Vacation Rentals by Owner

Perfect Weekend Getaway

Guest: Tiffany (South of Chicago)
Date of Stay: 01/20/12 Review Submitted: 01/30/12

My friends and I were looking for a weekend escape. This house was exactly what we needed. We were able to relax and still be able to enjoy ourselves. This house was only 15 min away from Swiss Valley. They were able to get us discounted passes to Swiss Vallley. We only stayed here for 2 days, but we definately plan on coming back. This place had everything from the spices you need to cook to board games. If I could make one suggestion to the owners it would be, we would of liked a television in the bedrooms, but that is the only thing at all. Everything else was wonderful. The process of booking this place was very smooth and the owners responded back right away with any questions or concerns we had. We will definately recommend this place to anyone and everyone we know.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, people with disabilities, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

There aren't enough stars to rate this super-great place!

Guest: Jennifer (Crown Point, Indiana)
Date of Stay: 11/11/11 Review Submitted: 11/29/11

It’s true, initially, I was feeling a bit nervous about this reunion. The thought of bringing six adults, four children, and a Labradoodle together left me believing I might need an escape plan. We are four generations that have been separated by over 2000 miles and almost three years. I wasn’t sure putting us under one roof was going to work. After communicating with Ted and Brenda, and then staying at “the Lake House,” I am now finding it difficult to sum up all the joy we experienced that weekend in just a few paragraphs. This might be the easiest way... on our drive home, we each shared our top five (it was too hard to pick just one) favorite things about this trip. Here are some of the things, in no particular order, that made the lists: -Cooking with Mom -Seeing my grand daughter get to know her great-grand mother -Hiking -Watching the dancing light show -Throwing rocks into the water with Bella -Challenging and winning Wii games with my brothers -Photographing a Kingfisher -Eating dinner together as a family -Seeing my mother’s face so full of joy -Reconnecting -Late night talks -Making tea for my nephews -Making jewelry -Sharing new stories and reminiscing about the old ones -Laughing a lot -Coffee and lunch at “Foodies” a new family owned restaurant in downtown Dowagiac, where the food, the service, and the coffee are so good-I am considering driving 98 miles for lunch and a cup of coffee. -A scent-free healthy environment-Thank you again, Ted and Brenda, for appreciating our special needs and your conscious acts of kindness! -Warming up by the fire place -Watching Bella watch “The Panda Sneeze” on You-Tube -Listening to Cortez’s prayer -Finding out the important differences in one’s bed making preferences -Just being together in a house that felt like home

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

TWO WONDERFUL WEEKS WE'LL NEVER FORGET! A WRITER'S PARADISE & A CHEF'S DELIGHT!

Guest: june (Chicago)
Date of Stay: 10/22/11 Review Submitted: 11/14/11

My husband, our standard poodle Juliette and I left Chicago so I could spend two weeks to work on a book I have been writing for the past two years. Peace and quiet was our number one priority so my husband could take his red pen and begin editing my work . Next on our list was lots of space since I figured after two weeks, things could get a little testy if the editing part wasn't to my liking. Well, we found it in this beautiful home with it's five bedrooms in the serenity of the wooded acres surrounding us. Everything was perfect. I also needed two more very important things, wireless internet and good cell service. Both were excellent. Ronald needed a cook's kitchen and a market nearby. Done! In the evening, we sat in the family room and watched DVDs, enjoyed the fireplace in the living room and believe it or not after the two weeks we still loved each other! There was even some red ink left in my husband's pen. Ted and Brenda were awesome about communicating with us through emails. They answered our questions and provided us with a wealth of information about the house and the area. We would highly recommend this house for two people, or a dozen people! It has everything you need. Just bring yourself, your clothes and plan on having a wonderful time. Leave your red pens and your worries at home. Then go for a walk in the woods or down by the lake. I hear there are actually restaurants in the area but I wouldn't know about that since I never left the house the entire time I was there. Hubby cooked 3 squares for me a day plus a snack at night! Am I a lucky woman or what! Thank you Ted and Brenda for making our two weeks on Stone Lake an experience we will never forget. Oh, and Juliette says thank you as well. She is still recovering from seeing her first deer. It was the biggest "dog" she'd ever seen and it nearly scared her to death. Not too sure she is any too anxious to return but we're working on that.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, pet owners, romantic getaway.

What a wonderful weekend

Guest: Michele (Naperville, Illinois)
Date of Stay: 10/07/11 Review Submitted: 10/23/11

Everything was perfect! Turning 50 is right around the corner for me and I told my husband all I wanted was a getaway with the special people in my life. I could not have asked for more. Ted and Brenda have a beautiful home and property. From our first contact with them, they were incredibly informative, helpful and accomodating. Don, the property manager was great and made sure we understood everything and had everything we needed. The pictures (as wonderful as they are) do not do the place justice; it is stunning in person. At one point I told my husband I just couldn't get enough of the place. The home is relaxing and has absolutely everything you need for a getaway. In other places we have rented the kitchen was always lacking; I love to cook and this kitchen was filled to the brim with everything I needed. I can honestly say that you can believe every descriptive word about the home and its amenities. Thank you Ted and Brenda for sharing your home with us. It is a weekend we will never forget!

