Spacious, clean and a great value

Guest: steve1756 (Shrewsbury, MA)
Date of Stay: 12/22/09 Review Submitted: 01/06/10

The beautiful photographs of this property show the spaciousness of this cabin. But what they can't capture, is the true beauty of this finely crafted home, which can only be experienced by stepping inside. It has a massive front door, which features custom-made hardware and enormous forged hinges, that swing easily with the touch of a finger. It provides a gorgeous view of the lake through a wall of glass. It has a beautifully crafted cathedral ceiling with exposed beams, and an expansive staircase that leads to the main bedroom in the loft. My wife and I are both in our early fifties so we were concerned about a loft bedroom. But we found the stairs very easy-to-walk. The bedroom has plenty of closet space, two end tables and a very comfortable king-size bed. Looking out over the hand-crafted railing, you'll enjoy a view of the stunning stone fireplace, spacious living room and extraordinary kitchen area, as well as that spectacular view of Lake St. Clair. The roomy kitchen is well-equipped with a gas stove and range, microwave oven, roaster oven, crock pot, coffee maker, toaster, toaster oven, refrigerator and dishwasher. The countertop and island are adorned with gorgeous granite. There are plenty of dishes, cups, pots, pans and silverware. The living room area is equally roomy as the kitchen. It offers plenty of seating with two comfy couches and several alternate seating options with the four footrests that double as a coffee table, three woven straw stools that double as storage for comfy blankets, and the raised hearth of the spectacular rumford fireplace. We rented in late December. So we were treated to the heated flooring provided by a radiant heating system, which made both the granite flooring in the living room and the wood flooring in the kitchen feel quite warm and cozy. The bathroom, which is also very roomy, has a pedestal sink and a wonderful jacuzzi bathtub with dual shower heads and comfortable built-in seat. There's also a washer/dryer combo unit that allowed us the convenience of packing a lot lighter than we typically do for extended trips. The downstairs bedroom, which is off of the living room, offers bunk beds and very comfortable bedding. The owner was very responsive in answering email and phone messages, and was also very accommodating to all of our requests. I would absolutely recommend this to a friend or relative, and am looking forward to my next stay in this amazing cabin.

Owner response:The cabin was custom built with no expense spared. There is a great dock and the lake is clean and beautiful. I wish they had an opportunity to enjoy the lake too. It was just too cold.

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

Beautiful, Quiet Lake, Great Cabin

Guest: Thomas M.
Date of Stay: 06/09/11 Review Submitted: 06/27/11

The pics don't do it justice. For details on the cabin, see review "Spacious, clean and a great value" by steve1756 on 1/6/10. The lake is beautiful & peaceful. Nice dock & canoe & kayak. House is very nice. Open layout which make it seem larger than it really is. Loved the big bathroom, big shower. Plenty of hot water, plenty of towels. Sitting in the kitchen, drinking coffee (great coffee maker, btw), looking out on the lake: priceless. Large patio with chairs & bbq. Cable TV, internet access. If you like to gamble, you're only a few miles from a pretty nice casino. Cindy (prop. manager) was very easy to work with (answering all of my newbie questions). Cabin was very clean & ready for us when we got there. Had my deposit check back within a week of departure. Now that's great service! All that being said, let me share a few 'cons'. Sleeps 5 is a stretch. The bed in the loft is 2 twins pushed together & not comfortable if you want to snuggle in the middle. The room with the bunk beds really seems more like a dark walk-in closet, rather than a bedroom. Not much room for anything more than the bed. Not a lot of dishes or cooking utensils. Speaking of that, no close grocery. So stock up before you drive out to the cabin. I hope I'm not sounding too negative because I would rent this place again in a heartbeat. But for only 2 people, not 4 (unless the other 2 were kids!).

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, tourists without a car, adventure seekers, girls getaway, families with young children, families with teenagers.

Yes! Yes! Yes!

Guest: AmyK (Seattle, WA)
Date of Stay: 06/03/11 Review Submitted: 06/13/11

I can't recommend a better place to stay! The amenities and hospitality ranked far above the listing's description and far exceeded the value for the pricing. It was exactly what we were looking for. The lake was beautiful, the house was beautiful (I covet that huge custom front door!). We kayaked and canoed and explored. It was romantic and secluded and yet close enough to replenish supplies at the grocery store as well as make our one Seattle meeting requiring us to reluctantly re-engage with civilization. It was rural and woodsy enough that when responsibilities did not beckon, neither did we. Hanging out on the dock, the ospreys across the lake were a special kind of cool, then paddling around the lake, we had to paddle through the grasses a time or two to scope the red-winged blackbirds 'cause they were awesome. Between the lake, and the loft, and the jacuzzi, and the fireplace, and the patio with grill and firepit, there was nothing left out, and the house was well supplied with household amenities. We played in the sun, in and on the water, and then snuggled in for movies late into the night. Mmm, perfect! I would recommend this property as far exceeding all expectation. I would love to tell you that it was heinous just so that you don't rent it thus leaving it vacant for me, but that wouldn't do justice to Cindy and her fam who were available for questions quickly and easily by both phone and email, and whose hospitality was overwhelmingly gracious. There was nothing for which we did not want.

