Located in Gainesville, this resort is near theme parks and on the waterfront. Chattahoochee Golf Club and Chestatee Golf Club are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those looking for area attractions can visit Smithgall Arts Center and Quinlan Visual Arts Center. Travelling with kids? Consider Interactive Neighborhood for Kids, or check out an event or a game at Bobby Bailey Tennis Center. Jet skiing and kayaking offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with hiking/biking trails and cycling nearby.
Margaritaville at Lanier Islands - 53 min drive - 51.4 km
Getting around
Gainesville Station - 22 min drive
Restaurants
Circle K - 8 min drive
Papa John's Pizza - 18 min drive
Wendy's - 14 min drive
Papa's Pizza To Go - 8 min drive
Burger & Shake - 14 min drive
About this property
A Private Lakefront Estate Hosting | Reunions | Corporate Retreats
Welcome to The Ark on Lake Lanier — Where Groups Gather, Connect, and Experience Something Extraordinary.
We’re changing the way people vacation!
Tucked along the peaceful shores of Lake Lanier in North Georgia, The Ark is a private, luxury lakefront estate designed for meaningful time together. Whether you’re planning a family retreat, corporate getaway, executive gathering, or simply a time to reconnect, this one-of-a-kind property offers an experience unlike anywhere else.
At The Ark, it’s not just about where you stay—it’s about how you feel while you’re here. We’re changing the way people vacation!
The Property 13 Bedrooms | 14 Bathrooms 12,000 sq ft Main House Three private cabins + pool house Entire estate rental (never shared) High-speed WiFi throughout Professionally designed interiors
Every detail has been thoughtfully curated to create a space that feels both luxurious and welcoming—your home away from home, elevated.
Lakefront Living & Outdoor Experience
Step outside into your own private resort setting:
Heated pool & spa Expansive firepit overlooking the lake (wood-burning with gas starter) Private double-decker dock with upper-level party deck Quiet cove with hundreds of feet of shoreline Kayaks & paddleboards available for guest use Boat & jet ski rentals available through trusted local partners Full-size volleyball court, pickleball, gaga ball, and open green space
From peaceful mornings by the water to evenings gathered under the stars, this is lake living at its finest— the kind of experience that reminds you we’re changing the way people vacation!
Spaces Designed for Connection
Inside, you’ll find a variety of inviting spaces designed to bring people together comfortably:
Chef-inspired kitchen perfect for shared meals Great room with lake views and relaxed seating Dining areas ideal for gathering Expansive 50x50 screened porch with heaters for year-round enjoyment Multiple indoor and outdoor seating areas for both group time and quiet moments
Every space was created with intention—because we’re changing the way people vacation!
Entertainment & Amenities Private 16-seat luxury home theater with 120” screen Pool table / ping pong Smart TVs throughout the property Multiple decks with lake views, fans, and heaters
Whether your group prefers activity or relaxation, there is something here for everyone.
Layout Designed for Comfort & Privacy
One of the things guests love most about The Ark is how the property allows you to be together—while still having space to recharge.
The estate includes a main home, three private cabins, and a centrally located pool house, creating natural separation for different needs within your group.
Main house offers central gathering spaces and multiple private suites Cabins provide additional privacy for couples or leadership guests Pool house adds convenience and comfort for outdoor living
It’s a layout that allows connection without crowding.
A Thoughtful Experience (Not Just a Stay)
Every group uses the space a little differently—and we’re here to help.
We’re happy to assist with: Room planning and layout guidance Group flow and comfort recommendations Making the most of your time at the property
Because at The Ark, it’s more than a booking—it’s an experience. We’re changing the way people vacation!
Important Notes Private estate rental (not a hotel or event venue) Cabins are not rented separately—you receive the full property Located in a residential setting — quiet enjoyment is expected Not suitable for loud parties or disruptive events
Booking Details Summer: Weekly stays preferred Spring/Fall: 3-night minimums Flexible stays may be considered based on availability
The Experience From mornings on the dock to evenings around the fire, every moment here is designed to bring people together in a way that feels effortless and unforgettable.
All Aboard the Ark — Don’t Miss Your Chance to Reserve Your Stay! Because here… we’re changing the way people vacation!
Keywords: Family reunions, multi family vacations, lakefront, 15 bedroom, family reunion, 13 bedroom, 12 bedroom, 11 bedroom, 10 bedroom, corporate retreat, lake vacation, large lake house, executive retreat, getaway
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
This is a children's paradise.
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Events
No events allowed
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Pets
Pets allowed: dogs (limit 3 total)
Extra pet fee and pet deposit required.
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Smoking
Smoking is not permitted
Smoking only allowed outside away from house.
Check-out instructions
The host requires you to complete the following before checking out:
Load and start the dishwasher
Gather used towels
Remove personal items and take out the rubbish
Turn off the lights and lock the doors
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.
A pet fee of $250 per pet and refundable deposit of $250 per pet.
A Rental Agreement must be signed within 48 hours of booking.
A Security Deposit of $2000 will be held on guest credit card by host and released post-departure pending no damages.
Important information
You need to know
Property # 459652vb
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
Long-term renters welcome
Safety features at this property include a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, a first aid kit and a deadbolt lock
Frequently asked questions
Does A Private Lakefront Estate Hosting | Reunions | Corporate Retreats have a pool?
Yes, this property has a pool. Pool types include heated pools.
Is A Private Lakefront Estate Hosting | Reunions | Corporate Retreats pet-friendly?
How much is parking at A Private Lakefront Estate Hosting | Reunions | Corporate Retreats?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at A Private Lakefront Estate Hosting | Reunions | Corporate Retreats?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at A Private Lakefront Estate Hosting | Reunions | Corporate Retreats?
Checkout is at 10:00 AM.
Where is A Private Lakefront Estate Hosting | Reunions | Corporate Retreats located?
This family-friendly Gainesville resort is located on the waterfront, 0.1 mi (0.2 km) from Lake Lanier, and within 9 mi (15 km) of Chattahoochee Golf Club and Chestatee Golf Club. Smithgall Arts Center and Quinlan Visual Arts Center are also within 12 miles (20 km).
The home is amazing. The property is so much better than the photos. Best family place
Michele H.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2026
Archival
10/10 Excellent
Adam L.
1 Mar, 2017
Reunion + Adventure
Stayed at the Ark for a reunion and had an unbelievable time with friends. Our kids loved it too, as they had plenty to do including billiards, ping pong, volleyball, frisbee golf, trampoline, gaga ball, swimming in the pool and hanging out in the hot tub. The adults just chilled and hung out while the kids played non-stop. Highly recommend for a great weekend with family and friends.
Extended family from all over the country came to experience Lake Lanier for the first time. The property was easy to get to for all, close to grocery shopping etc, and to the quaint town square of Gainesville. We enjoyed all the amenities The Ark has to offer. Had a good time on the lake, which is in a quiet lower-key area of the water. This made it easy and safe for kids to ride on jet skis and go tubing. Chef Jackie created an amazing dinner for us one night! Highly recommend her culinary delights! We had a few issues with the property, but Julie was very responsive to all our questions and needs. The property had a nice mix of private spaces and group hang out areas. I'd definitely recommend for a large family vacation or reunion!
Katherine M.
Stayed 8 nights in Jul 2023
Archival
10/10 Excellent
Claire S.
18 Aug, 2016
Retreat success
This is a beautiful property. Thought, time, and care come through in all of the details.
I spent much of our group's time there in the kitchen. It is a dream. It is sufficiently stocked with all cooking utensils and beautiful serving pieces. Large refrigerators to store the group's food, two ovens, a large island to visit around. A small flat screen tv that I enjoyed watching while I preped the food.
It was beautiful during the summer. But I could only dream of eating on the large screened in porch during cooler temps.
We did encounter no gas in the grill tank. It wasn't promised to have gas but the property manager came right away with two replacements.
It really was a wonderful experience! I would highly recommend this space for anyone!
