You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.
Escape to Sanctuary serene spacious home room to roam sleeps 6 pet-friendly
The Sanctuary House A Peaceful Escape Surrounded by Nature
A Place to Reconnect & Recharge
Whether you're sipping wine on the deck, stargazing by the fire pit, or simply soaking in the peaceful surroundings, The Sanctuary House offers a true escape from the everyday. Here, you can slow down, breathe deeply, and enjoy life's simple pleasures.
Step into a world of comfort, charm, and serenity. Whether you're looking for a romantic retreat, a family getaway, or a peaceful place to recharge, this thoughtfully designed home provides the perfect setting. Nestled in a quiet, picturesque community, it offers a seamless blend of modern amenities and natural beauty, inviting you to slow down and enjoy the moment.
Outdoor Living The Heart of the Sanctuary House
Step outside onto the expansive covered rear deck, where time seems to slow down. Breathe in the fresh air, listen to the peaceful sounds of nature, and make memories under the open sky.
Multiple Swing Chairs & Cozy Seating Perfect for morning coffee, afternoon reading, or unwinding after a day of exploring.
Outdoor Dining & Grilling Fire up the gas grill and enjoy meals at the spacious L-shaped dining table.
Charming Fire Pit Gather around with loved ones, roast marshmallows, share stories, and soak in the warmth of a crackling fire.
Spacious Yard Plenty of room for kids and four-legged friends to run and play.
Warm & Inviting Interiors From the moment you walk in, you'll be welcomed by a cozy yet elegant atmosphere. The open-concept layout is designed for connection and relaxation, with warm lighting, stylish decor, and thoughtful touches throughout.
Two Comfortable Bedrooms Each featuring a plush queen-sized bed, soft linens, and plenty of storage space.
Gourmet Kitchen Fully stocked with a five-burner gas stove, granite countertops, and all the essentials to cook and gather around the table.
Cozy Living Space Sink into the ultra-soft microfiber sleeper sofa, enjoy a movie night on the smart TV, or curl up in the hanging hammock chair with a good book and a cup of cocoa.
Electric Fireplace Adds a warm, inviting glow to the space, perfect for cozy evenings in.
1.5 Bathrooms Designed for convenience and comfort, stocked with essentials for your stay.
Ready to experience the perfect balance of comfort and nature?
Looking for something different? Choose from 14 Unique Homes!
Each of our homes offers modern comforts, charm, and easy access to top attractions. Whether you're seeking a cozy retreat, a family-friendly escape, a nature filled adventure, or a home on the water, we have the ideal stay for you!
Lake House ~cozy rustic serenity, wake up to Romeo & Juliet gliding gracefully across the water
Bridge House ~ lakefront bungalow, fantastic view of covered bridge across the lake
Paradise House ~ elegantly built on the water for comfort & connection
Country House ~ charming retreat close to shopping, eateries, beaches and more
Property manager
Joy St. James
Languages
English
Add dates for prices
Property amenities
Beach
Beach nearby
Internet
Available in the house: Free WiFi
Parking and transportation
Electric car charging station on site
Car recommended
Parking on site
Kitchen
Blender
Coffee/tea maker
Cookware, dishware, and utensils
Dishwasher
Full-sized refrigerator/freezer
Ice maker
Kitchen island
Microwave
Oven
Paper towels
Spices
Stovetop
Toaster
Dining
Dining table
Bedrooms
2 bedrooms
Bedsheets provided
Sofa bed
Bathroom
1.5 bathrooms
Bathtub or shower
Hair dryer
Soap
Toilet paper
Towels provided
Living spaces
Dining table
Fireplace
Living room
Entertainment
Games
Netflix
Smart TV with cable/satellite channels
Streaming services
Outdoor areas
Barbecue grill
Firepit
Garden
Outdoor furniture
Patio
Laundry
Laundry facilities
Washer/dryer
Comfort
Air conditioning
Heating
Pets
Pet friendly
Welcoming cats and dogs only
2 pets total (up to 50 lbs per pet)
Suitability/Accessibility
Elevator
Smoke-free property
Services and conveniences
Iron/ironing board
Meal delivery service
Location highlights
In a rural location
In a village
Near a health/beauty spa
Near a hospital
Near an outlet shopping mall
Near the bay
Near the marina
