10/10 Excellent
Corey B.
28 Jul 2025
Liked: Cleanliness
Tremendous Experience
Corey B.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025
Entire home
Starved Rock Retreat - Private, Gated Entrance, 5 min from State Parks!
Photo gallery for Starved Rock Retreat - Private, Gated Entrance, 5 min from State Parks!
Reviews
9.29.2 out of 10
Wonderful
Entire home
2 bedrooms2 bathrooms
Popular amenities
- Parking available
- Pet-friendly
- Kitchen
- Dryer
- Barbecue grill
- Fireplace
Explore the area
Ottawa, IL
- Matthiessen State Park13 min drive
- Starved Rock State Park20 min drive
- Buffalo Rock State Park22 min drive
Room options
About the area
Ottawa
Located in Ottawa, this vacation home is on a lake, within a 10-minute drive of Mix's Trading Post and LaSalle County Historical Society & Museum. .This vacation home is 10.2 mi (16.4 km) from Starved Rock State Park and 4.6 mi (7.5 km) from August Hill Winery Tasting Room.
What's nearby
- August Hill Winery Tasting Room - 10 min drive - 8.8 km
- Matthiessen State Park - 13 min drive - 10.2 km
- Grand Bear Falls Indoor Water Park - 13 min drive - 9.5 km
- Starved Rock State Park - 20 min drive - 17.9 km
- Buffalo Rock State Park - 22 min drive - 20.3 km
Getting around
- Mendota Station - 32 min drive
Restaurants
- Casey's General Store - 11 min drive
- Cam’s Corner - 6 min drive
- Casa Mia - 7 min drive
- Bears Den - 7 min drive
- Tone's Cones - 10 min drive
About this property
Entire place
You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.
Starved Rock Retreat - Private, Gated Entrance, 5 min from State Parks!
Private, gated entrance, firepit, large soaking tub, bar, dining room table for 10, fireplace, large screened in patio, water views, 21ft ceilings, open floor plan, queen size bunks for kids or adults! Centrally located within the best spots of the Illinois Valley.
5 minutes from Starved Rock! Easy access to:
---1 mile to Buffalo Rock State Park.
---1 mile to a I&M Canal Trail entrance.
---4.9 miles to Downtown Utica.
---5.3 miles to Downtown Ottawa.
---5.9 miles to Starved Rock State Park Visitors Center.
---7.4 miles to Matthiessen State Park.
Perfect as an escape for 2, for a family with children, or for large groups. Large windows with beautiful views of nature.
You will have privacy. The entrance is gated and the house is surrounded by many acres of our own land. Our hope is that you can not only unplug and unwind but also make memories that will last a lifetime.
Guests always comment on and love the 21 ft. ceilings, open floor plan, and cleanliness. The sunsets are beautiful and can be seen directly from the sunroom behind the house. They are one of our favorite things about the property.
We are happy to be as involved or uninvolved in your stay as you wish. We pride ourselves in quick response times. Our goal is to make your stay a 5 STAR experience. We can meet you for check-in if desired.
*** We have multiple places to park large campers, motor homes, or trailers.
Guests have access to the entire house and surrounding area including the fire pit and small lakes behind the house. Feel free to take a peaceful walk down the drive that stretches behind the house. Fishing is great!! You can bring fishing gear or canoes. You can swim. We require anyone in the water to wear a life jacket. We do not supply life jackets, please bring your own.
Fun facts:
---Our property used to be owned by a mining company. The lakes and ponds at Starved Rock Retreat used to be mines. They filled in with natural spring water and are still spring fed to this day. The fishing is great!
---The tall wooden front doors are from a church in Brazil. They were picked out and flown in by the original owner who built this home.
---The blue ceiling in the sunroom is a specific color called haint blue. The original owner picked this color as it is said to protect the home.
5 minutes from Starved Rock! Easy access to:
---1 mile to Buffalo Rock State Park.
---1 mile to a I&M Canal Trail entrance.
---4.9 miles to Downtown Utica.
---5.3 miles to Downtown Ottawa.
---5.9 miles to Starved Rock State Park Visitors Center.
---7.4 miles to Matthiessen State Park.
Perfect as an escape for 2, for a family with children, or for large groups. Large windows with beautiful views of nature.
You will have privacy. The entrance is gated and the house is surrounded by many acres of our own land. Our hope is that you can not only unplug and unwind but also make memories that will last a lifetime.
Guests always comment on and love the 21 ft. ceilings, open floor plan, and cleanliness. The sunsets are beautiful and can be seen directly from the sunroom behind the house. They are one of our favorite things about the property.
We are happy to be as involved or uninvolved in your stay as you wish. We pride ourselves in quick response times. Our goal is to make your stay a 5 STAR experience. We can meet you for check-in if desired.
*** We have multiple places to park large campers, motor homes, or trailers.
Guests have access to the entire house and surrounding area including the fire pit and small lakes behind the house. Feel free to take a peaceful walk down the drive that stretches behind the house. Fishing is great!! You can bring fishing gear or canoes. You can swim. We require anyone in the water to wear a life jacket. We do not supply life jackets, please bring your own.
Fun facts:
---Our property used to be owned by a mining company. The lakes and ponds at Starved Rock Retreat used to be mines. They filled in with natural spring water and are still spring fed to this day. The fishing is great!
---The tall wooden front doors are from a church in Brazil. They were picked out and flown in by the original owner who built this home.
---The blue ceiling in the sunroom is a specific color called haint blue. The original owner picked this color as it is said to protect the home.
Make yourself comfortable in this air-conditioned vacation home, which features a fireplace and a Smart TV. A kitchen is outfitted with a refrigerator, an oven, and a stovetop. Complimentary wireless internet access is available to keep you connected. Conveniences include a microwave and a coffee/tea maker.
This smoke-free vacation home features a stereo, books, and hiking/biking trails nearby. Amenities and recreational activities include games and kayaking nearby.
Guests will find features like internet access and onsite parking.
Property manager
Ryan Peterson
Languages
English
Property amenities
Internet
- Available in the house: Free WiFi
Parking and transport
- Parking on site
Kitchen
- Coffee grinder
- Coffee/tea maker
- Cookware, dishware, and utensils
- Dishwasher
- Electric kettle
- Hob
- Kitchen island
- Lobster/crab pot
- Microwave
- Oven
- Paper towels
- Refrigerator
- Spices
- Toaster
Dining
- Dining table
Bedrooms
- 2 bedrooms
- Bedsheets provided
Bathroom
- 2 bathrooms
- Bathtub or shower
- Hair dryer
- Shampoo
- Shower
- Soap
- Toilet paper
- Towels provided
Living spaces
- Dining table
- Fireplace
- Living room
Entertainment
- Books
- Games
- Smart TV
- Stereo
Outdoor areas
- Barbecue grill
- Firepit
- Outdoor furniture
- Porch/lanai
Laundry
- Laundry facilities
- Washing machine
Work spaces
- Printer
Comfort
- Air conditioning
- Heating
Pets
- Pet friendly
- Welcoming dogs only
- 2 pets total
Suitability/Accessibility
- If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
- 5 steps to reach entrance
- Gravel flooring in public areas
- Hardwood flooring in public areas
- No lift
- Single level property
- Smooth flooring in public areas
- Well-lit path to entrance
- Smoke-free property
Services and conveniences
- Change of bedsheets (on request)
- Change of towels on request
- Iron/ironing board
Location highlights
- Near a hospital
- Near the marina
- On a lake
Things to do
- Kayak
- Birdwatching nearby
- Cycling nearby
- Fishing nearby
- Golfing nearby
- Hiking/biking trails nearby
- Jet skiing nearby
- Kayaking nearby
- Motor boating nearby
- Water tubing nearby
- Wildlife walks 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
General
- Bed sheets changed on request
- Double-glazed windows
- Energy-saving switches in guestrooms
- Towels (changed on request)
Policies
Check-in
Check-in time starts at 3:00 PM
Contactless check-in available
Minimum check-in age: 25
Check-out
Check-out before 11:00 AM
Contactless check-out available
Special check-in instructions
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Check-out instructions
The host requires you complete the following before checking out:
Load and start the dishwasher
Strip any used beds and gather used towels
Remove personal items, remove leftover food and drinks, and take out the trash
Turn off the lights, lock the doors, and return the keys
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.
Rules
No access allowed past the east gate (to your right when you drive onto the property). The area is gated off.
No fireworks. The grounds get dry. No candles. No Smoking inside.
No glitter or confetti. If we find it there will be an additional cleaning fee.
Pets
Pets allowed
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees
Welcoming dogs only
2 total pets
Children and extra beds
Children are welcome
Note from host: We have coloring books, board games, kids books.
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 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 and a first aid kit
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
This property does not have elevators
Starved Rock Retreat - Private, Gated Entrance, 5 min from State Parks! Reviews
Reviews
9.2
Wonderful
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travellers 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.
Rating 10 - Excellent. 6 out of 7 reviews
10 - Excellent
6
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 7 reviews
8 - Good
0
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 7 reviews
6 - Okay
0
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 7 reviews
4 - Poor
1
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 7 reviews
2 - Terrible
0
10/10
Cleanliness
Reviews
10/10 Excellent
Maggie Z.
13 Jul 2025
Liked: Cleanliness
Gorgeous property and home. Sparkling clean, everything from the grounds to the counters to the linens. They have really invested a lot into the maintenance and luxury of this VRBO yet somehow it still feels like a place where you are encouraged to unwind and relax. The owners were responsive and accommodating. The rental is priced fair for the area. You are close to what you need but it’s set far back and on a private lot against the water so you feel like you are in the cozy woods. We had a blast tubing down the river at Ayer’s Landing on Saturday. The owners and workers were great and made it an easy experience. Only 35 for an entire day relaxing on the water! The local areas are super cute with great food. I recommend The Lone Buffalo in downtown Ottawa for delicious food and friendly service. Bruce & Ollie’s in Utica is perfect for coffee or ice cream. Their patio is dog-friendly! We were at this VRBO all weekend and have zero complaints.
Maggie Z.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025
10/10 Excellent
Carly S.
5 Jul 2025
Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful retreat
Amazing vacation retreat! The owners did not miss a single thing down to the littlest detail. The house is beautiful and stocked with all of the amenities.The property is out of this world. You can explore for days and keep finding something new.
Carly S.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025
10/10 Excellent
LONNIE P.
30 Jun 2025
Liked: Cleanliness
Amazing.
The property was so amazing me and my friends and family had a great time. The host are great people. We will be going back again.
LONNIE P.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025
10/10 Excellent
Daniel H.
23 Jun 2025
Liked: Cleanliness
Amazing all the way around
We had 13 women for a fitness retreat and everything was amazing. From all my questions answered right away to the welcome basket and everything provided that you can possibly think of, this place was perfect. The beds were super comfortable, the porch was the perfect coffee spot, the kitchen was stocked and everything was clean, roomy and welcoming. We hiked, kayaked and ate and drank by the river. Would come back for sure! Great hosts
Daniel H.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025
10/10 Excellent
Garret J.
17 Jun 2025
Liked: Cleanliness
Anniversary Celebration
Spectacular Space - Highly Recommend for a Nature filled get away.
Garret J.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025
4/10 Poor
Matthew A.
12 Jun 2025
Matthew A.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2025