Entire home

Unique Lakeside Retreat with Pedal Boat for a Relaxed, Pet-Friendly Getaway!

Photo gallery for Unique Lakeside Retreat with Pedal Boat for a Relaxed, Pet-Friendly Getaway!

Smart TV, fireplace, DVD player, video library
Property grounds
Smart TV, fireplace, DVD player, video library
Exterior
Interior

Reviews

9.8 out of 10

Exceptional

Entire home

2 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 8

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
    Parking available
  • Pet friendly
    Pet friendly
  • Washer
    Washer
  • Barbecue grill
    Barbecue grill
  • Gym
    Gym
  • Outdoor Space
    Outdoor Space

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

Unique Lakeside Retreat with Pedal Boat for a Relaxed, Pet-Friendly Getaway!

Gorgeous, quiet lakeside cottage with all the comforts of home! Cozy and unique interior. Two bedrooms and two sofa sleeper beds create a space for up to 8 people to sleep comfortably. Relax with an indoor fireplace, outdoor fire ring, huge deck with natural gas grill, private dock and pedal boat included. For nature lovers, beautiful sunrises and many species of birds, fish and animals to be viewed from the house and dock. Close to Sturgis, Shipshewana, and Three Rivers and not far from Notre Dame, South Bend, and Kalamazoo. (3-night minimum stay rentals are available October-March at a higher nightly rate. Send an inquiry for more details.) NEW***High-speed fiber optic broadband internet available and included!

The space:
House is partly on a hill covered in patchy grass, wildflowers and ground cover, and is only steps away from the lakefront. The house is round with sliding glass doors (for stunning views) and a deck around it with stairs leading to the lakefront. The deck in front is spacious with a table and umbrella that can seat up to 8 comfortably, a natural gas grill adjacent to the kitchen doors, and a lounging area with love seat, chairs, coffee table and umbrella. It's a wonderful and functional space for entertaining outdoors.

Built in early 1970's by Amish craftsmen, the cottage's interior is finished in barn siding and the walls stop short of the ceiling leaving a vaulted ceiling throughout the top floor and dimmable back-lighting at the top of the walls. The entire upper level is carpeted (reminiscent of that 70s fashion phase!) and the kitchen and upper bath have many of their original fixtures. The floor plan is open between the kitchen, living and dining room. The lower level is accessed by an indoor spiral staircase or sliding door from the lakefront and is tiled. There is a family room there with a sofa bed and flat screen TV, game area with a table with lazy Susan, office desk, remodeled full bath and laundry room. There are windows around the front half of this area with views of the lake.

Outside the lower level is a paverstone patio under the deck, with furniture and small tables to enjoy the view or watch the kids from the ground level in the shade. Outside in the front is a dock, brand new pedal boat, fire ring and an adjoining empty lot largely left for wildlife.

This property and house has been in the family for generations and has been furnished and decorated to live in with love. If you like unusual homes with unique features this gorgeous lakeside cottage is the stay for you!

Property manager

Christianne Weiss

Languages

English

Property amenities

Beach

  • Near the beach
  • Beach towels

Internet

  • Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Onsite parking

Kitchen

  • Refrigerator
  • Stovetop
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Dishwasher
  • Blender
  • Cookware/dishes/utensils
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Spices

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 2 bedrooms
  • Bed sheets provided
  • Sofa bed

Bathrooms

  • 2 bathrooms
  • Shower
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Hair dryer
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Fireplace
  • Living room

Entertainment

  • Smart TV
  • DVD player
  • Video library
  • Games

Outdoor areas

  • Patio
  • Barbecue grill
  • Garden
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Firepit

Laundry

  • Washing machine and dryer

Work spaces

  • Computer monitor
  • Printer
  • Desk
  • Desk chair

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • Pet friendly
  • 2 total pets
  • Welcoming dogs only

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoke-free property

Services and conveniences

  • Iron/ironing board
  • Local meal delivery service

Location highlights

  • On the lake
  • On the waterfront
  • In a rural location

Things to do

  • Fitness center
  • Bicycle on site
  • Boat on site
  • Power boating nearby
  • Wildlife and game walks nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Kayaking nearby
  • Hiking nearby
  • Cycling nearby
  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Hiking/biking trails nearby
  • Sailing nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector installed (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
  • Smoke detector installed (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)

