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Halo Cove - Private Lakefront Retreat on 14 Acres

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A large, multi-story house with a stone foundation, wooden deck, and a dock extending into a body of water.
A modern living room with a sectional sofa, a wooden coffee table, and a dining area with a table and chairs.
A spacious living room with a fireplace, large windows, and a modern kitchen in the background.
A spacious kitchen with a large island, wooden flooring, and a view of a lake through large windows.
A staircase with stone steps and metal railings, leading to a second-floor area with a view of a building and a window.

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional

Highlights

  • Family fun awaits
    Top-rated for families.
  • Cue up the fun
    One of the few properties with an on-site pool table.
  • By the lake
    Guests love the beautiful lakefront location.
  • Discover nearby landmarks
    Near Lewis Smith Lake
7 bedrooms7+ bathroomsSleeps 24

Popular amenities

  • Balcony
  • Kitchenette
  • Barbecue grill
  • Electric vehicle charging point
  • Air-conditioning
  • Refrigerator

Explore the area

View in a map
Arley, AL
  • Place, Lewis Smith Lake
    ‪5 min walk‬
  • Place, Ave Maria Grotto
    ‪55 min drive‬
  • Place, Smith Lake Park
    ‪59 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

7 bedrooms (sleeps 24)

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed

Bedroom 2

1 King Bed

Bedroom 3

1 King Bed

Bedroom 4

1 King Bed

Bedroom 5

1 King Bed

Bedroom 6

4 Queen Beds

Bedroom 7

+2
6 Single Beds

7 bathrooms, 2 half bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 2

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 3

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 4

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 5

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 6

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 7

Toilet · Shower only

Lower Level Half Bath

Toilet

Main Level Half Bathroom

Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Kitchenette
Balcony
Dining area

About this property

Halo Cove - Private Lakefront Retreat on 14 Acres

Halo Cove is a one-of-a-kind lakefront retreat on 14 private acres featuring two waterfalls, natural caves, walking trails, 800’ of shoreline, and a private boat dock. Designed for connection and rest, the home sleeps large groups of up to 24 guests with 5 king en suites, 2 bunk room en suites, multiple living spaces, and expansive decks. Enjoy a private cove, swim platform, fire pit evenings, pickleball and basketball courts, seasonal waterfalls, and unforgettable Smith Lake sunsets.

Halo Cove is built into the natural landscape of Smith Lake, and access to the home from the parking area includes a flight of stairs. Guests with mobility concerns should consider this before booking.

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 30
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

Events allowed: family gatherings, birthday parties, weddings
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Check-out instructions

The host requires you to complete the following before checking out:
Load and start the dishwasher
Strip any used beds and gather used towels
Remove personal items and remove leftover food and drinks
Turn off the lights and lock the doors
Turn off both fireplaces (living room and rec room)
Take all trash in bags to the dumpster and make sure dumpster lid closes completely.
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.
Guest is required to sign a Renter Agreement. Security Deposit Required of up to $1000. Minimum age to rent is 25.
Renter Agreement must be signed immediately upon booking. For last-minute reservations, agrmnt must be signed before check-in info will be sent.
NO Smoking. NO pets. NO parties/events unless explicit prior approval from owner.

Important information

You need to know

Property # 4727669vb
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 (including family gatherings, birthday parties and weddings) are allowed on site. Maximum attendees: 24
Long-term renters welcome
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

Arley

Located in Arley, this holiday home is on the waterfront. Houston Historic Jail and Clarkson Covered Bridge are local landmarks, and the area's natural beauty can be seen at Lewis Smith Lake and Bankhead National Forest. Discover the area's water adventures with jet skiing, kayaking and waterskiing nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with hiking.
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Map
Arley, AL

What's nearby

  • Lewis Smith Lake - 5 min walk - 0.4 km
  • Natural Bridge Park - 49 min drive - 70.4 km
  • Heritage Park Cullman - 52 min drive - 70.3 km
  • Ave Maria Grotto - 55 min drive - 72.6 km
  • Smith Lake Park - 59 min drive - 57.3 km

Getting around

  • Birmingham International Airport (BHM) - 72 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Jack's - ‬15 min drive
  • ‪Arley Coffee Shop - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪Subway - ‬15 min drive
  • ‪Cujos Pizza - ‬12 min drive
  • ‪La Plaza Bonita - ‬10 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Halo Cove - Private Lakefront Retreat on 14 Acres pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much is parking at Halo Cove - Private Lakefront Retreat on 14 Acres?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Halo Cove - Private Lakefront Retreat on 14 Acres?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Halo Cove - Private Lakefront Retreat on 14 Acres?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Halo Cove - Private Lakefront Retreat on 14 Acres located?

This family-friendly Arley holiday home is located on the waterfront, within 3 mi (5 km) of Lewis Smith Lake and Bankhead National Forest. Tiger Field and Houston Historic Jail are also within 12 miles (20 km).

Reviews

10

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. 14 out of 15 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 1 out of 15 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 15 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 15 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 15 reviews

9.8/10

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
Perfection for a large group of parents and kids! We couldn’t have asked for a better house or cove. Also highly recommend S4 rentals - super helpful and convenient.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Location
Beautiful, peaceful, comfortable. We enjoyed our week here so much!! The privacy of the cove was great for the grandkids to swim, fish and do all of their water activities! Would definitely recommend.
Stayed 7 nights in May 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 5 Jun, 2026
Thank you for your kind words! Glad you (and your grandkids) had a wonderful visit. You are welcome to stay at Halo Cove any time you need a Smith Lake getaway!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The house and the property were so beautiful and unique. It was a perfect quick getaway for our multi-family group, and we hope to return again next year. The hosts were very responsive even though I was having technical difficulties with my VRBO app. I would not hesitate to recommend this house to anyone unless I thought they might be trying to book it around the same time we would want to go again!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Halo Cove was an amazing property for our July lake trip! We had plenty of room for three generations. The main living-kitchen area provides an open layout for preparing meals while still enjoying conversation with everyone. The dock area was perfect for swimming and watching little ones, since it is in a protected cove area. Overall the property is beautiful, thoughtfully planned and provides an amazing lake vacation!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2026
From a partner site

10/10 Excellent

Wonderful in every way!

Gorgeous and well kept!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We had such a great time on our family vacation! The location, the house design, the lake access, and all of the amenities were very enjoyable. Communication was easy and timely, and they were very accommodating with our requests and questions leading up to our trip. We had 4 families stay and the amount of space, multiple bedrooms with bathrooms, and the layout, allowed us all to enjoy time together, while also providing a space where we could find a space to read, nap, watch tv, or just have a few moments as needed. We had a blast and did not want it to end!
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 18 Aug, 2026
Kevin, we loved having your group at Halo Cove! You are welcome back any time you need a Smith Lake getaway!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful and perfect family getaway. Absolutely loved this place. The property is so beautiful and the hosts are very nice and responsive. Looking forward to visit during the summer, will definitely book it again. 100% recommended.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
My family's stay was nothing short of amazing! Justin and Whitney were very helpful and welcoming. Check-in was swift and easy and the home is gorgeous! It's not very often you can find a spot for a slightly large family to stay together and feel close while still having your own space and Halo Cove is exactly that. I am definitely considering staying again!
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 30 Mar, 2026
Thank you so much for your kind words, LaTerra! We appreciate you choosing Halo Cove for your stay at Smith Lake and we welcome you back any time!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
It was so good. Highest quality, you have everything in the house!The host is so nice, responding almost immediately with a lot of patience
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 20 Jan, 2026
Thank you so much! We enjoyed having you,
From a partner site

10/10 Excellent

Exceeded all our expectations

This modern luxury lakefront house is even more beautiful in person. It was thoughtfully constructed and supplied. Twenty-two members of our extended family stayed for a long holiday weekend. From ages 92 all the way to 10 months old, everyone was easily accommodated and enjoyed every minute. There are plenty of activities around the house to enjoy while there in the winter. Hopefully the next visit will be in the summertime so we can utilize the lake. We will most definitely be back!!!
Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This house was amazing! The only negative was there is no level access to the house… Multiple stairs have to be taken to unload and we had one lady that attended our retreat that has MS and it was tough managing all the stairs. I didn’t see anywhere on description that warns about that that would have been most helpful. But other than that, everything was wonderful.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 19 May, 2026
Thank you so much for your kind words and for choosing Halo Cove for your retreat. We are so glad you enjoyed your stay. We also appreciate the feedback regarding the stairs and accessibility. While the stair access is shown in our listing photos, we understand that adding additional language to the description could be helpful for future guests, especially those with mobility concerns, and we will take that into consideration. Thank you again for staying at Halo Cove and we wish you all the best! Whitney & Justin Halo Cove
From a partner site

10/10 Excellent

Perfect retreat for a special family celebration!

We stayed with family and friends at Halo Cove to celebrate a special BIG birthday! It was perfect! Our large group had plenty of space to spread out and with two living rooms we could have a gathering spot for the young people in the rec room and the older family members could enjoy an evening in the upper living room at the same time! It was perfect! The beds (and pillows!) were so comfortable that several of our guests mentioned them specifically! The pool table was a blast as well as the pickleball court...both were great entertainment! The large windows on every floor give you amazing views of the lake and beautiful rocks and surroundings. It is so peaceful and quiet! We enjoyed having the cove to swim and play without any busy boat traffic! The fire pit on the stone patio was a perfect spot for people to gather to eat and laugh...what a great memory! The cave and nature trail are beautiful and the night time lighting at Halo Cove down the stairs and walkways are spectacular! The covered multiple porches with outdoor furniture also gave us great space to hang out outside when a passing shower came through. Thankful for our time at Halo Cove!
From a partner site

10/10 Excellent

Perfect retreat for a special family celebration!

We stayed with family and friends at Halo Cove to celebrate a special BIG birthday! It was perfect! Our large group had plenty of space to spread out and with two living rooms we could have a gathering spot for the young people in the rec room and the older family members could enjoy an evening in the upper living room at the same time! It was perfect! The beds (and pillows!) were so comfortable that several of our guests mentioned them specifically! The pool table was a blast as well as the pickleball court...both were great entertainment! The large windows on every floor give you amazing views of the lake and beautiful rocks and surroundings. It is so peaceful and quiet! We enjoyed having the cove to swim and play without any busy boat traffic! The fire pit on the stone patio was a perfect spot for people to gather to eat and laugh...what a great memory! The cave and nature trail are beautiful and the night time lighting at Halo Cove down the stairs and walkways are spectacular! The covered multiple porches with outdoor furniture also gave us great space to hang out outside when a passing shower came through. Thankful for our time at Halo Cove!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This is our 4th summer at Smith Lake. We finally found the perfect house for us this year! It’s beautiful! There were 16 of us. My husband, kids/spouses and grandkids. Everyone had plenty of space for some privacy and great spaces for us all to gather. We’ve already booked for next year!
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Our stay at Hallo Cove was amazing. Justin and Wittney was so nice and their place was so beautiful and peaceful. I had booked it for my 2 daughters family’s to meet up so I could have all my grandchildren (9) together as we all live in different states. The home was big enough to accommodate all of us. And then some. I would highly recommend staying here. The kids had a blast.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2026

About the host

Hosted by Justin & Whitney Hardy

Host profile image
Hi, we’re Justin and Whitney, and we’re grateful to share a home that means so much to our family. We’re truly glad you’re here and pray your stay is filled with peace, laughter, and unforgettable moments on the lake.

Why they chose this property

We value time together, meaningful conversation, and moments that let life slow down.

What makes this property unique

Hosting at Halo Cove is an extension of our values, and every detail has been chosen with comfort, simplicity, and togetherness in mind.

Languages:

English
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