Entire home

Writer's Retreat: Privacy within sight and sound of the sea

Photo gallery for Writer's Retreat: Privacy within sight and sound of the sea

Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop
Outdoor dining
Exterior
3 bedrooms, desk, iron/ironing board, WiFi
Fireplace, books
Reviews
9.8

Exceptional

Entire home

3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 5

Popular amenities

  • Dryer
    DryerDryer
  • Fireplace
    FireplaceFireplace
  • Washer
    WasherWasher
  • Barbecue grill
    Barbecue grillBarbecue grill
  • Kitchen
    KitchenKitchen
  • Outdoor Space
    Outdoor SpaceOutdoor Space

Check-in time

3:30 PM

Check-out time

12:00 PM

Explore the area

Map
Riverport, NS
  • Popular LocationHirtle's Beach11 min walk
  • Popular LocationOvens Natural Park17 min drive
  • Popular LocationRisser's Beach Provincial Park33 min drive

Most relevant reviews

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

Writer's Retreat: Privacy within sight and sound of the sea

Writer's Retreat is a rustic cottage on the South Shore of Nova Scotia. Set well back from a narrow road, it offers privacy combined with sea views, a two-kilometer sand beach, and a walking trail around one of the headlands that protect the beach. The rustic exterior belies the comforts within--a kitchen with all modern conveniences (except a dishwasher), two full bathrooms, and three bedrooms. There is also a screened porch with table and chairs for meals al fresco but without bugs, and an open deck as well.To walk to the beach you have a choice of two well marked paths. It takes about ten minutes. There is also a lake back of the seafront with a small sand beach suitable for young children or swimmers who do not like the bracing North Atlantic waves.

Nearby is the beautiful town of Lunenburg, a UNESCO World Heritage site. It also boasts a good number of excellent restaurants, ranging from fish and chips to fine dining. For supplies, there is a small grocery store about five km from the cottage, and larger grocery stores in the towns of Lunenburg and Bridgewater.

My own family have been coming here from childhood. The cottage is not available in late July or August because it will be filled with our children and grandchildren.

This reservation has a Flexible cancellation policy - refunds will be issued up to 30 days prior to the check in date.

A 100% refund is provided for travellers cancelling at least 30 days before check-in. A 50% refund is provided for travellers cancelling from 14 to 29 days before check-in. No refunds are provided for travellers cancelling less than 14 days prior to check-in. CanadaStays Booking Fees are refundable if you cancel within 48 hours of placing your booking request.

Our house rules: primary renter must be 25 or older, no smoking, no parties or events, no pets.

No smoking.

Property manager

Rosalie Osmond

Property amenities

Beach

  • Beach nearby

Internet

  • Available in the cottage: WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Car required
  • Parking on site

Kitchen

  • Blender
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Electric kettle
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Paper towels
  • Refrigerator
  • Stovetop
  • Toaster

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 3 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • 2 bathrooms
  • Bathtub or shower
  • Hair dryer
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Dining table
  • Fireplace
  • Wood stove

Entertainment

  • Books
  • Games

Outdoor areas

  • Barbecue grill
  • Garden
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Patio

Laundry

  • Washing machine

Work spaces

  • Desk
  • Desk chair

Comfort

  • Heating

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoke-free property

Services and conveniences

  • Iron/ironing board
  • Phone

Location highlights

  • In a rural location
  • Near a hospital
  • Near the sea

Things to do

  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Cycling nearby
  • Hiking/biking trails nearby
  • Kayaking nearby
  • Sailing nearby
  • Surfing/bodyboarding nearby
  • Swimming nearby
  • Water skiing nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector)
  • Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • Fire extinguisher

General

  • 1 unit
  • 100% renewable energy
  • At least 80% lighting from LEDs
  • Garden

Similar properties

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 3:30 PM
Minimum check-in age: 25

Check-out

Check-out before 12:00 PM

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Pets

Pets not allowed

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome

Important information

You need to know

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
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
Property Registration Number RYA-2023-24-04180930543198177-484

We should mention

A car is required for transportation to and from this property

About the neighborhood

Upper Kingsburg

Located in Upper Kingsburg, this cottage is in a rural area and near the beach. Fort Point Museum and St John's Anglican Church are local landmarks, and some of the area's activities can be experienced at LaHave Ferry Terminal and Bluenose II. Halifax and Southwestern Railway Museum and Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic are also worth visiting. Discover the area's water adventures with kayaking and water skiing nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with hiking/biking trails and cycling.

What's nearby

  • Hirtle's Beach - 11 min walk
  • Ovens Natural Park - 17 min drive
  • Bluenose II - 23 min drive
  • Lunenburg Visitor Information Centre - 24 min drive
  • Risser's Beach Provincial Park - 33 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪LaHave Bakery - ‬23 min drive
  • ‪Becca's Bayport Pub - ‬11 min drive
  • ‪Fishery Products International Ltd - ‬13 min drive
  • ‪LaHave Seafoods Ltd - ‬24 min drive
  • ‪Ploughmans Lunch - ‬30 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Writer's Retreat: Privacy within sight and sound of the sea pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Writer's Retreat: Privacy within sight and sound of the sea?

Check-in begins at 3:30 PM.

What time is check-out at Writer's Retreat: Privacy within sight and sound of the sea?

Check-out is at 12:00 PM.

Where is Writer's Retreat: Privacy within sight and sound of the sea located?

Situated by the sea, this cottage is 0.6 mi (0.9 km) from Hirtle's Beach and within 9 mi (15 km) of Indian Path Commons and LaHave Ferry Terminal. Ovens Natural Park and Fort Point Museum are also within 9 mi (15 km).

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 28 out of 34 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 6 out of 34 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 34 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 34 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 34 reviews" "

9.6/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Richard Z.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great cabin
This cabin is beautifully done, with great views and nice decor. Has everything you need and is close to a great general store and a wonderful trail to Gaff Point. Also convenient to Lunenburg and Mahone Bay. Secluded, quiet restful place.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Sally T.

Liked: Cleanliness
Our stay in Upper Kingsberg.
We had a wonderful stay at the property close to Hirtles Beach. The house was very comfortable and well equipped. We’ll look forward to a return visit.
Stayed 11 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Ayesha B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Lovely visit
This was our third time staying at Rosalie's cottage and it was as lovely as ever.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2023

8/10 Good

Tim S., Yukon Territory, Canada

Rustic Retreat
Quiet, ocean view, and ocean sounds. Comfortable beds.
Stayed 14 nights in Sep 2023

8/10 Good

Olivia H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Wonderful Family Vacation!
We had a wonderful family vacation here! It was a great home base which allowed us to discover Nova Scotia's South Shore and location allowed day trips to Halifax and Peggy's Cove. Hirtle's Beach and Sand Dollar Beach were both convenient and lovely. It was clean and had lots of space for everyone! Owners were easy to communicate with and responsive to questions throughout our stay. It had everything we wanted and more!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Roslyn H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Privacy
Very private and quiet. Reminded me of a cabin my family had when I was younger. Well-supplied and owners very accommodating. One would be hard- pressed to find another property as unique.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Melinda S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful Rustic Cottage
Overall, this rustic cottage was a great place to stay. Daily walks to the beach were fabulous as was the beach itself. The walking paths to the beach might be challenging for some and it took a bit to find the access points. The screened in porch was nice and the southern exposure deck has a lovely view of the ocean. One of the bedrooms is an open loft area. It was definitely very private and relaxing with the sound of waves in the distance. Would definitely stay here again.
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness
Fantastic Spring break in upper KIngsberg
Authentic family holiday cottage. The house is very comfortable and full of character and personal touches. The view of the waves crashing against the rocks on Goff Point is spectacular. Hirtles Bay beach is a joy to walk along. Lots of wildlife -deer, porcupines, ospreys plunging into the bay to take fish! A wonderful place!
Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jane O.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great spot, as advertised
A wonderful place to get away from it all. The cottage came as advertised; very clean and well-stocked (a new vegetable peeler in the kitchen would be nice!). Location is wonderful for solitude and relaxation. Look out for deer - they are everywhere, and we came inches from hitting one in the fog one night. Rosalie (and Oliver) was very attentive to our needs, and responded very quickly whenever we had a query, like finding the key to get in.
Stayed 14 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Bonnie D.

Liked: Cleanliness
Wonderful stay!
We really enjoyed our stay at Writer's Retreat - it was very clean, comfortable, and well-stocked with everything needed. The privacy, wonderful views and surrounding area exceeded our expectations!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Peter M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Enjoyable stay!
Great location and excellent accommodation. Kitchen very well equipped.
Stayed 13 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Ayesha B.

Liked: Cleanliness
beautiful and relaxing ocean view cottage
This is the second time we've stayed at Rosalie's cottage and we had a lovely time! The cottage is very clean and well-cared for. This is a lovely place to watch the ocean from a distance and relax in the Sun. Its a short walk or drive to Hirtle Beach (though you should look out for ticks if you do walk). The only issue we had this trip was a leak coming through the roof during a very intense rainstorm. Rosalie was very responsive when we let her know and it sounds like it'll get all fixed up soon! We would definitely stay again and recommend the cottage for others.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness
Another great stay in Kingsburg
This is our second stay here and it was great again. Cottage was in great condition when we arrived, and the privacy and proximity to Hirtle's Beach can't be beat. We're looking forward to visiting again!
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Steve M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Enjoyed our stay!
The place exactly how it appeared in the photos. It was very comfortable and we found it easy to relax. A short walk to Hirtle’s beach, and a short drive to Kingsburg Beach, the place is well situated. was convenient Having the washer and dryer was a plus.
Stayed 6 nights in Oct 2021

10/10 Excellent

Lexie L.

Liked: Cleanliness
Oasis by the ocean
Delighted by the beautiful walking trails and the peaceful setting. So we'll equipped and comfortable
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2021

8/10 Good

Carol Ann F.

Liked: Cleanliness
Peacefull quiet and relaxing
Clean spacious bedroom and loft. So peaceful and quiet. Trip hazzard at the entrance with the tree stumps and roots. All n all enjoyed our stay.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2021

10/10 Excellent

Charlotte E.

Liked: Cleanliness
Lovely time away with family
We had a lovely multi-generation get away at this property. We all really enjoyed the layout of the cottage. And we had a great time playing crib games around the circular wooden table. We tried walking to the beach but the uneven rocks at the end of the trail were a little much for my 80 year old mother. We opted for driving to the beach and enjoyed many walks and waves. We also enjoyed a nice day trip to LaHave bakery and pottery shops; an easy drive from the cottage. Lots of lovely family memories built here.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2021

8/10 Good

Cheryl S.

Liked: Cleanliness
South Shore visit
The cottage was very nice - not fancy but comfortable and homey. The pictures on the site were very representative of the reality. It was quite private and very quiet. I think my favorite part may have been falling asleep to the soft sound of the nearby ocean. Our hostess, Rosalie, was easy to reach by phone or message and responded promptly to the couple of enquiries we had.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness
Best stay on the south shore, we've ever had!
This might be the most perfect cottage in Lunenburg county. Private and cozy, beautiful views, and a short walk to Hirtle's Beach. The cottage is a great and eclectic layout that feels like it's out of a novel. The patio and the Florida room provide lots of outdoor space, and the outdoor shower is amazing. I wish our stay could have been longer but we'll definitely be back!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Marah H., Halifax, NS

Liked: Cleanliness
Cozy stay in Upper Kingsburg
We had a great four-day stay at Rosalie’s cottage. The weather didn’t cooperate so we very much enjoyed the wood stove. The cottage is very clean and rustic with all the modern comforts and an amazing view with sounds of the ocean.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2021

10/10 Excellent

Dylan G.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great Stay
We had a great time in this rustic and charming cottage overlooking the ocean. It was very clean, lots of wildlife and all you can hear is the sound of the ocean.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

David H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great spot! Lovely cottage
We had a lovely stay at this cottage. This place has clearly been loved by the owners for many years, and is all the better for it. It has a well stocked kitchen, and plenty of space. Lovely trail around Gaff Point and Hirtles beach a short walk away.

10/10 Excellent

Marie F.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great Spot!
Excellent hosts and all was set up exactly as we had expected per the listing. Clean, comfortable, short walk to the beach and great wood stove for the cool evenings. We hope to return again someday soon
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2021

10/10 Excellent

Nicole G.

Liked: Cleanliness
Thanksgiving getaway
The view and surroundings of the property were spectacular, absolutely splendid. The cottage is quaint, well stocked, clean and welcoming. The access to the hiking trail was amazing. This was one of the nicest places we have stayed. The owners were easily accessible, kind and informative. With no hesitation, we will recommend this cottage to anyone looking for a peaceful getaway.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2020

8/10 Good

Steve S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Private location, lovely view
Quiet, private location. Ten minute walk to the beach down a quiet path. Lovely beach. The cottage is vintage, picturesque, and clean.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2020