Domain of Killien

Domain of Killien is now Cabins at the Domain. The restaurant is now closed, but they have 8 lovely lakeside cabins for rent.

I encourage everyone to read all the other reviews of this property first before reading my review. These reviews sites are a goldmine of information regarding vacation properties, but it's important to understand that they are extremely subjective. Everyone has their own particular bias, and one man's treasure ...

We have a cottage just north of Minden, and I have been coming up to the Haliburton region for more than 50 years - ever since I was a kid. I love our cottage, but cottage life has changed so dramatically over the last 50 years, it's barely recognizable. Our lake is full of SeaDoos and speed boats. Music blares all weekend from across the lake, and we hear the constant barrage of fireworks and parties late into the evening. Kids (not ours!) sit on the dock with their iPADs and every cottage has a satellite dish. We are fortunate that we have several hundred acres of back lot for the kids to enjoy, but even then we have to watch out for the threat of ATVs. I'm not complaining, but sadly, this is the price of progress.

I visited the Cabins at the Domain (formerly Domain of Killean) with my wife and two children a couple of weeks ago while our cottage was being used by my parents and I can tell you this place is a national treasure! This is NOT Pinehurst Resort. This is NOT camping in Algonquin. This is that rare breed that sits squarely in between. There are no granite countertops, wine coolers, or air conditioners. But you're not sleeping on camp beds or squatting in the bush either. Its rustic, very cozy, well-appointed and extremely well thought out. Muskoka chairs are strewn about the property in ideal locations to catch the morning mist coming off the lake, or the twinkling stars at dusk. Each cabin has a BBQ, a wood stove, and a bar fridge. A self-serve breakfast with everything you could possibly want is included in the common breakfast cabin - a cozy little spot where travellers can mingle and compare notes before heading out the explore. There are several lovely sandy beach areas spread out across the front of the property. They have canoes and kayaks that can be used to explore Drag Lake and the surrounding area. The property sits on the Northern shore of Drag Lake. There are other cottages on the lake, but they are quite far off, giving it an air of seclusion. The peace and quite is unbelievable. I sat for several hours by the shore one evening, listening to a pair of Loons calling across the water. I could hear fish jumping 500 meters away, and frogs croaking in a distant bay. There was no other sound. No cars, no chainsaws, no motor boats. Adjacent to the property is the Thurston Wildlife and Forest Reserve - 5000 acres of pristine forest and lakes. On a short walk on one of the trails less than a kilometre from our cabin, we saw a gigantic moose.

Another gem of this property is the host - Lynn Feagan. She's passionate about the experience this property delivers, and has a keen understanding of what it takes to keep it wild while ensuring her guests are comfortable. She's also a gold mine of information about the area, bends over backwards to make your stay as comfortable as possible, and is fiercely dedicated to preserving the peace and serenity that make this property so special. Our two young children are painfully shy, but they were sadly hugging Lynn goodbye when we left after our short visit, and talked about her non-stop for the next several days.

Niagara Falls? Forget it. CN Tower? Forget it. When friends and relatives visit from around the world, this is where I will take them. For those yearning for a genuine outdoor experience that marries convenience and comfort with the great outdoors, this is one of the few places left in Ontario that delivers. This is the quintessential Canadian experience.

Fine dining at its best.

We have sent a few friends there as our guest for special occasions. They have been treated royally.

In mid-winter, start with a drink in front of their massive rock fireplace.