 – Maples - St Catharines, Ontario
“It is Friday morning and we are packing up to leave. When we decided to rent a cottage at Blue Moon Retreat, we had never heard of the place. We were looking for somewhere relaxing and affordable to spend our honeymoon, but ended up with so much more than that. The hospitality that Joanne has extended to us has been outstanding and all the amenities provided are greatly appreciated. We made use of the hot tub, tennis and badminton courts, boats and free firewood. We also had the opportunity to visit many of the local artisans and craft shops in Bancroft. Being from the city, we found it strange at first that people invite you to pull off the road to come into their homes to buy their work. However, since all the locals were so friendly, we quickly became used to it and as a result we bought some beautiful things. We’d recommend checking out the glassworks place; just down the road toward Combermere…We bought the most amazing fudge at the Market Café. ... During our stay here we have been lucky enough to meet another couple who are also on their honeymoon. We have all agreed that Blue Moon is a place that we will return to yearly to celebrate our anniversaries as well as one day bringing our children here. Our week here was great and we are definitely looking forward to coming back next year.”

September 2002 – Shangri La
“Great time as usual! This year was our honeymoon so a little extra special I must say. Blue Moon is one of the greatest places I know to share with those you love and I look forward to spending time here again next year and the next and the next…”.

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Cottages – Customer Comments

Shangri La – Customer Comments

November, 2000
“Great weekend. Very impressed with cottage. Loved hot tub. Be back soon.”

July, 2001
Boy, where to start. What an amazing week. I came here in need of peace and found just that. The house is beautiful with a homey feeling around it. The lake is peaceful; but yet can be fun. Weather was great! JoAnne was great – very pleasant lady. Can’t wait to come back again, and we will.”

August, 2001
“We loved everything. Very clean! Thanks, we’ll be back.”

September, 2001
“I enjoyed my weekend at Blue Moon Retreat. This was a much needed break from the hectic pace of city life. I enjoyed my visit to the cave, the waterfalls and town. The hot tub was great, my sleep at night so restful. I also enjoyed the visit from the red squirrel. This place offers all the comforts of home and all the beauty of nature. The fresh air was great! Hope to be back next year. Next year I plan to swim in the lake.”

October, 2001
“Had a wonderful stay and we don’t want to go home. The cottage is beautiful and we all had our privacy. There is lots to do and explore and the view is killer. Nothing was more relaxing than stretching out in the hot tub with a nice cold drink. The men were glad they could watch the hockey game. It was a worry free holiday, all you have to do is drive here, everything is all here. I would recommend this place to anyone. Hope to see you next year.”

January, 2002
“I guess we are the first guests in 2002. My husband and I have made the Shangri La our home for the week. It has been such a lovely week away from the stress of day-to-day life. There was some snowfall to keep the surroundings fresh and pristine looking. We definitely hope to return in the near future.”

February, 2002
“This cottage is unbelievable. It was much more than we expected. Everything about it helped our vacation and time together to be perfect! Thank you and we’ll be back.”

April 2002
“This is the second time we’ve been here and our experience was just as wonderful as the last. We invited friends with us who found this place to be far more than they had expected. We hope to be back again soon. Maybe we will stay longer. Sunday came far too fast.”

June, 2002
“Thank you for a great week. Everything was wonderful. The view was amazing. Just driving in from the gate we knew it was going to be incredible. When we reached the house it took our breath away. From the first day to the last, morning, noon and night we could not get enough. Having our meals overlooking the lake was, as my cousin said the whole week “This is THE LIFE”. Once again, thank you for everything.”

July 2002
“Thank you for your very luxurious accommodation which we rented for our family vacation. It met all our needs plus more. The kids enjoyed the spacious area to have free time as well as quiet time. JoAnne was very helpful and assisted us whenever needed in a timely manner… I’ll call next week to make arrangements for approximately the same time next year for the Shangri La”.

August 2002
“Weather wasn’t very cooperative – but had a great time – can’t wait to come back next year. Tried both Lydia’s Bistro and Madawaska Inn – both very good. Hot tub more than made up for our chilly overcast days. Lots of time to read and relax.”

August 2002
“We had a great time; the week went by too fast. Everything was what we expected and more. The kids had an excellent time and didn’t ask about the computer at all...”

September 2002
“Liked it a lot… What the world really needs is more Shangri Las … all luxuries were very impressive and greatly appreciated...we loved the decorating. See you soon.”

September 2002 – Cambridge, Ontario
“First time to Shangri La; but, hopefully not the last. Enjoyed the hot tub very much, especially when it was cold. Dishwasher was great. The king size bed was very, very comfortable; it is nice to have the indoor fireplace. It warmed us up when it was cold on a couple of mornings. .. See you next year. Weather was great.”

September 2002
“Great time as usual! This year was our honeymoon so a little extra special I must say. Blue Moon is one of the greatest places I know to share with those you love and I look forward to spending time here again next year and the next and the next…”.

November 2002
“This was our first time here and it definitely won’t be the last. The chilly weather enhanced the wonders and comforts of the cottage…. We liked staying in so much we didn’t even go out to dinner as planned. Thank you for everything. We will be bringing our friends next time to share this little piece of paradise with them.”

December 2002
“We drove down the lane and our mouths dropped. What a beautiful place. We needed this place. It felt like home even when we have never been here before. We hope to make this our yearly vacation spot. The pictures don’t do it justice. Hope to see you next year…”

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Cottages – Customer Comments

Chalet – Customer Comments

August, 1999
“The Chalet is a superb home away from home. Everyone had a wonderful and relaxing week (even with in-laws!). Great fires, brilliant stars, bubbly hot tub, what more could you ask for? On yeah, better golf”.

December, 2000
“This is a beautiful winter getaway.”

March, 2001
“Thanks for the great time. The Chalet was all I was expecting. St Paddy’s Day will not be the same without it. We’ll be back next year. No men, no kids.”

April, 2001
“Glad we were here,
Be back next year.
We had fun and walks in the snow and watched TV,
Just my love and me
The snow was deep,
That was neat,
This place can’t be beat.”

July, 2001
“Thanks so much for clean and comfortable accommodations. We had a wonderful time and enjoyed the park like setting. Looking forward to returning next year.”

January, 2002
“It’s a beautiful place to get away from the city, It’s so cozy in winter. We’ll have to come back in the summer too. Thanks.”

April, 2002
“We had a great time. Love the chalet – so clean and spacious, well-equipped and the area is beautiful. I loved having our own dock & little forest area. The Sauna was terrific. Great Time.”
“It was so nice having everything we could want and might have forgotten stocked – even to plastic wrap, cheese grater, videos and CDs! We felt taken care of. The view is beautiful and one of the nicest things was the utter privacy and isolation – just relaxation. Thanks for a great vacation.”

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Cottages – Customer Comments

High Noon – Customer Comments

September 1998 – Oshawa, Ontario
“This was a surprise weekend for me. My boyfriend planned it all. I knew wherever we were going it would be nice. He knows I love nature and the outdoors. When we arrived it was late and I couldn’t really see anything until the next morning. Let me tell you – I was overwhelmed with beauty of the surroundings. We had a wonderful time. It was the perfect time of year. The colours were beautiful. It was so peaceful and calming I’d love to see it during the winter. My boyfriend knew I needed to get away and he chose the perfect place to take me. I love for being so caring about my needs and for planning this beautiful getaway for both of us. I loved everything about it….”

July 1999 – Colborne, Ontario
“..Upon entering cottage noticed the spectacular view! Sunday went fishing in the morning and caught a large pike. Went fishing Monday morning, no fish but spotted a cow moose and her calf at the water’s edge at west end of the lake. The rest of the week went by flawlessly and quickly…”

August 1999 – Oshawa, Ontario
“Highlights: Canoed to the island with a picnic lunch; ATV Adventure Tours – excellent – went half day in Madawaska and had a blast – well worth the money; Hiked “The Eagles Nest” in Bancroft – great view; Bonnechere Caves – worth the visit; Went to the beach in Barrys Bay – 15 minutes drive east – warm water and nice sandy beach; Had a fire very night; Star watched; Used all the sporting facilities and had a great time.”

August 1999 – Whitby, Ontario
“We arrived August 22, 1999 and let me tell you it has been nothing but fun! The water is beautiful and clean; gorgeous view from the hill. Fish were biting – my husband and I both caught trout….Had a great time, the kids loved everything about this – I must say, haven! Thank you for the opportunity to share this place, hopefully seeing you next year.”

May 2000 – Cambridge, Ontario
“… It was 4 degrees Centigrade or about 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Thankfully the heaters worked well and we were toasty warm in no time. The fish are not biting at all, not even a nibble. We guess that they are still really deep and we can’t get to them….My husband is fishing or attempting to and I’ve been enjoying my coffee out on the little deck. This is the nicest time of day (early morning), it’s so quiet and nice to relax and enjoy the beauty of creation knowing this is how we are meant to live… It has been perfect weather since we arrived, a bit cool, but that’s nice at night when you want to get cosy by the fire. The lake hasn’t changed; it’s still as beautiful as ever. This morning it was so calm it was like a mirror. You could see everything reflected perfectly…”

July 2001 – Kitchener, Ontario & Sudbury, Ontario
“We all had a very good time here at Purdy Lake Blue Moon Retreat… I can say that you guys thrive on cleanliness and we can all vouch for that. I especially enjoyed the view from he deck and the muskoka chairs on the hill. The water is very clean and fun to swim in. We may not have had the best weather but because of all the things one can do here on the property we still enjoyed every minute here. We had a two year old and he had lots of fun as well. I will definitely recommend this place to others.”

