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GORGEOUS WATERFRONT in Ridgeway/Crystal Beach! JUST RENOVATED & REOPENED!

Photo gallery for GORGEOUS WATERFRONT in Ridgeway/Crystal Beach! JUST RENOVATED & REOPENED!

Exterior
Room
Property grounds
Dining
Exterior

Reviews

9.2 out of 10
Wonderful
3 bedrooms2+ bathroomsSleeps 8250 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Barbecue grill
  • Fireplace
  • Kitchen
  • Parking available

Explore the area

Map
Fort Erie, ON
  • Peace Bridge
    ‪14 min drive‬
  • Buffalo Niagara Convention Center
    ‪19 min drive‬
  • KeyBank Center
    ‪20 min drive‬
  • Buffalo, NY (BUF-Buffalo Niagara Intl.)
    ‪45 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 8)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 3

1 Queen Bed

2 bathrooms, 1 half bathroom

Bathroom 1

Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 2

Toilet

Bathroom 3

Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining area

About this property

GORGEOUS WATERFRONT in Ridgeway/Crystal Beach! JUST RENOVATED & REOPENED!

License # STR2020-0078 - Update as of June 18th, 2024 - We are now back for Summer 2024 and even better than ever! We have completely transformed this beautiful lakeside retreat - both inside and outside! Check out the new video and all the new photos!
From a couple's getaway to a family reunion, this restored home is perfect for a special holiday. Offering fabulous charm and character with a perfect blend of modern touches and classic style. This executive level 2700+ sq ft home can accommodate 2 to 8 with 3 bedrooms on 2nd floor, 1 on main and a finished area on the walkout lower level.

NOTE: Only a maximum of 3 bedrooms can be used for guests staying less than 31 days. In this case, one of the bedrooms must be locked off as per town of Fort Erie bylaws.

Clean and immaculately cared for throughout. All sitting on the water's edge of Lake Erie.

Set back from the quiet laneway style roadway, sits this beautiful turn of the century home right on the water's edge that's been transformed into the modern era yet retains its charm and character.

A long paved driveway with plenty of room for parking leads up to the home. Four different accesses into the home provide ease of coming and going. From the new sit out front porch, you will walk straight into the kitchen great for bringing in the groceries. The kitchen is BRAND NEW - bright and modern with a gas stove, a large fridge, built-in dishwasher plus an extensive array of cooking pots, pans, dishes and accessories.

The side door off the driveway and upper patio area leads to a wide open main floor dining and living area with beamed ceilings and a huge fireplace whether for ambiance in the summer or to warm up in the winter season. Off the living room are patio doors leading to a new large deck with privacy fencing and a gas bbq - along with beautiful views overlooking the lake. There is a 8 person outdoor dining table and a 8 person indoor dining table.

The best room in the home could be the main floor sun den with its large wrap around windows perfect for relaxing with a good book with a coffee or glass of wine in hand or while you simply look out and enjoy the wide water views.

There is also a main floor bedroom with queen sized bed with a newly added shower inside the bedroom plus a 2 piece powder room nearby off the hallway. This optional main floor bedroom works well for seniors or person’s with physical challenges.

A beautiful wood staircase leads up to the second floor landing.

The master bedroom suite has its own sitting area with natural fireplace and private ensuite with combined tub and shower and new vanity. It offers stunning water views from your bedside overlooking the lake thru a large set of windows. Please note: only store purchased "firelogs" permitted in this room.

The second floor also has 2 additional good sized light and bright bedrooms with queen beds and another bathroom with large shower. (When the main floor bedroom is used by a guest, we must close off access to one of these bedrooms due to the town’s short term rental bylaws).

The lower level is almost like a separate living space although can be accessed either by a staircase off the living room on the main floor or by way of a ground floor walkout to the rear yard with its own patio area. More great views from inside or out of this spacious area!

Washers and dryers are provided in the storage room.

The huge lot and lawn area gently slopes down to the water's edge. Stepping into the lake is nice and shallow and very gradual. Perfect for swimming and floating around for kids of all ages:)

There's also a fire pit down by the water for your use subject to the weather permitting as per town fire regulations.

As "Superhosts", you can be assured that you’ll enjoy your stay here and that we’ll be here to guide and assist you in order for you to have a great vacation.

Hopefully we covered it all however, if we missed something that you are wondering about, we welcome you to send us any questions you might have.

Please Note:
We sometimes use this as our second home for our family during the off season and the odd occasion when there is availability in the most popular summer season. We are sometimes tweaking the furniture and decor. As you can likely tell from the new photos and video which were taken in September 2023, we have transformed this home both inside and out for the 2024 season! We are confident that you will love it here!

Property manager

Jerry Hendriks & Heather Rusk

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
Outdoor space

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
Must be approved in writing prior to booking.
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

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
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Note from host: Must be approved in writing prior to booking.
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher

We should mention

A car is recommended for transport to and from this property

About the area

Fort Erie

Located in Fort Erie, this holiday home is on the waterfront. Chippewa District and Main Place Mall are worth checking out if shopping is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Lake Erie and Buffalo Harbor State Park. Travelling with kids? Make time for Buffalo Zoo, or head to an event or a match at KeyBank Center. Discover the area's water adventures with jet skiing, kayaking and waterskiing nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with cycling.
Map
Fort Erie, ON

What's nearby

  • Peace Bridge - 14 min drive - 13.8 km
  • Buffalo Niagara Convention Center - 19 min drive - 18.2 km
  • Sahlen Field - 20 min drive - 19.6 km
  • Canalside - 20 min drive - 19.1 km
  • KeyBank Center - 20 min drive - 19.3 km

Getting around

  • Buffalo-Exchange Street Station - 23 min drive
  • Buffalo, NY (BUF-Buffalo Niagara Intl.) - 45 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Tim Hortons - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Tim Hortons - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪South Coast Cookhouse - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Brimstone Brewing Co - ‬2 min drive
  • ‪Rizzo's House of Parm - ‬2 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is GORGEOUS WATERFRONT in Ridgeway/Crystal Beach! JUST RENOVATED & REOPENED! pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at GORGEOUS WATERFRONT in Ridgeway/Crystal Beach! JUST RENOVATED & REOPENED!?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at GORGEOUS WATERFRONT in Ridgeway/Crystal Beach! JUST RENOVATED & REOPENED!?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is GORGEOUS WATERFRONT in Ridgeway/Crystal Beach! JUST RENOVATED & REOPENED! located?

This family-friendly Fort Erie holiday home is located on the waterfront, within 2 mi (3 km) of Lake Erie and Fort Erie Historical Museum. Pleasant Beach and Humberstone Centennial Park Beach are also within 9 miles (15 km).

Reviews

9.2

Wonderful

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
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Rating 10 - Excellent. 23 out of 30 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 5 out of 30 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 30 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 30 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 30 reviews

9.0/10

Cleanliness

9.4/10

Check-in

9.2/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

9.2/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

4/10 Poor

Michelle S.

Liked: Location
Disliked: Cleanliness, communication, listing accuracy

Underwhelmed

My best description of this old house would be imagine having a large gaping wound that needed staples or stitches and putting a bandade on it instead! They added paint to make it look better and staged it with uncomfortable furnishings. The house is staged beautifully, but extremely uncomfortable. Upon arrival it was filthy, cob webs and spiders everywhere, literally crawling across the sofa! There was no tissue in the restrooms, and of course, everyone needed to go! The sheets were unwashed and smelly. The towels were very old and mismatched. For the price we paid, it should have at least had clean sheets! Most importantly, the stairs to the lower floor are extremely unsafe, having no reachable handrail at the top. My husband slipped on the silky carpet and hurt himself very badly. The floor in the upstairs bathroom, next to the tub, is downright frightening, it creeks and dips, the toilet also leans badly. I could go on and on about many more unpleasantries. We tried to make the best of it!
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Antony M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family Vacation

We absolutely loved our stay here. The house is beautiful and the view was breathtaking. The kayaks and fire pit were a big hit as well. It was just a perfect place for our family. Thanks for being awesome hosts.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2023

8/10 Good

Pratik M., Mississauga

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

NYE stay w/ young & Old

We stayed for 4 night over NYE. Family consisting for 4 kids (6-12 yrs) 4 adults + grandma & grandpa. Pros: place is nice and clean. Lots of space inside & outside. Has everything you would want for a relaxing family getaway. Communication w/ owner was straight forward via app & txt. We had a slight issue w/ tv & internet, but within a few hrs of checkin, it was resolved. Cons: Basement electrical fireplace was not producing heat and as a result, basement bedroom wasn't useable to sleep in. Lots of pots & pans, however most were worn/scratched up. Suggestions to owner, toss out all the non stick and replace w/ stainless. Less maintenance and wear issues. Same with cooking utensils. Otherwise place was great!
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2021

10/10 Excellent

Marina F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great location!

Great spot on a beautiful calm lake. The lake was great for my 2 year old daughter and for the adults. We used the kayaks which were great and floated on floaties all day. A bit rocky near the shore but with water shoes it was perfect. Big house and plenty of spacious rooms. The owners were quick to respond to all of my questions. Would stay here again.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2021

8/10 Good

Jeff D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Extended family vacation

We have 5 kids combined with friends and partners as well as ourselves. Lots of room for everyone. With that many the kitchen gets tight, but being summer, it was not a gathering place. Erie in August is warm and there is that magic moment at dusk where the lake bugs come out for a while. The upside was watching swarms of dragon flies feed, that was amazing. Bike tires were flat, and the need to go for a quick ride had past. Owners offered to come fill them right away, they were attentive in that respect. Neighbor to the right as you look to the lake has laser focus on his property line and was vigilant in his within his rights if the frisbee went onto his grass. - tons of parking! - house needs a bit of upkeep but with covid, I am sure that's near impossible. - kayaks were a hit! - Fire pit with all the seating was another great event. a 3 piece in the basement would be a bonus considering the size of the house, but with family it was fine. I would return and/or recommend to others for sure.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A magical vacation home!

I rented this cottage for 2 weeks from Jerry and Heather so I could get my family together after being apart for 16 months due to COVID. We were 3 generations together and it was the most perfect time that we desperately needed. The house itself is lovely and perfect for family gatherings and even a trip for couples! We were using all 5 bedrooms and we had lots of space. The beds are very comfortable and there are 3 bathrooms, so showers were never an issue. The kitchen is fabulous. It has everything you could possibly need for meal preparation. We are “foodies” and love to cook. We had family style dinners every evening and it was fun and easy to prepare as the kitchen is so well stocked and there is a great BBQ on the deck, which was also large enough for us all to eat on or hang out together late afternoon. Our favorite room was the sunroom. Many hours were passed peacefully in this room. The views are spectacular and the space is very comfy and cozy. There is lots to do here outside as well. We used the kayaks, and pool noodles and enjoyed the shallow and warm lake. Bring water shoes to make is easier to get in and out of the lake. Most evenings my nephew would start a fire in the fire pit for marshmallows and s’mores. This home had healing magical powers for my family and I. Jerry could not do enough to help me make this a magical holiday for everyone. If I needed anything, he responded and followed up within a very short period every time. He ensured the house was well stocked and we needed for nothing in terms of supplies and conveniences. I would highly recommend this home to anyone looking for a little magic in their vacation time. Jerry and Heather … THANK YOU for your hospitality and for allowing my family to create lasting memories in your home. Your kindness will never be forgotten by myself or my family. ❤️
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Valine W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Visiting from BC

Jerry and Heather have the most beautiful property right on the lake! We spent evenings around the fire roasting marshmallows and if it rained we moved out front to the covered porch to have a glass of wine. They have everything you need in the kitchen and I cooked a few big meals for family during our stay. It was a wonderful place to host guests. The area in general is beautiful and we had a great time touring around. I would highly recommend this stay!
Stayed 8 nights in Jul 2021

2/10 Terrible

Eli C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in
Disliked: Communication, location, listing accuracy

