A rare find — beach equipment ready to go for your days by the sea.
Centrally-located
You're never far from where you need to be with this convenient location.
2 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 6
Popular amenities
Ski lift privileges
Onsite parking available
Dog-friendly
Kitchen
Washer
Air conditioning
Explore the area
Fox Lake, IL
Fox Lake
Place, Fox Lake
1 min walk
Nippersink Lake
Place, Nippersink Lake
3 min walk
Jet Funn
Place, Jet Funn
14 min walk
Chicago, IL (PWK-Chicago Executive)
Airport, Chicago, IL (PWK-Chicago Executive)
54 min drive
Rooms & beds
2 bedrooms (sleeps 6)
Bedroom 1
1 Queen Bed
Bedroom 2
1 Queen Bed
1 bathroom
Bathroom 1
Toilet · Shower only · Hair dryer
Spaces
Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Dining area
About this property
A Diamond in the Rough
This diamond in the rough is a cozy 2 bedroom cottage perfect for a weekend getaway, family vacation or a romantic retreat. This great escape will provide you with a little piece of paradise while giving you the feeling and comfort of home! And because pets are family too, we welcome them; but must be cleared with the owners first. No cats please, as the owners are allergic. This adorable cottage is nestled on a quiet residential street behind the main home. Water, pier and boat slip access are only steps away by walking down the lighted path on the side of the main home where you can enjoy breathtaking sunsets, fishing, swimming, boating, paddle boarding or kayaking and in winter snowmobiling, ice fishing and skiing at Wilmot Mountain Ski Resort. A boat slip to dock your boat, 2 kayaks & 2 paddle boards are available at no extra charge your use. The cottage is fully air conditioned and heated with ceiling fans in bedrooms, kitchen and living room; making it perfect for year-round suitability. When staying in this home away from home, you can start off your morning soaking up a little fresh air out on the front porch enjoying a cup of freshly brewed coffee. After an eventful day exploring all the Chain of Lakes has to offer, both bedrooms have queen size beds with 700 thread count linens and overstuffed pillows for your sleeping comfort. For those less than stellar weather days, cozy on the oversized sofa or kick up your feet on the reclining chair in the living room where you can also partake in some viewing enjoyment on the 40” LED television equipped with Xfinity TV or enjoy your favorite DVD by popping it into the DVD player. Feeling a little competitive? Stroll on over the utility closet where you can find several different board and card games to partake in. Secured WiFi internet access is also available. A little hungry? Quickly whip something up on the gas stove in the kitchen that is furnished with all appliances, utensils and dinnerware for your convenience, including an expandable kitchen island. Want make it a BBQ instead? Head outside to your own private patio to access the gas grill.
Your home away from home oasis is: 30 minutes to Six Flags Great America Amusement Park, where you can also make a stop into Gurnee Mall for some shopping. Or, the Volo Museum which has a vast collection of classic, custom and movie cars including The Fast and Furious, Knight Rider and Blues Brothers. Walking distance to Dingy’s for an ice cold beer, a Dingy burger or sloppy joes and homemade chips-and or El Puerto restaurant for an awesome Margarita and fajitas. A Thursday night “Thunder on the Chain” to watch thrilling drag boat racing with Northern Illinois Drag Boat Association at Blarney’s Island - “The Greatest Boating Bar in the World” known for live music and is a major destination for summer.
*Staying with us again? Ask about our Preferred Guest Benefits. * Ask about our discount for Great Lakes Naval Base boot camp graduations. We look forward to sharing a little piece of paradise with you soon. Cheers!
Our prices include all fees. No hidden fees.
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Nippersink Lakehouse - Private Pier, Jet Ski ramp and Pet Friendly!
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Nippersink Lakehouse - Private Pier, Jet Ski ramp and Pet Friendly!
Pets allowed: dogs less than 50 lbs per pet (limit one pet total)
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Smoking
Smoking allowed: in designated areas
Do not throw butts on ground or in lake.
Check-out instructions
The host requires you complete the following before checking out:
Load and start the dishwasher
Remove personal items, remove leftover food and drinks, and take out the trash
Turn off the lights and lock the doors
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.
Important information
You need to know
Property # 3950258ha
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 is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock
About the neighborhood
Fox Lake
Located in Fox Lake, this cottage is near theme parks and on a lake. Parrot's Cove Marina and Steeple Chase are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those looking for area attractions can visit Six Flags Great America and Jet Funn. Volo Bog State Natural Area and Kenosha County Fairgrounds are also worth visiting. Enjoy the area's slopes with snowboarding and skiing, and don't miss out on the snowmobiling and ice skating.
Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 1 total) with a maximum weight of up to 50 lbs per pet. Some restrictions may apply, so please contact the property for more details.
How much does it cost to stay at A Diamond in the Rough?
As of Jul 23, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at A Diamond in the Rough on Sep 14, 2026 start from $304, 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 A Diamond in the Rough?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at A Diamond in the Rough?
Check-out is at 11:00 AM.
Where is A Diamond in the Rough located?
Situated on a lake, this cottage is within a 5-minute walk of Fox Lake and Nippersink Lake. Jet Funn and Pistakee Lake are also within 1 mi (2 km). Fox Lake Station is 20 minutes by foot.
Reviews
9.4
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labeled.
The place has a nice large living area. The hosts are very kind. Also, Fox Lake has a fantastic playground that our grandchild, who lives near there, enjoyed.
Isabelle M.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025
Archival
10/10 Excellent
eric g.
Jul 20, 2015
Great place!
I will be staying here again in the future. Great place at a great location.
Check in was easy and the host had birthday wishes for my wife. Great touch.
Joe M.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2025
Response from VrboOwner on Aug 2, 2025
Thank you for your kind words. Glad your wife had a beautiful birthday.
Archival
10/10 Excellent
Tracy N.
Aug 19, 2015
Great owners, fantastic place, great location
Owners were very flexible, place was great size, extremely clean, easy access to lake, house had everything you need for weekend, owners were generous giving us water, ice, and coffee to welcome us. Highly recommended and will stay again in the future!
Tracy N.
Response from VrboOwner on Mar 26, 2020
It was a pleasure to have all of you for the weekend! We are happy that you enjoyed your stay and look forward to having you return in the future! Best regards, Jim & Rose
Very cosy & nice. The backyard was wonderful. We enjoyed the privacy. The location was convenient to restaurants, etc.
Lisa T.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024
Archival
10/10 Excellent
Michael L.
Jun 4, 2015
Perfect!
Great location for a relaxing getaway. The house is perfectly set up with dock access, restaurants are close by and even a good bar is walking distance. We had a 26 foot boat which was perfect for touring the lake chain. Overall, a GREAT , well-priced cottage! Would highly recommend.
Michael L.
Response from VrboOwner on Mar 26, 2020
Thank you very much for your kind words! It was a pleasure to have all of you here for your 'guys weekend'. We are very happy that all of you enjoyed yourselves. We look forward to having you back!
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Elizabeth C.
May 20, 2019
Absolute Relaxation
The property is charming, homey and full of personal touches. The town (and surrounding communities) have a bunch of shops to explore.
Elizabeth C.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2019
Response from VrboOwner on Mar 26, 2020
We are delighted that you and your husband had an enjoyable and relaxing weekend! In addition, we appreciate your kind words left in our cottage guest book & happy that you enjoyed the coffee cake from Fox Lake Bakery. They are truly the best! Lastly, thank you so much for the chocolate covered pretzels from Long Grove Confectionery - they were delicious! We hope to see you back soon!
Loved this place and had a blast! Perfect for our girls' weekend (5 of us). The cottage is very nice and seems recently renovated. Great patio area under tent. Beautiful lake. We brought a big party raft and tied it up to the pier and enjoyed hanging out in the warm water. Owners were extremely nice and welcomed us with a bottle of sparkling wine and great suggestions for things to do in the area, although we just had a great time relaxing there.
Michelle H.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2018
Response from VrboOwner on Mar 26, 2020
Thank you Michelle! So happy you and your hystersisters had a fabulous weekend! All of you were a delight. Hope you see all of you again next year!
Archival
10/10 Excellent
Allison M.
Aug 3, 2017
Well maintained cottage with lake access, relaxing time away
The cottage is well maintained, clean, comfortable. The bedrooms are small but that wasn't an issue for my husband and me. We had our dog with us & had a wonderful, relaxing time away from the city. It is close to town (diving) which was so easy to get around for things we like groceries. Small grass yard to relax in by the water. Great recommendations from Rose on where to eat, things to do & boat rentals. Would definitely recommend!
Allison M.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2017
Response from VrboOwner on Mar 26, 2020
Thank you Allison! So glad you and your husband enjoyed your stay & had a relaxing time away!
Archival
10/10 Excellent
Rachel W.
Jun 8, 2016
Great place to relax for a long weekend
We enjoyed our visit very much. The cottage was well-stocked with everything we needed to cook indoors and out. Though the lake view isn't directly outside the cottage, it is indeed just steps away in Rosemarie and Jim's yard, and they gave us all the space in the world so it never felt at all weird. The cottage is a very short drive to a state park, several nature preserves, and more. We loved sitting on the lake in the evenings and drinking wine and watching the majestic blue herons.
Rachel W.
Response from VrboOwner on Mar 26, 2020
We are so happy that you enjoyed your visit. I agree that the blue Herons are amazing. So glad that you were able to check out the State Park. It is a wonderful place for hiking and horseback riding. You will have to come back in the spring when the Pelicans migrate up to Fox Lake. We wish you the very best! Thank you!!
The rental is the guest home behind the A-frame home pictured at the end of the road. Very private and quiet! Although there are no water views, the water is just on the other side of the main home with complete access to the backyard, dock, and water. Everything was in great shape and it has everything you need and all the comforts of home. Definitely recommend getting a deep dish from Rosati's and checking out the boat races at Blarney Island!
Matt C.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023
Verified
4/10 Poor
Gayle
Sep 8, 2025
Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, communication
I don’t agree with all of these high ratings. The owners live in the house on the waterfront. Don’t be mislead that you’ll be staying there. You’re actually in a little cabin behind their house. It’s not a bad set up. Could be cleaner. Especially the fridge. I was really excited to be able to spend time on the waterfront property. Unfortunately, the owner’s deck overlooks the section designated to their rental customers. In the evening, you can see them watching TV. They were entertaining as well and it felt like we were the uninvited guests. Very awkward. I was really disappointed because I wanted to spend more time by the lake, but felt too uncomfortable. Another problem was my elderly parents were with us, and it was difficult for them to navigate in the dark from the cabin to the front waterfront property. They left us a bottle of champagne and a nice note and flowers. That seems to be their MO. However, when interacting with the owner, we didn’t feel welcome.
Overall, this property is great. The house was very very clean and had all the appliances, utensils etc. you need for your stay. Everything is very modern and in working condition. The cabana area that was at our disposal the whole time at the lake was very nice. The only complaint I have is the lake. For one, you can barely see the lake from the small front porch. The way you get in and out of the lake is very dangerous—you have to go down a very steep ladder onto stones. If you had children, you’d have to be in the water first to help them in from the end of the dock. One day after it rained, the water was dirty where you go in from the ladder. If there was a ladder at the end of the dock, a lot of these problems would be resolved. Overall, though, I would highly recommend this property.
lnda s.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2020
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Janet
Jun 27, 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
The hosts Jim and Rose were friendly and helpful. The place suited our needs perfectly. We were attending a wedding in the area that my daughter was matron of honor for, so it was me and my husband, my daughter and son in law. The bedrooms are small but adequate, the kitchen and living areas are very nice. We also had full use of an outdoor gas grill, outdoor seating areas in front and back of the cottage. We also had access to the lake, with nice outdoor seating around a fire pit. The lake is scenic and there are stores, restaurants and bars nearby. Boats, kayaks, etc are available for rent nearby. It was a wonderful long weekend stay.
We had an excellent experience with this VRBO! Jim and Rosemarie were wonderful hosts. They offered local fish fry recommendations as well as nearby spots with live music! This was a very nice, quiet little house on a dead end street with beautiful lakefront outdoor space.
Upon review of the pictures of the subject in question the home was farther away from the lake than shown on pictures discussed truck and trailer size in regards to parking situation when arrived the truck was was centimeters away from the garage the house and the trailer was too wide as discussed with the owner they stated it would fit but it wouldn't no available parking for trailer or boat anywhere so we had to stay at a hotel and keep our boat elsewhere we were not able to use the facilities called the owner right away They did not return our calls to 4 hours later that day we did not go into the property or use the facilities we requested a refund they were not cooperated with us
A love of boating, fishing and the outdoors has been embedded in us from our youth. I spent my teenage years on the Chain water skiing and boating with my family. Jim and I opted to live where we had many happy memories, where people are friendly and life is exciting and fun -- the Chain O’Lakes. We feel truly blessed to be able to live in a vibrant and historic community and most importantly, to be close to those that matter most – our family and friends.
Why they chose this property
Why Escape to Fox Lake? The Village of Fox Lake is a vibrant community rich with history, wonderful people and just a short distance from many delightful attractions, such as: • Chain O’Lakes State Park • Downtown Chicago • Great America • Gurnee Mills • Pleasant Prairie Premium Outlets • Volo Auto Museum • Wilmot Mountain Fox Lake is part of the Chain O’Lakes that is comprised of 10 connecting lakes – Bluff, Catherine, Channel, Fox, Grass, Marie, Nippersink, Petite, Pistakee, Redhead as well as the Fox River. The Chain O’Lakes provides year round enjoyment for boating, fishing, snowmobiling, bird watching and ice fishing. In addition, the Chain O'Lakes allows for a wide range of outdoor recreational activities with special events throughout the summer sponsored by local businesses, including boat races, fishing tournaments, Venetian night, fireworks and live musical performances. Your Great Escape is just minutes from downtown Fox Lake – and moments from great memories.
Languages:
English
Premier Host
They consistently provide great experiences for their guests