While the inside of the property was clean, the covered patio area was very unkept. The furnishings were soiled (to the point we had to cover them with bed linen before we could sit on it), there were multiple spider webs that we had to remove, and there was debris that you can tell was just a result of lack of upkeep. We couldn't get the oven to work, despite the property manager attempting to help over the phone. Overall, the cabin served its purpose, it was just not ready for guests. The pictures are obviously from when the property was first built.
The cabin is nice and is on the river. It is a short distance to Lake Martin which is beautiful. The outside of the property is not well maintained or look like the pictures at all. There is no bbq grill that is usable or fire pit as listed in the description. No toaster or toaster oven as listed. There was one grill that was all rusted out and corroded and nasty. I brought food to grill and asked the property manager about it and she said the grill hadnt been used in a long time and I could hike to another cabin and use theirs but she would charge me a cleaning fee. I attempted to cook inside but there was no can opener, either, so meals were a little difficult. The two air mattresses in the loft didn't hold air so two of us had to share a bed. There are no keys or keypad to lock the cabin so you have to take your valuables with you whenever you leave and leave the doors unlocked . She offered to let us use the boat at no charge due to the issues but due to the neglected property maintenance and the look of the boat we declined. We did use the canoes which were nice. The area is peaceful. They just need to clean it up or update their posting so people can plan.
This rental home felt like a cozy get-away and a upscale hunting cabin and a tree house all rolled into one. If you want to connect with nature but still have air conditioning, this is your place.The property is surrounded by woods, the floors and ceilings are made of wood. If it's not wood, it's stone. The cabin overlooks a body of water that is so peaceful and calm you'll feel like you're in a zen garden. We took the canoes out several times and my kids loved that the most. The only challenge with this property is the steep driveway. Four-wheel drive would have been useful but not a deal breaker. We had some unforseen problems after a storm. The owner was quick to fix everything. We did not miss a beat. If your dream is to stay in a secluded cabin surrounded by woods on a lake, this is your place.
My husband and I went to this cabin for a weekend getaway and had a great time! The cabin itself was clean and cool, the bed was very comfortable, and the screened porch was FANTASTIC! Don't go expecting the wifi to do amazing things because you are a bit remote, but you won't miss it with the amazing view.
We were looking for something remote in the woods and this was perfect. Yes the driveway is steep but i had 4x4 which is a MUST. The house in great shape and well built.
We got there Friday night cooked up some steaks and mashed potatoes and stayed up talking all night and then went out on the boat Saturday and had a fun day
This is a well designed and well built lake cabin on a secluded lot that is great for a weekend stay for a few people.
The outdoor areas of this house are very well done. My wife and I stayed here to celebrate our anniversary and we found ourselves repeatedly sitting on the side deck that overlooks the lake which provides very relaxing scenery.
This house has no neighbors to the left, right, or behind it, and the lake is in front...so being bothered at this location is unlikely. You'll also be able to view many different forms of wildlife. My wife and I had a wild turkey fly on to the property and we had a front row view of it in it's natural habitat.
The dock for this house is in great shape. There is lots of space to spread out and a ladder to get into and out of the water easily. Floats are provided, and they're nice. (a big plus).
There is also canoes you can use for free and a pontoon boat you can use at an added cost. We opted to not use the pontoon boat this time around, but most likely will use it the next time we rent this cabin.
The finishes and furnishings of this house are very new and upscale.
4G internet on your cell phone works ok. The house has wifi (albeit powered by Hughes net which will be pretty slow). This is a house you visit to enjoy the great outdoors and not for it's internet speed.
**Areas where this place could improve upon**
4 wheel drive should be mandatory, or the owner should pave the last steep part of the driveway.
4 wheel drive is not mandatory to visit this property, but if you don't have it prepare to park your car far way - up a very steep hill. Note that this will make loading and unloading your vehicle more inconvenient than you were originally expecting.
Also, when renting this house you will have no way to secure the residence when departing. This house does not come with a set of keys, and there is no keypad lock on any of the exterior doors.
You can lock the house when you're inside of it, but not when leaving to run an errand or to go eat at one of the many recommended restaurants close by.
Combine not being able to lock the house with not bringing a 4 wheel drive vehicle and you'll be loading/unloading your valuables into and out of your vehicle up and down a steep hill more frequently than you expected.
Other than 4 wheel drive issue and not having the ability to lock the house this place is a great get-away spot that is secluded in nature. My wife and I plan on renting this place again.
