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Cozy Retreat on Gypsy Cove!

Photo gallery for Cozy Retreat on Gypsy Cove!

Property grounds
Exterior
Exterior
Exterior
view out front at night

Reviews

8.8 out of 10
Excellent
4 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 8120.8 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Onsite parking available
  • Pet-friendly
  • Kitchen
  • Air-conditioning
  • Outdoor barbecue
  • Deck or patio

Explore the area

View map
Effingham, IL
  • Place, Lake Sara
    ‪2 min walk‬
  • Place, Effingham Performance Center
    ‪18 min drive‬
  • Place, Lake Shelbyville
    ‪53 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

4 bedrooms (sleeps 8)

Bedroom 1

2 Single Beds

Bedroom 2

2 Queen Beds

Bedroom 3

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 4

1 Queen Bed

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 2

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen

About this property

Cozy Retreat on Gypsy Cove!

If you are looking for a place to unwind from daily life, this is the place!!!! Sit back & relax anytime of year with our covered screened in patio. Enjoy nature at it's finest.

Cozy Cabin nestled among the trees at Lake Sara. Home has an open concept living space with beautiful views of the lake. Private area you won't have to worry about unwanted noise.
Lovely outside space great for relaxing and enjoying nature! Bring your boat with during your stay. There is plenty of space to swim from the dock and participate in all the water sports you desire.
4 bedrooms and 2 full baths make this getaway a truly relaxing and spacious retreat. One of the bedrooms is located in an open space with air conditioning above the garage. Great for couples or the entire gaggle of children leaving the adults to enjoy their time in the house. The other remaining bedrooms are inside.
The home is located in a private cove that is away from the worries of wake from boaters passing by.

Outside there is large deck off the house that is great for entertaining or eating a meal. We have a charcoal grill on the deck for your use to grill out. There is a fire pit outside for your use. We do not usually stock firewood so I would recommend getting some beforehand for your use. If there is wood provided, feel free to use some of it. A short path leads down to the boat dock from the large deck, there you will find Adirondack chairs for relaxation & floats for use in the water. The door on the left side of the boat house has floats & noodles for use. Please be respectful of the neighbors and keep noise to a minimum later in the evenings. Failure to do so will result in funds taken from deposit.

If anything is damaged during your stay PLEASE let us know so we can replace what has been broken.

We want to invite anyone who wants to enjoy Lake Sara to its fullest to come relax! We strive to make your experience the best it can be. We hope to see you soon!

A couple notes:
-Please respect our home as you would your own.
-be respectful of the neighbors. They are within close proximity to the vacation rental and we would hate to disturb them.
-this is a cabin type feel of a home. It’s not updated or brand new. It isn’t perfect. Price all reflects this. We have the same rate year round. If you’re not looking for the cabin feel, please don’t book as it will not meet expectations! This is a safe clean place to rest heads and relax with those you love all in one place!
We own the home next door as well so if you are in need of a place for several guests, look no further! That is located on VRBO has well under "Lake Sara Dream"

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
Great space for children!
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

Pets allowed: limit 1 total
There is carpet, please keep that in mind!
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
PLEASE make sure if you use the bedroom above the garage that the door stays CLOSED! It lets bugs in if you don't close it!

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
Long-term renters welcome
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

About the area

Effingham

Located in Effingham, this cabin is on a lake. Effingham Performance Center and Mid America Motorworks, My Garage Museum are cultural highlights, and some of the area's attractions include Bliss Park and Effingham County Fairgrounds. Looking to get your feet wet? Kayaking, waterskiing and water tubing adventures can be found near the property.
View more Cabin rentals in EffinghamOpens in a new window
Map
Effingham, IL

What's nearby

  • Lake Sara - 2 min walk - 0.2 km
  • Cardinal Golf Course - 17 min drive - 12.0 km
  • Effingham Performance Center - 18 min drive - 13.7 km
  • Effingham County Courthouse - 19 min drive - 13.3 km
  • Lake Shelbyville - 53 min drive - 60.1 km

Getting around

  • Effingham Station - 18 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Casey's General Store - ‬18 min drive
  • ‪McDonald's - ‬19 min drive
  • ‪Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen - ‬18 min drive
  • ‪Dairy Queen - ‬19 min drive
  • ‪Starbucks - ‬18 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Cozy Retreat on Gypsy Cove! pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows pets (limit 1 total).

How much does it cost to stay at Cozy Retreat on Gypsy Cove!?

