Perfect Family Getaway - Family Vacation, Reunion or Fishing
- Minimum stay:Contact owner
- Internet:Yes
- Pets considered:No
- Wheel chair accessible:No
Rensselaer chateau / country house description
Our country house is in an ideal location for a quiet get away, a special fishing trip or a cozy family reunion. Located close to major metropolitan areas we are only 1 hour from Chicago, 45 minutes from Merrillville, 1 hour from Lafayette, and about 2 hours from Indy. Our property has 12 acres tucked away from the rest of humanity with its own private woods and pond, it has vast front, side and back yards for innumerable activities of your choosing. All the comforts of urban living in a spectacular country setting. You can view nature up close or from a safe distance. In the early morning or late evenings deer often traipse across the lower front yard or stop to drink from the edge of the pond. Raccoons, foxes, squirrels, chipmunks and hundreds of assorted birds from wild turkey to hummingbirds call this place home. The small picturesque pond has a thriving community of fish, frogs and dragonflies. Relax for a day of fishing or just sit out and watch them swim and jump for flying insects.
The house has 5 bedrooms, 2 large bedrooms with king size beds and three smaller rooms with Queen size beds. It is also possible to sleep people on the leather sofas in the den that has twin french doors that can be closed for privacy. The couches in the living room are all comfy 3 seater couches and can be used to sleep teenagers or those not needing a proper bed. The three sofas in the huge recreation room in the basement can also be used to sleep people who don't require a proper bed. Or have a mass of children take over the carpeted basement in sleeping bags for an all inclusive slumber party. In the event of a really large family reunion you may set up tents in the back, front or side yards to accommodate even more overnight guests.
The house has 5 bathrooms, the master bedroom has its own (with a large jacuzzi bathtub); the upstairs hallway has two more. The first floor has a small powder room and the basement has a large bathroom with a shower. You will find that the double living room has enough seating for 12 but many will want to sit on the floor near the fireplace or in front of the windows that look out to the south lawn with the view of the pond. The den has a 42 inch TV that is perfect for a cozy evening watching one of the many DVDs in our collection and the downstairs Recreation room has ample seating and lots of carpeted floor space to thoroughly enjoy any sporting event on the 63 inch plasma TV. The kitchen is a cook's dream with a double oven, a 6 burner stove and a standard refrigerator with freezer and is outfitted with nearly all the utensils you can think of. The double sink with garbage disposal is set with counter on either side and directly across from the cooking area. We have catering tables that can be set up or taken down in the kitchen to accomodate most size groups for eating in.
Outside we have an approximately 150 square foot deck with luxurious cast aluminum furniture. There is a table with a sun umbrella for eating alfresco and ample seating for sitting out and enjoying the company of friends and family. The Weber Gas Grill can hold 12-15 chicken breasts, has an upper warming rack to keep the food ready for when demand arises. There is also a side burner to keep your veggies cooking close at hand.
We have a large bonfire pit in the lower front yard. We also have a smaller firepit which can be used in a specified area in the back yard only. If you would like to have a huge bon fire on one of the nights when you are at the house there is an additional $50 charge and we will have a caretaker present to insure that it is safe and poses no risk to the neighboring woods, trees or house.
We have a small paddleboat and two small kayaks which may be used by renters on the pond. Any individual using these watercraft is required to wear a safety flotation vest (provided)at all times. We DO NOT ALLOW SWIMMING in the pond. Use of the pond is strictly at your own risk. We cannot be held liable for anyone who is injured or killed due to use or misuse of this property. By renting from us you agree that you are in charge of your own safety and the safety of those in your party.
THE BIG RULES:
While the pond is ideal for fishing and small boating WE DO NOT ALLOW SWIMMING as it is very deep in some parts, with a treacherous mud and rock bottom there is great risk of injury. A special eye should be kept on children to ensure their safety.
WE DO NOT ALLOW SMOKING in the house (please do not throw your butts into the yard) There is a Butt Bucket provided on the front porch and one on the back deck. If butts are found lying about you will incur a $250 charge.
WE DO NOT ALLOW PETS OF ANY KIND (not even handicap assist animals please) due to the fact that some members of our family have allergies and many of our guests also prefer a allergen free environment. If your pet is a part of the family and you can't go anywhere without them please choose not to rent from us.
WE DO NOT ALLOW ILLEGAL DRUGS, FIREARMS OR FIREWORKS on the property. While the state of Indiana may allow fireworks and the use of firearms we do NOT allow them on our property by renters. The risks are far too great. We are very harsh in our punishment of people who choose to break these rules.
Please feel free to email us for additional photos, it is a large home and 5 photos just doesn't do it justice.
Keywords: Out of the way, beautiful 12 acres, nature with pond and woods. Private, restful, retreat. Perfect escape from the city to a country estate.
