Unplugged at Sandbanks Beach Resort, Prince Edward County

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Sunset on West Lake at Sandbanks Beach Resort, Sand Dunes location
Sunset on West Lake at Sandbanks Beach Resort, Sand Dunes location

We all need to escape from our tech devices once in a while and reconnect with nature. A friend of mine was eager to return to Prince Edward County for a few days this summer and suggested we go, so we decided to book a luxury RV at Sandbanks Beach Resort, Prince Edward County at their Sand Dunes location near Sandbanks Provincial Park. Although we booked at the last minute, we were lucky to secure Cottager 39A for four nights over the July long weekend. After July 7, 2016, we would have been required to stay a minimum of seven nights.

Our RV rental, Cottager 39A, at Sandbanks Beach Resort, Sand Dunes location
Our RV rental, Cottager 39A, at Sandbanks Beach Resort, Sand Dunes location
Our RV, 39A, at Sand Dunes location at Sandbanks Beach Resort
Our RV, 39A, at Sand Dunes location at Sandbanks Beach Resort

My friend and I had never stayed in an RV before so it was a new experience for both of us. Upon our arrival on Friday, July 1, 2016, we unpacked our bags and groceries and inspected our unit. Although the rooms were compact, everything was in good condition. Our kitchen included a full-size fridge, stove and microwave, but not a lot of counter space by the time we placed the coffee maker and toaster on the counter.

Kitchen at 39A RV at Sandbanks Beach Resort, Prince Edward County
Kitchen at 39A RV at Sandbanks Beach Resort at Sand Dunes location

One bedroom contained a queen size bed and a mirrored closet unit with drawers, which was good for storage.

Bedroom with queen size bed at Cottager 39A at Sandbanks Beach Resort
Bedroom with queen size bed at Cottager 39A at Sandbanks Beach Resort
Living room in Unit 39A at Sandbanks Beach Resort, Prince Edward County
Living room in Unit 39A at Sandbanks Beach Resort

There was not a lot of room in the living/dining area, especially since we had planned to use the sofa bed to pull out at night for sleeping since the second bedroom was equipped with three bunk beds in an odd configuration.

Room with bunkbeds at Sandbanks Beach Resort, Prince Edward County
Room with bunkbeds at Sandbanks Beach Resort

Cottager 39A came equipped with a TV and DVD player, Wi-Fi, A/C, toaster, coffee maker, pots, pans, cooking utensils, dishware, glassware, cutlery, extra blankets and pillows. There was also a barbecue with propane on our private deck.

Bathroom in 39A RV at Sandbanks Beach Resort, Prince Edward County
Bathroom in 39A RV at Sandbanks Beach Resort

The bathroom, however, was teeny tiny and it was particularly frustrating since the sink and cabinet obstructed part of the bathtub and shower.

Sink and cabinet partially obstructs the bath and shower in Unit 39A at Sandbanks Beach Resort, Prince Edward County
Sink and cabinet partially obstructs the bath and shower in Unit 39A at Sandbanks Beach Resort

We decided to walk down to the dock. (Sandbanks Beach Resort has two locations: Sandview and Sand Dunes. If you want to be steps from Dunes Beach, then rent an RV at the Sand Dunes location since it is a one kilometre drive to Dunes Beach from the Sandview location.) If you love boating, Sandbanks Beach Resort has boats to rent including rowboats, canoes, kayaks, boats with 6 and 9.9 horsepower motors, and a 110 horsepower jet waterski boat with skis, jackets and a driver.

View of dunes from our dock at Sandbanks Beach Resort at Sand Dunes location
View of dunes from our dock at Sandbanks Beach Resort at Sand Dunes location
Overlooking the sand dunes at Sandbanks Beach Resort, Prince Edward County
Overlooking the sand dunes at Sandbanks Beach Resort

We admired the sand dunes across the lake, then walked along a four minute path to check out Dunes Beach next door.

Dunes Beach, Sandbanks Provincial Park
Dunes Beach, Sandbanks Provincial Park

Dunes Beach on West Lake in Sandbanks Provincial Park is great for swimming. You can walk out several metres in shallow water before it starts getting deep. The water temperature is usually quite warm, much warmer than the water at the park’s Outlet Beach, and the lake has a sand bottom with few weeds.

While staying at Sandbanks Beach Resort, access to Dunes Beach is free via the connecting path from the resort to the beach. If you want to drive to the Outlet Beach in Sandbanks Provincial Park, you can sign out one of 10 park season passes at the Sandbanks Beach Resort office and display it in your vehicle to avoid paying the $17 daily admission to the park.

Looking out on to Dunes Beach at Sandbanks Provincial Park
Looking out on to Dunes Beach at Sandbanks Provincial Park

After a swim, we headed back to the dock at Sandbanks Beach Resort and watched the gorgeous sunset.

Dunes across the lake from Sandbanks Beach Resort, Prince Edward County
Dunes across the lake from Sandbanks Beach Resort

There is a fair amount of seating at the dock to watch the sunset.

Sunset at Sandbanks Beach Resort on West Lake, Prince Edward County
Sunset at Sandbanks Beach Resort on West Lake, Prince Edward County

We were eager to have a fire in our firepit. We did have to ask our neighbour for help with the fire starter kit.

Sandbanks Beach Resort is geared towards families or older adults since they have a “quiet” policy that they enforce after 11 p.m., which was great for us. Except for a few Canada Day firecracker celebrations late in the evening on July 1, the park was relatively quiet at night.

Enjoying a fire in our fire pit at Unit 39A at Sandbanks Beach Resort, Prince Edward County
Enjoying a fire in our fire pit at Unit 39A at Sandbanks Beach Resort

We both enjoyed our stay at the Sand Dunes location at Sandbanks Beach Resort. Being so close to Dunes Beach where the swimming was spectacular was a huge advantage. We also loved the gorgeous sunsets that illuminated West Lake and the sand dunes. Our RV was relatively comfortable with a few exceptions. Unplugging at Sandbanks Beach Resort, Prince Edward County for five days did a world of good for me.

Sandbanks Beach Resort, 1818 County Road 12, R.R. #1, Picton, Ontario