Quiet, relaxing home on Lake Watab in beautiful St. Joseph, MN near SJU and CSB

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Entire home

Overview
Amenities
Policies
Location
Host

Very good

3 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 6176.5 sq m

Popular amenities

Parking available
Kitchen
Barbecue grill
Outdoor space
Air conditioning
Free WiFi

Explore the area

St Joseph, MN

College of Saint Benedict
‪6 min drive‬
Crossroads Center
‪13 min drive‬
St. Cloud State University
‪19 min drive‬
St. Cloud, MN (STC-St. Cloud Regional)
‪27 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

Bedroom 2

1 Single Bunk Bed

Bedroom 3

1 Queen Bed

Master Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

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

Spaces

Deck or patio

Porch or lanai

Kitchen

Balcony

Outdoor play area

Garden

Dining Area

About this property

Quiet location and lake home for a couple or family of six or less to discover the beauty of a crystal clear lake less than an hour and a half from the Twin Cities. Full kitchen, living room, home theatre system with cable and internet access, three bedrooms with two queen beds, extra long bunk beds and the blackout curtains are just perfect for a good night’s sleep. New appliances and remodeled bathroom will impress. Hundred feet of shoreline with dock and firepit. A boat launch access is available for a fee of $25 from the Rod and Gun Club. Minutes away from St. John's University, the College of St. Benedict, and St. Cloud State University. Enjoy the Lake Wobegon Trail, a 63-mile great hike and bike pathway, or wonderful fishing with bass, walleye, northern, and sunfish. Great golf courses are available nearby in St. Cloud, Sartell, Cold Spring, Richmond and Albany.

This lake is not heavily populated - so the atmosphere is very peaceful. There is no public boat access. There are few jet skis on the lake; kayaks and pontoons dominate. Bring your kayak or paddle boards, if you would like. There is also very good fishing, with walleye, northerns , and sunnys. Also in the winter months, great cross-country skiing and snowmobiling.

Pretty of great restaurants and bars in St. Joseph which is a five-minute drive away, including Obbnicks, a wonderful new whiskey distillery.

No pets, no smoking.

Off-street parking is available for two large vehicles.

Owners have a private residence in the lower level of this property with a private, separate entrance so as not to disturb your visit and respect your privacy. They are rarely there.

Property manager

John Welsh

Languages

English, German

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen

Free WiFi

Air conditioning

Outdoor space

Parking available

Water view

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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

Children defined as 16 and under

Events

No events allowed

Pets

No pets allowed

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

No smoking on property

GUESTS: ONLY registered guests are welcome on the property. Must have name, address, ph #, license # of every car on site.

FIREARMS: While we are not against them, our insurance does not allow them. So, NONE are allowed on the premises. DRUGS: NO drug use policy.

QUIET HOURS: 10:00 PM and before 8:00 AM. ANY unauthorized gathering will be charged a $500 fee

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 eco-friendly cleaning products

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

This property does not have any lifts

A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

St. Joseph

Located in St. Joseph, this holiday home is in a rural area and on the beach. The Ledge Amphitheater and Stearns History Museum are cultural highlights, and some of the area's attractions include Minnesota Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame and Summerland Family Fun Park. Looking to enjoy an event or a game while in town? See what's happening at Joe Faber Field or National Hockey Center. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.

St Joseph, MN

What's nearby

College of Saint Benedict - 6 min drive - 4.8 km
The Ledge Amphitheater - 13 min drive - 12.6 km
Crossroads Center - 13 min drive - 13.1 km
St. Cloud River's Edge Convention Center - 19 min drive - 18.1 km
St. Cloud State University - 19 min drive - 17.9 km

Getting around

St. Cloud Station - 20 min drive
St. Cloud, MN (STC-St. Cloud Regional) - 27 min drive

Restaurants

‪Taco Bell - ‬12 min drive
‪McDonald's - ‬8 min drive
‪McDonald's - ‬13 min drive
‪Culver's - ‬13 min drive
‪H R Pesty's Saloon & Eatery - ‬13 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Quiet, relaxing home on Lake Watab in beautiful St. Joseph, MN near SJU and CSB pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Quiet, relaxing home on Lake Watab in beautiful St. Joseph, MN near SJU and CSB?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Quiet, relaxing home on Lake Watab in beautiful St. Joseph, MN near SJU and CSB?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Quiet, relaxing home on Lake Watab in beautiful St. Joseph, MN near SJU and CSB located?

