Great Time!

Guest: Max (Minneapolis, MN)
Date of Stay: 08/20/11 Review Submitted: 09/12/11

We had a great time at Our Great Escape! There were so many amenities that it made packing and traveling easy for our family. Rob's communication leading up to our trip was second to none. Any questions we had about the property, Lost Land Lake, and the Hayward area were all answered prior to us leaving. We felt like we were on vacation with the comforts of home.

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

A Beautiful Release from the hectic pace of daily life

Guest: Vickie (Hockessin, Delaware)
Date of Stay: 08/06/11 Review Submitted: 08/16/11

My family and I have been vacationing on Lost Land Lake for almost 25 years. We have family in Wisconsin and have developed some very close friendships with folks we have met there over these years. While we had stayed in one place previously, we decided that it would be nice to stay in a place where all of us could be together (4 adults and 5 adult children). Living in the Northeast can be hectic and stressful at times, and being able to get away to the quiet and beautiful lake areas of Wisconsin is a blessing. While we have typically enjoyed our previous vacations on Lost Land Lake, none compared to this one. The beauty of the lakehouse -- both inside and out -- was amazing. It was clean, comfortable and inviting. This is one of the first times in the nearly 25 years where we "ate in" almost every night, because we just did not want to leave! We enjoyed beautiful sunrises, amazing wildlife watching cruises on the pontoon (rented from the nicest people at Wilson Bay Lodge), nightly fires in the firepit, star gazing, daily walks through the beautiful woods, breathtaking sunsets, fishing, horseback riding, reading, and even one amazing thunderstorm with lightning blazing over the lake! Most importantly, the serenity and comfort of the lakehouse gave us the wonderful opportunity to spend time with our adult children who just love Lost Land Lake. We are already counting down the weeks until our return!

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

A little bit of heaven in Wisconsin

Guest: Joan and Bill Gacki (Mendota Hts., MN)
Date of Stay: 07/16/11 Review Submitted: 07/24/11

This is our third time renting this beautiful cabin and we are never disappointed. Everything is meticulously cared for and we never tire of our stay. This year the owner added WiFi, which helped tremendously by alleviating the workload when we got home. We spent our days riding on a pontoon rented from Wilson's Bay Lodge, fishing, photographing wildlife and simply relaxing on the breezy screened porch or in the Adirondack chairs on the lawn overlooking Lost Land Lake.. The setting is heavenly, with spectacular views of both the sunrise and the sunset. A perfect getaway for a small or large family.

Owner response:These Guests stayed at "Our Great Escape" July 16-23, 2011.

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

Amazing Vacation; Our Great Escape lives up to its billing

Guest: Mike (Yorkville, IL)
Date of Stay: 07/09/11 Review Submitted: 07/21/11

We've been going to Lost Land Lake for 10 years. The previous 9 years were spent in some very "rustic" cabins. This year we decided that our group of 9 (8 adults and a 3 year old) would be better suited in a home. After doing the research, we decided upon OGE - and we were not disappointed. Actually, that's a ridiculous understatement. We were completely blown away! The property is exactly as billed on the website. The location is spectacular and the amenities are wonderful. As much as we enjoyed the "rustic" cabins of the past, it was very nice to have a sparkling clean home with all the comforts of home, to live in for the week. From the awesome kitchen and sleeping arrangements, to the private beach area and the abundance of wildlife everywhere you look (loon, otter, beaver, fox, bald eagle, deer), to the fantastic fishing off the pier...just a wonderful experience all the way around. When you're not cooking in the home, head to Lost Land Lake Lodge for dinner; on Fridays, check out the Walleye fish fry at Totem Pole Lodge (cash only!). Be sure to rent a pontoon from Jim at Wilson Bay Lodge (which you can take to LLL Lodge). He has great rates and with a large group, a pontoon is a must for cruising around Lost Land Lake and taking the channel up to Teal Lake. We also highly recommend taking a tubing trip on the Namekegon River. Over the years we've tried all the places (Jack's, KOA, etc.) - by far the best is Camp Namekegon off of 63 and Hwy E. They have the best tubes, best river route and very friendly staff. If you head into downtown for some shopping, make a stop at Tremblay's candies - you will not be disappointed. And of course, stop in at The Happy Hooker for any of your fishing needs (they have some awesome local bacon as well)! We're all looking forward to returning to Lost Land Lake and OGE next summer, and for many summers to come. A big "thank you" to Rob for providing an amazing venue for an unforgettable family vacation.

Owner response:These guests stayed at "Our Great Escape" July 9-16, 2011.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, families with young children, sightseeing, families with teenagers.

Exceptional Property - Wonderful Vacation

Guest: San Diego Family (San Diego, CA USA)
Date of Stay: 06/04/11 Review Submitted: 06/21/11

Our family enjoyed a truly fantastic experience in a perfect North Woods setting. We traveled from Southern California with 2 young children for our vacation and the property could not be better set up for a family. Everything we needed was readily available, clean and organized. The lake front is great for small kids, gently sloping and a clean, gradual beach to play in. We rented a pontoon from nearby Wilson Bay Lodge which was perfect for cruising Lost Land Lake. I'm still amazed by the amount of wildlife we experienced and the kids were in awe. Rob does an exceptional job managing the property. Every detail from directions to information about the Hayward area is covered. The house is beautiful and very well maintained; few home kitchens are as well equipped! I would definitely recommend this property for a family vacation and we look forward to returning next summer.

Owner response:These guests stayed at "Our Great Escape" June 4-11, 2011.

Recommended for:Families with young children, people with disabilities, families with teenagers.

Wonderful Family Getaway! (June 11-18, 2011)

Guest: The Johnson Family (Rochester, MN)
Date of Stay: 06/11/11 Review Submitted: 06/20/11

We rented this beautiful lakehome for our group of 7 adults + 2 teens. It was the perfect setting for a relaxing family gathering. The home is gorgeous and immaculately cared for. Although it is spacious and well suited to a large group - the furnishings are comfortable (especially the brown leather couch in the great room - a favorite "napping spot" ) and provide a cozy feel. One of our favorite spots was the screened porch overlooking the lake. With plenty of seating for our group - it was the morning gathering spot for coffee and perfect for my 85-year old mother-in-law. As the early riser in our group, she was able to sit out on the porch in the early morning and enjoy the wildlife activity without being bothered by those pesky mosquitos. Speaking of wildlife, we had the wonderful opportunity to see deer with baby fawns, coyote, red fox, sandhill cranes, osprey, muskrats (busy little fellas), snapping turtles, loons and Canada Geese. Two of the highlights were monitoring the daily activities of a pair of Bald eagles on their nest with two juvenile eagles. Such a magestic bird. (Be sure to bring your binoculars). We also had a black bear sighting while driving into town one night. Quite the excitement for us city folks. We took the advice of others and rented a pontoon boat for the week from Wilson Bay Lodge. (We also rented well in advance). It was great to have the pontoon to take out for fishing, for an evening cruise or to head over to the adjoining Teal Lake. We spent most evenings fishing from the dock. One of the best fishing holes appeared to be right in front of our dock. There was always a fisherman casting a line nearby. Of course, we were just able to toss in a line from the dock and reel in our catch. It is a bit of a drive into Hayward - so only went in a few times, but it was very convenient to have the 24-hr Walmart there to pick up our fishing license and supplies. A few of us spent a few hours at the LCO Casino one evening. It is a friendly place and we all had a fun time there. Another highlight (especially for the guys in our group) was to have dinner at the ORIGINAL Famous Dave's BBQ on Round Lake. If you are looking for a beautiful setting and a clean, comfortable vacation spot, I would highly recommend this lakehome property. Rob is so organized and thorough in his preparations for your arrival - you will feel like you have your own personal concierge.

Owner response:These guests stayed at "Our Great Escape" June 11th-18th,2011.

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

Truly, A Great Escape.

Guest: The Garcia's (Minneapolis, MN)
Date of Stay: 06/19/10 Review Submitted: 08/24/10

My family could not have been more pleased with the management, amenities, and presentation of this beautiful lake property. Rob made us feel not only welcome, but like we were the only people staying there all summer. His impeccable communication, attention to details, and concern for the success of our vacation was amazing. He could not have been more gracious if he'd been right there with us. The property is especially well suited to having little ones that love to swim. The depth is gradual, the beach sandy, and the water clear. Special note should be made for the ease of which we were able to sip a cocktail while watching them entertain themselves........the true hallmark of a parenting vacation. As camping veterans, we appreciated every comfort of home, the relaxation it provided, and the ability to enjoy each other. The firewood, the gas grill, the fire ring, flotation devices for the kids, view of the beach from the kitchen, cable access, laundry facilities, well stocked kitchen.......and on and on. Thanks Rob, you have a beautiful space and we appreciate you sharing.

Owner response:These guests stayed at "Our Great Escape" June 26th-July 3rd, 2010.

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

Our Family Vacation

Guest: Ken (Arlington Heights, IL)
Date of Stay: 07/24/10 Review Submitted: 08/12/10

What a great house for our family, 6 adults and 4 grandchildren under the age of 5. The grounds are well-maintained and the house was exceptionally clean. We've rented many houses and Our Great Escape is one of the best. Rob's attention to details can not be exceeded. The gentle sloping sand beach, playground, and loft were great for the children. All the ammenities contributed towards a GREAT vacation for the entire family. We definetly recommend this property.

Owner response:These guests stayed at "Our Great Escape" July 24th-31st, 2010.

Recommended for:Families with young children.

Small Children's Paradise

Guest: KJ (USA)
Date of Stay: 07/03/10 Review Submitted: 07/28/10

We had a wonderful time as a family at the lake again this summer! This year we had the privilege of staying at Our Great Escape....and that is definitely was!!!! I would highly recommend this vacation rental to anyone looking for the perfect beachfront home for your little ones to play in the sand and swim in clear water with a soft sandy bottom! It truly was the perfect place for kids!!! The rental is very expensive, however the lake lot itself would be hard to beat anywhere else...it is "top notch"!!!

Owner response:These guests stayed at "Our Great Escape" July 3rd-10th, 2010.

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

Wisconsin paradise!

Guest: Joan and Bill (Minnesota)
Date of Stay: 07/17/10 Review Submitted: 07/26/10

We just spent a week at this beautiful and meticulously cared-for cabin in one of the most heavenly settings in Hayward,. The cabin is spacious, sunny, immaculate and every attention to detail is taken care of. We rented a pontoon boat from Wilson's Bay (reserve in advance!) and explored the quiet lakes, fished, cruised, watched the baby eagles and lots of wildlife and beautiful sights. We would highly recommend this lovely home to anyone, any time of the year. We're already counting the days till we return next summer!

Owner response:These guests stayed at "Our Great Escape" July 17th-24th, 2010.

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