Entire home

Upscale Lake House: Hot Tub, Pool Table, Pier, Kayaks, + Private Island!

Photo gallery for Upscale Lake House: Hot Tub, Pool Table, Pier, Kayaks, + Private Island!

Island at Sunrise
View from Island of Bridge & House
Great Room with 65" HDTV and Sound Bar
Kitchen towards Game Room
Pool Table & Hot Tub Room in Background

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
5 bedrooms4 bathroomsSleeps 184003 sq ft

Popular amenities

  • Hot Tub
  • Washer
  • Barbecue grill
  • Parking available
  • Outdoor Space
  • Air conditioning

Explore the area

Map
Rome City, IN
  • Sylvan Lake
    ‪1 min walk‬
  • Gene Stratton-Porter State Historic Site
    ‪3 min drive‬
  • Witmer Lake
    ‪11 min drive‬
  • Goshen, IN (GSH-Goshen Municipal)
    ‪36 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

5 bedrooms (sleeps 18)

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 3

1 Twin Bed and 1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 4

1 Twin Bed and 1 Twin Bunk Bed

Bedroom 5

1 Double Sofa Bed

Great Room

1 Double Sofa Bed

Loft

2 Double Sofa Beds

4 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 2

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Bathroom 3

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 4

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Office
Balcony
Garden
Dining Area

About this property

Upscale Lake House: Hot Tub, Pool Table, Pier, Kayaks, + Private Island!

"This beautiful home was amazing and just like the pictures! The private island is awesome..."
~read Katie's full guest review on Vrbo!

☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Introducing:
HILLTOP HAVEN ON SYLVAN LAKE!

Hot Tub ☆ Pool Table ☆ Huge Kitchen ☆ Deck
Kayaks ☆ Paddle Boards ☆ Pier ☆ Fire Pit ☆ Island

☆☆ 5 BEDROOMS/SLEEPS 18+ ☆☆

A GREAT PLACE for your...
- Family Reunion
- Birthday Celebration
- Micro Wedding
- Holiday Gathering
- Family Get Away!

Available All Year!

(min stays change seasonly...if you need a shorter stay, let us know)

☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Welcome to "Hilltop Haven on Sylvan Lake" ~ a Spacious & Upscale Waterfront Home with a Private Island!

Christine & David can’t wait to host your special gathering at our newly renovated lakefront home & island!

Located on beautiful Sylvan Lake, the property gives you access to all the lake has to offer! Plus, historic Gene Stratton-Porter Garden & Museum with its 12 mile Fishing Line Trail is a short walk or bike ride away, and Sylvan Cellars Event Center is only a 6 min drive!

––––––––––––

Airy and light, this 4000 square foot lake home boasts a “wall of windows” with fantastic views from its open kitchen, dining room, and vaulted great room. Featuring a game room with a pool table and kitchenette, a TV room with surround sound, and a custom indoor cedar hot tub, this home is great for both entertaining and relaxing. With 5 bedrooms and 4 full bathrooms, a large live-edge dining table, a kitchen island, and a second dining table, this home accommodates families and friends both big and small!

Walk out the patio doors to a huge wrap around deck, with lounge chairs, a picnic table, and a large Weber grill. From the deck, follow a staircase down to over 100 feet of lake frontage, as well as a 72 foot walking-bridge to your own private island!

The ¼ acre, oval-shaped island has an open grassy area with a picnic table and outdoor games including lawn darts, corn hole, and bocce ball for your enjoyment; and it also has a shaded area with a rock fire pit nestled among the trees.

Leading off the far side of the island is an 84’ L-shaped pier, large enough for 2-3 boats and a bench for watching the kids play in the water or the sun go down over the far end of the lake! Off the pier is a large shallow area with a gravel bottom for swimming and water fun!


☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ INSIDE HIGHLIGHTS ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

– Brand New Renovation Summer 2024!
– 5 Bedrooms | 11 Beds | 4 Bathrooms | 4000 ft²
– Sleeps 14-16 Guests (18 Overnight Guests Max)
– 5th Bedroom doubles as Office, Nursery, or Sitting Room
– New Kitchen Appliances with a Double Oven
– Artisan Live-Edge Dining Table - Seats 8 To 9
– Quartz Kitchen Island - Seats 6
– Game Room with HDTV, Kitchenette, & Table - Seats 4-6
– 8' Pool Table
– 8 Person Indoor Cedar Hot Tub
– 7 TVs throughout home w/Roku
– Super Fast Fiber Optic Internet
– Central AC with 2 Zones
– On-Demand Water Heater
– Whole-House Water Softener/Filter
– 1 Car Garage Bay for your use


☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ OUTSIDE HIGHLIGHTS ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

– Large Deck with Grill, Picnic Table, & Lounge Chairs
– Fire Pit on Island with 10 ADK Chairs
– 2nd Picnic Table on Island
– 84’ L-Shaped Pier with Bench
– Docking for 2-3 Boats
– 2 Paddle Boards available***
– 2 Single Kayaks, 1 Double Kayak available***
– 5-Person Pedal Boat available***
– Cornhole, Lawn Darts, and Bocce Ball
– Outdoor Rinsing Shower
– Parking for 6-8 Automobiles
– Basketball Hoop in Parking Area

***entire Boat Fleet available with signed waiver and $100 rental per stay***

☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ THE AREA ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Located on a premier lake of Northeast Indiana, Sylvan Lake is a great place to vacation! Comprised of 5 large basins with 16 miles of shoreline and many islands, there is plenty of space to ski, tube, paddle, and explore! A large public boat ramp provides easy launching.

Just a short paddle out from our island is Big Island (aka Boy Scout Island); it's open to visitors via public dock, and there is a large pavilion for day use. Here you’ll find nearly 100 acres of nature, over 60 species of native trees and plants, and a 1 mile hiking trail that circles the island.

The Gene Stratton Porter museum and gardens is a state historical site and is a short drive or walk from the house. Gene Stratton-Porter, novelist and naturalist, built a cabin on the shores of the lake in the early 1900’s and her cabin, museum, and beautiful formal gardens make a nice day trip.

Fishing Line Trail is a 12+ mile biking/walking path that connects Kendallville to Rome City, and (new for 2024) now ends at Sylvan Cellars! The path is a quick ride or walk from our house.

Local favorite, Sylvan Cellars Event Center & Tasting Room, is a short drive from our home. Whiskey & Wine, craft beer, and handcrafted cocktail enthusiasts will enjoy an evening out at the Cellar’s Tasting Room! The perfect venue for hosting events, plan your bridal shower, reunion, or wedding here. You can even rent their bus to transport your group from our home to their event center. Be sure to check out their live concert calendar as well!

☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

…So come enjoy our home. Reconnect in it’s open kitchen & great room, play some pool in the game room, soothe yourself in the cedar hot tub, cookout on the wraparound deck, picnic on our private island, explore Big Island and GSP, bike or hike Fishing Line Trail, and of course play all day on Sylvan Lake!

☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Please Note:

***We strive to ensure the safety & care of our guests, workers, neighbors, & property.***
***Thanks in advance for complying with the items below!***

In order to stay at our property, booking guest/renter must be at least 25 years old, e-sign our separate rental agreement, pass our simple outside screening process (at no-cost), be staying at the property for the duration of the booked dates, & purchase either a $35 damage waiver or refundable $500 damage deposit.

Once booking on this platform is complete, renter will receive an email with instructions to complete the rental agreement and screening process. We require separate agreements to be signed for use of the hot tub and/or watercraft.

For fire safety reasons renter will need to provide a list of all guest names and ages prior to arrival. There is an overnight 18 guest limit due to our STR permit with the town.

All three fireplaces in the home are non-working and not to be used. The TV Room is not a bedroom by code since it only has one means of egress. Please do not sleep in this room. No diving or jumping off the bridge or pier as the water is shallow.

Renter/Guests will have access to the entire property except for 2 utilities rooms, 3 closets, the double car bay of the garage, the garage attic, and the area directly behind the bushes near the basketball hoop. These spaces are for private use only.

Renter is expected to read all sections of this property listing and have all guests comply with our House Rules (complete House Rules will be available to all guests in our online Guide Book).

Thanks!

***When booking please note that the "Host Fees" line item amount includes our cleaning and management fees****

Property manager

David & Christine
Premier Host

Languages

English, Spanish

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Hot Tub
Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Free WiFi
Air conditioning

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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
Service animals are allowed with pre-approval only
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Renter must be age 25+, an overnight guest, sign rental agreement & pass screening, & purchase damage waiver or damage deposit
NO SMOKING INSIDE OR OUTSIDE, VAPING OUTSIDE ONLY (Smoke/Vape/THC Monitors on premises); No pets; No Firearms/Illegal Activity; Quiet Hours 10pm-8am
Swim at own risk; No diving/jumping off bridge/pier/or into hot tub; Commercial photography allowed with approval; No use of fireplaces in house

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
Long-term renters welcome
This property uses solar energy
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

We should mention

A car is recommended for transportation to and from this property

About the neighborhood

Rome City

Located in Rome City, this vacation home is in a rural area and on the waterfront. 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. Be sure to check out the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Rome City, IN

What's nearby

  • Sylvan Lake - 1 min walk - 0.1 km
  • Gene Stratton-Porter State Historic Site - 3 min drive - 2.0 km
  • Bishop Island - 9 min drive - 7.2 km
  • Witmer Lake - 11 min drive - 9.3 km
  • Dallas Lake - 16 min drive - 13.0 km

Getting around

  • Waterloo Station - 26 min drive
  • Goshen, IN (GSH-Goshen Municipal) - 36 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪McDonald's - ‬11 min drive
  • ‪Twin Six Restaurant - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Coppertop Tavern - ‬16 min drive
  • ‪Wings Etc - ‬12 min drive
  • ‪Breakfast House - ‬13 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Upscale Lake House: Hot Tub, Pool Table, Pier, Kayaks, + Private Island! pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Upscale Lake House: Hot Tub, Pool Table, Pier, Kayaks, + Private Island!?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Upscale Lake House: Hot Tub, Pool Table, Pier, Kayaks, + Private Island!?

Check-out is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Upscale Lake House: Hot Tub, Pool Table, Pier, Kayaks, + Private Island! located?

This family-friendly Rome City vacation home is located on the waterfront, just steps from Sylvan Lake and Hathaway Island. Cook Island and Round Island are also within 2 mi (3 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

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

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Joe D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Unique and amazing property
I stayed with extended family for a long weekend and we all loved our time here. The island is such a novelty and we spent most of our time on it as it’s set up beautifully. The home is the nicest I’ve stayed in across many lake rentals in the broader area. We’ll definitely be back!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Linda S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Family Time
We had a sweet time connecting as a family. There was a variety of activities to keep infants and teenagers occupied. Great experience! Would highly recommend to anyone! The bedrooms were spacious allowing individual family units privacy. Nice place!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

katie o.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Private Island Oasis
This beautiful home was amazing and just like the pictures! The private island is awesome for campfires, paddle boarding, and kayaking. The hot tub is great! The beds were comfortable, nice appliances, nice bathrooms, and beautiful views! The communication with the owner was great too! Highly recommend!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Sherry B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Gorgeous property!
Everything was “top of the line”. We fished and swam in the lake. Took advantage of the kayaks, paddleboat and paddleboards! Used the hot tub every night! Kitchen had everything you could possibly need. Check in/out was easy! Great communication with hosts! Thanks for sharing your property - we would love to stay there again!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024

About the host

Hosted by David & Christine

Host profile image
Christine and David love the Sylvan Lake area and have been coming here since they met over two decades ago. For David it has been longer...he's been enjoying the lake since childhood. His parents purchased the property in 1974, and he has seen the area go through many changes over the years. Today Sylvan Lake has grown into one of the premier lakes in Northern Indiana, and his family's property has transformed from a hillside field of brush with a barren island into what it is today! It has been a true pleasure for Christine and David to bring their children to the house and gather year after year with grandparents, extended family, and friends. And now they are excited and proud to share the property that they love with others!

Why they chose this property

This property has always been something special. Prior to 1974 it had a cement staircase that led from the road down to the water, where a low foot-bridge connected the hillside to the island. There was a house on the island that had been enjoyed for decades by several familes. But in the spring of 1974 a group of tornadoes passed through the area, and the house along with several others were blown into the lake. The owner at that time, who was a friend of David's dad, decided to sell the property, and within a week David's parents, Lee & Sanna Harges, agreed to buy the property.

For Lee & Sanna, the summer of 1974 began what would be a several decade's long process. They bought a small camper, parked it at the top of the hill and each summer they worked endlessly to improve the property by first cleaning up after the tornado, then clearing the hillside of brush, building a new bridge to the island, and then building a garage at the top of the hill. By the late 1980's they were finally ready to build the house that now stands on the hill; and in 2004 they added on to the house with the game room, hot tub room, two bedrooms, and a new garage.

Christine and David have continued Lee and Sanna's love of the property. In 2018 the entire hillside went through a transformation in landscaping, and with the spring of 2024 a two-year long renovation of the house was completed. Over the last 50 years the property has truly been a labor of love for the entire family, and we all are so proud of what it has become!

Languages:

English, Spanish

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests