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Spacious 5 Bed 2 Bath Sleeps 10 Book before Apri 30 3 nights 4th 1/2 off
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Reviews
9.4 out of 10
Exceptional
5 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 10
Popular amenities
Explore the area

Effingham, IL
- Place, Lake Sara1 min walk
- Place, Effingham Performance Center17 min drive
- Place, Lake Shelbyville56 min drive
Rooms & beds
5 bedrooms (sleeps 10)
Master Downstairs
1 Queen Bed
Upstairs Bedroom 2
2 Single Beds
Upstairs Bedroom 3
2 Single Beds
Upstairs Bedroom 4
2 Single Beds
Upstairs Bedroom 5
2 Single Beds
2 bathrooms
Bathroom Downstairs
Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Toilet · Shampoo
Guest
Soap · Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only · Shampoo
Spaces
Deck or patio
Kitchen
Outdoor play area
Garden
About this property
Spacious 5 Bed 2 Bath Sleeps 10 Book before Apri 30 3 nights 4th 1/2 off
Perfect for a family and friends getaway whatever the season. Quiet wooded neighborhood with beautiful views of one of Lake Sara's deepest coves. This 5 bedroom 1-3/4 bath two story home features 4 spacious rooms on the second floor with king beds (or can be split to 2 twins) with room to add a full blow up mattress. Each offer a view of the lake or the many trees well away from the road. The master is on the first floor with access to a full bath and the lakeside deck with a hot tub just out the sliding doors. The dining area can seat 8 comfortably and is open to the kitchen which is fully equipped with electric stove, fridge, wine fridge, microwave, dishwasher and washer and dryer. The living area opens to an enormous wraparound deck with a firepit, hot tub, gas grill and room to seat more than 10 comfortably. From the deck is access to the lake cove with good deep water and offers plenty of room to float, paddleboard, canoe and enjoy views of the main lake. And the fishing is great, both in the cove or on the main lake!
The back yard (street side) is very shaded with many pin oaks and a perfect space to throw frisbees or play yard games, and build a giant bonfire. When you walk out to the quiet street you have many easy paths to choose from for biking or walking.
Minutes away is a wooded park with a play area and interpretive nature trail, and is also open to public fishing (with an Illinois fishing license). Also on the lake are two golf courses: the Foreway 9 hole and Cardinal 18 hole, a 5 minute drive from the house.
The main park on Lake Sara has a small beach and picnic and shelter areas, and also offers a disc golf course. On the same park roads you can casually dine at the lake's recent establishment Pinky's Restaurant.
When you enter Lake Sara road, you can stop at the Dollar General or the gas station which has a well stocked liquor store.
The city of Effingham features most major retailers including Menards, Walmart, Hobby Lobby and many other brand name stores.
Within minutes you can access Highway 40, the first National Road built in the United States, where you can visit quaint towns and an abundance of flea markets.
The back yard (street side) is very shaded with many pin oaks and a perfect space to throw frisbees or play yard games, and build a giant bonfire. When you walk out to the quiet street you have many easy paths to choose from for biking or walking.
Minutes away is a wooded park with a play area and interpretive nature trail, and is also open to public fishing (with an Illinois fishing license). Also on the lake are two golf courses: the Foreway 9 hole and Cardinal 18 hole, a 5 minute drive from the house.
The main park on Lake Sara has a small beach and picnic and shelter areas, and also offers a disc golf course. On the same park roads you can casually dine at the lake's recent establishment Pinky's Restaurant.
When you enter Lake Sara road, you can stop at the Dollar General or the gas station which has a well stocked liquor store.
The city of Effingham features most major retailers including Menards, Walmart, Hobby Lobby and many other brand name stores.
Within minutes you can access Highway 40, the first National Road built in the United States, where you can visit quaint towns and an abundance of flea markets.
Add dates for prices
Amenities
Hot tub
Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Air conditioning
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Family Home on Lake Sara
Family Home on Lake Sara
- Kitchen
- Washing machine
- Dryer
- Pet-friendly
10.0 out of 10, Exceptional, (137 reviews)
House Rules
Check in after 1:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 21
Check out before 11:00 AM
Children
Children allowed: ages 0–17
Lots of indoors space for games and crafts.
Events
Events allowed
Add $10 per night for each additional guest.
Pets
Pets allowed
An extra deposit will be required to be refunded
Smoking
Smoking allowed: in designated areas
Outdoor spaces only.
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
Parties and events are allowed on site
Note from host: Add $10 per night for each additional guest.
Host has indicated that there are no carbon monoxide detectors or gas appliances on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
About the area
Effingham
Located in Effingham, this cottage is in the city centre and on the waterfront. Cardinal Golf Course and Pepper's Ridge Winery are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Ballard Nature Center and Lake Sara. Bliss Park and Effingham County Fairgrounds are also worth visiting. Kayaking and water tubing offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with hunting and hiking nearby.

