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Lake front retreat-Fire-Pit, Private Dock, Water toys provided, Fish off dock!

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Smoke-Less Fire pit
Sectional | Recliner
Elevated deck with spectacular views
Bed 1 | 2nd Floor | Queen bed
Kitchen | 1st Floor

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
4 bedrooms2+ bathroomsSleeps 8110.7 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Dryer
  • Parking available
  • Washer
  • Barbecue grill
  • Kitchen
  • Pet-friendly

Explore the area

Map
Decatur, IL
  • Nelson Park
    ‪5 min drive‬
  • Millikin University
    ‪7 min drive‬
  • Scovill Zoo
    ‪7 min drive‬
  • Decatur, IL (DEC)
    ‪4 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

4 bedrooms (sleeps 8)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 3

2 Single Beds

Game room

1 Double Sofa Bed

2 bathrooms, 1 half bathroom

Full bathroom

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Lower level bath

Toilet

On-suite bath

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Balcony
Separate dining area
Garden

About this property

Lake front retreat-Fire-Pit, Private Dock, Water toys provided, Fish off dock!

Enjoy all the lake fun in this cozy, comfortable and peaceful lake home. Located just minutes from all Decatur has to offer. Fish off the dock, warm up at the fire-pit, have some fun at the Pong game table or watch a movie on the projector screen. All this with comfortable beds, private lake access and located in a quiet safe neighborhood. Tack on a workspace nook with a great view of the lake and you have the perfect spot for rest and relaxation or a spot to lay your head after work. Millikin-10 Minutes, Nelson Park-10 Minutes offering boat rentals, ADM-4 Minutes.

INSIDE

LIVING SPACE
• Comfortable seating
• Well stocked kitchen
• Lots of windows with lake views
• Kids nook/workspace
• Two living areas (Main level and lower level)
• Huge projection TV for movie nights
• 4 player Pong game table for hours of fun

BEDROOMS
• 3 Bedrooms on 2nd Floor
• Sleeper sofa in lower level
• Comfortable mattresses with quality linens
• Room darkening shades
• Plenty of storage
• Extra pillows and blankets
• Luggage racks
• Fans in each room

Kitchen, dining room, kids nook/workspace, 3 bedrooms, Two full baths (One on main level and one ensuite in primary bedroom) half bath in Basement and a laundry room. Basement family room with sleeper sofa and huge projection TV!

OUTSIDE
• Large Weber Grill
• Al Fresco dining for 8
• Private dock-Swim, fish, boat dock
• 2 Hammock chairs
• Lounge seating
• Smoke-less fire pit (Wood not included)
• Water toys-Lily pad, kayaks, paddleboard, life jackets provided. (Please note these items are seasonally available for guests safety)
• Boat rental available with Pier 36 marina. Limited availability.

BATHROOMS
• Shampoo, conditioner and soap provided
• Plenty of towels for each guest
• Full bath on main level- Tub Shower combo
• Master Bedroom Full bath (second level w/bedrooms)- Stand up Shower
• Additional half bath in laundry located in the lowest level.

The entire finished home is available for your use. You have full access to the dock and rear yard as well as the 3 parking spaces in front of the home. The garage is not available for guest use.

There is a dishwasher on-site but please note it is in the lower level and not in the primary cooking space.

The day of check-in my cell phone will be provided to help answer questions throughout your stay or should any type of issue arise. Please feel free to text me anytime!

Very safe, quiet wooded lake road with quaint houses and very little traffic.

PARKING- 3 spots at the home are for guest use up to a mid size car size, 2 if they are full size vehicles or 1 if its an extended or extra large vehicle (please park this one parallel). There is no additional parking. Under no circumstances can you park anywhere other than directly in front of the Lake Shore Cottage. Please be careful pulling in as to not hit the safety rail at the front of the parking area. Parking is directly in front of the home with a staircase down to the front door (handrail provided). If more than three cars of parking space are needed they will need to be parked off-site.

This home has been completely remodeled but is an older construction. The stairwells are a bit narrow and steep (hand rails provided) and there are some ceiling areas that are lower than normal. Please be aware before booking or message me with questions if you are unsure.

Nelson park marina is available to drop in a boat. The dock is available for swimming or to dock your boat for your stay. A smoke-less fire pit is provided but we do not provide firewood. Please plan to bring your own if you would like to enjoy this amenity. The fire pit accommodates up to 16" logs or you can use Tiki wood packets for a "light and enjoy" experience :-)

Security- Cameras can view the front parking area, steps, front door and rear yard/dock/shed areas. Cameras are for security purposes only and are not monitored so please do not rely on these for personal safety. This home is equipped with devices that monitor the environment inside the property (including noise levels, temperature, and air quality) to ensure guests have a pleasant stay and our neighbors are not disturbed. Devices do not record sound for privacy and comply with all booking platform policies. For further information about these devices you can visit minut.com. Tampering with any device can result in immediate termination of the booking with no refund.

Property manager

Kimberly Nave
Premier Host

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Air conditioning
Outdoor space

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
Must be approved in writing by Host
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Pets

Pets allowed: dogs (limit 2 total)
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Guest is required to sign a renter agreement. Security deposit required. Cancellation fee applies.
Minimum age to rent is 21. No smoking. No parties or events without prior written permission.
Pets accepted with written approval and additional pet fee.

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
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Note from host: Must be approved in writing by Host
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit

We should mention

A car is recommended for transport to and from this property

About the area

Decatur

Located in Decatur, this cottage is on the waterfront. Lincoln Trail Homestead State Park and Nelson Park reflect the area's natural beauty and area attractions include Children's Museum of Illinois and Scovill Zoo. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Decatur, IL

What's nearby

  • Nelson Park - 5 min drive - 4.0 km
  • Overlook Adventure Park - 5 min drive - 4.8 km
  • Millikin University - 7 min drive - 7.4 km
  • Scovill Zoo - 7 min drive - 5.6 km
  • Decatur Memorial Hospital - 10 min drive - 9.2 km

Getting around

  • Decatur, IL (DEC) - 4 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Pizza Hut - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪McDonald's - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪McDonald's - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Taco Bell - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Krekel's Custard & Hamburger - ‬4 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Lake front retreat-Fire-Pit, Private Dock, Water toys provided, Fish off dock! pet-friendly?

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

What time is check-in at Lake front retreat-Fire-Pit, Private Dock, Water toys provided, Fish off dock!?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Lake front retreat-Fire-Pit, Private Dock, Water toys provided, Fish off dock!?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Lake front retreat-Fire-Pit, Private Dock, Water toys provided, Fish off dock! located?

Situated on the waterfront, this cottage is within 3 miles (5 km) of Nelson Park, Overlook Adventure Park and Nelson Dog Park. Children's Museum of Illinois is 2.9 mi (4.6 km) away.

Reviews

10

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. 17 out of 18 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 1 out of 18 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 18 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 18 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 18 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

9.6/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Elliot D.

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

Great Stay!

The property was very nice and clean. We had a small issue, but we found the property manager’s phone number in a binder and she responded to us immediately and had the issue resolved within half an hour. I would absolutely rent this Vrbo again and my family that was staying with me is also considering renting it.
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Tammy H L.

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

Family Gathering

Enjoyed spending time together as a family in a spacious area - lots of room and lots of floor space for the kids to play. Beautiful view of the lake - beautiful sunrises.
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2024
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Kyle R.

Beautiful Spot

It looks just like the photos! The access to the lake is awesome, though it was a bit cold during our trip. The cottage was clean and cozy, a great place for a weekend getaway!
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

ANDREA M.

amazing stay

What a gift this beautiful home was to our family! It was clean, home-y, stocked with tons to do and everything we needed!

10/10 Excellent

Debi H.

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

Peaceful Lakefront

Such a pleasant stay at this cozy little lakefront cottage. Enjoyed the quiet, peaceful days and especially the evenings on the decks and dock with firepit. The neighbors were very friendly as well and we enjoyed conversing with them.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Luke B.

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

Quiet and Great Location

Stayed for a work event taking place in Decatur. Was a very quiet, clean, relaxing place to unwind at the end of the day. Will try to stay here again for future trips to Decatur.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Todd V.

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

Lakefront Vistas

Loved the view of Lake Decatur, and the owners communication was excellent. Highly recommend.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kelli H.

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

Great little house!

We had a wonderful stay in this little house. We were able to eat outside. I had coffee on the dock each morning. We kayaked and played on the lily pad. The owner was easy to reach and responsive. Highly recommend!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Carol v.

Absolutely fantastic

Everything is in the house that you need and it is a nice atmosphere. We love being in the Lake Cottage.

10/10 Excellent

Kelly H.

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

Christmas in Decatur

Our family (6 adults) enjoyed the holiday together. The space was adequate for what we needed, as were the sleeping arrangements.
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2023
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Carol v.

The view on the lake is fantastic.

Alle was super nice Rebecca! its is nice to see that you are continuously improving your cottage!! It is such a nice place!!!

10/10 Excellent

Matthew P.

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

The place to stay in Decatur

What a charming and relaxing place to stay in Decatur, IL. My family of six stayed here during a weekend soccer tournament and it had more then what we needed/expected. We were able to relax on the lake and play family board games during the crazy. Communication was outstanding and we will definitely stay here again when in town. Way better then any hotel.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Linda R.

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

Cute Lake Front Cottage

The views of the Lake were outstanding. Cottage was very comfortable with the basement being open to the lake and an added bonus for privacy. We had seven adults staying for a wedding and it was very nice. There was plenty of space for everyone to relax and also to get ready for the wedding. Thanks for a pleasant stay.
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

SUE K.

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

Cozy property, great amenities and lake view

Everything was exactly as described in the listing. It was nice to getaway and not have to worry about packing all the little things, the home was stocked with everything we needed and even had some welcome snacks. Owner is very responsive and checkin was a breeze. The location on the lake was great, there was plenty to do within the home and on the lake. The only minor thing is that the upstairs didn't cool off enough with the air conditioning, but fans were provided in each room which helped.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Ruth B.

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

Family reunion

This house was rented in addition to another lake house in walking distance for my 70th birthday. My grandchildren stayed at this house. Other than some minor things everything was great, but response time from owner or management was good.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Joanne P.

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

Sisters Getaway

Beautiful cottage with high end finishes, very cozy and comfy. Great layout for private sleeping spaces. The downstairs is gorgeous with outdoor access to a lovely covered patio. The deck upstairs has a great table and high end grill. We thoroughly enjoyed the peaceful views of the lake with pelicans, sunrises. The owner is available to answer questions during the stay and is very accommodating. Couldn't ask for more!!
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2023
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Carol v.

Best place in Town

Everything is right about this cottage. We have stayed here several times for when we visit my father, as we live in the Netherlands. In the summer and winter it is an enormous pleasure to stay here. The lake is beautiful every moment of the day and every day of the year. Because of the big windows you enjoy the view all te time. Furniture and beds are top. Washer and dryer in the basement. Lots of space and light!

8/10 Good

Benjamin S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, listing accuracy
Disliked: Communication

Lovely Stay - Harassed by Property Owner

Really lovely property but was hounded for days afterwards for additional payment by owner for a 30-minute delay in checkout (not communicated well). Our bad for misunderstanding the check-out time but their bad for trying to extract further payment across VRBO and text.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2024

About the host

Hosted by Kimberly Nave

Host profile image
My husband Travis and I are both contractors and do it yourself type of people. We love creating as we work and taking the blah to OMG. Our travel style is unique. We love experiencing new things and adventuring but don't enjoy the elbow bumping of high density places. So we create spaces that we would want to be ourselves. A place that we can connect with family and friends, rejuvenate from busy schedules and have ALL of the fun :-) We hope you enjoy it as much as we do!

Why they chose this property

My husband and I fell in love with the charm of this home and the incredible feeling of peace we get each time we stay. We loved that is was right on the water and was still an attainable price point. The Central Illinois location was also great for us as it makes it easier to do a quick getaway and not make planning an escape such a big deal.

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests