Lake front retreat-Fire-Pit, Private Dock, Water toys provided, Fish off dock!
Guest rating: 5.0 / 5
Overview
Lake front retreat-Fire-Pit, Private Dock, Water toys provided, Fish off dock! is a remodeled waterfront cottage in Decatur, Illinois, set on a quiet, wooded lake road. The home is designed for lake days and relaxed evenings, with private lake access and multiple indoor hangout spaces. It’s smoke-free, pet-friendly, and set up for both getaway stays and practical trips to town.
Layout & Sleeping
The home includes a kitchen, dining room, a kids nook/workspace, two living areas (main level and lower level), and a basement family room with a sleeper sofa. Sleeping is arranged across 3 bedrooms on the second floor plus the lower-level sleeper sofa. Bathrooms include two full baths (one main-level tub/shower combo and an ensuite primary stand-up shower) plus an additional half bath in the lowest level near the laundry.
Kitchen & In-home Conveniences
A well-stocked kitchen supports self-catering stays, with air conditioning and essentials like an ironing board. Note that the dishwasher is located in the lower level rather than the primary cooking space. The property is non-smoking.
Outdoor & Lake Amenities
Outside features focus on waterfront recreation: a private dock for swimming, fishing, and boat docking, plus provided water toys including kayaks, a paddleboard, a lily pad, and life jackets (seasonal availability for safety). There’s outdoor dining for 8, lounge seating, two hammock chairs, an outdoor Weber grill, and a smokeless fire pit (firewood not provided). Boat rental may be available through Pier 36 marina with limited availability.
Location & Nearby
The cottage is minutes from key Decatur points such as Millikin University (about 10 minutes), Nelson Park (about 10 minutes; boat rentals), and ADM (about 4 minutes). Nearby transit includes multiple bus stops within roughly 100–600 meters (including E Wiliam St & N James St at about 83 m). Dining options within a short drive include 217 Flavor LLC (takeout), Tokyo Hibachi Decatur, New Moon Cafe (breakfast), and Whit's End Inc. (pizza).
Best for
This waterfront cottage suits families and small groups who want a private, activity-ready lake stay, with a private dock, provided kayaks/paddleboard (seasonal), and a projector for movie nights. It’s also a strong fit for travelers in town for events at Millikin or outings to Nelson Park, thanks to the short drive times and practical in-home setup (kitchen, laundry, multiple living areas).
Travel tips
Parking is limited to the spaces directly in front of the home (up to three mid-size cars; fewer if vehicles are large), and there is no additional on-site overflow parking. The walk from parking to the front door involves stairs; the home is older construction with narrow/steep stairwells and some lower ceilings, so plan accordingly for luggage and mobility. If you plan to use the smokeless fire pit, bring your own firewood (it fits up to 16-inch logs).
What guests say
Reviews consistently describe the home as charming, relaxing, and better suited to group needs than a typical hotel stay. Guests highlight that it offered more than expected for a family trip, with space to unwind and enjoy the lake setting. Communication from the host is repeatedly noted as excellent. The available excerpts do not mention any recurring negatives or pain points.
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