Location is nice and quiet, peaceful. Cabin is nice and clean. Absolutely bring a 4x4 vehicle or plan on parking on top of the hill and walking down to the cabin. Recommend bringing your own toilet paper, paper towels, dishwasher soap, and toiletries.
Location and cabin are outstanding. Great design. this place is trimmed, furnished and finished better than most if not all we have stayed at VRBO or otherwise. with a few changes i would love to go back.
1. improved directions, maybe x-miles down yates lake road metal gate on right.
2. description, im pretty sure VRBO lists 4WD recommended but its absolutely necessary. arriving without a capable vehicle is goint to ruin someones trip. perhaps end in tragedy.
3. communication, only rental management company listed, had to call them for entry instructions. their email had different WIFI info than ones in cabin,
4. no window shade in bath with adjacent structure directly uphill. enough said.
5.BBQ pit is a rusted out joke, personally disapointed me.
6. odds and ends. No dishwasher tabs, fan remotes are a joke, crappy cookware, cable reception bad, saw a couple roaches inside. lots of cobwebs.
7. checkout time too late, no way in hell anyone could find this place after dark would be dangerous.
If you are looking for a stay off the beaten path, this is the place for you. Very cute cabin located steps from the river. 4 wheel drive is a MUST. The drive to the cabin is very steep. Perfect size for one couple. We enjoyed our stay!
Quaint cabin on Yates Lake. The 4x4 requirement is no joke, but worth it. You can park up the hill and walk down, still worth it. Place could use a night stand(s) by the beds, and maybe a wardrobe to hang clothes. Other than that...stellar.
Great vacation spot, reasonable on property pontoon boat rental is a huge plus.
Amazing secluded lake home. All the modern creature comforts, if you desire.
Perfect for relaxing & boating on a quiet, peaceful lake and grilling onsite in the evening.
Fourwheel Drive is suggested and personally advised, fishing poles a good idea too!
If relaxing in comfort while having that off the grid feeling appeals to you, this is it!
Comfortable and very private, Owner is a Class Act, & very helpful if in need of assistance.
MJ & Kim
Nice little cabin in the woods on the water. Comfortable beds and nice linens. Generally a great place to relax and get away from everything. House is cute and comfortable -- accurate to the listing. Happy to find that there was A/C in August, because we didn't see that explicitly mentioned in the listing.
Just a few minor items that prevented a 5-star rating from us:
- For how we used the house as a crash pad for a couple days of R&R, we felt that it was a bit overpriced. Others who are more prepared to enjoy water activities (fishing, boating) might get more value.
- Outdoor furniture (cushions, drapes) could use a deep cleaning.
- Kitchen is pretty small. Not quite enough countertop to do any serious cooking.
- Seriously weird situation with all the fans and remotes, only 1-2 of which really seemed to work.
- Didn't find life preservers for canoes.
- Communication was a bit confusing. We got 1 confirmation email from VRBO and several from "the Evolve Team". The Evolve "check in" information provided a local contact (Jennifer) and info that didn't quite jive with the info in the house (Bill = owner? different wifi, etc.). I'd recommend reconciling all of the information to be more consistent.
This place was so beautiful and secluded! We were glad we had 4wheel drive. So many great places to relax and enjoy the amazing views of the lake! We enjoyed the floating docks and canoes and are looking forward to taking advantage of the fireplace and firepit next time. Very clean and well kept grounds and house. Can't wait to return!
The property is out there and you must have 4 wheel drive if not your walking alot. Yellow perch all around the docks. We wanted to disconnect from the modern world and this place did it for sure!
Adorable cabin, very clean and peaceful & pretty lake. Make sure you have four wheel drive and if you arrive at night its a little hard to find, but the house was nice and owner and manager were very nice and helpful.
We had a wonderful time at this property. It was a girls trip to just relax. The property is beautiful and the cabin is so accommodating. The beds and furniture comfortable, the porch quiet, the fireplace warm and inviting, the entire place a newly built feel, clean and crisp. It had everything we needed. We recommend that you get there prior to dark on check in day. We had 4 wheel drive and still did not feel as if we could go down the steep portion of the drive so we parked up the hill and carried our belongings down the steep hill to the cabin in the pitch black darkness with flashlights. It was not easy. Needless to say, we then had to carry our belongings up the hill. In daylight it was GORGEOUS and serene. We went into town (small) about 10-15 min away and had lunch at a local place and went shopping at Walmart. The surroundings are beautiful. We would go back again.