The Redbud Cottage--Beach & Quiet. Lake Sara Waterfront & Wood Fires.

3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 121500 sq ft

Popular amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
Outdoor Space

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 12)

Glenna's Room

1 King Bed

Master Bedroom

1 King Bed

Redbud Room

1 King Bed

2 bathrooms

Main Bathroom

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Master Bathroom

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio

Porch or lanai

Kitchen

Outdoor play area

Garden

Dining area

About this property

Located in the heart of central Illinois, the Redbud Cottage at Lake Sara is a great destination for families or friends, or a perfect stopover for a trip through the Great Midwest. With your own swimming beach, a floating dock to play on, a beautiful wood-burning fireplace, a dock for fishing, and a large deck for sitting in the sun, enjoy the peace and quiet of our little wooded cottage on the lake.

Our beach is SHARED by the Hartmann's grandchildren a few days each Summer. But our grandchildren are still young, will be supervised by adults, and won't use the beach while guests are using the beach or the dock (for example while fishing).

Every season is beautiful on Lake Sara, with Spring and Fall being particularly pretty and quiet. The Summer water is wonderful for swimming, and warm from May through September. Enjoy eating on our old family picnic table by the water. Watch the kids swim or play on the beach, or have fun taking a lovely float yourself in Lake Sara's clean, warm water.

Wake boarding, tubing, and water skiing are local favorites. There is good fishing for bass, crappie, catfish, and blue gill, especially in the Spring and Fall. Lake Sara sets aside special quiet hours for fishermen. Winter is a great time for crisp woodsy walks and warming fires.

Our 3 bedroom, 2 bath cottage sleeps ONLY 6 adults (per local regulations) and a "reasonable amount" of children. We have 3 "very comfortable" [Guest reviews] king size beds and a couple of wonderful wide sleeping couches in front of the fireplace. We have sleeping bags for children and a crib for babies. Our kitchen and downstairs were completely remodeled in early 2021. We have a Keurig Coffemaker, a French coffee press, a dishwasher, and all new dishes and pots and pans. Our washer and dryer and two-car garage make this a perfect spot for an extended stay. A canoe and 5 kayaks are available for the use of our guests.

Inside, enjoy the separation of a master suite upstairs, as well as the two-and-a-half story, book-filled living room with its massive stone fireplace. You can burn local wood that you'll find stacked at your door. One of our favorite sports is sitting with a book in front of the fire--wine and s'mores are optional.

Our lot is full of tall, beautiful oaks and maples, and is in a pretty neighborhood on the quiet western end of Lake Sara. Redbud trees line Lorton road and are being planted among our woods, bringing their vivid purple/pink flowers in Spring. Views from our huge deck are all water and trees--you can only see one other house. The Lake is surrounded by good Illinois farmland, so it's a wonderful spot for long flat bike rides and walks.

Our prices include all fees. No hidden fees.

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen

Washer

Dryer

Free WiFi

Air conditioning

Outdoor Space

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM

Minimum age to rent: 21

Check out before 11:00 AM

Children

Children allowed: ages 0-17

On lake--Lifejackets needed! We have many sizes.

Events

No events allowed

Renters having loud parties will be ejected.

Pets

No pets allowed

Sorry. We are always a No Pets property.

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Smoking allowed out in our yard and by the 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

Please leave the kitchen as clean as you found it, as far as possible. Our housekeeper has plenty of work to do without doing dishes. Also, please make sure all trash is bagged & in tall garage can.

Please leave all linens on the beds, and all towels hanging in the bathrooms. Our housekeeper will deal with them – – and it is not always clear if she will arrive quickly after your departure!

Please moderate heat or air conditioning on departing. And leave house door unlocked, and depart using the large garage door. Travel safely!

Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.

Please leave Kitchen as Clean as you found it! We'll have the rest of the cottage & laundry cleaned for you.

Please, No Outside Noise (on decks or by the water) after 10 p.m. and before 8 a.m. We live in a quiet neighborhood with mostly retired neighbors!

Please use your heads when using Cottage Linens and Blankets. Our Housekeeper has to Wash Every Item you pull out! Please use just what you need.

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

Note from host: Renters having loud parties will be ejected.

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

We should mention

A car is required for transportation to and from this property

About the neighborhood

Effingham

Located in Effingham, this cottage is in a rural area and on the waterfront. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Ballard Nature Center and Lake Sara, while Effingham Performance Center and Mid America Motorworks, My Garage Museum are cultural highlights. Traveling with kids? Consider Bliss Park and Effingham County Fairgrounds. Be sure to check out the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.

View more Cottages in Effingham

Effingham, IL

What's nearby

Lake Sara - 6 min walk - 0.6 km
Effingham Performance Center - 20 min drive - 16.5 km
Effingham County Courthouse - 21 min drive - 14.3 km
Mid America Motorworks, My Garage Museum - 24 min drive - 20.8 km
Lake Shelbyville - 55 min drive - 61.0 km

Getting around

Effingham Station - 23 min drive
Champaign, IL (CMI-University Of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Williard) - 80 min drive

Restaurants

‪Casey's General Store - ‬23 min drive
‪McDonald's - ‬18 min drive
‪Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen - ‬19 min drive
‪Starbucks - ‬18 min drive
‪Sbarro - ‬19 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is The Redbud Cottage--Beach & Quiet. Lake Sara Waterfront & Wood Fires. pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much does it cost to stay at The Redbud Cottage--Beach & Quiet. Lake Sara Waterfront & Wood Fires.?

As of Mar 27, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at The Redbud Cottage--Beach & Quiet. Lake Sara Waterfront & Wood Fires. on Mar 30, 2026 start from $180, 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 The Redbud Cottage--Beach & Quiet. Lake Sara Waterfront & Wood Fires.?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at The Redbud Cottage--Beach & Quiet. Lake Sara Waterfront & Wood Fires.?

Check-out is at 11:00 AM.

Where is The Redbud Cottage--Beach & Quiet. Lake Sara Waterfront & Wood Fires. located?

This family-friendly Effingham cottage is located on the waterfront, steps from Lake Sara, and within 9 mi (15 km) of Bliss Park and Village Square Mall. Ballard Nature Center and Cardinal Golf Course are also within 9 mi (15 km).

9.8

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labeled.

Dec 28, 2025

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

I have never rented with VRBO until this visit. There is no particular reason aside from that we have Wyndham, like to cruise and other random reasons. This was EXCELLENT! The cottage was exactly as described and the owner was very responsive with my questions. Everything was in good working order and had everything that would be needed for a stay. I would 100% rent this cottage again!

Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2025

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Mariah S.

Oct 12, 2025

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

We had an incredibly accommodating stay at rosebud cottage! The location was perfect; right on the lake yet very quiet and peaceful. The cottage had everything we could need, specifically the easy access kayaks!

Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2025

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Kimberly P.

Oct 26, 2025

Oct 26, 2025

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

We thoroughly enjoyed this property and the hosts were so kind and helpful. Beds are super comfortable and we had plenty of room to spread out and enjoy our little getaway. Super clean, too! The neighbors and their dogs are really sweet, too! We do plan to revisit Redbud Cottage again!

Best lake and location

3 night was perfect, and best fishing

Stayed 3 nights in May 2025

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Anthony G.

Aug 29, 2025

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

Incredible owners. They were very special people

Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025

About the host

Hosted by David Hartmann

Dee and I grew up in Effingham, and I spent all my Summers on Lake Sara from the time I was five. We love this beautiful quiet lake, and own the white brick house next door, which we purchased in 1987.

We regularly swim laps from our dock around the point to the Redbud Cottage dock and back. This quiet cove is a gem for swimming, and has beautiful views across the lake to the undeveloped public land one sees there. Many of our nights here are spent out by our fire pit overlooking the lake, where we get to watch the sun set and the stars rise over the lake's calm waters.

We live on Lake Sara full time now, though often travel so see our children and grandchildren. My extended family still owns my Mother's house--the 'famous' Green House--on the far end of the lake by the dam. So, we're very familiar with Lake Sara, with Effingham, and with our lovely Central Illinois area. We're happy to answer any of your questions, and make suggestions for dining or day trips here in the Great Midwest.

We hope you'll enjoy your stay on Lake Sara as much as we enjoy living here.

Why they chose this property

We were happy to be able to secure this pretty cottage with its stunning fireplace after our long-term neighbors decided to give it up. We admit to lusting after the pleasant little beach that is a feature of The Redbud Cottage. We are now able to play with our grandchildren on it!
Our neighborhood, in fact our whole end of the lake, is very quiet and wooded. Things are much less developed around us than they are on most of the rest of Lake Sara.
We have five grown children, all of whom are married. They spent most of their holidays and hundreds of long weekends here as they were growing up. They learned to swim like fish here, became very capable skiers and wake boarders, and built forts in our woods (you can still see the ruins).

What makes this property unique

I don't think you can beat the view from the cottage out to the lake. And, sitting on the dock, one has unobstructed views the full length of Shumway cove, Lake Sara's smoothest and quietest water.

Few of Lake Sara's lots have their own beach. This one has a long sloping sand entrance into the water, perfect for children or for those who want to cool off without actually swimming. This quiet cove, just off the main lake channel, is narrow enough to swim across, but wide enough to be private. The land just across from the Redbud Cottage is public land that will never have houses built on it.

Languages:

French, Spanish

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The Redbud Cottage--Beach & Quiet. Lake Sara Waterfront & Wood Fires.

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Reviews

Popular amenities

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 12)

Glenna's Room

Master Bedroom

Redbud Room

2 bathrooms

Main Bathroom

Master Bathroom

Spaces

About this property