Great location, owners don’t welcome people with disabilities

We were a group of 8 that stayed at this property on the weekend of June 25, 2021 (2 nights). Truth the waterfront view is beautiful however it doesn’t have a beach. In order to go the beach which is few houses away you need to pass through the neighbour’s property and they get mad at you. You can get to the water if you jump over some rocks. On our first night we found out that it is impossible to be outside past 8pm as there is a crazy amount of insects that are all over the property. There was so many insects over the windows and doors that at points it was hard to see anything through the windows. The following morning we saw thousands of dead insects on the floors around all the entrances of the house it was disgusting! Of course that the exact same issue happened on the second night of our stay and it felt like we could only enjoy the property and the location during the day time. The pictures of the property were a bit outdated however nothing major that made our stay inconvenient. We also experienced a power outage for about 2 hours. When speaking to the neighbours they claimed that it’s not the first time that this type of regional outage happens. So be aware if you are bringing things that require cooling. Our negative experience has started once we left the property. We were saddened to find out that the owners have left us a negative review on VRBO. Due to the fact that there is a “no pets” policy mentioned. 2 of the guests that were a part of our group suffer from a disability and require a service dog. Without any notice the owners didn’t reach out to ask why there were 2 small dogs on the property and simply left us a negative review. If they would of reached out and asked us why were there dogs on the property we would of explained to them that these dogs are service dogs and would have provided them with all of the necessary documentation to prove it. Before writing this review we reached out to explain in regards to the issues that were brought up by the owners and provided them with a proper explanation. It is also important to mention that there is no damage to the property whatsoever! The dogs were small and calm and didn’t do anything but be a service dog. The owners response to our explanation and request to remove their review was that they will reach out to their “personal litigation lawyer” so he can respond to our comments. What a joke! Please do yourselves a favour and rent elsewhere!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2021

10/10 Excellent

Rob H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family Vacation

My brother and I took our families here for a nice summer vacation. The property was as advertised and the hosts were always accessible if we needed clarification - typically within 5 minutes. The views were amazing and having direct access o the water saved us loads of time and avoided the need to carry water toys all over the place. We'd definitely come back in the future!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2020

10/10 Excellent

Nahiomy R., Toronto

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing property and hosts!

We stayed at this property for a girls getaway and it was worth every penny! Jerry was very quick to respond and answer any inquiries we had. The property was clean, had everything you could ask for and although it has neighbours, you still felt a ton of privacy! Well stocked kitchen and just an overall great property! Thanks so much Jerry, we all had an amazing stay!

10/10 Excellent

Greg B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Quiet and Peaceful get-a-way - great experience

The Ridgeway get-a-way was everything we hoped it to be. My Grandchildren (2 & 5) had a great time on the property, climbing rocks, and getting wading into the water. This rest of us adults enjoyed it just as much. Jerry and Heather were great hosts throughout the booking, stay, and check-out.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2020

10/10 Excellent

Margaret V.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Fantastic Couples Getaway!

This property was a dream to rent! It is beautifully decorated with a nautical theme, and the views of the water were amazing. A well stocked kitchen, plenty of parking, very clean. We enjoyed swimming, bonfires, and kayaking. Ridgeway and Crystal Beach are lively beachside communities to visit. The owners were responsive and friendly. Looking forward to booking again next year.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2019

10/10 Excellent

Samantha C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely lakeside house

A lovely respite for a group. Serene setting.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2019

10/10 Excellent

Sharon M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Happy Trails

We had a wonderful vacation, loved the house, loved the location. Beautiful view.....we enjoyed the kayaks, the bikes and especially the evenings around the campfire. Thanks Jerry.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2019

10/10 Excellent

Lars R., Port Colborne

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful view

The location of this home on Lake Erie is more than the stunning view from the sun room that juts out towards the lake. The room is surrounded on three sides by tall windows, giving the feeling of being outdoors, immersed in nature. There are numerous restaurants and convenient shopping nearby. I really enjoyed the bicycle and walking trail that is enclosed by mature trees and shrubs and runs between Port Colborne and Fort Erie and through Ridgeway/Crystal Beach. A partially shaded oasis for aerobics or sightseeing! We took advantage of the two kayaks and went swimming in the lake, directly from the back yard. Our host, Jerry, could not have been more congenial or helpful. He responded to queries almost immediately and let us know that no problem or concern was too small for him to deal with. Highly recommended.

8/10 Good

Melanie T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful and quiet

This home was beautiful and in a quiet neighborhood. Everyone keeps to themselves. The view from the family room was amazing and we loved relaxing there. If you plan to swim in the lake - take water shoes because it is all rock. The 2 kayaks were fun. One thing to be noted is when it says it sleeps 12, 2 of those are a pullout couch. I didn’t do my research correctly and our party was all couples so guess who got stuck sleeping on the pullout since I reserved it!- I don’t think I have ever slept on one that is comfortable but we made it work and had a great time anyway but don’t count on the home for 12 adults. The WiFi worked well which was very helpful as our Verizon plan wasn’t very reliable in Canada. One more thing I would note is if it’s hot, which it was when we were there, the air conditioner can hardly keep up- especially upstairs. Again, we made it work- they had several fans available but if you are sensitive to heat, it might be a problem. We loved the lake cottage feel and the stunning views!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2019

10/10 Excellent

Janae S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful house and landscape

Great property... very cute for a beautiful relaxing vacation!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2019

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Paradise by the lake

Booking the rental was very easy and Jerry and Heather established contact with us almost right away. The house was beautiful and well appointed and fit our group of seven (three married couples and a single person) quite easily. There was plenty of room when we had family guests, as well. The kayaks and the fire pit were great features and they were used frequently. The gas fired grill and large family-sized table on the deck were put to good use also. Jerry was very responsive when we had any questions and checked in with us mid-week via message to make sure all was well. It's a great home and we would rent it again in the future!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2019

8/10 Good

JESSICA T.

Liked: Cleanliness, communication, location, listing accuracy
Disliked: Check-in

Great Cottage for our Family

This cottage was wonderful for our family. We really enjoyed the sunroom and the main floor bedroom made it perfect for my senior mom. We would definitely like to return. The beds were rather soft and one was very noisy however generally everything was in good condition.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2019

8/10 Good

Robert B.

Lovely home with accommodating owners

The property was very clean and nicely laid out. It had all of the amenities of home. The views were delightful and the time spent around the firepit overlooking the lake was a wonderful experience. We were very pleased with our stay.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2019

10/10 Excellent

Darpan K.

Very relaxed and comfortable stay

The cottage was well maintained ad Jerry was readily available with all out queries. It was a very relaxed and comfortable stay. We loved it.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2019

10/10 Excellent

Adi K., Toronto

Beautiful home and incredible view.

Our weekend retreat at this gorgeous waterfront home was absolutely perfect. The front room which looks out over the lake was home to us for much of the weekend. We had gathered as a way to launch our practitioner training program and that front room with wraparound windows was absolutely perfect for our processes and meetings. Because we had landed at the change of seasons, the ice movement on the lake every day was stunning to watch. Our hosts were very responsive and helpful, and the home was clean and pretty.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2019

10/10 Excellent

Judy G.

Beautiful home!

Very clean, lovely home. Responsive host. We had a very nice time in this house on the lake. No need to pack anything for the kitchen! It's fully equipped! Thanks for the stay!
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2019

10/10 Excellent

Cara W.

Great family space

The house is beautiful and amazing views. The main floor living space is great for entertaining. Very comfy beds & pillows & linens. Great place to stay even in the fall.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2018

10/10 Excellent

Laura L.

Beautiful and peaceful!

Wonderful charming property. Close to Niagara, yet away from crowds. Plenty of room and amenities. We enjoyed everything the property had to offer.

About the host

Hosted by Jerry Hendriks & Heather Rusk

Host profile image
Heather and I were born and raised in the Niagara Region. We love all that this beautiful area has to offer! Heather owns a boutique home decor and jewelry store in nearby St.Catharines and does interior design and consulting. I've been in the real estate business for over 25 years. Mixing our two careers together creates a great combinations - a love for real estate and creating special places for people to stay during their holidays. We live both in Crystal Beach and St.Catharines. It's just about a 30 minute drive between the two so very convenient for work and play.

Why they chose this property

If you haven't been to the Crystal Beach area, you will fall in love after just one stay. There's nothing like being right on the water and as soon as we saw this waterfront gem in the Fall of 2017, we fell in love with it and wanted to share with others. Charm and character mixed with modern touches and amenities - all in a peaceful and stunning waterfront setting.

Languages:

English