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Smiling Otter Retreat! Large Lakefront Luxury House.Pool.Spa.Game Room.Pets

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Dining
Exterior
Private kitchen
Exterior
Pool

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
4 bedrooms3 bathroomsSleeps 12306.6 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Hot tub
  • Pool
  • Kitchen
  • Fireplace
  • Dryer
  • Parking available

Explore the area

Map
Clearlake, CA
  • Austin Park
    ‪7 min drive‬
  • Redbud Park
    ‪9 min drive‬
  • Mount Konocti
    ‪74 min drive‬
  • Ukiah, CA (UKI-Ukiah Regional)
    ‪78 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

4 bedrooms (sleeps 12)

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed, 1 Single Bunk Bed and 1 Single Bed

Bedroom 2

1 King Bed

Bedroom 3

1 King Bed

Bedroom 4

2 Single Bunk Beds and 2 Single Beds

3 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Bathtub · Toilet · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Bathroom 2

Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Bathtub · Toilet · Shampoo

Bathroom 3

Soap · Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only · Shampoo

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Balcony
Separate dining area
Dining area

About this property

Smiling Otter Retreat! Large Lakefront Luxury House.Pool.Spa.Game Room.Pets

Featured as one of the top 10 properties in “Only in Your State” online magazine for Northern California! Year around fun and relaxation at this luxury lakefront designer retreat. 4 bedrooms/3baths with two master suites, pool, spa, game room, dock, pier, non-motorized water sports, gourmet kitchen with professional style appliances including a built-in coffee system. Gather around the gorgeous large stone island to cook your meal with family and friends. Or hang out be the pool and grill outside.
Fishing (including guided fishing tours)/boating/kayaking/paddle boarding/swimming/hiking/wine tasting/bird watching.
Leave the world behind! Set on the shores of Clearlake, Ca, Smiling Otter Retreat, boasts 3300 sqft space, featuring a plethora of choices for indoor and outdoor living and entertainment. Come and connect with nature in a comfort of luxury. Numerous species of birds, otters, deer, racoons, and Lucy, the skunk, can be spotted right outside the house. Gorgeous panoramic views of the lake and Mt Konocti from inside of the house, the two spacious decks and all the outdoor areas. Multiple indoor and outdoor dining and conversation areas. Whole house water filter/softener, BBQ gas grill, gas firepit (extra propane tanks are by the grill), hot outdoor shower, indoor Sonos surround sound system (operated with a tablet). Outdoor speakers are not permitted as per the City of Clearlake, since the sound carries super far on the lake.
The pier, dock, boat lift and swimming platform remodel is finally finished and it's gorgeous out there. The boat lift is suited for a boat of 5000 lbs or less. The swimming platform is hand cranked.
Clearlake in general, but, most importantly, the location of the property on the lake is known for incredible fishing. Often you can spot fishermen fishing right around the property. But, for you, no boat is needed as you can just fish from our comfortable partly shaded dock or the long pier. Relaxing Adirondack chairs and fish cleaning sink are provided for your convenience.
In the summer, float in the refreshing pool or the lake. In the winter, soak and unwind in the large hot tub watching the sun setting behind majestic Mt Konocti. Game room activities include shuffleboard, pool/ping pong/air hockey table, toys for the little ones and board games (those are in the cabinets of the library).
Fully equipped chef kitchen is all set up for cooking and entertaining. Two large supermarkets are 13 minutes away and a small convenience store 9 minutes from the house. We provide two refrigerators for your groceries, one in the kitchen (with two ice makers), and the other one upstairs in the laundry room.
Door Dash has limited restaurant delivery options and Safeway supermarket delivers. Numerous local wineries provide picturesque views and some of the best wines in the area.
Water sports equipment provided: 4 paddle boards, one single kayak, one double kayak, kayak moving trolley, life vests of different sizes, and pool towels. USE WATERSPORTS AT YOUR OWN RISK! The weather can be unpredictable on the lake and can change within 15 minutes time frame with wind and large waves. If you are caught in this weather out on the lake, we recommend hugging the shores to come back to the house or exit the lake if necessary and ALWAYS wear a life vest.
There is a small community boat launch area two houses to the left. Redbud Park in Clearlake (15 min away) has large boat launching areas. You can rent a boat/jet skis/lily pad at Clearlake Powersport Rentals in town, 15 minutes away from the house. The water in the cove to the left of the property does not get as choppy and, on windy days, you may want to go there to enjoy your motorized water sports. Please call ahead to make reservations. If you are looking for a large lake beach, Austin Park Beach and Playground is 12 minutes away.
When the weather warms up, it is common to spot lake bugs. They look like mosquitoes, but larger, the amazing thing is though that they don't bite. Also, later in the summer, it is not uncommon to see green algae swimming by (that’s what feeds the lake life), but, it quickly disappears when the wind picks up.

Property manager

Maria
Premier Host

Languages

English, Russian

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Pool
Hot tub
Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Pet-friendly

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 21
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

Pets allowed: dogs and cats (limit 4 total)
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Trip protection insurance is highly recommended as life happens No parties are allowed No smoking on the inside of the house please
Please ask all the adults in your group to read this listing thoroughly, you will all have a better experience during the stay:)
Guests over the count of 12 are allowed with prior authorization and a fee of $50 per person per night. Pets are allowed with a $100 pet fee per stay

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
This property uses solar energy
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

About the area

Clearlake

Located in Clearlake, this holiday home is in the mountains and on the waterfront. Shannon Ridge Winery and Shannon Ridge Vineyards and Winery are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument and Anderson Marsh State Historic Park. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Clearlake, CA

What's nearby

  • Clear Lake - 1 min walk - 0.1 km
  • Austin Park - 7 min drive - 6.9 km
  • Redbud Park - 9 min drive - 8.7 km
  • Clearlake Oaks Boat Launch - 17 min drive - 16.7 km
  • Mount Konocti - 74 min drive - 49.3 km

Getting around

  • Santa Rosa, CA (STS-Sonoma County) - 89 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪McDonald's - ‬13 min drive
  • ‪Starbucks - ‬12 min drive
  • ‪Taco Bell - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪Main St Bar & Grill - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Catfish Coffeehouse - ‬9 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Does Smiling Otter Retreat! Large Lakefront Luxury House.Pool.Spa.Game Room.Pets have a pool?

Yes, this property has an outdoor pool.

Is Smiling Otter Retreat! Large Lakefront Luxury House.Pool.Spa.Game Room.Pets pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows cats and dogs (limit 4 total).

What time is check-in at Smiling Otter Retreat! Large Lakefront Luxury House.Pool.Spa.Game Room.Pets?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Smiling Otter Retreat! Large Lakefront Luxury House.Pool.Spa.Game Room.Pets?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Smiling Otter Retreat! Large Lakefront Luxury House.Pool.Spa.Game Room.Pets located?

This family-friendly Clearlake holiday home is located on the waterfront, steps from Clear Lake and within 6 mi (10 km) of Austin Park and Redbud Park. Clearlake Chamber of Commerce and Shannon Ridge Winery 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.
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Rating 10 - Excellent. 6 out of 6 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 6 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 6 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 6 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 6 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Lj C.

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

Thanksgiving 2024

The property was just as promised - everything worked. So clean and well appointed. We had a great time.
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Karlene J.

