Secluded 'Green' Award-Winning Contemporary Lakefront Home
- Minimum stay:2 nights
- Internet:Yes
- Pets allowed:Yes
- Wheel chair accessible:No
This is not a vacation home that we built as much as it is an experience that we created. Please read our guest reviews!
As seen in Sunset and Dwell Magazines, the Lotus Lake House is a completely 'green' exclusive home designed by the award-winning architect Michelle Kaufmann. Its sleek & modern with accordian-style glass walls that completely open to the deck and views of the lake. Lots of windows and cool welcoming tones. We are completely off-grid and have been awarded 'Build it Green' and 'Keep the Sierra Green' certification.
We're situated on 7 acres of private forested property. We cleared just enough trees to have fabulous views of Rollins Lake or instead of just gazing, hike the private trail from the deck to the lake and hop in the canoe we provide guests. With the glass 'Nano' walls open to the outdoors - indoor and outdoor living is blended. No neighbors or other structures in sight! Just the Sierra Mountains, trees, deep blue water, deer, owls, raptors and the ocassional honking geese.
Whether you are on the deck sipping coffee and watching the beautiful sunrise over the mountains, reading, sipping a drink at sunset or star gazing at night, the experience is magical.
Our home is ideally suited for a romantic get-away, or for a couple of good friends or close family members who just need a retreat from the stresses of daily life. Sit on the deck and enjoy the water activity during the summer, swim in the lake or come off season when it's absolutely still. Ideal for writer/artist retreat. Only earth-friendly products are used so it's perfect for people with chemical sensitivities.
For those who want to support the environment while staying in an exclusive and unique property, you can't ask for more. You'll feel like you are in a treehouse. As one of our guests said, 'if you need to relearn how to breathe, this place will teach you'!
Come experience off-the-grid living in luxury!
The Lotus Lake House was the showcase home at the 2007 West Coast Green Show in San Francisco.
Please read our guest comments as they describe the experience better than we ever could!!
Keywords: ecofriendly,contemporary,unique,lakefront,romantic,pet-friendly,luxury,secluded,private, boating,close to downtown Grass Valley & Nevada City, green, eco, dog friendly, lake, forest, cabin, unique,
Property Type
- 1 story
- House
- 725 sq. ft.
Accommodation Type
- Vacation Rental
Meals
- Guests Provide Their Own Meals
Suitability
- Clothing Optional/Nude Sunbathing Nearby
- Alternative Lifestyle
- Long-Term Renters Welcome
Bedrooms
- 1 Bedrooms, Sleeps 4, Beds for 2-4
- Bedroom 1
- Convertible bed(s)
Bathrooms
- 1.0 Bathrooms
- Bathroom 1
Kitchen & Dining
- Dishwasher
- Ice Maker
- Microwave
Amenities
- Parking
- Towels Provided
- Heating
- Hair Dryer
- Iron & Board
Other Amenities
Entertainment
- Stereo
- DVD Player
- CD Player
- Games
Communications
- Mobile Phone
Outdoor Features
- Boat
- Kayak / Canoe
- Wood Deck
- Outdoor Grill Gas
- Outdoor Grill
Theme
- Romantic
- Away From It All
Location & View
Activities
- Forests
- Groceries
- Hospital
- Laundromat
- Pier Fishing
- Sound/Bay Fishing
- Water Tubing
- Ski Privileges Optional
- Freshwater Fishing
- Mountain Climbing
- Golf
- Mountaineering
- Paragliding
- ATM/Bank
- Snowboarding
- Mountain Biking
- Skiing
- Hiking
- Cross Country Skiing
- Jet Skiing
- Water Skiing
- Fishing
- Rafting
- Snowmobiling
- Swimming
- Sailing
- Kayaking
- Cycling
- Medical Services
- Massage Therapist
- Fitness Center
- Library
- Marina
- Playground
- Autumn Foliage
- Churches
- Synagogues
- Winery Tours
- Coin Laundry
- Restaurants
- Live Theater
- Health/Beauty Spa
- Museums
- Cinemas
- Walking
- Outlet Shopping
- Paddle Boating
- Eco Tourism
- Gambling Casinos
- Bird Watching
- Scenic Drives
- Horseback Riding
- Sledding
- Antiquing
- Wildlife Viewing
- Shopping
- Boating
- Sight Seeing
- Rock Climbing
- Hunting
Other Activities
Reviews
Write a review-
Tranquility!
Tranquility!
- Guest Tj
- Date of stay 01/25/13
- Review Submitted 01/29/13
Peace and quiet is what we were craving, and it is exactly what we found! The surroundings are beautiful, and the house was a perfect surprise! Functional and green, what a combination! After settling in, my husband and I sat on the deck to soak up some fresh air, it was chilly but the patio heater provided enough warmth to allow us time, we both noticed our ears were ringing from the silence but they adjusted quickly and we were able to just enjoy the sounds of nature. Loved the birds, the crisp clean air, the deck is amazing. The house is clean, efficient, has everything needed! Well, almost, the only thing that isnt' there that we didn't think about, was a freezer. We did our shopping in Auburn, included frozen yogurt... yogurt soup! The small energy efficient refridgerator did not have a freezer, which makes sense. All else was wonderful we came away refreshed and rejuvenated! Thank you so much for sharing we can't wait to return in warmer weather and open the glass walls, that must be the ultimate expierence!!Recommended for: Age 55+, pet owners, romantic getaway, adventure seekers.
Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0
-
A true retreat
A true retreat
- Guest N&I
- Date of stay 11/16/12
- Review Submitted 11/22/12
It was such a pleasure having spent time at The Lotus Lake House. The ambiance of this place--both indoor and outdoor--is incomparable to other vacation homes we have been. Although my husband and I mostly remained indoors due to bad weather, we still felt very connected to the beautiful autumn leaves and peaceful lake in view from inside the house. We'll definitely be back, and we'll have to bring our own collection of DVDs and CDs next time. We didn't know there would be an iPod dock for us to listen to our own music throughout the house, so we didn't bring one. We tried our iPhone but it didn't seem to function with the dock.Recommended for: Romantic getaway.
Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0
-
Blissful retreat!
Blissful retreat!
- Guest Janet & Wilfred
- Date of stay 10/19/12
- Review Submitted 11/02/12
Staying at Lotus Lake House is a magical experience. Tod and Barrie have created a home from home of which they should be enormously proud. Our stay was absolute bliss - there are many wonderful touches that make your stay comfortable, from the great selection of books and DVDs to the well equipped kitchen, they have thought of everything. The location is perfect - very tranquil, you don't want to leave. We were happy to have our dog with us, knowing that she was secure on the wonderful deck. She didn't want to leave either! We will definitely be back!Recommended for: Age 55+, sightseeing, pet owners, girls getaway, romantic getaway.
Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0
-
Wonderful Isolation
Wonderful Isolation
- Guest Howard
- Date of stay 10/09/12
- Review Submitted 10/27/12
Living in a modern connected world, you wonder how well you would do without broadcast TV, Internet and a newspaper. And the answer is just GREAT! While the pictures on VRBO were accurate, they did not do the house, decks and property justice. The ownesr supply many food stuffs to make cooking enjoyable (e.g. many spices, cooking oils). It was easy to hang out there or use the property as a jumping off point for sightseeing Gold Country (really enjoyed Nevada City). The wildlife was plentiful on property: Canadian geese, foxes, deer, birds. The only concerns my wife or I would mention is be very careful when arriving at the property the first time because going down a wrong road could be more adverturous than you want and do not do a load of laundry at night (only during daylight hours because of a primary reliance on solar power). A real off-the-grid experience. An easy recommendation for those into a lovely getaway in the forest. Beautiful and relaxing .Recommended for: Age 55+, sightseeing, pet owners, girls getaway, romantic getaway, adventure seekers.
Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0
-
Relaxing Indoor/Outdoor Living
Relaxing Indoor/Outdoor Living
- Guest Mel
- Date of stay 08/19/12
- Review Submitted 08/26/12
This truly is a lovely, mostly secluded, relaxing place. The outdoor/indoor living was exactly what we wanted. Beautiful views from the deck of the lake and the trees. We relaxed on the deck and swam in the lake with our dog every day. Note that it does require some agility to get from the end of the trail to the water and walk over the rocks – river shoes with a good tread are required. We tried taking out the new canoe (according to the handyman, we were the first to try), however, it was too lightweight and unstable for us. It might work if you don’t weigh much (our combined weight of 2 adults and 1 dog is about 375 lbs.) and have rafting or other boating experience. You also need 2 strong people to unlock it and get it to the shore. One downside of the house is a small (dorm size) refrigerator with no freezer, which we wish we had known in advance. Also, be aware that the bed is extremely firm. We are deducting one star from our rating because the house was a bit disorganized and not as clean as it should have been, the backs of both couches were partially broken, which limited seating options in the living room, and although the owner called us right back after we reported a backed up sink, we waited over 24 hours and had to call again for someone to come fix it.Recommended for: Pet owners, romantic getaway.
Owner response: We have taken immediate action and fired the cleaning company and found a new service provider. Our caretaker Chris unfortunately was taking care of his elderly Mother after heart surgery and was a little slow to respond to fix the sink. Chris will get a pass on this one - he found a ring in the sink, anyone lose a ring? We agree that water shoes or other ankle supporting sneakers are a good idea, we purchased the lightest canoe available but that appears to have other limits. Sounds like some kind of cable mechanism will need to be invented to make canoe use easier. We look forward to having you come again next year and getting a free night for the trouble.
Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0
-
Tranquil and Magical Escape
Tranquil and Magical Escape
- Guest Tai
- Date of stay 08/04/12
- Review Submitted 08/17/12
My stay at the Lotus Lake House was marked by magic, tranquility and renewal. The decor is comfortable, tasteful and hospitable; the view, beautiful and relaxing. The deck is epic--you won't want to go inside. And even if you do go inside, you can bring the stars with you by opening all the sliding glass doors, which make up the living room. This place is a gem. The perfect lake view nest, nestled among trees, in which to recharge and renew.Recommended for: Girls getaway, romantic getaway.
Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0
-
Delightful
Delightful
- Guest Estivater
- Date of stay 05/23/12
- Review Submitted 06/22/12
A delightful property in a lovely spot with the lake twinkling through the trees below, while at night the stars entertained us. The home was furnished to a high standard and we were very comfortable throughout our stay. Plenty of extras added further value to our experience. Ideally located to explore the gold towns of route 49. The owner was very responsive and most helpful. Just a small word of caution, access to the water is not easy and while it would have been possible for us to get the canoe into the water, I'm not sure we would have got it back up the steep, dirt slipway. But please don`t let that put you off as you would miss so much else that this property offers.Recommended for: Age 55+, sightseeing, girls getaway, romantic getaway, adventure seekers.
Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/1
-
Enjoyable!
Enjoyable!
- Guest Kat
- Date of stay 04/06/12
- Review Submitted 04/09/12
Really enjoyed our stay. This is the perfect place to unwind. Really appreciated being able to have our little doggies, a secure deck and fence made it safe. Looking forward to our next visit.Recommended for: Families with teenagers, age 55+, pet owners, girls getaway, romantic getaway, adventure seekers.
Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0
-
Wonderful!
Wonderful!
- Guest donnalouwho
- Date of stay 03/22/12
- Review Submitted 03/26/12
This was one of the best getaways we've ever experienced. So relaxing and wonderful! The property was secluded, private, welcoming, lovely. We felt our souls refresh and renew and started planning our next visit even before we ever left. Thank you for sharing your wonderful home!Recommended for: Pet owners, romantic getaway.
Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0
-
light-filled getaway
light-filled getaway
- Guest khema
- Date of stay 02/02/12
- Review Submitted 03/07/12
we stayed at the lotus lake house three nights. the light-filled house, simple and tastefully designed, was a true getaway. the views were spectacular, the deck to enjoy it from was comfortable, and the quiet all around was divine! the off the grid way of life allowed us to live simply. the owner was #1: friendly, accessible, and really helpful.Recommended for: Age 55+, girls getaway, romantic getaway.
Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0
Rates
| Dates | Nightly | Wknd Night | Weekend | Weekly | Monthly * | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base Rate 2 night min stay |
$155 | $1015 | $3780 | |||
| Spring, Summer and Fall May 1 - Oct 31 2 night min stay |
$250 | $1575 | $5180 | |||
Fees:
- Pet Fee: $10
- Property Damage Protection: $49
- Refundable Damage Deposit: $500
- Tax Rate 10%
Cancellation policy:
100% refund if canceled at least 30 days before arrival date.
This owner accepts HomeAway's most secure form of payment.
HomeAway PaymentsSM is the most secure way to pay and automatically protects your payment up to $10,000 (learn more). Call the owner directly to confirm payment details.
Location
- Nearest Airport: Sacramento at 50 Miles
- Nearest Train: Colfax at 5 Miles
- Nearest Motorway: I80 at 5 Miles
- Nearest Beach: our little lakefront or Orchard Springs Campground at 1 Miles
- Nearest Barpub: several at 1 Miles
- Nearest Ski: Sugar Bowl at 30 Miles
- Nearest Golf: Grass Valley at 5 Miles
Owner info
Year Purchased: 2009
About the owner: We are very interested in doing our part to protect our planet and the environment. Both refugees from the corporate world in Silicon Valley where we held demanding jobs we enjoyed building our dream eco-friendly vacation home in the middle of a forest overlooking beautiful Rollins Lake. Tod designed the off-grid system himself and despite his wife's initial trepidation, it's amazing! This is our home and when it's not rented we delight in escaping the Bay Area for the beauty and simplicity of its zen-like qualities.
Why the Owner Chose Grass Valley:
We love the Sierras and a number of years ago bought 8 acres in the forest overlooking Rollins Lake with the intent of building a low carbon-footprint vacation home that would be all about the views. Although our home is private & secluded we liked that we are within 10 minutes of wineries, the quaint artist town of Nevada City, the historic Gold Rush town of Grass Valley, hiking, exploring the gold mines, and organic farms and only 45 minutes to Sugar Bowl Ski resort.
The Unique Benefits at this House:
You will come away rejuvenated, even after just 2 days! As one of our guests wrote: 'If you need to learn how to breathe again, this place will teach you'. Most of our guests have plans to do lots of things and wind up not leaving the house! The seclusion, the tree-house feel, the lake views and access to the lake and a canoe make this a very special getaway for 2.
Contact us
- Primary: 831-524-0620
Links to more information:
Photos
-
Deck ready for Happy Hour
-
The side deck with Lake view to right and behind cabana
-
kitchen, living area and view to deck; all glass doors open completely
-
recycled wine bottle shower, towel heater and door to deck
-
Sink made of recycled porcelain & rice hulls; shower from recycled wine bottles
-
our house is on the cover of architect Michelle Kaufman's book
-
Abbie enjoying the lake
-
view into living room with glass walls open
-
view from the house - trail down to the lake
-
living room and kitchen
-
bathroom open to deck (shower to the right, not seen here)
-
Bedroom (photo by Ian Martin Photography)
-
Barrie and Tod enjoying the fruits of our labor; come experience it!
There have been visitors to this page since
the counter was last reset in .
This listing was first published here in 2009.
Date last modified - Tuesday, May 21, 2013
831-524-0620