July 2001 – Grimsby, Ontario
“The loons have been calling, the fish have been biting and the sun has been shining! We have had a great week here, enjoying all the activities. Lots of swimming, fishing and relaxing. On Thursday, we went rafting on the Madawaska River and had a great time… Beautiful sunsets…”

July 2001 – Toronto, Ontario & Chicago, USA
“We enjoyed our stay here very, very much. The weather was really great and we had a lot of fun fishing, swimming (the water in the lake is very clear) and at night sitting around the campfire. I enjoyed tremendously the view from the deck and the sunsets are really divine. We were impressed with the cleanliness of the cottage and the attention to detail that you can see in everything around you – beginning with the flowers outside and the finishing with the all the nice decorations inside. .. We look forward to coming here again and we thank all the people that work here.”

September 2001- Stratford/London, Ontario
“We had a great time! Hiking was our main “thing”. We hiked the old railway route from Maynooth to Lake St Peter and back (26 km!!). Very nice day. We did some fishing; but, no bites. Hiked the Algonquin trails. Had a day of rain during the whole week which was fairly warm…”

October 2001
“Feeling relaxed and as ready as we’ll be to face the work world again on Monday. Enjoyed a few firsts – a trip to Algonquin along with a hike and a visit to the Visitor’s Centre; a ride in the paddle boat with the wind in our faces and “rough seas”. A fire in the evening brought back nostalgic memories of my youth and times with my own children when they were young. The colours are indescribable at this time of year – a virtual kaleidoscope of colours – a beautiful spot!! Hope to be back.”

June 2002 – Ottawa, Ontario
“Thanks for letting us stay – we had a great time! We rowed for an hour around the lake – Chris went for a swim every day, and we had beautiful campfires each night. We all slept well, including our 16 month old daughter.”

July 2002 – Hamilton, Ontario
“Thanks for everything – we will most definitely be back! Our 3 year old, Grace, loved fishing off he dock and 8 week old Justin just stared at the trees.”

July 2002
“We had a beautiful honeymoon this past week and would love to come back to celebrate next summer our first anniversary together.”

July 2002 – Ottawa, Ontario
“As is the case with vacations, one week is never enough. We very much enjoyed our time here with our friends – the ones we brought with us and those we made during our stay. The lake and the loons were absolutely lovely. We are returning home refreshed and relaxed.”

July 2002 – Quakertown, PA, USA
“We had a great and wonderful time, listening to loons, late night thunder storms which gave way to blue (moon) skies. We are planning to do it all over again next year. Thanks again.”

August 2002 – Markdale, Ontario
“This week has gone very quick! My husband and I really enjoyed the peacefulness and the privacy of High Noon. The kids enjoyed the lake and swam and fished every day. We all enjoyed exploring the countryside, especially the caves and our white-water rafting adventure down the Ottawa River. Thanks so much. Hope to come back!”

August 2002 – Montreal, Quebec
“Thanks so much Joanne for making us feel welcome and at home! We had a lovely week of unwinding at our own pace, listening to loons, discovering hummingbirds and chipmunks and visiting with the shoreline frogs. So pleasant to be surrounded by friendly neighbours! We just love this cottage, right by the water, with the perfectly placed deck. A truly wonderful week of lazing about, badminton, tennis, swimming, canoeing, a trip to Algonquin Park and just slowing down. We would love to come back next year!”

September 2002 – Brigachtal, Germany
“It was very nice staying here for the last weeks. A big “Dankeschöen” (thank you) for this great vacation. Especially the sunsets were great and they will be a wonderful memory for us.”

September 2002 – Muskoka, Ontario
“My husband and I had a great time here; we were here for the weekend of our honeymoon. What a beautiful and relaxing spot to be.”

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Cottages – Customer Comments

Island View – Customer Comments

October 1998 – Hamilton, Ontario
“Perfect everything!”

August 1999 – Uxbridge, Ontario
“We had a great time. See you next summer.”

July 2000 – Oshawa, Ontario
“We had a great time in Island View. The weather was cool; but, we had fun anyway. Hope to back next year.”

September 2001
“Had another great weekend getaway. See you next year.”

July 2001 – Peterborough, Ontario
“Another great holiday. Second year here as a family and we’ll be back. Great hospitality.”

July / August 2001 – Cambridge, Ontario
“The place was very clean and the staff of Blue Moon Retreat very helpful. We had a great week and perfect weather. We’ll be back in the future. We also met wonderful friends from Ottawa.”

June 2002
“The cottage is very cosy and welcome. We loved it, just the way we did last year. I hope to see you next year with more of my good friends. Thank you so much for making it like home.”

