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Tranquil Ausable River Cottage - A Family Retreat

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Sauna
Deck, Lookout with Stair Access to Boat House
Back of Cottage - deck, sitting areas & hot tub
Lookout and Bridge to Kayaks and Boats
Property grounds

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
4 bedrooms2+ bathroomsSleeps 10

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Fireplace
  • Parking available
  • Washer
  • Dryer

Explore the area

Map
Port Franks, ON
  • Sand Hills Golf Resort
    ‪6 min drive‬
  • Grand Bend Beach
    ‪20 min drive‬
  • Pinery Provincial Park
    ‪23 min drive‬
  • Sarnia, ON (YZR-Chris Hadfield)
    ‪46 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

4 bedrooms (sleeps 10)

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Double Bed and 1 Single Bed

Bedroom 3

1 Double Bed and 1 Single Bed

Bedroom 4

2 Queen Beds and 2 Single Beds

2 bathrooms, 1 half bathroom

Bathroom 1

Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Bathtub · Toilet

Bathroom 2

Bathtub or shower · Bathtub · Toilet · Shower only · Shampoo

Bathroom 3

Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Separate dining area
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Tranquil Ausable River Cottage - A Family Retreat

Experience serenity and seclusion at this fully renovated cottage on the Ausable River, a private family retreat sleeping 10 across 4 bedrooms. Tucked away just 5 minutes from the amazing Port Franks private beach—exclusive to the area’s guests—and scenic hiking trails, this bright, modern haven offers unmatched privacy. Relax in the master with en-suite, bunkbeds for kids, or the basement with queens and twins. Unwind in the brand-new cedar wood-burning sauna, refresh in the cold plunge tub, or rinse off in the outdoor shower. Enjoy two indoor fireplaces, a hot tub, and a two-tier deck with a heated Lookout featuring a TV—perfect for stargazing or movie nights. Kayak the river (6 kayaks and life vests included), dock your boat, or explore trails by foot, rented bike, or an amazing golf cart. Grill on the deck with BBQ, gather by the fire pit, and cook in the spacious eat-in kitchen. A Bunkie with futon and cots available (bring sleeping bags) adds extra space.

Other Details to note-

20 minute drive to Grand Bend. The property is a short walk to the beach or nature trails.

Must provide own bedding, beach towels & toiletries.

Must provide own firewood.

Tick Warning - ticks have been spotted in the area.


Private dock optional (extra cost)
No indoor pets—owner allergies

*Additional Fees
- Fire Wood - 1/3 Cord of Wood - $150
- Boating Dock - $150
- EV Golf Cart Rental Use - $500 per stay - 4 Seater
- Bike Rental per stay - $60/bike - up to 5 bikes available
- Sauna $75
- Hot tub $75

Property manager

Shawna MacGregor

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Hot tub
Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Free WiFi
Air conditioning

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
No Access to Gray/Maintenance Shed. No Access to Black/Golf Cart Shed. No shoes indoors. Must bring own bed sheets, beach towels and toiletries.
LIMIT NOISE – Please consider our neighbours. AVOID DAMAGE – Please treat our belongings appropriately. We will charge for any damages caused by you.
Must bring own firewood Tick Warning - Ticks have been spotted in the area

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property

About the area

Port Franks

Lambton Shores is home to this cottage. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Lake Huron and Grand Bend Beach. Looking to enjoy an event or a game while in town? See what's going on at Grand Bend Motorplex, or consider a night out at Huron Country Playhouse.
Map
Port Franks, ON

What's nearby

  • Sand Hills Golf Resort - 6 min drive - 3.4 km
  • Grand Bend Beach - 20 min drive - 19.6 km
  • Grand Bend’s Beach House Observation Deck - 20 min drive - 19.7 km
  • Grand Bend Motorplex - 23 min drive - 22.6 km
  • Pinery Provincial Park - 23 min drive - 16.1 km

Getting around

  • Sarnia, ON (YZR-Chris Hadfield) - 46 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Grog's Pub and Grill - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Ipperwash Beach Club - ‬15 min drive
  • ‪Midori Sushi - ‬13 min drive
  • ‪C J's Sunrise Bakery & Cafe - ‬13 min drive
  • ‪Grogs - ‬6 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Tranquil Ausable River Cottage - A Family Retreat pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Tranquil Ausable River Cottage - A Family Retreat?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Tranquil Ausable River Cottage - A Family Retreat?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Tranquil Ausable River Cottage - A Family Retreat located?

Situated in Lambton Shores, this cottage is 2.1 mi (3.3 km) from Sand Hills Golf Resort and within 9 miles (15 km) of Lambton County Museum and Lambton County Library - Thedford. Ipperwash Provincial Park and Indian Hills Golf Club are also within 9 miles (15 km).

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
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Rating 10 - Excellent. 8 out of 9 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 1 out of 9 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 9 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 9 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 9 reviews

9.8/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.6/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Lois F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Spacious home and yard to enjoy guests and nature

We appreciated the newness of the home and the appliances and all the space in the yard to spread out and absorb peaceful nature.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Aaron J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Fantastic Long Weekend

I can’t recommend this property and hosts enough. Everything was perfect and everyone had a blast. We took advantage of the kayaks and hot tub and fire pit each day and night. We loved every detail of our stay. Thank you!!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jason A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Vacation Spot

Property is outstanding! Lots of space and amenities for two families. Kayaks were great and location was easy to access the river. The layout of the back yard with decks, fire pit, and hot tub was excellent! We didn’t get to enjoy the main beach in Port Franks due to the weather, but looked to be a great spot on sunny days. Cottage had lots of space for everyone on rainy days!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Matt L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Family Cottage Getaway

We had a lovely long weekend stay! The outdoor area is excellent - hot tub, fire pit, BBQ, kayaks, hammocks, bunkie, and river view lookout were all fantastic. Inside, the cottage was well-stocked (kitchen was missing a microwave and one upstairs bedroom had no blinds, which I'd say should be updated), but other than that this was a great spot that we would definitely book again when visiting the area. We had six kids sleep comfortably in the basement, enjoyed the easy access to the kayaks, the private Port Franks beach nearby, and the quiet neighbourhood. Thanks!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jonathan B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing home!!

I had an incredible stay at this beautiful riverfront house! The cleanliness was top-notch, and the ease of checking in and out made the whole experience hassle-free. We had an amazing time, and the serene river view added to the charm of this lovely house. Highly recommended for a fun getaway with friends!
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Isabella R., London, ON

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful Stay

This house is perfect for a city getaway. The host has thought about absolutely everything including providing water bottles, cleaning supplies, beach towels, blankets, etc. Our group used both fire places, and the hot tub and we created such great memories at this cozy cottage. This cottage is a great find and I highly recommend staying here for a unique experience and a change of scenery. Thank you so much to the hosts for having us! :)
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Leah H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great girls weekend!

We had an awesome time at the “cottage”! There were so many thoughtful touches for our weekend(extra towels, water bottles, fluffy pillows!) Great backyard area, and gorgeous house. Felt very private in the backyard! Great welcome package with all the info we needed, hiking/kayak trails, and directions to the private beach. We could not figure out how to get TO the kayaks- though, we didn’t try very hard. Host was responsive and kind with every issue or question, we should have just asked! Would absolutely rent here again. Thanks so much!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Sameer A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect getaway to unwind

We were here for the August long weekend with family and friends. This was an amazing place to visit. The stove had an attached griddle for us to make pancakes. We could use the hot tub anytime of the day or night. The host was super nice and allowed us early check in. Nice large firepit to roast marshmallows. There were kayaks for us to enjoy. We had personal contact with the host who was very accommodating and responded right away. I highly recommend this place if you are looking for rest & relaxation or to just unplug from city life. I will definitely visit again!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023

8/10 Good

Brenda S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Annual Family Vacation

We are a family of 9. 5 adults & 4 children. It was our annual family vacation together. The home was more than adequate to meet our family size and our needs. Lots of comfortable beds. Kitchen was well stocked with just about everything we needed. Only item we missed having was wine glasses. The gas range was a bit of a challenge but we managed to figure it out. Terrific refrigerator which unfortunately would not produce ice but we just bought a bag of ice. Good dishwasher but was surprised there was not a microwave. Not a big problem for us though. Very much appreciated having access to and use of the washer and dryer. Home is well furnished and very comfortable. Beautiful deck off the back with a lovely hot tub. Appreciated having the gas bbq. We enjoyed the fire pit as well as the Lookout building with the lovely decking attached. We enjoyed the boats and appreciated having the life jackets that were supplied. Of note though is that there are not any childrens life jackets. Smallest is an Adult XS. Our family very much enjoyed our stay at this home. Lots of space to spread out, the kids loved the big yard to play in and all the activities provided. Short drive to the private beach area which the kids really enjoyed. Shawna was wonderful to deal with. Always quick to reply to any questions and very much appreciated her assistance with our entry into the home. There is already talk of renting again for next summer.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2024

About the host

Hosted by Shawna MacGregor

Host profile image
We’re a family passionate about creating memorable getaways, inspired by our love for nature and relaxation. Originally from Ontario, we’ve always been drawn to the quiet beauty of places like Port Franks. Hosting is our way of sharing this special retreat with others—whether it’s kayaking the Ausable River, unwinding in the sauna, or soaking up the private beach just minutes away. We enjoy outdoor adventures, cozy nights by the fire, and seeing families bond over the same experiences we cherish. Our goal is to make your stay feel like a home away from home, with every detail—from the golf cart to the heated deck lookout—crafted for comfort and fun. We can’t wait to welcome you to this peaceful slice of paradise!

Why they chose this property

Port Franks stole our hearts with its serene, small-town charm and natural beauty. Nestled between the Ausable River and Lake Huron, this neighborhood offers a perfect mix of seclusion and adventure. We love how it’s quiet and private yet brimming with things to do—kayaking, hiking trails, and the incredible Port Franks private beach just 5 minutes away. The lush forests and river views create a peaceful escape, while the friendly, laid-back vibe makes it feel like a hidden gem. It’s close enough to Grand Bend for a fun day trip, but far enough to leave the hustle behind. For us, it’s the ideal spot to recharge and connect with nature, and we’re excited to share this tranquil retreat with you!

What makes this property unique

Our cottage stands out with its perfect blend of privacy, luxury, and adventure. Tucked along the Ausable River, it’s a fully renovated retreat sleeping 10, just 5 minutes from the exclusive Port Franks private beach. What sets it apart? A brand-new cedar wood-burning sauna, cold plunge tub, and outdoor shower for a spa-like escape; a two-tier deck with a heated lookout and TV for cozy nights; and 6 kayaks, a golf cart or bike rentals, and boat docking for endless fun. Two indoor fireplaces, a hot tub, and a fire pit add warmth, while the spacious eat-in kitchen and Bunkie offer flexibility for families. It’s not just a stay—it’s an experience, designed for relaxation and memory-making in a peaceful, nature-rich setting. You won’t find another spot that combines riverside seclusion with this level of comfort and activities!"