Our Best Family Vacation Experience

Guest: greg (lockport, illinois)
Date of Stay: 07/24/11 Review Submitted: 08/20/11

We've been doing a family vacation for about the past 10 years, always going to a different home on a lakefront location each year. Our entire family, consisting of myself, wife and dog, 4 married children, and grandchildren, all agree that this home was the best setup and a perfect fit for us. The home itself was clean; the kitchen/family area on main floor, which is an open area, allowed us all to eat/watch children while remaining together. The lakefront/pier area was also nicely arranged;the deck area was very large also allowing all to remain together; bushes running down both sides of the property to the lakefront provided privacy; the space between the "h" of the pier and lakefront allowed us to put in a large floating "relaxation station" where we could all safely hang out; the "u" portion of the "h" shaped pier also made it very easy and safe access docking our ski boat. The lake itself was clean; during the week, there was very little boat activity, and even on the weekends, the boat activity only slightly increased(not our experience on other lakes) which still made it safe and manageable to swim as well as ski, wakeboard, raft, etc. Finally, in talking with different family members over the past few weeks, for the 1st time, I've found that all prefer to return to this home for next years vacation.

Recommended for:Pet owners, girls getaway, families with teenagers, romantic getaway, adventure seekers, families with young children, sightseeing, age 55+.

Wonderful Vacation House

Guest: Jammco (Iowa)
Date of Stay: 08/07/11 Review Submitted: 08/18/11

We enjoyed a relaxing week of family vacation at the house. There were 12 of us ranging from 9-73 and we found the accomodations to be quite comfortable. Our favorite room was the screened porch! Beautiful scenery and great furniture set up. Kids and dads alike enjoyed hours of successful fishing from the dock. The firepit was also great for smores one evening. When we ventured out we found groceries nearby and the nicest tennis courts in the next town. The kitchen had all you needed to cook meals and we were excited about the extra 'drink' fridge. The owner was easy to work with and we've already signed on to come back next year!

Recommended for:Pet owners, girls getaway, families with teenagers, romantic getaway, adventure seekers, families with young children, age 55+.

Exceeded All of My Expectations

Guest: Sarah (Chicago, IL)
Date of Stay: 06/30/11 Review Submitted: 08/18/11

We rented this gem for the entire month of July this year. Our intent was to give ourselves a home base and invite our friends up to spend time with us from Chicago, I would have stayed the entire summer if I could have. I don't even know where to start, the house is a perfect set up for multiple families with lots of kids (or no kids). The two floors really give you privacy if you need it and the rec room in the basement makes it feel extremely spacious. The screened in porch is the best room in the house and perfect on summer nights. The house is amazingly well stocked with sheets, toys, movies, kitchen stuff and little extras. My kids lived in the water and had a blast, and the sun exposure is perfect, direct sun in the morning and a nice reprieve in the afternoon. The street is quiet and the neighbors were very friendly and welcoming. You’d be crazy to rent anywhere else.

Recommended for:Pet owners, girls getaway, families with teenagers, romantic getaway, adventure seekers, families with young children, sightseeing, age 55+.

Letter left by guest....

Guest: The Des Moines Families (-)
Date of Stay: 06/19/11 Review Submitted: 07/27/11

This letter was left in the home dated June 19, 2011. Ages two to sixty-seven, our family enjoyed the view, the spaciousness of the house and lakefront, and the total lake house experience. Bonus features: Huge table where nine could eat together; we could assemble a puzzle at one end, play cards on the other, do crafts in the middle, all at the same time. Kids could watch a movie in the basement while adults enjoyed conversation in the great room. All hours of day and night we could delight in the lake sounds and sights in comfort on the screened porch while reading, talking, sipping beverages, playing cards and games. Sunrise, moonrise and all hours in-between were treasures to remember. We spent hours down by and in the lake. The sand box was a huge hit, the paddle boat in constant use, clear and shallow water greatly appreciated, fire-pit cozy for late evenings, and chairs a relief when we exhausted ourselves. I am guessing I will hear this described as a favorite family vacation for years to come.

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Guest: Imelda Z (-)
Date of Stay: 01/19/11 Review Submitted: 02/09/11

My husband and his brother love to ice fish. This year we decided that we wanted to get away together. So, our two families rented this home. My husband and brother in law fished a lot on the lake and we enjoyed the home, the fireplace, the movies, etc. My kids played boardgames and we went to the outlet malls and the shops in Geneva. It was very clean, and cozy. We tried to cross country ski and also just took long walks on the lake. I think we'll do it again. Thanks Eileen! Imelda

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GREAT FAMILY VACATION!!

Guest: Ann (Bloomington, Indiana)
Date of Stay: 07/11/10 Review Submitted: 01/20/11

The cottage was clean, well-maintained and it had a well-stocked kitchen. The screened sun porch was the perfect place to relax and watch the boats on the lake. Pontoon rental is close by. Great pizza place in town. Nice parks & playgrounds. There is also a free water show twice a week. We have been to several Wisconsin cottages, but this was voted the best, by my 7 grandchildren. They fished from the pier & swam in the shallow water of the lake. We hope to return this summer.

Recommended for:Pet owners, girls getaway, families with young children.

Excellent

Guest: roxxy2 (Arlington Heights,Il)
Date of Stay: 07/18/10 Review Submitted: 08/04/10

We rented the house with myself and my husband's family. We all loved it so much. It was very peaceful and relaxing. We loved the open floor plan and of course the enclosed porch. We are all hoping we can do it again next year. Thanks Eileen for making our first family vacation so enjoyable.

Recommended for:Girls getaway, families with teenagers, romantic getaway, families with young children, age 55+.

I spent the day perched in the porch and watching the day go by.

Guest: Maisy C (Chicago IL)
Date of Stay: 07/22/10 Review Submitted: 07/27/10

It worked out perfectly for us. My family really enjoyed every minute of our vacation. I came up with my husband and some of the family stayed the whole time, some just a few days. My son in law drove into Chicago daily and his family enjoyed time at the home. The sunrise was excellent, the water was clean and the atmosphere was one to remember! My kids loved the water show. The home was perfectly clean when we arrived. The owner was there to welcome us and show us the home. I noticed someone made mention of the linens being a problem, well the owner took care of that. She has sheets in the room to remake the bed and the soiled linens are to be left at the front door. Our kids used the bunk room, but brought sleeping bags, so that took care of that! All in all, we found it one of the best holidays we've had yet.

Recommended for:Girls getaway, families with teenagers, romantic getaway, families with young children, sightseeing.

Wonderful spot for young and old kids alike!!!

Guest: Jim (Bloomington, Illinois)
Date of Stay: 06/30/10 Review Submitted: 07/06/10

My family held a "cousins reunion" over the 4th of July weekend 2010. The house was perfect for our needs with 9 adults (ages 25-38) and 6 kids (ages 18 months - 6 years). The bunk bed room upstairs was great for the kids and the adult bedrooms were spacious with comfortable beds. The waterfront was perfect for young kids as it is very shallow (less than 3 feet) all the way to the end of the dock. The kids swam for hours each morning and then played games by the water all afternoon. The fire pit deck was great. The screened porch was wonderful for morning coffee and late night chats and card games. The owner was very accomodating and easy to work with. We had family fly into Midway (2 hours with traffic) and O'Hare (1.5 hours with Chicago traffic). Overall, our experience could not have been better. I would highly recommend this property to anyone.

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

Guest: MtHorebian (Mt Horeb, WI)
Date of Stay: 08/20/09 Review Submitted: 08/20/09

Great house! Plenty of room for our extended-family gathering -- all 13 of us. Nice casual atmosphere, the pier and screen porch are wonderful, terrific view over the lake, very relaxing and a great place for a family get-together. Everything was very clean, well maintained. We'd definitely come again.

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