On a lake
Things to do
Bicycles
Kayak
Water park
Birdwatching nearby
Casino nearby
Cycling nearby
Fishing nearby
Golfing nearby
Hiking/biking trails nearby
Horseback riding nearby
Jet skiing nearby
Kayaking nearby
Motor boating nearby
Parasailing nearby
Snorkeling nearby
Surfing/bodyboarding nearby
Swimming nearby
Water skiing nearby
Wildlife walks nearby
Windsurfing nearby
Winery tours 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
Deadbolt lock
General
Bicycles
Electric car charging station
Garden
Unit size: 1,000 square feet
Similar properties
Lake House Waterfront Cabin Stunning views best home for bird watchers serenity
Lake House Waterfront Cabin Stunning views best home for bird watchers serenity
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Pets
Pets allowed
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees
Welcoming dogs and cats only
2 total (up to 50 lbs per pet)
Restrictions apply; for more information contact the property at the number on the booking confirmation
Note from host: 20 lb max . leash req & pick up after on walks
Children and extra beds
Children are welcome
Note from host: High chair available on request and some toys
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 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, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock
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
Swan Lake NEW Construction Santuary 10 mi AC 1 mi. Smithville
Sanctuary House PETS STAY FREE -10 mi to Atlantic City Galloway
About the neighborhood
NJ, Galloway
What's nearby
Richard Stockton College of New Jersey - 4 min drive - 2.4 km
Historic Smithville and Village Green - 8 min drive - 6.0 km
AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center - 8 min drive - 8.3 km
Seaview Golf Resort Pines Course - 13 min drive - 13.2 km
Renault Winery - 16 min drive - 13.6 km
Getting around
Absecon Station - 11 min drive
Atlantic City Intl. Airport (ACY) - 18 min drive
Restaurants
Gourmet Italian Cuisine - 9 min drive
The Carriage House - 6 min drive
Starbucks - 7 min drive
Dim Sum And Then Some - 9 min drive
The Historic Smithville Inn - 8 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Is Escape to Sanctuary serene spacious home room to roam sleeps 6 pet-friendly pet-friendly?
Yes, this property allows cats and dogs (limit 2 total) with a maximum weight of up to 50 lbs per pet.
How much does it cost to stay at Escape to Sanctuary serene spacious home room to roam sleeps 6 pet-friendly?
As of Jun 23, 2025, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Escape to Sanctuary serene spacious home room to roam sleeps 6 pet-friendly on Jul 8, 2025 start from ¥24,689, excluding taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.
What time is check-in at Escape to Sanctuary serene spacious home room to roam sleeps 6 pet-friendly?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Escape to Sanctuary serene spacious home room to roam sleeps 6 pet-friendly?
Check-out is at 12:00 PM.
Where is Escape to Sanctuary serene spacious home room to roam sleeps 6 pet-friendly located?
This family-friendly Absecon vacation home is located on a lake, within 3 mi (5 km) of Richard Stockton College of New Jersey, Sahl's Father Son Farm and Harold E. Taylor Observatory. Historic Smithville and Village Green and Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge are also within 6 mi (10 km).
Have a question?
AI iconBeta
Get instant answers with AI powered search of property information and reviews.
Escape to Sanctuary serene spacious home room to roam sleeps 6 pet-friendly Reviews
Reviews
9.2
Wonderful
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. 35 out of 46 reviews
10 - Excellent
35
Rating 8 - Good. 5 out of 46 reviews
8 - Good
5
Rating 6 - Okay. 3 out of 46 reviews
6 - Okay
3
Rating 4 - Poor. 3 out of 46 reviews
4 - Poor
3
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 46 reviews
2 - Terrible
0
9.0/10
Cleanliness
8.0/10
Amenities
10/10
Property conditions & facilities
Reviews
10/10
Great place to stay for a good time.
Amil H.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2023
10/10
Clean and simple accommodations with a lovely back deck overlooking a small wood. Perfect for sipping coffee and watching the birds.
