There are places that whisper luxury—and then there are places like Muskoka, where it’s spoken fluently in the rustle of pine trees, the glint of water through floor-to-ceiling windows, and the morning silence broken only by the soft landing of a floatplane. For global travelers seeking exclusivity with soul, Jayne’s Luxury Rentals has become the signature of elevated cottage living in Ontario’s most coveted region.
This June, I experienced it firsthand. Floatplane to dock. Private chef on arrival. S’mores at sunset. And throughout it all, a striking sense of calm that felt worlds away from the noise of city life—even though it was just a two-hour drive from Toronto. For New Yorkers, this is a getaway that feels far-flung without the jet lag. For international travelers, it’s a Canadian secret finally stepping into the global spotlight.
Founded by Jayne McCaw in 2014, Jayne’s Luxury Rentals didn’t just respond to demand—it created a market. Drawing from her own frustrations as a luxury traveler, McCaw envisioned a platform where five-star hotel-level service met the comfort and authenticity of private home rentals. Today, Jayne’s portfolio spans over 300 properties, most in the Muskoka region, with others extending into Lake Simcoe, Georgian Bay, and beyond.
But don’t let the word cottages fool you. These homes are expansive, multi-million-dollar lakefront estates complete with everything from yoga pavilions to cinema rooms and private docks. Each property comes fully equipped with Jayne’s signature white linens (larger in supply than the nearest JW Marriott’s, I’m told), premium amenities, and round-the-clock concierge services.
Some, like Wildcat Point or Santosha on Lake Rosseau—where I stayed—are designed for slowing down: reading in a Muskoka chair, kayaking past loons, and dining on dockside meals prepared by a private chef. Others, such as Theobald Island or Old Woman Island, accommodate groups of 10 to 32 guests and transform into private resort-style estates complete with hot tubs, tennis courts, and multiple beaches.
During our curated escape, every detail was seamless. A four-course dinner prepared in-cottage by a private chef welcomed us on the first evening. Sunrise yoga on the dock set the tone for leisurely mornings. And whether we were hiking Huckleberry Rock or boarding a pontoon for a tour of celebrity-owned homes with Jayne herself, there was a consistent throughline: everything was taken care of before we had to ask.
The Jayne’s team acts less like a rental agency and more like a lifestyle management service. Daily housekeeping? Of course. Boat charters, wine tastings, and spa treatments? Just say when. Want to arrive by floatplane straight to your dock from Billy Bishop airport? That’s already arranged.
It’s a rare mix—Canadian hospitality with international polish—and it makes the experience feel quietly indulgent. Nothing is overdone, but nothing is overlooked either.
At Jayne’s, the homes are not only well-serviced—they’re deeply rooted in the land. Many are examples of biophilic architecture, designed to connect guests more meaningfully to their natural surroundings. Timber-framed estates like Westwood or Rosseau Manor, designed by acclaimed architect Simon Hirsh, celebrate Muskoka’s elements through sustainable materials, open layouts, and immersion in the landscape.
Meanwhile, contemporary names like Alex Foreshew are pushing the design language forward with homes like Bal Harbour and A Modern Moose Lodge. These spaces are sculpted into granite shorelines, clad in natural finishes, and filled with warm, earthy interiors. Every window is a frame for the outdoors—no art necessary.
It’s no accident that Muskoka is attracting more international visitors than ever before. In 2025, Jayne’s saw a 135% increase in U.S. bookings compared to the previous year—and that was by April. Americans, in particular, are increasingly looking north for alternatives to overcrowded European destinations or politically fraught domestic escapes. And Muskoka offers a compelling answer: privacy, space, nature, and service at a world-class level.
Weekly rates range from CAD $3,410 for a two-bedroom cottage on Lake Rosseau, to CAD $62,625 for a 16 acre private island on Lake Muskoka with accommodation for up to 32 guests. But with rates more favorable against the Canadian dollar, even British and European travelers are finding Muskoka an attractive financial choice for luxury stays.
Back in the city, I still think about that first morning in Muskoka—waking to the quiet hum of lake life beginning, wandering to the dock, coffee in hand, not a meeting or notification in sight. That stillness has become its own kind of currency.
And that’s what Jayne’s delivers best: space not just to vacation, but to reconnect—authentically, beautifully, and in complete privacy.
For those searching for a more meaningful kind of luxury, this isn’t just a stay. It’s a return to what matters.