Property Type
- Chateau / Country House
Accommodation Type
- Vacation Rental
Suitability
- Alternative Lifestyle
- Pets Not Allowed
Bedrooms: 5 Bedrooms, Sleeps 10, Beds for 10
Bathrooms: 5 Bathrooms
Kitchen & Dining
- Kitchen
- Microwave
- Cooking Utensils
- Refrigerator
- Dishwasher
Amenities
- Clothes Dryer
- Washing Machine
- Linens Provided
- Parking For RV/Boat/Trailer
Other Amenities
Entertainment
- VCR
- DVD Player
- CD Player
Communications
- Telephone
- Wireless Internet
- Broadband Access
Pool & Spa
Outdoor Features
- Lanai / Gazebo
- Deck / Patio
- Outdoor Grill
Location & View
Activities
- Golf
- Kayaking
- Hospital
- ATM/Bank
- Groceries
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Cycling
- Mountain Biking
- Cross Country Skiing
- Fitness Center
- Zoo
- Bird Watching
- Theme Parks
- Churches
- Restaurants
- Wildlife Viewing
- Boating
- Horseshoes
- Paddle Boating
- Walking
Other Activities
Reviews
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Girls Getaway 2013
Girls Getaway 2013
- Guest Rachel (Hammond, IN)
- Date of stay 08/09/13
- Review Submitted 08/28/13
This was our second year using this house and everything was wonderful again. We spend most of our time outside and love all the seating that is available. The house is beautiful and spotless with not a detail left unthought of. All we needed to bring was food and drinks. Everything else is already there. Thank you for another great getaway! We hope to do it again next year!Recommended for: Girls getaway, families with teenagers.
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family from PA and MN
family from PA and MN
- Guest ds5 (Dever, PA)
- Date of stay 02/01/13
- Review Submitted 02/14/13
We had a wonderful time at your house. We enjoyed the well stocked games and movies! We especially loved the secluded setting and spending time together as a family! Thanks againRecommended for: Sightseeing, girls getaway, adventure seekers, families with teenagers.
Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/2
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Family Weekend Getaway
Family Weekend Getaway
- Guest Grandma (Mooresville, IN)
- Date of stay 09/21/12
- Review Submitted 10/02/12
This lovely home made a great weekend getaway for our family, with several small children having plenty of places to play. They loved the pond and paddle boat ! The bedrooms were all beautiful and very comfortable. The kitchen worked OK after setting up folding tables and chairs. Our only issue was the sulfur smell from the water treatment system - preventing us from enjoying the nice amenities downstairs.Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/1
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A Hidden Beauty
A Hidden Beauty
- Guest Rachel (Hammond, IN)
- Date of stay 08/10/12
- Review Submitted 09/02/12
We rented the house for a long weekend girls getaway (there were 9 of us). The pictures and the description do not give this house justice. It was amazing and had so much space that we never felt like we were on top of each other. We enjoyed the patios, the basement recreation, and even took the paddle boat and kyacks out on the pond. This was our tenth annual girls camping trip and not only was the location perfect, but so was the house. We hope to use this as our annual getaway every year. The owner's were easy to get a hold of and were quick in returning the security deposit. I would recommend this location to anyone wanting to leave the hustle and bustle behind and just enjoy the peace and quiet with loved one's and friends.Recommended for: Girls getaway, families with teenagers.
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FAMILY GET TOGETHER? FORGET MOTELS!
FAMILY GET TOGETHER? FORGET MOTELS!
- Guest Jeanette (MO)
- Date of stay 10/14/11
- Review Submitted 10/17/11
It has become an annual event for my husband's siblings & spouses & children to get together for a family weekend in October. We come from Ohio, Iowa, & Missouri and try to find a location where no one has to drive more than a few hours to reach our destination. We have done motels in the past and this year we decided to rent a house. We will never go back to motels! The web site does not do this house justice. The house is beautiful. All five (yes five!) bedrooms have very comfortable beds(all king and queen size) and there are enough bathrooms to accommodate a large group - we had 15 people. There are very comfortable couches for the younger members of your group. The well equipped kitchen made preparing meals quick and easy. There are ample activities provided on-site to keep most adults or young children occupied. One thing you might need to know is that all the bedrooms are upstairs. This did not bother our family, but if you have elderly or disabled in your group, it might be a factor. The peaceful surroundings make for a very restful stay. I would strongly recommend this home to anyone that is looking for a nice place to hold a family reunion or just a family wanting to get away for a while.Recommended for: Girls getaway, romantic getaway, families with young children, age 55+.
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Great for a group!
Great for a group!
- Guest Anna D. (Chicago, IL)
- Date of stay 09/24/10
- Review Submitted 10/12/10
The house was perfect for our large group of adults and babies/toddlers. Clean and spacious with all the amenities you could want. We had plenty of room to play and relax, indoors and out, and we had a wonderful weekend!Recommended for: Girls getaway, romantic getaway, families with young children, age 55+, families with teenagers.
