The property

Two houses, one private estate.

The Lakeside House sleeps up to fourteen, the Cottage sleeps up to four. Take one or take both.

Aerial view of Shawnigan Retreats — two houses, dock, and private beach on Shawnigan Lake
One estate, two houses

Two houses on the water.

Most "lakefront" rentals on the island sit across a road from the water. This one doesn't. Walk twenty steps from the kitchen to the dock — we counted. Two houses, one estate, on the sunny east side of Shawnigan Lake. Take the Lakeside House (up to fourteen), the Cottage (up to four), or both for up to eighteen.

People ask us, often, which house to take. Most of the time the answer is both — but if it's a couple, the cottage; if it's a wedding party, the main house with the cottage held back for the parents who go to bed early.

Luxurious Lakeside House
Sleeps up to 14

The Lakeside House

Six bedrooms, including a kids' bunk room. Lacanche induction range, Sub-Zero, an island that seats six. The lake out every west-facing window, the dock twenty steps from the kitchen door. The bunk room is still everyone's favourite room.

  • Sleeps: 14 (12 in beds + 2 on a pull-out)
  • Bedrooms: 6, including a kids' bunk room
  • Bathrooms: 4 full
  • Footprint: ~4,500 sq ft across two storeys
  • Kitchen: Lacanche induction range, Sub-Zero, island seats six
  • AV: 85" screen with HDMI + AirPlay; theater seats 16
  • WiFi: 300 Mbps fibre, mesh across both houses
  • From dock: 20 steps from the kitchen door
See the Lakeside House
Charming Lakeview Cottage House
Sleeps up to 4

The Cottage

Two bedrooms steps from the dock. Quiet, simple, and right on the water — for a couple, or a fourth and fifth pair when the main house is full. Loons at dusk in May; the kids are off the dock from June onward.

  • Sleeps: 4 (a king + a queen)
  • Bedrooms: 2
  • Bathrooms: 1 full
  • Kitchen: full, with dishwasher and gas range
  • Heat: wood-burning fireplace + electric baseboards
  • From dock: 30 seconds across the lawn
See the Cottage
Aerial view of Shawnigan Retreats — both houses, dock, and lake.
Sleeps up to 18

The whole property

Both houses, both kitchens, the dock and the beach to yourselves. Eighteen people sleep; twenty-five sit down to dinner on the deck once we add the leaf. For weddings and company offsites up to fifty, we partner with a second property ten minutes up the road.

  • Overnight capacity: 18 across both houses (14 + 4)
  • Bedrooms: 8 total
  • Bathrooms: 5 full
  • Wedding seated: up to 50 guests
  • Wedding standing reception: up to 70 guests
  • Property: 2 acres, lakefront, sunny east side of Shawnigan Lake
  • Ceremony locations: 4 (cedar dock structure, sandy beach, forest cedar grove, lakeside lawn)
See the whole property
Every stay includes

What's included with every stay.

Every booking includes the dock, beach, sauna, hot tub, and pickleball court — no add-ons, no surprises at checkout.

Private sandy beach

West-facing, kid-safe shallow entry. Real sand, not the gravel most island lake properties settle for.

60-foot dock

West-facing, sunset side. Deep enough at the end to dive off without checking.

Finnish sauna

Cedar interior, Harvia stove. 90°C in forty minutes from cold. Twelve paces to the lake.

Hot tub

Six-person, year-round, angled for sunset on the lakeside deck.

Pickleball court

Regulation size. Paddles and balls in the bench by the gate.

Lake water

14°C in May, 22°C by late July, peaks at 24°C in late August — warmer than the Pacific gets all year.

WiFi

300 Mbps fibre, mesh across both houses. Take the call with the lake in the window.

Watercraft

Paddleboards and a kayak on the rack. Help yourself.

Parking

Eight cars on-site. No street parking, no shuffling, no neighbours to negotiate with.

Cleaning

Included in the rate (separate fee on top, listed below). We turn the houses around between every stay.

Price your dates.

Rates include the dock, beach, sauna, hot tub, and pickleball court. Two-night minimum. Three nights on peak summer weekends.

What guests say.

4.96 stars across 24 verified Airbnb stays, plus private wedding and corporate clients.

"This place is stunning and we loved every the incredible details put into the property! The Host was very kind and responsive and willing to work through details with us in a respectful way. Amazing!!!!"

Alan

Airbnb Guest

"One of the most beautiful Airbnb houses we've stayed in. The location is stunning overlooking the lake with private beach and pontoon. Luxury finish in every room with extremely comfortable beds and linen. Very precious, memorable time spent with our family."

July 2025

Airbnb Guest

"This home was magnificent — the perfect place for some R&R. A beautiful place to watch the sunset, hang out by the lake, chill by the firepit, relax in the sauna and cozy up on the remarkable sofas after a long day."

Christian
Airbnb Guest
The 60-foot cedar dock running west into Shawnigan Lake with the sandy private beach
Booking

Book direct, or through Airbnb.

We're also on Airbnb. Book direct and you skip the platform fee, get a human reply within four hours, and we can hold dates and put together custom multi-night stays Airbnb won't.

Book direct

Rates.

2 Bed · Sleeps 4

The Cottage

Shoulder $999/night
Peak (Jun–Sept) $1,999/night
+ cleaning fee $200
6 Bed · Sleeps up to 14

The Lakeside House

Shoulder $2,999/night
Peak (Jun–Sept) $5,999/night
+ cleaning fee $450
8 Bed · Sleeps up to 18

The Whole Property

Shoulder $3,500/night
Peak (Jun–Sept) $7,500/night
+ cleaning fee $650
  • All rates include the dock, beach, sauna, hot tub, and pickleball court.
  • Two-night minimum, three on summer long weekends — we need a day to clean properly between guests.
  • Fully refundable up to 30 days before arrival. Cancellations within 30 days are non-refundable.
  • 50% deposit confirms a booking; balance due 30 days before arrival. Send Brianna an inquiry first — she'll hold the dates while you decide, no deposit yet.
  • See all pricing — vacation rentals, weddings, and corporate retreats in one table →
Shawnigan Lake at the property — west-facing dock and the ridge across the water
Four seasons

Open all year.

  • Summer (June–Sept): Swim off the dock, paddle to the south end, pickleball after dinner. Water hits 22°C by late July and peaks at 24°C in late August.
  • Fall (Oct–Nov): Tasting at Unsworth, Blue Grouse, and Merridale. Big-leaf maple over the Kinsol Trestle. Firepit on the lawn after dark. September is the warmest the water will get all year — the families have left, the lake has caught up to the air.
  • Winter (Dec–Mar): Sauna at 90°C, then the lake. Storm-watching off the deck. Lunch at Genoa Bay Café.
  • Spring (Apr–May): Quieter trails, 14°C water in May for the brave, the lowest rates of the year. April smells like the cottonwoods opening. You'll know it before you see it.
The Cottage exterior under cedars
The fine print

House rules.

  • We don't host dogs — ours are jealous and the carpets are old. Service animals welcome.
  • No smoking inside. The deck is fine; please use the tin on the railing.
  • No parties or full-on events without a conversation first. We're not strict, we're just sharing a road with neighbours we like.
  • Check-in is anytime after 4. Brianna texts the door code in the morning, so if you arrive earlier the dock is yours. Check-out 11:00 AM.

Peak weekends book six months out.

Tell us your dates and what you're after. Brianna writes back the same afternoon — sooner if you send it before three.