June 2002 – Lachine, Quebec
“Thank you from the bottom of our heart for designing the cottage this way. To go to bed looking at the lake and wake up in the morning and savour the glinting water from our bed! Surely this is heaven. This is just like a playhouse in the woods! …. What a serene place.”

July 2002 – Pittsburgh, PA USA
“We had a lovely week at the Island View cottage of Blue Moon Retreat. One of the most relaxing holidays we’ve ever had. Peaceful lake – loved canoeing. Very homey.”

August 2002 – Windsor, Ontario
“We had a wonderful week at your beautiful retreat. Island View was so comfortable and homey. The view from the deck and bed was breathtaking. The cottage was totally equipped and there was not a thing we needed…. We will be back.”

August 2002 – Sarnia, Ontario
“Island View – could you ask for any view prettier to open your eyes to look upon while eating lunch! It is so quiet, it’s deafening! The kids had fun getting back to nature – fishing, swimming off the floating dock, catching toads (releasing them, of course). Comfy cottage – like cottages are meant to be.”

August 2002 – Ottawa, Ontario
“We had a very relaxing week at Island View. It was just what we needed! We particularly enjoyed eating out on the deck – the view was spectacular! What a peaceful and serene retreat from the city.”

September 2002 – Richmond Hill & Etobicoke, Ontario
“Wow! We had an amazing week here at Blue Moon Retreat. A much needed break and a relaxing vacation. We loved the cottage and all its surrounding activities. We particularly like the tennis court and thoroughly enjoyed the sauna and the hot tub…”

September 2002 – Frankfort, Ontario
“We had a fairly short but most enjoyable break. The weather was good and the wind mostly quite benign for short canoeing trips. We introduced our 2 children to a variety of things from our own childhoods, including campfires and fishing – with mixed results. The peace was wonderful – hardly say any other visitors. The cabins were comfortable and the open air dining a treat.”

September 2002
“We had a very relaxing time at Island View. The weather was just great so we did a lot of outdoor trips in nearby Algonquin Park (where we saw a moose) and a lot of canoeing. We enjoyed playing tennis & volleyball and the hot tub and sauna in the evenings. It was just great. Peaceful and relaxing. Thanks.”

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Cottages – Customer Comments

Maples– Customer Comments

July 1999
“This was our first visit to Maple Lodge and Blue Moon Retreat. We came for family togetherness, rest, relaxation and fun. All of our goals were easily achieved. It’s a great spot. Thank you so much for your kindness and warmth.”

August 1999
“What a wonderful place!! The cottage was so clean and spotless. The lake was nice too. I think this is the best we’ve had in ten years. I’m pretty sure we’ll be back next year. One thing that we all loved was the quiet – it was almost like paradise….I love this place. See you soon.”

July 2000 – Oshawa, Ontario & Pembroke, Ontario
“We enjoyed another vacation at Blue Moon. The kids enjoyed all of the activities and had fun. Our only regret was the weather wasn’t that great, but we all made the best of it. We will return.”

August 2000 – Royal Oak, Michigan, USA
“The long trip from Michigan was worth it. We enjoyed the peacefulness, the lake, the boats and having our friends in the Island View cottage. ..Thanks for everything”.

May 2001
“We had a great weekend here. Great weather, beautiful lake, comfortable cottage. Thank you, Joanne. The house is so clean and we had everything that we needed. We are looking forward to coming back. Nature here is like back home in Russia.”

May 2002 – Leicestershire, England
“Continuing to enjoy our lovely stay in this area. Can thoroughly recommend a float trip with Donald at Madawaska Air…Donald gave us a memorable 20 minute flight over this area, 3 adults plus a 12 yr old for a total cost of 80 Canadian Dollars. The Saturday night dance at the ANAF, Maynooth was an evening we shall not forget, enjoying the true hospitality of this area. We shall most certainly come back. Thanks to everyone for making our stay so very wonderful.”

July 2002
“…It’s Friday afternoon, and we are sunbathing by the lake. Today is one of those days you never want to end. A warm gentle breeze, cloudless sky and the occasional Jet Ski passing by….I have been given this wonderful opportunity to spend time with my two teenage children. …As I look at this beautiful scenery in front of me, it reminds me of my past with my family and it gives me strength and hope for my children and me. I hope to return here with Laura and Chris and maybe a few friends in tow to share a wonderful vacation here at Blue Moon Retreat.”

August 2002 – London, England
“We have had a marvellous time. What a location!! .. Also ate Sunday brunch at Spectacle Lake Lodge and then hiked around the lake there. Warning: It is a 7mile (10 km) walk not 7 km as stated on the placemats in the dining room there! Also, slather oneself in insect repellent and take plenty of water if you follow in our intrepid footsteps. Found time to go white water rafting with OWL Rafts (on Ottawa River) – Spectacular. It’s about a 1hr and 40 minute drive, but well worth it. Riding with Highland Wilderness Tours was great and the horses beautifully well behaved. Dinner at Lydia’s Bistro was delicious and the view fabulous. We’ve had such a wonderful time; we hope to return, maybe even next year. P.S. Today we went kayaking with Paddler Co-op on 758 2772. Lovely people.”

August 2002 – Ottawa, Ontario
“This is our third time here and we’ve already booked another week-end in November! We truly enjoy the peaceful surroundings and all the extras you do to make our stay wonderful. The cleanliness of the cottages and everything that’s here for us makes our stay so pleasant (the BBQ, the dishes, soap, the coffee maker, etc… makes for a lot less packing!!) The canoes are our favourite (leaving the hot tub aside, of course). The effort you put in is apparent throughout our stay! The location speaks for itself…”

Sept 2002 – Saskatoon, Saskatchewan & Ottawa, Ontario
“Had a great time. Especially appreciated all the amenities – i.e. canoes, hot tub, fire pit, barbeque plus the very well equipped cottage. The scenery was beautiful and the atmosphere conducive to a very relaxing time.”

Sept 2002 – Toronto
“The decision my husband and I made to spend our weekend and 1st wedding anniversary here was the best one yet. We thoroughly enjoyed every minute. This was our first time visiting north eastern Ontario and it is absolutely breath taking. It is so nice to just relax and sit on the deck or go canoeing or even take a drive into Bancroft. When we arrived we immediately felt relaxed; my husband and I will definitely be returning to Blue Moon Retreat.”

September 2002 –St Catharines, Ontario
“It is Friday morning and we are packing up to leave. When we decided to rent a cottage at Blue Moon Retreat, we had never heard of the place. We were looking for somewhere relaxing and affordable to spend our honeymoon, but ended up with so much more than that. The hospitality that Joanne has extended to us has been outstanding and all the amenities provided are greatly appreciated. We made use of the hot tub, tennis and badminton courts, boats and free firewood. We also had the opportunity to visit many of the local artisans and craft shops in Bancroft. Being from the city, we found it strange at first that people invite you to pull off the road to come into their homes to buy their work. However, since all the locals were so friendly, we quickly became used to it and as a result we bought some beautiful things. We’d recommend checking out the glassworks place; just down the road toward Combermere…We bought the most amazing fudge at the Market Café. ... During our stay here we have been lucky enough to meet another couple who are also on their honeymoon. We have all agreed that Blue Moon is a place that we will return to yearly to celebrate our anniversaries as well as one day bringing our children here. Our week here was great and we are definitely looking forward to coming back next year.”

September 2002
“It’s check-out time and we are packing up after a near perfect week of vacationing. We were extremely pleased with all of the conveniences of the Maples; it really helped our end of summer wind down flawlessly. During the week we enjoyed canoeing around the quiet, clean and peaceful Purdy Lake. We were also lucky enough to go for a quick dip mid week. I can’t wait for next year when we come during the summer months. We did spend a couple of hours at Wilderness Tours with Penny and her two horses Daisy and Sapphire (2 very well trained horses) and had a great time seeing the beautiful countryside of South Eastern Ontario during the fall months….Overall we are giving this visit to Blue Moon Retreat 2 thumbs up ..”.

October 2002 – Ottawa, Ontario & the UK
“We have all enjoyed very much out time at the Maples and are sorry to be leaving on such a beautiful morning. A visit to Algonquin Park was great and to our delight we saw a moose that was quite happy to pose for our cameras. Last night we were star-gazing and toasting marshmallows over our fire (great fun). …”.

October 2002 – Arizona, USA
“What a lovely stay we’ve had in the Maples. Thank you so much for providing everything we needed and then some! We did some sightseeing but spent most of our time at Madonna House in Combermere. The people are great and I recommend the gift shop…P.S. We’ll be back.”

November 2002
“Our fall getaway turned into a winter weekend due to unexpected snow! Had a marvellous time regardless. Enjoyed the hot tub and sauna. We hope to return in the spring!”

November 2002 – Chambly, Quebec & Orangeville, Ontario
“Thanks for the great getaway week we spent here at the Maples. It sure pays to surf the “net” – you have a very informative and “true to your word” web site…Thanks for the hospitality, we will definitely return. Joanne – you are a gem!”

November 2002 – Cambridge, Ontario
“What a beautiful quiet retreat. Just what we needed…. Thank you so much and your web site is wonderful and accurate”.

December 2002 – Bothwell, Ontario (a 1 month stay)
“We do thank you all for making our visit everything we hoped for. Your thoughtfulness in doing more than expected and the little extras made it a special time. ..We noticed the friendliness of the whole community as well. Having travelled quite a lot we have seen small communities that seem territorial and visitors are just that … visitors. But it is different around here. The warmth and welcome have been exceptional. The hot tub and sauna were our favourite places. We look forward to seeing you in January in the Chalet”.

January 2003 – Ireland/Finland
“Thousand thanks for the after Christmas getaway week here in Maples. Green Ireland turned into this beautiful secluded winter wonderland and all the stress from travelling was soon wiped away. Though New Years turned into a wet one the delight of seeing snow after one year is always a delight for us Finns. Big thanks for the Christmas tree which brought some season vibe to the cabin too. Today we will head back to continue our holidays in Toronto and explore the city for a few days before heading back to Europe. Thanks once again and have a successful year of 2003. See you someday…. PS. Thumbs up for the web site.”

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Cottages – Customer Comments

Sunset– Customer Comments

July 1998
“It was wonderful! Our only regret is having to leave.”

October 1998 – Hamilton, Ontario
“We couldn’t possibly think of a more wonderful way to celebrate our first wedding anniversary. The weather was beautiful and we shared it with some of our closest friends, we are already booked for next year. Can’t wait.”

May 1999
“Thanks for this great vacation. Everything was so COOL!!!”

July 2001 – Toronto, Ontario
“What a great vacation! We will be back next year and next year can not come soon enough.”

July 2001 – Mississauga, Ontario
“We can’t believe that we have to leave tomorrow…. We truly had the best time ever – the sun, the lake, the forest, the sunset, the stars, the quiet, the loons, . The list goes on and on. Doesn’t seem like one week was enough. The touch with nature brought us closer in touch with our deepest and truest sense of self. We have to come back and we will – hopefully sooner than in a years time. Thank you for this space, this time that made it so special!”

August 2001 – Windsor, Ontario
“A great week in a most quaint little Sunset. A time for Mom and Dad to become Monique and Patric. Had a great time.”

September 2001 – Windsor, Ontario
“Had a fantastic week. A terrific temporary escape from life’s headaches. We’re sorry it’s over – back to reality. Already looking forward to coming back to “Shangri La” in February for another week.”

September 2001 – Whitby, Ontario
“Well where did the week go. It seems like we just got here and its time to go. We had a little bit of everything – nice warm sunshine, some rain and on Wednesday night a light show you’d typically see on the 1st of July. Looking forward to coming back for another week.”

September 2001
“Thank you for a wonderful and relaxing holiday. We fished and rediscovered old places. Saw the loon almost every day and fell asleep to rain on the roof. New friends and old friends.”

October 2001
“Beautiful surrounding, comfortable cottage, great location! Perfect spot for our 34th anniversary holiday and watching the leaves change. Close to many canoeing routes.”

October 2001 – Caledonia, Ontario
“Our 4th year here! Looks like the tradition may stick...”

June 2002 – London, England
“Got married here at a family reunion…”

August 2002 – Frankfurt, Germany
“Blue Moon Retreat was a perfect place to spend a week during a visit home. What a fabulous “find”!!! It was everything we had hoped for and more. Will certainly be back. Thanks for everything…”

August 2002 – Hamilton, Ontario
“Blue Moon was such a wonderful place to come for our honeymoon. It gave us a chance to relax and enjoy the outdoors. Thank you for everything! We look forward to visiting again…”

August / September 2002 – GTA, Ontario
“Thank you very much for the wonderful place to spend Labour Day weekend. The cottage / facilities well exceeded our expectations. The bed was excellent! We will definitely be back. Thanks for making our first getaway together special.”

September 2002 – North Carolina, USA
“Wonderful place to vacation. Enjoyed Sunset cottage, the people and the beautiful scenery. Thanks.”

September 2002
“Our weekend stay in this place is worth the long travel. It’s far more than what we expected. This place is simply great! We’ll surely be coming back. Wish we could stay longer. Anyway, next time, that’s for sure. Thanks Joanne.”

September 2002 – Kitchener, Ontario
“Thanks for a wonderful stay. We love this place and found it so hard to leave. We’ll be back next year.”

September/October 2002 – Picton & Stirling, Ontario
“Mom and I had a wonderful time and don’t want to leave! The whole area is so beautiful and the cottage is just great! I love the birch logs! We literally only had to bring our own belongings – everything a person could need is right here, we will definitely be back next year.”

October 2002 – Hamilton, Ontario
“The sunsets we missed at the Sunset cottage; but, the sunrises! They were memorable! Cinematic views to wake up to – breaking fog, floating clouds and golden sun over the hills and the lake…”

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Things to Do and See – Customer Comments

July 1999 – High Noon - Colborne, Ontario
“..Upon entering cottage noticed the spectacular view! Sunday went fishing in the morning and caught a large pike. Went fishing Monday morning, no fish but spotted a cow moose and her calf at the water’s edge at west end of the lake. The rest of the week went by flawlessly and quickly…”

August 1999 – High Noon - Oshawa, Ontario
“Highlights: Canoed to the island with a picnic lunch; ATV Adventure Tours – excellent – went half day in Madawaska and had a blast – well worth the money; Hiked “The Eagles Nest” in Bancroft – great view; Bonnechere Caves – worth the visit; Went to the beach in Barrys Bay – 15 minutes drive east – warm water and nice sandy beach; Had a fire very night; Star watched; Used all the sporting facilities and had a great time.”

