See all properties
Entire home

Secluded 'Green' Award-Winning Contemporary Lakefront Home

Lakefront holiday home with kitchen and balcony

Photo gallery for Secluded 'Green' Award-Winning Contemporary Lakefront Home

Serene Outdoor Deck
Deck ready for Happy Hour
Outdoor dining
Nano Doors open to view on three sides of the living space!
Living area

Reviews

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional
1 bedroom1 bathroomSleeps 467.4 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Dryer
  • Pet-friendly
  • Washer
  • Parking available
  • Barbecue grill
  • Outdoor space

Explore the area

View map
Grass Valley, CA

Rooms & beds

1 bedroom (sleeps 4)

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Balcony
Dining area

About this property

Secluded 'Green' Award-Winning Contemporary Lakefront Home

This is not a vacation home that we built as much as it is an experience that we created. Please read our guest reviews!

As seen in Sunset and Dwell Magazines, the Lotus Lake House is a completely 'green' exclusive home designed by the award-winning architect Michelle Kaufmann. Its sleek & modern with accordian-style glass walls that completely open to the deck and views of the lake. Lots of windows and cool welcoming tones. We are completely off-grid and have been awarded 'Build it Green' and 'Keep the Sierra Green' certification.

We're situated on 7 acres of private forested property. We cleared just enough trees to have fabulous views of Rollins Lake or instead of just gazing, hike the private trail from the deck to the lake and hop in the canoe we provide guests. With the glass 'Nano' walls open to the outdoors - indoor and outdoor living is blended. No neighbors or other structures in sight! Just the Sierra Mountains, trees, deep blue water, deer, owls, raptors and the ocassional honking geese.

Whether you are on the deck sipping coffee and watching the beautiful sunrise over the mountains, reading, sipping a drink at sunset or star gazing at night, the experience is magical.

Our home is ideally suited for a romantic get-away, or for a couple of good friends or close family members who just need a retreat from the stresses of daily life. Sit on the deck and enjoy the water activity during the summer, swim in the lake or come off season when it's absolutely still. Ideal for writer/artist retreat. Only earth-friendly products are used so it's perfect for people with chemical sensitivities.


For those who want to support the environment while staying in an exclusive and unique property, you can't ask for more. You'll feel like you are in a treehouse. As one of our guests said, 'if you need to relearn how to breathe, this place will teach you'!
Come experience off-the-grid living in luxury!

The Lotus Lake House was the showcase home at the 2007 West Coast Green Show in San Francisco.

Please read our guest comments as they describe the experience better than we ever could!!


Keywords: ecofriendly,contemporary,unique,lakefront,romantic,pet-friendly,luxury,secluded,private, boating,close to downtown Grass Valley & Nevada City, green, eco, dog friendly (25$ per dog )lake, forest, cabin, unique,

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Air conditioning
Outdoor space

Have a question?

AI iconBeta

Get instant answers with AI powered search of property information and reviews.

Similar properties

Property grounds
Creekside Hideaway
  • Kitchen
  • Pet-friendly
  • Air conditioning
  • Outdoor space
9.6 out of 10, (94 reviews)
Creekside Hideaway

House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 11:00 AM
default

Children

Adults only
default

Events

No events allowed
default

Pets

Pets allowed
default

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

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

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Grass Valley

Located in Grass Valley, this holiday home is in the mountains and on a lake. Colfax Area Heritage Museum and Center For The Arts are cultural highlights, and some of the area's landmarks include Bourn House and Bourn Cottage. Grass Valley-Nevada County Chamber of Commerce and Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum are also worth visiting. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
View more Holiday homes in Grass ValleyOpens in a new window
Map
Grass Valley, CA

Getting around

  • Colfax Station - 12 min drive
  • Sacramento, CA (SMF-Sacramento Intl.) - 68 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪McDonald's - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪Trailblazer Craft Pizza & Brews - ‬23 min drive
  • ‪Red Frog - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Starbucks - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪Colfax Bistro - ‬8 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Secluded 'Green' Award-Winning Contemporary Lakefront Home pet-friendly?

Yes, pets are allowed at this property. Some restrictions may apply, so please contact the property for more details.

What time is check-in at Secluded 'Green' Award-Winning Contemporary Lakefront Home?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Secluded 'Green' Award-Winning Contemporary Lakefront Home?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Secluded 'Green' Award-Winning Contemporary Lakefront Home located?

Situated on a lake, this holiday home is 0.5 mi (0.7 km) from Rollins Lake and 1.9 mi (3 km) from Montoliva Vineyard & Winery. Sierra Vista Community Center and Colfax Area Heritage Museum are also within 6 miles (10 km).

Reviews

9.6

Exceptional

9.4/10

Cleanliness

8.0/10

Amenities

7.0/10

Property conditions & facilities

10/10

Eco-friendliness

9.8/10

Check-in

9.8/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

9.6/10

Listing accuracy
Rating 10 - Excellent. 128 out of 156 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 20 out of 156 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 5 out of 156 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 156 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 3 out of 156 reviews

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

george d.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We had a great time, weather was perfect, property was clean and had all of the essential items needed for a quick 2 day trip.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Rachel F.

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

Peaceful getaway

We loved our stay! So secluded, quiet and relaxing, but close to Grass Valley, Nevada City and all kinds of outdoor fun.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

forrest d.

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

Three day get away

Relaxing very beautiful place
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Steve G.

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

Wonderful private house in the trees

There is nothing to not like about the Lotus house. It’s in a gorgeous location seemingly perched in the trees. It is quite stylish without being in your face about it. It is very clean and the Tod is very responsive to questions. Rent it. You won’t be sorry.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024

6/10 Okay

Donald

If you’re looking for peace and quiet this is for you. This green prefab is very secluded. It is starting to show its age though. Music system is set up for docking an old style iPod. Deck is at the point it will need to replaced soon. Unfortunately, currently the lake is about 20 feet low making access from the home difficult at best.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

An off the grid getaway

We truly enjoyed our time at Lotus Lake house. We chose this listing because of the lovely photos depicting the deck looking out over the lake and it did not disappoint. We ate breakfast and lunch on the deck each day, and my husband especially enjoyed having his morning coffee out on the deck. We also took our dog with us and that made us feel right at home. The dog run is big and full of great places for dogs to curl up for a nap. Lotus Lake house is new, beautiful and well maintained, and Barrie was super. We relaxed and had lots of down time, just what we needed.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Lele Diamond &., San Francisco Bay Area, CA

We didn't want to leave ...

As lovers of modern architecture and conscious living, we were thrilled to find the Lotus Lake House and it did not disappoint. The location is beautiful, the amenities are top notch and being off the grid provided a much needed break from the outside world. We spent our days lounging on the decks (in the most comfortable outdoor furniture we've ever sat in), swimming in the lake, and eating dinner under the stars. The Nano walls were awesome and brought the outdoors in. The owners, Barri and Tod, were also very welcoming and communicative; we were told to call them if we needed anything and had their phone numbers and contact information. Our time at the Lotus Lake House went way too fast and we're already making plans to return.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Helen T., Morro Bay, California

A real gem for a getaway!

This is an extraordinary property, with stunning views. We spent 3 nights, and enjoyed every minute. The location is relaxing, peaceful, and (for the most part) quiet. Yes, there were motorboats on the lake, but since we were there on weekdays, it wasn't a big issue as most of the boats were only out around dinner time, after people got home from work. The house is amazing, with every convenience imaginable; it was hard to believe that we were "off grid", we lacked for nothing. Every morning I would open up the sliding glass doors, and let nature inside! Sitting out on the deck, overlooking the lake, was amazing. The house was clean, and the kitchen well stocked. The peacefulness of the setting was incomparable; we hope to return in the future. For those looking for tourist activities in the area, try the Empire Mine State Park (a well preserved gold mine, with great history, and well narrated tours), and the South Yuba River State Park (for hikes, awesome views of the river, and great swimming holes on a hot day).

6/10 Okay

Laci S.

Liked: Check-in, location, listing accuracy
Disliked: Communication
I will say the property is beautiful location and it served its purpose for our stay. The lake was great, the path was clear, and it did feel very private. We enjoyed our time there. But it felt very run down, and out of date. The price point makes sense now I’ve stayed there. The lighting in the kitchen was just kinda put together instead of fixing. Cords hanging absolutely everywhere, old iPod docks in the walls, holes around the electrical switches. Deck boards that are almost rotted through, washer/dryer was broken, broken hot tub out. The doors and windows were really hard even with a literal manual to explain it. And the house manual is insane. It’s a small book! Almost everything has a “just in case it doesn’t work” and strict rules. There was so much of his “junk” around the property that it really took away from the atheistic of the whole house and vibe. All in all, what they call “quirks” takes away from the whole experience to have to figure out how to even use the rental. You shouldn’t have to read a manual to lock doors, open windows, use basic kitchen appliances, lighting, or water use. Update your directions: some of those landmarks are not there.My husband fixed the tv because it was half hanging off the wall and we thought that would be nice to leave it a little better than how we found it. We messaged our host when we booked and never once heard anything from them the entire time. The place is nice for its purpose and price point but it needs love.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Dianne C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
My husband and I spent two nights at this beautiful property, which wasn’t enough to completely enjoy the peace and quiet we received. We were so entertained by the quietness and peaceful surroundings that we had no need to leave
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Denise W.

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

Loved it

Beautiful serene location and house
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Melissa B.

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

Lake house

We loved everything about our stay here! The area gorgeous and the home is incredible! We were very comfortable even through a brutal heatwave (105 degrees!!) The path to the lake is beautiful and well maintained. You could tell how much thought and care was given to this sweet home!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

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

Views and Solitude

Spring snow and cold weather didn't detour us from enjoying the wonderful home. Fabulous windows and deck. Everything clean and in place. On a private road and not likely to have other people coming by.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Shannon S., Roseville

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

Awesome lake views

What a wonderful stay at the lotus Lakehouse. Can’t wait to go back!!
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Gary G.

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

Getaway Experience

There was a black Bear in the garbage cans.And a Mountain Loin on the deck at night.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Katelin C.

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

Lakefront home

The property was beautiful, not to far from the city of Colfax or Grass valley but far enough for some peace and quiet. The walk down to the water was pleasant, not to far and not a steep walk. Overall a great experience
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Michelle F.

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

Fabulous privacy and Gorgeous Scenery

It is an intimate romantic place just perfect for a couple. We will go back again and again!!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Julian V.

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

Wonderful stay but please heed the advice re:ticks

This was such a cool property. So peaceful and beautiful. Partner and I came here to get away - loved the views, fresh air, starry skies. We were really looking forward to using the canoe in the lake. On the walk down to the lake there’s a really cool path except for one thing. TICKS. We’re used to having to pull ticks off of our dog after hiking, usually just one or two. Not here though, when we got to the bottom of the path there were no less than 20 ticks on my dog. I had to pull them all off not to mention a few on me, and then carry my dog back up the hill which sucked. The thing is, someone else mentioned this in the reviews and I really wish I heeded their advice. I don’t think it’s fair to ding the property because we encountered the same exact problem when we hiked Malakoff Diggins, it’s really just a grass valley thing, but please if you love your dog do not hike down to the lake. Ok now that that’s out of the way, the rest of the stay was so wonderful. When we couldn’t find the cushions for the outdoor furniture we messaged Tod who resolved the problem quickly and was very communicative. Even though it got down to 39 outside at night it was very comfortable inside. During the day being able to open all the doors was really cool. Oh one more thing that is in no way the fault of the property but there are some annoying wakeboarders who blast really loud basically strip club music during the day on Saturday. Not exactly super peaceful, but overall loved our stay!
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kristen H.

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

Beautiful scnenery

Loved the quiet surroundings. Rained the whole time but was still fabulous watching the rain through the big windows.
Stayed 5 nights in Jan 2023

10/10 Excellent

Linda M.

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

Secluded and great view

We spent Christmas Eve and Day here and really enjoyed the solitude. Nice home with a great deck and view of Rollins Lake. I would suggest a binder for guests with possible hikes in the area, helpful hints for using the home, and if guests bring dogs, a note about ticks and poison oak in the area. Overall, we enjoyed our stay.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Mathias L., Davis, USA

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

Great Place

Everything was beautiful, and in a scenic secluded environment but with everything you need a short drive away. Thanks to the host for facilitating such a great experience!
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

CYNTHIA V.

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

Absolutely Beautiful!!!

So peaceful, comfortable and the scenery is amazing!! I wish we could have stayed longer. We're going to try to rent in the spring time. Thank you so much!!!
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2022

10/10 Excellent

Dale W.

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

Piney woods

What a great place to stay. Every thing we needed was there. Loved the walking trails. Great host. Thanks
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2022

10/10 Excellent

Kayse V.

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

Very quiet

Enjoyed the peace.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2022

8/10 Good

Bart B.

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

Very nice but needs TLC

The house and deck are great for relaxing but maintenance is a bit lacking. We really enjoyed hanging out on the deck and going green withe solar etc. But, lights under the counter in the kitchen didn't work, the TV had connection issues, water damage in the bath sink area etc
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2022

About the host

Hosted by Tod duBois

Host profile image
We are very interested in doing our part to protect our planet and the environment. A refuge from the corporate world in Silicon Valley where I held demanding jobs we enjoyed building my lakeside dream eco-friendly vacation home in the middle of a forest overlooking beautiful Rollins Lake. Tod designed the off-grid system himself, it's amazing! This is my home and when it's not rented we delight in escaping the Bay Area for the beauty and simplicity of its zen-like qualities.

Why they chose this property

I love the Sierras and a number of years ago bought 8 acres in the forest overlooking Rollins Lake with the intent of building a low carbon-footprint vacation home that would be all about the views. Although our home is private & secluded I liked that you are within 5 minutes of wineries, 15 minutes to the quaint artist town of Nevada City, 12 minutes to the historic Gold Rush town of Grass Valley, hiking, exploring the gold mines, and organic farms and only 45 minutes to Sugar Bowl Ski resort.

What makes this property unique

You will come away rejuvenated, even after just 2 days! As one of our guests wrote: 'If you need to learn how to breathe again, this place will teach you'. Most of our guests have plans to do lots of things and wind up not leaving the house! The seclusion, the tree-house feel, the lake views and access to the lake and a canoe make this a very special getaway for 2.

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests
Tell us how we can improve our siteShare feedback