With a stay at this vacation home in Portsmouth, you'll be on the waterfront, within a 15-minute drive of Old Dominion University and Rivers Casino Portsmouth. .This vacation home is 14.1 mi (22.7 km) from Naval Station Norfolk and 13.7 mi (22 km) from Greenbrier Mall.
Rivers Casino Portsmouth - 2 min drive - 2.4 miles
LeMans Karting - 3 min drive - 1.7 miles
Old Dominion University - 13 min drive - 10.0 miles
Naval Station Norfolk - 23 min drive - 17.3 miles
Virginia Beach Boardwalk - 30 min drive - 28.7 miles
Getting around
Norfolk Station - 11 min drive
Ft Norfolk-Medical Center Station - 11 min drive
Norfolk Intl. Airport (ORF) - 22 min drive
Restaurants
Wawa - 4 min drive
McDonald's - 5 min drive
Rick's Frozen Custard - 5 min drive
Cook Out - 4 min drive
Skrimp Shack - 5 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 Mermaids Lair 🧜♀️
This guest house is on the property of a beautiful home on Chrystal Lake. The views are stunning from the floor to ceiling windows. This guest house features a kitchenette with microwave fridge and coffee maker. Sitting area, table and full size bed. The bath features an amazing rain head shower in custom ocean feel corner. The property features a dock for fishing, beautiful patio to enjoy the lake views. Bring your kayak and explore! There is a private pool on the premises that is only used by the owners. Please do not disturb them or their guests. The lake is for your enjoyment. The dock is shared and the fire pit area and seating is for you only. Property management is by offsite manager not owners on site. Owners are friendly and social but do not manage guest requests. We are 10 minutes from downtown Norfolk and all of its attractions. We are about 20 minutes to Norfolk Naval Base and about 25 minutes to Virginia Beach. The area is full of amazing sites and attractions including the Norfolk Botanical Gardens, Museums and some of the best restaurants. A car is necessary to get around the area. Automatic gate is controlled by a remote in the room and will be left open only when check in time is scheduled and at check out.
Make yourself comfortable in this air-conditioned vacation home, which features a private pool. There's a private patio. A kitchenette is outfitted with a refrigerator and a microwave. Conveniences include a coffee/tea maker and an iron/ironing board.
Guests will find features like onsite parking.
Property amenities
Pool/Spa
Private pool
Internet
Available in the house: WiFi
Parking and transportation
Parking on site
Kitchenette
Coffee/tea maker
Cookware, dishware, and utensils
Microwave
Refrigerator
Bedrooms
Bedroom
Bedsheets provided
Bathroom
1 bathroom
Hair dryer
Living spaces
Living room
Separate dining area
Outdoor areas
Firepit
Patio
Comfort
Air conditioning
Heating
Pets
No pets allowed
Suitability/Accessibility
Smoking not allowed
Services and conveniences
Iron/ironing board
Location highlights
On the waterfront
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 not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property)
General
Unit size: 1 square foot
Policies
Check-in
Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Minimum check-in age: 25
Check-out
Check-out before 10:00 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
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 not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children; if you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room
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
611865
Reviews
The Mermaids Lair 🧜♀️ Reviews
8.8
Excellent
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travelers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
Loved this his quaint cottage on the lake. very relaxing. There is a full size bed. Would have preferred a queen size. Close to casino and things to do in Norfolk.
Randy
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025
6/10 Okay
Sarah O.
Aug 20, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness
Very cute room. View of lake is lovely. A tad awkward with the house full of renters being so close. Also highway noise a bummer. Bed wasn't very comfortable. Nice play for the nightly cost.
Sarah O.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2025
10/10 Excellent
Purposeful E.
Jul 7, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness
Purposeful E.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2025
10/10 Excellent
Allasyn V.
Jun 6, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness
Allasyn V.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025
8/10 Good
Kristal M., Conover, NC
Apr 29, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness
Weekend Trip
The property was very clean and had a great view. However parking was a disaster and the people staying in the house did not respect our parking space. We ended up being late to a meeting because they had us blocked in and we could not get anyone out to move the car.
Kristal M.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025
10/10 Excellent
Bridgette C.
Feb 9, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness
Great Weekend
This location is great for a couple that wants to get away for a quiet weekend. The views of the lake were awesome! We didn’t get to use the fire pit because it was raining. Contact with the host was outstanding. All responses were within 5 minutes of us reaching out.
Bridgette C.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2025
10/10 Excellent
Jennifer I.
Dec 12, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness
The Mermaid’s Lair
What an incredible lil gem of a stay. This place is perfect for 1-2 person short stay. The views are incredible and the place was clean and welcoming - the bed was so comfortable! It is a small space but the design is just perfect. Quiet, safe area and I will definitely be back. Only suggestion would be to add a hair dryer.
Jennifer I.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2024
4/10 Poor
Larry C.
Apr 24, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness
Some shortcomings
The interior of the property was clean. However, there were several shortcomings. The tables were small and unstable. The bathroom was very small with no place to place toiletries or hang clothing/towels. We had only two bath towels for four days stay. The small table and chairs on the porch were broken and unsafe. The sidewalk/steps were poorly lit. In fact, while retrieving an item from the car after dark, I fell. I had a skinned knuckle and a twisted ankle. I could have been hurt much worse.
Larry C.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2024
8/10 Good
Tammy C.
Jul 15, 2023
Liked: Cleanliness
Mini trip
Nice waterfront spot, bed was comfy
Tammy C.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2023
10/10 Excellent
Cathy S.
Jul 4, 2023
Liked: Cleanliness
The Mermaid’s Lair
Great cozy place for two. Beautiful view of Crystal Lake and very convenient to Portsmouth and Virginia Beach. We highly recommend Sojourn to book your next trip.
Cathy S.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023
10/10 Excellent
Melissa W.
May 15, 2023
Liked: Cleanliness
On lakeside
Loved it. Highest rating absolutely. Will book again.