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Unique Private Island Home on Midwest Sport Lake with Pontoon Boat included!

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Brand new kitchen featuring quartz countertops, cooktop, oven and refrigerator.
Private kitchen
Dining
Dining
Interior

Reviews

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional
4 bedrooms3+ bathroomsSleeps 15

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washer
  • Dryer
  • Free WiFi
  • Air conditioning
  • Outdoor Space

Explore the area

View in a map
Rome City, IN
  • Place, Bishop Island
    ‪1 min walk‬
  • Place, Sylvan Lake
    ‪1 min walk‬
  • Place, Hathaway Island
    ‪3 min walk‬
  • Airport, Goshen, IN (GSH-Goshen Municipal)
    ‪35 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

4 bedrooms (sleeps 15)

Bedroom 2

1 Double Sofa Bed and 1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 3

2 Queen Beds

Bedroom 4

2 Twin Bunk Beds

Master

1 King Bed

3 bathrooms, 1 half bathroom

Bedroom 4 bathroom

Toilet · Shower only

Main floor bathroom

Toilet

Master bedroom

Toilet · Shower only

Second floor hall bathroom

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Unique Private Island Home on Midwest Sport Lake with Pontoon Boat included!

Grape Island Getaway, locally known as Bishop Island, is a unique, private island with a beautiful stone home built in 1900. It is the perfect landing place for a family vacation. You and your guests will be the only ones on the 4.2 acre island! It truly is a PRIVATE ISLAND. It may only be accessed by boat. Due to the midwest winters, Grape Island Getaway is only available May through October each year.

Although the exterior maintains the 1900 charm, the interior is newly renovated and can comfortably sleep up to 15 people. Main floor has primary bedroom with ensuite, a gorgeous kitchen including: double ovens, an induction cooktop, and plenty of space to cook and hang out, a dining area, fireplace and living room with leather reclining couches. Upstairs you'll find three bedrooms, including a kids' bunk room with its own bathroom, and another bathroom. Internet is included as well.

Outside there are plenty of activities to keep everyone happily busy. The 669 acre lake has pristine water, and should you choose to rent the island, you will have full access to a pontoon boat for the duration of your stay (pontoon rental alone would be $200 a day!) With 2000 feet of shoreline, Grape Island Getaway has prime fishing - make sure to bring fishing poles to catch walleye, blue gill, crappie, and large mouth bass-perfect for a fish fry. Not into fishing? There is a great sandy shore for swimming or launching kayaks - three are included. You will not be disappointed with Grape Island Getaway!
Our prices include all fees. No hidden fees.

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  • Dryer
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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0-17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Outside only

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated there are no carbon monoxide detectors or gas appliances on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit

About the neighborhood

Rome City

Located in Rome City, this vacation home is on a lake. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Chain O' Lakes State Park and Sylvan Lake, while Gene Stratton-Porter State Historic Site and Mid-America Windmill Museum are cultural highlights. Looking to get your feet wet? Motor boating and fishing adventures can be found near the property.
View more Vacation Homes in Rome CityOpens in a new window
Map
Rome City, IN

What's nearby

  • Bishop Island - 1 min walk - 0.0 km
  • Sylvan Lake - 1 min walk - 0.1 km
  • Hathaway Island - 3 min walk - 0.2 km
  • Twin Island - 3 min drive - 1.5 km
  • Allen County War Memorial Coliseum - 56 min drive - 76.1 km

Getting around

  • Waterloo Station - 34 min drive
  • Goshen, IN (GSH-Goshen Municipal) - 35 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪McDonald's - ‬16 min drive
  • ‪Five Lakes Coffee - ‬15 min drive
  • ‪Twin Six Restaurant - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Scott's Fuel Center - ‬15 min drive
  • ‪Wendy's - ‬16 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Unique Private Island Home on Midwest Sport Lake with Pontoon Boat included! pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much does it cost to stay at Unique Private Island Home on Midwest Sport Lake with Pontoon Boat included!?

As of May 1, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Unique Private Island Home on Midwest Sport Lake with Pontoon Boat included! on Aug 17, 2026 start from $544, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

How much is parking?

Onsite parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Unique Private Island Home on Midwest Sport Lake with Pontoon Boat included!?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Unique Private Island Home on Midwest Sport Lake with Pontoon Boat included!?

Check-out is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Unique Private Island Home on Midwest Sport Lake with Pontoon Boat included! located?

This family-friendly Rome City vacation home is located on a lake, just steps from Sylvan Lake and Bishop Island. Twin Island and The Way College of Biblical Research are also within 2 mi (3 km).

Reviews

9.6

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labeled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 42 out of 53 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 11 out of 53 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 53 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 53 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 53 reviews

9.2/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Shane J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Such a perfectly historic and beautiful get away.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Dale S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Sylvan Cellars Concert Weekend

We had a great stay the 100 year old stone cottage, it had a really great kitchen and common area for our group. The Pontoon boat access over to The Bishop’s Island and the rest of the lake made our stay relaxing and peaceful. As an added bonus, we were just a couple minutes from the Sylvan Cellars Event center for a full weekend of fun. Highly recommend!
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Lisa S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

family get away

although we were only 30 minutes from home it was a great place to stay and relax.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Mark M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Overall a great experience for a quiet getaway. The views were amazing and having a boat made the trip so much more fun. The facilities themselves were a mashup of rustic and modern. Providing old country charm with modern appliances. The only concern is the cleaning fee/check out. Despite a 300 cleaning fee we had to empty all the garbage, take it to the main land, wash all the dishes, strip all the beds, and move all the towels.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Krista W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Yearly Lake Trip

Property was nice and spacious. Everything we needed was available.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023
Verified

8/10 Good

Karen J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Bishops Island

This is a private historic home with all the modern conveniences. Outside is private with room to roam, swim, boating, and kayaks.The owners are very friendly and helpful. The kids especially loved everything about the island. Being over 70, I had issues getting from the boat to the house. The steep incline of the pathway made it especially difficult to haul our coolers etc. to the house. A wagon or pulley system would solve the problem. Overall this place is beautiful, private,and relaxing.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Nick H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Unforgettable

We had an excellent time and made memories that will last a lifetime!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Luke R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Getaway

My family and I had a great time at this island lake house. The kitchen and living area is great. The kids loved the swimming area. Game nights on the porch overlooking the lake were perfect. The owner was very responsive.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

John A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Island Trip

Our family had a great time on Grape Island. The accommodations were great and having access to a boat for the week was wonderful. Being on an island is not as challenging as you imagine because the trip to the mainland is 2-3 minutes. We would recommend this location to everyone!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Terry A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Unique Experience!

My family of 11 had a great time. We took advantage of all the amenities the island offered. The owners were very accommodating. It is a great place to create many family memories.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Brian B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful Getaway

This is a beautiful and historic property. It’s like stepping back in time, but with all the modern conveniences. The house itself is beautiful and spacious. Having the whole private island to yourself is amazing. The use of the pontoon to explore Sylvan Lake, go fishing or make a trip to the store was so nice. Highly recommend for a family getaway!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Lori W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Island Getaway for Family Vacation

We had a great time on the island making memories with our grown kids and grandkids. The littles enjoyed swimming, fishing, and playing in the sand. My sons-in-law even set up a "treasure hunt" for the kids to find a treasure chest with fake jewels buried in the sand. They loved it. It was a great place to relax and fun to explore the lake.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022
Verified

8/10 Good

Cindy I.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family vacation

We enjoyed our stay so much. The home was perfect for our late family of 12. The kids had a blast as well as the adults. The only issues we could mention to improve on would be the outdoor furniture was not really useable and the beach area could use some seating. Nothing that impacted the overall experience. Four stars all the way, we would book again! This family recommends this property!
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Roberta M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Relaxing

The overall stay was very relaxing with little to worry about. Privacy and quiet were every moment. The owner very responsive to our questions. The web description said extra refrigerator and hot tub. When asked about it was explained by owner. This did not disrupt the fun that we had and great experience at the house and lake.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Kathy K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

One of our coolest trips ever!

This is an amazing spot - we had three couples and a couple younger children and we thoroughly enjoyed the island. It was so fun to explore the lake on the pontoon, which you can take to the market or ice cream shop (when it's open, we were late in the season). The nice big yard is great for playing ball and we spent every dry evening by the fire pit - a wonderfully relaxing spot at night. Beautiful kitchen, plenty of spices and pans and things I don't expect to find at a VRBO. Quick responses from owner when little questions came up - we hope to be back again!
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Chad S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Awesome Lake - Great Renovation on a Private Island

Great host. Great check-in process. Boat pickup and access to the island was quick and painless. The internal renovation was done very well. Top of the line appliances. Plenty of room. Huge screened in outdoor patio. Pack your gear and coolers with food and drink - you are on an island. Easy on and off access to the boat and kayaks.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2019
Verified

8/10 Good

Andre R.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Bishop Island

House was great. The outside / exterior wasn’t quite as nice. Loved having a boat, but it was very dirty and full of cobwebs and debris. There was a swing on site, but it was old and rusted. Would’ve rather not had one. The dock pad used for jumping in the water had a screw sticking out of the steps. Overall the stay was great, but would have loved to see these little things fixed.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Leigh Ann E.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great place to stay!

We had a wonderful time on Sylvan Lake. The house was perfect for our family of adults and toddlers, much more roomy than I thought it would be. Kids liked the "beach" and eating lunch on the boat! The lake was very quiet during the week- which we loved, gave us time to kayak, fish, and sit by the fire. I will say only one adult got poision ivy (she is highly allergic) all the kids stayed on the paths and were able to avoid that. We did have an issue with bees getting into the house- but I am sure that can be remedied easy enough. There was enough sleeping room for everyone- the house was pitch black a night- great for sleeping. Kristy and crew could not have been more responsive to my question pre trip and while we were on the island. We had a great trip and made lots of memories.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021
Verified

8/10 Good

Paula W.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect private stay with use of Pontoon

Location is very private which was perfect for us. Cars are parked right across the lake on an easement & pontoon was waiting for us. Nicely stocked house. Everything you need in the kitchen, plenty of towels for the lake etc. First impressions: pontoon is so dirty & absolutely covered with cobwebs and spiders. House itself was cleaned but porch area could have used a broom to it. Couldn’t figure out how to work oven - it wouldn’t turn on. No instructions for it. Water leak from en-suite bathroom upstairs- coming into dining table area Very warm upstairs Need water shoes for beach area - lots of sharp rocks Dishwasher doesn’t clean dishes very well Dishes sitting in cabinet were dirty. Had to wash everything befor using. Very small hot water heater - everybody’s showers were cold It would have been nice if Beds were made
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jenny S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Space

We had a wonderful time at Grape Island. The boat was easy to use and the island isn't too far from shore, so even though it took us multiple trips to unload it didn't take terribly long. The big yard, trail around the island, and screened in porch were amazing spaces for the kids in our group to play! It is worth noting that the staircase is rather steep and narrow up to the second floor. If anyone in the group has trouble with stairs they should plan to stay in the master on the first floor. We had to change our sleeping arrangements because my grandpa couldn't do the stairs safely. I would also recommend this trip to be an offline experience. Two members of our group had to jump on several work calls during the week and the wifi was not strong enough to support their connection. They ended up working from the public library in Kendalville. Overall, the space was a ton of fun and the old stone house is gorgeous!
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2022
Verified

8/10 Good

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location
Disliked: Listing accuracy

Island Retreat

Kristi was so gracious and available throughout the booking process and our stay. The wood and stone of the house make it homey, and the renovations make it comfortable. We had enough comfortable beds, bathrooms (showers, no tubs), and living space. The huge screened-in porch was great for relaxing, and the kids could play safely. We grilled on the large back deck for one of our meals. How exciting to stay on our own island for the weekend, and the use of the pontoon and kayaks was a real treat. We brought our bluetooth speaker and lunch to the docked pontoon, and looked around at the kids swimming and kayaking in a moment of feeling like "this is the best". The only thing that would have made our stay more enjoyable would have been usable yard space and paths to explore the island. There was so much poison ivy that we didn't let the kids leave the path from the porch to the water. The beach was a small stretch (like, couldn't put a chair or towel on dry sand) only reachable by boat at the back of the island, so we didn't get a chance to use it. We know this place is still being renovated, so we hope that the yard will be ivy-free by next time! Thanks, Kristi!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2019
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Grape Island Partners L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Idyllic private island stay on Sylvan Lake in Rome City, Indiana July 2019

We rented Bishop Island for our small family reunion (11 people) and couldn’t have been more excited with this property. This home features modern conveniences with its 2018/2019 remodel, while maintaining many of the beautiful 1900 era home features. Absolutely love the expansive front porch, stone walls, original windows and doors including a “Dutch” door- I had forgotten these. Being on an island was a unique experience, loved the privacy while being in the middle of the lake. The island is mostly undeveloped with beautiful large trees, lovely birdsong, chipmunks, and great firefly (lightening bug) shows at night. Having 3.5 bathrooms is definitely convenient. The 4 bedrooms are large, furniture is laid out well, & the bedding is comfortable. I even had to ask what brand of mattresses these were as we plan to buy one for home since we slept so well. The kitchen is well-equipped with very modern appliances and great space for a large group to eat together while we share our favorite recipes. We only left once to go out to eat and explore a little Amish country. Loved looking at old lake property maps & reading some of the history of Rome City & the lake that are present in the house. Sylvan is a beautiful all-sport lake. Even though it is smaller than the lake I grew up on, it has several fantastic bays for your favorite water activities. During the week, you may even have a bay all to yourself. Sylvan is now my favorite lake – out of several in Indiana, Michigan & New Mexico. Just wish there was a marina on the lake to gas up. There are views of the lake from both the front & back deck of the house, and a sandy area for swimming just off the shore on the backside- a short kayak or pontoon ride away, both of which were provided for our stay. For July 4th, the fireworks were amazing over the water, one of the best shows ever! Kristi was great to work with and always responded quickly to our questions. It is obvious that she loves this home and that many of the residents of Sylvan Lake are excited to see this house renovated and occupied again. Can’t wait to come back! Shelley C.
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2019
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Bryce S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Island

This place was amazing! The inside of the house was way better than we thought it would be. The only way to make this place better would be to clear out more weeds along the shore line. Overall it was perfect!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Kim W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Fun long weekend to end the summer

A group of 8 adults and 7 kids under the age of 4 stayed here for our annual trip together. We loved swimming at the beach and hanging out on the screened porch. There is plenty of space to spread out in the house. The amenities are abundant, and having an extra fridge on the screened porch was a lifesaver with so many of us there. My only suggestion is a good spray down with a hose or at least wiping away cobwebs on the boat as it was covered with webs and spiders when we arrived, but we had a wonderful stay making memories with our families.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

John M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful

Pleasantly rustic, ample embellishments, sports equipment, lots of things to do, great environment with many nearby points of interest. great lake for cruising with lots of interesting coves and basins.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2022

About the host

Hosted by Kristi Gillespie

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Languages:

English
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