Unique Private Island Home on Midwest Sport Lake with Pontoon Boat included!

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Entire home

Overview
Amenities
Policies
Location
Host

Exceptional

4 bedrooms3+ bathroomsSleeps 15

Popular amenities

Dryer
Washer
Barbecue grill
Fireplace
Parking available
Kitchen

Explore the area

Rome City, IN

Sylvan Lake
‪1 min walk‬
Witmer Lake
‪10 min drive‬
Gene Stratton-Porter State Historic Site
‪11 min drive‬
Sturgis, MI (IRS-Kirsch Municipal)
‪38 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

4 bedrooms (sleeps 15)

Bedroom 2

1 Double Sofa Bed and 1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 3

2 Queen Beds

Bedroom 4

2 Single Bunk Beds

Master

1 King Bed

3 bathrooms, 1 half bathroom

Bedroom 4 bathroom

Toilet · Shower only

Main floor bathroom

Toilet

Master bedroom

Toilet · Shower only

Second floor hall bathroom

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio

Porch or lanai

Kitchen

Outdoor play area

Garden

Dining area

About this property

Grape Island Getaway, locally known as Bishop Island, is a unique, private island with a beautiful stone home built in 1900. It is the perfect landing place for a family vacation. You and your guests will be the only ones on the 4.2 acre island! It truly is a PRIVATE ISLAND. It may only be accessed by boat. Due to the midwest winters, Grape Island Getaway is only available May through October each year.

Although the exterior maintains the 1900 charm, the interior is newly renovated and can comfortably sleep up to 15 people. Main floor has primary bedroom with ensuite, a gorgeous kitchen including: double ovens, an induction cooktop, and plenty of space to cook and hang out, a dining area, fireplace and living room with leather reclining couches. Upstairs you'll find three bedrooms, including a kids' bunk room with its own bathroom, and another bathroom. Internet is included as well.

Outside there are plenty of activities to keep everyone happily busy. The 669 acre lake has pristine water, and should you choose to rent the island, you will have full access to a pontoon boat for the duration of your stay (pontoon rental alone would be $200 a day!) With 2000 feet of shoreline, Grape Island Getaway has prime fishing - make sure to bring fishing poles to catch walleye, blue gill, crappie, and large mouth bass-perfect for a fish fry. Not into fishing? There is a great sandy shore for swimming or launching kayaks - three are included. You will not be disappointed with Grape Island Getaway!

Property manager

Kristi Gillespie

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen

Washer

Dryer

Free WiFi

Air conditioning

Outdoor space

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The Waldron Lake Retreat: Stress Less by the Lake! Imagine yourself enjoying this scene during your stay at our house! Complete peace, taking in nature at it's best.

Ocean view
Kitchen
Washer
Dryer

House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM

Minimum age to rent: 25

Check out before 10:00 AM

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17

Events

No events allowed

Pets

No pets allowed

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

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

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 indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property

Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit

About the area

Rome City

Located in Rome City, this holiday home is on a lake. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Chain O' Lakes State Park and Sylvan Lake, while Gene Stratton-Porter State Historic Site and Mid-America Windmill Museum are cultural highlights. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.

Rome City, IN

What's nearby

Sylvan Lake - 1 min walk - 0.0 km
Bishop Island - 1 min walk - 0.0 km
Witmer Lake - 10 min drive - 7.5 km
Gene Stratton-Porter State Historic Site - 11 min drive - 8.4 km
Dallas Lake - 15 min drive - 11.2 km

Getting around

Waterloo Station - 34 min drive
Goshen, IN (GSH-Goshen Municipal) - 35 min drive

Restaurants

‪McDonald's - ‬16 min drive
‪Twin Six Restaurant - ‬7 min drive
‪Coppertop Tavern - ‬15 min drive
‪Wings Etc - ‬15 min drive
‪Breakfast House - ‬17 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Unique Private Island Home on Midwest Sport Lake with Pontoon Boat included! pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Unique Private Island Home on Midwest Sport Lake with Pontoon Boat included!?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Unique Private Island Home on Midwest Sport Lake with Pontoon Boat included!?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Unique Private Island Home on Midwest Sport Lake with Pontoon Boat included! located?

This family-friendly Rome City holiday home is located on a lake, just steps away from Sylvan Lake and Bishop Island. Twin Island and The Way College of Biblical Research are also within 2 miles (3 km).

9.8

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.

Learn more

9.2/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

10/10 Excellent

Nick H.

15 July 2024

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

Unforgettable

We had an excellent time and made memories that will last a lifetime!

Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Roberta M.

8 July 2024

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

Relaxing

The overall stay was very relaxing with little to worry about. Privacy and quiet were every moment. The owner very responsive to our questions. The web description said extra refrigerator and hot tub. When asked about it was explained by owner. This did not disrupt the fun that we had and great experience at the house and lake.

Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024

8/10 Good

Paula W.

29 June 2024

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

Perfect private stay with use of Pontoon

Location is very private which was perfect for us. Cars are parked right across the lake on an easement & pontoon was waiting for us. Nicely stocked house. Everything you need in the kitchen, plenty of towels for the lake etc. First impressions: pontoon is so dirty & absolutely covered with cobwebs and spiders. House itself was cleaned but porch area could have used a broom to it. Couldn’t figure out how to work oven - it wouldn’t turn on. No instructions for it. Water leak from en-suite bathroom upstairs- coming into dining table area Very warm upstairs Need water shoes for beach area - lots of sharp rocks Dishwasher doesn’t clean dishes very well Dishes sitting in cabinet were dirty. Had to wash everything befor using. Very small hot water heater - everybody’s showers were cold It would have been nice if Beds were made

Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024

8/10 Good

Andre R.

4 Sept 2023

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

Bishop Island

House was great. The outside / exterior wasn’t quite as nice. Loved having a boat, but it was very dirty and full of cobwebs and debris. There was a swing on site, but it was old and rusted. Would’ve rather not had one. The dock pad used for jumping in the water had a screw sticking out of the steps. Overall the stay was great, but would have loved to see these little things fixed.

Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2023

8/10 Good

Cindy I.

13 Aug 2023

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

Family vacation

We enjoyed our stay so much. The home was perfect for our late family of 12. The kids had a blast as well as the adults. The only issues we could mention to improve on would be the outdoor furniture was not really useable and the beach area could use some seating. Nothing that impacted the overall experience. Four stars all the way, we would book again! This family recommends this property!

Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Krista W.

26 July 2023

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

Yearly Lake Trip

Property was nice and spacious. Everything we needed was available.

Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Bryce S.

11 Oct 2022

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

Island

This place was amazing! The inside of the house was way better than we thought it would be. The only way to make this place better would be to clear out more weeds along the shore line. Overall it was perfect!

Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Jenny S.

20 Sept 2022

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

Great Space

We had a wonderful time at Grape Island. The boat was easy to use and the island isn't too far from shore, so even though it took us multiple trips to unload it didn't take terribly long. The big yard, trail around the island, and screened in porch were amazing spaces for the kids in our group to play! It is worth noting that the staircase is rather steep and narrow up to the second floor. If anyone in the group has trouble with stairs they should plan to stay in the master on the first floor. We had to change our sleeping arrangements because my grandpa couldn't do the stairs safely. I would also recommend this trip to be an offline experience. Two members of our group had to jump on several work calls during the week and the wifi was not strong enough to support their connection. They ended up working from the public library in Kendalville. Overall, the space was a ton of fun and the old stone house is gorgeous!

Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Kim W.

14 Sept 2022

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

Fun long weekend to end the summer

A group of 8 adults and 7 kids under the age of 4 stayed here for our annual trip together. We loved swimming at the beach and hanging out on the screened porch. There is plenty of space to spread out in the house. The amenities are abundant, and having an extra fridge on the screened porch was a lifesaver with so many of us there. My only suggestion is a good spray down with a hose or at least wiping away cobwebs on the boat as it was covered with webs and spiders when we arrived, but we had a wonderful stay making memories with our families.

Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Brian B.

5 Sept 2022

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

Wonderful Getaway

This is a beautiful and historic property. It’s like stepping back in time, but with all the modern conveniences. The house itself is beautiful and spacious. Having the whole private island to yourself is amazing. The use of the pontoon to explore Sylvan Lake, go fishing or make a trip to the store was so nice. Highly recommend for a family getaway!

Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

John M.

26 Aug 2022

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

Wonderful

Pleasantly rustic, ample embellishments, sports equipment, lots of things to do, great environment with many nearby points of interest. great lake for cruising with lots of interesting coves and basins.

Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Arlynn H.

21 Aug 2022

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

Relaxing time on Sylvan Lake

Great property. Immaculate house, great upgrades.. Truly enjoyed our stay.

Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Lisa S.

8 Aug 2022

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

family get away

although we were only 30 minutes from home it was a great place to stay and relax.

Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2022

8/10 Good

Timothy S.

27 July 2022

Liked: Check-in, communication, location

Family vacation with grand kids.

Property manager and owners were very responsive. Unfortunately, there were some issues with the local help that were supposedly taking care of the yardwork, exterior cleaning, but the owners handled the situation as best they could. It made the first couple days of our trip more stressful than it should have been. The interior was functional, but additional furniture would be a big help for families that use it. (Dressers, shelves in the bathroom, more lamps) Additionally, the screened porch could be a huge asset, but the screening needs replacing, and a good cleaning is required. We chased many wasps, and 1 bird out of the porch. Lastly, it could be the area, but the internet was very spotty, at best. Using computers and/or watching TV was a challenge. This place has sooooo much potential, but needs some TLC for the price to rent it.

Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Lori W.

24 July 2022

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

Island Getaway for Family Vacation

We had a great time on the island making memories with our grown kids and grandkids. The littles enjoyed swimming, fishing, and playing in the sand. My sons-in-law even set up a "treasure hunt" for the kids to find a treasure chest with fake jewels buried in the sand. They loved it. It was a great place to relax and fun to explore the lake.

Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Annette H.

8 July 2022

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

Awesome

Great time

Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

John A.

26 June 2022

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

Great Island Trip

Our family had a great time on Grape Island. The accommodations were great and having access to a boat for the week was wonderful. Being on an island is not as challenging as you imagine because the trip to the mainland is 2-3 minutes. We would recommend this location to everyone!

Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2022

8/10 Good

Nancy T.

4 June 2022

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

Fun weekend on our own island

It was a great location to meet friends halfway. As shared in other reviews, updated outdoor furniture and a seating area or furniture near the docks/beach would be nice to sit. We enjoyed exploring the area.

Stayed 3 nights in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

Kathy K., Indianapolis, USA

6 Oct 2021

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

One of our coolest trips ever!

This is an amazing spot - we had three couples and a couple younger children and we thoroughly enjoyed the island. It was so fun to explore the lake on the pontoon, which you can take to the market or ice cream shop (when it's open, we were late in the season). The nice big yard is great for playing ball and we spent every dry evening by the fire pit - a wonderfully relaxing spot at night. Beautiful kitchen, plenty of spices and pans and things I don't expect to find at a VRBO. Quick responses from owner when little questions came up - we hope to be back again!

Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2021

10/10 Excellent

Lynn B.

26 Sept 2021

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

Family vacation

Cleaning crew did top-notch job everything was clean everything. Would be nice to clear at least 3 trees south side of house to have a nicer view to lake from patio.

Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2021

10/10 Excellent

Harry D.

23 Sept 2021

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

Great stay!

We had our family get together here and it was just as advertised. Kristi was great with her responses and getting back to us in a timely fashion. Everything was consistent with going to the lake in early September and the screened in porch and boat gave us lots of room to do everything we wanted!

Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2021

8/10 Good

Debbie K.

15 Sept 2021

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

Unique and lovely property

This really was a delightful property and our group of long time friends had a wonderful time. We especially enjoyed the LARGE screened in porch and the fire pit. The owner was very (like immediately) responsive. Bees were an issue as people have noted. The pontoon boat was functional and we enjoyed our scenic boat rides but it needs some cleaning, etc. The same can be said for the front porch furniture. It was a little nasty. That said, we enjoyed our time and would highly recommend this place for a relaxing group getaway.

Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2021

10/10 Excellent

Jim B.

24 Aug 2021

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

Great time

Great historical site. Island was unique and private setting

Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Dave G.

15 Aug 2021

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

Relaxing getaway!

If you're looking to get away from it all, this is the place! We practically had the lake to ourselves, very quiet and Kristi was incredibly responsive and accomodating. Would love to come back in the fall!!

Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Leigh Ann E.

10 Aug 2021

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

Great place to stay!

We had a wonderful time on Sylvan Lake. The house was perfect for our family of adults and toddlers, much more roomy than I thought it would be. Kids liked the "beach" and eating lunch on the boat! The lake was very quiet during the week- which we loved, gave us time to kayak, fish, and sit by the fire. I will say only one adult got poision ivy (she is highly allergic) all the kids stayed on the paths and were able to avoid that. We did have an issue with bees getting into the house- but I am sure that can be remedied easy enough. There was enough sleeping room for everyone- the house was pitch black a night- great for sleeping. Kristy and crew could not have been more responsive to my question pre trip and while we were on the island. We had a great trip and made lots of memories.

Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021

About the host

Hosted by Kristi Gillespie

Languages:

English

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Unique Private Island Home on Midwest Sport Lake with Pontoon Boat included!

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Reviews

Popular amenities

Explore the area

Rooms & beds

4 bedrooms (sleeps 15)

Bedroom 2

Bedroom 3

Bedroom 4

Master

3 bathrooms, 1 half bathroom

Bedroom 4 bathroom

Main floor bathroom

Master bedroom

Second floor hall bathroom

Spaces

About this property