In fact, we bailed four days early. Remember how excited I was to rent a cottage? Well, this place was a major disappointment.
It looked identical to the photos, except under a layer of dirt. Dingy. The bedding and couches were clean - and that was it. The first few hours after arriving, I wiped down windows, doors, counters, furniture, floors, shelves, kitchen sink...and barely scratched the surface. My Dad and I tackled more cleaning the next morning. Despite this, ants took over my purse. I couldn't get the ancient vacuums to work (there were three- irony?) . The basement had a definite dungeon vibe. I am a clean freak, yes...but my husband and parents were also uncomfortable with the grime.
The other disappointment was that Upper Buckhorn Lake is REALLY weedy. You couldn't swim. We splashed around close to shore, played frisbee, threw rocks. I really wanted to swim off the buttertarts I ate in abundance, but it wasn't possible.
So, if you are still interested in Bill's Cottage, let me add this. The place may be right for you if:
- You are used to wearing shoes indoors, so dirty floors aren't a big deal
- You think cleaning the grills on the BBQ is a waste of good flavour
- You just want a tan, man
- You love old magazines and architecture books (there were stacks of Maison Francaise from the late 70's, for example...but spiders live in them)
- You want to get away THIS WEEKEND**, and you don't really care about all this stuff as long as you are out of the city
The place is COOOOL, just past its prime. It was a much older version of what the website shows (I looked fantastic 5 years ago too!)...
Amazing design, crazy perfect decorating (perfect!)...just needs a deep cleaning...
**We were supposed to check out on Sunday before noon
(I know several people who would have driven back the first night...Liz - you would have flipped; oh and all photos were taken AFTER I cleaned...I was deeply satisfied after cleaning that glass wall between kitchen and dining room)
What a disappointment! It does look like a totally different place in the pics you took. And the lake does look a bit icky. So sorry.
ReplyDeleteThe grout lines and the weedy lake freaked me out! So sorry to hear that such a wonderful cottage (by picture) didn't work out for you. I am in the process of signing up for mine, and being a neat freak myself, I am sure you will feel comfortable when you rent my cottage! :-)
ReplyDeleteoh no. I would have done the same. the last thing i want to do on vacation is clean....too bad...so much potential.
ReplyDeleteOh no! I'm so sorry to hear this. You must have been having a terrible time to leave 4 days early. Boo! :(
ReplyDeleteThat is so depressing!!! Every year I book a cottage with my hub - sometimes we win huge, other times not so much. Still waiting to find the one that makes us both happy. This year we're headed to a cottage near the Sand Banks - maybe you can aim for there? I hear the beaches there are fantastic...
ReplyDeleteAs I understand, I do not like dirty places, then I prefer to stay in the comfort of my home. It is a petty that the trip was not what you planned for. Still hope you find a nice place for a few days in the sun.
ReplyDeletexoxo
Lulu
ew that would totally gross me out - nothing worse than living in other people's dirt and grime - yuck!!! That really sux :(.
ReplyDeleteToo bad. The place is amazing. The books - that's a selling point right there for me. But grossness - I could do without. A deep clean - worth the investment as the place looks pretty cool. The furniture, fireplace, wall of photos, stairs - all interesting.
ReplyDeleteThat's unfortunate! It looked so nice but I definitely could not live with strange dirt and grime (it's different when it's my own :) ). The weedy lake looks scary.
ReplyDeleteOh Shannon, what a disappointment! I am all for a bit of "roughing it" dirt, but filth and grime is another matter entirely. However, these photos are STUNNING - really really beautiful (as photos, not a place to hang out!)!!
ReplyDeletePS I am also kind of upset that someone let an incredible place like this go to seed. What a waste of this lovely place.
ReplyDeleteOh no, so sorry that didn't work out. The last thing you want to do is clean someone else dirt!
ReplyDeletehttp://goo.gl/QCcZo
ReplyDeleteWow - what a shame, Shannon! It's a beautiful spot but if it's not kept clean - ew.
ReplyDeleteYou'd think Bill could swing for a visit from Molly Maid for the money he's asking for! Sheesh!
Boo...sounds like you didn't have that great of a time....but the photos you've captured are stunning though and the architecture of the house is really beautiful as well! A friend of mine owns a cottage near Lake and its by far the BEST cottage I've ever been to, backyard is facing the lake, jet ski, tiny boat, dock you name it they have it. If you're interested I can recommend you to it!
ReplyDeleteWhat a HUGE disappointment! Is there any way you can get your money back? I mean, it's pretty clear that what was advertised was not what you found. (For what it's worth, we always rent houses and condos for our vacations and we've never found a place half as dirty as what is shown above - unacceptable.)
ReplyDeleteAww, what a shame! I've had similar experiences where it was just the major filth of a VRBO that was the turn off. Makes you want to clean the whole damn thing but then what's the point of a holiday. I think the weedy water would have gotten to me most. Blech.
ReplyDeleteThat's totally unacceptable to rent a place in that condition. Gross. Let me know if you need tips on angry letter writing!
ReplyDeleteWoah!
ReplyDeleteRemind me not to cross you!
We did get a partial refund. He was the nicest guy.
I stopped myself from cleaning the vintage bottle collection that was sitting on top of the fridge and cupboards...I wanted to clean them, and put them into a rainbow...
ReplyDeleteWe did get a partial refund.
ReplyDeleteThat's good to know that this is not normal. It was our first rental, so we thought, maybe, it was standard...maybe we didn't 'get it'
OH MY GOODNESS! Yes! Referral PLEASE!!!! Pretty please!!!
ReplyDeleteA molly maid crew!
ReplyDeleteMy parents mentioned offering to clean it if we could stay a week free...
that might have been interesting proposal, IF the LAKE wasn't gross too!
Well, I do like cleaning...
ReplyDeletebut yes, your are right! cleaning does not equal vacationing
I KNOW!!
ReplyDeleteSHAME
Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI am enjoying the camera these days!!!
Yah...there was some, maybe dog, poopy on the bathroom floor...like a tiny turd...
ReplyDeleteSOOO GROSSNING!
The books J! OHHHH the books! I drooled over them.
ReplyDeleteSpiders crawled on me...yet I went back in for more!
Actually, other bloggers would find amazing content in those old magazines - no doubt!
ReplyDeleteSucked big ones!
ReplyDeleteWe are on the look out for somewhere new!
ReplyDeleteWe are trying to figure out what we want from a cottage too! Trial and Error!
ReplyDeleteWe figured we would have a much better time getting stuff done in the city!!
ReplyDeleteSSOOO much potential!
ReplyDeleteHe decorated the sh8t out of that place...maybe 10+ years ago now...
The grout was gross...the shower floors were slate, so we couldn't see the dirt (ick)
ReplyDeleteI would love to check out your cottage! BlOG It!!
the lake was nasty!
ReplyDeletebut this was the first year it was SOOOO weedy this early in the summer...
about 8-10 cottages in his area were up for sale, I wonder if the lake had something to do with it? there are some huge summer homes in that hood!
Glad to hear you got a partial refund!
ReplyDeleteWe just came back from a place in Montana and it was so clean you could eat off the floor.
Get out!!!
ReplyDeleteLuckily, we have the entire summer to try again!
Our next big week long trip is Europe. So we want to try some weekend getaways this summer!
I wonder if Bill has seen these comments. Hmmm....
ReplyDeleteI was open about the fact that I was blogging about the situation...photos and all. He was super nice...and he could very easily turn around and clean up the place, maybe even paint...
ReplyDeleteIt looks like it really is a beautiful place that could use some love.
ReplyDeleteOur cottage is rough and tumble but because it's a family cottage I know the dirt is ours so it's easier to live with. But I'm a germaphobe when it comes to dirt in places where it's not "mine".
Aubrey once rented a motel room for after a wedding, and in my bridesmaid dress at midnight I walked into the room and it was SO GROSS I refused to stay over, so drove us home - puffy bridesmaid dress and bobbypins in my hair et. all. ;) So I totally get it.
What a disappointment - it looked soooo good in the photos. I cannot believe that he wouldn't be constantly refunding renters all season long. No wonder it was available! Now it makes me nervous for our rental....crossing my fingers!
ReplyDeleteEEwwww!!! I probably wouldn't have lasted as long as you... can't handle dirty, and I would have hated having to clean when I got there! I bet those stairs were a bit of a nightmare with 2 little guys!
ReplyDeleteHey Shannon, heres the one I was talking about yesterday (http://www.northerncomfort.com/rental.asp?rentalID=68) doesn't seem like they have a rental cost...not quite sure why
ReplyDeleteBUT ...this link (http://www.northerncomfort.com/rental.asp?rentalID=43) is a cottage literally right next to it and it's owned by my friend's mom's sister....lol it's very clean and family friendly
Hope it helps! Any decorating plans for you this weekend?
What a friggin disappointment Shannon! Ahhh so sad. I am bummed for you.
ReplyDeletewhat a shame! holidays are few and far between, so horrible when they don't work out. i rented a cottage once and it turned out to be right next to the marina - so busy and noisy. anyway, i learned to ask lots of questions and i've had really good luck since then. don't give up :-)
ReplyDeleteGo to a hotel next time.
ReplyDeleteAs we head back into the season of bookings...highly recommend Prince Edward County. I loved going there with my family!
ReplyDelete