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Luxury Riverside Cottage - Come and enjoy our Shack on the River!

Photo gallery for Luxury Riverside Cottage - Come and enjoy our Shack on the River!

A spacious room with a high ceiling and large windows offering a view of a snowy landscape.
A spacious loft-style room with high ceilings, large windows, a fireplace, and a Christmas tree.
A two-story house with a balcony, a dock, and a reflection in the water.
A living room with two armchairs, a coffee table, and a fireplace.
A spacious kitchen with wooden cabinets, a dining area with a table and chairs, a staircase with a wooden railing, and a television on a wooden stand.

Reviews

9.8 out of 10, Loved by Guests
Top 10% of guest reviews in this area

Highlights

  • Made for relaxation
    Top-rated for comfort — guests feel right at home here.
3 bedrooms2+ bathroomsSleeps 7

Popular amenities

  • Onsite parking available
  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Air-conditioning
  • Barbecue
  • Balcony

Explore the area

View map
Port Franks, ON
  • Place, Pinery Provincial Park
    ‪5 min drive‬
  • Place, Grand Bend Beach
    ‪17 min drive‬
  • Place, Grand Bend Motorplex
    ‪20 min drive‬
  • Airport, Sarnia, ON (YZR-Chris Hadfield)
    ‪45 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 7)

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 3

1 Single Bed and 1 Double Bed

Family Room / Kitchen

1 Queen Sofa Bed

2 bathrooms, 1 half bathroom

Bathroom 1

Toilet · Shower only · Jetted bathtub · Hair dryer

Bathroom 2

Toilet · Shower only · Hair dryer

Bathroom 3

Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Balcony
Garden

About this property

Luxury Riverside Cottage - Come and enjoy our Shack on the River!

This stunning luxury cottage is located on the Ausable River at the mouth of Lake Huron in the beach town Port Franks. It is in the perfect location to view the most spectacular sunsets in Canada. You can kayak, fish, and view the many birds and wildlife on the river, enjoy the sandy beach nearby plus there are trails for hiking and biking. It is the ideal spot to make amazing memories for years to come.

The year-round cottage is truly gorgeous. It is a two-story open concept with floor-to-ceiling windows allowing an abundance of natural light. It has a fully equipped kitchen, sleeps 7 guests in beds, a large master bedroom with a balcony, a luxurious ensuite bathroom with a jetted tub, and an outside patio deck with a fire pit and BBQ. And for cool nights a gas fireplace in the family room. There are four kayaks and (occasionally one canoe) available for your use.

You will find Port Franks to be a charming community with hiking and biking trails, a huge sand dune to conquer, and a community centre with a playground and tennis court. Lake Huron boasts glorious sandy beaches with warm shallow waters perfect for families with children. And, if you want more adventure, you can always drive the 15 minutes down the road to Grand Bend boulevard and beach.

We all need something to make life interesting, engaging and enjoyable. Welcome to our Riverside Shack. Should you decide to stay we truly hope that it will be a BLESSING to you and bring a slice of JOY and BEAUTY into your life.

Please NOTE:
The hot tub is an indoor hot tub.
Access by Owner - The Owner reserves the right to access the outside property, dock/boating area at any time, without notice.
Sleeping Arrangements - It is important to note that it is a tight fit with 9 guests in this cottage. There is a pull-out sofa in the family room for (potentially) two guests but the mattress is not very comfortable for more than a 1- or 2-night use.

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
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

Check-out instructions

The host requires you to complete the following before checking out:
Load and start the dishwasher
Gather used towels
Remove personal items, remove leftover food and drinks and take out the rubbish
Turn off the lights, lock the doors and return the keys
Please return the key to the place indicated by the owner upon arrival.
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.

Important information

You need to know

Property # 9613332
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
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room

About the area

Port Franks

Located in Lambton Shores, this cottage is on the waterfront. 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.
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Map
Port Franks, ON

What's nearby

  • Pinery Provincial Park - 5 min drive - 6.1 km
  • Ipperwash Beach - 13 min drive - 14.7 km
  • Grand Bend Beach - 17 min drive - 22.1 km
  • Grand Bend’s Beach House Observation Deck - 17 min drive - 22.1 km
  • Grand Bend Motorplex - 20 min drive - 25.4 km

Getting around

  • Sarnia, ON (YZR-Chris Hadfield) - 49 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Ipperwash Beach Club - ‬13 min drive
  • ‪Midori Sushi Bar - ‬13 min drive
  • ‪Lizzy’s Country Catering & Cafe - ‬12 min drive
  • ‪Joey Little's Pizza - KP - ‬12 min drive
  • ‪Rob's Fresh Cut Fries - ‬17 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Luxury Riverside Cottage - Come and enjoy our Shack on the River! pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much does it cost to stay at Luxury Riverside Cottage - Come and enjoy our Shack on the River!?

As of 3 October 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Luxury Riverside Cottage - Come and enjoy our Shack on the River! on 6 January 2027 start from NZ$2,540, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

How much is parking at Luxury Riverside Cottage - Come and enjoy our Shack on the River!?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Luxury Riverside Cottage - Come and enjoy our Shack on the River!?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Luxury Riverside Cottage - Come and enjoy our Shack on the River!?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Luxury Riverside Cottage - Come and enjoy our Shack on the River! located?

Situated on the waterfront, this cottage is within a 10-minute walk of Lake Huron and Pinery Provincial Park. Sand Hills Golf Resort is 1.8 mi (2.9 km) away.

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 41 out of 45 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 3 out of 45 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 45 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 45 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 45 reviews

9.8/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We had a great time at the cottage and there was lots of activities to do in the area. Highly recommend this place for families.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 8 July 2026
We are thrilled to hear that your family had a great time and enjoyed all the activities the area has to offer. It was a pleasure hosting you, and we would love to welcome you and your family back to the cottage anytime!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful place to stay! We had a great time at the riverside shack and enjoyed being in close proximity to the beach. Using the kayaks was an added bonus! Would recommend to anyone looking for a relaxing getaway on the water.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 27 July 2026
Thank you so much for the review! We’re thrilled you had a great getaway -- knowing our guests were able to enjoy the cottage and the area means everything to us. We'd be delighted to welcome you back anytime!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The water views and sunsets were incredible! We had a great time kayaking on the river, and the private beach (a five minute drive away) was quiet and lovely. The home was well equipped and comfortable! Thanks!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 15 September 2026
Thank you so much for the wonderful review! It means a lot to us that you enjoyed your stay. You were fantastic guests, and we would love to welcome you back for another peaceful getaway anytime!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We very much enjoyed our short stay at the river shack. Kayaking the river and the easy access to the beaches was unbeatable. The cottage is lovely, very comfortable and well equipped with all necessities and then some. We would have happily stayed much longer and hope to visit again in the future. Would highly recommend to a group of adults or families with small children.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 26 August 2026
Thank you so much for the wonderful review! We’re delighted you enjoyed the kayaks, beach access, and cozy setup at the River Shack. Hosting you was a pleasure, and we’d love to welcome you back anytime for a longer stay!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Fully stocked and comfortable stay!
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 25 November 2025
I'm glad you had a good stay! Thank you for your review!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great spot!
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 5 September 2025
Appreciate the review, Ben. Thank you!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Relaxing oasis

Beautiful place, has everything you need and want highly recommended.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 17 June 2025
Thank you for the recommendation!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The home provided everything we expected for our vacation and more. We enjoyed gorgeous sunsets, kayaking, perfect beach days, s'mores around the fire, and relaxing evening bike rides . The beds are extremely comfortable and the kitchen is fully equipped. The home is actually more lovely than it appears in the photos on the VRBO site. We really loved our vacation. In fact, we have already booked our summer 2027 stay. Thank you to the owners, who are so well organized we did not have to ask for anything. They did reach out to us to make sure all was well during our stay, which we appreciated.
Stayed 8 nights in Jul 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 21 July 2026
Thank you so much for such a wonderful review! Knowing that the cottage was comfortable, well-equipped, and exceeded your expectations means the world to us—we always strive to make sure our guests feel completely at home and cared for. Having you as guests was a pleasure, and hearing that you’ve already booked your return for Summer 2027 is the ultimate compliment! Thank you again for choosing to stay with us, and we can't wait to welcome you back next year for another fantastic vacation!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Amazing View

Loved it there and hope to return soon!
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 31 August 2023
That's awesome Tina! We look forward to seeing you again!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Beautiful property and views and very well equipped

A very good place for a family vacation …we loved the kayaking and outdoor space as well as the beautifully kept cottage and all of its amenities
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 6 September 2022
It was so nice to meet you. I'm very happy you and your family had a great stay! Thank you, Margo
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Winter getaway

We stayed there with family and had a wonderful time, the house was very spacious and clean, host was very responsive and accommodating.We would definitely come back in summer to enjoy the outdoors as well.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 4 March 2025
I'm so happy that you and your family enjoyed a lovely 'Winter Getaway' at our Riverside Shack. We would love to see you come back in the summer! Enjoy the rest of winter!!! Margo
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

A short but awesome stay

Our stay was really awesome. We enjoyed our stay of two days. The property, its location and the neighborhood was great. Property was well cleaned and nicely maintained, check-in and check-out was quite convenient. We are planning to rent the property again for our next visit.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 6 July 2022
We are very happy you enjoyed your stay. We hope that you and your family will come again!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Anniversary week vacation

We had the best time at this Riverside Cottage, it's in a great location and has absolutely everything you may need! We will definitely be coming back.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 25 July 2023
I love that you choose our Riverside Shack to celebrate this significant event with your family! Certainly a special way to celebrate your anniversary. I am delighted to hear it was the best time … that’s fantastic. It was a pleasure to meet you and your family. I look forward to seeing you again!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Great location with great views

My family and I recently stayed and loved the house. The views were great and we wished we could have had a few more days to really enjoy the water. Margo was a great communicator and even mailed an item left behind. Great place to stay!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 13 August 2024
Thank you Lacey! It was fun to meet you and your family and find that we had a connection .... small world! It would be lovely to see your family again!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Everything was perfect once again! Second time staying here and hopefully not the last! Margo is very responsive. The beautiful views are bar none. Well equipped kitchen in which we prepared amazing meals and we watched a great Jays game!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Great stay!

My family and I greatly enjoyed our stay at this property. Margo was very accommodating. The property was as described and had a beautiful view of the water. We enjoyed the private beach nearby and Grand Bend Beach about 10-15 minute drive from the property.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 30 August 2022
Awesome! Very happy you and your family enjoyed your stay. Thank you, Margo
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Winter charm

It has been a pleasant stay. Gerat location and comfortable home away from home. Host has been very approchable and accomodating.
Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 14 February 2025
It was wonderful to have a family stay in this comfy cozy cottage during the winter. I am so glad you enjoyed your stay and could appreciate the winter beauty. Thank you! Margo *´¨) ¸.• ´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨) (¸.•´ (¸.•'* Live well … relax, refresh, recharge!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Riverside

Beautiful cottage in a great location. Was able to leave 2 seadoos tied to the dock connected to the property. Very convenient all weekend long! Awesome sunsets aswell!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 2 July 2025
I'm happy that it worked out so well for you! Thank you for sharing the informative review!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Highly recommend!

This cottage was everything it looked like in the pictures! Fantastic location and beautiful cottage. The hosts were very accommodating and helpful. We were already talking about booking for next year!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 25 July 2022
I imagine that you made some wonderful family memories ... I'm so happy that it was everything you thought it would be! We would love to have you as guests again 😊 Margo *´¨) ¸.• ´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨) (¸.•´ (¸.•'*
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Returning visitors. After a week touring the wonders of Canada, the cottage was an instant wind down. Such a lovely place to unwind, relax and enjoy the tranquility of surrounding nature. Thank you Margo - till next time.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

September Weekend

The "Shack" was perfect for our group of 5. Thweather was more weather was
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 14 November 2024
Thank you for your review Susan! Sorry that I missed seeing it earlier. I’m so happy to know that you and your group all enjoyed your stay. I don’t think you could have gotten better weather … it was such an amazing weekend! I hope you come again!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Wonderful place and location

The sunset and the view are amazing, the kayaks very entertaining, and the host extremely welcoming, flexible and helpful. The kids had a lot of fun fishing, swimming and kayaking. The cottage is beautiful and has almost everything you can think of in case you forget something. We only spent 4 days there but we will be coming back for sure.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 21 August 2023
Thank you Nelly! You are such a joy! It sounds like your family had much fun together and made some great memories in spite of a couple days unwelcome weather. So happy to hear you loved our cottage and appreciate that you ‘treated it as if it was your own’. I look forward to seeing you and your family again!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Riverside cottage

Excellent cottage. Everything as you see no surprises. Hosts were awesome
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 14 November 2024
Thank you Sean! It’s so great to hear that you enjoyed your stay. We appreciate the review and would love for you to stay again!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Great May stay at riverside shack

We had an amazing time at the Riverside shack. The property is gorgeous, well decorated and well maintained. We loved the outside deck and spent hours with the binoculars watching the heron and various birds in the river. I took the kayak out several times. The beds are very comfortable and the kitchen is well stocked with appliances, dishes, pots and pans. I would stay here again.
Stayed 5 nights in May 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 1 June 2025
It was a pleasure to meet you, Susan! I also really enjoy sitting and watching the wildlife from the cottage. I’m very happy that you enjoyed your stay, and would love to see you come again!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Great getaway

We had a great stay at this cottage on the river. We enjoyed the large kitchen and were able to cook an entire thanksgiving dinner for the five us there. We enjoyed walks down to the beach, sitting on the dock in the sun, and hiking in the nearby trails. The cottage was clean , the beds were comfy and it was a great place to relax and watch the sunset with a glass of wine.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 29 October 2023
Thank you for your review! It sounds like you and your family had a wonderful Thanksgiving get-away. It’s so great that you were able to enjoy the beauty of the local area as well as the cottage. The beautiful sunsets there never get old 😊

About the host

Hosted by Margo Visser-DeVuono

Host profile image
Crazy times make people do crazy things… that pretty much sums up why we have the Shack. We are all deep in the Covid-19 pandemic … lock downs, shut downs so no travel. Yet all of us need something to make life interesting, engaging and enjoyable. We just need to have something to look forward to. Then along came the Riverside Shack. It really all happened so fast. Before any of us could even think the decision was made and the Riverside Shack was reality.

Why they chose this property

This location checked off all the boxes on the list:
 Directly on the water
 Cosy cottage feel … plus luxurious
 Quiet spot … yet active
 Fully equipped
 Easy on-water activity access … plus close to quiet beaches
 Close to home
 Nearby amenities
It is really the all-around perfect get-away spot!

What makes this property unique

Live well … relax, refresh and recharge!

Languages:

English, Dutch

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests
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