Effingham, IL
What's nearby
- Lake Sara - 1 min walk - 0.1 km
- Effingham Performance Center - 17 min drive - 12.4 km
- HSHS St. Anthony's Memorial Hospital - 17 min drive - 11.9 km
- Mid America Motorworks, My Garage Museum - 20 min drive - 18.7 km
- Lake Shelbyville - 56 min drive - 59.4 km
Getting around
Restaurants
- Casey's General Store - 19 min drive
- McDonald's - 19 min drive
- Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen - 19 min drive
- Starbucks - 19 min drive
- Sbarro - 19 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Reviews
9.4
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window8.8/10
Cleanliness
10/10
Check-in
10/10
Communication
10/10
Location
9.6/10
Listing accuracy
Reviews
13 Nov, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2025
10/10 Excellent
Holli S.
8 Sept, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Holli S.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025
10/10 Excellent
Tina N.
24 Jun, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Fun Hasty retreat
Tina N.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025
10/10 Excellent
Ken W.
25 Aug, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Ken W.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025
10/10 Excellent
Joe R.
10 May, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great time
Joe R.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2025
10/10 Excellent
Victoria H.
26 Nov, 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Amazing time and place
Victoria H.
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2023
8/10 Good
LEAnn W.
15 Jul, 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Host was amazing
LEAnn W.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2023
10/10 Excellent
Kelly M.
31 May, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Lake Sara house
Kelly M.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2025
8/10 Good
Angie L.
3 Jul, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great location
Angie L.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2025
10/10 Excellent
Kristie S.
5 Sept, 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Family Retreat
Kristie S.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2023
10/10 Excellent
Christina H.
22 May, 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Family vacation
Christina H.
Stayed 7 nights in May 2023
10/10 Excellent
Tamyra H.
22 Jun, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Had everything we needed!




Tamyra H.
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2025
10/10 Excellent
Angie L.
16 Oct, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Family reunion
Angie L.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024
10/10 Excellent
Leslie W.
25 Nov, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Weekend stay
Leslie W.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2024
10/10 Excellent
Julie C.
3 Mar, 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Effingham Lake
Julie C.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2023
10/10 Excellent
Sarah C.
24 Oct, 2022
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Fall Girls’ Trip
Sarah C.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2022
10/10 Excellent
Wendy E.
25 Aug, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Very cute
Wendy E.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024
10/10 Excellent
Jeanie W.
8 Mar, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Family funeral
Jeanie W.
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2024
8/10 Good
James R.
5 Aug, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location
Getaway
James R.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024
10/10 Excellent
Kristie S.
3 Sept, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Always grwat
Kristie S.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2024
6/10 Okay
Cheryl G.
18 May, 2025
Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Gebben 2025
Cheryl G.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025
10/10 Excellent
Kelli F.
3 Aug, 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Nice quiet getaway
Kelli F.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023
10/10 Excellent
Casidy B., Indiana
2 Nov, 2022
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
VERY BEAUTIFUL HOME
Casidy B.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2022
10/10 Excellent
Todd B.
9 Nov, 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Getaway
Todd B.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2023
10/10 Excellent
Ronald B.
8 Oct, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Fishing trip
Ronald B.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2024
About the host
Hosted by GAIL STARKWEATHER
In 2004, we were looking for a vacation home to rent for our large family, kids, grandkids and friends, scattered around the country. We came upon this listing right on Lake Sara in the southern Illinois town of Effingham, Illinois. It was a 4 hour drive for us and most of our family. So instead of renting, we purchased the property immediately and have been so grateful for being able to comfortably accommodate so many people and make so many memories.
Why they chose this property
Lake Sara is a quiet 800 acre lake with many amenities, easy travel from St Louis (1 1/2 hrs), Chicago (3 hrs), Indianapolis (4 hrs), Nashville (5 hrs). Established in the 70's, Lake Sara is very well maintained by the Water Authority. We have city water and electricity, and a newly built wi fi tower nearby. Because it is the southern portion of the state, the warm weather season is extended, from late May through September, we are able to enjoy the water much earlier than northern areas of the midwest.
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