Lakefront Home - Private Dock, Kayaks, Game Room, Fire Pit, Pet-Friendly
Welcome to Stillwater Retreat—your waterfront lakefront escape on a quiet cove at Smith Mountain Lake.
Designed for easy, laid-back lake days, this pet-friendly home offers direct water access, a private dock, and space to relax both inside and out. Whether you’re kayaking in the morning, spending the afternoon on the water, or unwinding by the fire pit in the evening, everything here is set up for a simple, memorable stay.
Outdoor living is a highlight: Enjoy a spacious deck with lake views, a private dock for swimming, fishing, or tying up your boat, and a custom-built lakeside fire pit area with Adirondack seating—perfect for s’mores and evenings under the stars. Guests also have access to 2 kayaks and a paddleboard to explore the quiet cove.
Inside, there’s room for everyone to unwind: The main level features a comfortable living area with lake views and a gas fireplace, along with a fully equipped kitchen and dining space. Downstairs, the game room includes a pool table, foosball, darts, board games, and a second TV lounge—ideal for families and groups to spread out.
Sleeping areas are designed for comfort, and a dedicated workspace in the master bedroom includes a desk, chair, and power/USB access for remote work.
Location makes it easy: Walk to a nearby gas station and Vinny’s Italian Restaurant, or take a short drive to Bridgewater Plaza for lakeside dining, shops, mini golf, arcade, and boat rentals. Grocery stores like Kroger and Food Lion are just minutes away.
Good to know before booking: - The driveway and path to the dock are steep (typical for lakefront homes). Steps have been improved with wider treads and a sturdy handrail on the main section. - The downstairs bathroom includes a smaller, cabin-style shower. - This is a classic lake home—clean, comfortable, and continuously improving (not ultra-modern).
Property notes: Two outdoor cameras are installed (driveway and lake-facing) for property monitoring and are not active during guest stays.
Dock & Water Safety Notice: This is a lakefront property with a private dock. Use of the dock, lake, swimming, boating, and any water activities is entirely at your own risk. Children and pets must be supervised at all times near the water. No diving from the dock. Guests assume full responsibility for their safety and the safety of all members of their party.
Our prices include all fees. No hidden fees.
Add dates for prices
Have a question?
AI iconBetaBeta
Get instant answers with AI powered search of property information and reviews.
Similar properties
Location! Location! Location! Nice cove and close to all lake activities!
Moneta
Location! Location! Location! Nice cove and close to all lake activities!
This cozy 2-bedroom, 1-bath retreat is wrapped in warm cedar with soaring cathedral ceilings, creating the perfect blend of rustic charm. Enjoy beautiful gardens and breathtaking views of the lake and mountain.
Huddleston
This cozy 2-bedroom, 1-bath retreat is wrapped in warm cedar with soaring cathedral ceilings, creating the perfect blend of rustic charm. Enjoy beautiful gardens and breathtaking views of the lake and mountain.
The host requires you to complete the following before checking out:
Load and start the dishwasher
Remove personal items, remove leftover food and drinks and take out the rubbish
Turn off the lights and lock the doors
Please make sure the kayaks, paddles and paddle board are return to their storage holder.
Set thermometer to cool 75 in the summer and heat 63 in the winter.
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.
All dock, lake, swimming, and boating use is at your own risk. Children and pets must be supervised at all times. No diving from the dock.
Important information
You need to know
Property # 2063335vb
This property is managed by a private host (a party not acting within their trade, business or profession). EU consumer law, including the right of withdrawal, will not apply to your booking. The cancellation policy set by the private host will cover your booking.
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 indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
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
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room
About the area
Moneta
Located in Moneta, this holiday home is on the waterfront. Webster Marine Center and Waterwheel Marina are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Smith Mountain Lake and Smith Mountain Lake State Park. Discover the area's water adventures with jet skiing and kayaking nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with hunting and hiking.
Bojangles' Famous Chicken 'n Biscuits - 4 min drive
Wendy's - 6 min drive
El Toreno Mexican Bar & Grill - 7 min drive
Edo Grill and Sushi - 5 min drive
Old Oak Cafe - 6 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Is Lakefront Home - Private Dock, Kayaks, Game Room, Fire Pit, Pet-Friendly pet-friendly?
Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 2 total). Some restrictions may apply, so please contact the property for more details.
How much does it cost to stay at Lakefront Home - Private Dock, Kayaks, Game Room, Fire Pit, Pet-Friendly?
As of 17 May 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Lakefront Home - Private Dock, Kayaks, Game Room, Fire Pit, Pet-Friendly on 6 Sept 2026 start from £175, 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 at Lakefront Home - Private Dock, Kayaks, Game Room, Fire Pit, Pet-Friendly?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at Lakefront Home - Private Dock, Kayaks, Game Room, Fire Pit, Pet-Friendly?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Lakefront Home - Private Dock, Kayaks, Game Room, Fire Pit, Pet-Friendly?
Checkout is at 11:00 AM.
Where is Lakefront Home - Private Dock, Kayaks, Game Room, Fire Pit, Pet-Friendly located?
This family-friendly Moneta holiday home is located on the waterfront, within a 10-minute walk of Smith Mountain Lake, Webster Marine Center and Waterwheel Marina. Bridgewater Plaza and Halesford Harbor Marina are also within 1 mile (2 km).
Reviews
9.6
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
We had such a peaceful, relaxing visit at the lake. The property was perfect! We loved relaxing on the dock, even our pups. The 2 kayaks were great as well and we enjoyed kayaking around the peaceful cove. House was well stocked, super clean and cozy. All communication with Lydia was fast and helpful. We would definitely rent the same house again!
Lori A.
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 13 Oct 2025
We love the pictures of your pups have a blast on the dock. Would you be okay if we posted it on our blog?
This was a great house! The location is perfect! Had a dock where we put our boat in. Check in was easy! The house was clean and very accommodating to our family. Plenty of room! We will book again! Thank you for your great hospitality!
The house was very clean and comfortable. We loved the game room downstairs! Location was convenient but i did have to drive (8 minutes) to the park to run and walk my dog. Even with that, i would definitely stay here again!!
This is our second summer staying at the Hakuna Matata house and we had a very enjoyable week. The property is as described with well stocked kitchen, BBQ grill and places to eat out on the deck. Swimming from the dock and kayaking in the quiet cove are very relaxing. Close to grocery and other shopping with easy access to the Bridgewater Plaza.
We were here to do work on the lake for my husband's boating app. We need a house close to the Bridgewater Marina and where we could dock our boat for the week. House was located five minutes from the marina. It is on a main road but you don't notice the traffic when you're at the house. Beds were comfortable and kitchen had everything we needed. We would stay here again if we get a chance to come back.
We had a nice time at the property, everything was clean and just as described in the listing. Kitchen is pretty well stacked as well. Weather was bad so unfortunately we were not able to use the fire pit on the deck, but it’s a really nice feature. One thing is that we could have used more towels, including kitchen towels.
Enjoyed a week on the lake. Spent lots of time swimming off the dock, and using the stand up paddle board and kayaks. Lydia was responsive when I reached out with some questions and accommodated our schedule when sending a plumber to install a new dishwasher. Kitchen was fully stocked with dishes, pots/pans, utensils. Location was great - enjoyed takeout from Vinny’s (across the street) and ice cream and mini golf just a short drive away.
Nicely equipped lake house. Watch out for the driveway and the steps to the lake. Both are steep. if you have a boat or rent a boat, load/unload fishing gear, coolers, etc that you plan to use on the boat at the Marina. Fishing in the cove is limited to small bluegill. Overall, good value for the money.
andrew J.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 29 Sept 2023
Hi Andrew. I’m glad you enjoyed your stay. Yes, I also state in the description that the driveway is steep and the there are a lot of steps. I’m glad you go to do some fishing. Hope you will stay with us again.
We had an amazing time on our honeymoon. The house was super clean & had more than we expected as far as fully equipped kitchen. Our 2 labs loved laying in the sun and were worn out everyday from swimming. It’s a perfect quiet cove to relax or fish. It may take a few days to recoup from going up and down all the steps. The only suggestions we have would be a little weed killer around the steps/pathway & some lighting on the dock. Even some small solar lights would make a big difference. This was a GREAT rental and we can’t wait to get back.
Charming Lake Retreat with Cozy Comfort, but Outdoor Challenges
We recently stayed at a rental house on Smith Mountain Lake, and overall, we had a lovely time! The interior of the home was beautifully decorated—cozy, cute, and comfortable. The beds were exceptionally comfortable, making for great nights of sleep, and the amenities provided were fantastic, making our stay easy and enjoyable.
That said, the outdoor experience wasn’t quite as ideal. The house sits on a quieter “finger” of the lake, which meant some mud and debris near the dock, and the high grass on the property and next door brought quite a few bugs, making it tough to spend time outside. The house is also near a busy road, which we didn’t mind too much but could be a factor for others.
Overall, if you’re looking for a comfortable place to relax inside and enjoy Smith Mountain Lake’s charm from a distance, this rental might be a great fit! Just plan on spending more time indoors than out.
Rob S.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 6 Oct 2024
Hi Rob, thanks so much for your review. Yes, with the hurricane Helene, I think it brought some debris and unwanted bugs to our area. I'm glad you enjoyed your stay and hope you will stay with us again.
We enjoyed our stay at this cute house. The inside is nice, plenty of places to sit and enjoy a book or the view. Could have used a quick sweep but otherwise was clean. I would say it would be a tough house for a family with littles as two Bedrooms are down stairs and one upstairs. The pool table & foosball table was a ton of fun and we played each night. The outdoor stairs to the fire ring and dock was a little steep and could be an issue for some especially since there are no railings. Even though on a busy road the noise does not make it to the house. Luckily the garbage can was already at the curb because dragging it up the hill and the end of our stay, would have been a workout. All in all a pleasant stay in a comfortable home.
Great Long Weekend! Everything we needed / wanted!