Similar properties

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Contactless check-in available

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Pets

Pets allowed
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees
Welcoming dogs only
2 total pets

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome

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
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation

About the neighborhood

Map
Howe, IN

What's nearby

  • Blue Gate Theater - 20 min drive - 18.0 km
  • Shipshewana Auction and Flea Market - 21 min drive - 18.5 km
  • Shipshewana Flea Market - 22 min drive - 18.8 km
  • Michiana Event Center - 22 min drive - 19.3 km
  • Blue Gate Performing Arts Center - 22 min drive - 19.5 km

Getting around

  • Goshen, IN (GSH-Goshen Municipal) - 52 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪McDonald's - ‬13 min drive
  • ‪Hot 'n Now Hamburgers - ‬13 min drive
  • ‪Culver's - ‬13 min drive
  • ‪Wings Etc - ‬15 min drive
  • ‪Dairy Queen - ‬14 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Unique Lakeside Retreat with Pedal Boat for a Relaxed, Pet-Friendly Getaway! pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 2 total).

What time is check-in at Unique Lakeside Retreat with Pedal Boat for a Relaxed, Pet-Friendly Getaway!?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Unique Lakeside Retreat with Pedal Boat for a Relaxed, Pet-Friendly Getaway!?

Check-out is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Unique Lakeside Retreat with Pedal Boat for a Relaxed, Pet-Friendly Getaway! located?

Situated on the waterfront, this cottage is within 9 mi (15 km) of Cedar Lake Golf Club, Oaklawn Terrace Park, and Green Valley Golf & Health Club. Sturgis Hospital and Parkview LaGrange Hospital are also within 9 mi (15 km).

Unique Lakeside Retreat with Pedal Boat for a Relaxed, Pet-Friendly Getaway! Reviews

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 11 out of 13 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 13 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 13 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 13 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 13 reviews" "

9.4/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Tony G., Manassas, VA, USA

Liked: Cleanliness
Stayed while visiting Shipshewana
My wife was wanting to visit Shipshewana, so I did a search on VRBO and found this cabin. It is only a few minutes from Shipshewana, and like the listing says, it is right on the North Twin Lake. There are quite a few other houses/cabins around, but it was very quiet while we were there. I'm guessing that it is because it was off season. Did some peddling around the lake on the boat that was provided, but most of our time was just relaxing either inside the cabin or on the back deck. It don't think it could have been more peaceful there. As for the cabin itself, it looked to me like an old boat house that had been refurbished. The walls were very rustic, but much of the inside of the cabin (carpeting, appliances, etc.) didn't look to be more than a few years old. It was basically outfitted with everything we needed, including a grill outside connected to the natural gas line. The one thing that seemed odd was that the bedroom walls didn't go all the way to the underside of the peaked roof. It was not an issue with just my wife and I, but it could be for multiple people with different bed or wakeup times. No issues with communications with Christianne, the host. She let us know that she could be reached if we needed anything, although we never found anything we needed. We even had a bottle of wine waiting for us when we arrived - a really nice touch.
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2024

8/10 Good

Diane K.

Liked: Cleanliness
Getaway with Grandson
Pleasant experience. We enjoyed the paddleboat. Unfortunately the bike tires were flat, some of the amenities were pretty wore down (carpet, couch, upstairs bath). We couldnt swim in the water right off the dock.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Matthew P.

Liked: Cleanliness
Needed vaca
Loved the property. Nice and cool inside and the deck was great for hanging out and watching the swans. This property was very unique and the property manager was extemely responsive.
Stayed 8 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Peg Y.

Liked: Cleanliness
Family reunion
Fun place
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Patty H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Family Getaway
We had a very relaxing week on a peaceful lake with everything we needed at the lake house. Lots of nature to enjoy and the view was beautiful! The host was extremely responsive. Everything was exactly as shown in the listing and we would definitely recommend this property!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Robert S., Lansing

Liked: Cleanliness
Lake-view vacation
We enjoyed a relaxing lake-view vacation in a unique rental. Plenty of day-trips locations close by and plenty of good food. You can do as little or as much as you like and still have a great vacation.
Stayed 7 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Laura M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Fun, quirky place to stay
Highly recommend. The cottage is two levels, super quirky (in a good way), and the two bedrooms are nice. They share a jack-and-jill bathroom. The downstairs bathroom has a nice shower. The lake was surprisingly unbusy the entire week we stayed, which was nice. Lots of ways to stay entertained. Lima is close by, with a cute ice cream stand and awesome used book store. Just a little bit further (10-15 min) is Sturgis for everything you might need. Great location. Hosts are easy to get a hold of if/when needed.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Michael S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful setting
We thoroughly enjoyed our stay. Everything is as listed. Bonus points for the workout equipment which was a great surprise. The lake is beautiful and relaxing.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Beth M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Nature break
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This is the most charming and relaxing home I’ve stayed in! The entire process was very easy and they are very hospitable. I was welcomed with a lovely gift and hand written card. Classy! Every amenity was available to make the vacation a truly relaxing break.The paddle boat is so easy and fun. My favorite part of the stay was the ability to relax and reflect in nature. The birds where lovely to listen and watch. It is a quite and friendly lake. I will definitely go back!
Stayed 9 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

L B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Everything we needed
Our stay was both work and rest. We certainly accomplished both in the perfect atmosphere. The house was and had everything we needed. The view is spectacular. The wildlife was very fun to watch. Everyone that stopped by including us, commented on the quiet. (Apparently other lakes can get quite loud with multiple motorboats)
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023

8/10 Good

Lisa B.

We enjoyed our stay. Very relaxing.
Paddle boat was a hit! Didn't care for the carpet throughout the entire main floor. A lot of furniture in a small space.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Lauren W.

Liked: Cleanliness
What else can I say??
Let me start by saying that prior to booking, Christianne was speedy with replies and extremely patient with all my questions (literally about everything 🤯). Upon arrival, we walked the deck that circles around to the top balcony and OMG, BEAUTIFUL!! The Lake, the view, the upstairs patio, the patio setting....ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS!! I knew at that moment, the eeny, meeny, miny, moe (between this property and another property) technique worked! We walked inside and our mouths dropped. I've never heard the phrase "holy crap" come out of my kid's mouth before...but it happened. The cabin was AMAZING! ABSOLUTELY AMAZING! The bedrooms were very large, the bathroom between was so adorable with the decor! I wanted to take the toilet home with me! You will too...just wait. The bedroom closets were large! The kitchen was perfect size for us all, not to mention, just opening the screen door to eat on the balcony was amazing. The bedrooms and linens are new and soft and you can smell the clean on them (I'm a clean freak). We hadn't even gone down the spiral staircase to the downstairs! I heard "HOLY CRAP!!" again (yes, my child was told not to say that after this time)and I walk down to a VERY COOL lower level! There's a shower that my kids are still talking about inside a BEAUTIFUL large bathroom. The laundry room has a very nice washer and dryer which we did end up using. There's a pullout a living area with a sectional couch around a TV and a desk with a computer for booking your next stay here (no, I was not paid for that comment, that knyou very much!). The inside out the house, in general, was just absolutely amazing. Cute signs and decor all around. Even has a treadmill...if you need that workout on your vacation. Onto opening the front door! GLORRRRRRRRRRRRRIOUS! ABSOLUTELY GLORIOUS! The patio set ups, the bonfire pit, the private pier AND PADDLE BOAT?! It's just absolutely perfect. Perfect for anyone. A family, group of friends, newlyweds, etc. It's just absolutely perfect. Back to Christianne...she is so prompt and on it! I never had any issues but anytime I contacted her, she was prompt to reply. She gave me the absolute SWEETEST welcoming with a hand written card attached. She is a pleasure to message with as well as talk to. Excellent host! Excellent rental property! EXCELLENT VACATION! Words cannot describe how much my family needed this...I could cry. Thank You so much for allowing us to stay in your home. We will see you in the fall!! 🍂🍁👍
Stayed 10 nights in Jun 2022