August 1999 – High Noon - Whitby, Ontario
“We arrived August 22, 1999 and let me tell you it has been nothing but fun! The water is beautiful and clean; gorgeous view from the hill. Fish were biting – my husband and I both caught trout….Had a great time, the kids loved everything about this – I must say, haven! Thank you for the opportunity to share this place, hopefully seeing you next year.”

June 2001 – Shangri La
“Had a great week …as usual! Everything was wonderful. This cabin is truly magnificient!! I look forward to next year, same time, same place.
To future guests … there are a few spots I would recommend visiting during your stay … (1) While Duck Pottery, (2) Candleberry Cottage, (3) Look-out Point (right up highway 62), (4) Market Café (Fudge Shop) in Bancroft. For any golfers Bancroft has a half decent little course (9 hole) less than $ 20.00 for a round. Have a good summer.”

July 2001 – Shangri La
“What an amazing place! Brad and I have enjoyed the lake so much, just watching the water and fishing… This place is so nice I hope to come back soon. We adventured out a few times to Barrys Bay and shopped at the craft show. We also went white water rafting – what fun. Brad caught a 3 lb pickerel and I caught many bass on Purdy Lake..”

July 2001 – High Noon - Grimsby, Ontario
“The loons have been calling, the fish have been biting and the sun has been shining! We have had a great week here, enjoying all the activities. Lots of swimming, fishing and relaxing. On Thursday, we went rafting on the Madawaska River and had a great time… Beautiful sunsets…”

August 2001 – Shangri La
“We had a great time. Nice cottage, the hot tub, peaceful lake, fishing, the caves in Eganville, beach down the road, canoeing, paddleboat (the kids loved that), the campfires and the firm mattresses (not saggy like most cottages). Thank you.”

September 2001 - High Noon - Stratford/London, Ontario
“We had a great time! Hiking was our main “thing”. We hiked the old railway route from Maynooth to Lake St Peter and back (26 km!!). Very nice day. We did some fishing; but, no bites. Hiked the Algonquin trails. Had a day of rain during the whole week which was fairly warm…”

September 2001 – Sunset - Whitby, Ontario
“Well where did the week go. It seems like we just got here and its time to go. We had a little bit of everything – nice warm sunshine, some rain and on Wednesday night a light show you’d typically see on the 1st of July. Looking forward to coming back for another week.”

October 2001 – High Noon
“Feeling relaxed and as ready as we’ll be to face the work world again on Monday. Enjoyed a few firsts – a trip to Algonquin along with a hike and a visit to the Visitor’s Centre; a ride in the paddle boat with the wind in our faces and “rough seas”. A fire in the evening brought back nostalgic memories of my youth and times with my own children when they were young. The colours are indescribable at this time of year – a virtual kaleidoscope of colours – a beautiful spot!! Hope to be back.”

February 2002 – Shangri La
“It is our last night here after a great week. We were surprised how much this cottage has to offer. We came to snowmobile and enjoyed the trails – but the trip was made better with the hot tub, fireplace, etc. Thanks so much for your hospitality – we really hope to come back next year.”

March, 2002 – Chalet
“If we told you we were greeted with 8” of fresh snow and then spent the week enjoying it in 60 – 70 degree weather, would you believe us? The scenery is great, the toboggan hill is incredible. The memories have been etched in our minds for good. We will be back again and again to enjoy the wonderful splendor of Blue Moon Retreat. P.S. Try the perogies at the tavern just outside of Barrys Bay – they are expensive; but worth it. Perogies came from Wilno Tavern.”

May 2002 – Maples - Leicestershire, England
“Continuing to enjoy our lovely stay in this area. Can thoroughly recommend a float trip with Donald at Madawaska Air…Donald gave us a memorable 20 minute flight over this area, 3 adults plus a 12 yr old for a total cost of 80 Canadian Dollars. The Saturday night dance at the ANAF, Maynooth was an evening we shall not forget, enjoying the true hospitality of this area. We shall most certainly come back. Thanks to everyone for making our stay so very wonderful.”

August 2002 – Maples - London, England
“We have had a marvellous time. What a location!! .. Also ate Sunday brunch at Spectacle Lake Lodge and then hiked around the lake there. Warning: It is a 7mile (10 km) walk not 7 km as stated on the placemats in the dining room there! Also, slather oneself in insect repellent and take plenty of water if you follow in our intrepid footsteps. Found time to go white water rafting with OWL Rafts (on Ottawa River) – Spectacular. It’s about a 1hr and 40 minute drive, but well worth it. Riding with Highland Wilderness Tours was great and the horses beautifully well behaved. Dinner at Lydia’s Bistro was delicious and the view fabulous. We’ve had such a wonderful time; we hope to return, maybe even next year. P.S. Today we went kayaking with Paddler Co-op on 758 2772. Lovely people.”

August 2002 – High Noon - Markdale, Ontario
“This week has gone very quick! My husband and I really enjoyed the peacefulness and the privacy of High Noon. The kids enjoyed the lake and swam and fished every day. We all enjoyed exploring the countryside, especially the caves and our white-water rafting adventure down the Ottawa River. Thanks so much. Hope to come back!”

August 2002 – Shangri La
“Weather wasn’t very cooperative – but had a great time – can’t wait to come back next year. Tried both Lydia’s Bistro and Madawaska Inn – both very good. Hot tub more than made up for our chilly overcast days. Lots of time to read and relax.”

September 2002 – Island View
“We had a very relaxing time at Island View. The weather was just great so we did a lot of outdoor trips in nearby Algonquin Park (where we saw a moose) and a lot of canoeing. We enjoyed playing tennis & volleyball and the hot tub and sauna in the evenings. It was just great. Peaceful and relaxing. Thanks.”

September 2002 – Maples - St Catharines, Ontario
“It is Friday morning and we are packing up to leave. When we decided to rent a cottage at Blue Moon Retreat, we had never heard of the place. We were looking for somewhere relaxing and affordable to spend our honeymoon, but ended up with so much more than that. The hospitality that Joanne has extended to us has been outstanding and all the amenities provided are greatly appreciated. We made use of the hot tub, tennis and badminton courts, boats and free firewood. We also had the opportunity to visit many of the local artisans and craft shops in Bancroft. Being from the city, we found it strange at first that people invite you to pull off the road to come into their homes to buy their work. However, since all the locals were so friendly, we quickly became used to it and as a result we bought some beautiful things. We’d recommend checking out the glassworks place; just down the road toward Combermere…We bought the most amazing fudge at the Market Café. ... During our stay here we have been lucky enough to meet another couple who are also on their honeymoon. We have all agreed that Blue Moon is a place that we will return to yearly to celebrate our anniversaries as well as one day bringing our children here. Our week here was great and we are definitely looking forward to coming back next year.”

September 2002 - Maples
“It’s check-out time and we are packing up after a near perfect week of vacationing. We were extremely pleased with all of the conveniences of the Maples; it really helped our end of summer wind down flawlessly. During the week we enjoyed canoeing around the quiet, clean and peaceful Purdy Lake. We were also lucky enough to go for a quick dip mid week. I can’t wait for next year when we come during the summer months. We did spend a couple of hours at Wilderness Tours with Penny and her two horses Daisy and Sapphire (2 very well trained horses) and had a great time seeing the beautiful countryside of South Eastern Ontario during the fall months….Overall we are giving this visit to Blue Moon Retreat 2 thumbs up ..”.

October 2002 – Maples - Ottawa, Ontario & the UK
“We have all enjoyed very much out time at the Maples and are sorry to be leaving on such a beautiful morning. A visit to Algonquin Park was great and to our delight we saw a moose that was quite happy to pose for our cameras. Last night we were star-gazing and toasting marshmallows over our fire (great fun). …”.

October 2002 – Maples - Arizona, USA
“What a lovely stay we’ve had in the Maples. Thank you so much for providing everything we needed and then some! We did some sightseeing but spent most of our time at Madonna House in Combermere. The people are great and I recommend the gift shop…P.S. We’ll be back.”

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Web Site – Customer Comments

November 2002 – Maples - Chambly, Quebec & Orangeville, Ontario
“Thanks for the great getaway week we spent here at the Maples. It sure pays to surf the “net” – you have a very informative and “true to your word” web site…Thanks for the hospitality, we will definitely return. Joanne – you are a gem!”

November 2002 – Maples - Cambridge, Ontario
“What a beautiful quiet retreat. Just what we needed…. Thank you so much and your web site is wonderful and accurate”.

December 2002 – Shangri La
“We drove down the lane and our mouths dropped. What a beautiful place. We needed this place. It felt like home even when we have never been here before. We hope to make this our yearly vacation spot. The pictures don’t do it justice. Hope to see you next year…”

January 2003 – Maples - Ireland/Finland
“Thousand thanks for the after Christmas getaway week here in Maples. Green Ireland turned into this beautiful secluded winter wonderland and all the stress from travelling was soon wiped away. Though New Years turned into a wet one the delight of seeing snow after one year is always a delight for us Finns. Big thanks for the Christmas tree which brought some season vibe to the cabin too. Today we will head back to continue our holidays in Toronto and explore the city for a few days before heading back to Europe. Thanks once again and have a successful year of 2003. See you someday…. PS. Thumbs up for the web site.”

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