Cottage FAQs

  • Yes! At H2H Kennisis Lake cottage and also at H2H Bitter Lake cottage we are pet friendly! We love to host well behaved furry family members! We completely understand - we could not imagine cottaging in Ontario without our own dog and so we have created a clean and welcoming place for you to vacation at the cottage with your pet!

    We ask that you review and agree to follow our pet policies first, then your dog is welcome to join you at the lake! Dogs Welcome!

  • Absolutely! This is our specialty. We will go above and beyond to ensure that our guests feel confident, safe, and right at home during their stay. We will provide any information that you will need to know about packing, the cottage, the area, no question is too small. Wed are here to help. We will even help you find fun experiences and things to do nearby during your holiday if that interests you. You pretty much show up at our cottages with your clothing and groceries and we strive to provide almost anything else that you might require. We can help with everything from seasonal packing suggestions, to which local amenities you will want to get out to explore. We can help with directions, cottaging tips and will be available each day during your stay should you have any questions or concerns. Don’t worry, you don’t need to feel intimated to rent a cottage for the first time. Check out our photos and reviews and this will help to give you an excellent idea on what to expect. Also, we are happy to chat with you by phone before or even during your stay if needed to answer any questions if they should arise.

  • Haliburton has so many things to enjoy that we have created a ‘Top Things to Do in Haliburton’ page to help you

    outdoor adventure tours, winter and summer sports, art galleries, restaurants, parks, shopping and breweries. You can downhill and cross country ski, snowshoe, horseback ride, hike, stargaze. You can rent activities such a wakeboarding and parasailing and fishing tours. Ask your cottage host for tips to help you plan the perfect adventure.

    Within 10 minutes of the cottage here are the closest activities:

    Kennisis Lake Marina has an ICE CREAM BAR!! Smoothie and Coffee bar, and pickleball courts (10 minutes away)

    Haliburton Forest Wolf Center - view their resident pack of wild wolves from a viewing platform. Puppies too! (10 minutes away)

    Hiking, canopy forest tours, Art tours, white water kayaking, dog sledding, if there is anything special you are interested in just ask.

  • Yes! At H2H Cottage Co we provide your bed linens, towels, dish towels, and even beach towels in the summer so that you can just arrive and feel right at home. We provide this service at our H2H Kennisis Lake rental cottage and also at H2H Bitter Lake cottage.

  • We provide these watercraft and they are complimentary for our guests to enjoy during their stay! H2H Kennisis Lake Cottage has 1 canoe, 2 kayaks, and 2 paddle boards for the lake exploration enthusiast. H2H Bitter Lake cottage also provides two paddle boards and two kayaks for you to enjoy during your stay.

  • Yes! At H2H Kennisis Lake cottage and H2H Bitter Lake cottages the water is perfect to swim in! You can walk in from the shore or jump into deep water off the dock. H2H Kennisis rental cottage has flat rock water entry at the shoreline coupled with extremely deep water off the dock. H2H Bitter Lake cottage has a more gradual lake entry but then quickly moves to deep water at the dock.

  • If you forget supplies for your H2H cottage vacation rental you can always stock up at Kennisis Lake Marina or at the Haliburton Forest base camp store. Both are only about a 10 minute drive away from the H2H cottages. It’s halfway between H2H Kennisis Lake cottage and H2H Bitter Lake cottage.

    Other grocery options:

    There is also a small grocery store in West Guilford with an LCBO, and butcher shop which is 10 minutes from H2H Bitter lake cottage or 20 minutes from H2H Kennisis lake cottage.

    For a larger grocery store shopping your nearest option is Haliburton (20-30 minutes away) where there are two.

    For grocerie store shopping on your way to the cottage it depends on which way you are coming from. There are grocery stores in Minden and also in grocery stores in Bracebridge.

  • We have a SPICE DRAWER!!! Also we provide tinfoil, saran wrap, salt/pepper, cooking oil. We have dish soap, dishwasher soap, and cleaning supplies. Fridge, stove, microwave, dishwasher, and all the dishes, utensils, pots/pans you will require to prepare meals for your family and loved ones during your stay.

  • Here are some great options for dining while staying at H2H Kennisis Lake cottage or at H2H Bitter Lake cottage

    Rhubarb - about 30 minutes away in Carnarvon

    Haliburton Forest Cookhouse or Smoke on the Water Kennisis Lake - both are only 10 minutes away

    Twin Fires Restaurant at Sir Sam’s Inn - 20-30 minutes away

  • Yes!! Each of our cottages in only a 10 minute drive to the Haliburton Forest base camp. We are so fortunate to be so close to Haliburton Forest where there are the best snowmobile trails in Ontario and also popular attractions such as the Haliburton Forest Wolf Center and Haliburton Forest Walk in the Clouds Canopy tours.

  • Absolutely! We have had many guests choose our cottages for their special anniversaries, proposals, even as their romantic honeymoon destination. Often their Haliburton Cottage holiday at H2H becomes a cherished annual event. This is the ideal place to reconnect with nature and with each other, to renew your sense of adventure all while escaping away from the craziness of everyday life.

  • Yes!!! Great idea!! Lots of families enjoy a quiet holiday while their kids are away at camp, or even plan a family cottage vacation for the week before or after. H2H Cottages are only a short drive from many Haliburton and area camps such as Camp White Pine, Camp Towhee, Camp Timberlane, Northland Bnai Brith, Bark Lake Leadership Centre, Onondaga Camp, Medeba Summer Camp and more. Reach out to us on our ‘contact’ page and we can let you know the exact distance to the camp you are thinking of.

  • Yes! Both cottages are available year round. Both have heat and indoor fireplaces too. (H2H Kennisis Lake Cottage has propane and H2H Bitter Lake Cottage has wood burning) In winter they are only 10 minutes away from some of the best snowmobile trails in Ontario at Haliburton Forest. Also 20 minutes from Sir Sam’s ski Hill.

  • In the spring and summertime it never hurts to bring along insect repellent and sunscreen. Your bathing suit, clothes, toiletries, food and condiments. During seasons where it can get cold at night it’s helpful to pack layers of clothing so that you can add and remove layers as needed to always be comfortable.

  • Yes! At our H2H Kennisis Lake rental cottage we have our own deep drilled artesian well and the water is clean, cold, and fresh for you to enjoy. At H2H Bitter Lake cottage we also have a private well and we always enjoy drinking the water from there. However, if you are more comfortable to bring your own water from home you are more than welcome to do so.

  • Yes. Firewood and kindling will be awaiting you at your H2H cottage rental. Also, for extra kindling there are always tiny dry sticks on the ground around each property. These are terrific for starting your bonfire with.

  • Food and garbage must never be left outside or in your vehicle (it attracts bears and other unwelcome wildlife). Bring it to Kennisis Lake Landfill (10 minutes away) or the West Guilford Landfill (on Hwy 118). Check online for their hours before going as they change frequently.

  • Nope! Both cottages provide BBQ propane. H2H Kennisis Lake Cottage has a BBQ connected to the house propane and H2H Bitter Lake Cottage has a BBQ which uses propane tanks.

  • Absolutely Yes! Over the years we have had many solo guests staying at H2H cottages. This is the perfect place to be in nature, unwind, reflect, heal, recharge, create, or just exhale. Whatever the goal of your solo holiday you can know that you will be welcome and comfortable while staying at H2H Cottages.

  • Depends on the season, year, and if you are a person who tends to attract insects more than others. Also, it depends on your own opinion about what ‘bad’ actually is. When you are cottaging you are in the forest and insects along with wildlife are a natural part of that. To minimize attracting insects during spring and summer months avoid wearing scented products and they tend to be the worst around dusk. Insect repellent and fans/breezes help keep them away too. Insect repellents with ‘deet’ seem to work the best.

  • Nope! Both of our cottages have fairly flat driveways and are plowed in winter. However, in the wintertime, during seasons where there will be ice and snow you definitely should have a vehicle with proper snow tires. Only in severe weather situations would you need a truck or four wheel drive to access. It never hurts to be sure to pack salt/sand in case you need it during icy winter conditions.

  • Smart plan! There is so much work to owning any remote property. We would be happy to host you, and as life long cottage owners ourselves we can help to answer any question you might have. Such as what are the best lakes in Haliburton? Where is the best place to buy a cottage in Haliburton? What to look for when buying a cottage in Haliburton? What to beware of when buying a Haliburton Cottage? How much are Haliburton cottages worth in Haliburton? What are the best realtors to work with in Haliburton? We’ve been there. Happy to share what we have learned. :)