This St. Joseph holiday home is on the beach, 3 mi (4.8 km) from College of Saint Benedict, and within 9 mi (15 km) of Mississippi River and Saint John's Beach. Quarry Park and Nature Preserve and The Ledge Amphitheater are also within 9 miles (15 km).

8.2

Very good

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

Learn more

9.6/10

Cleanliness

9.6/10

Check-in

9.2/10

Communication

9.2/10

Location

8.0/10

Listing accuracy

8/10 Good

Sean K.

11 Nov 2024

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

SJU Football Weekend

Great location close to St. Joe and SJU campus! Enjoyed the weekend!

Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024

4/10 Poor

Chris S.

22 Aug 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication

Disliked: Location, listing accuracy

Not As Described

First: There are some misleading things about the property post. I will fully admit; I didn't read the whole thing, so I missed the last couple sentences which read: "Owners have a private residence in the lower level of this property with a private, separate entrance so as not to disturb your visit and respect your privacy. They are rarely there." I would not have rented this property if it would have been more obvious that the owners are on site. This should be listed as a duplex, not "quiet, relaxing home." It seems that the owners are saying just enough to not be entirely false, but they're not being entirely forthright either. Other notable differences: The pictures of the home make it seem like all bedrooms have AC units. They don't. The owners say "separate entrance." There is an entrance to their "entirely separate space" within the unit. There is also an entrance to their space at the back of the house. You will see them walk through. The flag pole and number of flags flying has changed from the front picture. There are pictures of a concrete patio, a grill, and chairs; those are off limits for renters. The Ring cameras at the front and back of the house aren't pictured or aren't pictured clearly. There wasn't a tarp on the house in the pictures; when we stayed there, there was a tarp over what seemed like a broken roof which kept 1 guest awake. (I have pictures.) The gas grill is off limits. There is an un-pictured charcoal BBQ for guest use.

Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024

8/10 Good

Tiffany D.

13 Aug 2024

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

Serene neighborhood

The view from back deck was beautiful! The hosts were very nice. The neighbors were all friendly also. We enjoyed our first visit to MN and plan to come back. Thank you!

Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Hayden S.

4 Aug 2024

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

GREAT LAKE ESCAPE

The stay was amazing. The home was close to all the great things central minnesota has to offer. It was a homey space, and the backyard was stunning. It was peaceful and quiet, nd the lake was very clean. The beach was a huge bonus. Great place. Great area. Even better hosts.

Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Gary L., Little Suamico

7 Aug 2023

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

Family time

Wonderful setting on Watab Lake. Full moon rising over the lake was gorgeous!

Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Melanie J.

30 June 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location

We were in town to watch our son play for the Rox.

The property was quiet and nice. The dock offered a great spot to relax.

Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Chris S.

29 May 2023

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

Amazing!

What a beautiful property. We had a little hiccup with the website so reached out to the owners, John and Cici we absolutely amazing! They were extremely helpful and quick to respond. I highly recommend this property and would 100% come back. Thank you John and Cici, you were awesome.

Stayed 3 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Shawn R.

11 July 2022

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

SJU Reunion

Three fellas back for their 35th reunion from all parts of the country. Very comfortable and accurate description. Went for a swim and sat on the dock too. Great location.

Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2022

8/10 Good

Steven D.

14 June 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location

Stay on Watab

Property was clean and appointed nicely. Check in and getting in to the property was easy enough. Other than no bottle opener, the house was well supplied. Property manual was thick. Owners stay on the lower level. We could hear their tv in the evening and I am sure they could hear the crying baby overnight. Main gripe is the large damage deposit (over $3500), which has not been refunded 10 days later. We probably will not choose this property again because of the need for damage deposit.

Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Jason H.

13 June 2022

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

Nice solid place

Cute little spot, nice set up. A little bare bones on the amenities/essentials (ice trays, 1ply tp etc )

Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2022

8/10 Good

Patrick P.

12 June 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, communication, location, listing accuracy

Minnesota vacation with family

Nice quiet neighborhood. Nice lake property.

Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Chris R., Tucson, AZ

8 June 2022

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

Terrific Neighborhood

My family and I loved staying here, the house was perfect. Bedroom space was great, the kitchen was sufficient to cook while we were there, access to the lake was great, the yard was very well kept up. the neighborhood was really nice and full of friendly people. We will come back again next year.

Stayed 7 nights in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

mike s.

2 Sept 2021

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

Great place to stay.

Stayed with a group of work friends. This place was great place.

Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2021

6/10 Okay

niall c.

8 Aug 2021

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

Well kept.

Everything was good. The couches were very low , especially for people our age. I have had bth knees replaced and when I sat down I was only about a foot off the ground, but everything else was fine.

Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021

6/10 Okay

Cheryl P.

4 Sept 2020

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, location

Disliked: Communication, listing accuracy

Meh...

Positives: Beautiful location on small quiet lake Easy to find and close to town for extra gas and groceries Rental well cared for with kitchen easy to cook in Concerns: Extra restrictions and rules that were not stated at time of booking. Lack of privacy due to owners dining on patio, coming and going throughout the day, using the dock for their own pontoon boat, and constant questioning of guests during their stay. No place for safety should a tornado warning be announced (which it was). The owner’s residence in lower level is not available even if they are present. Aluminum dock does not have any protection for landing boats which makes scratches almost inevitable.

Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2020

8/10 Good

Kelsey S.

10 Aug 2018

Nice Weekend Getaway

Booked this place back in March. We are from the St. Cloud area, which is only about 20 minutes from this property. I was due with our second child in June, and wanted to be close to home in case we forgot anything or decided to leave early. Took a long weekend at the cabin. It was very nice, clean and cozy. The owners were home during our stay, but it did not interfere with our activities. They were very friendly and welcoming. The slope down to the lake was more steep than we were expecting - it was difficult for our 2 year old and my parents to get up and down it. There wasn't an easy way to access the lake from the shore (only the dock) for our son to play in the water, but there was a park on the lake very close by that we used a few times - it had a nice beach and was very quiet.

Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2018

8/10 Good

Michael L.

2 Aug 2018

Good Place in a Quiet Setting

We enjoyed the fully stocked kitchen. The dining table is not very practical at bar height, it's extremely small, and there are only four chairs in the whole house though the house rents for six people. The mattresses are comfortable. Thanks! The AC is not adequate to the house. Certain rooms are comfy while others get little air. Ceiling fans would help a lot too. The bathtub is terribly slippery and grab bars are needed. There are not enough towels supplied for a week's stay when one is not provided a washer/dryer. Nice place overall; fit our needs quite well. Way too many silly rules in a book that people don't read. Shorten the notes to the important things - bullet them - and move on. Quiet neighborhood; good for walking.

8/10 Good

Wendy F.

1 Aug 2018

St. Joe rental home

The property is the top part of a family home. There is a private entrance, full kitchen, great room, bedrooms and bath. The owners were in the private lower part of the home for part of our stay and we were notified of when they would be there. This was not a problem for us since we left by mid morning and didn’t return until later in the evening. The neighborhood is very quiet and this property is quite lovely with a large yard, fire pit and dock. There are no laundry appliances available, since we were there for a week, we did not have fresh towels for the whole of our stay. There is a large tv in the great room but no instructions on how to connect to their service. I received a quick response when I sent a request for assistance. Unfortunately, it wasn’t specific enough and we never were able to get it to work. Didn’t really matter to us, but I suggested a written, detailed instruction sheet be left with the remotes. If you haven’t experienced well water in the past, the slight odor of the water maybe offensive. Overall, we were satisfied and would consider staying there again.

Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2018

4/10 Poor

David C.

18 Apr 2018

Ask more questions before booking

Booked the house for a 2 week stay. We had no idea that we would be sharing the house with the owner. Upon arrival we noticed that the house was split in two. When we arrived at the house we could not get the T.V. to work for us. We contacted the owner and he was quick to reply. He had said that they would be by in a couple of days to fix it. After a few days he had said that he could not get the Apple TV to work but we were able to watch Local channels. So we decided to hook up our lap top to be able to at least watch Netflix. This worked fine until the owner showed up with the wife and kid to stay for the weekend and several other days periodically. All of their devices would connect to the WiFi and it would kick us off. I messaged the owner and he had said that he called the internet company and they were having the same problem downstairs. The owner was very friendly but dose not understand that his stay there greatly affects his tenants stay. The one other thing that made our stay less desirable was the Water that came out of the plumbing had a very bad smell to it. The smell is hard to describe as it smelled like rotting metal pipes or something along those lines. from what I could tell the house has very hard water. When we showered it would take forever to rinse the soap off. if I was asked if I would stay here again I would say NO. The house and surrounding area was Absolutely beautiful! I just think the add posted should give you more info so your not surprised like we were.

Stayed 12 nights in Apr 2018

8/10 Good

Sara S.

