Entire home

On A Whim Rustic Lodge Near Smith Lake Park

Lakefront holiday home with kitchen and patio

Photo gallery for On A Whim Rustic Lodge Near Smith Lake Park

Easy steps to the water
Craftsman style cottage with lots of charm
Once you step inside the front door, you are viewing a beautiful decorated space
Easy moving from the main living area to the outside deck.
Well stocked and organized Kitchen.
Dining area and main living area open.

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
5 bedrooms3 bathroomsSleeps 143000 sq ft

Popular amenities

  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Kitchen
  • Fireplace
  • Barbecue grill

Explore the area

View in a map
  • Place, Lewis Smith Lake
  • Place, Smith Lake Park
  • Place, Ave Maria Grotto

Rooms & beds

5 bedrooms (sleeps 14)

Loft

2 Single Beds

Master Bedroom (main level) sleeps 2

1 King Bed

Nautical Bedroom (lower level) sleeps 2

1 Queen Bed

Patriot Room (main level) sleeps 2

2 Single Beds

Sleeper Sofa (lower level) sleeps 2

1 Double Futon

SummerCamp (lower level) sleeps 4

4 Single Bunk Beds

3 bathrooms

Lower

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Main

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Master Bath

Toilet · Shower only · Jetted bathtub

Spaces

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

About this property

On A Whim Rustic Lodge Near Smith Lake Park

The best of lake living and relaxation…

We welcome you to a craftsman’s style cottage, nestled amongst the trees, in a quiet cove on Smith Lake. Enjoy a quiet evening sitting outdoors on one of the multiple decks overlooking the lake. The sounds of the woodlands at twilight are enhanced by the view of the moon glistening on the water. So very peaceful!

Awake in the morning, alive and refreshed. Serve yourself a steaming hot cup of coffee in a beautiful, well-stocked kitchen. Casually walk outside to the screen porch and settle in the quaint outdoor seating area. Here you smile and breathe in the fresh air as you listen to the sounds of the wildlife on the lake. You’ll find an unusual sense of energy in this 3000 sq ft, two story home, snuggled in, just a few steps from the lake.

Equal distance from both Birmingham and Huntsville, just 6 miles from Hwy 65 (Exit 305), this lake house cottage could be your getaway from it all.

'On A Whim' has an inviting covered front porch and plenty of parking for your family and friends. As you enter the front door, you are welcomed by the main living area, decorated in a rustic, but luxurious style with a gorgeous planked vaulted ceiling and large windows looking out over the lake.

The main level features a large Master with King size bed, and it’s own set of french doors leading out to the main deck. The ensuite bath features a Jacuzzi tub, large vanity space and an over sized shower with great water pressure! The Patriot bedroom is just down the hall from the Master, which offers two twin beds and is next to the main floor full bath.

The beautifully crafted kitchen is well stocked and features all stainless appliances. The island in the kitchen faces the open floor plan of the main living area and dining room, allowing you to always be a part of the action.

The dining area has a custom table that seats 9 with an additional 3 seats at the island. Additional folding tables and chairs are provided. The home has a laundry area equipped with a full size washer and dryer, iron and ironing board.

The Angel's Perch loft area is decorated in a sweet southern style with a pair of twin beds, a dresser, and a miniature picnic table. Perfect for the kids or adults.

As nice as the upper levels are, the lower level is where all the fun is. Challenge your friends to a game of pool, air hockey or a classic arcade game. Then, settle into the sofas and watch the big game on the 65" tv, or just hang out on the lower patio and stare at the lake. In addition to the rec areas, the lower level also offers a third bedroom with a queen bed, decorated in a nautical theme and a fourth bedroom with two sets of bunk beds, decorated in a camping theme with a dedicated video gaming tv. A full bath will make sure you're not running up and down stairs all day.

'On A Whim' gets good AT&T and Verizon LTE coverage, and has broadband WIFI Internet and Cable TV. Everything you need to ensure you can stay in contact with all your friends that are working while you chill out at the lake.

We'd love to host your vacation at 'On A Whim'. Use the form on the right and let us know how we can help you.


Keywords: House

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Amenities

Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Air conditioning
Outdoor space
Parking available

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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

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
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock

About the area

Cullman

Located in Cullman, this holiday home is on the waterfront. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Lewis Smith Lake and Smith Lake Park, while Cullman County Museum and Evelyn Burrow Museum are cultural highlights. Consider Stone Bridge Farms for a night out or WildWater Cullman if you're travelling with kids. Discover the area's water adventures with jet skiing and kayaking nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with hiking/biking trails and cycling.
Map
Cullman, AL

What's nearby

  • Lewis Smith Lake - 1 min walk - 0.1 km
  • Smith Lake Park - 4 min walk - 0.4 km
  • WildWater Cullman - 23 min drive - 18.7 km
  • Ave Maria Grotto - 29 min drive - 24.2 km
  • Stone Bridge Farms - 29 min drive - 22.3 km

Getting around

  • Huntsville International Airport (HSV) - 52 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Whitlock's Cafe - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Wendy's - ‬17 min drive
  • ‪Bubba Rito's - ‬19 min drive
  • ‪Jack's - ‬20 min drive
  • ‪McDonald's - ‬20 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is On A Whim Rustic Lodge Near Smith Lake Park pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much is parking at On A Whim Rustic Lodge Near Smith Lake Park?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at On A Whim Rustic Lodge Near Smith Lake Park?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at On A Whim Rustic Lodge Near Smith Lake Park?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is On A Whim Rustic Lodge Near Smith Lake Park located?

This family-friendly Cullman holiday home is located on the waterfront, within a 10-minute walk of Lewis Smith Lake and Smith Lake Park. Cullman Golf Course and Speegle's Marina are also within 9 miles (15 km).

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

9.6/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy
Rating 10 - Excellent. 231 out of 256 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 22 out of 256 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 2 out of 256 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 256 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 256 reviews

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Wanda D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We had a lovely stay this week. The venue was beautiful. We were very comfortable.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Rick E.

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

Fishing tourney

Owner was great to work with. We will be back!
Stayed 6 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Angel L.

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

Mother’s Day weekend

Nice place for a family weekend.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024

8/10 Good

Norrisa C.

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

Holiday Vaca

Wonderful location on the lake with easy access to several marinas and Smith Lake Park. Plenty of room for our group to spread out, play, and enjoy swimming in the lake from the dock.
Stayed 5 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

harold m.

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

Best Place Ever!!!

So spacious for a large group. Plenty of extras to keep everyone entertained! The lake is amazing!
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jase W.

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

Everything we expected

The property owners were great! The property was everything we hoped it would be and very accurate to the listing. A Fantastic little getway for families...
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Richard B.

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

Thanksgiving at the Lake

After the unexpected death of our son-in-law, we looked for a place to observe Thanksgiving that was out of the ordinary this year. This property was a welcome oasis and allowed our family to re-group and express our thanks for the blessings we feel even after a heartbreaking loss. Thank you, Mark and Sherry for providing such a welcoming property.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Monica B.

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

Christmas Stay

Was clean, close to town, comfortable. There was a Christmas Tree which we really appreciated. Constructive criticism: Some of the pans may need to be replaced, they were old. The coffee table in the living room was rickety and we were afraid it would break. Thank you for allowing us to rent your place! Happy New Year!

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location

Fantastic family reunion!

I really don't think this property could be matched for a fabulous place to hold a family reunion. The only improvement would be replacing the rickety bridge leading to the dock, but this did not have a significant effect on our enjoyment. I was blown away when I went downstairs and saw the game room! I had been most concerned about how good a time the younger generation would have, but I just got a review from the youngest, a college kid, that it exceeded his expectations. If we have another reunion in Cullman, we would definitely want this property again.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024

8/10 Good

Deborah F.

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

Wonderful weekend

Our family had a wonderful time at "On a Whim". The house was large enough for our crew without feeling cramped. We really enjoyed the screened-in porch. The steps down to the dock were numerous, but multi-level which made the trip easier! 3 stars for cleanliness mainly due to the condition of the grill. It needs a serious cleaning or it will continue to be a fire hazard. For accuracy of listing, the arcade cabinet was non-functioning during our entire stay and multiple board games were missing crucial pieces. Despite these shortcomings, we had a wonderful trip!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2023

8/10 Good

Donna C.

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

Vacay on the lake

We brought a boat so our location was great because we were close to the loading ramp and a marina was right across the lake (very convenient). We could walk to the park. There were 15 people (this included a one year old). We had 12 bath towels, needless to say there was a lot of washing going on. In the master b/room several outlets didn’t work so lamp by bed didn’t work. The porches and steps down to the dock were covered with dead leaves that had to be swept off.The loft never cooled off.The lake was great and we will definitely be coming back!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Annette G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful lake views! Perfect home for our family celebration, multiple areas inside and out to gather. Would definitely book again for future family events!
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025

6/10 Okay

William L.

Liked: Check-in, communication
Disliked: Cleanliness, location, listing accuracy
A nice structure with a rustic feel. Peaceful view. Great table for meals and game playing. The owners have made a strong attempt to make it a very family friendly lodging. Instructions were clear and easy to follow. However, it needs a very deep clean. (The clean ratings on the reviews for this cabin are confusing and misleading.) Spraying for spiders inside and out would also be helpful. Letting us know to bring quarters for the Pac Man machine and unlocking the change bank to reuse our quarters would have been helpful. Bring your own board games as the ones on hand are nearly all incomplete; something the owners try to combat in the instructions as people have lost pieces to them. We had a fun time but admittedly we had to make the best of staying someplace that felt quite dirty.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Tim M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The house was clean & inviting. Nice peaceful location near the park where we did the weigh-in for the Smith Lake BassFest tournament.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kat G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Quiet and relaxing rental! Very accessible and well stocked for the weekend!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Christi B.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Wonderful and relaxing.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jessica J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This was such a beautiful house with plenty of room for our family. It was quiet and had breathtaking sunsets. We will be back. They had everything we needed to make our stay enjoyable.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Brandi H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
House is amazing and has everything you need! My family and I had the best time and hope to do it again next year!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kenneth R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Very suitable to our specific needs, and family structure. Great location on lake. Straightforward communication with owners. We enjoyed our stay.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Karmen S.

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

Decorated nicely! Fits in with the lake!

Enjoyed the rental very much. Very spacious! Love the kitchen and dining area! Beautiful living room! Everyone loved the game room! Spent a lot of time outdoors! Seen a beautiful sunset!
Sunset beautiful
Silly boy
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Steven L.

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

Chris

Stayed here for our daughters wedding that was in the area. Beautiful house with a beautiful view!
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kathy L.

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

Lakehouse Christmas

This home was a great fit for our family of 13. We celebrated Christmas with our family. Everything was perfect except it was kinda cold & windy so we couldn’t enjoy the outside area along the lake. We love the area and hope to be back in the summer!
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Cassie B.

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

Bonds Christmas

We had a wonderful time!!
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Susan J.

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

Thanksgiving fun

We came to Cullman for our Thanksgiving family trip and to see the Christmas market. We had a wonderful time. Our stay was wonderful and it was voted by all to come back next year and stay at the same place!!
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Sawyer W.

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

On a whim

Wonderful place to stay, I will return!
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024

About the host

Hosted by William M Dorner

Host profile image

Why they chose this property

We purchased a lake house on Smith Lake, because we have enjoyed visiting and doing all the lake offers over the past few years. We knew that others would enjoy it too.

What makes this property unique

Languages:

English

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests