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Family Staycation Paradise -Lake Austin Waterfront:Volleyball, Kayaks, Hiking

Lakefront holiday home with kitchen and balcony

Photo gallery for Family Staycation Paradise -Lake Austin Waterfront:Volleyball, Kayaks, Hiking

Wake up to this slice of paradise on Lake Austin.
Great Room viewed from the kitchen. Exposed cedar beams, cedar plank flooring.
Two Lilly pads each 6' x 18 ' are a great place to lounge or frolic.
Lily pad lizard lounging.
You will LOVE it here, These guests did.

Reviews

9.4 out of 10
Exceptional
3 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 683.6 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Dryer
  • Air conditioning
  • Washer

Explore the area

View map
Austin, TX
  • Place, Lake Austin
    ‪1 min walk‬
  • Place, Lake Travis
    ‪14 min drive‬
  • Place, University of Texas at Austin
    ‪33 min drive‬
  • Airport, Austin, TX (AUS-Austin-Bergstrom Intl.)
    ‪40 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Double Bed

Bedroom 3

2 Single Beds

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Bathtub or shower · Toilet · Jetted bathtub

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Balcony
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Family Staycation Paradise -Lake Austin Waterfront:Volleyball, Kayaks, Hiking

An "OOO-AHH" lake get-away. Sand volleyball, kayaks, Lily pad, WiFi for WFH & Home school. Kayak across the lake and hike or check out other local trails in Steiner. Or let the serenity entice you to chillax. Custom built home with cedar flooring and exposed beams. Feels like middle of nowhere but a world class spa & great restaurants are in the neighborhood (Sushi, Italian, Steiner Ranch Steakhouse.) Famous sunsets at the Oasis on Lake Travis 7 miles away, and 35 minutes from downtown Austin. We love to see kids (and kids at heart) enjoy the property. Noise is good....kids squealing joyfully and puppies playing makes us happy. We have a fire pit and an owner shared hot-tub. Owner Shelly is always delighted to help with your area questions and trip plans. With 2 parking spaces and 1 bath we book groups of 6 or less. (If your group is larger than 6, please also consider renting a neighbor's property which sleeps 6, in addition to ours - #243133)

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Hot tub
Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Air conditioning

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 21
Check out before 12:00 PM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
Great place for kids to be kids.
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

Pets allowed: dogs and cats (limit 3 total)
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Parking only available for two vehicles without prior notice and special arrangement.
Life jackets required on kayaks and paddle board.
If bringing more than 1 pet please advise host at time of booking as price per pet is $50.

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 not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a first aid kit

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Austin

Located on the waterfront, this holiday home is in Lower Basin Lake Travis, a neighbourhood in Austin. Sixth Street and South Congress Avenue are worth checking out if shopping is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Lake Austin and Lake Travis. Looking to enjoy an event or a game? See what's going on at Darrell K. Royal - Texas Memorial Stadium or Moody Center. With kayaking, waterskiing and water tubing nearby, you'll find plenty of adventures in the water.
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Map
Austin, TX

What's nearby

  • Lake Austin - 1 min walk - 0.0 km
  • Lake Travis - 14 min drive - 11.2 km
  • Zilker Park - 31 min drive - 22.0 km
  • University of Texas at Austin - 33 min drive - 36.6 km
  • Sixth Street - 35 min drive - 30.6 km

Getting around

  • Austin Station - 38 min drive
  • Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) - 44 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Chick-fil-A - ‬24 min drive
  • ‪Tony C's - ‬27 min drive
  • ‪The League Kitchen & Tavern - ‬26 min drive
  • ‪Jersey Mike's Subs - ‬27 min drive
  • ‪Baguette et Chocolat - ‬27 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Family Staycation Paradise -Lake Austin Waterfront:Volleyball, Kayaks, Hiking pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows cats and dogs (limit 3 total).

How much is parking at Family Staycation Paradise -Lake Austin Waterfront:Volleyball, Kayaks, Hiking?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Family Staycation Paradise -Lake Austin Waterfront:Volleyball, Kayaks, Hiking?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Family Staycation Paradise -Lake Austin Waterfront:Volleyball, Kayaks, Hiking?

Checkout is at 12:00 PM.

Where is Family Staycation Paradise -Lake Austin Waterfront:Volleyball, Kayaks, Hiking located?

This family-friendly Austin holiday home is located on the waterfront, just steps away from Lake Austin and Colorado River. Hippie Hollow and Concordia University Texas are also within 9 miles (15 km).

Reviews

9.4

Exceptional

9.4/10

Cleanliness

9.8/10

Check-in

9.8/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

9.6/10

Listing accuracy
Rating 10 - Excellent. 151 out of 201 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 38 out of 201 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 8 out of 201 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 201 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 3 out of 201 reviews

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Charles M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great host, spent some great days
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Eileen M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We loved this little house — views of trees all around. It was clean, had just about everything needed for a short stay. We hosted a small group of our son’s friends for the day and it was just right for that. Kayaks, float, dock, volleyball, grill — everything g we used was great.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

David R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Amazing time in Austin.. Great location.. Amazing host… We will definitely go back..
Stayed 3 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Miles K.

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

The most special place!

Words and pictures really cannot describe how special this place is. The treehouse, ans our family called it is so cozy and comfortable. Sitting down by the lake at any time of the day is just magical. Shelly is a phenomenal host and person. She worked very hard to get us in on the same day that she had some guest checking out in the morning. I cannot recommend enough staying at this magical, special place!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Cami L.

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

Great spot in the water!

A perfect getaway for a family!
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2019

10/10 Excellent

Kimberly K.

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

Great little slice of Lake Austin

Great location with lots to do including a sand volleyball court, hot tub, kayaks and paddle board.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2023

8/10 Good

Valerie D.

Lovely place

We really enjoyed the stay and it's such a cute and inviting place. We have fun with the volleyball area and having access to the kayaks. What a beautiful location!
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2018

8/10 Good

Jason W.

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

A great time!

We had a blast! The lake is beautiful!
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2020
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Danette M.

Fun!

We had a great time! Right on the water, house is charming.
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2017

10/10 Excellent

Jason S.

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

Great Place!

Chuck and Shelly have a beautiful place and could have been nicer! Kids loved the diving board and playing volleyball. I highly recommend this VRBO.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

8/10 Good

Donnie L.

Great family memories

The entire stay was great. Everyone was very welcoming. The house was perfect escape. Definitely recommend .
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2016

10/10 Excellent

Tara V., Washougal, WA

Lovely place

This is such a lovely place to spend some great relaxing time. The cabin is clean and comfortable and sweetly decorated. Shelly and Chuck were super hosts: friendly and helpful. We really enjoyed the time by the water and easy access to town though we barely left the place as it was so nice to be there.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2018

10/10 Excellent

Tracie E.

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

Beautiful Oasis

We loved our stay in this lovely peaceful home! We loved the access to the lake, the hot tub, trampoline, kayaks, etc. The owner was fantastic and very welcoming and responsive! Thank you so much for offering your home to my family as a vacation rental! We had such a wonderful time, so many memories made for us and we cant wait to come back!
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2021

10/10 Excellent

Ian V.

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

EXCELLENT STAY ON LAKE AUSTIN

Shelly and Chuck were tremendous. Excellent property located on beautiful Lake Austin. Great family setup. Couldn't recommend anymore. THANKS FOR EVERYTHING.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2019

10/10 Excellent

Dan R.

Perfect Family Getaway!

Thank you for another great stay at your lovely home! We enjoyed the comfortable beds, the feeling of being in the trees, the sounds of the birds, and the lake! So relaxing, calming, centering. I highly recommend the kayaks and just sitting on the dock. Thanks again! Excited to return!
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2019
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Cyndee E., Where do you live?

Great get-a-way. Country feel with city amenities

A wonderful get away and close to city amenities. The Chuck and Shelly are wonderful owners and really made sure we had everything we needed. Great views, comfortable living quarters with plenty of room for everyone. Provided us with the name of a boating company bought the boat to us!!! So convenient. We definitely recommend this place!!!

10/10 Excellent

Michael A.

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

Great place & great owners!

My family and I had a blast at this place. My girls loved the paddle board and lily pad. The dock was very clean and nice to hangout on. The water was cold and refreshing which was nice. The house was very clean and had everything we needed to cook meals and watch movies. The beds were very comfortable. Overall, we had a blast and definitely we will be back. Shelly was a great host....very nice and outgoing. Thanks so much for letting us stay there!
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2021
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Carrie Q.

Charming and cozy

Charming and cozy spot enough off the beaten path but yet close to all of the big city amenities. Shelly was very welcoming and friendly. My son and I spent the night in the screened in porch. It felt like we were at camp! Brought our dog and he had a ball as well. We will be back!
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2016

10/10 Excellent

Ken W.

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

Great Stay

There are numerous positive things I can say about the stay. The property was clean and cozy with a great location! The sand volleyball court, dock, and river was a great combination for our family to enjoy with our two Golden Retrievers. Shelly was extremely accommodating and made the check-in / check-out process really easy. She went out of her way to familiarize us with the property and offer anything so we would enjoy our stay to include kayaks, floats, and life jackets. I highly recommend staying here if you want to get off the beaten path a bit and enjoy some time on the Colorado River.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2019

10/10 Excellent

Carolyn S.

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

Coziest and most beautiful vrbo

Our family had the pleasure of staying at this incredible lakeside VRBO for several days! The house is nestled in the woods by the lake and makes you feel like you’re in a treehouse. Because of the lovely tree cover we stayed cool in spite of the heat wave. It’s well stocked and beautifully decorated, with a fun loft that my kiddo found particularly whimsical. The house is perfect for multiple generations to fully enjoy with kayaks, lily pads and inner tubes to spend the day on the water with! We had the best time paddling around the shore. We cannot wait to come back and relax some more at this cozy and beautiful escape in the trees. Our host host Shelly was fantastic!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Adina W.

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

Our summer vacation on lake Austin

Loved location No lights on dock or area so at night, no going down at sit by the water and we didn’t use fire pit. One is was super hot, two residents live on property and it is so close to them, felt like if we did anything it would be disturbing them. Made it a little awkward…but otherwise it was enjoyable
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2023
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

8/10 Good

Mary Kay d.

Unusual tree house feel- out of the norm home

Overall we loved the stay. Don't expect your normal decor but perfect for a get away and feel that you are in a relaxed environment. The beds are full and so not what we are used to but we adjusted. The large living /dining with tons of windows were great. Of course , the point of being there was the Lake Austin water experience which was perfect. Just steps from the house, the dock and water trampoline was such fun. Kyaks and life jackets were the most fun for all. Check out parking if you have more than one vehicle.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2017

10/10 Excellent

Karina G., San Antonio, TX

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

Cute guesthouse/cabin by the lake

Overall we had a great time staying here. Nice location and beautiful view of the lake. We were able to drive into Austin easily for restaurants and activities. The house was well stocked with everything we needed, and the owner was very attentive. The only critique is that the house felt a bit musty and we noticed dust and spider webs. We definitely felt our allergies spike that first night, but the owner assured us it was due to the high levels of cedar in the area. The little florida room with screened windows is super cute, but it felt extra musty and those daybeds/pillows felt dusty. The owner brought us allergy meds, which was very sweet and helpful. We enjoyed our stay and would recommend it for a family getaway.
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2021

10/10 Excellent

Mary P.

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

Quiet retreat with great vibes!

We had a wonderful four night stay at Shelly and Chuck's property in April 2024. We originally booked because of the timing of the eclipse, but I can honestly say that we would have had just a wonderful time even if the clouds had not cleared last minute to allow us to view the eclipse. The property is very much as pictured - it is up in the trees in a very homey feeling space - great vibes from the moment you walk in. Both of our kids slept out on the screened porch given the nice April weather - so great. If you want white paint and generic all new everything, this is not your spot, but if you want to feel welcomed into a homey retreat with fantastic owners next door and the lake / dock / water toys right out your doorstep, you cannot beat this special place! Shelly was amazing communicating both in advance of the trip and once we were there. She and Chuck made us feel like welcome guests, though we had plenty of privacy. They have several kayaks and a couple paddle boards, so our group of five spent a bunch of time on the dock and in the water. The "Lillypad" is as fun as it looks in the pictures - we used it every day we were there. Shelly even was kind enough to run a load of laundry for our teen who had arrived straight from a school trip - now that's above and beyond! 10 of 10 I cannot recommend this enough. Were it not for the eclipse, I'm not sure we would have ever gone to Lake Austin... now I am wanting to go back. Thank you Shelly and Chuck!
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2024
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Ted S.

Great Cabin on the Lake

What a great place! The cabin was in great condition with very nice decorating and wood floors. The property has mature trees with lots of shade and an easy walk down to the lake. We had plenty of room for the 5 kids and my wife and I. The four younger kids (9 & 12) loved climbing and sleeping in the loft, leaving our 16 yr old the spare bedroom as his haven. The kitchen had everything we needed (including a dishwasher) and use of the propane grill was nice as well. Our 26' boat fit at the boat dock without any problems. Our kids loved the water trampoline and diving board. If it wasn't late August (hot), I think they would have enjoyed the full size sand volleyball court more as well. The cool water coming from Mansfield Dam was refreshing to swim in while it was hot outside. As with many popular lakes in Texas, Saturday and Sunday had a decent amount of boat traffic on the lake, but the mornings, late evenings and weekdays were as quiet and peaceful as you could ever hope for: glassy water for skiing and beautiful sunrises and sunsets. Shelly and Chuck were excellent, cordial hosts and it didn't bother us at all having their house on the same property as this rental house. A HUGE, special thanks to Chuck for helping us out when our boat ran out of gas. I can't say enough great things about this place or the hosts. A few dreams for me would be a little more dock space by the lake and a covered boat slip, but it wouldn't surprise me if Shelly and Chuck have some renovations planned for the future. Thanks again and we look forward to visiting in the future.

About the host

Hosted by Shelly Priebe

Host profile image
I grew up in a dreadfully nondescript area of Illinois (cornfields) but my parents wanted more than anything to live on the water and even though they earned a modest income as teachers they succeeded! In third grade we moved into a lakefront home in Central Illinois and it was THE gathering place for my friends as I grew up. They gave me the gift of prioritizing a water based lifestyle. Chuck and I bought this property when we got engaged in 1988 and our 4 children ages 25 to 12 relish the lifestyle I did as a child.

Why they chose this property

We fell in love with this ethereal part of Lake Austin and bought our home in 1988. It was 2 BR/1Bath with gold shag carpet and we were in heaven. Have added on to our home many times and we built the guest house in 2004 hoping to lure out of state grandparents. We failed at that but have loved being able to host many travelers, church youth retreat weekends, you name it!

What makes this property unique

Every piece of furniture hand picked over time from visits to the semi-annual Round Top antique fair except for the custom made cedar dining table with benches. Nothing matches but everything soothes in this eclectic and comfortable home. Want some activity? A sand volleyball court awaits. Or kayak across the lake and hike up to a waterfall.

Languages:

English, French

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