The Cottages on Salt Spring Island
The Cottages on Salt Spring Island
315 Robinson Rd, British Columbia V8K 1P7 Canada
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About
#3 of 7 cottages in Salt Spring Island
Location
Rooms
Value
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
The Cottages on Salt Spring Island lie on the shores of a clean, freshwater lake. Enjoy the morning serenade of birdsong, the gentle breezes and pure serenity. Mingle with guests, explore the diversity of Salt Spring Island, poke around in the seaside village of Ganges or step out into grand adventures kayaking, hiking or diving. The Cottages are your perfect place to come home to.
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Property amenities
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Canoeing
Highchairs available
Pets Allowed ( Dog / Pet Friendly )
BBQ facilities
Outdoor furniture
Wifi
Picnic area
Sun terrace
Additional bathroom
Dining area
Fireplace
Private balcony
Coffee / tea maker
Kitchenette
Cable / satellite TV
Walk-in shower
Safe
Sofa
Iron
Private bathrooms
Microwave
Oven
Refrigerator
Stovetop
Electric kettle
Kitchenware
Flatscreen TV
Bath / shower
Complimentary toiletries
Hair dryer
Room types
Non-smoking rooms
Suites
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
HOTEL STYLE
Lake View
Family
Languages Spoken
English
Location
315 Robinson Rd, British Columbia V8K 1P7 Canada
Getting there
Vancouver Intl Airport
42.6 km•
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Victoria Intl Airport
26 km•
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Rental Cars
52 Restaurants
within 10 kilometers
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Detailed Reviews
This is a wonderful place to stay with the family. Really good value for the cost. The cottages are clean and well appointed - really nice bedding, and the soaps are from local soap makers. The mint dish soap is so nice I actually volunteered to do the dishes so I could take it in:) They made a special effort for our valentines day arrival that was pretty adorable. We've stayed here several times before and will keep coming back.
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Date of stay: February 2025Trip type: Travelled with family
Value
Rooms
Location
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Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip:Â In our cottage, it was tricky to figure out how to change the channels. The cable box is hidden...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We were here for our daughter's wedding at nearby Bullocks Lake Farms, and the Cottages proved to be an ideal place to stay for most of the wedding participants. There are about 50 lovely, rustic cabins along the short of the lake, with lovely views of the rural/forested area. Our cabin was typical: three stories, with a bedroom below and above, and a nice kitchen/dinette/living room on the mid level. Again, this was our unit (#39) and not necessarily the same as the rest.
We would recommend a cottage in our "neighborhood" since the 37-50 series cottages were along the lake shore and especially near the swimming and boating dock. Ask for a double cabin if you have a group larger than 4 persons. While not interconnecting, they are adjacent and offer easy access at the ground level or entry level.
We never saw a Cottages employee while we were here, which sounds odd but is perfectly OK since the places were nicely outfitted and it made us feel as if we "owned" the place.
This would be an ideal location for exploring Salt Spring Island, of course, but also for family reunions, weddings, anniversaries...
We would absolutely stay here again. While not IN town, it's certainly close enough to allow a quick drive, or a longer walk, to Ganges.
We would recommend a cottage in our "neighborhood" since the 37-50 series cottages were along the lake shore and especially near the swimming and boating dock. Ask for a double cabin if you have a group larger than 4 persons. While not interconnecting, they are adjacent and offer easy access at the ground level or entry level.
We never saw a Cottages employee while we were here, which sounds odd but is perfectly OK since the places were nicely outfitted and it made us feel as if we "owned" the place.
This would be an ideal location for exploring Salt Spring Island, of course, but also for family reunions, weddings, anniversaries...
We would absolutely stay here again. While not IN town, it's certainly close enough to allow a quick drive, or a longer walk, to Ganges.
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Date of stay: June 2022
Value
Rooms
Service
Room Tip:Â Lake front cottages may have more noise, but are our preference.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
An amazing place to stay! Would highly recommend, including during the winter when we went. Everything was seamless and exceeding our expectations, but what stood out was the cleanliness, layout of unit, and attention to detail. You can’t beat sitting on the balcony in the morning, drinking tea, and listening to birds on the lake. Can’t wait to come back!
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Date of stay: February 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I have to agree with AESRichmond review that the management of the properties is horrible. My wife who worked in the travel/tourism business in BC took a full day off to ensure that our booking at their property was complete and appropriate. We knew that the week of June 23-26, 2021 would be a busy week and we were travelling with a dog over 1400 km to stay on Salt Spring Island. After a number of hours working with their reservations, we booked our cottage and received our confirmation. This was the key piece for our entire trip and all our other accommodations, travel arrangements and ferry booking were based on this confirmation. Four days after receiving our confirmation, the management at the Cottages called us and told use that they could no long accommodate us because of a "glitch" and did nothing to resolve the situation.
I recommend that you book with a different property before planning you trip to Salt Spring to avoid a similar experience.
I recommend that you book with a different property before planning you trip to Salt Spring to avoid a similar experience.
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Date of stay: June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Adele Larkin, General Manager at The Cottages on Salt Spring Island
Responded Jun 19, 2021
Dear H8840JTsh, We are very sorry that we could not rectify this situation for you, as mentioned we would have needed to move you every day in order to satisfy your booking. Your confirmation received was from a third party reservation service and not directly from our property, unfortunately they did not take into account that you were travelling with a pet or that we didn't have a room available for 3-days in a row. Having said that they should have noticed that they were unable to reserve an actual suite. In order to ensure this will not happen again we have further restricted these third party sites and encourage all guests to reserve through the property directly either via phone or our website. We do hope that you were able to continue to plan and find suitable accommodation for you trip to BC and that travel restrictions are lifted in time for your trip from Alberta.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We were very disappointed:(
It was dirty, the cabin needs a good and deep clean. There was a large stain on the sofa. The carpet on the stairs need to be cleaned. The coffee cups were filthy and stained. The sink had food residue and the dish rack was slimy underneath. There was a lot of food crumbs in the drawers. The cutlery was not properly cleaned/washed.
To top it off the management had the audacity to instruct us to take out the garbage and recycling AND take the sheets off the bed! We paid for service but didn't get it. Why would we have to take off the sheets etc?? What are the staff for? There was also conflicting instructions as to whether they wanted the windows left open or closed upon leaving. Very confusing! We were also charged a $20.00 booking fee when we did our own booking and all the work!! Another rip-off. We will not recommend staying here to anyone.
It was dirty, the cabin needs a good and deep clean. There was a large stain on the sofa. The carpet on the stairs need to be cleaned. The coffee cups were filthy and stained. The sink had food residue and the dish rack was slimy underneath. There was a lot of food crumbs in the drawers. The cutlery was not properly cleaned/washed.
To top it off the management had the audacity to instruct us to take out the garbage and recycling AND take the sheets off the bed! We paid for service but didn't get it. Why would we have to take off the sheets etc?? What are the staff for? There was also conflicting instructions as to whether they wanted the windows left open or closed upon leaving. Very confusing! We were also charged a $20.00 booking fee when we did our own booking and all the work!! Another rip-off. We will not recommend staying here to anyone.
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Date of stay: September 2024Trip type: Travelled with friends
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip:Â Stay away:(
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Sarah Armstrong, General Manager at The Cottages on Salt Spring Island
Responded Jan 21, 2025
Hi Dori, I am so incredibly sorry to hear that your stay with us was not enjoyable. These are not the standards we hold ourselves to here at the cottages. We strive to create a clean, welcoming environment for all of our guests, but we are only human, and sometimes things get missed. We really wish you had reached out to us during your stay so we could have fixed these issues while you were here, and made the rest of your trip enjoyable. We could have moved you to a different cottage, or come down to re-clean. Regarding the welcome letter instructions, those were made back during peak Covid-19 times, to help keep all of our staff as safe as possible. It is however, not required that you follow the instructions. Sincerely, Guest services.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
The lake is the only good thing this place has to offer, and it’s not worth the nightly rate.
We arrived to find one of the rooms wasn’t made up. We figured the cleaning staff was probably busy so we just made the bed ourselves. No biggie.
The upstairs was really hot despite all windows being opened and blinds closed to block out sun. We ended up sleeping on floor on ground level as upstairs was too uncomfortable. Called to ask if a fan was available and was told all units are supposed to have one but many have disappeared. Uhh, great. Glad to know they are aware of an issue but haven’t bothered to correct it. We checked out yesterday and my back is still sore.
Salt Spring is home to so many fantastic farms and food producers. We purchased lots of great ingredients to make some good meals. The fridge runs too cold and froze much of our produce.
I noticed that after walking around in the cottage the soles of our feet would get dark and grimy. Doesn’t look like the cleaning service ever mops the floors.
On our last night there we were awoken by an alarm at 2 in the morning that sounded just long enough to wake us all up. After getting our kids back to bed the alarm went off again. We determined it was the smoke detector, which was battery powered (not even sure if that meets building code). My guess is the battery was failing having not been replaced in years.
I sent an email to the management about our poor experience there but didn’t hear back, so am leaving this negative review to share my experiences with others.
For the close to $400/night we paid, this place is definitely not worth it. Low quality of maintenance and cleaning, and customer support that falls somewhere between indifferent to non-existent.
We arrived to find one of the rooms wasn’t made up. We figured the cleaning staff was probably busy so we just made the bed ourselves. No biggie.
The upstairs was really hot despite all windows being opened and blinds closed to block out sun. We ended up sleeping on floor on ground level as upstairs was too uncomfortable. Called to ask if a fan was available and was told all units are supposed to have one but many have disappeared. Uhh, great. Glad to know they are aware of an issue but haven’t bothered to correct it. We checked out yesterday and my back is still sore.
Salt Spring is home to so many fantastic farms and food producers. We purchased lots of great ingredients to make some good meals. The fridge runs too cold and froze much of our produce.
I noticed that after walking around in the cottage the soles of our feet would get dark and grimy. Doesn’t look like the cleaning service ever mops the floors.
On our last night there we were awoken by an alarm at 2 in the morning that sounded just long enough to wake us all up. After getting our kids back to bed the alarm went off again. We determined it was the smoke detector, which was battery powered (not even sure if that meets building code). My guess is the battery was failing having not been replaced in years.
I sent an email to the management about our poor experience there but didn’t hear back, so am leaving this negative review to share my experiences with others.
For the close to $400/night we paid, this place is definitely not worth it. Low quality of maintenance and cleaning, and customer support that falls somewhere between indifferent to non-existent.
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Date of stay: August 2021Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Adele Larkin, General Manager at The Cottages on Salt Spring Island
Responded Aug 8, 2021
jeremygJ2205BW, Thank you for your reply. Please do let us know what email you sent your feedback to, I have gone through my emails and have not seen anything from you. We appreciate all of our guests and whether it is good news or bad, we respond!. I am sorry that you did not enjoy your experience with us, it definitely has been a hotter than normal summer which does mean the higher floors can be warmer than normal. We are sorry that fans were not readily available for you, the one challenge that we do have is supply chains to the island and at times they don't often coincide with our needs. So yes, we are aware we need more fans but we are also needing them to arrive on site. You mentioned the floors not being cleaned, our regular practice is to use a mop and cleaner on all hard floor surfaces, we will talk to the team that cleaned the room to remind them, it is however our practice. Please accept our apologies for the untidy floors. Understanding that you went into the room prior to it being finished and "made your own beds" may have meant that the team did not get in there to complete the room as the floors are the final part of the cleaning process. We understand that your vacation is important to you, we also understand that we are expecting a lot when we ask our guests to remember that the hospitality industry has been hit very hard as far as staffing levels during this pandemic. Our limited staffing isn't by choice, we like many hospitality businesses are doing everything we can to accommodate our guests, meet all of their expectations with very limited staffing levels. We appreciate all of our guests that have quickly recognized that we are a very, very small team, wearing multiple hats, not by choice, and we are doing our very best to meet all of your expectations. We are sorry that you have chosen not to return to the Cottages, we understand that it isn't for everyone, we hope that your future trips to Salt Spring Island are more enjoyable for you, it is a very special place our guests that return year after year remind us on every trip.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We stayed for three nights in cabin 40, it is very dirty and needs painting. The kitchen only had two wine glasses and three dinner plates, when we asked for more, we were told that they didn’t have any more. The kitchen drawers and cupboards were dirty and the bathroom drains took a long time to clear. The living room furniture is torn and dirty. There wasn’t a picture or anything to make you feel welcome. The deck only had there chairs and was covered in cobwebs. It’s a shame because the location on the lake was nice.
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Date of stay: September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Adele Larkin, General Manager at The Cottages on Salt Spring Island
Responded Oct 16, 2022
JHM128, We are so very sorry that your experience with us was not a good one. We will definitely correct the issues you encountered and will make sure that your next stay or the next guest does not have the same experience. Thank you for letting us know, we really wanted your experience to be a good one.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
This was our first trip to Salt Spring and despite the weather not being the best, we thoroughly enjoyed out stay. This was mostly impart to the wonderful accommodation at Cottage 21. We could not have asked for anything better and it went beyond our expectations. Driving into the property is a bit misleading as they all look very rustic but that is definitely not the case upon entering the interior. Very tastefully decorated, with anything and everything you would need for your stay. Would be ideal for 2 couples to share as there are bedrooms with full bathrooms on the upper and lower floors with the common area of kitchen and sitting room on the main floor.
The property is located on a small lake and when the sun finally came out sitting on the balcony in the quiet serenity of viewing the lake and watching the birds was a delight.
The property is located on a small lake and when the sun finally came out sitting on the balcony in the quiet serenity of viewing the lake and watching the birds was a delight.
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Date of stay: June 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
First the bad...and for us it was very bad. We rented a two-bedroom cottage. The cottage has three floors with one bedroom in the loft and one in the basement. The problem...no doors. The loft is open to the living room and there is no door between the main floor and the basement. Noise travels, so if someone went to bed before others we were creeping around and talking in whispers. Dumbest design we've ever run across. Other bad things: two cookie sheets provided, both too big to fit into the oven. Lousy water pressure.
The good: Clean, beds were comfortable, nice view, WiFi worked very well.
We will not be back unless it's just the two of us in a one-bedroom.
The good: Clean, beds were comfortable, nice view, WiFi worked very well.
We will not be back unless it's just the two of us in a one-bedroom.
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Date of stay: December 2023Trip type: Travelled with family
Value
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This place would be great for a family vacation. It had the feel of a place people would come back to year after year. We were travelling with another couple, so that fact that the cabin had no doors blocks the sound between floors was a little hard. The only shower was a combined space with the upper floor bedroom. There was a bath on the basement level but summer water restrictions meant that we couldn’t waste that much water. It would have been more comfortable if we were with our family.
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Date of stay: August 2021Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I don't believe that the Cottages has the communal rooms that might be necessary for your visit. Each cottage has a full kitchen, but not a large kitchen for dozens of people. There is wifi, and of course there are beds for people. The cottages are extremely comfortable. You may want to consider finding a nearby place for your group meetings, and then stay at the Cottages. We had a wedding for 125 people in June, and perhaps 40 or so of the guests stayed at the Cottages, but we did not hold the ceremony there. There is, however, a lovely lawn area immediately adjacent to the dock which is great for casual meetings (outdoor meals, etc.)
Probably a question that should be directed to the management team or online reservation system.
Hi, sorry to be so long on reply! We have 3 units with the bedroom on the main level which are ideal for people with mobility issues!
Md
Thank you reaching out to us. We do have one night stays in non-peak season.
"In our cottage, it was tricky to figure out how to change the channels. The cable box is hidden behind the TV so get close with your remote"Read full review
PRICE RANGE
C$209 - C$320 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
CanadaBritish ColumbiaSalt Spring Island
NUMBER OF ROOMS
50
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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Frequently Asked Questions about The Cottages on Salt Spring Island
Which popular attractions are close to The Cottages on Salt Spring Island?
Nearby attractions include Mount Maxwell Provincial Park (6.8 km), Salt Spring Island's Saturday Market (2.6 km), and Ganges Inner Harbour (2.5 km).
What are some of the property amenities at The Cottages on Salt Spring Island?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free wifi, free parking, and barbeque facilities.
Which room amenities are available at The Cottages on Salt Spring Island?
Top room amenities include a kitchenette, a flat screen TV, and a refrigerator.
What food & drink options are available at The Cottages on Salt Spring Island?
Guests can enjoy barbeque facilities during their stay.
Is parking available at The Cottages on Salt Spring Island?
Yes, free parking is available to guests.
What are some restaurants close to The Cottages on Salt Spring Island?
Conveniently located restaurants include Tree-House Cafe, Moby's Pub, and Barb's Bakery & Bistro.
Are pets allowed at The Cottages on Salt Spring Island?
Yes, pets are typically allowed, but it's always best to call ahead to confirm.
Does The Cottages on Salt Spring Island have any great views?
Yes, guests often enjoy the lake view available here.