I recently celebrated my 40th birthday at The Ark, a luxury vacation rental located on the beautiful Lake Lanier in Georgia, USA. The house is spacious and can accommodate up to 45 guests with its 14 bedrooms and 12 bathrooms. We had 30+ adults and it didn't feel cramped at all. All of the spaces in the house were both spacious and cozy which is hard to do! The property is equipped with a variety of indoor and outdoor activities such as pool table, table tennis, foosball, basketball, and volleyball. The outdoor seating areas are covered and heated, which is perfect for enjoying the beautiful surroundings even in cold weather.
Jackie and Joycelyn were extremely helpful and filled the house with food and snacks. Jackie and her also went above and beyond accommodating for our dietary needs. The food was amazing!!! The property manager, Julie, had the house beautifully decorated and gave us a nice orientation when we arrived. We felt very welcome and comfortable throughout our stay.
Overall, I had an amazing experience at The Ark. The house was perfect for my large group of friends and family. I would definitely recommend it to others looking for a great place to stay. Thank you to the staff at The Ark for making my birthday celebration unforgettable!
Thank you for the awesome weekend! Memories were made and fun was had by all. We will definitely be back next summer. Thank you Julie for rolling out the red carpet for us.
This property was perfect for our large group. The variety of activities was just right. We have a family with 21 children from 2 to 20 and everyone had a great time.
Jim H.
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Elizabeth W.
6 Mar, 2019
Don't miss your chance to stay at The Ark!
Our company's retreat at The Ark was a success from start to finish. Planning was very convenient, with lots of helpful communication before we arrived and on the ground assistance once we got there. With both large common areas and plenty of separate spaces, our group of 21 had more than enough room to spread out, play games, hold meetings, and eat. There was plenty to do and the group never got bored. Everyone called it our best retreat ever, we would happily return.
Elizabeth W.
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2019
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Andrew H.
11 Feb, 2019
INCREDIBLE in every way imaginable!
I can NOT say enough great things about this property! We had a group of about 35 and is absolutely PERFECT! The layout of the property is ideal because it allows people to spread out, but there's also great "gathering spots" where everyone can hang out. We prepared all of our meals in the HUGE kitchen and there are THREE full-size refrigerators at your disposal. As far as activities, we played billiards, watched movies in the theater, played ping pong, volleyball, frisbee, and swam in the hot tub. We love EVERYTHING about this place and the owner is SUPER easy to work with and the nicest guy. Definitely planning to take our crew back!!!
Andrew H.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2019
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Danelle N.
30 Jan, 2019
Wonderful place to go to
We had a wonderful time at the Ark. We were with a group of 40 and there was plenty to do (even though the weather was cold) for kids and adults alike. The bedrooms were all very nice and not on top of each other so there was privacy, with a bath connecting to each bedroom. The kitchen was huge - 3 refrigerators, 3 ovens, more than enough for a large group. A beautiful view of the lake - what more could you want?
Danelle N.
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Alyssa R.
23 Jan, 2019
Absolutely Perfect!
This is the perfect place for any type of getaway. Between the lake, hot tub, pool, in-ground trampoline, foosball table, pool/ping pong table, what more could you ask for? There are plenty of sleeping areas that are equipped with clean restrooms and showers. The dining and lounging areas can hold many guests. Its got everything you need.
It was very beautiful and CANNOT wait to go back. I would definitely recommend.
Alyssa R.
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Tara A.
22 Jan, 2019
The perfect Lakehouse getaway for a large group
Our annual church retreat at The Ark is always such a special time. The house can accommodate everyone comfortably in our large group and is perfect for families. It allows everyone space to come together and space to get away. Everything you need is there, from the well-equipped kitchen to the pool table to the theater room to the hot tub to the dock on the lake. The house and grounds are just beautiful.
Tara A.
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Derek A.
22 Jan, 2019
Beautiful home with beautiful lake view!
The house was perfect for our recent church retreat. There was more than enough space for many families to sleep comfortably. The kitchen is intuitive, with plenty of storage and space for cooking for a large group. The view of the lake is fantastic. This is a great place to get away with family and friends. The listing description is accurate, and all the amenities are well maintained. I would highly recommend this rental to anyone.
Derek A.
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Verified traveller
22 Jan, 2019
Refreshing spacious home
This home sits on a lake and the scenes are absolutely gorgeous. There is so much space and fun things to do inside of the house. The rooms are spacious and beds are very comfortable. Our church comes here every year and it is such a refreshing place to relax and get away!
Verified traveller
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Eduardo S.
22 Jan, 2019
Luxury, style and it feels like home!
Amazing place to stay even in the middle of winter. The Hot Tub Jacuzzi that sits by the pool was absolutely incredible. It was below 30 at night and that Jacuzzi was pumping some heat! My wife and I stayed in the garage apartment and everything was amazing and the bed was super comfortable. Even though it was very cold outside, the whole home stayed warm and cozy the whole time I was there. My favorite parts of the home is the kitchen and the main living room. The kitchen is easily equipped to cook for 60+ people and the main living room is really fun to be in with a pool table and ping pong table. This place is amazing.
Eduardo S.
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Meghan C.
22 Jan, 2019
Gorgeous and Modern Lake House
This spacious and modern lake house is the perfect setting for church retreats, weddings, and other 30+ person events. Peace exhudes from each corner of the house and allows people to focus. The house is equipped with everything from cooking utensils, lake amenities, spa-like bathrooms, gameroom items, to a full home theatre! Hosts are gracious and attentive, don't hesitate to contact them.
Meghan C.
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Michelle M.
22 Jan, 2019
Amazing weekend!
This property really is stunning. So much space, cozily decorated, and perfect for our large group retreat. It was the perfect weekend getaway, and allowed us space and time to relax - all of our needs (and wants!) were taken care of here. Can’t beat a comfy king size bed, a gorgeous view of the lake, and a hot tub!
Michelle M.
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Melissa P.
22 Jan, 2019
Love!
This place is amazing and perfectly fit our group! Every aspect of the Ark is beautiful and accommodating! Our children loved it too and I can’t think of a more beautiful, comfy, amazing place to spend time with our group!
Melissa P.
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Jared L.
22 Jan, 2019
Excellent Property
Exceeded expectations in every way. This property is vast: it is literally a mansion on a lake. Enormous kitchen, a huge sprawling floorplan that seems to never end and plenty of things to do in the down time. I was blown away by the sheer *niceness* of it all as well. Everything from the floors to the beds are high quality and luxurious. Great night's sleep and an awesome place to stay. Cannot recommend enough!
Jared L.
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Chet B.
22 Jan, 2019
Even Better!
We have enjoyed this property year after year - and it keeps getting better! The art has been updated and some extra nice finishing touches. Don't wait - just book it!
Chet B.
Verified
10/10 Excellent
JT S.
21 Dec, 2018
One of a kind property on Lake Lanier
We just spent a long weekend at the Ark with a large group and everyone was blown away by the property. This resort/compound has every amenity you could want with a lake house while being large enough to comfortable sleep a small city. There's not one negative thing that can be said about the Ark and it was a true pleasure working with the owner Jeff. We hope to come back again sometime soon. Thanks again for helping us make great memories on Lake Lanier.
JT S.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2018
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Destiny T.
25 Nov, 2018
Beautiful property and gorgeous home!!
I don't know how you manage to make a property feel like a luxurious retreat space AND home away from home but that's what our stay felt like. Jeff was an incredible host and responded quickly and efficiently to our requests. My whole family and I felt spoiled to be able to spend some time there! It was sparkling clean and our time was relaxing and refreshing as there are things to do for the whole crew! This will definitely be our spot when we come to visit Gainesville! Thanks Jeff!
Destiny T.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2018
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Stacey J.
14 Nov, 2018
Excellent setting for a relaxing getaway
The Ark looks great in pictures, but the pictures don't do it justice. It's an expansive property with plenty of room for a large group to spread out and get comfortable. All the amenities are there, and the staff are very helpful. Wonderful venue. We'll absolutely be back.
Stacey J.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2018
Verified
10/10 Excellent
David D.
30 Jun, 2018
There is no better venue for a reunion or meeting
The Ark is probably one of 3 venues in the country for a famiy reunion or meeting of 40 to 50 people. Everything has been thought if and the apirit and personality of the owners resonates throughout. That being family faith adventure and a total positiveness that is genuine and rare to find ! Scale of one to 10 .... 100!!! Great Job Jeff!!