Entire home

Spacious 5 Bed 2 Bath Sleeps 10

Photo gallery for Spacious 5 Bed 2 Bath Sleeps 10

July 4th boat parade and fireworks
Living room with large screen tv and electric fireplace
Kitchen and dining area (seating for 8+)
First floor master, access to deck, hot tub and master bath
Master Bath

Reviews

9.4 out of 10
Exceptional
5 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 10

Popular amenities

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

Explore the area

Map
Effingham, IL
  • Lake Sara
    ‪17 min drive‬
  • Effingham Performance Center
    ‪18 min drive‬
  • Cardinal Golf Course
    ‪18 min drive‬
  • Vandalia, IL (VLA-Vandalia Municipal)
    ‪39 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

5 bedrooms (sleeps 10)

Master Downstairs

1 Queen Bed

Upstairs Bedroom 2

2 Single Beds

Upstairs Bedroom 3

2 Single Beds

Upstairs Bedroom 4

2 Single Beds

Upstairs Bedroom 5

2 Single Beds

2 bathrooms

Bathroom Downstairs

Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Toilet · Shampoo

Guest

Soap · Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only · Shampoo

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Outdoor play area
Garden

About this property

Spacious 5 Bed 2 Bath Sleeps 10

Perfect for a family and friends getaway whatever the season. Quiet wooded neighborhood with beautiful views of one of Lake Sara's deepest coves. This 5 bedroom 1-3/4 bath two story home features 4 spacious rooms on the second floor with king beds (or can be split to 2 twins) with room to add a full blow up mattress. Each offer a view of the lake or the many trees well away from the road. The master is on the first floor with access to a full bath and the lakeside deck with a hot tub just out the sliding doors. The dining area can seat 8 comfortably and is open to the kitchen which is fully equipped with electric stove, fridge, wine fridge, microwave, dishwasher and washer and dryer. The living area opens to an enormous wraparound deck with a firepit, hot tub, gas grill and room to seat more than 10 comfortably. From the deck is access to the lake cove with good deep water and offers plenty of room to float, paddleboard, canoe and enjoy views of the main lake. And the fishing is great, both in the cove or on the main lake!
The back yard (street side) is very shaded with many pin oaks and a perfect space to throw frisbees or play yard games, and build a giant bonfire. When you walk out to the quiet street you have many easy paths to choose from for biking or walking.
Minutes away is a wooded park with a play area and interpretive nature trail, and is also open to public fishing (with an Illinois fishing license). Also on the lake are two golf courses: the Foreway 9 hole and Cardinal 18 hole, a 5 minute drive from the house.
The main park on Lake Sara has a small beach and picnic and shelter areas, and also offers a disc golf course. On the same park roads you can casually dine at the lake's recent establishment Pinky's Restaurant.
When you enter Lake Sara road, you can stop at the Dollar General or the gas station which has a well stocked liquor store.
The city of Effingham features most major retailers including Menards, Walmart, Hobby Lobby and many other brand name stores.
Within minutes you can access Highway 40, the first National Road built in the United States, where you can visit quaint towns and an abundance of flea markets.


Property manager

GAIL STARKWEATHER

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Amenities

Hot tub
Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Air conditioning

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House Rules

Check in after 1:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 21
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
Lots of indoors space for games and crafts.
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Events

Events allowed
Add $10 per night for each additional guest.
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Pets

Pets allowed
An extra deposit will be required to be refunded
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Smoking

Smoking allowed: in designated areas
Outdoor spaces only.

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
Parties and events are allowed on site
Note from host: Add $10 per night for each additional guest.
Host has indicated that there are no carbon monoxide detectors or gas appliances on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property

About the area

Effingham

Located in Effingham, this cottage is in the city centre and on the waterfront. Cardinal Golf Course and Pepper's Ridge Winery are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Ballard Nature Center and Lake Sara. Bliss Park and Effingham County Fairgrounds are also worth visiting. Kayaking and water tubing offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with hunting and hiking nearby.
Map
Effingham, IL

What's nearby

  • Lake Sara - 17 min drive - 11.0 km
  • Effingham Performance Center - 18 min drive - 11.5 km
  • Cardinal Golf Course - 18 min drive - 9.0 km
  • Effingham County Courthouse - 19 min drive - 12.4 km
  • Cross at the Crossroads - 20 min drive - 12.8 km

Getting around

  • Effingham Station - 19 min drive
  • Champaign, IL (CMI-University Of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Williard) - 77 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen - ‬18 min drive
  • ‪McDonald's - ‬18 min drive
  • ‪Casey's General Store - ‬19 min drive
  • ‪Culver's - ‬17 min drive
  • ‪Burger King - ‬20 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Spacious 5 Bed 2 Bath Sleeps 10 pet-friendly?

Yes, pets are allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Spacious 5 Bed 2 Bath Sleeps 10?

Check-in begins at 1:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Spacious 5 Bed 2 Bath Sleeps 10?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Spacious 5 Bed 2 Bath Sleeps 10 located?

Located in the heart of Effingham, this golf cottage is within 9 miles (15 km) of Cardinal Golf Course, Lake Sara and Effingham Performance Center. Bliss Park and Ballard Nature Center are also within 9 miles (15 km).

Reviews

9.4

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 46 out of 66 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 16 out of 66 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 3 out of 66 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 66 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 66 reviews

8.8/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

9.4/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

M. Luisa F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Leslie W.

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

Weekend stay

This is our second time at this property. Plenty of room for our three adult (20s) children and their person. Close to effingham for dinner, grocery, etc but quiet neighborhood. Greet neighborhood to walk the dog and just relax. Will definitely stay again
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Angie L.

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

Family reunion

The house was just right for our large group! Everything was very clean. The house is in a lovely spot on the lake, wish we could have stayed longer!
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024

8/10 Good

Lawrence F.

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

Family trip- 6 adults

House was great. Everything you need was there. Only downside was it only had one TV and could use another bathroom. It sleeps 10 so if you have that many, I don't believe 2 bathrooms are enough. I would rent it again, but I will bring a TV or 2. We are a sport watching family. It pets friendly so that was a plus. Alot of room to park. Boat dock was ok. Easy to get to from the boat launch. The owner left great instructions for everything. Answered email very quickly. Thank you
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Ronald B.

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

Fishing trip

Overall nice outside deck perfect for a large group but the living area is a little cramped with a larger group .
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

margaret b.

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

Fishing Trip

My family and I had a great time. The house was great with the 5 bedrooms. It was roomy enough. The big deck and hot tub was great. We had two boat we brought with us one pontoon and one fishing boat. Gail the owner asked there neighbor if we could use his and he said yes.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2024

6/10 Okay

Scott H.

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

Family get together

Pros: Location-the view of the lake was so lovely. Deck- we spent hours out there just enjoying our family time. Beds-they were very comfortable. Bedrooms were spacious. Kitchen-well stocked, dining area more than adequate. Living room furniture was comfortable. Cons: We were a family group of 10. There were 7 washcloths. I did reach out the first evening to let the PM know. I was told she’d buy more for the next guests. (In all fairness, I did tell her we’d buy more if we had to, and when she said she’d try to stock up for the next time, we did go ahead and buy some, and did leave some behind). The house needed to be cleaned. The upstairs bathroom was especially dirty, and needs a deep cleaning. There was a layer of dust and dirt on many surfaces, ceiling fans, bathroom vents, etc. We did not feel there was cleaning done prior to our stay due to the conditions we found, and tried to clean as much as we could to make it acceptable to us. The property description says 3 bathrooms. There are only 2.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kristie S.

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

Always grwat

This is our 3rd year and it is always great.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Wendy E.

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

Very cute

Great host.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

8/10 Good

James R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location

Getaway

Good place to getaway. Generally it had everything I needed. Good place to go, relax, and take it easy, Comfortable but not fancy.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Christopher H.

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

Anniversary Getaway and celebration.

Interesting area of our state. I like the lake community feel with swimming, fishing, and boats etc. House is setup nicely for kids to go to bed upstairs and adults can relax downstairs on the deck or in the kitchen/dining area. Met some of the neighbors. Very friendly and nice. Pinkys was a real treat but we spent most of our time on the deck and down at the dock.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Sheila J.

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

Great family memories

Our family stayed in July for 4 days. Accommodations were perfect for our group. Rained one day, but gave us a chance to check out local antique stores. There were lots of puzzles and games to keep our 5yr. old and 8yr. old grandkids busy too. We really had a nice time!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Corey B.

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

Great home for large groups

The pictures do not do this house justice! It is a wonderful home well-stocked with everything a large group would need. It is a great home with plenty of seating, inside and out, comfy beds, and good water pressure. My family enjoyed themselves, we felt comfortable and had everything we needed.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

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

Wedding week

This was a perfect base for my daughter’s wedding. Plenty of room for grandparents and adult children to relax during the celebration.
Stayed 6 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Joe R.

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

Lake Sara retreat

My friends and i have an annual crappie tournament on lake sara. This home is able to accomodate our entire group. I appreciate Gail going out of her way to make sure we had ample dock space for our boats. The home is clean and everything was in working order. Gail responds quickly and is great to work with. We will stay here again.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jeanie W., Florida, USA

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

Family funeral

Perfect # if bedrooms and location. Owners very flexible.
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Victoria H.

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

Amazing time and place

We loved this place and will absolutely come back some day!
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Todd B.

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

Getaway

This lake house is perfect for relaxing and has amazing views. Gail is a great host.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Laura S.

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

Fall on the Lake

We were visiting Effingham for the long weekend and returned to the Hasty Retreat since our experiences there have always been pleasant. Gail communicates through the app and even offered us a late check-out which was much appreciated. We’ll be back!
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2023

8/10 Good

Shawn S., Collinsville

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

Great for Hosting a Large Group

We enjoyed our stay. The weather was amazing, so we were able to spend most of our time on the very spacious deck, fire pit table, and hot tub. We also used the wood firepit which was nice, but wished it faced the lake. The gathering areas indoors are small, and our group of 10 would have been crowded if we spent our time inside. The host was awesome. She was very responsive to all our questions. The place was very well stocked with linens, dishes, games, etc. We also liked the Bluetooth speaker near the deck that we used to play music. The hot tub is a nice addition and was clean. We also rented a pontoon boat and was able to tie up the dock. As for the cleanliness, it could have used a better cleaning. The sink was dirty and there was food left in the fridge from a previous stay. Since we were to clean out the fridge when we left, we didn't know if we should throw out the stuff that was already in it. It also had a strong mothball smell when we first got there which slowly dissipated over the weekend. The rooms were comfortable, and each had its own A/C unit. The upstairs bathroom is small with a shower that is quite small. Downstairs bathroom is nice. Overall, we really enjoyed this place and would stay here again. It could use a little updating and a better cleaning, but it was comfortable and has good access to the lake. If you have a large group that plans to spend time together indoors, then just know it will be crowded.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Leslie W.

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

Lake Sara

We used this house to celebrate a birthday with family and friends. The house had plenty of room for 8 adults, kitchen was well stocked and outdoor areas had room for everyone. We brought a boat-but the lake is better for smaller boats (we have a 20ft cabin cuddy) Otherwise it was a great stay and did everything we needed the house to do for our weekend
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kristie S.

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

Family Retreat

Is our second year staying here and we love it.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kathy K.

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

Sisters get away

With 5 separate bedrooms (comfortable king beds!) this was perfect for us. The upstairs shower is very small but one on the first floor was good. Home was stocked with everything we could need and plenty of it. It was very warm while we were there so we didn’t get to enjoy outside features but there is a beautiful view from the large back deck. Would recommend and would definitely stay again!
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2023

8/10 Good

Gary V.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location

House revy

Great location and outdoor space. Inside slept a large group but gathering area was cramped. Overall, we had a great time.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kelli F.

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

Nice quiet getaway

The owner could not be more kind. We were able to make some much needed memories
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023

About the host

Hosted by GAIL STARKWEATHER

Host profile image
In 2004, we were looking for a vacation home to rent for our large family, kids, grandkids and friends, scattered around the country. We came upon this listing right on Lake Sara in the southern Illinois town of Effingham, Illinois. It was a 4 hour drive for us and most of our family. So instead of renting, we purchased the property immediately and have been so grateful for being able to comfortably accommodate so many people and make so many memories.

Why they chose this property

Lake Sara is a quiet 800 acre lake with many amenities, easy travel from St Louis (1 1/2 hrs), Chicago (3 hrs), Indianapolis (4 hrs), Nashville (5 hrs). Established in the 70's, Lake Sara is very well maintained by the Water Authority. We have city water and electricity, and a newly built wi fi tower nearby. Because it is the southern portion of the state, the warm weather season is extended, from late May through September, we are able to enjoy the water much earlier than northern areas of the midwest.