COVID-19 UPDATES & FAQs
Current COVID Update: April 26, 2021
AFTER CONSULTING WITH ALL LOCAL, INDUSTRY AND PROVINCIAL SOURCES, WE ARE PLEASED TO BE OPENING FOR GUESTS STAYS ON THE MAY LONG WEEKEND, AS PLANNED. This is after the current Ontario stay-at-home order ends. It is 100% allowed for all that have reservations made that fall after the stay-at-home order to proceed as normal, and all of our sanitizing and safety protocols are in place, to ensure the safety of our Guests and staff. We look forward to seeing you!
Cottage resorts like The West Arm Lodge & Restaurant are in the unique position of being able to offer a vacation in a an environment with minimal risk of being exposed to COVID-19. Nestled along the shore of Lake Nipissing, our cozy lakefront cottages are completely separate and self contained. This enables you and your family to enjoy yourselves while responsibly maintaining safe distancing practices. You can relax on your Muskoka chairs, barbecue, fish, and boat, along with other outdoor activities.
For your safety and ours, we have implemented a COVID-19 screening system for all incoming guests. In addition, between guest stays, our cottages undergo enhanced cleaning and disinfection protocols to further ensure the safety of our guests and staff. Cottage resorts like ours provide one of the best and safest ways to vacation during an unprecedented situation like this. If we all follow the guidelines, respect safe distancing, and always wear face masks when near others from outside our groups, then getting away from it all is truly closer than you think.
COVID-19 Booking and Cancellation Policies
For the moment, if a reservation from a Canadian resident is made that falls during any lockdown or stay-at-home period, it will be refused and/or refunded. If a reservation is made far in advance, and the stay suddenly falls within a lockdown, the deposit will be credited towards a future stay, or refunded, as it is obviously out of control of the Guest when this happens.
**IMPORTANT FOR U.S. AND INTERNATIONAL GUESTS**: At this time, we do not recommend making reservations if you are from the U.S.A. or any international county of origin. If a reservation is made, you will be contacted with an offer to cancel for a refund of any deposit. If you refuse that initial offer to refund, and the border is still not open at the time of your reserved dates, no refund will be offered, but instead a credit for the deposit amount will be held for a future stay (within the following year).
For any Guests coming from the U.S. or international origins in the immediate future, even after the border is open, we will be requiring a valid and official proof of immunization (an example is pictured) for the COVID-19 virus upon check-in, or your stay will be refused.
For any other situations, our regular Policies are in effect:
COVID-19 FAQs
Restaurant & Meal Plans
Meal Plans
Meals are currently take-out only or we would be happy to drop your meals off at your cottage with prior arrangement. Until the province opens up inside dining in restaurants, our dining room is closed. Hopefully opening up our incredible dining room will be permitted in one of the upcoming Phases.
Restaurant Availablilty to the General Public
Until the province opens up inside dining in restaurants, our dining room is closed, but we do welcome take-out orders from the public, by Online Ordering, or on the phone. Hopefully opening up our incredible dining room will be permitted in one of the upcoming Phases. Please watch this space for updates.
Cleaning Procedures
Changeover
Between bookings and rentals, all cottages, boats and communal areas at The West Arm Lodge will be THOROUGHLY cleaned with hospital-grade disinfectants by our staff as part of an enhanced cleaning protocol.
Will there be daily housekeeping?
We will not enter the cottages during your stay. We will do a towel exchange once during your (weekly) stay and provide you with any other needs outside on the door stoop. Please hang-dry your towels in the bathroom to allow extended use, until exchange. This is much better for the environment. Please contact the front office if you require anything during your stay.
Your Stay
Pre-Check-In
Upon arrival at the Lodge, we ask that if another group is inside our Welcome Centre for any reason, please wait on the covered veranda outside to ensure safe distancing between parties. This will discourage multiple groups from gathering inside our front office, allowing us to check in each group individually.
When entering the Welcome Centre, only one Guest from a party should enter at any time.
Check-In
Upon arrival each individual guest will be required to sanitize their hands, wear a proper face covering (we can provide one if you do not have), and fill out a COVID-19 Screening Form, if not already completed via email.
Each group of guests will then be separately checked-in to their cottage. Check in times
will be spaced by 30 minutes for each group of guests in order to create a safe
distancing buffer between guests and staff.
During Your Stay
All guests are asked to wash or sanitize their hands regularly.
for the duration of their stay and will be asked NOT to visit other cottages/groups on the
The West Arm Lodge property.
General COVID Questions
Do we have to wear a face mask on the dock?
Not if you are more than 6ft away from anyone not in your family bubble.
Are you leaving a 3 or 4 day gap in between bookings?
No, as all of our cottages and facilities are well-distanced and thoroughly cleaned and maintained. With the cooperation of our Guests practicing safe distancing and common safety practices, this should not at all be necessary.
We come from a town/city/region with many cases of COVID-19; can we still come to The West Arm Lodge?
Yes, but if you feel you have been exposed at all, or if your risk is higher than average, please don’t come. You can contact us to cancel, re-book at a later date, or don’t book. Consider a 2 week quarantine before your arrival. These are some of the concerns that will be raised prior to check-in on our Screening Questionairre.
Will you take our temperature?
No.
What should we do if we are on the fence about coming?
Please contact us to cancel or reschedule your booking. If you do decide to cancel, we'd love to assist you book again when everything is all well again.
Can we use the Lounge?
Not at this time.