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Wonderful Vacation Spot! Quiet and Serene
Wonderful Vacation Spot! Quiet and Serene
- Guest Irene (Chicago, IL)
- Date of stay 07/15/10
- Review Submitted 09/02/10
I had a wonderful time visiting this beautiful home for a 4 day Getaway. It is a perfect place to relax and unwind. While there, beautiful butterflies became within arms reach, while the skies are wide open to view stars at night. Very peaceful and is loaded with things to do if you are in the mood to entertain!Recommended for: Sightseeing, girls getaway, romantic getaway, families with young children, age 55+, adventure seekers, families with teenagers.
Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/1
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Felt like home!
Felt like home!
- Guest birdman (Chicago, IL)
- Date of stay 05/01/10
- Review Submitted 08/13/10
Great place to relax! We had a great time. The house was clean and very accommodating.Recommended for: Sightseeing, girls getaway, romantic getaway, families with young children, age 55+, adventure seekers.
Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/1
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Great Getaway
Great Getaway
- Guest Emily (Shorewood)
- Date of stay 05/31/10
- Review Submitted 08/13/10
We had a great time! Rensselaer was a short drive from Chicago making it a quick ride. The property is secluded but we didn't feel isolated. The owners paid great attention to detail. Everything we needed was readily available and great care was taken in decorating... it's beautiful! The kids enjoyed the pond and exploring the woods. The front porch has seating which is great for morning coffee or evening cocktails. Nearby is the Dairy Farm which we also enjoyed. The owners were great to work with and we would recommend this property to anyone.Recommended for: Girls getaway, romantic getaway, families with young children, age 55+, families with teenagers.
Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0
Rates
Standard Rates .......... $300/night .. $1500/week Memorial day to labor day..$350/night.. $1700/week Winter (Jan 01-May 01) .. $275/night .. $1300/week 3 day holiday weekends .. $1100 (Jul 4, memorial day , labor day) 2 night minimum. Jun & Jul by week only (Sat-Sat) Paypal preferred, PP accepts all forms of payment. Checks accepted by mail. Cleaning fee is $100 on all stays, IN Tax 8%, $60 clogged toilet $500 refundable security deposit required
Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.
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Owner info
Year Purchased: 2008
About the owner: We live and work in Chicago. We have a vacation home in Hot Springs Village Arkansas that we had built in 2004 with money left to us by my husband's mother. We have enjoyed sharing it with other people so much that we bought a weekend home in rural Indiana in 2008 and have been fixing it up to do the same. We enjoy meeting our renters through email and phone calls and love hearing their stories and experiences at our home. We look forward to being able to share our blessings with others and to continue to provide a great venue to foster family love and friendship.
Why the Owner Chose Rensselaer:
We joined Prairie Hills Motor Sports Club, a racetrack Country Club, which was supposed to be built in nearby Lake Village Indiana. Initially we were looking for something very small to stay at when we were down for weekends. With a little cash left over from an inheritance and a housing market that was generously in favor of buyers we found we could go a little larger and be able to accommodate friends as well. As city dwellers we are just in awe of the quiet and beauty that make this property so delightful. We relish the chance to spend time there and just relax and forget about the stresses of everyday life.
The Unique Benefits at this Chateau / Country House:
Peace and quiet, privacy and clean air, like living in a fish bowl and watching the natural world go on around us. It is so nice to be able to sit on a comfortable couch and watch out the window to see deer drinking at the pond or sit in the shade, on the chaise, down at the water's edge, fish to catch a catfish as long and thick as your arm. Time seems to slip away and stresses dissolve to nothing important. We held a family reunion for my huge family out here and it was wonderful. Kids playing slip and slide on the front lawn, teenagers and uncles fishing down at the pond, cousins challenging cousins to horseshoes and the gals up chatting with the newest bride on the deck. We had three legged races and water gun fights and so much food I knew we would be eating left over potato salad for a week. With a warm night we had the boys sleeping out in the tent and the girls in sleeping bags in the basement staying up all too late playing video games on the big TV, while we adults slept well two floors away in the comfy beds upstairs. This house is warm and comforting and in an absolutely beautiful location. We are very blessed to have it and be able to share it with other families that need the perfect spot to get together and reconnect.
Contact us
- Click Here to see All My Rental Listings
Photos
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Front of house
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View of the Pond and south Lawn from the breakfast nook through the Living Room
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Kitchen with temporary tables set up that can be taken down.
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The Green Bedroom
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Tuscan Bedroom
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Downstairs recreation room with walk out the patio & the backyard
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Basement workout area
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Chairs surrounding the small fire pit
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Living room from NE corner
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Den or small TV room off the kitchen
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Master bedroom
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Blue Bedroom
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Basement poker and darts area
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The secluded back deck has plenty of seating and a view of the yard and woods
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The side yard and the pond
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This listing was first published here in 2010.
Date last modified - Thursday, July 18, 2013