Paws for the Claws

The cabin was a nice option for a weekend away from Chciago, and we had a pleasant stay despite a couple of annoyances. There was a wet-dog-like odor, so we tried to cover it with our car air freshener. Quite a few bugs got inside, mostly ladybugs and a few beetles. Heritage Harbor could address those minor issues and make this a five out of five experience. It's a cute, modern place, about an 8-minute drive from Ottawa downtown and 15 minutes from state parks. The kitchenette had cookware and dishes, and upstairs there was a skylight and hammock bed. We also liked the record player, card games, and new flat screen TV. There were other neighborhood amenities to explore, like a bonfire and pool, but we didn't try them.

The best part was how relaxing the Bunkies felt at night, with the built-in mood lighting, stargazing through the skylight, and music on the provided record player and vintage records. There are five Bunkies grouped in a corner of the Heritage Harbor resort, so next time I'd bring friends and family to use them together. I've stayed twice, and both visits were wonderful. Even with the small footprint, there was plenty of room for a king bed, fully equipped kitchen with cooktop, microwave, and dishwasher, and a very large bathroom with a rainfall shower head. The laundry unit was a nice feature, and I loved the loft with its huge skylight and rope hammock.

The cabin looked nice with its light bar behind the bed, but when the TV was on, the light reflected along the screen. There were a lot of details that felt quickly done and not carefully thought through: the utility panels above the laundry could be mistaken for storage, and without handles they were awkward to slide shut; the hooks by the door blocked the light switches; the kitchen door frame wasn't secured near the floor; the TV seemed angled so its top right could catch on the ceiling; and the shower hook was upside down. There was only one hook on the bathroom door, so one of us had to put a towel on a chair. The kitchen mat also had deep scrapes and a few small chunks missing. The fire extinguisher in the kitchen was empty, which made it seem like staff weren't checking it regularly. We photographed 5-8 ladybugs to send to management, which said it would tell Operations. There were also many live and dead ladybugs around the cabin and one stink bug inside. We stayed three nights in December at "Old Salt" to go winter hiking at nearby state parks. This was our first time at The Bunkies, and we enjoyed trying a rental cabin instead of a hotel. It was a private little cabin in a quiet part of Ottawa, with a kitchenette, furnishings and amenities we appreciated, Roku TV for our own streaming services, and very fast WiFi. We didn't use the dishwasher, stove, or laundry. Four coffee K-cups and packets of dried cream and sugar were provided, though we didn't find them until day two because they were in a brown Operations bag we hadn't opened. Leaving them out by the Keurig might make them easier to see. A few black tea packets would be nice, too. The Christmas lights around each cabin were beautiful, but their glow still came inside at night even with the drapes down. Maybe a timer could turn them off around bedtime. In the winter, it takes several hours to warm the cabin, and the floors never get warm, so bring indoor slippers. We hopped from carpet to mat to bathroom mat, haha. We also wished the drapes could be raised from the bottom to around eye level, for some daylight while keeping privacy. There was netting above the kitchen in the top bunk area, but no notice saying whether it was decorative or safe to lie on, or giving a weight limit. Hotels are no different, there are never enough hooks!

A couples getaway here was wonderful, and it'd also be a great place for friends to each have their own bunkie. Ours had everything we needed, including games and the most comfortable bed. We rented a pontoon boat for a beautiful day in the sun, then had a fantastic evening with live music at the walkable marina. The campfire right out front was fabulous for roasting s'mores and chatting with the other bunkie guests. Would highly recommend staying here!