27 Feb 2018

Nice quiet place, good location

I stayed in this home in February, which is probably not when most people are seeking the peace and quiet of Lake Watab. It's a nice home, with a surprisingly well-stocked kitchen. All the pots and pans you need to do all your home cooking with!

Stayed 7 nights in Feb 2018

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

8/10 Good

Bonita C.

1 Nov 2017

Peaceful place on Lake Watab

Really enjoyed having a bonfire out by Lake Watab before the snow fell. Charming neighborhood, close to St. Cloud and the freeway. Easy to find. Needed help with the 4 TV remotes and getting the house to the right temperature, but owners were easy to get ahold of to assist. Clean and kitchen was well stocked with appliances and kitchen utensils and dishes.

Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2017

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

8/10 Good

Susie J.

24 Oct 2017

Nice neighborhood, lovely view.

We were able to make a last minute reservation when our original plan didn't work out. This home is conveniently located near shopping and eating out. Well furnished and very clean. The lake is beautiful and we had a great view from the deck. Overall, a very nice place to spend a long weekend.

Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2017

About the host

Hosted by John Welsh

John and Cici's lake home is located in St. Joseph, Minnesota, United States. They know the area very well as Cici went to St. Ben's and John is a Johnnie. And their daughter is a Bennie and two sons were Johnnies. John and Cici both grew up in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis/St. Paul and have lived in Minnesota there entire lives. They have a warm and welcoming atmosphere here on this quiet and peaceful lake for you to enjoy!

Welcome!

Why they chose this property

Located in St. Joseph, this lake home is in a rural area near the College of St. Benedict and St. John's University. Fishing and swimming offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with hiking/biking trails and horse riding nearby.

You will arrive in a quiet lakeshore neighborhood that is just 3 miles off Interstate 94 in St. Joseph, MN. At the St. Joseph exit, turn right and proceed 2.5 miles to Hwy 75. Turn right. After 0.5 miles, turn left on Hwy 2 (at Holiday Station). Proceed approximately 2 miles, then turn right on Crestview Dr. (Pleasant Acres wooden sign). Go approximately 1 mile to 9275 (green home on the right). Please park on the right side of the driveway. There is no public transportation.

What makes this property unique

As you enter the Pleasant Acres neighborhood in beautiful St. Wendel Township with your windows rolled down, you'll smell the pines, birch, oak, and maple trees and see the gorgeous Lake Watab. This private & comfortable 1900 sf lake home has a separate entrance and is filled with calm, quiet, and peacefulness. Deer, loons, ducks, cranes & mallards return to their favorite lake, for you to enjoy. A peaceful place to swim, canoe, read, rest, relax, and reflect!

About your lake home stay:
• Full newly remodeled kitchen with new, high-quality appliances with high-top seating with dishes, silverware, glassware, and many extras, for your convenience.
• Living room stays cozy with leather L-shaped sofas to watch movies, sporting events, and the news on your 65 in. home entertainment theatre with cable and internet access.
• Three bedrooms, two with a one queen bed, one with extra long bunk beds.
• Beautifully decorated with deck and lawn furniture and BBQ grill for your use.
• and remodeled bathroom.
• Hundred feet of shoreline with dock and firepit for a quiet bonfire.
• Off-street parking.
• Full bathroom with shower/tub combo and two large vanities.
• Gorgeous views of Lake Watab.
• Prices listed are for up to 4 adults and two children 12 and under
• Each person after 4 will be charged an additional $50 per night.

The Neighborhood:
• Quaint local shopping, farm markets, bakery, coffee shop & antiquing.
• Local restaurants within 5 minutes, in all directions, serve everything from delicious pizza, authentic Italian Cuisine, Craft Beer, Whiskey Distillery, and trendy Cider Mill.
• The College of St. Benedict and St. John’s University are just several coffee sips away!
• A public boat launch access is available.
• Enjoy the Lake Wobegon Trail, 63-mile great hike and bike pathway, or wonderful fishing with bass, walleye, northern and sunfish.
• Great golf courses are available nearby in St. Cloud, Sartell, Cold Spring, Richmond, and Albany.

Languages:

English, German

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Holiday Homes Peppermint Grove Beach

Quiet, relaxing home on Lake Watab in beautiful St. Joseph, MN near SJU and CSB

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Reviews

Popular amenities

Explore the area

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

Bedroom 2

Bedroom 3

Master Bedroom 1

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Spaces

About this property