OCR Bass Bliss F622

Between the dining table and the kitchen, an octagonal island with a trio of stools creates a hub for food-related activities, or another spot to sit and talk while sharing some wine, tea or morning coffee. The kitchen is fully equipped with all the necessary large and small appliances, as well as dishes and other accoutrements for feeding groups of friends or a multigenerational family. And, since there's a dishwasher, nobody is stuck doing dishes afterward!

This five-bedroom cottage can accommodate a dozen people with ease. There are two bedrooms on the main floor, as well as a four-piece bathroom. The spacious master bedroom has a king-sized bed and large picture windows that overlook the lake. The other bedroom on this level is slightly smaller and has a queen bed. Downstairs, there are three more bedrooms and a three-piece bathroom. Two of these bedrooms have queen beds and the third has two sets of bunk beds. The largest of the lower-level bedrooms, which is furnished with a crib, has sliding glass doors that provide access to the patio and views of both the fire pit and the lake. It also has pocket doors with marbled glass that lead into the downstairs family room.

The common area on the lower level has a larger TV than upstairs and, since there is a similar amount of seating, it may be a better place for watching movies or listening to music while playing games or doing puzzles on the round table that's at one end of the room. Because there's whole-house wifi, guests can watch whatever they want on the cottage's televisions or use their own electronic device to access the internet. This downstairs recreational room also has sliding glass doors that open onto the patio and provide a view of the lovely lake.

The cottage's plentiful windows, easy access to the lake and abundant seating are some of its best features. Groups of 12 will not feel crowded here! The culinary afficionados can be prepping or cooking in the kitchen while another chef grills food on the barbeque. Some people can hang out on the deck while others relax on the dock. More members of the crew can watch a movie upstairs while still more play cards downstairs. And, in the evening, everyone can enjoy watching a sunset paint the sky over Bass Lake.

If the crew wants to venture away from the lake, there are numerous eateries in Port Carling, including Turtle Jack's, Beveragino and Water's Edge Restaurant. There are also excellent seasonal shopping options in this nearby town, which is about 15 minutes away. For those in need of boat services, there are three marinas in Port Carling and one in MacTier, only about 10 minutes from the cottage. Just across from the public boat launch on the way to MacTier, the Bass Lake Roadhouse is the nearest pub. Those who don't mind venturing a bit further afield may want to go for a hike at the Hardy Lake Provincial Park or Huckleberry Rock Lookout Trail, each of which is about 20 minutes beyond the cottage's pleasant grounds.