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Lake Cottage on Water at Smith Mountain Lake

Photo gallery for Lake Cottage on Water at Smith Mountain Lake

Rustic cabin with a view of lake from three sides of the house.
Deck on the cottage with a view of the water behind.
Flotation devices provide for the water.
TV area in main room.
Refrigerator with purified water and ice maker.

Reviews

8.6 out of 10
Excellent
1 bedroom1 bathroomSleeps 269.7 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Dryer
  • Air-conditioning
  • Outdoor space
  • Parking available

Explore the area

View map
Moneta, VA
  • Place, Smith Mountain Lake
    ‪1 min walk‬
  • Place, Smith Mountain Lake State Park
    ‪9 min drive‬
  • Place, Liberty University
    ‪49 min drive‬
  • Airport, Roanoke, VA (ROA-Roanoke Regional)
    ‪55 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

1 bedroom (sleeps 2)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Beds in Living Room

1 Queen Sofa Bed

Living Room 2

2 Single Beds

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Number of living rooms
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Lake Cottage on Water at Smith Mountain Lake

Lake-front cottage for rent. Best deal on Smith Mountain Lake. Two-day stay minimum. This cottage is situated in a half acre of natural forest. The dock is only suitable for small craft only. It is usable but needs repair. The interior of the cottage has been recently refurbished. The cabin has one queen bed in its single bedroom, one blow-up mattress, one queen fold-out sofa bed, and bunk beds (more suitable for one child - only the bottom bunk can be used). TV is in the living room and bedroom. There is a stack washer and dryer. The kitchen has an electric stove, dishwasher, microwave oven, refrigerator, and toaster oven. All bed linen is supplied. Paper towels and toilet paper are supplied. There is a gas and a charcoal grill. There is parking for up to two cars only and a boat trailer. We are still working on the exterior of the house and landscaping and pathways but the interior is finished.

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Air conditioning
Outdoor space
Parking available

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House Rules

Check in after 5:00 PM
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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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
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
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

About the area

Moneta

Located in Moneta, this cottage is in a rural area and on a lake. Virginia Dare Cruises & Marina and Hickory Hill Vineyards are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Smith Mountain Lake and Smith Mountain Lake State Park. Waterskiing, power boating and fishing offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with horse riding nearby.
View more Cottages in MonetaOpens in a new window
Map
Moneta, VA

What's nearby

  • Smith Mountain Lake - 1 min walk - 0.1 km
  • Smith Mountain Lake State Park - 9 min drive - 5.4 km
  • Berglund Center - 48 min drive - 52.5 km
  • Liberty University - 49 min drive - 64.7 km
  • Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital - 50 min drive - 54.9 km

Getting around

  • Roanoke, VA (ROA-Roanoke Regional) - 60 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Jake's Place - ‬19 min drive
  • ‪Mitchell's Restaurant - ‬23 min drive
  • ‪Drifter's - ‬20 min drive
  • ‪Napoli By The Lake - ‬37 min drive
  • ‪Lago Pizza - ‬18 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Lake Cottage on Water at Smith Mountain Lake pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much does it cost to stay at Lake Cottage on Water at Smith Mountain Lake?

As of 5 Apr 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Lake Cottage on Water at Smith Mountain Lake on 31 Aug 2026 start from AU$104, including 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.

How much is parking at Lake Cottage on Water at Smith Mountain Lake?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Lake Cottage on Water at Smith Mountain Lake?

Check-in begins at 5:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Lake Cottage on Water at Smith Mountain Lake?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Lake Cottage on Water at Smith Mountain Lake located?

Situated on a lake, this cottage is steps from Smith Mountain Lake and within 6 mi (10 km) of Virginia Dare Cruises & Marina and Hickory Hill Vineyards. Crystal Shores Marina and Moneta Library are also within 9 miles (15 km).

Reviews

8.6

Excellent

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. 26 out of 47 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 14 out of 47 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 2 out of 47 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 47 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 4 out of 47 reviews

8.8/10

Cleanliness

6.0/10

Amenities

5.4/10

Property conditions & facilities

9.4/10

Check-in

9.4/10

Communication

9.2/10

Location

8.2/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified

8/10 Good

Christine

Liked: Cleanliness, communication
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
Great location. Needs updates and some fixing but was good for a weekend getaway. Better than camping and all linens and towels provided. Would visit again.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Hunter S.

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

Good place with great price

Enjoyed the stay. Right on the water with a good view. Great price and had lots or room to sleep us 3 comfortably.
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2023
Verified

8/10 Good

James B.

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

Rustic and very clean

Rustic work in progress place was very clean fishing was good host was very helpful would stay again
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Melanie M.

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

Great getaway

We had a wonderful time. Just what we were looking for. Would love to book again soon. Very clean and check in was a breeze.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Ashley J.

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

Great place for some R&R

Clean and nice set on deck most of the time looking at water and wildlife. Had a good time with my wonderful wife. Would definitely recommend this property.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jill L.

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

Excellent communication

The description of the property is very accurate. It was great for a spur of the moment get away weekend. Close to a lot of attractions. We would stay there again.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Veronica O.

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

Stay

It was a cute little place. Nice & relaxing. The owner John was very nice, we will definitely book this place again!!
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Ashleigh D.

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

Mom and son trip.

It was perfect for us. My 11 year old son and I went for a weekend trip for his birthday. The house has everything you could need for cooking and cleaning.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Alicia Gaddy S.

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

Sit Back and Relax

It was exactly what listing and John (owner) descibed. My boys and myself really enjoyed our stay. The cabin and outdoor area were very clean. The kitchen was well stocked. Our favorite places were the back porch and dock area. It's located in a very quiet cove. Perfect place to stay.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2023
Verified

8/10 Good

Robert A.

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

Awesome

Very nice
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

lindsay a.

Liked: Cleanliness, communication, location

Cute Cottage with Lake Views

We really enjoyed the three nights we spent at this property. We initially ran into some issues with VRBO, but the host, John, was very kind and accommodating. Updated interior photos of the cottage would serve to benefit the listing. I'd say the current photos do not show the full scope of the space or amenities. A large window in the main room provides gorgeous views of Smith Mountain Lake, accompanied by tall ceilings in the room. There is also a coffee maker in the kitchen, which was definitely a plus for us that wasn't in the description!
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Cathy C.

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

Simple but nice

This property was just as described by owner. Great value for the location right on the water. The dwelling itself was rustic and older than surrounding houses but clean and plenty of space for our needs. If you are looking for glitz and glam then this isnt for you but if you just want to enjoy the lake and nature and have a simple place to relax this place is fine.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2023
Verified

2/10 Terrible

Kenny S.

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

Do not stay here

House is dangerous owner is a liar
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 27 Apr 2023
This guest parked in the front yard without authorization and created extensive rutting and damaged the septic field. When I informed of the damage he became very irate and has retaliated by using this rating system. My cabin listing reflects the limitations and benefits of the property and is an affordable way to be right on the lake especially if you have a boat.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Julie B.

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

BEST VALUE ON THE LAKE

Tidy home with a lot going on for it. Well equipped kitchen, comfy sofa and recliner, DirectTV for your viewing pleasure as well as a sea of movies on disc and blue/ray, views are stunning! Mr. Makay is so friendly and helpful. He did everything including take my panicked 930pm phone call on Friday night because I couldn’t figure out how to work the Dropbox(chalk that up to “I’m a blonde” lol) If you’re looking for a no frills home then I suggest this property.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Emma W.

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

Weekend stay

No other words for this trip other than amazing, it was such a relaxing weekend and the house is so darn cute I couldn’t of asked for anything to be better, there is a newer couch than in the picture and the bed Is comfy, the kitchen is super clean and cuteeee and has a skylight which was a nice little surprise for us! We never even left the house once during our trip it was so peaceful! Neighbors are quiet, lots of TVs around the house, beautiful decor, beautiful view, and most of all just a very homey feeling the whole time! Everything was beyond perfect, the owner, John, was amazing and so so helpful I cannot wait to return in April! Thank you so so much again John ! See you soon!
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2021
Verified

6/10 Okay

Dan K.

Liked: Check-in, communication
Disliked: Listing accuracy

Good enough for the price

The stay was ok. It's was very clean. I'm a 300+lbs man so I was worried about the stability of the bed, toilet, and deck. Also I know nature happens and things get damaged however I was extremely disappointed about the dock situation. From the state of everything else that needs to be fixed I'm sure the dock won't be fixed anytime soon.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 1 Aug 2022
The dock was damaged in the flood but is still usable for boats and swimming. This was indicated in the ad. The deck is strong and stable and was built to code.
Verified

8/10 Good

Vanessa B.

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

Clean and quiet

Very clean. Quiet area. Had amenities we needed. Great view of the lake. A/C worked fine. Screen door and blinds needs replacing. No TV instructions. No lawn chairs-bring your own. Ad says yard is unstable-TRUE. Dock is uneven, but Somewhat useable. Old home, but functional. View from my inner tube on the water- priceless!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023
Verified

8/10 Good

Jonathan M.

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

Love Smith Mountain Lake

I was in for a fishing trip. Was a great place for a two night stay while I went fishing. It’s fine. If you are in a wheelchair, you may find the shower difficult to maneuver as well as the bathroom and bedrooms. You are literally 20 yards from the water and you have nice neighbors on either side they can be seen having bonfires late at night right next to the water. The sunset is really good, you can sit on the deck but it’s even better if you watch it from the side yard, good cooling and heating and good hot water. There appeared to be parking for at least four vehicles and there were three/four beds available and if you brought your own air mattress, there would be room for it. Overall, it is a rustic experience in a great location.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2023
Verified

4/10 Poor

David

Liked: Communication
Disliked: Amenities, property conditions & facilities
It's listed as receiving "upgrades", needing major repairs would be more accurate. Was it me it'd be a 'dozer job. The best I can say about the property is it was clean, quiet, didn't collapse and no critters got in. The screen door was more of an impediment, than a functional door. The door, had some stop gap sweep that kept it from opening fully. The blinds on the door looked like they'd been salvaged from a dumpster. The owner was very good at communicating information about his guest regulations and other matters relevant to the rental.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2024
Verified

8/10 Good

Amber C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location
Disliked: Listing accuracy

Smith Mountain Lake

My family and I rented this property as a last minute vacation. The description of the property was not clarified that the house was built around a pull behind camper. The bed in the "master" was slipping through the frame as there was no box frame, the twin bunks are so small that only children would be able to lay on part of the mattress. The house included washer and dryer (stackable) that had an out of order sign on it. the dishwasher did not fill with water on the wash or rinse cycle. There are extra charges to use kayaks and the gas grill. The owner has claimed that our family ruined a mattress and pad cover in the home. Money hungry for everything that could possibly be charged for. The steps for house and dock are falling apart. Parts are rooed off or blocked to avoid access.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 1 Aug 2022
I offered to return their money as this weekend I had bad luck and items were broken by the previous tenancy. Since then everything has been repaired. Yes, I do offer extra services such as kayak rental and grill rental which are not normally rented is nor rented in most vacation rentals. I pride myself on the transparency in the ad and I call all clients to let them know that it is a small cabin which I keep very clean. I try to work with all clients that are not satisfied to give them price reductions and refunds if they have valid claims. Just for the record, the client was inaccurate about the queen bed not having a box spring. The bunk beds do not.
Verified

2/10 Terrible

Kristie R.

Liked: Location
Disliked: Cleanliness, communication, listing accuracy

Honestly the home owner scared me! Also offered money back as long as we didn’t write a bad review.

We had left a day early was going to just get a hotel in Roanoke. We kindly ask when John McKray called us to confirm if we could check in early. He said he he would need to call me back. So we went on to our road trip. He calls while I am driving and ask what time will we be there. I told him we just left Waltons mountain an hour or two. He said can’t you look at your GPS, so I did it was 1:23 min. He said ok I just needed to know so I could be gone. We arrived he was still there. No problem but why call me. We asked to rent kayaks he didn’t have them out he forgot. He just had the septic pumped. Tarp on roof hole in roof from tree. The windows was boarded up. When I called him to cancel my stay because the house smelled musty! I was scared of black mold. He got very upset and angry! Insulted me called me a con artist and had reviewed my profile. Kept telling us he was a school teacher no money and the property he inherited and his bother was to blame for all the clutter and mess. He doesn’t take responsibility. I told him he could keep the money I didn’t want it back. I wasn’t going to right a review scared of what he would do. But I would not want someone else to feel this way. The doors would lock but you need a man to pick the door up. The steps was blocked off. A boat sunk in front of the cabin. If you rent this please do it with caution.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 1 Aug 2022
I pride myself on my customer service and full disclosure of my property In the ad. Sometimes I get someone who has unrealistic expectations for the low price that they're paying to be right on the lake. In response to this, I have never met a customer that was this rude nor retaliatory. Please look at all my reviews before you make your decision as they speak for themselves. As I mention in the ad, the exterior of the house is still under development. We have since replaced the roof and septic and plan other improvements as well which is why we keep the price low. I pride myself on the cleanliness of the interior and my customer service which is reflected in the other reviews.
Verified

2/10 Terrible

Sharon K.

Liked: Location
Disliked: Listing accuracy

Not worth what they rent this place for!!

This was an old camper turned into a cabin. It needs a lot of work. The wall in the bathroom was busted, the screen door was held close by a bungy cord. The owned did not disclose any of the problems with this place until the night before we were to arrive. He sent a list of what to do and what not to do from this list you would have thought this place was luxury. When you look outside you see a half sunk boat sticking out of the lake and you could not use the dock because it was unstable. I honestly couldn't recommend this place to anyone.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 14 Apr 2023
I have given accurate information in the ad about the condition of the property and also let people know again when I call them. As the ad states, the interior is in good condition, but the exterior and landscaping are not finished yet. The dock sustained some damage due to the flood last year but is usable. The boat mentioned belongs to my neighbor which I don't have control over. The property is right on the water and a good value which I price fairly, well-below market value. If you are looking for a modest, clean place to stay on the lake with a great view out the window and from the deck, please consider me.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Gordon B.

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

SML long weekend.

Arrived at the cabin around 5:30 Saturday evening. All descriptions of the property were accurate. Rental was clean and fully furnished. We enjoyed our time there and would definitely rent this cabin again.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2022
Verified

2/10 Terrible

Richard H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location
Disliked: Listing accuracy

Not as nice as aspected

Good location. Dock was horrible. House was a shack. Would not recommend this for any children. Within first 10 minutes my w Women fell into the kitchen brushing her knee really bad , starting the weekend off terrible, considering the boat and the pier is down hill. Should of been a warning about step up. Move the carpet to the not match the same design as the step up . Overall did not like the place. Owner wants you too do cleanup , that I paid for the service from am maid
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 14 Apr 2023
So sorry that you fell in the kitchen as there is a step there. Great idea about making the carpets different patterns. About the rest of your review... I have given accurate information in the ad about the condition of the property and also let people know again when I call them. As the ad states, the interior is in good condition, but the exterior and landscaping are not finished yet. The dock sustained some damage due to the flood last year but is usable. The property is right on the water and a good value which I price fairly, well-below market value. If you are looking for a modest, clean place to stay on the lake with a great view out the window and from the deck, please consider me.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Crystal H.

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

Nice

It was very clean. It’s bigger than the pics show. The owner was nice and helpful. Still needs work outside, but inside is nice. The park is close by and we suggest to go there for swimming. Hubby did get some bites fishing. There’s plenty to do in the area and some nice restaurants including Jake’s Place which John had suggested. It was a pretty good place to get away!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2022

About the host

Hosted by John Makay

Host profile image
I am a school teacher from Roanoke Virginia. I lived in Europe for six years and in Baltimore for 19. I was a department head at Baltimore City Community College for five years. I am now semi-retired and pursuing new hobbies. Just started to learn English style riding and writing my first novel while dabbling in hosting guest houses.

Why they chose this property

It is the best deal on the lake! It is still a natural habitat.

What makes this property unique

Modern amenities, low-cost, lake frontage, natural environment. Love our trees!

Languages:

English, German
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