You'll have the entire cabin to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.
A Happy Nest up in the trees, unique Salt Spring Cottage close to town
This bright, quiet cottage is situated on 6 wooded acres only minutes from Ganges, Salt Spring Island, BC. It is the perfect romantic get away for people who need a break from the fast pace of the city. It's only minutes from the famous Ganges Saturday market. A quick ride up to Mount Maxwell brings you to the best views on the Southern Gulf Islands. Like yoga? Well, we are a quick walk down a country road to the Salt Spring Island Yoga Centre.
The owners are a certified Acupuncturist and a Massage Therapist that also does Rolfing. Come down to our studio just down the driveway!
Paradise doesn't get much better than this.
Keywords: Cabin
During your stay at this cabin, you'll be close to Artspring Arts Center. The cabin includes amenities such as a kitchen and a fireplace.
Air-conditioned cabin with kitchen, washing machine, and fireplace
Just a 4-minute drive from Cusheon Lake and a few minutes from Artspring Arts Center
This cabin offers its guests barbecue grills. The front desk is open around the clock.
This Salt Spring Island cabin is smoke free.
Property manager
Bruce Winstone
Languages
English, French
Property amenities
Pool/Spa
Massage
Internet
Available in the cabin: WiFi
Parking and transport
Parking on site
Kitchen
Blender
Coffee grinder
Coffee/tea maker
Cookware, dishware, and utensils
Electric kettle
Hob
Oven
Refrigerator
Toaster
Dining
Dining table
Bedrooms
Bedsheets provided
Bathroom
1 bathroom
Hair dryer
Shampoo
Soap
Towels provided
Living spaces
Dining table
Fireplace
Living room
Wood stove
Entertainment
Books
DVD player
Games
TV
Outdoor areas
Balcony
Barbecue grill
Laundry
Laundromat nearby
Washing machine
Comfort
Air conditioning
Heating
Pets
No pets allowed
Suitability/Accessibility
Smoke-free property
Location highlights
In a rural location
Near a health/beauty spa
Near a hospital
Near the marina
Things to do
Basketball nearby
Birdwatching nearby
Cycling nearby
Fishing nearby
Golfing nearby
Hiking/biking trails nearby
Horseback riding nearby
Jet skiing nearby
Kayaking nearby
Motor boating nearby
Rock climbing nearby
Sailing nearby
Scuba diving nearby
Snorkelling nearby
Swimming nearby
Water skiing nearby
Whale watching nearby
Wildlife walks nearby
Winery tours nearby
Safety features
No carbon monoxide detector or gas appliances (host has indicated there are no carbon monoxide detectors or gas appliances on the property)
Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
Fire extinguisher
Deadbolt lock
Policies
Check-in
Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Minimum check-in age: 19
Check-out
Check-out before 11:00 AM
Special check-in instructions
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Pets
No pets allowed
Children and extra beds
Children are welcome.
Important information
You need to know
This property is managed by a private host (a party not acting within their trade, business or profession). EU consumer law, including the right of withdrawal, will not apply to your booking. The cancellation policy set by the private host will cover your booking.
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 indicated there are no carbon monoxide detectors or gas appliances on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a deadbolt lock
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
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions. You will also receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account which will enable you to manage your booking.
A Happy Nest up in the trees, unique Salt Spring Cottage close to town Reviews
Reviews
9.4
Exceptional
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travellers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.More informationOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 62 out of 85 reviews
10 - Excellent
62
Rating 8 - Good. 20 out of 85 reviews
8 - Good
20
Rating 6 - Okay. 3 out of 85 reviews
6 - Okay
3
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 85 reviews
4 - Poor
0
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 85 reviews
2 - Terrible
0
9.4/10
Cleanliness
8.0/10
Property conditions & facilities
Reviews
10/10 Excellent
Rita B.
3 Feb 2025
Liked: Cleanliness
Happy Nesters
We really enjoyed our stay at the Happinest...location to Ganges was excellent and the place was very comfortable. Thank you Bruce and Kathe for a relaxing and pleasant stay on Salt Spring!
Rita B.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2025
10/10 Excellent
Nancy C F.
27 Jan 2025
Liked: Cleanliness
Peaceful, light-filled
Unique, restful, well-designed cabin in the trees. One of our favorite VRBO places! Loved the bright winter light while we were there. Great bed! We felt away from it all, yet Ganges was only 7 minutes away. Also highly recommend host Kathe’s therapy session/acupuncture just down the driveway.
Nancy C F.
Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2025
10/10 Excellent
Gord P., Calgary, Alberta, Canada
15 Dec 2024
Liked: Cleanliness
Excellent cabin in a great location. Easy to access, clean, well equipped. Great tub, awesome shower
Very relaxing, quiet, cozy, romantic
Gord P.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2024
10/10 Excellent
Mallory L.
13 Nov 2024
Liked: Cleanliness
The perfect spot!
It's the sweetest cabin, with everything you need for a great stay. Super close to the town! We recommend buying lamb and veggies from the farmers markets to cook up at home!
Mallory L.
Stayed 6 nights in Oct 2024
10/10 Excellent
Tyler V.
22 Sept 2024
Liked: Cleanliness
Great weekend
Super easy to check in, enjoyed our stay. No complaints!
Tyler V.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024
10/10 Excellent
Sandra P.
9 Sept 2024
Liked: Cleanliness
A lovely stay.
Relaxing, peaceful and a great location.
Sandra P.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024
10/10 Excellent
Shauna W.
26 Jul 2024
Liked: Cleanliness
Cutest little cabin in the woods
The “Happi/nest” was the greatest little getaway for my husband & I. We loved the big windows in the living room & bathroom. The bed was very comfortable & the kitchen contained all supplies we needed. Thank you for a great stay💕
Shauna W.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024
10/10 Excellent
J-A K.
17 May 2024
Liked: Cleanliness
Bubblebath
Cute and quaint, cozy little retreat in the woods. Lots of bird songs to hear, but note that sounds of nearby road are also noticeable. Enjoyed a few good movies as there is an interesting selection of dvds. It is perfectly relaxing; don't forget your bubblebath!
Great hosts for this lovely rustic and cozy cabin in the trees. It’s a short drive into Ganges where there are lots of interesting shops and restaurants to explore. We were here for two nights and will stay longer next time.
Dan F.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2023
8/10 Good
Gail N.
1 Sept 2023
Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect Retreat
This was the perfect place to hide away for a couple of days. It is very rustic with basic amenities but that suited me just fine. The bed is very comfortable, there's a lovely seating area surrounded by windows and the kitchen is functional. Huge tub in the beautiful bathroom that I didn't take advantage of due to drought concerns but the shower worked fine too.
Gail N.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023
10/10 Excellent
Marshall B.
26 Jul 2023
Liked: Cleanliness
Very nice
We had a nice stay at this scenic and secluded cabin.
Marshall B.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2023
10/10 Excellent
Shelley S.
13 Jul 2023
Liked: Cleanliness
Lovely getaway
We loved our time at the Happinest! A very quaint cabin with all the amenities required to feel right at home. We didn’t rent a vehicle, so it was a bit of a jaunt into town, but we soon discovered that we enjoyed these walks! Thanks to our hosts for making this an enjoyable week!
Shelley S.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023
6/10 Okay
Karn L.
4 Jul 2023
Liked: Cleanliness
Rustic doesn't have to mean neglected
Pros
Air conditioning!
Pans & cooking utensils were all there and in good condition
Comfy bed and bedding
Lots of towels if needed
Large soaker tub
Full size fridge
Location
Overall a beautiful little cabin
Cons
This cabin is in need of maintenance.
Decks needs upkeep- also some nails sticking out on the deck
Aerator missing on the kitchen tap
Bathroom sink barely draining
If a window did have a screen, it was ripped and non-functional (this has also been mentioned in a review from September 2022)
BBQ hose leaks if moved slightly
Internet router is prehistoric
Lacking some basic cooking items like aluminum foil
Needs a thorough cleaning in the nooks and crannies
Coffeemaker options is a percolator or slow drip only (and the filter has holes in it)
The drive up could be difficult for some drivers or vehicles
Karn L.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023
10/10 Excellent
Angie W.
28 Jun 2023
Liked: Cleanliness
Getaway
Excellent location, very close to Ganges!
Host is a great communicator, very quick to respond to all my questions!
Lovely cottage! Would definitely stay again. :-)
Angie W.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2023
10/10 Excellent
Denise S.
5 Jun 2023
Liked: Cleanliness
Simply wonderful rustic cabin in the woods
A Happy Nest is a special place. It is not far from Ganges and the delights of Salt Spring yet with the birds singing and only the very distant hum of the occasional car, it is very much in the "in the woods"; private and surrounded by nature.
It has everything I needed and the bed was extremely comfortable ! The bathroom is wonderful. Not just because of the big tub and rainshower (hot with great water pressure), but also because of the vast windows looking into the forest.
The deck that wraps around the cabin ensures you can capture the sun into the late afternoon. Inside, the living around is very comfortable and the kitchen has everything you need.
Internet access was spotty, but you don't come here expecting to be "connected". It's not that sort of place:)
I recommend the short drive to Mount Maxwell (I biked, but I think any car with reasonable clearance is fine). I had clear blue skies first thing, before others arrived. The beauty of staying "in the foothills" / so close.
For me, I was looking for a couple of nights "away" to recharge my batteries and The Happy Nest provided exactly the base to do that. I will not hesitate to return:)
Thank you Bruce.
Denise S.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2023
10/10 Excellent
Sophie M.
28 May 2023
Liked: Cleanliness
Cute cabin
Second time staying here - it’s still a perfect hidden gem
Sophie M.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2023
6/10 Okay
Susan M.
12 Apr 2023
Reviewing my 4 days stay
The property was a bit neglected. A coat of paint on the doors and windows would make it look way more inviting. The approach to the cabin was difficult to manoeuvre.
It rained the whole time we were there. A wood burning fireplace would have made it way more cozy.
However, despite all this, my husband and I did have a relaxing time. We watched a lot of movies on Netflix 😀
Susan M.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2023
10/10 Excellent
Madeleine L.
20 Feb 2023
Liked: Cleanliness
Cozy weekend
My partner and I wanted a cozy stay and we found it! This place is awesome, perfect for staying inside playing board games or for exploring the island. The bed is so comfortable, the views (especially from the bath) were amazing, we will definitely come back again.
Madeleine L.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2023
10/10 Excellent
Jordan W.
26 Jan 2023
Liked: Cleanliness
A perfect getaway
A great place to disconnect and spend quality time with company! Would highly recommend!
Jordan W.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2023
10/10 Excellent
Lauren B.
16 Dec 2022
Liked: Cleanliness
Amazing, peaceful stay
I needed some solitude, so I was looking for a cozy place where I could comfortably unwind. I found that in the Happinest. I enjoyed the comfy bed, taking in the morning view from the porch, cooking myself meals, taking a bath in the longest bathtub I've ever been in, and building a fire in the woodstove.
Bruce was extremely communicative but not imposing. He was helpful, bringing extra firewood and clearing the driveway after snowfall. The ideal host!
I personally didn't find it difficult to get around without a car, but it's definitely an added cost to plan for. I walked into town a few times and I utilized Silver Shadow Taxi for about $15 one way to/from the house.
Others described the property as more rustic, but it was exactly what I was expecting and a looking for: a cozy, hippie-ish cottage. It was extremely clean and everything in the house is in great shape.
Lastly, as a female, solo international traveler, I felt very safe at the property, as well as everywhere on the island. I definitely recommend staying here and I hope to return someday!
Lauren B.
Stayed 5 nights in Nov 2022
10/10 Excellent
Amanda M.
18 Nov 2022
Liked: Cleanliness
Oasis
We needed a quiet cozy space to get away and shut off for a few days and this is exactly what we got. We really didn’t want to leave!
Amanda M.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2022
10/10 Excellent
lawrence h.
21 Oct 2022
Liked: Cleanliness
Little gem in the trees
We loved the property nestled in the trees with lots of light and big windows. So surrounded by nature, we were a bit disappointed to hear traffic on the country road below, but generally speaking it was a very peaceful and comfortable and well-equipped cabin, true to it’s description on the site.
lawrence h.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2022
10/10 Excellent
Emily S.
20 Oct 2022
Liked: Cleanliness
Bea-u-tiful!
This cabin is a delight. I felt very fortunate to stay at the happinest. I almost wished I could have stayed in all day. It is truly peaceful. A particularly memorable moment for me was doing yoga* with the sunlight pouring through the window.
(Yes there is a yoga mat!)