Owner response:Amy understands the concept of a great 'staycation'. Living in the Pacific NW we don't have to go far to have a wonderful vacation, especially this time of year.

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

25th Anniversary

Guest: 25th Anniversary (Everett, WA/ Snohomish County)
Date of Stay: 04/16/11 Review Submitted: 05/22/11

This was just as good as described. The cabin was clean and loved the custom features. The jetted tub was a added bonus. They had kayaks we enjoyed as we paddled around the lake. the kitchen was fully furnished and the radiant heated floors were so cozy. Owner was very accomadating. Would definitely recommend and plan on returning ourselves.

Owner response:I've bought another kayak since their stay. It's a nice beamy two person lake kayak. It should be fun for the guests this Summer. The lake meanders with lots of fingers to explore. Plenty of undeveloped shoreline. I once watched from my kayak an owl bathe herself and preen afterwards. She wasn't the least bit concerned about me. The eagles are nesting right now on the island. It's fun to watch them feed their young. We have osprey that trade off the nest with the bald eagles from one year to the next. One guest saw a river otter, what a treat!

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, adventure seekers, girls getaway, age 55+.

Perfect fall get-away!

Guest: SunnyD (Mountain Home, ID)
Date of Stay: 11/03/10 Review Submitted: 11/18/10

I had just returned from a deployment and decided to take a vacation with my family so we could spend time bonding after my time away. My husband and I fell in love with the house! Every morning, we would sit in the kitchen and drink our tea while looking out at the lake. Our son loved going down to the dock to feed the ducks or watch the occasional boater on the water. Since it was November, we weren't able to swim but just being on the lake shore was enough for us. I must say, the pictures just do not do enough justice for this beautiful home! The spacious living room and kitchen give it a very at home feel while the bathroom just showers you in relaxation. The jetted bathtub was perfect for my husband since he suffers from back problems. The house is set just off the road and down a path. At first, I was worried that my 2 year old would have problems with the path but by the time our week was up, he was running up and down it! Though this house isn't directly in Tacoma, it is close enough to drive. We went all over the Seatac area during our time there and never had any problems due to distance. We already recommended the house to several friends if they are looking for a vacation rental and would love to visit it again!

Owner response:It gives me such joy to know that people love my home as much as I do.

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

Perfect Getaway

Guest: Jorge (Lacey, WA.)
Date of Stay: 09/11/10 Review Submitted: 09/17/10

We spent 5 days at the lake front cabin and enjoyed every aspect of it. The house was spacious and warm. The indoor fire place was perfect for the colder nights and mornings and when the weather was nice we enjoyed the outdoor fire place. It was the middle of September so I was not sure how the water would be, but I took a chance and dove in. The water was perfect and we even enjoyed paddling around the quiet secluded area of the lake. You are close enough to the freeway if you want to hit the road, but far enough away to avoid the heavy traffic. We definitely plan on returning.

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, adventure seekers, girls getaway, families with teenagers.

Wonderful in Washington

Guest: Kate (Lacey, WA)
Date of Stay: 11/18/09 Review Submitted: 08/20/10

When my family moved to Washington last year, we stayed in this location for a full month. It was awesome. Everything about this place was fantastic. It was meticulously maintained and included any and all upgraded detailing. Everything promised was delivered, and then much more. The view was fantastic, the house was awesome, and it offered a great view of what Northwest living should be. We booked online and were more than pleased with the results!

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, pet owners, adventure seekers, girls getaway, age 55+, families with teenagers.

Wonderful in Washington

Guest: Kate (Lacey, WA)
Date of Stay: 11/18/09 Review Submitted: 08/20/10

When we moved to Washington last November, we stayed in this location for 30 days. We booked it online, and were unsure of what we would find on arrival. On arrival, we were MORE than pleased. The house was immaculate, the views were AMAZING, the ammenities were nearby and plentiful, and the owner was more than helpful. If you are looking for a lakeside romantic getaway or a wonderful adventure for the whole family, this is the cabin for you!

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, pet owners, adventure seekers, girls getaway, age 55+, families with teenagers.

Amazing Lakefront getaway

Guest: Leona (Boston, MA)
Date of Stay: 03/01/10 Review Submitted: 07/22/10

My husband and I spent an extended stay at this lovely cabin on the lake. It was a wonderful place to spend our last few months in Washington. The owner was really easy to work with. It didn't matter what the weather was like, the cabin was so cozy and inviting, we truly enjoyed it the whole duration of our stay. Once the weather warmed up, we loved hanging out on the lake with the kayak or canoe along with the great swimming and just floating on the rafts. The house was all we could ask for and more. It was great for just the two of us but was also perfect for when we had visitors. We would recommend this wonderful cabin getaway to anyone.

Owner response:It was particularly nice for Leona and her husband because they had to commute to Joint Base Louis McChord every day. It was the best of all worlds for them. A retreat on the lake and an easy commute to the Base. They were bicyclists too. With all the paved "rails to trails" in the area, they had plenty of places to ride. Ft Lewis even has lots of unused paved roads just a couple of miles from the cabin.

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