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, pet owners, romantic getaway.

Wonderful House, Great Owners

Guest: Tom (Missouri)
Date of Stay: 09/05/11 Review Submitted: 10/02/11

There were six of us (All adults) that stayed in the house. The house was beautiful and it was in immaculate condition. The property that the house was on was beautiful, very wooded and very secluded. I took several hikes through woods, went trail running one morning and even took my sister-in-law, who recently had knee surgery, on a drive through the trails in my 4WD Honda Pilot. We enjoyed a fire every night in the very secluded fire pit alongside the garage, and the grounds keeper was very helpful with using his chain saw to cut up some logs which we then chopped into good size burning pieces with our maul (you definitely should bring a maul if you plan on burning anything bigger than twigs). The walk down to the lake was an easy walk down a gravel trail. Two members of my group had physical limitations and we simply drove them down to the lake without any problems. The seating in the TV room only accommodated 5, and the VHS player only played through a small separate TV instead of being hooked up to the main TV, and there was no way to hook it up to the main TV. The lounge chair by the fireplace was the coveted seat and was used widely by my mom as her reading chair. There was plenty of room at the kitchen table and the dining room table and the kitchen had more than enough room for several people to be cooking at once. The pontoon boat worked without any problems, but the lake was somewhat disappointing. It was EXTREMELY weedy, and I was hoping to be fishing for Northen Pike and/or Walleye, but Stone Lake is known for it’s Bass. My brother caught one small bass, and my dad caught two small bluegill, but it was a very peaceful and refreshing time spent with my family out on the boat. The owners, Ted and Brenda, have been the best owners I have ever dealt with during all of the VRBO’s that I have rented. Even though they do not live close, they definitely made me feel that my vacation was the most important item on their agenda.

Recommended for:Families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway.

Family Vacation

Guest: Katie (Grand Rapids, Michigan)
Date of Stay: 08/06/11 Review Submitted: 08/16/11

We had a great time during our week at Stone Lake. There were 10 adults, 1 toddler, and 2 dogs. Ted and his property manager, Don, were very responsive to a coupel small things that came up. One of the things we really enjoyed was all the space we had to either be together as a a family or spread out a little bit. The guys did a lot of fishing and we caught enough Bass and Perch to have a fish fry on Friday - some were even caught off of the dock! We rented the pontoon boat which came in handy as an extra fishing boat, a place to swim off of in the lake and enough space for everyone to go on a boat ride. We also brought our own boat and took it over to Diamond lake one afternoon to look at the beautiful homes and go for a swim. On Sunday we visited Ontwa Baptist Church in Edwardsburg; they were very welcoming of our whole family and not a far drive. Some of the activites we enjoyed; a girls trip to Michigan City to go shopping, biking around Diamond Lake, Golfing at Park Shore, a trip to St Joe, wine tasting, ice cream at Tasty Twirl, Kayaking, fishing, campfires and much more.... Thank you for a great get-away!

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, girls getaway, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

somewhat of a disappointment.

Guest: Carlene (South Whitley, In)
Date of Stay: 07/30/11 Review Submitted: 08/15/11

The home was beautiful and we had plenty of room for all of our 6 families. The kitchen was well stocked and very nice to cook in. . If you are a pet lover you probably would not mind the pet hair. For me it was not something I liked. The swimming area did not meet our expectations and when we complained I felt like we were penalized. We had some issues with a broken refrigerator rack, which we tried to fix. Evidently that was not the thing to do. We should have just left it with a note saying it broke.Our efforts to make a repair were taken as an attempt to hide the incident, which was never our intention.. There was a broken dresser door, that the property manager accused us of breaking, when in fact that dresser was never even used. We feel this might have been in response to our email shortly after arriving to complain about the swimming area being so full of weeds that the 6 of our 9 grand children did not want to swim there. There was also a tear in the leather couch, we feel it had already started to tear before we got there, but of course had no proof of that. The owner lives out of state and we feel did not have a handle on what the property manager really was taking care of or not, in the case of the weedy swim area. I had been planning this vacation for 2 years with the swimming for the grand kids being my main focus. Had I been told there were so many weeds I would never have rented the property. We lost some of our deposit and I am ok with that, since we have no proof of not doing the things we were accused of. We did feel however that some refund should have been offered since the swim area was not what it was suppose to be. We even sent pictures, but obviously their interpretation of tall weeds was not the same as ours. If you rent this property I would suggest taking pictures of all rooms, the pontoon, which the floor was also covered with pet hair, and the swimming area. I know we are the first family to complain and the owners were quick to point that out, but there were things that were not taken care of as I think the owners thought they were. This was not an easy review for me to write, by nature I don't like conflict, but felt I had no choice. Hopefully what we experienced was a fluke and won't happen to any others.

