The Setting. Manley Island is located in the middle of the crystal clear waters of Spednic Lake. The island is heavily wooded but walking trails allow for some exploration. The lake is stunning and peaceful. The property includes a boat launch/dock on one side of the island (1 min from cabin) and a small dock/platform on the other side (below the cabin). Both spots were perfect for swimming + fishing. Rental includes access to kayaks, canoes, and a peddle boat. The lake bottom is rocky and, although the rocks are large and smooth, water shoes are recommended.
The Space. The cabin sits atop the island, overlooking the US side of the lake, and is surrounded by woods , offering peaceful seclusion. The cabin itself is spacious enough to sleep 6 in bedrooms, and could support 2-4 additional guests in the main living area. The main area is large and open, with vaulted ceilings and sky lights. Every room (except the kitchen) boasts shelves loaded with books, magazines, and games. The kitchen is well equipped, with a propane refrigerator/freezer, propane stove/oven, wood stove, and hand water pump, as well as plenty of dinnerware.
The Host. Peter was accommodating, accessible, and personable, not to mention adventurous, generous, and great with kids. Always happy to answer any questions, Peter offered the perfect level of hospitality (available whenever we needed him to be; affording us privacy when we didn’t). Peter is also a local fishing guide (offering private excursions for an additional fee). We opted in for a fishing excursion and those who went had an excellent time!
The Fine Print. The space is an off-grid cabin — not a hotel or resort. It has no plumbing, but do not let this put you off (seldom do we remember vacations for our bathroom experiences). To that point, the property includes a composting toilet in the cabin and an outhouse. Both are clean and surprisingly low/no odor. While the cabin offers some modern amenities (hot, running water, electricity) made possible by the generator (which performs beautifully), we found the absent hum of electricity extremely relaxing and opted to use the generator only 2 or 3 times to charge devices.
The score. 5 stars. This unique spot is a perfect getaway for families. We (family of 4 + my parents) loved our stay. We thought unplugging for a week may be difficult (especially w/teens). We were wrong. Simultaneous access to peace and excitement is a unique mix perfectly paired with the space.
