Photos & Text by Maddie Johnson
There’s something about the drive to cottage country that never gets old.
Winding roads, weathered general stores, and roadside cafés that haven’t changed in years—these are signs that you’re heading somewhere good. Somewhere quiet.
That’s exactly how I felt on my way to the Haliburton Post House one sunny March afternoon.
Tucked into the trees off a quiet road that hugs Kashagawigamog Lake (try saying that twice), I nearly missed the sign marking the entrance. But once you turn in, the property opens up like a well-kept secret—a large, historic lodge, four rustic-luxe cabins, and a glittering view of the lake beyond.
Joel Baker stepped out to greet me as I pulled in, and my dog Chico beat me to the window—tail wagging, clearly feeling right at home.
Joel and his partner, Heather Milstein, bought the property in 2018, though for Heather, the connection goes way back.
“I used to come here as a teenager,” she told me later over coffee. “My best friend’s family owned one of the cottages. There was always this amazing sense of community.”
Years later, when the families decided to sell the compound, Joel and Heather weren’t looking for a business, they were looking for a personal escape. But the opportunity felt too special to pass up.
“We ended up shaking hands over their kitchen table,” Heather said. “And that was it.”
“It was pretty rundown at that point,” Joel added. “The wood was aged, the place was dark. But we saw the beauty in it.”
And it shows.
Over the course of two years, they sanded every log, restored the chinking between the wood, and carefully brought light and warmth back into every room. The main lodge, originally built in the 1940s with trees cut from the property, now houses a cozy great room and the acclaimed Post House restaurant.
The Maple Cottage—where I stayed—is over 100 years old and has lived many lives. Today, it sits quietly on the lake’s edge, with warm wood interiors, soft lighting, and personal touches throughout. A batch of fresh-baked cookies and a handwritten note welcomed me—simple gestures that made the space feel even more inviting.
Chico sniffed every corner with approval. I took a deep breath and let it sink in.
Later that day, we ventured out for a walk. At Heather’s suggestion, we followed the quiet cottage road along the lake. The snow was melting, the ice still thick on the lake’s edge, and the sun danced sideways through the trees. We passed maybe two cars in an hour. It felt like the world had slowed down.
Back at the lodge that evening, I joined other guests in the dining room for dinner.
The Post House restaurant is open to the public on weekends, and its intimate space, surrounded by windows overlooking the woods, was bustling even in the off-season. At the helm is Executive Chef Dan Sanders, formerly of Toronto’s Globe Bistro. His seasonal, prix fixe menus spotlight Ontario’s best ingredients, sourced through relationships he’s built with local farmers.
The Post House recently earned its Feast On® designation for this reason, a nod to its commitment to sustainable, local sourcing.
My dinner started with a roasted beet salad, followed by east coast snow crab with a cauliflower chawanmushi, and a dry-aged striploin with glazed shallots and a porcini-port jus. A parsnip cake for dessert (yes, really) sealed the deal. The wine list leaned local, the sourdough was house-made, and the butter came straight from Kawartha Dairy.
It all felt effortless, yet extremely elevated.
“We always wanted the food to be at the centre of it all,” Joel said. “We love seeing people walk out of the dining room smiling. That’s the magic.”
The next morning, I woke to the sound of soft rain landing on the roof of the cabin. Chico was still sleeping, so I tiptoed into the kitchen, popped in a Nespresso pod, and peeked into the breakfast basket that was waiting for me in the fridge.
Homemade granola in a mason jar, farm-fresh yogurt, bright orange juice, and the flakiest croissants I have ever set eyes on. I tore a little corner off for Chico (don’t tell), then climbed back into bed with my coffee and a book.
I could’ve stayed there all day.
In the summer, I can imagine coffee on the dock, paddling out on the lake, dinners under the stars. In winter, cross-country skis, snow-covered trails, and cozy evenings by the fire. And fall? Well, this place must absolutely glow.
Even in the off season, you can tell the property is designed for rest, but also for connection.
There’s a fully equipped gym and a lakeside sauna (a very welcome bonus if you’re here for a few days), and in warmer months, Heather and Joel offer chef-prepared BBQ kits for nights when the restaurant is closed.
“We realized early on that people love having options,” Heather told me. “Some guests want a full-service experience, others want to stay in their sweats and cook something simple. The space makes room for both.”
The Post House can sleep up to 32 people across its cabins and lodge rooms, and since reopening, they’ve hosted everything from intimate weddings to corporate retreats and multi-generational family gatherings.
Despite its polish, there’s nothing pretentious about the Post House. Joel and Heather aren’t trying to turn it into something it’s not. They’re just building something thoughtful, slowly and intentionally. And people are starting to notice.
The Post House is listed on Airbnb and booking platforms, but a growing number of guests find it by word of mouth, from locals who come for dinner to travellers craving something quieter than Muskoka.
As Heather put it: “There’s something about this place. It’s got a spirit to it. You feel it right away.”
I certainly did. And I already can’t wait to be back.