Krista S.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024
10/10
Immaculate! We had a wedding at the Smithville Inn and decided rather than 3 hotel rooms for 5 of us why not rent a house. We didn’t get a chance to explore the resort but it was really adorable. Would definitely stay again!
Michelle R.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2024
10/10
Nice and quiet area; the house is newly renovated. Great place to get away and relax in a woodsy setting.
Michael L.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2020
10/10
Second time we stayed here and we never want to leave. We’ll definitely be back
Laina B.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2023
10/10
We stayed there as my wedding venue was only 10 minutes away. It was so peaceful and relaxing. It felt like you were in the middle of nowhere but you were only 3 minutes from the garden state parkway. Highly recommended and would stay again
Andrew J.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2024
10/10
I had a great time the house is beautifully decorated. Rooms were nice even pullout couch wasnt to bad. Grrst back porch . Definitely woukd like to go back this summer
Deven J.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2023
10/10
First off, I want to give a huge thank you to Joy who went above and beyond to accommodate our situation. The place was clean and comfortable, decorated beautifully, and had everything you could need! Absolutely love the peace and serenity in this little community- although the homes are close to each other you still are able to enjoy your privacy on the back deck. I also tremendously appreciate that dogs are allowed (there were even cute little dog bowls already filled with water to welcome my pups). Definitely would come back here and take advantage of the the gym and kayaking they have on premises. Such a cute little community- you won't be disappointed!
ashley a.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2024
8/10
Overall the house and area were nice, although the cleanliness of the house inside definitely needs some attention. The bedding/pillows seemed like they weren't washed(still had other people's hair on the pillows and under the sheets) bathroom sinks and shower still had hair in them. The refrigerator had a strong scent of rotted meat. The outdoor furniture was very dusty/dirty. I believe with a little better cleaning upon guest departures and arrivals this would be a great place. Overall the stay was nice.
Chad A.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024
6/10
Definitely needs current photos. Living room furniture not as pictured. Bathroom is tub/shower, not as pictured. More detail to cleaning needs to be taken. Microwave, refrigerator and stove dirty/smudges. Hair on shower wall and shower liner not changed/cleaned. Splatters on walls. Tv in 2nd bedroom not working.
Backyard disheveled. House was not what we expected from the photos.
House next door has 2 little dogs that were outside barking during the night. They are also loose and came over to our dog who is reactive. Owner just stood on back deck watching, calling them. No attempt to get them. My hubby rounded them up so I could get our girl back inside before an incident.
Lisa H.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2024
8/10
The area was conveniently located to all things we wanted to do while there. There was a nice walking trail. We were unable to use the paddle boats as they had dirt and water in them. Our house slept 5 but there was only enough porch seating for 3. The home is nicely done and the beds were comfortable, pillows not so much but we brought our own. I would agree with others on cleanliness. The countertops, fridge needed some wiping, the coffee pot still had coffee and coffee grounds in it. The dinner table was wet with something that smelled fruity, but nothing a few clorox wipes and the dishwasher couldn't handle. Overall the place is nice and we would stay again.
Stephanie F.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2023
4/10
After reading the review from Sept. 2022, I thought I would give this property the benefit of the doubt. Surely the complaints mentioned had been addressed. Nope.
I too will start with the pro's. The beds were very comfortable, she left fresh eggs for us which were delicious and the stove is gas.
The house is in need of a deep cleaning. Do not walk around barefoot, your feet will turn black. There was a grittiness to all the surfaces. There was old kibble in a dog dish with pieces scattered on the floor and stale water in the bowl. The dishwasher is still as described. The shower doors have no bottom track and just swing freely. No drain cover. Both mornings found dozens of dead knats in the shower. I looked up from the sink in the kitchen to see the next door neighbor (50 ft. away) standing on his deck only in his boxer briefs. Good grief!
In my opinion the owner should remove this listing until she fixes the issues. I do not wish to return.
Isela S.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2023
10/10
Buenas no mas el olor del agua un un poco mal olor
Miguel
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2023
10/10
It was a quiet place, the neighbors were very friendly everything was nearby.
Kimberly W.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2022
10/10
House was beautiful everything was perfect, great location,
loved the fire pit and area. All supplies we needed. Would definitely go back again.
Virginia K.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2022
4/10
In the interest of leading with the positives, the check-in process was smooth and the beds were comfortable (with the exception of the pillows which were worn and need replacing).
Otherwise, this house was a disappointment and the listing misrepresents many aspects.
First, the house obviously hasn’t been professionally cleaned in quite some time. It was overall grimy and in need of cleaning attention. The dishwasher was falling out of the counter and the coffee pot had barely been rinsed out after the last use. The pots and pans you see in the photos are provided in a dirty, dusty, disorganized heap at the bottom of one cabinet in the kitchen and everything requires cleaning before use (if it’s even usable at all). Towels provided in the kitchen are stained and there are only previously used sponges available (and, a few paper towels left at the end of a roll, so plan to bring your own).
The half bathroom has a sink so clogged it fills with just a simple hand washing.
The hot water ran out quickly in the midst of two short showers each day.
The patio that looks so beautiful in the photos is actually dusty and dirty and the couch is caving in, so it’s unusable.
While this isn’t the owners’s fault, per se, the water reeks of sulfur and it tastes and smells terrible when showering or brushing teeth—this felt like icing on the cake with all of the other challenges.
Finally, the house is in a glorified mobile home park—not quite the sanctuary the listing suggests.
Overall, we felt totally mislead and would not recommend this property to someone else. This is a great example of VRBO needing to vet their properties and management more closely, so renters aren’t mislead to such a degree.
Jaime R.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2022
8/10
Nice wooded property in a campground. Beautiful inside, could be a little cleaner (didn’t seem like a cleaning company came through) but all in all a great place for going to a wedding at Renault.
Malory G.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2022
6/10
We had a generally positive experience during our recent stay at the Sanctuary House. Among the positives: the appliances were new and worked well, the keyless entry was straightforward, and the property provided dog bowls for our pets. While this may have been our fault, we found the listing a bit misleading: the lake shown in the Vrbo photos isn't visible from the house and is about a five-minute walk away. We also found some other problems with our stay: the floors were sandy upon our entry and some basic supplies such as paper towels were not provided.
Peter D.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2022
10/10
Booking was easy. Joy is friendly, accommodating and on the spot helpful. The house is lovely and the area is quiet and refreshing. It was exactly what we needed for our wedding weekend.
We all enjoyed our stay.
Elainem54 G.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2022
10/10
We took a family vacation for the holidays.
Close to Brigintine, AC, Smithsville.
Best part dogs stay free. 🥰
Jennifer W.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2021
10/10
Everything we we’re looking for, quite, peaceful, beautiful, a home away from home!! A+++++++
Renee C.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2021
10/10
This property was nothing short of spectacular. My friends and I had such a great time here. It was so relaxing and the neighbors were all so nice and the area was gorgeous. Definitely coming here again.
Amy G.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2021
10/10
Lovely home
Joseph
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2021
4/10
I loved the rental. I was under the impression from the pictures that the house was private without neighbors close by. There are houses right next door on both sides. This is a retirement community. My sweet little dog chased a squirrel and the property manager threatened to fine me. The next door neighbor, permanent resident, was high on something and came out with his dogs off leash and wanted to join our campfire. I did NOT appreciate either of these 2 intrusions. This was NOT private.
Judith R.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2021
10/10
My family and I set off looking for something dog friendly and near the beach without being directly on the beach but we still wanted things to do while not at the beach. This was the perfect spot! 15 minutes to the beach and very close grocery and other shops. When we were not at the beach we really enjoyed spending time at the lake; fishing, kayaking and paddle boating. We loved that so much was available in the community shed as it really cut down on what we had to pack and bring along ourselves. The house was clean and well maintained. The fire pit and grill in the backyard were a big hit with my Fiance. And the wide open field area in the backyard was perfect for our dog. We loved how friendly everyone inside the property was, everywhere we turned were happy faces. We will return for sure and would highly recommend Swan Lake Resorts to our family and friends. Amazing time! Thank you!