Frequently Asked Questions

All HomeAwayFromHome.ca vacation rental properties have a maximum number of guests allowed. It can be found on the page of each property.

Each cottage has a certain number of parking spaces available for guests. It is indicated on the page specific to each cottage.

1. All cottages have pillows with pillow protectors, mattress protectors, blankets and quilts/comforters/duvets.
2. Each cottage is different when it comes to sheets and towels. It will be identified on the cottage page if these are provided or not. When you receive your Check in/out information you will receive a reminder as to sheets & towels being provided or not.
3. You will find a bathmat in the bathroom and
4. You will find dishcloths and tea towels in the kitchen.

Some cottages on the HomeAwayFromHome.ca website allow pets - each has its own rules. Some have no restrictions, some only allow dogs, some allow pets at the owners’ discretion.

The fee you see is the fee you pay, UNLESS the owner charges HST, then the government takes their cut too.

All the cottages on the HomeAwayFromHome.ca provide internet/WiFi at their cottages at no extra charge.

Every cottage has an amenities list on their page. You can also find them in many of the cottage descriptions.

Amenities are also searchable so if you are looking for a specific amenity you can locate cottages that include that feature.

Every cottages’ page identifies air conditioning or heating and the method.

• Check in is at 5 PM unless otherwise indicated in your check in/out information.
• Some units have door code entry, some have keyed entry.
• A Home Away From Home owner or representative will meet you when you arrive or shortly thereafter. They will go over any specific cottage instructions, answer any questions you may have and remind you to enjoy your stay.
• Check out is at 10 AM unless otherwise indicated in your check in/out information.
• You must leave the unit tidy, with windows closed, dishes washed and put away, and locked.
• Please put the garbage and recycling out to the side of the road for pickup.

• Foodland, Southampton
• Food Basics in Port Elgin
• Walmart in Port Elgin
• Vanderwerf’s Your Independent Grocer in Port Elgin

Saugeen Shores has a wide variety of restaurants. View them at visit saugeen shores. Some are only open on certain days and they are very busy in the summer so if you have a favourite or one you really want to try, make a reservation.

The Lake Huron shoreline has both sandy and rocky beaches from the southernmost tip to the northern point of Saugeen Shores. Check out some at visit saugeen shores.

Most of our bookings are confirmed in the fall and winter prior to the summer you are staying. Re-booking can be a challenge. Home Away From Home’s official cancellation policy is quite firm and states:

1. In the event all fees are not paid when due, Home Away From Home has the right to cancel the booking.
2. Guest initiated cancellations may be made by email, however it is the guests' responsibility to ensure this email is received by the recipient. It is strongly recommended the cancellation be confirmed with the recipient by phone. A cancellation is not considered valid until confirmed in writing by the owner or their agent.
3. If you cancel before 30 days prior to your scheduled arrival and your week remains vacant, the whole deposit is forfeited. If it is rebooked, you will be refunded all but a $250.00 administration fee.
4. If you cancel within 30 days of your scheduled arrival and your week remains vacant, then your whole payment is forfeited.

During June to September our minimum stay is 7 days with a standard check in/out day, usually Friday or Saturday. If you are interested in booking from October to May there is some flexibility.

Please check out our entire policy statement.

If you would like your vacation rental cleaned during your stay, please reach out to us to arrange this. Any mid stay cleaning fees are the responsibility of the guests.

Unless otherwise stated, cottages are cleaned by professional cleaners between each group of guests. We require guests to ensure the cottage is left in the same condition as you found it, including tidying up, washing dishes, turning off lights, and locking windows and doors.

Be aware some only take cash

Port Elgin:

1. Canadian Tire Gas Bar, 5124 Highway 21
2. Circle K, 536 Ivings Dr
3. Esso Gas Station, 595 Goderich St
4. Giant Tiger, 216 Goderich St
5. Home Hardware Building Centre, 924 Goderich St
6. Municipal Office - Town of Saugeen Shores, 600 Tomlinson Dr (be careful of the construction going on here)
7. Pharmasave, 639 Goderich St
8. Port Elgin Variety & Gas Bar, 736 Goderich St
9. Ralphs, 544 Goderich St
10. Shoppers Drug Mart, Unit A - 1199 Goderich St
11. Vanderwerf's YIG, 1244 Goderich St
12. Walmart, 5122 Goderich St

Southampton:

1. Circle K, 145 Albert St S
2. Foodland, 41 Turner St
3. Home Hardware, 236 High St
4. South Mini Mart & Pizza, 161 High St

Attractions

1. Bruces’ Caves
2. Scenic Caves Collingwood
3. Scandinave Spa, Collingwood
4. Tobermory
5. Bruce Peninsula National Park
6. Spirit Rock
7. National Marine Park
8. Kincardine (Lighthouse museum, Paddy Walker House, Theatre, Saturday Night Pipe Band Parades)
9. Point Clarke Lightstation National Historic Site
10. Village of Paisley
11. Keady Market
12. Hike part of the Bruce Trail
13. Golf one, or many, of the courses in our region.

1. Hello Summer - Music Fest, Port Elgin, May 18-19
2. Patio Rosé, Bruce County Museum, Southampton, May 30
3. Rotary Huron Shore Run, Southampton, June 1
4. Museums are a Drag!: Drag Show and Brunch Bonanza!, Bruce County Museum, Southampton, June 8
5. Multicultural Day, Free Admission & Guided Tour, Bruce County Museum, Southampton, June 27
6. Canada Day Fireworks, Southampton, July 1
7. 52nd Southampton Craft Show for Prance, Southampton Coliseum, July 4
8. Kincardine Scottish Festival, July 5-6-7
9. Lighthouse Blues Festival, Kincardine, July 12-13-14
10. Bruce County Comicon, Southampton, July 13
11. Saugeen Shores Antique, Vintage and Collectibles Show & Sale, Southampton Coliseum, July 19-20
12. Marine Heritage Festival, Southampton, July 26-27-28
13. Port Elgin Blues and Brews Fest, July 26-27-28, Emmett McGrath Pavilion (100 Harbour Street, Port Elgin)
14. Mindcamp, Unifor Centre, Port Elgin, August 5-9
15. Saugeen Shores 25th Anniversary August 9-10-11
     i. Sloan headlining Saturday Concert at the Coliseum
16. Summer Symphony, Bruce County Museum, Southampton, August 10
17. Bruce Peninsula MultiSport Race, Wiarton, August 10
18. Pow Wow, Saugeen First Nation, August 10-11
19. Gran Fondo, Southampton, August 17-18
20. Sisters, Warehouse Sale, August 23-24-25, Southampton Coliseum (26 Albert Street South, Southampton, ON N0H 2L0)
21. Gathering of the Bands, Kincardine, August 24
22. Labour Day Fireworks, Port Elgin, August 31
23. Labour Day Parade, Port Elgin, September 2
24. 2024 Canadian Men’s Senior Championship, Saugeen Golf & Country Club, September 12-13-14-15
25. Port Elgin Pumpkinfest, October 4-5-6

Weekly Events

1. Cruisers Cruise Nites, Thursday nights, at the big Flag, Southampton
2. Sunset Piper, Friday Nights at the Big Flag, Southampton
3. Sunday Night Concerts, Port Elgin Beach
4. Sunday Night Concerts, Fairy Lake Pavillion, Southampton

Weekly Markets

1. Mondays, Market in the Park, Kincardine 9am - 3pm
2. Tuesdays, Keady Market
3. Wednesday & Friday, Wednesday Vendors Market, Bluewater Park, 9am - 4pm
4. Wednesdays, Port Elgin Farmers Market
5. Thursdays, Sauble Beach Vendors Market, Sauble Town Square, 9am - 2pm
6. Thursdays, Saugeen First Nation Night Market, June 6 - September 5, 4-7 pm
7. Fridays, Wiarton Farmers Market, 10am - 2pm
8. Fridays, Marine Heritage Artisans & Tastes Market
9. Saturdays, Lion’s Head Farmers Market, 9am to 12pm