Experience a boutique off-grid stay at nortehaus
When the hustle of Toronto gets too much, escape to a Nordic inspired boutique cottage experience only 2 hours from the city.
It’s raining in Lisbon while Spring is trying hard to break through the lingering Canadian cold. Neither weather pattern feels rushed or forced to move along, and that’s precisely the symbolism today, on my call with Willy—one of the owners of the boutique off-grid rental, nortehaus.
Located two hours north of Toronto, nortehaus is categorized as a boutique rental stay—a term that positions it between a boutique hotel and a standard vacation rental. In fact, calling it an ‘AirBnB’ feels like an oversimplification, risking the dilution of its carefully curated experience.
At the mere mention of the word AirBnB, Willy’s genuine smile shifts into a half-smirk. “You won’t find IKEA furniture anywhere,” he states firmly, distinguishing nortehaus from the generic rental experience.
Today, I’m chatting with co-founder Willy, who’s kindly taking my call to talk about nortehaus—an idea born from his and his wife Sam’s desire for a slower pace of life. The name reflects their heritage, blending Ecuadorian (“Norte”) and German (“Haus”) roots, while the design draws inspiration from Scandinavian and Japanese minimalism.
The property’s location mirrors this same intentionality. It sits on land near the Gull River—a river that never freezes, nor rushes. Instead, it moves in harmony with the seasons, a quiet reminder that life unfolds at its own pace.
With their keen eye for functional yet refined design, Willy and Sam wanted their vision reflected in every corner of the property—and they succeeded.
The build itself appears effortless, but reality proposed a few challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted life, construction, and design, making progress slower than expected, with a daughter on the way Willy & Sam remained determined, finding workarounds to bring their vision to life. Then, a relocation for work brought the couple to Lisbon, reinforcing how quickly life changes.
Through each twist and turn, Willy and Sam embraced the process, knowing that nortehaus could become not just a retreat for them, but a place of respite for others. The project evolved into a reflection of nature’s rhythms—proof that no amount of planning can completely control external forces.
nortehaus is where intentional design meets the tranquility of nature and sustainable choices take center stage. The bedframe is crafted from a single piece of wood—a nod to craftsmanship and thoughtful detail. The kitchen is sleek and functional, designed for effortless cooking without clutter. Everything has its place, including the freestanding bathtub in the primary ensuite, positioned perfectly to take in the view.
The same applies to the sauna, nestled in a way that embraces the surrounding foliage and river, inviting a moment of stillness.
Every inch of nortehaus is intentional, shaped by the couple’s journey, which took unexpected yet meaningful turns. Originally, the house was never meant to be a rental—it was their escape from fast-paced tech careers.
So, when they returned to Canada for a visit from Lisbon, it was a special moment. The house was complete. They finally got to experience the space they had envisioned for so long. Willy describes it as akin to introducing a new family member for the first time—and he means it.
nortehaus captures the beauty of slowing down, refocusing on the people and experiences that matter. It’s designed for intentional living, with just enough cell signal to stay connected—enough to download a recipe for their chef’s kitchen, but not enough to get lost in distractions.
For a German, Willy’s tone is filled with admiration, nostalgia, and excitement for the future. nortehaus isn’t just a getaway; it’s a place where guests find joy, reconnection, and a moment to exhale.
Building a dream home is something many aspire to, I ask Willy if he would change anything about the experience. He pauses for a moment, a smile forming as he reflects. He admits that he was likely too naive when they started, but in hindsight, that was a good thing. He shares:
"If you can dream of something, you should always feel encouraged to build it. There’s something really special about turning your vision into something tangible."
And that’s exactly what Willy and Sam have done with their Japandi-style retreat.
Book a stay at nortehaus here or find them on AirBnB here.
See you next time, Somewhere Nice!