Entire home

Beautiful Home on Lake Washington - Pontoon Included with Rental!

Lakefront holiday home with kitchen and balcony

Photo gallery for Beautiful Home on Lake Washington - Pontoon Included with Rental!

Exterior
Steps from the house and bunkhouse to the lake.
Beautiful Lake Washington
Two gas grills: One is a regular style grill, one is a griddle-style grill
Screened on porch on house

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 18185.8 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Kitchen
  • Pet-friendly
  • Fireplace
  • Parking available

Explore the area

View map
Darwin, MN
  • Place, Washington Lake
    ‪1 min walk‬
  • Place, Minnesota Twine Ball
    ‪4 min drive‬
  • Place, Jewitt Lake
    ‪14 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 18)

Bedroom 1

2 Queen Beds

Bedroom 2

2 Queen Beds

Bedroom 3

1 Queen Bed

Bunkhouse

1 Queen Bed and 1 Double Bed

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Toilet · Shower only · Jetted bathtub

Bathroom 2

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Separate dining area
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Beautiful Home on Lake Washington - Pontoon Included with Rental!

Note:
We carefully follow and use The Environmental Cleaning & Disinfecting Recommendations from the CDC (Center of Disease Control & Prevention).


The Swisher Retreat is an amazing ALL season rental that sits right on beautiful Lake Washington. It is great for family gatherings, reunions, fishing weekends (both summer fishing and ice fishing!) girls weekends, bachelor parties, etc. Private, roomy, gorgeous location.

The main property has 3 bedrooms (master bedroom has TV & DVD player), 2 baths (master bath has jetted tub and shower), kitchen, living room (with TV & DVD player) and a huge, beautiful deck (with a gas grill, charcoal grill and flat grill) facing the lake. The bunkhouse (included in your rental) has two queen size beds, a TV/DVD player, microwave, heat and air conditioning, as well as a screened in porch. A separate game room has a pool table, ping pong table, bean bags/cornhole and board games. In the yard is a large trampoline.

The Swisher Retreat includes unlimited use of a pontoon (seats 13) with one tank of gas included. The property is on Lake Washington, but Lake Stella can be easily accessed via the channel. Both lakes are excellent for summer fishing and ice fishing!

Also included are 2 kayaks, a paddle boat, assorted water toys, lily pad and floating air mattresses. Families with young children love the shallow shoreline (with sandy bottom) for swimming, water toys included. There is a large fire pit overlooking the lake and firewood is included. A huge, screened in deck on the home (with plenty of comfortable seating) overlooks the lake.

For larger groups there is a lovely camper on the property. It sleeps 6 and has a kitchen, as well as heat and air conditioning. It is available in the spring, summer and fall months for an additional fee of $150.00.

This is a spacious property that has room for tents in the yard, yard games, plenty of shady areas, room for kids to play, and plenty of parking.


Wi-Fi, washer, dryer, dishwasher, microwave, central air conditioning, coffee maker, jetted tub and shower in the master bathroom, water softener, towels, and a fireplace give this vacation property many of the comforts of your own home. We include many extras: soap, dishwasher detergent, laundry detergent, paper plates, paper towels, garbage bags, disposable aluminum pans, paper cups, coffee, flour, sugar, ketchup, mustard, salt/pepper and other seasonings.

We also have a gas grill, charcoal grill (bring your own charcoal), an outdoor turkey fryer/sweet corn boiler, and a outdoor flat grill for making pancakes, eggs, etc.

We offer a 10% discount to active and retired military personnel & active and retired law enforcement/firefighters/EMS. Please let us know after you book, so we can include the discount. Also, note: the base rate includes up to 8 guests. Additional guests are charged a fee of $30.00 per day, per guest.

While you are here, be sure to visit the World's Largest Ball of Twine, located just a mile from the property!

Come to the lake and make some wonderful memories!

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi
Air conditioning

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
We have child safety gates
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Events

Events allowed: family gatherings, birthday parties, weddings
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Pets

Pets allowed: dogs (limit 3 total)
Pet fee $50 per dog per stay
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Smoking is allowed outside only.

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
Parties and events (including family gatherings, birthday parties and weddings) are allowed on site. Maximum attendees: 25
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, a first aid kit and a deadlock

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Darwin

Located in Darwin, this holiday home is in a rural area and on the waterfront. Depot Museum and Dassel History Center & Ergot Museum are cultural highlights, and some of the area's activities can be experienced at Litchfield Golf Club and Meadow Links Golf Course. Discover the area's water adventures with jet skiing and kayaking nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with cycling and mountain biking.
Map
Darwin, MN

What's nearby

  • Washington Lake - 1 min walk - 0.0 km
  • Minnesota Twine Ball - 4 min drive - 2.9 km
  • Darwin City and Township Hall - 4 min drive - 3.2 km
  • Jewitt Lake - 14 min drive - 9.2 km
  • Central Park - 15 min drive - 15.0 km

Restaurants

  • ‪McDonald's - ‬11 min drive
  • ‪Thirsty's Tavern - ‬11 min drive
  • ‪Swan's Cafe - ‬11 min drive
  • ‪Subway - ‬11 min drive
  • ‪Eagles - ‬11 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Beautiful Home on Lake Washington - Pontoon Included with Rental! pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 3 total).

How much is parking at Beautiful Home on Lake Washington - Pontoon Included with Rental!?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Beautiful Home on Lake Washington - Pontoon Included with Rental!?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Beautiful Home on Lake Washington - Pontoon Included with Rental!?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Beautiful Home on Lake Washington - Pontoon Included with Rental! located?

This family-friendly Darwin holiday home is located on the waterfront, within 2 mi (3 km) of Washington Lake, Minnesota Twine Ball and Darwin City and Township Hall. Jewitt Lake and Belle Lake are also within 6 miles (10 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy
Rating 10 - Excellent. 119 out of 126 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 7 out of 126 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 126 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 126 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 126 reviews

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Ralph S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This was our second year staying there and everything was exceptional.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Brittany B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Jill is the goal star standard of hosts! She was friendly and went above and beyond. We will be back!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kayla M.

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

Guys/Girls Bachelor Party Weekend!!

Jill was a great host and the cabin was perfect for a group of 6 couples! Plenty of space to sleep, hangout, and have fun! Would love to make this a tradition!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Marissa B.

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

Great for a bachelorette party!

This house was perfect for a large bachelorette weekend! The house was super clean and Jill was a fantastic host. I would come stay here again for another cabin weekend in the future.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Alexander B.

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

Fun

The place offered just about anything you could need. It was very clean. Communication was fast and thorough. We would go again.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Dominic J., Woodbury, USA

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

Great Lake Getaway

We had a good time during our stay. Jill was a great host that went out of her way to help us with our car issue and making our stay all the better. The pontoon was great cruising the lake and fishing. The view from the deck is spectacular. Very relaxing!
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Ross P.

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

Reunion

Great quiet place. Both the boats are enjoyable. Plenty of options to do. Pool table is awesome.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Sarah H.

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

Girls Weekend

We had a great weekend, the cabin was nice and there were lots of activities a we enjoyed the pontoon, paddle boat and fire pit the most. Jill was an attentive host and make sure we were taken care of!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2020

10/10 Excellent

ken p.

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

Fun all week

The hosts were great nice people, very friendly. The house was well stocked. We didn't need to bring half the supplies that we brought. The property and boats we're well maintained. We will definitely book another stay.
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Juanita S.

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

Vacation after Retirement and Family Reunion

The residence was extremely clean, spacious and felt like a home to enjoy comfort and relaxation. Kitchen was well stocked with pots, pans, dishes, silverware, etc. Enclosed porch was a bonus for being outside, but not outside. The pontoons were available for our use and a really nice amenity, though we chose not to use them due to high winds and choppy waters. Same with the firepit and sitting area around the firepit. We elected to opt for safety and not use the firepit, though it was encouraged and offered by Jill and Jon. There would have been more than enough firewood had we chosen to use the firepit. The game room was a really nice addition for anyone wanting to play ping-pong or shoot pool. A very nice addition.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Roger N.

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

Great place to stay

House is a great place to enjoy Minnesota lake living. Everything we needed was there and if we had needed something Jill would have probably gotten it for us. Jill and Jim were great from the time we got there until we left. Treated us as if we had known them for years. Looking forward to the changes they have planned. Have to agree with all of the five star reviews that have been written. It is a five star place to stay
Stayed 12 nights in Jul 2019

10/10 Excellent

Brenda N.

The property and the house are amazing, as were the owners Jill and Jim.

This was our first time vacationing with all of our children, grandchildren and great-grandson. There were 18 of us and we had enough room for all. We spent our days on the lake, on the pontoon, fishing boat, paddle boats, kayaks and water tubes. We loved eating our meals together and spending all our day together. At night sitting by the fire or our fishing. We caught enough Bass to have a big fish fry our last night there. Jill and Jim are wonderful! Anything we needed or questions we had were answered in minutes. Jill brought us fresh donuts for breakfast one morning. What a treat! We had so much fun we are booking it again for next year!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2018

10/10 Excellent

Tori T.

Hostess with the Mostess!

Our extended family had an AMAZING vacation at this beautiful lakeside home. We wanted for NOTHING as everything imaginable was provided: pans, linens, spices, tableware and even board games. Even thought the weather was not always sunny, the house lent itself to a very comfortable and fun-filled stay. Jill took incredible care of us all!! She not only was readily available if we had any questions, she often brought gifts: sweet corn, donuts and even special t-shirts for grandma and grandpa...to say the least, she made us all feel very special, welcomed and pampered! I would recommend this home for a family get-together, friends weekend or even a Girls' Getaway! The lake was amazing, the use of the boats gave everyone their freedom, the fire pit was comfy and views were perfect! Jill, thank you for your generous hospitality! And as a warning....we will be back! :)
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2018

10/10 Excellent

Gaylen H.

1st Family Reunion

My family of five siblings and our mother haven't done a vacation together since dad passed three years ago. The group of 19 ranged from <1 to over 70 years old, in-laws and nephews/nieces, pushed the house to the limits, but overall everyone came away with a sense of enjoyment and togetherness. Jill and her husband were very nice, accommodating and exhibited great hospitality. She keeps the house well stocked, clean and nice, although its showing the minor wear and tear of a vacation home. Whatever you forgot is likely in a closet/drawer or it's a short drive to the Wal Mart west of Darwin. The shallow water off the dock was great for the younger kids to splash around and be safe. The various watercraft allowed people to explore the lake at their own pace. The use of the bunkhouse and camper were a must for our group but an extra bathroom would've been nice. I highly recommend this rental for groups of 15 or less.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2018

10/10 Excellent

kelly r.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Just as listed with a ton of extras. Jill and Jim were excellent hosts answering all our questions and responsive to our needs. Both boats were great, the house was clean and comfortable, and lots of room to spread out and relax. We took one day to hit the Mall of America 1 1/2 hour drive each way, but other than that, spent the rest of the week at the house and boating. Caught a handful of bass but nothing crazy. Still fun to try! We had all ages in our group and everyone kept busy and enjoyed the stay.
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Amy L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great location. The host was very responsive and helpful.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Miranda S.

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

Another year in the books at Swisher!

We absolutely LOVE our stays at Swisher every summer! We had such a blast, everything was excellent. Thanks again, and see you next year!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

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

Family vacation

We had a great time fishing, tubing, bigger kiddos liked their own space in the bunkhouse and playroom. They also enjoyed golfing at the local golf course. It was nice to have 2 boats so everyone could do their own thing.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Holly W.

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

Amazing!

Jill was amazing..she made sure we had everything we needed and made us feel right at home! The cabin had everything you could possibly need..there were 16 of us and we had plenty of space. Campfire.. pontoon..game room.. we had the BEST time! Thank you Jill! See you next summer!!!!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Zach M.

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

Fantastic stay

This is a great lake house. Jill is a fantastic host and does anything in her power to make sure your stay is great.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kim W.

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

Fabulous host and property

Jill was the most amazing host making us feel like family from the moment we arrived. The house was great--and even better having the additional out buildings to spread out. We were thrilled to have the use of the pontoons. We have already booked for next year and cannot wait for our next adventure and contact with Jill!
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Cherri L.

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

Amazing time

Jill was the best! We had a great time! Would definitely go back.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Matt P.

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

Great family getaway.

We decided to take a long weekend and Jill‘s place was the perfect getaway. Plenty of space, great location from the Twin Cities, lots of things to do for adults and kids and the pontoon was awesome. We come here every year and we’ve already planned our 2025 trip. We can’t say enough great things about it.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Tammy W.

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

Great time

We all had a very wonderful stay, I would come back
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

kathy g.

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

Swisher Cabin the best!!

We have stayed many places and Swisher Cabin by FAR the best bang for your buck!! TWO pontoons that come with the rental (NEVER happens anywhere) Very roomy great stocked kitchen even your paper products. Wouldn't change anything. Have booked already for next year. Great pizza at Troubles about a mile away! Jill is simply the best!!
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2024

About the host

Hosted by Jill Swisher

Host profile image
I was born and raised in the area and am excited to share all that the Lake Washington area has to offer with you! I am the former owner of one of the most popular local restaurants and am now sharing my enthusiasm and hospitality with each person that rents my property. My family and I live just a hop, skip and a jump away on the family farm. Give me a jingle and I will share with you anything you want to know before renting.

Why they chose this property

The property has been in the family for 3 generations. In fact, my mother started the area summer festival, Twine Ball Days, which the town celebrates every year in August.

What makes this property unique

This lake home is tucked in the woods away from traffic on a beautiful lake. There is a large lawn which is perfect for picnics, yard games and room for kids to run and play. The main feature is the lake. The views are awesome and the beach, pontoon, kayaks and 3 paddle boats (including a seated paddle board that seats 4) give you everything you need to enjoy your stay with us. The fire pit is an evening favorite and firewood is provided. We want you to have a wonderful time so please let us know if you have any questions about the property. If you are staying with us please let us know if you need anything while you are here.
Sincerely, Jill

Languages:

English

Premier Host

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