Entire home

Lake Sara Dream

Photo gallery for Lake Sara Dream

A two-story cabin with a wooden deck, a swing, and a staircase leading to an upper level.
A modern kitchen with wooden cabinets, a central island, and bar stools.
A riverside deck with a view of a dock and a small boat.
A shuffleboard table with numbered scoring areas, a wooden border, and metal pucks at the end.
A kitchen with wooden cabinets, a stainless steel refrigerator, a granite countertop, and a bar stool.

Reviews

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional

Highlights

  • Made for relaxation
    Top-rated for comfort — guests feel right at home here.
  • Private garden
    A rare find — relax in the peaceful, private garden space.
  • A quiet escape
    Guests like the location for the peace and quiet.
  • Discover nearby landmarks
    Near Lake Sara

Popular amenities

  • Balcony
  • Kitchenette
  • Barbecue grill
  • Air-conditioning
  • Refrigerator
  • Pet-friendly

Explore the area

View in a map
Effingham, IL
  • Place, Lake Sara
    ‪2 min walk‬
  • Place, Effingham Performance Center
    ‪18 min drive‬
  • Place, Effingham County Courthouse
    ‪19 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 8)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 3

1 Queen Bed and 1 Single Bunk Bed

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 2

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Kitchenette
Balcony
Garden
Dining area

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About the area

Effingham

Located in Effingham, this holiday home is on a lake. Dr. Charles M. Wright Mansion and Veteran's Monument are local landmarks, and the area's natural beauty can be seen at Ballard Nature Center and Lake Sara. Bliss Park and Effingham County Fairgrounds are also worth visiting.
View more Holiday homes in EffinghamOpens in a new window
Map
Effingham, IL

What's nearby

  • Lake Sara - 2 min walk - 0.2 km
  • Cardinal Golf Course - 17 min drive - 12.0 km
  • Effingham Performance Center - 18 min drive - 13.7 km
  • Effingham County Courthouse - 19 min drive - 13.3 km
  • Lake Shelbyville - 53 min drive - 59.7 km

Getting around

  • Effingham Station - 19 min drive
  • Champaign, IL (CMI-University Of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Williard) - 78 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Dairy Queen - ‬19 min drive
  • ‪McDonald's - ‬19 min drive
  • ‪Golden Corral - ‬20 min drive
  • ‪Niemerg's Steakhouse - ‬17 min drive
  • ‪Taco Bell - ‬18 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Lake Sara Dream pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows pets (limit 2 total).

How much is parking at Lake Sara Dream?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Lake Sara Dream?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Lake Sara Dream?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Lake Sara Dream located?

Situated on a lake, this holiday home is steps from Lake Sara and within 9 mi (15 km) of Cardinal Golf Course and Effingham Performance Center. Bliss Park and Ballard Nature Center are also within 9 miles (15 km).

Reviews

9.6

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 77 out of 93 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 11 out of 93 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 4 out of 93 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 93 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 93 reviews

9.6/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Very quiet and secluded location on a great Lake Sara cove! The house and property is very clean and well maintained. Plenty of dock space for a boat. Overall a great vacation rental..thank you to the owners for sharing their property!
Stayed 4 nights in May 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Our group had a great 3 day weekend getaway relaxing at Lake Sara Dream. They provided pretty much everything needed for our comfort. Be sure to bring extra toilet paper and paper towels, they only provide a minimum amount. They do ask that you wash your towels before leaving and put them in the dryer which I feel is a fire hazard, but we hung around until that task was completed. Other than that it was a wonderful stay and I would recommend staying here.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great place! Second time we have stayed for a long weekend with our adult kids. Great dock for our boat, quiet cove, great views from decks and dock . Perfect relaxing getaway!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025
Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
It was a great stay! We love spending time on the lake. Memories made for a lifetime.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Birthday Trip

Wonderful place to stay at Lake Sara. We had the best time. This property has everything you can need for a relaxing trip away. Our kids especially loved being able to jump off and swim at the dock. Can’t wait to come back!
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Family Weekend

The house was just as pictured and a great place for our family weekend away. We enjoyed the lake and the dock for fishing and relaxing. We hope to visit this house again next year.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Family holiday celebration

Our second visit to Lake Sara Dream for an early Christmas celebration was terrific!
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Holiday Celebration

Our extended family has spent a fall weekend at Lake Sara Dream for the last three years. The house is so cute and it is just perfect for us to relax and visit with each other.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

The Best!

