Top 10% of guest reviews in this areaTop 10% of guest reviews in this area
Highlights
Room to spread out
Enjoy spacious layout that give everyone more room to relax.
Games
A rare find - enjoy a variety of games available on-site.
Unmatched views, unforgettable moments
Guests like the location for the scenic views.
Discover nearby landmarks
Close to Lake Sara
3 bedrooms3 bathroomsSleeps 10
Popular amenities
Balcony
Kitchenette
Dog-friendly
Toys
Barbecue
Air-conditioning
Explore the area
Effingham, IL
Lake Sara
Place, Lake Sara
1 min walk
Cardinal Golf Course
Place, Cardinal Golf Course
14 min drive
Effingham Performance Center
Place, Effingham Performance Center
19 min drive
Where you'll sleep
3 bedrooms (sleeps 10)
Bedroom 2 upstairs
1 Queen Bed
BunkRoom
2 Double Bunk Beds
Master Bedroom
1 Queen Bed
3 bathrooms
Bathroom 1
Toilet · Shower only
Bathroom 2
Bathtub or shower · Toilet
Bathroom 3
Toilet · Shower only
Spaces
Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Kitchenette
Balcony
Dining area
About this property
Family Home on Lake Sara
The Bunkhouse is a fantastic place for families and friends to reconnect and make lasting memories. With walk-in lake access, this is the ideal spot to put in a kayak, canoe, or float. Enjoy swimming and fishing for a variety of fish including bass, crappie, catfish, or bluegill. Boat rentals and slips are available at both the Blue Gill Marina and Larson’s Landing. The Bunkhouse is quiet and peaceful, it is located at the end of Illini cove surrounded by trees, water and wildlife. This cozy cabin was constructed in 2020 and is a wonderful place to unwind and spend time in nature. Our front deck is perfect for bird watching and animal spying while soaking up some sun. Don’t be surprised if you spot a blue heron, turtles bathing in the sun, or even an occasional bald eagle. The lower walk out area includes a grill, picnic table and beautiful views of the lake. There is a fire pit for hanging out, roasting marshmallows and enjoying the night sky. Amenities include a washer and dryer, WIFI, 4 TVs, a dishwasher, air conditioning and heating, a full kitchen stocked with pots and pans, dishes, and everything needed to prepare your own meals. Downstairs is a kitchenette which includes a snack area and full coffee bar. Enjoy a night in by playing one of a variety of board games or simply find a quiet place to read a book. Numerous smart TV’s are available to stream your Netflix or Hulu account, as well as a DVD player for old school movie viewing. A large parking area is available for up to 6 cars. If you are bringing a pontoon or ski boat contact Blue Gill Marina for slip rental, no dock available at property.
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Pets allowed: dogs less than 9 kg per pet (limit one pet total)
1 small dog, extra charge
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Smoking
Smoking is not permitted
All guests must park at rear of property, which is the back of house where you enter.
Boats can be docked at Bluegill Marina or Larson's Landing. A copy of lake rules will be available at the BunkHouse.
Important information
You need to know
Property # 2161897vb
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 not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room
About the area
Effingham
Located in Effingham, this holiday home is on the waterfront. Ballard Nature Center and Lake Sara reflect the area's natural beauty and area attractions include Bliss Park and Effingham County Fairgrounds.
Effingham Performance Center - 19 min drive - 14.4 km
Lake Shelbyville - 53 min drive - 61.4 km
Lake Shelbyville Beach - 58 min drive - 66.8 km
Getting around
Effingham Station - 21 min drive
Champaign, IL (CMI-University Of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Williard) - 80 min drive
Restaurants
Dairy Queen - 21 min drive
McDonald's - 21 min drive
Golden Corral - 22 min drive
Niemerg's Steakhouse - 19 min drive
Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen - 21 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Is Family Home on Lake Sara pet-friendly?
Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 1 total) with a maximum weight of up to 9 kg per pet.
How much does it cost to stay at Family Home on Lake Sara?
As of 18 September 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Family Home on Lake Sara on 17 January 2027 start from NZ$1,349, 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 Family Home on Lake Sara?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at Family Home on Lake Sara?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Family Home on Lake Sara?
Checkout is at 11:00 AM.
Where is Family Home on Lake Sara located?
Situated on the waterfront, this holiday home is steps from Lake Sara and within 9 mi (15 km) of Cardinal Golf Course and Effingham Performance Center. Bliss Park and Ballard Nature Center are also within 9 miles (15 km).
Reviews
10
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
We had a wonderful stay! This was by far the best-stocked vacation rental we’ve ever stayed in. The home was exceptionally clean, spacious, and had everything we needed for a comfortable visit. There was plenty of room for everyone to spread out, making it perfect for families. We would absolutely stay here again and highly recommend.
This place was amazing! It was clean and comfortable! We used the deck a lot and the fire pit one evening! We sat in the evening and listened to the owls hoot back and forth and then got to see one fly across the water in the morning! It’s an easy trip to town! We totally would rent this again!
Beautiful and clean, we love this warm and inviting getaway for all. Plenty of room and don’t worry about bringing anything, I’m pretty sure you will find whatever you need , we can’t say enough about this wonderful home. We only got away for a couple of days to enjoy the bike trails with our besties but it was perfect except we had rain after our first day but we played games and just relaxed and enjoyed the scenery. Thank you to our host , everyone was perfect!
Both the home and its setting are beautiful! It’s isolated, quiet and nestled on an inlet of the lake. It has plenty of space, it’s clean and has nearly everything you could possibly need. Would highly recommend this VRBO.
Beautiful property with a well-equipped kitchen and lots of room for 5 adults. We were disappointed that we were unable to connect the television to wi-fi. Also the wi-fi in general was spotty and intermittent. The mattress in the upstairs small bedroom needs to be replaced as it was lumpy and uncomfortable. These were not major issues but should be dealt with by the host.
We loved this place! Perfect for our two families with children. Well stocked, lots of room and a beautiful private lakefront view. Will definitely stay again!
The Bunkhouse continues to be a family favorite for us. The many different spaces make a large group comfortable, and the kitchen is well equipped. We will be back again!
We absolutely love the Bunkhouse. It's well-appointed and maintained. It has plenty of space and much to offer adults and active kids. Thank you for the wonderful stay!
Beautiful place! Very homey. Wonderful location for a large group. Kitchen well stocked with everything thing you need to prepare meals.
Will definitely book again!
We had a wonderful stay at The Bunkhouse! Diana went above and beyond to supply items needed for our grandchildren. Great communication. House was extremely clean set in a park like setting.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 16 October 2025
Great, glad you enjoyed your stay!
Thank you!
About the host
Hosted by Diana Kirkpatrick
Premier Host
They consistently provide great experiences for their guests