The house was perfect for our long weekend with family! There were 4 of us (adults) and there was plenty of room and space to spread out. The house was exceptionally clean and well decorated, so it really felt like a home. The kitchen had everything we needed and there was a grocery store right down the street. The outdoor space is even better than what you see in the pictures. First of all, the house is right on the lake, so there's a great view. There is a huge deck on the top level, a deck off of the basement / gameroom level, a fantastic separate firepit area with adirondack chairs and decorated with lights, and a small private dock. Like most of the houses in the area, it is on a slope, so you have to walk down stairs to get to the lake / firepit area. Not a problem for us, but probably wouldn't be great for someone with mobility issues. We used the kayaks provided (there was also a paddleboard) and spent several hours paddling on the lake. One day it rained, so we played pool and watched movies in the basement / game area. We also went shopping at some of the stores nearby, and hung out at a lovely coffee place 5 mins away. We had one very small issue while we were there and Lydia was super responsive and helpful. I would highly recommend and look forward to returning next year - hopefully in the summer so we can swim off of the dock! Thank you Lydia for a great stay!!
Kate B.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 29 Sept 2023
Hi Kate, thanks so much for your feedback. So glad you enjoyed your stay. Yes please stay with us again!!
We were two couples on holiday (no children) and found that the house is in a great location for visiting the local area, over the road are a couple of diners and a quick drive over the bridge you have the marina with more eateries, coffee shop, ice cream etc. We hired a boat for one day and found this to be the best end of the Lake to stay at for food choice. I suspect we were at the end of the season though and lots of things seemed to be closing.
The house was well equipped, a little tired in places but it was clean. There is a main bedroom with an ensuite and laundry off that which was slightly odd as we needed to go through our friends bedroom or bathroom to get to the washing machine. Downstairs you will find 2 more bedrooms and a bathroom, as well as the games room with snooker table and dart board.
Sadly the deck and garden area were a little uncared for, there were childrens swim things dumped on the deck, we weren't sure whether they were the owners or the previous tenants, we didn't look at the bbq but the cover was old and ripped, someone had emptied ash from the firepit all over the ground on the seating area halfway down the steps, there were weeds everywhere and the grass needed to be cut. The steps down to the dock were ok although a few steps were a little dangerously angled, but the "jump" down from the last step was a little challenging as well as the necessary clamber to get back off the deck.
We enjoyed our stay but a little TLC is necessary.
Christine M.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 16 Nov 2024
Hi Christine. Thanks for your review. I’m sorry to hear that you found the home needed TLC. I spoke with the cleaners to ensure it’s in better condition for future guests. Also the lake is very low due to the lack of rain and since it’s a floating dock it’s impacted by the lake levels. Glad you had a nice stay.
Verified
8/10 Good
LORI G.
16 Jul 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, listing accuracy
Week getaway
The house is well appointed with everything we need for kitchen, laundry, kayaks and paddle board, pool table, foosball, books and games! Great setup for older kids. Excellent amenities, fire pit, grill, outdoor tables. Laundry room, soap, etc all supplied. Beds were comfortable. Bathroom was newly remodeled. We felt like we were guests at a friend’s house! Lots of light, enough space for 2 older teens to be independent downstairs (yay!) and even Netflix included.
We enjoyed paddling around the dock- very quiet off the main boating area.
Overall it was an excellent rental that felt more like home every day. It is obvious the owners wanted us to feel welcome.
Suggestions for improvement: 1 sliding glass door needs lock replaced. Would be nice to have a chain lock for security on front door. An umbrella on the deck would be helpful. The ladder on the dock was awkward to use. Would be great to have the ladder on the front of the dock. (I didn’t like the gooshy mud I had to walk through to get to it.)
At first I was unhappy with the busy road (worried for my dog) but it was fine after I acclimated. It was really good to be near the Bridgewater Marina. The teens spend most evenings there.
Overall 4.5/5. Thank you!
LORI G.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023
About the host
Hosted by Lydia Hart
We’re a family that loves to travel, try new restaurants, and just hang out together—usually with a movie at the end of the day. Life gets busy fast with work and everyone’s schedules, so getting away is kind of our reset. It’s how we slow down and actually spend time together, and that’s something we really value. Hosting this place is our way of sharing that with others.
Why they chose this property
We just really love being on the lake. The house sits in a quiet cove, which is one of our favorite things—it’s perfect for kayaking, paddle boarding, or just floating without a lot of boat traffic. It feels peaceful and tucked away, but you still have easy access to everything on the lake. It’s the kind of spot where you can truly relax.
What makes this property unique
It’s really the mix of peaceful and fun. Being in a quiet cove makes it feel calm and private, but you still get all the lake activities right outside your door. We’ve tried to set the house up so it works just as well for a relaxing weekend as it does for a more active trip—morning coffee on the deck, afternoons on the water, and evenings hanging out together.
Another thing we love is how close you are to everything. Restaurants, mini golf, arcades, and other family stuff are either walkable, or just a short drive away, so it’s easy to get out and do something without it turning into a whole production. It’s the kind of place that just feels easy once you get here.
Languages:
English
Premier Host
They consistently provide great experiences for their guests