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UPDATED COTTAGE - Prime Location

Photo gallery for UPDATED COTTAGE - Prime Location

Exterior from lake side
Exterior from South Shore side
Great location close to the marina and PM Park
Beautiful sunroom on lake side
Living area with updated couches and furnishings

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 7

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Dryer
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Air-conditioning
  • Outdoor space

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 7)

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 3

1 Single Bunk Bed and 1 Single Bed

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Soap · Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Bathroom 2

Bathtub · Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Dining area

About this property

UPDATED COTTAGE - Prime Location

Newly updated! Renovations include:
*Brand new upper level bathroom with walk-in shower and marble vanity
*New luxury wood plank floors on upper level
*Updated and expanded upstairs bedroom
*Expanded, open kitchen with brand-new granite countertops and new sink/faucet.
*Newly remodeled upstairs bedroom with premium king size bed and mounted wall TV


Our South Shore cabin is just steps from the lake with a beautiful view from a spacious sunroom. Enjoy classic lake charm with tons of modern updates.

Enjoy one of the best views in Clear Lake from our spacious sunroom. With a great location off of South Shore Drive, this cabin on a peaceful street, yet close to attractions and activities such as Clear Lake Boats Marina, with boat and watercraft rental. PM Park is also steps away, featuring great food and the famous Tiki Bar. The cabin is also directly across the street from a large public access dock.

Lots of amenities await you in our Clear Lake cabin. With 3 bedrooms and now 2 full baths, we have room to sleep 8. Two comfortable queen bedrooms and one kid-friendly bunkroom will ensure your family and friends feel right at home. Our spacious sunroom facing the lake gives you a sweeping view of the lake, and the living room has comfy leather couches/recliner and a large flat-screen TV with Blu-Ray player. A new patio lakeside along with a new deck off the kitchen offer great spots to relax or dine outdoors. The kitchen is fully furnished with everything you need, including a Keurig coffee-maker. Bed linens and towels are also provided.

Also included is high speed cable WiFi, premium high-def digital cable with On-Demand service, flat screen TV in living room with Blu-Ray. New washer and dryer is available. Gas grill is also included. Brita pitcher provided for filtered water.

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  • Washing machine
  • Dryer
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10.0 out of 10, Exceptional, (72 reviews)
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House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 10:00 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, service animals permitted
One well-behaved dog under 50 pounds with fee.
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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 and a deadlock

About the area

Clear Lake

Clear Lake is home to this cabin. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Clear Lake State Park and McIntosh Woods State Park, while Clear Lake Fire Museum and Surf Ballroom and Museum are cultural highlights. Maze and Meredith Willson Boyhood Home are also worth visiting. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
View more Cabin rentals in Clear LakeOpens in a new window
Map
Clear Lake, IA

What's nearby

  • Clear Lake State Park - 3 min drive - 3.2 km
  • Clear Lake State Park Beach - 3 min drive - 3.2 km
  • City Beach Park - 7 min drive - 8.1 km
  • Surf Ballroom and Museum - 8 min drive - 8.8 km
  • Diamond Jo Casino - 30 min drive - 54.3 km

Getting around

  • Mason City, IA (MCW-Mason City Municipal) - 11 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Casey's General Store - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪McDonald's - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪Lake Time Brewery - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Taco John's - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪Culver's - ‬10 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is UPDATED COTTAGE - Prime Location pet-friendly?

No, only service animals are welcome at the property.

How much does it cost to stay at UPDATED COTTAGE - Prime Location?

As of 3 Apr 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at UPDATED COTTAGE - Prime Location on 7 May 2026 start from AU$244, 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 UPDATED COTTAGE - Prime Location?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at UPDATED COTTAGE - Prime Location?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at UPDATED COTTAGE - Prime Location?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is UPDATED COTTAGE - Prime Location located?

Situated in Clear Lake, this cabin is 1.5 mi (2.4 km) from Clear Lake State Park and 1.6 mi (2.6 km) from Clear Lake State Park Beach. City Beach Park and Clear Lake Fire Museum are also within 6 miles (10 km).

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

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. 88 out of 99 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 9 out of 99 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 2 out of 99 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 99 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 99 reviews

9.6/10

Cleanliness

9.8/10

Check-in

9.8/10

Communication

9.6/10

Location

9.6/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Scott T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
House is clean and comfortable. Host is very responsive and easy to work with.
Stayed 20 nights in Dec 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 20 Jan 2026
Thanks much Scott, I'm glad things have worked out well.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Larry J.

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

Cozy clean and great location

Nice, clean, and neat, great location, great host, thanks!
Stayed 10 nights in May 2025
Verified

8/10 Good

Carol H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Unit was clean, comfortable and good location
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 2 Sept 2025
Hi Carol, Thanks for your visit and review. We strive to receive 5 star reviews and that is almost exclusively what we receive. Please reach out to me directly if you feel there is something that did not live up to your expectations. John
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Scotty j.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Awesome place owner called the first day just to check if everything was ok and if we needed anything my sons car got stuck in the snow and the neighbors helped shovel it out and cleared the end of the driveway with a plow would definitely stay again
Stayed 5 nights in Nov 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 1 Dec 2025
Thanks Scotty and I hope you and your family had a great Thanksgiving. Next visit hopefully it doesn’t snow a foot! John
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Haley L.

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

Fun place to stay!

Great location, fun area, perfect for our group!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 19 July 2021
Thanks much Haley!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Richard L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This house was just what we were looking for! Clean, nicely remodeled and well-supplied. The porch alone made it worth the stay.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 22 Aug 2025
Thanks so much Richard.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Laura B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We’ve stayed at this cabin in Clear Lake 3 times now over the past 8 years. It’s always been great, but the updates are really nice. Great sleeping arrangements for our family of 7.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 19 Oct 2025
Thanks much Laura.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Anneliese J.

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

Great Location!!

We had a great time for our "staycation" in Clear Lake. Great location and property!
Stayed 10 nights in May 2020
Response from VrboOwner on 12 June 2020
Thanks much, we appreciate it! John
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Melvin T.

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

Clear Lake

A great property with a view of water and close to swimming and state park.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 30 June 2025
Thanks much and I appreciate your visit and kind review.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Tim S.

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

Great property!

Great property, very clean!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 27 July 2021
Thanks much Tim.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Cindy B.

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

Cute place!!

Great location, loved the screened porch! All good, had a great stay!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 22 July 2024
Hi Cindy. Thanks for the great review and I’m glad you all had a great visit.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Nancy H.

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

Happy girl

Comfortable, clean and neat. Would definitely recommend!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Betsy J.

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

4th Lake time

It worked welll - great location.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 7 July 2025
Thanks Betsy and I'm glad you have a great 4th.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Kent M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great cabin with everything you need inside and great location to access the lake, boat rentals, and restaurant/tiki bar outside. Host was very quick to respond to a question. Nice place! We’ll go back!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 28 July 2025
Hi Kent, Glad you and your family had a good visit. Much appreciated and hope to see you soon. Thanks-John
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Craig W.

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

Relaxing Lake Home

Very nice place to spend time enjoying the town and the lake. So quiet and relaxing.
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2020
Response from VrboOwner on 3 Aug 2020
Thanks again Craig.
Verified

8/10 Good

Barb E.

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

Enjoyed

We all had a great time and a very nice place and location
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Matthew S.

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

October Stay

The property was perfect for our stay. This was our 3rd time staying at this property.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Chandra H.

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

Family Getaway

This was a great place for our family to rent to getaway. It was a perfect getaway and a great location. We will be back!!!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2020
Response from VrboOwner on 14 Aug 2020
Thanks so much Chandra, I appreciate that.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jean G.

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

Wonderful weekend!

Very comfortable and homey. The small town atmosphere is just what we love.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2020
Response from VrboOwner on 7 Sept 2020
Thanks Jean, much appreciated.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

AJ R.

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

Perfect house for our family of 4!

John’s property was the perfect place for our family to enjoy a week in Clear Lake. We’ve stayed several times and he is a wonderful host. The property is as pictured, clean and very close to PM Park.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 21 July 2024
Thanks much AJ, always appreciate your visits.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Craig W.

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

Relaxing Lake Home

Always enjoy our time.
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 30 Aug 2021
Thanks much Craig.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Michelle T.

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

Love it

Great location and love this cabin! Sun room is very fun to hang out in!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2020
Response from VrboOwner on 3 Aug 2020
Thanks Michelle, hope you can come back for another visit
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Nancy S.

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

Another great stay

As in the past, the house was clean & organized. Appreciated the amenities & extras such as storage bags, al foil, soap, etc. Directions were clear about check in & check out. Host responsive to inquiries. Grateful for the hospitality. Thank you!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 4 Aug 2025
Thanks so much Nancy, we sure appreciate it. John
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Philip M.

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

Great Cottage

We had a wonderful stay in the Cottage. It was also a great visit in Clear Lake. The 4 seasons room is terrific and was a great place to gather, rest and hang out. We were very comfortable.
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 16 Aug 2023
Thanks much Phillip, we really appreciate it.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Bruce or Cathie B.

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

Great experience

Wonderful location! Awesome peekaboo view of the lake. Absolutely loved the 4 season sun room!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 2 July 2021
Hi Bruce and thanks much, please come back soon.

About the host

Hosted by John McIlhon

Host profile image
We are Des Moines residents who have enjoyed over 40 years of summer fun in Clear Lake with extended family as well as good friends. It's near and dear to our hearts!

Why they chose this property

We love the beautiful lake view and peaceful surroundings with bountiful trees and birds, and when we want some activity, we can just hop over to PM Park, the Tiki Bar and the Marina. We feel like there's no better spot on the Lake!

What makes this property unique

Our neighborhood is quintessential Clear Lake. You’re surrounded by classic Clear Lake bungalows, as well as attractive lakeside homes. Downtown Clear Lake is just a 10-minute drive or boat ride from our cabin.

The Market is a Clear Lake tradition, with basic household needs and food, as well as the best donuts on the lake. Next door to the Market, you’ll find an ice cream shop shaped…like an ice cream cone! It’s one of a kind.

A state park is just a short walk and features a public access beach, picnic facilities, including grills and tables.

Languages:

English

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They consistently provide great experiences for their guests
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