Vrbo® unveiled its 2024 Vacation Rentals of the Year, featuring the most remarkable private vacation homes across Canada and the Ontario pick stands out in every way.

This year’s list recognizes some of the most gorgeous waterfront homes, cabin escapes and modern chalet stays in destinations including from Kimberley, B.C., to North Rustico, P.E.I. and beyond. What determined the top picks? Everything from the stunning interiors, views, and unique outdoor amenities for the best summer getaways were considered.

We got to stay at the stunning Falcon’s Nest cottage in Port Carling (Muskoka Lakes) and not only did it tick all the boxes, but exceeded our expectations!

Check out exactly what a stay at Falcon’s Nest looks and feels like below.

Falcon’s Nest Muskoka

Falcon’s Nest is a professionally designed & decorated modern farmhouse on a calm cove of the Muskoka Lakes with clear waters, towering pines, and rugged rock landscape. The mindful-forward retreat blends style and comfort with premium amenities like the cozy stone fireplace, gorgeous wood-burning red cedar hot tub, and large Muskoka fire pit.   

Driving up to the cottage, you wouldn’t expect just how many luxuries and comforts await you inside and below. The driveway slopes down into the typical Muskoka waterfront cliffside and as the Falcon’s Nest comes into view, you see just how much is beyond.

a look inside

Arriving at a vacation rental like this, a tour around the whole place before bringing your bags in is mandatory. When you unlock the door, the first thing you see is a bright, spacious main floor that leads your eyes into the open-concept kitchen.

The walls of the cottage welcome you with photos of the lake and map of the area you’re in, a land acknowledgement, Wi Fi information, and a playful sheet of paper mounted to the wall for scribbling your cottage memories on throughout your time there – equipped with markers!

kitchen

The chef’s kitchen is a cooking-lover’s dream (or, if you just like to look at nice kitchens, we don’t judge)! It’s stocked with high-end appliances including a gas stove, oven, dishwasher, fridge/freezer, microwave, as well as cooking and baking essentials so you can pack less!

Keep your bevvies chilled in the wine cooler, prepare meals and keep things clean with two separate sinks, enjoy the convenience of lots of counter space, and sip a morning coffee with the Nespresso machine and coffee pods (and milk frother!) or flavoured tea, looking out of the kitchen windows onto Lake Muskoka.

The team at Falcon’s Nest make sure your experience is personalized, and upon entering the kitchen we saw a lovely custom welcome package for the datenight team and a delicious charcuterie box ready for snacking in the fridge.

We had to stock the rest of the fridge with some essential bevvies for the cottage, and White Claw‘s new line of Vodka Smash, Tequila Smash, and lemonade flavours made sure we had something for everyone to indulge responsibly.

One of our favourite spots in the kitchen was the booth corner with bench seating and the prettiest floral set up that only elevated the look of the cottage.

bedrooms

The top floor has three bedrooms and two bathrooms: one king bedroom ensuite, one queen bedroom & one bedroom with two single beds. The queen and single beds bedrooms are adjoined by a jack and jill bathroom.

So let’s get into all of them!

There’s one bedroom on the main floor with an ensuite, King bed, and walk-out private balcony with access to the wood fired hot tub. It’s quite the romantic room and spacious enough for the family!

Another thing you don’t expect when walking into the Falcon’s Nest cottage is that there’s a second floor with houses three more bedrooms and a bathroom connecting two of them.

The second floor is discreetly through the mud room and up the stairs and can sleep six more of your guests!

The first bedroom you’ll see upstairs is situated with a view to the front of the house and has one Queen bed, a comfy side chair, storage, amenities all set out for you, and connects to the bathroom (and subsequently the other room, on the other side of the bathroom).

This is perfect for family members looking for some privacy, but still easy access just in case.

The second upstairs bedroom, connected to the bathroom and Queen room houses two single beds and a small desk, facing the back of the cottage and lake views.

The final bedroom upstairs acts as the second floor’s primary bedroom and has tons of floor space, windows that look out to both the front and back of the cottage, a King bed, and ensuite bathroom.

Lost count yet? We’ve re-capped three bedrooms so far and that’s not even all of them! In addition to the main and second floor, there’s two bedrooms in the basement so you can get the whole crew together for this cottage getaway.

All bedrooms are thoughtfully decorated and include plush amenities such as sumptuous bedding and linens. All the linens (towels, sheets) are included in your stay and professionally washed off-site. You’re getting luxury hotel service and treatment with the privacy and independence of a private home here.

living spaces

Other than soaking up all the outdoor time we could, our favourite spaces in Falcon’s Nest to hang out were the gorgeously designed main floor living room that overlooks the lake;

the cozy basement space that walks out to the fire pit area with a large couch, TV, S’mores Kit ready to go, tons of books and games, and comfy chairs & furniture throughout;

and the indoor-outdoor fully covered Muskoka dining room nestled in the trees and equipped with a large table and space heater!

outdoors

Usually, going to the cottage means aiming to spend as much time outside as possible. The indoor spaces of Falcon’s Nest are so beautiful, but it’s still a cottage and the outdoor property and lakefront are what really makes this special.

From the fire pit, to the walk-out patios, and the naturally winding staircase down to the epic dock and boathouse, Falcon’s Nest has so many places to make memories with your favourite people in any season.

the fire pit & BBQ

The back glass doors of the main floor look over the stunning outdoors, with a stone patio right outside with easy access to the primary bedroom and basement. Muskoka chairs surround a large fire pit, enough for the whole family or friend group to grab a seat and enjoy some BBQ eats while being warmed with the open flames.

We loved that the barbecue is right beside the chairs, making the appointed chef of the evening still able to join in on the conversation while grilling!

Everything you need for the fire (and S’mores) is provided including firestarter (which we were thankful for – not the biggest experts), kindling & wood.

the dock & boathouse

The boathouse and deck is down several steps that seamlessly blend with the rugged rock landscape of the Canadian Shield. 

Open for summer guests, the boathouse is an awesome place to hang out, with local beer on-tap in a Keg (MAJOR win!), mini fridge and lots of comfortable seating to soak in the sun and shimmering lake views.

On cooler days, or to take a break from the rays, the boathouse is the perfect indoor-outdoor solution with large glass garage-like doors that can be closed, providing a wonderful lounging spot right on the lake.

A feature that you don’t see often, is a water trampoline available for you to use during your stay! You can swim, paddle, or kayak out (the water is deep immediately off the dock) and lounge, jump, or even slide off the inflatable water park.

location

Falcon’s Nest is conveniently located between Port Carling and Bala, right on Lake Muskoka. In both towns there’s a main street with restaurants, shops, stores, bakeries, cafes and more to explore.

Falcon’s Nest made the Vrbo list of top vacation rentals in Canada, you can find the rest of the list here!