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Family Home on Lake Sara

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Dining - Family Home on Lake Sara (Effingham)
Smart TV, DVD player, books, video library - Family Home on Lake Sara (Effingham)
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Exterior - Family Home on Lake Sara (Effingham)
Property grounds - Family Home on Lake Sara (Effingham)
Nestled in a peaceful cove surrounded by trees, water, and wildlife, The Bunkhouse offers the ultimate retreat for families and friends. Enjoy swimming, fishing, or kayaking on the lake with walk-in access. Unwind on the front deck perfect for bird watching or roast marshmallows at the fire pit while taking in beautiful views of the lake.

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire home

3 bedrooms3 bathroomsSleeps 10

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washer
  • Dryer
  • Free WiFi
  • Air conditioning

Add dates for prices

About this property

Family Home on Lake Sara

  • The Bunkhouse is a fantastic place for families and friends to reconnect and make lasting memories. With walk-in lake access, this is the ideal spot to put in a kayak, canoe, or float. Enjoy swimming and fishing for a variety of fish including bass, crappie, catfish, or bluegill. Boat rentals and slips are available at both the Blue Gill Marina and Larson’s Landing.
    The Bunkhouse is quiet and peaceful, it is located at the end of Illini cove surrounded by trees, water and wildlife. This cozy cabin was constructed in 2020 and is a wonderful place to unwind and spend time in nature. Our front deck is perfect for bird watching and animal spying while soaking up some sun. Don’t be surprised if you spot a blue heron, turtles bathing in the sun, or even an occasional bald eagle. The lower walk out area includes a grill, picnic table and beautiful views of the lake. There is a fire pit for hanging out, roasting marshmallows and enjoying the night sky.
    Amenities include a washer and dryer, WIFI, 4 TVs, a dishwasher, air conditioning and heating, a full kitchen stocked with pots and pans, dishes, and everything needed to prepare your own meals. Downstairs is a kitchenette which includes a snack area and full coffee bar. Enjoy a night in by playing one of a variety of board games or simply find a quiet place to read a book. Numerous smart TV’s are available to stream your Netflix or Hulu account, as well as a DVD player for old school movie viewing. A large parking area is available for up to 6 cars. If you are bringing a pontoon or ski boat contact Blue Gill Marina for slip rental, no dock available at property.

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in the house: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Parking on site

Kitchen

  • Blender
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Dishwasher
  • Ice maker
  • Kitchen island
  • Kitchenette
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Refrigerator
  • Spices
  • Stovetop
  • Toaster

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 3 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • 3 bathrooms
  • Bathtub or shower
  • Hair dryer
  • Shower
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Dining table

Entertainment

  • Books
  • DVD player
  • Games
  • Smart TV
  • Video library

Outdoor areas

  • Balcony
  • Barbecue grill
  • Firepit

Laundry

  • Laundry facilities
  • Washing machine

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • Pet friendly

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoking not allowed

Services and conveniences

  • Iron/ironing board

Location highlights

  • On a lake
  • On the waterfront

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector)
  • Smoke detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property)

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  • Parking included
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Policies

Check-in

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

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 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

Rules

All guests must park at rear of property, which is the back of house where you enter.
Boats can be docked at Bluegill Marina or Larson's Landing. A copy of lake rules will be available at the BunkHouse.

Pets

Pets allowed
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees
Restrictions apply; for more information contact the property at the number on the booking confirmation
Note from host: 1 small dog, extra charge

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome

Events

No events allowed

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

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
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property
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

About the neighborhood

Located in Effingham, this vacation home is on the waterfront. Ballard Nature Center and Lake Sara reflect the area's natural beauty and area attractions include Bliss Park and Effingham County Fairgrounds. Visit our Effingham travel guide
View more Vacation Homes in Effingham
Map
IL, Effingham

What's nearby

  • Lake Sara
    1 min walk - 0.0 km
  • Cardinal Golf Course
    14 min drive - 10.0 km
  • Effingham Performance Center
    19 min drive - 14.4 km
  • Mid America Motorworks, My Garage Museum
    22 min drive - 20.4 km
  • Lake Shelbyville
    53 min drive - 61.7 km

Getting around

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

Restaurants

  • Casey's General Store
    21 min drive
  • McDonald's
    21 min drive
  • Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen
    21 min drive
  • Dairy Queen
    21 min drive
  • Golden Corral
    22 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Family Home on Lake Sara pet-friendly?

Yes, pets are allowed at this property. Some restrictions may apply, so please contact the property for more details.

How much is parking?

Onsite parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Family Home on Lake Sara?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Family Home on Lake Sara?

Check-out is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Family Home on Lake Sara located?

Situated on the waterfront, this vacation 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 mi (15 km).

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Family Home on Lake Sara Reviews

Reviews

Exceptional

All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travelers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
More informationOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 136 out of 139 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 3 out of 139 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 139 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 139 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 139 reviews

10

Cleanliness

9.8

Location

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Chasity B.

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

Fantastic family location

We loved this place! Perfect for our two families with children. Well stocked, lots of room and a beautiful private lakefront view. Will definitely stay again!
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

BETH H.

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

Another great stay!

Another great stay! Beautiful home, lots of room. We’ve already booked for again for next year. Thanks so much!
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Tara S.

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

Family time at the Bunkhouse

We absolutely love the Bunkhouse. It's well-appointed and maintained. It has plenty of space and much to offer adults and active kids. Thank you for the wonderful stay!
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Peggy M. G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Lots of appliances, ice. We didn't cook at all, but could have. Very clean home, lovely decor
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

BETH H.

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

Two thumbs up for Bunkhouse stay!

Beautiful place! Very homey. Wonderful location for a large group. Kitchen well stocked with everything thing you need to prepare meals. Will definitely book again!
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jason S.

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

Peaceful

Very clean, quiet and relaxing.
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Amy B.

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

Scrapbooking weekend

Our stay was amazing. We stay in a number of Places each year and this has been moved to top of list. House was perfect and fully stocked. Location is beautiful and host was great to communicate with.
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Crystal J.

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

Girls Trip

2nd time renting. House still amazing as the 1st time. Exactly what we needed for a long weekend away with our kids!
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Kelsey M.

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

Great family getaway

The house was super clean and spacious. Kitchen was fully stocked with all the supplies we needed. We had plenty of room for our family gathering and the grandkids loved the bunk bed room. We used the fire pit both nights and enjoyed swimming during the day!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Mia C.

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

Beautiful Cabin in a quiet Cove

We had a wonderful time at this property. Perfect for our family of four with plenty of room to spare. Super clean and stylishly decorated. We spent every morning out on the deck having coffee and listening to the sounds of the forest - so tranquil! I wouldn't go anywhere else.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Lynnann C.

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

Great getaway!

The house and property were awesome! The house was very clean and had everything we needed for our stay. We had so much fun swimming in the lake, going on the paddle boat and kayaks. Made some great memories with our family. Would highly recommend this place. Thanks for the memories.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Betty G.

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

Perfect

Amazing atmosphere, comfortable and secluded, very clean. Could not have been more perfect! Recommend 100%
Stayed 2 nights in May 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jim L.

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

Bunkhouse Extraordinare!

Year 3 for my family from Chicagoland and St. Louis area. … short drive for everyone. Love this place … Diana and Ben provide the perfect summer landing spot for my wife, kids and grandbabies.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Eric M.

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

Family time get together

Second time we have stayed at this property. Great location. Quiet. Enjoyed using the kayaks. Perfect set up for our families to come together. Only thing that would have been better is if the fish were biting more! Will stay here again for family get togethers.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Stephanie P.

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

Beautiful house with a view

This is a gorgeous and spacious house with tons of thoughtful details! Would be perfect for a group wanting to hang out on the deck. We drove over to the public beach for the kids to swim & fish since it's a pretty shallow spot, but they did get to enjoy the paddle boat!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Brad G.

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

Fishing Trip

The House was just what were looking for .Very Quiet, Very Clear , Everything you would need was there, the fishing was great, what a great place to set back and take in the nature around us. We had no complaints.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Mary K.

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

Absolutely Amazing Lake House

Beautifully designed and decorated lake house on Lake Sara in Effingham; with plenty of room for a large family. The beautiful property is very secluded and peaceful (follow the host’s directions carefully)! This house had to have been designed by someone who grew up with a family lake house, because everything you need is here!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Allison L.

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

Book this place

10/10, one of the best vacation rentals I’ve ever stayed in. Our group was very happy with the space, it was perfect for our yearly get together. We had 6 adults and everyone had comfortable sleeping arrangements. The lake is pretty shallow with the locations, however we were able to launch the kayaks and float around/hang out at the dock. Definitely would come back.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2023
Verified

8/10 Good

Dena H.

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

Mother/Daughter trip

Comfortable and peaceful. A little off the beaten path so needed to be better prepared with meals and food. A little better clarification in regards to trash and recycling. The nature sounds as well as the wildlife was amazing!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Janice O.

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

70th birthday

It started with 6 friends to celebrate my 70th birthday. 2 friends from out of state surprised me and slso a surprise party. This house was perfect! Very well stocked, comfortable and enough room to spread out to play cards or visit. I would definitely book again! And the host responded very quickly. We loved the scenery with the snow and watching the wildlife.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Darren G.

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

Tournament time

Group of 5 visiting the lake for a bass tournament. House was clean and comfortable, well stocked with most things you would need for a weekend. Plenty of parking for trucks and trailers. Had a dock but with water levels where they were it wasn’t usable, Normal levels not would be fine. I’d stay again for sure.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Janet T.

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

Bunkhouse @ Lake Sara is Wonderful

Don't tell anyone but this location exceeded my expectations. There are thoughtful things everywhere. The space to relax, the views, the quiet were wonderful. This property owner/manager knows what it takes to entertain guests. There wasn't a thing we needed. Being there in person, is the only way to experience this property, my family was so happy! Thank you for sharing this property.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Crystal J.

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

Girl/Kid Trip

I can not begin to say how the pictures of this property do it no justice. Absolutely beautiful home. Still smelled new! The amenities were over and above any other house I have ever rented. We very much enjoyed our stay, even in "off season". We can not wait to come back in the summer, so we can utilize the lake. I would give this property a 10+!!
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Chris M.

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

Amazing house!

We stayed 2 nights over the weekend. The house had all of the necessities needed for a great, comfortable, and relaxing stay. The only issue we had was the constant music coming from the local bar scene. It sounded like we were at a night club rave! We used the kayaks and had a big fire in the pit. The little extras made the difference between a good stay and an amazing stay. Thanks for the little things. We would highly recommend this to families and friends looking to have a great time. Make sure you check the live music schedule though!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Diane L.

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

Family Reunion at Lake Sara

My family is spread out from Wisconsin to Missouri and we only can get together during the summer. My sister and I each rented vacation homes on Lake Sara this year. The Bunkhouse was the perfect location on Lake Sara. We had lots of room to spread out and visit as well as enjoy fishing off the dock. We loved seeing the blue heron soar across the lake. The kitchen is large and well-equipped for preparing meals. The large living spaces on the first floor and lower level are comfortable and nicely furnished. We would love to meet family at the Bunkhouse again next summer! This is a great place!!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023