As of 3 May 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Cozy Retreat on Gypsy Cove! on 8 July 2026 start from NZ$500, 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 Cozy Retreat on Gypsy Cove!?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Cozy Retreat on Gypsy Cove!?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Cozy Retreat on Gypsy Cove!?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Cozy Retreat on Gypsy Cove! located?

Situated on a lake, this cabin is 0.2 mi (0.3 km) from Lake Sara and within 9 miles (15 km) of Cardinal Golf Course and Effingham Performance Center. Bliss Park and Ballard Nature Center are also within 9 miles (15 km).

Reviews

8.8

Excellent

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. 21 out of 37 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 10 out of 37 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 4 out of 37 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 37 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 37 reviews

8.4/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Amenities

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

9.8/10

Check-in

9.6/10

Communication

9.6/10

Location

9.4/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified

8/10 Good

Kathleen G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Our family had a great time.we could have used more toilet paper
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

steve c.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Nice house
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

John D.

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

Great Weekend

Great place and had a wonderful weekend would stay again!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Natalie D.

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

Good for a group

It was perfect for a group. There was plenty of room for everyone to sleep comfortably, and we loved having two large living areas plus the screened-in deck to spread out and relax. The location was peaceful and quiet, with a beautiful view. Highly recommend for anyone looking for a relaxing getaway with plenty of space in a serene setting.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025
Verified

8/10 Good

Jill G.

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

Beautiful lake!

House wasn’t fancy but met our needs. Owners were very friendly and responsive!
Stayed 2 nights in May 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Elizabeth M.

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

Family Get Away

This was a perfect spot to stay with our family. The house was spacious and met all of our needs! It was great for the kids to be able to go fishing on the dock! We can’t wait to come back some day!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Phillip A.

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

Enjoyable

Our stay was great. Only recommendation would be larger pans to cook in.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023
Verified

8/10 Good

Lola P.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great little getaway

Very nice secluded spot on the lake. Wish it had a gas grill, and was a little more clean, but it was a perfect get away. Loved the neighborhood.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Peter J.

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

Great place!

We stayed here for a big family trip (including small child), and had a great time! We loved Lake Sara and the convenience of having a dock right off the back deck when we rented boats for the day, and the house itself had everything we could’ve wanted both inside and outside. Thank you for letting us enjoy the home!
Stayed 9 nights in Jul 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

tami A.

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

Family vaca

We had a great week there. Only issues/complaints is pathway/dock are in need of some repair (can't use ladder). We would stay here again!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024
Verified

8/10 Good

Ray R.

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

Beautiful serene setting.

Everyone slept great! Plenty of room to spread out. And the setting was beautiful. The reason for the four, is the deck was a bit wobbly, and there were some rotten boards on part of the dock.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024
Verified

8/10 Good

ralph p.

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

Family week Vacay

Very enjoyable home Had everything we needed in the house Sleeping beds were fine Plenty of room to spread out in the many rooms of the home Screened in patio a plus Caught a bunch of fish Enjoyed laying on the sundeck and using the boat dock for launching our paddle board and boat we rented Will most likely return again Owners very responsive
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2023
Verified

8/10 Good

Shelly B.

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

Relaxing

Weather was perfect. Relaxing sitting out on the deck. Fishing. Canoe ride.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023
Verified

6/10 Okay

Janice R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Check in was great, we did arrive in Effingham earlier than expected. We texted to see if we could enter the house earlier. We were texted back and the house was ready an hour earlier for us, which was wonderful. Kitchen was accommodating with good counter space & room. Fridge could have used a bit better cleaning. There were lots of crumbs of food in the door food/drink holders & on the shelves.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2025
Verified

8/10 Good

Angie H.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Pretty place

The place in general was nice. We had an incident with our dog where he got into mouse poison that was left in plain sight by the pest control company. Needless to say we had to make an emergency visit to the vet.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Sheila F.

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

Helpful and responsive owners

We needed the room over the garage. The weather was hot and humid, and the A/C could not keep up. The owner was very responsive to our needs and worked with us to find a good solution.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2023
Verified

6/10 Okay

Tom B.

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

Needs Updating

The house needs updating in several areas. Access to the Fire Pit is dangerous. No good way to put Canoe or Kayak in the water. The Smart TV had access to some streaming options, but no access to standard TV channels.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024
Verified

6/10 Okay

Karen J.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location
Disliked: Cleanliness

Ok for a weekend

Let’s start with the good, beautiful view of Lake Sara! My kids and husband enjoyed fishing off the dock. Very nice outdoor area, although the deck has a lot of rotted wood so we didn’t feel comfortable all sitting on the deck. The house is very dated which would be fine if it had been cleaned. I’m not sure when someone was here last but the shower curtain in the bathroom is full of mold. There were cigarette butts still sitting in the ash of the grill. A lot of dust everywhere. There was not enough washcloths for everyone in the family to take 1 let alone 2 showers. I did contact the owner and he says not everyone uses washrags so they don’t leave more than 4 per bathroom. I found that strange and slightly gross. Again, fine for a night or 2. I would not stay an extended time here. The house needs a lot of work.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025
Verified

6/10 Okay

Karla J.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Disliked: Cleanliness

Perfect Location, Good Price, Lovely Outdoor Areas, Easygoing Hosts, Could Have Been Cleaner

We booked this home for a girlfriend weekend retreat. It was perfectly located for us (coming from 4 different states). The outdoor areas are lovely and we were sad that the weather was such we didn't get to use them. The furnishings are dated (described accurately in listing), which would have been fine had the inside areas been cleaned better. The bathroom and kitchen were clean enough (though the cleaning process left an unpleasantly strong disinfectant smell behind, which lingered for a long time, bit of a musty smell later), but there was a fairly thick layer of dust on surfaces throughout the rest of the house and the floors were cleaned only in the centers of the rooms if at all. There were mouse droppings, dead insects, and accumulated dust/dirt in the corners and under the furniture. That all said, we are all 60-something yo women who keep our own homes so we are relatively tough critics. Also, we were mostly housebound for the weekend, so the condition of the indoor areas mattered a lot to us.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2022
Verified

2/10 Terrible

Darrell D.

Liked: Location
Disliked: Cleanliness, check-in, listing accuracy
Both main houses were unlocked and door on was partially open / kitchen was very dirty so when we got in my wife and I cleaned microwave / counter tops / stove top / two people 2 hrs / north bathroom sink handle turns round and round / north shower has no safety hand rails / south bathroom has no safety hand rails / middle bedroom has mouse droppings in the closet / furnace room has a lot of mouse droppings / back side of garage has squirrel nest in the soffit / no soap / my mother is 96 years young/ I am 76 and my wife is 75 / needless to say we were highly disappointed with this VRBO Definitely was not worth 300.00 per night
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Emmy

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
Hernosa cabaña para pasar el fin de semana, definitivamente volveremos en verano
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Deidre M.

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

Excellent location

This was my second trip to Lake Sara, but the first to this particular property. Cabin as described, very spacious and had everything needed for my extended stay.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Richard B.

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

our stay

It is a beautiful home and was a warm weekend to explore the wooded surroundings. We had hoped to fish, but the lake was down a bit. Enjoyed morning coffee on the deck and back porch listening to birds. Only there 3 nights so did not need to talk to property manager.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2022
Verified

8/10 Good

Eoin C.

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

Quiet fall getaway

Really enjoyed our two nights here. Plenty of space with a lovely view out onto the lake. Be sure to bring everything you need (shampoo, firewood, oil for cooking, etc.) as there was none provided.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Margaret J.

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

Switcheroo

We moved to a different property the owner had. It was just on the next street and was beautiful. We were very comfortable and enjoyed the property very much.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2022

About the host

Hosted by The Cox Family

Host profile image
We are a family of 5 from right outside of Champaign, IL. Todd grew up coming to Lake Sara on the weekends in the Spring & Summers with his family. His family throughout the years owned two properties on the lake. One of which has now been bull dozed down to make room for a much larger lake home on a great tip point! Amber is originally from Wisconsin (Go Pack Go) but was never able to enjoy a lake as beautiful as Lake Sara.

We really enjoy continuing the tradition with our children and having our families continue to enjoy the lake as well. Our children absolutely love the lake and love bringing their friends and cousins to enjoy it with them. It gives us a chance to all be together without the use of modern day electronics! We almost didn't even get a TV at either of the homes.

Why they chose this property

We own the property right next door and we have really been wanting to have the opportunity to own the lot next door and the house that came with it. When this home and lot came on the market we jumped at the opportunity! We thought it would be great for us, our family, and the guests that maybe want more space other than just one home!

What makes this property unique

Fishing is fantastic and this property makes you feel like you are in Northern Wisconsin!
A beautiful cabin gem that we are excited to share with you!
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