Owner response:The adage, "You can't make 100% of the people happy 100% of the time," is unfortunately quite apt with this review -- our first-ever review that is not 5 out of 5 Stars with either of our two vacation properties on Stone Lake. Very disappointing. This was also our very first instance that we have not returned 100% of our Guest's security deposit. Reason? There were 2 pieces of furniture and a refrigerator with damages: A dresser door hinges were pulled out (as if a young child had hung from it), a refrigerator door shelf was broken, and worst of all a leather loveseat had an 8-inch tear with the padding coming out. This tear most likely could only have happened by a child walking or jumping on the top of the attached back cushion. Worst of all, and most disappointing, is that we were not notified of any of these damages -- nor did our Guests say anthing about them the entire week they were there. We've had other minor damages before - ripped blanket, broken coffe mug, scratched table - and in 100% of the cases our Guests have told us about them before check-out and offered to pay for repairs or a replacement. To date we have thanked them and said not to worry about it - they were accidents. And we were very appreciative of their forthrightness to owning up to the situation. In this instance we first learned of the damages only when our property managers - a local married couple with 3 children who we know very well - contacted us when cleaning the home on Carlene's departure day. They sent us a photo of the torn leather loveseat (which we sent to Carlene) - one could not miss this terrible tear as soon one enters the TV Room. We agonized over retaining a portion of Carlene's security deposit...but the deciding factor was that they never told us about them. In fact they even attempted a repair by gluing the broken refrigerator shelf; it was only discovered during cleaning when the repair fell apart. Regarding our sandy beach area, we are very careful to not characterize it inaccurately, and we work very hard to maintain it. We re-sent to Carlene our email exchange from March 2010 when she first inquired, and nothing was stated about it being 100% free of water plants or daily wash-up from waves. From all the other reviews we have earned, our Guests have been quite satisfied with the beach. Apparently Carlene had envisioned a beach one would find on an open ocean or a great lake, not at a small inland lake.

Recommended for:Pet owners

Ohio Family

Guest: GG (Perrysburg Ohio)
Date of Stay: 07/23/11 Review Submitted: 07/31/11

We just finished our week at this beautiful lake home. We also rented the log cabin and pontoon boat. I highly recommend this - evening cruises after a day of swimming and fishing are a must. The neighbors are wonderful and put up with our grandson asking a million fishing questions! The deck is stellar! The yard is large and well hidden. We love old homes and this one has beauty and character rarely found. We biked around Diamond Lake and the runners in the family found lots of challenging roads & trails. The house is clean and nicely maintained. We ran into a few glitches the first day, but Ted was immediately responsive. A trip to Zeke's in Dowagalic (per notebook recommendation) was a blast as well as the town fair. We plan to return again next year if Ted & Brenda will let us!

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, pet owners.

Wonderful week at Stone Lake

Guest: Marnie (Port Lambton, Ontario, Canada)
Date of Stay: 07/09/11 Review Submitted: 07/22/11

Our family of 15 just returned from a wonderful week at Stone Lake. Ted and Brenda, the owners, were great to work with from our very first contact with them. They are so helpful and really want you to have a good time. They seem like old friends now. We loved the set up of the house. It was so cozy for all of us. There was lots of room for everyone to spread out. We also rented the log cabin and used it for sleeping at night. It was great. The playground for the children was perfect. The adults could sit and visit on the deck and the children could play. We rented the pontoon boat and had a lot of fun each day taking it out and fishing and swimming off of it. The water in the lake was so warm! Several couples took trips to Notre Dame and Shipshewana. Some also visited the zoo. They were all very close and easy to get to. Several of us brought our bicycles and we made several bike trips into Cassopolis. It is such a quaint little town. The trails behind the cottage were awesome and one day a deer was spotted. All in all, we couldn't have asked for a better week. We were all sad to leave but are happy to say that we have booked the cottage for next year. Thanks for a beautiful cottage on such a lovely lake, Ted and Brenda! We look forward to returning in a year.

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

Dan & Georgeann

Guest: Dan & Georgeann (Lemont, IL)
Date of Stay: 06/18/11 Review Submitted: 06/26/11

We had a great family reunion at the Stone Lake property. Home met all expectations and a good time was had by all. Location was close to good restaurants and wehn bad wether close to attractions to keep everyone busy. Fie golf courses nearby as well as shopping. Fishing was exceptional and grandchildren had thrill of catching a few. Highly recommend for a family gathering place.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, pet owners, sightseeing.

1st Family Vacation

Guest: Harry (Normal, Illinois)
Date of Stay: 06/12/11 Review Submitted: 06/29/11

This was a great place for our very 1st family vacation! There was ample room for 3 families, one family with two little ones. The main houses' upstairs bedrooms were perfect for undisturbed naps for the little ones, while the rest of us visited or enjoyed the outdoor surroundings. The fishing off the pier was great with the oldest daughter catching the biggest walleye ever! My granddaughter and I had a great time walking the woods and she was so-o-o-o excited when we saw a doe with her two fawns. She is three years old and thinks she saw "Bambi" which I'm sure she'll never forget! All in all it was a wonderful vacation for all!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, pet owners, sightseeing.

Great Family Fun

Guest: Sergio (Pingree Grove, IL)
Date of Stay: 06/09/11 Review Submitted: 06/22/11

We had a great time celebrating my father's 60th birthday at Ted & Brenda's wonderful lake home. The home was perfect for three families, with kids, and the beautiful log cabin down by the lake was perfect for me and my wife. Everyone enjoyed the covered deck for grilling during the day and sitting in the evening with a nice wood fire roasting marshmallows. The log cabin's sandy beach was a hit with the small kids and the pier was great for the older kids to fish from. Thank you again for the use of your new 2 person kayaks. They were a lot of fun. My family all had a great time and really loved everything about the home. There is so much to do that I would definitely recommend going for a whole week. We hope to be back and will be sure to go for the entire week. Thank you for making the whole process an easy and friendly one. You, the lake, and your home, made our dad's 60th birthday a memorable one.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Perfect for a family vacation!

Guest: Rasonda (Elkhart)
Date of Stay: 05/06/11 Review Submitted: 06/01/11

After being burnt by renting online in the past, my families faith has been restored! This home had enough room to make my large family feel completely comfortable plus some! The gorgeous wood work in this charming home is enough to make you want to stay, the pictures do not do this house justice. This is well maintained home is PERFECT for large families and children. I cant stress enough how family friendly this home is. One of the best things about it is that it is surrounded by woods and has a long secluded drive way. As an overprotective mother of three, this alone made my vacation worthwhile. My children and neice spent all day in the woods and for the first time I was totally fine to them explore. They had so much fun playing on the playset, wandering the woods, and watching the birds. The pontoon boat absolutley made our vacation. We loved heading out to the boat in the morning with our blankets and coffee and enjoying the serene lake and checking out wildlife. The kids loved spending all day on the water and when it was not under the control of children it was being used by the guys to fish. After finding our "spots" we managed to reel in some bass, bluegill, and one crappie. The kids played for hours on the little beach in front of the log cabin. I was a little disappointed that the house wasnt right on the lake, I didnt realize that until we got there. However, it was a tiny walk across the street to the adorable log cabin where we got access to water, beach front, and a pier. This house is nestled in such a serene area that we loved sitting on the back porch and look out onto the lake and enjoy the beautiful landscaping. The patio and the furniture is perfect for visiting, drinking a margarita, and roasting marshmallows. After fishing, playing on the beach, and exploring the woods we would get the kids in bed and enjoy some adult time. It is unanimous that the garage ping pong table was a hit. We got into some hefty competition with our ping pong tournaments. Ted, Brenda, and Don went to great lengths to make sure we were comfortable and happy. Unfortunatley, I cannot review the local attractions because we never wanted to leave the house. We did try the pizza across the lake and my family liked it. We rented this home to celebrate my college gradaution and our time on Stone lake was memorable and so fun, without coming here it just wouldnt have been the same. We had a blast and cant wait to come back!

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, pet owners, sightseeing.

Beautiful home

Guest: CR (Chicago IL )
Date of Stay: 02/25/11 Review Submitted: 03/02/11

This is a beautiful, spacious, secluded home. Plenty of room for multiple couples or families. Big kitchen and nice bedrooms. Very happy with the entire experience. I highly recommend this for a family get away or a place for friends to get together. Lots of space for gathering, and enough space for getting away for privacy. The owners clearly take care of their home and were extremely helpful and responsive.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, pet owners, romantic getaway.

Charming, plenty of space to wonder inside and out

Guest: Lisa (Lisa)
Date of Stay: 11/06/10 Review Submitted: 11/20/10

Three couples in one house? Absolutely, and we all had plenty of our own space to roam inside and out. I loved the 1930's "farmhouse" and wish I would have known more history about it. Loved the wood floors throughout and all the windows looking out onto the lake. The fireplace in the living room was to die for. Even though we were blessed with 60-70 degree weather everyday in November, we still wanted to enjoy the flames of the fireplace. The large dining room table was great to have. The entire house was filled with every requirement we needed. We had my two labs with us and they so enjoyed the outdoors, all the smells of fall and plenty of paths/woods for them to travel. We didn't go in the small cabin, but the men checked it out and said it was pretty cool. We had a small fishing boat and were out in the boat everday. We didn't catch much, but just the tranquility of being ourdoors was great. Upon leaving, our friends chatted with the owners of the pizza place across from the lake and got some good tips for fishing the next time we head up that way. Loved the beds, they were so comfortable I actually slept in,and that is very unusual for me. It was great to have the washer and dryer located in the basement where we could throw in some towels and clothes before we left. I can't think of anything I would change. The short distance from NW Indiana to Cassopolis was awesome. Even though you were only about 1 1/2 hour away you still felt like you were away on vacation. Next time I hope to spend some time in the Amish Country.The information book you leave for your guests was awesome and your e-mails and genuine concern on making our stay something to remember will not be forgotten. Ted and Brenda, you are very lucky to have such a great place to call your own. Thank you for sharing it with so many others. I look forward to seeing your new home once it's done. It was great to see it coming together at the end of the road. Thank you again. WIshing you and your family happiness, wealth, good health for the wonderful new year. Lisa & Terry Dove (Duke and Snickers) Jim and Debra Gordon NW Indiana

Recommended for:Families with teenagers, girls getaway, pet owners, romantic getaway.

Wonderful Traveler Reviews!

Guest: Ted & Brenda
Date of Stay: 10/08/10 Review Submitted: 11/27/10

We have many wonderful Guest Reviews on our full property listing on VRBO.com, property #262334.

Recommended for:

Beautiful and pristine vacation home

Guest: Eric (Chicago)
Date of Stay: 10/08/10 Review Submitted: 10/12/10

I had tried to prepare my guests for how amazing this vacation house was going to be with photos and information, but upon arriving they were speechless. As we entered the beautiful stone entrance and came up to the main house everyone was in awe at how it could feel so removed and private while having such easy access to the town of Cassopolis and the boat docks. Gasps of approval continued as we entered the beautifully accommodated interior with its comfortable furniture, well-kept hardwood floors and plentiful amenities. From the plethora of game selections to the kitchenware to the odds and ends (things like newspaper clippings of local history, menus for local restaurants, full explanations for every electronic device) there didn't seem to be anything Ted and Brenda hadn't thought to include. My experiences with the owners were warm from the very first time I spoke with them by phone. They seemed as interested as I was in making my vacation a special and unique experience. They provided me with plenty of information beforehand and I had no insecurities or questions about the rental prior to arriving (this was a pleasant contrast to other rental experiences I have had). One of our favorite memories from the weekend was watching the sunrise on the pontoon boat we rented from them. With the sounds of geese all around, a fishing pole in the water, and picture-perfect autumn trees all around the lake, it is hard to imagine a more spectacular environment. The hiking trails on their property were great and there was enough of a clearing in the front of the house for a scratch softball game. We had a fantastic time grilling out on their back patio and playing ping-pong in the garage. Overall, it was a highly enjoyable vacation and well worth the money. The location, the accommodations and the owners helped make this a vacation second-to-none.

Owner response:Dear Eric, Wow, wow, wow. Your review totally blew us away - we're still amazed. We are so grateful for your kind & generous words - and very happy that your time at Stone Lake went so well. Thank you so much! Ted & Brenda.

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

You will want to come back again and again

Guest: johnpam (michigan)
Date of Stay: 09/20/10 Review Submitted: 09/28/10

Ted and Brenda we had a wonderful experience at your beautiful and charming vacation home. We loved the secluded feeling yet were within walking distance of town. Nice scenic drives to Dowagiac and other nearby cities, even northern Indiana such as Shipshewana and Middlebury. Actually the house and property are so nice you don’t want to go anywhere else. The covered deck is great with large table with very comfortable chairs, an outdoor sofa, and fire pit. Wonderful trails in the woods right off the deck The inside of the house is so welcoming and comfortable and very lovely, everything you could need is right there. We loved all of the gorgeous woodwork and so many windows to look out at the lake. It was just like a postcard. Thank you for making your home available to us and for making us feel so welcome. We had a great time. Pam, John and Isabel

Owner response:Dear Pam, John and Isabel, Wow thank you for all of your kind words! You really captured so well the hard-to-explain captivating charm of Stone Lake and surrounding communities. We're so happy you enjoyed your stay - and please know our home is always open for you. Fondly, Ted & Brenda

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, pet owners, romantic getaway.

ND Football Weekend- Alum Gathering 9/9-9/12/10

Guest: Mo (Milwaukee, WI)
Date of Stay: 09/09/10 Review Submitted: 09/29/10

What a wonderful venue to share with friends from Ohio, MN, CA and WI. Two generations of Alumni from ND and SMC enjoyed the accomodations. It had the feel of "the Big Chill"! The main house was warm and inviting. The cabin was charming and the history/ article on the fridge gave us inspiration to thank Isaac, Noah and Jacob frequently! We loved the pontoon boat; especially since we didn't even need a GPS system to navigate. The waters were refreshing in the afternoon and the sunset with cocktails and appetizers were a real treat. The deck was a glorious place to relax and cook. We had anticipated a gas grill but given your lists of shopping- it was easy to purchase charcoal. Not to mention everyone enjoyed the treat of the flavor the smoker grill provided for our baby backs! The meat market was a treasure of a place to buy the ample fare shared! Loved the lounge chair bar- where did you find such a treasure? We met your neighbors who were quite pleasant and shared some of the history of Stone Lake. The Lodge is progressing nicely and we hope to stay there next year. They were diligently working and it looks like it will be absolutely gorgeous. Your property would be wonderful for a ND/ SMC graduation party and provide lots of space for family/ friends. College kids/ recent grads loved the ping pong table- our flip cup champ wants to take on your flip cup champ! The only thing missing was a win over Michigan- we'd appreciate if you could make that happen.

Owner response:Hello Mo and ND Alum Crew! It was so kind of you to thank our awesome Amish Log Cabin builders Isaac, Noah & Jacob - we'll mail your thoughtful comments to them. We'll also let Jeff & Geri Lynn, proprietors of Vlasicak Meat Market & Smokehouse (just 5 minutes away), know how much you enjoyed their awesome thick & juicy hand-cut steaks and ready-to-eat smoked meats (plus seafood, huge cold beverage selection, etc.). And we could not agree with you more that our Stone Lake neighbors are truly wonderful, caring persons who have become dear friends. Thank you again -- and we'll work on that ND win thing! Fondly, Ted & Brenda.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, families with teenagers, girls getaway, romantic getaway.

August 7-14,2010

Guest: Lynn (Arlington Heights, Illinois)
Date of Stay: 08/07/10 Review Submitted: 08/14/10

My family just got back from Stone Lake. My husband & I, our three children and their spouses, and the grandchildren all had a great week! The house is absolutely beautiful and Ted & Brenda are very accommodating. Plenty of amenities, the log cabin is a must for being down at the lake...a place to keep beverages cold and for use of the bathroom...important when there are little ones! We had the lake to ourselves most days, very quiet area and the big house is secluded and shady. The addition of the covered deck was a great idea and a wonderful gathering place. The kids loved exploring in the woods and even took a night hike. We can't wait to return. Lynn & Chuck

Owner response:Hi Lynn & Chuck, Thank you so much! It was very special that some of the grandkids created a "time machine" and wrote notes for children who will be staying at the lake house in the future. And thank you for already reserving a week for next Summer (!!!) - this time at our new Stone Lake Lodge House we're building at the wooded lakefront lot at the end of quiet Lake Shore Drive. Ted & Brenda

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway.

A wonderful couple to work with

Guest: Kimi H. (Rossville, IN)
Date of Stay: 06/30/10 Review Submitted: 06/30/10

I scheduled a family vacation for my large extended family with Ted and Brenda at their Stone Lake property. As sometimes happens, our family was unable to get everyone on the same schedule and plans fell through. Ted and Brenda were wonderful and worked very hard to help get another family scheduled in the week we were scheduled for. They refunded our money and were very gracious throughout the entire process. I would highly recommend renting from them and can't wait to get our future family get together scheduled at their property!!

Recommended for:

Guys weekend

Guest: Leroy1950 (Novi, MI)
Date of Stay: 04/15/10 Review Submitted: 04/20/10

We totally enjoyed our time spent at your fantastic vacation rental. We had six adult men, mostly in our 50’s, for a memorial trip on the anniversary of the death of a very close friend. We fished from the Log Cabin, we played a round of golf at the nearby Park Shore Golf Course, played Frisbee Golf on the nature trails on the property, but mostly played poker for three days. Everyone had their own room with plenty of common spaces to get together for meals and revelry. The golf course wasn’t championship quality but it was a nice track for a leisurely round with friends. Since we were there in April it wasn’t fully in bloom but it was in great shape as far as the maintenance. I would recommend this property without hesitation to anyone who has a large number of people who want to get together at a fun place.

Owner response:Many thanks Keith - it was great to meet you and the gang...we're so glad the house, grounds and location worked out so well for everyone. Hope we have the honor of hosting you again next year. Ted & Brenda.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway.

Song Bird Haven!

Guest: Sally & Charlie (Columbia, Missouri)
Date of Stay: 04/09/10 Review Submitted: 04/21/10

Ted, the house, the property, the lake, the location, was absolutely perfect for our family. I spent quite a few hours on the deck, on a very comfortable rocking/swivel chair, listening to the song birds...what a beautiful symphony. We even found a pair of binoculars hanging in the house, how thoughtful of you. My husband concurred that I even spotted a bald eagle soaring over the lake. The teenagers put away their I-pods and the whole family enjoyed the board games. One thing you should add to your description...the luxury bedding and mattresses. I am like the princess and the pea (do you remember the story?) when it comes to beds, yours were like a luxury hotel. We have stayed in many vrbo properties, and yours had the best equipped kitchen of any. We didn't do much cooking, but I checked it all out and would have been able to whip up a gourmet meal. I would definitely recommend this property to anyone, and I am hoping we will be able to come back soon. I would love to come back in the winter and to see some REAL snow. Thank you for being the perfect host. Sally, Charlie, Aubrey & Bryn

Owner response:Thank you so much for your kind words Sally - we're so happy the house and location were so to your liking. And please know we'd love to have your family come back to make more memories...Fondly, Ted & Brenda.

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

Our week at Stone Lake

Guest: Heidi R. (Chicago, IL)
Date of Stay: 03/27/10 Review Submitted: 04/08/10

Thank you Ted and Brenda! We loved staying at your beautiful house! My kids and dogs could not get enough of the woods. It was amazing to watch everyone get back in touch with nature! You left no stone unturned with our stay-you even acted as a concierge with fabulous restaurant and shopping recommendations. We loved the lake as well as the surrounding lakes and are pleased to tell you that we have just purchased our own lake house as a result of our experience! Howdy neighbor! Thanks again and we look forward to spending time with you both over many summers! Heidi

Owner response:Wow thank you Heidi for your kind words! A big congrats on purchasing your own lake house -- guess you fell in love with Cassopolis just like we did! Ted & Brenda.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with young children, pet owners, romantic getaway.

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 01/15/10 Review Submitted: 01/15/10

Wonderful house! Two families stayed and never felt crowded. Love the private nature trail! Walk to town and shopping is very convenient.

Owner response:Thank you Pam! One of the best things about Stone Lake is that one has the seclusion and privacy of a nature retreat nestled among the trees on the lake -- yet one can still walk to town (just 0.8 miles door-to-door) for restaurants, ice cream, a general store (5th generation Hayden Hardware), two banks and essentials. Ted & Brenda.

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Guest: Betty M. (Shipshewana Indiana)
Date of Stay: 12/25/09 Review Submitted: 12/25/09

We maxed out the number who could stay and there was room for all. We served a total of 23 for Thanksgiving dinner and we were able to seat everyone.

Owner response:Thank you Betty, The extra folding tables and chairs stocked at the house sure come in handy with large gatherings! So glad your family Thanksgiving worked out so well. Ted & Brenda.

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Guest: Rachel Y. (Bristol Indiana)
Date of Stay: 12/25/09 Review Submitted: 12/25/09

We stayed at your house for Thanksgiving. The house is so cozy, yet spacious. We all loved it. The guys were watching football in one end of the house and those of us who wanted to chat were able to sit by the fireplace while the teens were playing card games in the dining area. My nieces loved the cabin and one of them loved the woods the most!

Owner response:Hi Rachel, We're so happy that your family found that the various "spaces" in the house worked so well for your family, so you all could enjoy yourselves! Ted & Brenda.

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Guest: Dave115 (Rockville, MD)
Date of Stay: 12/08/09 Review Submitted: 12/08/09

I have now stayed at this lake house twice – first in the winter as a romantic get-a-way and second as a family reunion. If you do not think a lake house can be nice in the winter, let me set you straight right now. My girlfriend and I went for a romantic trip in November of last year and were lucky enough be present for the first snow of the season. The entire property was blanketed in a soft fluffy snow. The house looked exactly like a Christmas card. The views of the lake were equally astonishing in the winter. We were driving a 4cyl Toyota and had no problems getting in and out of the property in the snow. One of the neighbors even came by to check in on us to make sure we were ok after the snow fall. The kitchen is amazing for cooking. The grill top on the stove made perfect steaks and the fire place was a dream come true on those snowed in nights. It may be a large house, but it still felt cozy. This past summer we attended my girlfriend’s family reunion. While not everyone stayed for the entire trip, all 20 of us were easily accommodated for the large cook out that we hosted at the house. Her entire family was awed at the house. A few of the guest slept over night in the newly built log cabin and the sound of the water lulled them to sleep at a surprisingly early hour. Overall I would say that this is a remarkable property that we were lucky enough to find. I am looking forward to staying again and again over the years.

Owner response:Thank you Dave, Well you sure made the case for Stone Lake during the winter...and how the house works for large family gatherings. Thank you for your comments! Ted & Brenda.

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 11/23/09 Review Submitted: 11/23/09

Great accomodation! The house is very well-kept with a cozy cabin feel. Our group just showed up with clothes and food, and everything else was there for us. The well-stocked kitchen with nice appliances was a bonus. This is a great place to get together with family or friends.

Owner response:Hi Gary, Thank you much - and thank you for hitting the nail on the head in that despite it's 2,600 sq ft, the house is arranged in such a unique way that it somehow captures that "cozy" feeling of which you wrote...almost immediately one feels "at home." -- Ted & Brenda.

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Guest: Erin63 (Wyandotte, MI)
Date of Stay: 11/20/09 Review Submitted: 11/20/09

I stayed in this home for a fun friends weekend in the fall - it was a wonderful time in a beautiful setting and home. I can't wait to go back!

Owner response:Hi Erin, Well thank you! Hope you and your friends can come back time and again for regular "Stone Lake Getaways!" -- Ted & Brenda.

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Guest: Barb Fox1 (Indianapolis, IN)
Date of Stay: 11/01/09 Review Submitted: 11/01/09

We had a great time at a family weekend in this beautiful lake home this fall. With 8 adults and 3 young children, the home had the perfect layout. We were able to put the kids to bed earlier in the evening and stay up late without fear of bothering them. AND, the adults (without children) were able to catch a few extra winks in the morning when the youngsters were up at the crack of dawn! We loved the view, the fall colors and the chance to reconnect. Highly recommend this home! Thank you, Ted and Brenda, for changing your plans so we could come!

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Guest: Luciene Rathwell (Wayne, IL)
Date of Stay: 10/21/09 Review Submitted: 10/21/09

My 7 year old son & I stayed here over a chilly Columbus Day weekend in Oct. Though we did not give the owners much advance notice of a request to rent their home (just 4 days!), they were more than gracious to us, and we enjoyed the weekend very much. The house is beautiful, just like the photos, with master craftsmanship of the old days. Woods were fun to explore and Stone Lake right out the door. It also came with wonderful neighbors that helped us out with fishing! We felt right at home, and had everything we needed. Thank you Ted & Brenda, for trusting us, your first VRBO renters. We hope to be back.

Owner response:Hello Luciene and Rylan, Thank YOU, Luciene, for making our first "toes-in-the-water" VRBO experience so positive. We spoke a number of times during your stay, and it was so rewarding to hear how much fun you and Rylan were having with the fishing, the pumpkin patch maze (you went twice!), exploring the woods, enjoying the local eateries, Mom & Son connecting so well. We never realized how much joy we would realize by sharing our home with other families..thank you Luciene. Ted & Brenda

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Guest: Jennifer Hansen (Dearborn, MI)
Date of Stay: 10/01/09 Review Submitted: 10/01/09

Brenda and Ted, Now that the season has ended, we just wanted to send a big thank you for all the family fun at the lake house. We have really enjoyed ourselves so much this past spring and summer. I never wanted to live in a small town until I visited Cassopolis. The boat makes our visits at the lake house even better. I love all things water related! I am pleased that, through the generosity of you both, John and I are able to pass down a love of nature to our son James. When he's older we can pass down our love of the Full Bull too! (For those of you reading this, it's a great bar and restaurant. Check out Zeke's in Dowagiac too!) We can't wait for our next visit. The lake house has really brought our family together and made us even more closely knit than ever. Love, Jennifer, John and James

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Guest: Matt86 (Hyattsville, MD)
Date of Stay: 09/27/09 Review Submitted: 09/27/09

We stayed here in late August of 2009 and loved it! The house is clean and well cared for, not to mention in a quiet and beautiful setting! The cabin on the lake was our own little "Walden" and we spent many hours on the front porch looking out at Stone Lake when we weren't out on it on the pontoon boat. There is also a firepit on the side of the house that we would sit around at night and talk. A very serene experience all in all. We stayed longer than we had originally intended to and are already making plans to go back next summer!

Owner response:Hi Matt, Since you were kind enough to submit your comments, you actually have been back for a "guy's weekend." Thank you so much for sharing your observations / feelings. Ted & Brenda.

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Totally worth it

Guest: Davis (Okemos, MI)
Date of Stay: 07/12/09 Review Submitted: 07/07/10

We booked the lake house and cabin for several families w/ children and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. The house is both classy and comfortable and the covered deck is outstanding. The master bedroom in the main house and the two bdrms. of the guest house are large and beautiful, the two other bedrooms in the main house upstairs are pretty small, but fit a couple or single just fine. The log cabin is gorgeous, but gets a little warm upstairs, so bring a big fan and you'll be fine. Best things were the beach at the cabin (which the kids played on for hours), the covered deck, the pontoon boat, the great kitchen, and the TV room. The owner (Ted) was very easy to work with and he was very agreeable to any special needs/requests we had. There was some room for improvement - such as poison ivy on the grounds near the house - but the owner was very receptive to any and all of our suggestions to make our next stay even better and he addressed each suggestion vowing to do all he could to implement them. We were very satisfied with our 3 day/3 night stay there and we are already planning on making it an annual meeting place for our families!

Recommended for:Families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway.