Chalkley's Sandy Bay Cottage Resort
37 Sandy Bay Rd Rr1, Callander, Ontario P0H 1H0 Canada
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About
#4 of 6 Specialty lodging in Callander
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We are a small friendly cottage resort that offers 2 and 3 bedroom self catering cottages, with a beautiful shallow sandy beach great for small children, as well as deluxe boat rentals for the fishermen of the family.
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Property amenities
Free parking
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Wifi
Beach
Canoeing
Children Activities (Kid / Family Friendly)
BBQ facilities
Non-smoking hotel
Hiking
Fishing
Table tennis
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Room features
Private beach
Kitchenette
Microwave
Refrigerator
Room types
Non-smoking rooms
Suites
Family rooms
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37 Sandy Bay Rd Rr1, Callander, Ontario P0H 1H0 Canada
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Rental CarsSee all Callander car hire
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My family (5 kids, 2 parents, 2 grandparents) stayed at the Sandy Bay cottages for a week. The first half of the week we had an EXCELLENT time. The cottage was comfortable, clean, and big enough to house all of us comfortably without feeling crowded. There were tonnes of things for the kids to do, badminton, soccer, playground, the beach was perfect for young kids and their were tones of toys. There were lots of other children around for my kids to socialize with and we were all enjoying ourselves. Some things were not perfect, some of the soccer area was flooded and muddy, also nothing was in mint condition. All of this made no difference to us as we loved it. Every year the group of us spends a week together at a cottage in Northern ON and we were thinking we would like to come back there again next year and possibly for many years to come. A few days into the trip we were called to the center of the common outdoor area and told by management that there had been numerous complaints by multiple families about our children. They “broke a swing”, “picked up ducks” and “were intruding on the private family time of other guests”. This was all news to us because we had been keeping an eye on them the entire time and I had checked with other families they were chumming around with to make sure they were okay with it and all said they were. It turns out my kids were at the playground unattended for 15 minutes that night after supper and before desert while the adults were trying to clean up/finish eating etc. My children are all raised in a rural country setting and used to being independent, none of them are toddlers and they follow the rule about staying away from the water unless an adult is with them. Going to the playground by themselves is something they do regularly. We also have chickens which like to be carried around. I could not imagine a mother duck would have allowed her babies to be picked up (this only happens because they have become so tame from feeding), so I did not imagine there would be any problem with the kids at the playground for 10-15 minutes. It was likely just this one 15 minute time frame where someone complained, but it was presented to us that MANY families complained MULTIPLE times. From that point forward I felt very on edge about the children. It seemed to me like my family was intruding on the vacation of all the other families and management and I needed to be with them 100% of the time or else we would receive more complaints. That other families vacation and enjoyment was valued while ours was not. What ended up happening was that if I was in the water swimming with the kids and one kid took off to go and play on the playground I would need to round up all the other kids in the water and go get the kid on the playground; meaning that no-one was able to do what they wanted and everyone was mad at me. It was no longer very much fun. I do credit management that one picnic table board got broke and I offered to pay for it but they said there was no need, these things happen. That was understanding of them. Though we would have liked to vacation again at Sandy Bay cottages we did not feel welcome and would feel unwelcome going back. It is too bad. If you are typical family (2 adults + 2 kids with no behavior/emotional/physical challenges etc) this is likely a wonderful place for you. The view is great, the location is great, I love the beach there! If you are an atypical family in any way (more kids than adults, non-helicopter parenting style, a kid with behaviours, autism, adhd etc "excessive screaming" is specifically not allowed in the rules) then you may not fit in here.…
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Date of stay: August 2017Trip type: Travelled with family
Rooms
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Sleep Quality
Room Tip: Great view from row cottages, beach front cottages look great, but not private
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
2 Helpful votes
Helpful
Just returned from a week vacation. We have been coming to this resort for many many years. Couldn't ask for a better beach and the weather this trip was spectacular. Thanks Jeff and Kim for a memorable trip. Cannot wait to come back next year! Highly recommend Sandy Bay!! Rick and Virginia
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Date of stay: August 2016Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Awesome place to stay. I have stayed at Sandy Bay a number of times in the past for ice fishing and have recommended Jeff and Kim's place to other friends. The service was amazing and if there were any problems, Jeff was on it instantly. We've stayed at other outfitters for ice fishing and none compare to the service at Sandy Bay.
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Date of stay: February 2015Trip type: Travelled with friends
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Let me start by saying I will never go back to this resort again!!! It started with a phone call on our way there to get clear directions from Kim and being advised to not bother showing up till 11:30 or there are going to make us wait in our cars. So we get there at 11:30, get checked in and ready for a ride out on to the ice in there bombardier snow machine that was overheating. We voiced our concerns and were assured all is good. Well it wasn't, the bombardier snow machine overheated again and started to fill the inside with smoke from the antifreeze burning; we advise him it was getting hard to breathe due to the smoke and he wouldn't stop. The smoke was so bad we couldn't see the people sitting next to us. We finally get there and fished for the day. Pick up was at 6:30pm and he shows up with the bombardier snow machine smoking like crazy and wanted us to get in, we refused!!! and told him to get us in another way. He left us out there till 9:30pm before coming to pick us up with a Ski-Doo and a sleigh. Checkout time came and the owners had the exits blocked, they demanded we pay for smoking in our cabins. We had 2 cabins one with a group of smoker and the other with non-smokers. The owners did not advise us at time of check in that you could not smoke in the cabins, they did not provide us with any terms and conditions to read or sign. We end up having to call the OPP to deal with the situation, 2 hours later we were glad to be on our way home. This was a fishing trip from hell...…
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Date of stay: January 2015Trip type: Travelled with friends
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Response from sandybay1, Owner at Chalkley's Sandy Bay Cottage Resort
Responded Feb. 28, 2015
We will start by advising that the above groups are definitely not welcome to return at our establishment, as confirmed to them upon departure. The arrival time of l2:00 noon was pre-arranged at the time of booking, and confirmed the previous night, as both cottages were occupied until Friday a.m., then required changeover cleaning. We suggested that they get lunch first, as unfortunately, they would have a wait. Both groups insisted on arriving early, at which time the cottages were available for them. After check-in, both groups were transported by bombardier to the ice huts for fishing. A request of 9:30 p.m. was made for pick-up that evening, we offer daylight fishing only. We arranged for their groups to be the last trip back to shore. During the day, we had engine issues with the bombardier, therefore, our other means of transportation, the alpine and enclosed sleigh was used for trips at the end of the day. We had ongoing communication with this group throughout the evening, as requested, they were the last group in, at 8:30 p.m. Several details have been omitted regarding the “no smoking” issue, as well as other concerns throughout the weekend. Suffice it to say, all cottages have a “No Smoking” sign on the OUTSIDE of the entrance door, on our website, as well as notices inside the cottages advising of same, with fines applicable. Both groups, of which 8 out of 9 were smokers, immediately started smoking inside both cottages. Despite several conversations with them from management and staff, advising of a $200.00 fine per cottage for smoking, they continued throughout the weekend, until their scheduled departure time on Monday a.m. We requested they attend at our office on Sunday to settle the outstanding amount, which they did not. On Sunday evening, we were notified by one of our other guests that on the trip out to the huts on Sunday he overheard one of the above group advising that they were planning to depart without settling the “smoking” fines. At the time of departure on Monday a.m., both groups proceeded to pack up and leave, without settling their accounts. As well, windows were opened, and a heavy dose of cheap cologne was sprayed, in both cottages, to mask the overwhelming air of smoke throughout. As a result of their attempts to leave without paying the outstanding account, and the disrespectful and offensive attitude on their behalf regarding this situation throughout the entire weekend, the decision was made by OUR OFFICE to contact police to request assistance. A police report of the incident was taken, noting all guests involved.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
+1
We greatly enjoyed our stay at Chalkley's Sandy Bay Cottages during late Spring of 2013. Jeff, Kim and family provided friendly service, that went above and beyond. Our cottage (cottage #1) was very comfortable and homey. Our favorite. Fishing was outstanding. Lake Nipissing is truly beautiful, especially the sunsets. Our two week stay went by far too quickly. We look forward to returning someday and highly recommend Chalkley's to anyone looking for a truly memorable vacation.
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Date of stay: June 2013Trip type: Travelled as a couple
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
What can I say other than this place is amazing. Jeff and Kim make you feel like your part of the family. The cottages are clean and kid friendly, The beach is beautiful and well maintained a perfect place for a family vacation. I can't wait to go back .
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Date of stay: July 2013Trip type: Travelled with family
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Jeff and Kim have Clean Cottages and a Great Location ... Very Family Friendly and the Lake is truly Awesome .. Sunsets on the Dock .. Beautiful and inspiring !! Volleyball in the Water isnt too bad either ..
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Date of stay: August 2013Trip type: Travelled with family
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Location
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Our group decided that we would "go back" to staying at a cottage instead of spending nights in an Ice bungalow. We wanted the added comfort and Chalkley's Sandy Bay operation truly fit the bill. The cottage was clean, comfortable plus we had the added advantage of satellite TV for the die hard hockey and football fans in our group. We found the owner, Jeff, very friendly and accommodating and he did put us on the fish. The huts were large, warm and bait was waiting for us when we arrived. We had a fantastic weekend. I would recommend his operation to anyone looking for a great ice fishing experience!
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Date of stay: January 2012Trip type: Travelled with friends
Value
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Location
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Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip: Cottage #3 has a fireplace for those cold winter evenings
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Jeff and Kim make your stay a wonderful time. The location is beautiful and the fishing is excellent. The cottages have a beautiful view of beach, the lake and northern greenery. The sunsets have to be the best ever sitting on the dock. You have to go there and experience it Miss being there!!!
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Date of stay: July 2011Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Value
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Location
Cleanliness
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Sleep Quality
Room Tip: 1 and 2 are the quietest and our fav. 6 and 7 are right on the beach and really cool, sand and...
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Response from skunkd, Owner at Chalkley's Sandy Bay Cottage Resort
Responded Nov. 22, 2011
Thank you very much, it was a pleasure meeting you and looking forward to seeing again in the future.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
LOCATION
CanadaOntarioNortheastern OntarioCallander
NUMBER OF ROOMS
11
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Frequently Asked Questions about Chalkley's Sandy Bay Cottage Resort
Which popular attractions are close to Chalkley's Sandy Bay Cottage Resort?
Nearby attractions include Nipissing Museum (7.6 km), South Bay Provincial Park (6.6 km), and Becker's Berry Patch (7.3 km).
What are some of the property amenities at Chalkley's Sandy Bay Cottage Resort?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free wifi, free parking, and kids activities.
What food & drink options are available at Chalkley's Sandy Bay Cottage Resort?
Guests can enjoy barbeque facilities during their stay.
Is parking available at Chalkley's Sandy Bay Cottage Resort?
Yes, free parking is available to guests.