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Whispering Oaks on West Lake Sylvia

Photo gallery for Whispering Oaks on West Lake Sylvia

View of Whispering Oaks from the lake.
Beautiful view from the front deck
A cozy and bright living room has plenty of seating
View of the kitchen and living room from the front door w/ beautiful lake views.
Kitchen table comfortably seats six.

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
2 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 655.7 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Kitchen
  • Barbecue grill
  • Air conditioning
  • Outdoor space
  • Lake view

Explore the area

Map
South Haven, MN
  • Pleasant Lake
    ‪11 min drive‬
  • Whispering Pines Golf Course
    ‪16 min drive‬
  • Sugar Lake
    ‪23 min drive‬
  • St. Cloud, MN (STC-St. Cloud Regional)
    ‪48 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Double Bed and 2 Single Bunk Beds

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Soap · Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Outdoor Shower

Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Balcony
Dining area

About this property

Whispering Oaks on West Lake Sylvia

Just one hour west of the Twin Cities and located in Flannery’s Bay on West Lake Sylvia, this updated seasonal cabin is perfect for a small family get away. There are two bedrooms, the primary has one queen bed and another with a full size bed plus a set of twin bunk beds. One remodeled bathroom as well as an outdoor shower to wash off the sand from the beach. Updated kitchen has a refrigerator, stove, oven, microwave, as well as dishes, silverware and pots and pans for your cooking needs. The furnished living room is bright and connected to the kitchen. Enjoy gorgeous lake views and unforgettable sunsets from the living room or the large wrap around deck, just a few feet from the shoreline. There is a gas grill for guests and plenty of picnic tables for your family barbecue. Go to sleep and wake up listening to loons singing from across the lake. There is a flatscreen television with ROKU, a DVD player, plus many DVD & VHS movies for the family. There is a basement lounge area for playing games featuring a ping-pong table.

Lake Sylvia is known for its crystal clear water and beautiful lake shore. Enjoy great swimming and good fishing from the dock…mostly bass and panfish. Guests have access to kayaks, a paddleboat, a swim raft/tube, plus many other water toys. Also, there is a fire pit on the sandy beach for bonfires and making S’mores.

Property manager

Tom & Becky Olson

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Air conditioning
Outdoor space
Parking available
Lake view
Barbecue grill

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

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
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, a first aid kit and a deadlock

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

South Haven

Located in South Haven, this cabin is on the beach. Kimball Golf Club and Whispering Pines Golf Course are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore A Shau Valley Wildlife Management Area and Hidden Marsh Wildlife Management Area. With jet skiing, kayaking and water tubing nearby, you'll find plenty of adventures in the water.
Map
South Haven, MN

What's nearby

  • Pleasant Lake - 11 min drive - 9.4 km
  • Whispering Pines Golf Course - 16 min drive - 13.7 km
  • Sugar Lake - 23 min drive - 18.2 km
  • The Ledge Amphitheater - 38 min drive - 44.3 km
  • St. Cloud State University - 40 min drive - 37.5 km

Getting around

  • St. Cloud, MN (STC-St. Cloud Regional) - 48 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪McDonald's - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪Corky's Bar - ‬12 min drive
  • ‪Homestyle Country Cafe - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪Spilled Grain Brewhouse - ‬11 min drive
  • ‪Casey's General Store - ‬10 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Whispering Oaks on West Lake Sylvia pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Whispering Oaks on West Lake Sylvia?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Whispering Oaks on West Lake Sylvia?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Whispering Oaks on West Lake Sylvia located?

Nestled on the beach, this South Haven cabin is 1.7 mi (2.7 km) from Lake John and 2.9 mi (4.6 km) from South Haven City Hall. Fair Haven Mill Park and Fair Haven Park are also within 6 miles (10 km).

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. 33 out of 33 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 33 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 33 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 33 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 33 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Kristin H.

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

End of Summer Retreat

Lake Sylvia is beautiful and we enjoyed every minute. The beds and bedding were very comfortable. We had everything we needed and Tom was a gracious and helpful host.
Stayed 10 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

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

Sunset Terrace

When you stay somewhere and you never want to leave should tell you what you need to know about this lovely place! It is a place that is so much fun for every age and will check every box on your lake wish list! Tom, the owner, couldn’t have been any nicer and demonstrated what it means to “Love your neighbor”😊
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kalie C.

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

Lake Getaway

We had an amazing week staying at this property! Check-in was a breeze. It was clean and well stocked. Tom was available for any of our needs, and always very eager to help. We all thoroughly enjoyed the lake and available amenities: kayaks, paddle board, paddle boat, water trampoline, etc. Our kids loved playing in the sand area, and they even provided some sand toys. They were very accommodating about letting us rent a boat and tie it up to the dock. The lake is the best in the area - so clean and clear. Great views of the lake from the deck area. Definitely recommend!!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Bill L.

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

Rest and relaxation

We stayed from June 15-21. The weather could’ve been better, but we still had a great time. Tom was their upon arrival and answered all of our questions. He was very friendly. The cabin was very clean and the perfect size for our small family. It had all the household essentials we needed. They even left us a s’more kit as a gift. The beds were super comfortable. We spent most of our time on the deck enjoying the lakeside view. There was new loon family in our bay that we enjoyed watching. Fishing was great even right off of the dock. Caught lots of sunfish and bass. We were able to keep our boat at their dock all week and it was easy to find the public access. They provided lots of water toys. We enjoyed the kayaks and paddle boat. There was a nice gas grill for BBQ’s. They even provided wood for fires. I definitely would recommend staying here.
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

CHRISTOPHER H.

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

Perfect

We could not have been more pleased with our stay. The cabin was very clean and had everything we needed. We enjoyed the peaceful morning coffee on the deck and lake activities with the kids. It's really the perfect family lake destination.
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Laura W.

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

Wonderful whispering oaks!

Our family of 4 had the best time spending 5 nights at whispering oaks at the end of July. We were very impressed with the cabin and all of the amenities that Tom and Becky provided us. It was very clean, great location on the lake, and a short drive to town. We had fun fishing off the dock, thanks to Tom lending us some fishing rods, sunset campfires next to the lake, fun on the paddle boat and paddle board, enjoying all of the beauty the lake has to offer. We will definitely be back to visit whispering oaks again for another lake vacation.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kimberly P.

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

Gem of a place!

What a wonderful time we had at this cozy lake house. From the surprise s’mores kit upon arrival, to the comfy beds, to the wonderful lake view over morning coffee on the top deck, to the water activities…we couldn’t have asked for more. Tom was very communicative and helpful with any questions we had. We loved the fire pit, the kayaks, the paddleboat, fishing, and the sound of the loons echoing across the lake. Easy to get into Minneapolis/St. Paul for the one day trip we took. But the highlight for the kids (and for the parents to watch) was the trampoline out on the lake. Thanks for sharing your lovely home with us!
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Michelle S.

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

Top Notch Spot

Tom has the perfect property to rent. The space is cozy and exactly what you are looking for in a lakefront property. Great outdoor space and enough room inside to be comfortable without wanting to spend your entire time indoors. Plenty of water toys for kids to play with and the water trampoline was a big hit for all ages. Tom was very responsive and helpful with the few questions we had. Would certainly recommend staying here and we would like to stay again when we visit!
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer W.

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

Lake Front Property that will exceed your expectations

This property was a perfect week away with family with every detail thoroughly thought out. It was a week whereby the devices went by the wayside without a thought or request. The small bay provides a peaceful waterfront, with loons to welcome you! Adults will love the serenity and view, while the teens will adventure out on the kayaks and paddle boat and end with some trampoline raft suntanning. Should anyone get bored, which seems unlikely, the paddle boat, bubble hockey, ping pong and games inside are available. The bonfire pit was right there with dry wood and a bucket with kindling and starter. Life jackets are available as well for peace of mind too. In our summer weekend this was never an issue for us! The house is completely clean with high-quality linens throughout. The towels were thick and plush for inside and at the beach. And don’t forget the little extras like the s’more kit, the fresh scrubber for your dishes or the well stocked dish assortment plus more. Truly, the best VRBO we have been to.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Sally K.

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

Love Lake Sylvia

Our family rented two side-by-side homes on Lake Sylvia August 2021, and it worked out very well. I stayed in the home next to Whispering Oaks, but from what I gathered, all was good with our daughters and sons in law who stayed there. All the cooking was done in our rental home. Our 18-month old grandson stayed in the lower level of Whispering Oaks, which can be accessed only from going outside … there are no interior stairs from the first level to the lower. But our daughter had her baby monitor, so it worked just fine. All in all, a great week!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Jeanette C.

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

Perfect for small family getaway

We rented this cabin specifically for the close location to the cities and the use of the pontoon. The cabin is situated on a slope over a beautiful and quieter part of Lake Sylvia. It was quite convenient to be able to watch the kids swimming and jumping on the trampoline while we prepared dinner. The cabin is thoughtfully appointed with all you need, plus tasteful decor and spotlessly clean. We told Tom our kids wanted to experience boating and tubing and Tom went to the trouble to ensure the pontoon had the bridle harness set up so we could pull our tube. Tom and Becky are superb hosts and checked in on us midweek to ensure all was going well. Everything worked perfectly and we were quite comfortable and carefree in our little nest in Whispering Oaks.
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Amanda T.

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

Little Slice of Heaven

Whispering Oaks was everything we hoped it would be and more. Tom, the owner, was so helpful. Being able to rent the pontoon was great. The lake is so clear we could hardly believe it. The house was immaculate and the beds were comfy. This was the first rental we have stayed in where we had everything we needed in the kitchen. Kids loved the game room in the basement and we couldn't get them off the trampoline. Loon calls and soft breezes were a bonus. Can't wait to rent this little gem again!
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2021

10/10 Excellent

Cindy B., St Louis Park MN

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

The cabin had extra amenities to keep our grandchildren excited.

The cabin was so homey, that our grandchildren did not want to leave and they wanted us to buy a cabin on Lake Sylvia.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2020

10/10 Excellent

Deann B.

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

Great Lake Experience

The cabin looks out over to the west right over the lake. Great sunsets! Thoroughly enjoyed the use of the kayaks and pontoon. There is a county park very close with excellent hiking trail. The cabin was perfect, updated and very comfortable. My grandkids could not get enough of the swimming, and my son was so happy with the fishing.
Stayed 10 nights in Aug 2020

10/10 Excellent

Harold B.

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

Nice

Great week on the lake.
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2020

10/10 Excellent

Trudy K.

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

Great experience.

Awesome!
Stayed 8 nights in Jul 2020

10/10 Excellent

Anne R.

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

Whispering Oaks is amazing!

We stayed in this lovely cabin while family rented the two other cabins next to us for week. We loved the view of the lake ! I enjoyed coffee on the deck watching the sunrise and listening to the Loons. The kids, teenagers ,loved the Rave water trampoline . We all enjoyed the kayaks and paddle board and pontoon ,for cruising the lake and fishing. We had Ping Pong tournaments in the rec room on the lower level and smores at the fire pit. So much to do at this amazing place! Tom and Becky the owners are wonderful! They thought of all the details to make our stay exceptional. They had extra cleaning procedures in place due to Covid -19 which made us feel very safe !!! The beds are very comfortable and felt so good after a day in the sun. We have already booked our stay for next year!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2020

10/10 Excellent

Shari F., Dassel, MN

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

Great memories made at this amazing cabin on Lake Sylvia

Our family had such a memorable stay at Whispering Oaks on Lake Sylvia! The weather was nothing short of perfect for enjoying the crystal clear lake and sandy beach. We took advantage of the water trampoline, kayaks, paddle board and paddle boat. The pontoon rental was a BIG plus for us. We were so happy to be out on the water and enjoyed the scenic boat rides around the lake. We greatly appreciated all of the amenities provided at the cabin. Tom and Becky were fantastic hosts. Upon arriving we were met with a welcome gift and details for our stay. They were available for any questions we had. The cabin was kept in pristine condition - very clean and cozy décor. COVID 19 was never a concern and we felt everything was properly sanitized and safe. We will forever cherish our memories made at Whispering Oaks! Thank you Tom & Becky!
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2020

10/10 Excellent

Harold B.

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

Perfect for Small Family or Small Group

Cute! Clean!!! and Convenient! Owner Tom Olson was helpful and welcoming. I almost hesitate to give such a high rating for fear it will be overlooked, but Whispering Oaks was truly worth a trip from San Diego!

10/10 Excellent

Laurie C.

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

Magnificent Lake Sylvia

The view from the cabin upper deck was magnificent, and the calls of the loons morning and night added to the Minnesota lake experience. We greatly enjoyed the use of the kayaks, paddleboard, paddleboat, and pontoon. The lake water was clear as could be, and quite warm most days. The cabin was cute and cozy, met all our needs, and was exactly as pictured. And the owners were very friendly and great to work with!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2019

10/10 Excellent

Jestine S.

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

Great stay, hosts were very accommodating and prepared with all the amenities!

We were very pleased with the communication with the owners. They were very available and accommodating. The place itself has been updated and is really nice inside. Don't worry about bringing anything other than food, as it was packed with dishes, towels, and outdoor toys!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2019

10/10 Excellent

Ryan K.

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

Fantastic Get Away

First off, communication with Tom was great. Any questions I had were responded to in a timely manner. The property was updated and looked like the pictures, which has been an issue with other properties I've stayed at. The house was clean and contained everything he promised and more. The property was great for my family and 3 boys who loved to fish. Fishing was abundant and was very easy to keep the kids entertained. The lake side house with sand area is also very nice and useful for kids, as again this isn't typical of most other places. The lake was big and beautiful and not to busy where you couldn't enjoy just relaxing and floating in the mid day sun. The dock was useful as we had our own boat as well. Kayaks and Paddleboard on site with water trampoline was a great hit. We were also greeted with a s'mores package for the kids which we didn't get to as we had already brought our own but the thought was above and beyond. Overall in my 6 VRBO's that I've been to this was one of our favorites and met everything that was described. I would definitely recommend anyone to check this property out. It is also conveniently located to the town of Annandale which made trips to the bait shop quick and simple. Thanks again Tom and Becky.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2019

10/10 Excellent

Kara C., Plymouth, MN

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

The full Minnesota lake experience .... just an hour from the Twin Cities

We loved our time at Whispering Oaks. The property sits on a cove that made paddle boarding, kayaking and swimming enjoyable without a bunch of boat traffic and wake. Being able to rent the pontoon allowed us to get out and explore the lake. That was the selling point for us when we were booking. We did a sunset cruise each night...but you can also see the sunset from the house. Tom’s house is next door. He is friendly and helpful, but also gave us plenty of privacy. He was there when we arrived and he checked in with us a couple times when we were out on the dock. The cabin is very nice inside, clean and updated as pictured. The beds are very comfortable. There were DVD’s and Netflix available for the rainy days. It’s a cozy space and worked well for our family of 4.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2019

10/10 Excellent

Katie H., Prior lake, MN

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

Beautiful location on lake, adorable renovated cabin with all the amenities to enjoy!

Our family had a great week at this beautiful location on Lake Sylvia! The cabin was so cute, fully renovated with everything we needed to enjoy our stay. It perfectly slept our family of six and had everything we needed. Tom and Becky thought of everything we may need and had a cute s’mores gift for us upon our arrival. We had a few cloudy and rainy days but we kept our children occupied with the lower level ping pong table and bubble hockey along with games and movies. On the beautiful sunny days we enjoyed the beach area, water trampoline, paddle boards, paddle boat and pontoon. We loved having the option to take out the pontoon for an additional cost and tour the lovely lake. The fishing was great and my husband and kids caught plenty of sunnies (big ones!) off the dock and northern and bass on our fishing boat we brought along. We enjoyed the beautiful sunsets every night and topped off the day with a bon fire and s’mores on the beach. Plenty of deck and entertaining space and spots to sit to enjoy the views of the lake. Tom checked in with us to make sure we had everything we needed and all was going well. We accidentally misplaced the cabin key our last day and he was super patience and reassured it was not a problem, although we felt horrible! Highly recommend this property for your summer getaway!
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2019

10/10 Excellent

Polly R.

Loved every minute!

Couldn't have asked for a better family vacation. My girls absolutely loved the water trampoline and spent hours on there every day playing games and giggling. Cabin is even better in person. Rec room in the basement provided some activities for the cooler mornings; which was a bonus. Tom was great to work with! Sunsets, Smores, and Snuggling! What more is there! We will be back!!!
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2018

About the host

Hosted by Tom & Becky Olson

Host profile image
We live in Medina in the west suburbs of the Twin Cities. After looking for about two years, we finally found our dream cabin on Lake Sylvia in 2010.

In 2016, our next door lake neighbors that owned the Whispering Oaks cabin told us that they were planning to sell and they wanted to know if we would be interested. After thinking about it, we decided to buy it and use it as a VRBO summer rental until our children got older and had kids of their own. After purchasing it, we updated and refreshed things inside & out, including: new paint and new flooring, remodeled kitchen, bathroom and bedrooms plus and new landscaping.

Having retired in 2015, the VRBO has been a fun way to keep busy and share beautiful Lake Sylvia with others.

Why they chose this property

We chose the Annandale lakes area because it is less than an hour of our home in Medina and because the area has a unique "up north" feel. We enjoy coming to the lake and we instantly decompress when we reach the dirt road that leads to our cabin. The beautiful mature trees, the dead end street, crystal clear water and the varied 17.5 miles of shoreline on Lake Sylvia make this a perfect place for our dream cabin.

What makes this property unique

At only about 600 square feet, our seasonal cabin may be small, but it is mighty. It is the perfect home base for a small family get away. We have everything you need to make family memories and enjoy every minute of your stay. The cabin is well appointed, cozy and comfortable and is located just a few feet from the shoreline. You can enjoy gorgeous lake views and unforgettable sunsets from the living room or the large wrap around deck facing west....or tell stories around a family bonfire on the beach...or listen to the loons calling across the Flannery's Bay.

Your hosts, Tom & Becky own the cabin next door and pride themselves in leaving visitors alone to enjoy all Whispering Oaks and the lake have to offer, while still providing any assistance necessary to create the perfect vacation. We are proud of our string of perfect 5 star ratings on VRBO.