HAL Cottage

We had a lovely Christmas stay here with the kids. The hosts were great and the location was excellent. We’ll be back!

The house was comfortable and clean, with a warm wood feel and useful things like a digital TV, appliances, cooking basics, plastic wrap, dishes, and a washer-dryer. During heavy snowfall, the driveway was cleared early right up to the car, so getting out was easy. Snow-clearing tools were provided too. There’s plenty of parking, seemingly enough for two or three cars even in winter, and the clothesline in the upstairs lobby worked well for drying gloves and clothes. On the coldest days, around -18°C, the single heater couldn’t warm the kitchen and outer areas very well. It was comfortable on milder days. With the open atrium, heat gathers upstairs, which is handy for drying things but made it too hot to sleep there. I opened a window a little to cool it down. The location and atmosphere were comfortable as well.

I came back for a second stay with my three small dogs. Everything was tidy, the heating kept us warm, and the service was attentive. They provided a barbecue set, which made for a relaxing visit. Just remember to bring towels, a cutting board, and gas canisters. I’ll definitely return in the snowy season.

There’s a great restaurant within walking distance, and the cottage is convenient to get around in. Though compact, it feels open and is easy to use, clean, and move through. The owner has a background designing top-class campervans, and that clever use of limited space really shows. I’d always imagined wanting a large vacation home, but staying here changed my perspective. It was a genuinely useful experience.