Great location on Lake Sara! Fun time with friends. Highly recommend.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We had an amazing vacation at this property. The home is beautifully maintained, comfortable, and thoughtfully laid out. The setting is serene and picturesque, making it easy to unwind. Communication with the host was smooth, and the value for money was excellent. We’re already planning to return next year. Highly recommended!
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Great Getaway

I grew up coming to Lake Sara. It was fun to come back with my family to see how much it has grown and changed. The house was great and the lake access was perfect. We enjoyed fishing and swimming!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Perfect lake location

Perfect spot to spend a weekend with our good friends . Clean quiet and perfect for jumping in the lake for a swim. Equipped with everything you need. A/C worked great with ceiling fans and floor fans in every room. Bingo at the winery and boat rental for a tour of the lake !
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Great place!

So fun! Quick communication with owner, great spot on the lake! Only complaint I can think of is they could use a good skillet, and some more silverware. But we survived and loved it! Beds were comfy, Loved the canoe, and fishing.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Family is everthing

Home was beautiful! Location was quiet and views were spectacular! Everyone in our group found something to do. Kayaks, canoe, fishing off the dock, campfires etc. Room to dock both of our boats and to park trailers!
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Will be back

Everything was just like we expected, had lots of fun in the water rain or shine. Can’t wait till next time
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Dads birthday

Returned to my childhood, home to visit family for my dad’s birthday. Lake Sara has been a place where we spent many fun happy times, and so to return was very special! And the home was just perfect!
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Perfect Getaway

This is the second year my group has booked this house for our annual girls weekend. The house is a great size, enough private rooms for our different sleeping schedules, 2 tv areas for when everyone needs their space but also enough seating upstairs for everyone to hang out together, 2 fridges, several beautiful outdoor seating options and the dock and lake access are awesome.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2023
Verified review

6/10 Okay

Liked: Check-in, location, listing accuracy
This house has so much potential! The remodeling was done nicely however the furnishings appeared to be leftovers. We had to scrounge to find lids for pots and pans, there were dead flies in the windowsills, the outdoor furniture needs cushions and the weber grill has no way to control the flame because the damper was gone. The hand soap dispenser in the upstairs bathroom was more water than soap. Communication with the owners started out great and then was very slow. We arrived early and while sitting in the drive way we called and messaged asking if we could check in early. 45 minutes later they finally text us to say it was ok. For the price we paid we expected much more. We enjoyed being on Lake Sara and plan to return but will look for other homes on the lake in the fall.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2026
Verified review

8/10 Good

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

Family reunion

At Lake Sara for a family reunion. Kitchen was well stocked and there is a large great room. Bedrooms and bathrooms are small but adequate. Porch railing in need of cleaning. Great lake access and nice grounds provides privacy. Nice lower level with room to spare. privacy.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The house wonderful we went up there for fishing, But unfortunately it was very hot and we did not catch to many fish. But we all really enjoyed the house. We got up there a little early and we asked Amber the host if we could get in early and she yes. This is the second time we rented her house. She is such a gracious host. I would recommend this house to stay in. Was fantastic. Thank you again Amber.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Met in the Middle!

We met my brother and wife at Lake Sara (mid location between our 2 cities). We met at Tuscan Hills Winery and then to the property. We were so charmed by the location and pleased with the lake house! The temperature dropped but we were so cozy cooking together, watching a Chiefs' victory, and hanging out together! Couldn't find the guest book. We will be back!
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Beautiful home in quiet cove and easily accessible boat dock!

Our extended family visited Lake Sara for the second time and really enjoyed staying in this home (plus a second home on the lake less than a mile away). We enjoyed floating near the dock, kayaking, fishing, and roasting marshmallows at the fire pit. We brought our boat and the cove was easy to get in and out of. Plenty of sunshine or shade with the decks. We enjoyed watching wildlife (deer, turtle, fish, blue heron, and a friendly chipmunk) and relaxing. This home is beautiful inside and out - well-appointed with what you need to have an enjoyable stay. Updated bathrooms and comfortable beds. We will be back!!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Second time at this property—outstanding!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful house on the lake and really made our family vacation the best of the summer!
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great place!
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2026
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