Lake Shish-Shoreview Lake House

Guest: Deb13 (Elgin, IL)
Date of Stay: 07/08/11 Review Submitted: 09/29/11

Wow, JR, you must have been looking for a different experience than was advertised and pictured in the Shoreview Lake House! Our family has vacationed on this property even before the beautiful lake house was constructed. The "whole story" is that this Lake Shishkabagama House is the best rental property we have ever stayed in. We want a place that has access to a boat ramp in order to put our boat into the water. How convenient that the ramp is right on the property. Yes, the highway is nearby, but that makes the trip to the lake just a little bit shorter. And our kids are so anxious to get there each year that even an extra 10 minute ride down a long unpaved road would seem unbearable. When I sit on the gorgeous screened-in porch I hear the frogs and loons and sometimes the screech of an eagle as it catches its meal right in front of the house. Yes there are neighbors, but I didn't expect a deserted lake front. My guess is the owners do not show photos of the neighboring properties because they are not trying to rent them. All I know is we have spent many wonderful family vacations at this property and I would recommend it wholeheartedly.

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, families with young children, families with teenagers, age 55+, girls getaway.

Wonderful Retreat

Guest: ab (Belvidere, IL)
Date of Stay: 08/20/11 Review Submitted: 09/29/11

We thought this lakehouse was the best we have ever stayed at! It has everything you could possibly need and more! The house is just wonderful and well thought out for guests that may come with more than just their family! As for the scenic views, you can't beat them! My family loved all the docks, the kayak, and the swim out raft! We saw eagles, loons, herons, ducks, and more! What a great Northwoods experience. We had a wonderful week and can't wait until next year! The kids keep talking about the lake and the cool island we took the boat too! Such a great experience! Thanks so much for opening up your home to our family!

Recommended for:Families with young children, families with teenagers, age 55+.

The Whole Story

Guest: JR (St. Louis, MO)
Date of Stay: 05/28/11 Review Submitted: 06/05/11

I am providing the Whole Story. The size, comfort level, quality, and furnishing were very suitable for our family of 6 and would easily accommodate a group of 10. The rental was clean and well maintained, and any small issues were addressed by a nearby caretaker. Everything was is good working order including the gas grill and the laundry equipment. The owner was helpful and provided useful information prior to arrival. I would recommend this property with the following understandings: There are close neighbors not depicted in the photographs and the boat ramp used 3 or 4 times during our stay abuts the property. It is not very quiet as the two lane Highway 70 traffic can be heard night and day. It was not the quiet secluded setting I was hoping for and expecting based on the photographs. The available kayaks, canoe and john boat were a nice bonus. I would definitely recommend the very convenient and nicely operational pontoon boat, which was a bargain considering the conveninence of docking behind the rental home. The lake is a good fishing lake for small mouth and large mouth bass. We caught fish every time we ventured out in the morning or evening. The bass were attracted to spinner baits, worms and bottom jigging with minnows. We caught also reeled in a couple of northern pike, one perch, and a few crappie. This is not a Walleye lake. The Big Bear Bar has great pizza, and Chef Rene's on the lake provided a quality meal at a reasonable price. With the above understandings in hand, you should enjoy your stay in the Minocqua area.

Owner response: We appreciate receiving reviews and we depend on reviews ourselves when renting other properties through VRBO. We are so accustomed to our guests being thrilled with their experience at our lake house that this review is surprising, but truthful. If you are looking for a secluded deep-woods experience, this is probably not the home for you. We do have quiet neighbors on each side of our home but we have 320 feet of shoreline with 3 docks and a swim raft. Our home is situated so that your views are what you see in the pictures, true northwoods splendor! Our home is on Shoreview Drive which loops off of Highway 70, very easy drive from Minocqua. Although you cannot see the highway you can hear occasional traffic, We never feel that it diminishes the sounds of loons, frogs, eagles diving and lapping waves from beautiful Lake Shish. Our private boat launch makes it very easy if you are bringing your own boat (although we do have a rowboat, kayaks, canoe and also a pontoon for rent.) But, in an attempt to be good neighbors, we have allowed neighbors to use the boat launch occasionally, as the public launch is a little difficult and distant. Memorial week probably did bring more usage than usual. We have a few pine trees, but guests love our setting on a bay with unobstructed lake and sunset views. So, if you are looking for a secluded deep-woods experience, keep looking. But, if you are interested in a modern and spacious lake house with a great screened porch, lots of sunshine, northwoods wildlife on a beautiful and quiet lake with fishing, skiing, snowmobiling, then you found the perfect vacation spot!

Recommended for:Families with young children, families with teenagers, sightseeing, age 55+, girls getaway.

