The Maples Cottages in Port Elgin

Paul was very accommodating during our June 2017 stay, even finding us linen when we had none. We were four adults and got the larger cottage, which was spacious and spotless. The kitchen was well stocked, and having a good coffee maker made it easy to prepare breakfast and dinner. It's just a short walk to the beach and other amenities. Such a lovely stay, thank you!

Paul and his wife gave us five-star service, and the location was very convenient, about a 5-10 minute walk to both the harbour access and the beach. We spent four nights in a well-equipped, comfortable housekeeping cabin and left with big smiles. Our two-bedroom cabin was clean and well cared for, with air conditioning, enough space for living and dining, a kitchen, and a three-piece bathroom. It had a stainless steel fridge-freezer, stove, newer flat-screen TV, good Wi-Fi, and a fairly new barbecue on the deck. The picnic tables, fire pit, and two Muskoka chairs were a nice bonus. Each cabin is a little different. Ours felt like an old-fashioned cottage updated to meet today's comfortable vacation needs, and could work in any season. We'll definitely be back in the fall.

I've been vacationing at The Maples since 1989, always in the same cottage during the same week, except for a few years when a work layoff, a personal medical issue, and Covid restrictions kept me away. The Covid restrictions were out of my hands, and there were too many for me to go to the cottage. For some reason, the owner cancelled my booking and rented the cottage I've been using for 32 years without contacting me. I only learned this when a friend asked whether I'd received my confirmation. The owner said the cottage had been left a mess, which it wasn't, but won't explain further. They also said I hadn't been there for years. What was last year, after the restrictions were lifted? I'm completely perplexed by all of this. Next time I'll look for an actual cottage with room, not a shack like The Maples. There's a whole world out there to enjoy, even with my disability.

This isn't really a review. My friend went by to ask about summer availability and had lots of good things to say about the place. The owners remembered him from an earlier visit, and they spent time catching up on local dining, business, and news from around the area. From my own experience, places and people like this can become like family. I waited outside, and it sounds like they're filling up fast.