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

Exceeds Expectations

We highly recommend this luxurious property. It is exceptionally and thoughtfully well appointed. You truly do not need to bring anything beyond clothing and groceries. The beautiful house and grounds are tranquil and the owner, Maria, was very responsive and pleasant to communicate with. We would definitely choose this Clearlake vacation rental again.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

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

Excellent Place for a family

This property is beautiful and laid out in a way that allows a family to spread out and also be together. They thought of everything when it comes to comfort, supplies, entertainment etc. We have a family of 10 and it was perfect for us. Children had a room of their own and lots of toys and games for their entertainment. The bedrooms and bathrooms had everything we needed with respect to storage and amenities. The dining room table sat all ten of us comfortably. The game room was fun for everyone. The outdoor living room & outdoor shower were a great place for a little peace while looking out over the beautiful view. The dock area was wonderful for another peaceful place to read and look at the scenery. The kayaks were a fun bonus! The fishing was great. We would unreservedly recommend this property. It is worth every penny! Thank you Maria for being so responsive and informative. You can tell she really cares about her guests and their comfort.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Rosemarie C.

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

A Hidden Gem

To say we were blown away is an understatement. We saw this listing on VRBO & loved the presentation of this property. When we arrived, it was as we expected and more. The views are spectacular and when sitting on the deck, it feels as though you are over the water. We all set up our rooms which were extremely clean and beautifully decorated & bathrooms stocked with accessories for showering. We were blown away with the kitchen and when it says, gourmet in the description, it definitely is. There must have been every appliance you can think of there. The added touches of coffee, seasonings, oil, foil/saran wrap was wonderful. Maria didn't leave anything out. We enjoyed cooking in this kitchen and just hanging out around the large counter. We were a party of 10 plus our dogs & we never felt like we were on top of each other. Very spacious. The library of books & games delightful. The pool & outside area was great as well. The best VRBO we have booked. Maria was always available for questions. A great hostess.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

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

Lake Side

Gorgeous. Amenities were amazing. The house was very accommodating. From the game room to the towels to the coffee bars to the fully equipped kitchen, we were amazed. We are experienced time share people and have never been in a facility so well stocked. The dock was great for the many hours of fishing, especially for the children. The only disappointment was the algae bloom in the lake. While we did use the paddle boards and kayaks, it was not safe nor appealing for swimming.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Chad M.

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

Lake trip

It was our first time visiting Clearlake and what a hidden gem it is! The house is very large, accommodated my parents and our 4 kids nicely. The location is so quiet and peaceful with amazing views of the lake and the mountain across from the inside and outside of the house. We saw numerous species of birds and an otter swimming by in the morning. Maria set up the house with everything we needed to be comfortable away from home. My Mom loved making meals in the specious kitchen, and the built-in coffee system was just an icing on the cake. Kids had a blast in the game room. We would love to return to Smiling Otter Retreat again in the future!
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2024

About the host

Hosted by Maria

Host profile image
Hello, I am a part time registered nurse and my husband works in the wireless industry. As our two boys head off to college, we opened the short term rental business. We love to garden, travel, wine tasting and cooking.
Guests' happiness is our foremost priority! We take a lot of pride and joy in managing our three properties, constantly working on maintaining and improving them to bring the most satisfaction to our guests!

Why they chose this property

The house is located on a quiet, dead end street with friendly neighbors. We chose the lake because of its gorgeous water and mountain views filled with wild life. The lake is fun year around and we never get tired of it.
I personally enjoy swimming, paddle boarding and kayaking, my husband likes to fish and hang out in the pool. Game room is popular with the kids and their friends. We like to grill, soak in the hot tub or sit by the fire. We enjoy taking walks and, now that the remodel is over, we plan to go on hikes, discover more wineries and take day trips to nearby Hot Springs resorts.

What makes this property unique

With the property being so specious, on the water and having large picture windows, you feel like you are onboard of a large ship. The otters come and hang out on the dock and feel right at home. In the winter, gorgeous large white pelicans come in flocks and feed on the lake. Often times you can spot a pair of Golden Eagles stretching their wings over the lake and flying right over the house to their nest up on the hill behind the property. In the summer, the deer come in numbers to feed on table scraps we put out on the platform my husband built for them across from the front door (feel free to do the same).
Swimming pool and spa provide hours of fun for our guests and are a rare thing on the lake, we are proud to be able to offer them:)

Languages:

English, Russian

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests