Entire home

Lake Front Retreat | Kayak | Paddleboard | Fishing

Photo gallery for Lake Front Retreat | Kayak | Paddleboard | Fishing

Property grounds
Outdoor dining
Exterior
3 bedrooms, iron/ironing board, travel cot, WiFi
Outdoor dining

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire home

3 bedrooms3 bathrooms111 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Dryer
  • Pet-friendly
  • Air-conditioning
  • Outdoor space

Explore the area

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Decatur, IL

Room options

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About the area

Decatur

Located in Decatur, this cottage is on the waterfront, a 5-minute drive from Nelson Dog Park and 5 minutes from Nelson Park. .This cottage is 2.9 mi (4.7 km) from Overlook Adventure Park and 3 mi (4.8 km) from Children's Museum of Illinois.

Getting around

  • Decatur, IL (DEC) - 4 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪McDonald's - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪McDonald's - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Pizza Hut - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Circle K - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Debbies Diner - ‬4 min drive

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

Lake Front Retreat | Kayak | Paddleboard | Fishing

Welcome to Lake Shore Cottage, hosted by Beyond the Path Vacation Rentals. Check out our excellent online reviews! Enjoy lakefront living: fish from the private dock, paddle kayaks, relax by the fire pit, and enjoy the peaceful waterfront views. Comfortable beds, fast Wi‑Fi, huge digital game board, smart TV, fully equipped kitchen, quiet safe neighborhood, minutes to Scovill Zoo, Devon Amphitheater, Nelson Park, Splash Cove, restaurants, shopping, and available boat rental.

Beyond the Path is a small, owner‑run collection of thoughtfully designed vacation rentals where every stay is personal, not just another rental. We focus on memorable details, quick communication, and genuinely warm hospitality so you can relax, feel at home, and know someone local truly cares about your stay.

INSIDE

LIVING SPACE
• Comfortable seating
• Well stocked kitchen
• Lots of windows with lake views
• Kids nook/workspace
• Two living areas (Main level and lower level)
• Huge projection TV for movie nights
• Infinity digital game table for hours of family fun
• Keurig with starter Kcups and Drip coffee maker provided

BEDROOMS
• 3 Bedrooms on 2nd Floor
• Sleeper sofa in lower level
• Comfortable mattresses with quality linens
• Room darkening shades
• Plenty of storage
• Extra pillows and blankets
• Luggage racks
• Fans in each room

Kitchen, dining room, kids nook/workspace, 3 bedrooms, Two full baths (One on main level and one ensuite in primary bedroom) half bath in Basement and a laundry room. Basement family room with sleeper sofa and huge projection TV!

OUTSIDE
• Large Weber Grill
• Al Fresco dining for 8
• Private dock-Swim, fish, boat dock
• 2 Hammock chairs
• Lounge seating
• Smoke-less fire pit (Wood not included)
• Water toys-Lily pad, kayaks, paddleboard, life jackets provided. (Please note these items are seasonally available for guests safety)
• Boat rental available with Pier 36 marina. Limited availability.

BATHROOMS
• Shampoo, conditioner and soap provided
• Plenty of towels for each guest
• Full bath on main level- Tub Shower combo
• Master Bedroom Full bath (second level w/bedrooms)- Stand up Shower
• Additional half bath in laundry located in the lowest level.

The entire finished home is available for your use. You have full access to the dock and rear yard as well as the 3 parking spaces in front of the home. The garage is not available for guest use.

There is a dishwasher on-site but please note it is in the lower level and not in the primary cooking space.

The day of check-in my cell phone will be provided to help answer questions throughout your stay or should any type of issue arise. Please feel free to text me anytime!

Very safe, quiet wooded lake road with quaint houses and very little traffic.

PARKING- 3 spots at the home are for guest use up to a mid size car size, 2 if they are full size vehicles or 1 if its an extended or extra large vehicle (please park this one parallel). There is no additional parking. Under no circumstances can you park anywhere other than directly in front of the Lake Shore Cottage. Please be careful pulling in as to not hit the safety rail at the front of the parking area. Parking is directly in front of the home with a staircase down to the front door (handrail provided). If more than three cars of parking space are needed they will need to be parked off-site.

This home has been completely remodeled but is an older construction. The stairwells are a bit narrow and steep (hand rails provided) and there are some ceiling areas that are lower than normal. Please be aware before booking or message me with questions if you are unsure.

Nelson park marina is available to drop in a boat. The dock is available for swimming or to dock your boat for your stay. A smoke-less fire pit is provided but we do not provide firewood. Please plan to bring your own if you would like to enjoy this amenity. The fire pit accommodates up to 16" logs or you can use Tiki wood packets for a "light and enjoy" experience :-)

Security- Cameras can view the front parking area, steps, front door and rear yard/dock/shed areas. Cameras are for security purposes only and are not monitored so please do not rely on these for personal safety. This home is equipped with devices that monitor the environment inside the property (including noise levels, temperature, and air quality) to ensure guests have a pleasant stay and our neighbors are not disturbed. Devices do not record sound for privacy and comply with all booking platform policies. For further information about these devices you can visit minut.com. Tampering with any device can result in immediate termination of the booking with no refund.

As a private small business owner, we do require a separate renters agreement and a deposit hold for each booking. We abide by all privacy regulations required for all online businesses and maintain a high guest satisfaction rating. Should you have questions regarding this, please reach out. We are happy to answer any questions you may have!
Make yourself comfortable in this air-conditioned cottage, featuring a kitchen with a refrigerator and an oven. There's a private balcony. A Smart television is provided for your entertainment. Conveniences include a microwave and a coffee/tea maker.
Enjoy recreation amenities such as a water park or take in the view from a garden.
Guests will find features like internet access and onsite parking.

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in the cottage: WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Car recommended
  • Parking on site

Kitchen

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Hob
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Refrigerator
  • Spices
  • Toaster

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 3 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • 2.5 bathrooms
  • Bathtub or shower
  • Hair dryer
  • Shower
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Dining table
  • Separate dining area

Entertainment

  • Books
  • Games
  • Smart TV
  • Stereo

Outdoor areas

  • Balcony
  • Barbecue grill
  • Firepit
  • Garden

Laundry

  • Laundry facilities
  • Washing machine

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • Pet friendly
  • Welcoming dogs only
  • 2 pets total

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoke-free property

Services and conveniences

  • Iron/ironing board

Location highlights

  • Near a health/beauty spa
  • Near a hospital
  • Near a zoo
  • Near the marina
  • On a lake
  • On the waterfront

Things to do

  • Kayak
  • Water sports equipment
  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Golfing nearby
  • Hiking/biking trails nearby
  • Kayaking nearby
  • Motor boating nearby
  • Mountain biking nearby
  • Swimming nearby
  • Water skiing nearby
  • Water tubing nearby
  • Wildlife walks nearby
  • Windsurfing nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
  • Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • First aid kit
  • Fire extinguisher

General

  • Garden
  • Unit size: 1,192 square feet

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Contactless check-in available
Minimum check-in age: 25

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Check-out instructions

The host requires you complete the following before checking out:
Load and start the dishwasher
Gather used towels
Remove personal items, remove leftover food and drinks, and take out the trash
Turn off the lights and lock the doors
If water craft, life jackets or floats are used, these need to be put back the way they were found in dry condition. Thank you!

Pets

Pets allowed
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees
Welcoming dogs only
2 total pets

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome

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
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Note from host: Must be approved in writing by Host
Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation

We should mention

A car is recommended for transportation to and from this property

Property is also known as

House Decatur
orp5b5c2bdx
House Private vacation home
House Private vacation home Decatur

Lake Front Retreat | Kayak | Paddleboard | Fishing Reviews

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 26 out of 28 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 28 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 28 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 28 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 28 reviews

9.8/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Haha75

Liked: Cleanliness
House was very clean and updated. House also has a great deck with a wonderful view of the lake. Would definitely stay again.
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2025

10/10 Excellent

Patrick Z.

Liked: Cleanliness
This is a fantastic find! It delivers on everything it promises. Super clean and well appointed. We had a blast sitting on the porch bird watching. Highly recommend!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Teresa K.

Liked: Cleanliness
Wonderful lake front property.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025

8/10 Good

Jonathan E.

Liked: Cleanliness
We had a great time.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

John S., Muskego, WI

Liked: Cleanliness
It was a nice extended weekend on the lake. The cabin is well decorated and has lots of amenities, The manager answered questions promptly, The lake front amenities were great, only thing missing was the canoe that was in the listing. The kayaks were really nice and easy to get to. A great place to relax, I recommend it.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Brandi O.

Liked: Cleanliness
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Nicole La D.

Liked: Cleanliness

Great family trip

We stayed at the house with my parents and young son. It was a lovely get away from the pace and noise of the city to take in some peace and quiet on the lake. The house was equipped with everything we needed, and it was simple to grab any additional items or groceries just a few minutes away. Everything was clean and well appointed. Could not ask for more.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Elliot D.

Liked: Cleanliness

Great Stay!

The property was very nice and clean. We had a small issue, but we found the property manager’s phone number in a binder and she responded to us immediately and had the issue resolved within half an hour. I would absolutely rent this Vrbo again and my family that was staying with me is also considering renting it.
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Tammy H L.

Liked: Cleanliness

Family Gathering

Enjoyed spending time together as a family in a spacious area - lots of room and lots of floor space for the kids to play. Beautiful view of the lake - beautiful sunrises.
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

SUE K.

Liked: Cleanliness

Cozy property, great amenities and lake view

Everything was exactly as described in the listing. It was nice to getaway and not have to worry about packing all the little things, the home was stocked with everything we needed and even had some welcome snacks. Owner is very responsive and checkin was a breeze. The location on the lake was great, there was plenty to do within the home and on the lake. The only minor thing is that the upstairs didn't cool off enough with the air conditioning, but fans were provided in each room which helped.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kelli H.

Liked: Cleanliness

Great little house!

We had a wonderful stay in this little house. We were able to eat outside. I had coffee on the dock each morning. We kayaked and played on the lily pad. The owner was easy to reach and responsive. Highly recommend!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Debi H., Murfreesboro, TN

Liked: Cleanliness

Peaceful Lakefront

Such a pleasant stay at this cozy little lakefront cottage. Enjoyed the quiet, peaceful days and especially the evenings on the decks and dock with firepit. The neighbors were very friendly as well and we enjoyed conversing with them.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Todd V.

Liked: Cleanliness

Lakefront Vistas

Loved the view of Lake Decatur, and the owners communication was excellent. Highly recommend.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2024

8/10 Good

Benjamin S.

Liked: Cleanliness

Lovely Stay - Harassed by Property Owner

Really lovely property but was hounded for days afterwards for additional payment by owner for a 30-minute delay in checkout (not communicated well). Our bad for misunderstanding the check-out time but their bad for trying to extract further payment across VRBO and text.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kelly H.

Liked: Cleanliness

Christmas in Decatur

Our family (6 adults) enjoyed the holiday together. The space was adequate for what we needed, as were the sleeping arrangements.
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Linda R.

Liked: Cleanliness

Cute Lake Front Cottage

The views of the Lake were outstanding. Cottage was very comfortable with the basement being open to the lake and an added bonus for privacy. We had seven adults staying for a wedding and it was very nice. There was plenty of space for everyone to relax and also to get ready for the wedding. Thanks for a pleasant stay.
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Joanne P.

Liked: Cleanliness

Sisters Getaway

Beautiful cottage with high end finishes, very cozy and comfy. Great layout for private sleeping spaces. The downstairs is gorgeous with outdoor access to a lovely covered patio. The deck upstairs has a great table and high end grill. We thoroughly enjoyed the peaceful views of the lake with pelicans, sunrises. The owner is available to answer questions during the stay and is very accommodating. Couldn't ask for more!!
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Ruth B.

Liked: Cleanliness

Family reunion

This house was rented in addition to another lake house in walking distance for my 70th birthday. My grandchildren stayed at this house. Other than some minor things everything was great, but response time from owner or management was good.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Luke B.

Liked: Cleanliness

Quiet and Great Location

Stayed for a work event taking place in Decatur. Was a very quiet, clean, relaxing place to unwind at the end of the day. Will try to stay here again for future trips to Decatur.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Matthew P.

Liked: Cleanliness

The place to stay in Decatur

What a charming and relaxing place to stay in Decatur, IL. My family of six stayed here during a weekend soccer tournament and it had more then what we needed/expected. We were able to relax on the lake and play family board games during the crazy. Communication was outstanding and we will definitely stay here again when in town. Way better then any hotel.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2023