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≋ The Cottage at Sun Valley Lake ≋

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A two-story house with a balcony, surrounded by trees and a grassy yard.
A corner sectional sofa with patterned cushions, a woven rug, and a view of a lake through large windows.
A lakeside property with a dock, stone walls, and a large house with multiple decks.
A modern living room with a leather sofa, a round coffee table, and a ceiling fan.
A wooden deck with a dining table and benches, a wicker sofa with patterned cushions, and large windows overlooking a body of water.

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire home

3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 91440 sq ft

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washer
  • Dryer
  • Free WiFi
  • Air conditioning
  • Outdoor Space

Explore the area

View in a map
Ellston, IA
  • Place, Sun Valley Lake
    ‪1 min walk‬
  • Place, Graceland University
    ‪39 min drive‬
  • Place, Lakeside Casino
    ‪45 min drive‬

Room options

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About the neighborhood

Ellston

When you stay at this cottage in Sun Valley Lake, you'll be on a lake and steps from Sun Valley Lake. .This cottage is 18 mi (29 km) from Ringgold County Hospital and 20 mi (32.2 km) from Murray Roadside Park.
View more Cottages in EllstonOpens in a new window

What's nearby

  • Sun Valley Lake - 1 min walk - 0.1 miles
  • Graceland University - 39 min drive - 28.8 miles
  • Lakeside Casino - 45 min drive - 42.3 miles
  • Little River Recreation Area - 46 min drive - 32.3 miles
  • Nine Eagles State Park - 53 min drive - 47.3 miles

Restaurants

  • ‪Sun Valley Community Center - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Patty's Back Door - ‬21 min drive
  • ‪Grand River Rodeo & Arena - ‬20 min drive
  • ‪The Yellow Wagon ClubHouse - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪The Silver Spur Cafe & Bar - ‬21 min drive

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

≋ The Cottage at Sun Valley Lake ≋

Welcome to The Cottage at Sun Valley Lake, where unforgettable memories are waiting to be made! Our lake-front vacation rental in Southern Iowa offers the perfect retreat for your getaway. With 2 bedrooms plus a bunk room and 2 large bathrooms, we have the capacity to sleep 9 guests in this charming home that ensures a comfortable and relaxing stay.

Set on a generous lake-front lot, our vacation home features ample sun access throughout the day, whether you prefer lounging in the yard or on the 20x12 floating dock. The property is adorned with beautiful mature pine and deciduous trees, providing refreshing shade when needed. Positioned at the middle point of the lake on the main channel, you'll be treated to breathtaking views and a tranquil ambiance. The rental also includes two kayaks with universal-sized life vests, two paddle boards, and a lily pad, ensuring endless fun and relaxation in the warm summer waters, an under-deck screened patio with an outdoor TV, a grill, a Blackstone griddle, plenty of lounge chairs and a fire pit with camping chairs for cozy evening around the fire right at the water’s edge. Bring your bicycles! There are plenty of roads all around the lake for an enjoyable ride enjoying the quiet scenery.

Inside, you'll find an inviting open living room space, perfect for gathering with your loved ones. The cottage also boasts a fully equipped kitchen with bar seating for 5, allowing you to prepare delicious meals during your stay. The expansive screened deck is an absolute highlight, featuring a 8-person farmhouse table and cozy, comfortable outdoor sofa seating area where you can dine, relax, and enjoy the lake views. During the cooler seasons, cozy up by the wood stove for a warm and inviting atmosphere.

At the Cottage, we understand the importance of staying connected, which is why we included amenities such as WiFi, Live TV via Roku and all the streaming services that you can sign into directly with your own accounts, a DVD player, and a retro Wii gaming system for entertainment (this is actually one of the biggest indoor hits our guests love because it’s all about social games!)

For a secure yet convenient experience for our guests, our home features a unique-to-you digital code for entry access upon arrival. The code will be sent to you within a few days prior to your stay, guaranteeing a hassle-free check-in process.

Come and create cherished memories at The Cottage at Sun Valley Lake. Book your stay now for an unforgettable vacation in Southern Iowa!

NOTE: Please see our house rules section for some VERY important details on fishing and boat restrictions.
Make yourself comfortable in this air-conditioned cottage, which features a fireplace and a Smart TV. There's a private patio. A kitchen is outfitted with a refrigerator, an oven, and a stovetop. Complimentary wireless internet access keeps you connected, and a DVD player is provided for your entertainment.
Take in the views from a garden and make use of amenities such as barbecue grills.
Guests will find features like internet access and onsite parking.

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in the cottage: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Parking on site

Kitchen

  • Blender
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Dishwasher
  • Electric kettle
  • Ice maker
  • Kitchen island
  • Kitchenette
  • Lobster/crab pot
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Paper towels
  • Refrigerator
  • Spices
  • Stovetop
  • Toaster

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 3 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • 2 bathrooms
  • Bathtub or shower
  • Hair dryer
  • Shampoo
  • Shower
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Dining table
  • Fireplace
  • Living room
  • Wood stove

Entertainment

  • DVD player
  • Games
  • Smart TV with cable/satellite channels
  • Stereo
  • Video games
  • Video library

Outdoor areas

  • Barbecue grill
  • Firepit
  • Garden
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Patio

Laundry

  • Laundry facilities
  • Washing machine

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoking not allowed

Location highlights

  • On a lake

Things to do

  • Bicycles
  • Golf
  • Kayak
  • Tennis
  • Cycling nearby
  • Golfing nearby
  • Kayaking nearby
  • Swimming nearby
  • Wildlife walks nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector)
  • Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • First aid kit
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Deadbolt lock

General

  • Bicycles
  • Garden
  • Unit size: 1,440 square feet

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM

Minimum check-in age: 25

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Rules

Per Lake Association rules, guests are not allowed to bring their own boats. We provide 2 kayaks and two paddle boards for our guests to use.

Per Lake Association rules, fishing is unfortunately not allowed by our guests. We understand if this is a deal-breaker for your reservation.

Per Lake Association rules, our guests will need to register online with the Association and display parking stickers in the windshield of all cars.

Pets

Pets not allowed

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome

Events

No events allowed

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
Onsite 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 there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation

Property is also known as

Cottage Sun Valley Lake

The At Sun Valley Lake Ellston

The Cottage at Sun Valley Lake Cottage

The Cottage at Sun Valley Lake Ellston

The Cottage at Sun Valley Lake Cottage Ellston

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≋ The Cottage at Sun Valley Lake ≋ Reviews

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 71 out of 75 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 4 out of 75 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 75 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 75 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 75 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

A P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Absolutely beautiful place.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Kate L.

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

Excellent as always

This is maybe our 4th or 5th stay--the lake cottage is always clean, well-equipped, and a perfect haven!
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

James L.

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

Great spot

We have stayed at this property quite a few times. It it's always restful. A nice spot for a getaway.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Kristine E.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
There is not one negative thing to say about The Cottage. It was perfect. We stayed four nights. Location is great, right on the lake, the home itself is warm and welcoming, fully furnished and equipped, parking right in front, two screened in areas, ceiling fans in all rooms, more beautiful than shown in pictures. Hated to leave and will definitely be back.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Lisa M.

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

Family getaway for refreshment

The property and accommodations were perfect! Clean, comfortable, and calming! Beautiful views too! The screened porch was our favorite place to be! We loved the kayaks and pickle ball courts too! A wonderful time for my whole family!
Stayed 4 nights in May 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Aubrey S.

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

Quiet little getaway

We had a great stay at Sun Valley Lake. The Cottage house worked great for our family of four. We LOVED the screened in porch. Everything about the house was great. It was clean, had everything we needed, had fun lake toys for use, etc.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Joanna L.

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

Great time as always!

Sixth time back in just a few years so i think that says it all!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Sharon M.

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

Nice Place on the Lake

Well stocked house in a nice location. Property owners very responsive. Wish they allowed fishing
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Kitt W.

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

Very quiet stay.

We wanted peace and quiet and 5hats exactly what it was. Good choice!
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

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

Relax & Chill

Great spot on the lake. Loved the big screened deck for meals, games, reading and naps. Nearby golf course was easy to walk on (check women and men's member times for unavailable). Very quiet - weekdays. If you're looking to getaway and relax this is great.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Lisa O.

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

Relaxing Beauty

My husband and I stayed a long weekend joined by our family which included a pair of 2yr twins. The home was situated perfectly to enjoy the views and fun of the lake. The furnishings and bedding we very comfortable, and the tap water was very drinkable and tasted great when we made our ice. I'd like to keep this place a secret- so its available more often!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024
Verified review

8/10 Good

Twila C.

Relaxing and Comfy

We enjoyed a girls weekend in early October. Although it rained the whole weekend and we weren't able to be outside, we really enjoyed our time on the enclosed porch where we could enjoy the fresh air while staying dry. The property has amazing views, and was clean, comfortable, and cozy. The only reason it isn't 5 stars is because the rain really interfered with the satellite reception for the TV and there wasn't a DVD player or WIFI. The owner mentioned we likely wouldn't have cell service with some plans, but we did maintain a weak signal. We would stay here again and recommend it to others.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2018
Verified review

8/10 Good

Cathy P.

Very clean and charming. Having our meals on the screened porch overlooking the lake was wonderful!

This was a cozy getaway for all nine of us. We all enjoyed the kayaks and paddle board, and the grandchildren had fun on the Lily Pad. Bonfires in the evening were enjoyed by all. The kitchen was well stocked with items needed to prepare our meals. The owners made themselves available for any needs we might have. The house was very clean and well kept. The area was very beautiful. We were able to enjoy the sunrise in the mornings on the screened porch, and the shimmering moon on the lake in the evening as we sat around the bonfire. The owners provided firewood which was a definite plus. Aside from the fact that we were not allowed to fish unless the owner was present, this property exceeded our expectations. When reservations were initially made, fishing was a major part of why we chose this property. We found out several weeks prior to our stay that we would not be able to fish, and we decided to keep the reservation. We still all had fun and enjoyed our peaceful weekend away. We would definitely consider returning for another family getaway.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2018
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

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

Fall long weekend- perfection

This property was perfect. Everything has been recently redone in this fresh, clean and stylish lake cottage. Spotless condition. We did not know much about Sun Valley Lake prior to our visit. A small private lake without a lot of people and no public access. Very clean water. Plenty of room for 9 people to spread out and enjoy. Loved using the lake toys. The lily pad and kayaks are a great way to be on the water. The yard seems private thanks for the mature pine trees out front. The screened in porch and morning views of the lake make this place extra special. Owner had even stocked wood for the lakeside fire pit for us. Kitchen had everything you need to make meals. Plan ahead with all your supplies and any real grocery store is about 30 minute drive. But that is what also makes it perfect....how you really feel like you have escaped. Good quality bed linens and comfy beds. Stocked with laundry soap, tp, and other essentials- shows how thoughtful the owners are. Kids liked the wii and board games the house also has on hand. Can't say enough positive things about this home!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2019
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Joanna L.

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

Relaxing weekend

We've been here a few times and always love it! Such a great location and the house has everything you need!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

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

Big sky and peacefulness

A wonderful, well-appointed home. Just what we needed!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Ross F.

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

Making Memories

Very impressed! Shaded back yard on the water perfect for staying cool in the hammock, playing yard games, and closing out the evening with smores around the fire pit. The home is very clean and had everything needed for home cooked meals. Looking forward to visiting again next summer!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Jen F.

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

Awesome!

We enjoyed all this property had to offer. We will definitely be back!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Deborah S.

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

13th Birthday celebration

My family and I loved our stay at Jeff and Ingrid's property! Everything was perfect!! We took full advantage of everything this property offered, stunning views, recreation and the screened in porch. A great place to unplug and just relax...we will be back!!!
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Christy M.

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

Hidden gem

Sun valley lake is beautiful and peaceful! Our stay her was so relaxing and enjoyable. The house is super nice and the "extras" they provide make it so fun! There were some toys for the kids in the house, we had a bonfire, played bags, used the kayaks and the lily pad (which was great for our cooler weather because you could be in the water without being all the way in). Great location on the lake, too!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Susanna S.

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

Rainy but beautiful!

Unfortunately it rained for the entirety of our stay, so we were limited to enjoying the inside of the house. However, we were able to use the many amenities The Cottage has for indoor entertainment, including streaming services, the Wii, and board games. The house is absolutely beautifully done and well-equipped. Great location on the lake. We will have to come back and hope the weather allows us to enjoy the outdoor spaces. Would definitely recommend staying at this home!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Joanna L.

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

Total relaxation

This is the 4th time we've stayed here in less than 2 years and always enjoy the great location and comfortable house. We can't wait to come back again!
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Jim D.

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

Weekend getaway

We had a great stay at The Cottage at Sun Valley Lake. The community was well kept up, and the listing was very accurate. Since Covid, my wife and I have stayed at (4) different VRBO's for a 'long weekend'. Two of the four, you can tell are simply 'rentals' to the property owners (you probably know what I mean). This Cottage is not one of those. Rather, you can tell the owners really put a lot of love/care into this property. We could tell all the decor, flooring, etc. were all recently renovated, which added to the allure of staying there. We made use of the (2) Kayaks, which was one of the reason's we booked this property in the 1st place. The one negative (albeit, a very small negative) is that they have a great firepit near the lake. We tried to use it one night, but both lighters they had in one of the drawers were both out of gas / not working. The location is so far from a store, so we scrapped our firepit idea during our stay. Otherwise, I'll reiterate, it was a fantastic stay, and I'd recommend to all.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2021
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Barb W.

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

Making Family Memories at the Cottage

We want to thank the property owners for providing such a great property to spend a few days with our 2 older granddaughters & our brand new granddaughter! Our time at the lake was HOT but with the wonderful screened porch we were able to make LOTS of family memories! With the heat it was wonderful to have the WII to keep the older ones entertained!! We would be honored to spend more time at the cottage on the lake!!
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2021
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Amy M.

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

Quiet Girls Trip

My sisters, Mom, and myself had a relaxing quick girls trip. The cabin is beautifully decorated and cozy. It is in a very remote area so if you need a very quiet getaway this is a great spot. Plan ahead as there are very few grocery stores or restaurants near by/open during the week.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2021