Guest: From e-mail correspondence (Illinois)
Date of Stay: 12/01/10 Review Submitted: 01/28/11

Paul and Kathy, We really enjoyed our stay at your lake house. It was perfect for us. I was amazed on how homey it was, very comfortable, had everything we needed, and more. The skiing was fantastic, perfect cold weather and perfect snow. After long days of skiing, it was so nice to come back to your warm house where we played games, had hot chocolate, and enjoyed the ample space. We played family games upstairs around the big dining table, and the kids made plenty of use of the play room downstairs, playing Wii games and dancing. We enjoyed the views of the lake out the back windows. The beds were very cozy, everything so clean. The back porch area really sparked our interest for summer and fall, I bet it is great to sit out there and watch the sun set over the lake. Thank you so much for sharing your house with us, we thoroughly enjoyed it! Signed, Jim (dad), Margaret (mom), Kristen (14), and Jenna (10) and Jeff (dad), Rita (mom), Dominic (14), and Vincent (11). The kids are cousins. It is so nice to have the cousins share such special childhood moments, moments and memories that will last a lifetime. Your lake house added to our special moment this year. We all voted this house the best vacation house we have stayed in. That is saying a lot, because we travel as a group throughout the midwest, and have stayed in many houses. Happy New Year!

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Beyond our expectations!

Guest: Ann (Reedsburg, WI)
Date of Stay: 09/27/10 Review Submitted: 10/04/10

Just got back from a week spent on BEAUTIFUL Lake Shish! The pictures on-line don't quite capture the beauty of the home and the view. The house is perched on the edge of the lake offering an incredible panaramic view of the lake, island and all the fall splendor! There was plenty of space for our family of four couples. I highly recommend this vacation home to anyone - large or small group! The two upper level bedrooms are extremely spacious. The kitchen is completely stocked with all of the conveniences of home. If you are not sure about vacationing during the off season, I suggest that you rethink that thought! Each morning we enjoyed coffee while watching the sun light up the brilliant fall trees. The colors are amazing! There is even a faux fireplace on the lower level to help take the chill off after a walk or fishing on those crisp days! Early in the morning the waters were so calm that the blue sky and clouds were perfectly mirrored on the lake surface. There are so many windows in the home to enjoy the views while we were inside one drizzly day...curled up on the couch enjoying books from their collection. There are plenty of roads to explore if you enjoy walking - very peaceful and beautiful! There is a private boat landing right next to the home and a large pier to tie your boat over night. The home is perfectly maintained - 4 years old and still has that brand new feel! There are plenty of place near by for shopping and dining - Minoqua is only 7 miles away! We plan on returning next fall!...don't book our week!

Owner response:We are so fortunate to have wonderful renters who have respectfully taken care of our "new" lake house and who appreciate the beauty and serenity of Lake Shishebogama! Thanks, Ann and family!

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, families with young children, families with teenagers, sightseeing, age 55+, girls getaway.

Guest: B McM (Illinois)
Date of Stay: 02/24/09 Review Submitted: 02/24/09

Quoted from e-mail correspondence: I just wanted to let you know we had a wonderful time at your Lakehouse. The house was beautiful and very peaceful. I can't imagine what a gorgeous view you must have in the summer time. In the fall I bet the changing of the leaves is breathtaking. We have been going to the Minocqua/Presque Isle area now for 9 nines and everyone agreed this is one of the best places we have ever stayed. Thanks again for opening your home to us.

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Guest: Dave Barth (Wisconsin Rapids, WI)
Date of Stay: 08/22/08 Review Submitted: 08/22/08

Our group consisted of 3 couples. We had a wonderful time at this beautiful lake house. It's very functional and well maintained, and the central air is a definite plus on those hot, muggy days :-) Lake Shishebogama is a great fishing lake!

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Guest: Dominique (Illinois)
Date of Stay: 02/12/08 Review Submitted: 02/12/08

"After 3 awesome days skiing, cross-country and snowmobiling, we're heading back to our place. This place is like a dream for vacationers. We truly enjoyed it!" Quoted from Lakehouse guestbook

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Guest: Group of 8 (Illinois)
Date of Stay: 02/03/08 Review Submitted: 02/03/08

"Sweet! X-country Minocqua Winter Park---8 of us. Watched 'Fly Away Home' Saturday evening. Enjoyed the view, great food and companionship. Finally, a great winter with lots of snow!" Quoted from Lakehouse guestbook.

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Guest: Clausing Family (Illinois)
Date of Stay: 01/04/08 Review Submitted: 01/04/08

"We had the most incredible holiday at Shoreview Lakehouse! The cozy house welcomed us immediately while the snow fell...six inches of fluffy snowflakes! We saw an eagle; left binoculars for others to enjoy the splendor of Lake Shish. Think we even spotted an otter poking his head out of the ice. The fireworks in Woodruff rivaled any 4th of Julys' we've ever seen anywhere. Had many hours snowmobiling all around Oneida and Vilas counties--an inch or 2 of snow fell almost everyday. We were in heaven bonding in this amazing home; we were lucky enough to spend some much needed downtime. Thank you!" Quoted from Lakehouse guest book.

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