Entire home

Cottage in the Cove - Privacy / View / Screened Porch / Outdoor Cooking / Dock

Photo gallery for Cottage in the Cove - Privacy / View / Screened Porch / Outdoor Cooking / Dock

Outdoor dining
Terrace/patio
Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop
Unclassified image, 4 of 46, button
Unclassified image, 5 of 46, button

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire home

3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 9137 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Washer
  • Parking available
  • Barbecue grill
  • Pet-friendly
  • Air conditioning
  • Kitchen

Explore the area

Map
Crane Hill, AL
  • Lewis Smith Lake
    ‪1 min walk‬
  • Dowling Memorial Park
    ‪19 min drive‬
  • Smith Lake Park
    ‪42 min drive‬

Room options

Similar properties

About the area

Crane Hill

When you stay at this vacation home in Crane Hill, you'll be on the waterfront and steps from Lewis Smith Lake. .This family-friendly vacation home is 7.3 mi (11.8 km) from Dowling Memorial Park and 13.1 mi (21.1 km) from Tiger Field.

What's nearby

  • Lewis Smith Lake - 1 min walk
  • Dowling Memorial Park - 19 min drive
  • Smith Lake Park - 42 min drive
  • Heritage Park Cullman - 43 min drive
  • Cullman Downtown Commercial Historic District - 46 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Cold Springs Grill - ‬32 min drive
  • ‪Hotdog Hut The Hamburger Ice - ‬20 min drive
  • ‪Butterbeans - ‬56 min drive
  • ‪Kat Daddy's BBQ & Grill Co. - ‬20 min drive
  • ‪Simply Southern Catering - ‬32 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.

Cottage in the Cove - Privacy / View / Screened Porch / Outdoor Cooking / Dock

3BR/2BA cottage with lots of privacy and a big view from two deck levels, a lakeside bedroom balcony, a big screened porch and a dock tucked into a cove. The house is 1470 square feet, plus a 500 square feet screened porch, a 250 square feet covered deck and two 250 square feet open decks. The covered lower deck allows for rain or shine outdoor cooking, with a prep sink and a charcoal/Propane combo grill. Both fuels are provided. The home has a flat circle drive entrance with parking just a few feet away from the front door. A lighted 34-step staircase and a lighted path lead to the lakeside deck and covered dock in year-round water, with swim/sun deck, water mat for kids, boat slip, jet ski port, dog-friendly ladder and mini fridge. The home has a fully equipped kitchen, crockpot, blender, Keurig coffee maker, regular small coffee pot, washer/dryer, a wood-burning fireplace inside and a chiminea outside, with firewood and starter logs provided. Guided striper fishing is great (see pictures), with dock pickup and drop-off. Fly fishing for trout below Smith Lake Dam is also popular.
The home sits on a uniquely shaped 1.3 acre wooded lot with 550 feet of shoreline, starting in the cove and ending at a point of land that shelters the dock from wind, waves and boat traffic. This provides for safe swimming and paddling, minimum wave action on the dock, and just 50 yards to big water. This house is located minutes from the town of Crane Hill and just 1.5 miles from Rock Creek Marina (by water and by road), and 9 miles by water from Lewis Smith Lake Dam. There are a canoe, a peddle boat, a standup paddleboard, floating lily pad and 2 kayaks for renter’s use, with life jackets, floats and paddles provided. Parking space is available for up to 4 boat trailers and the dock in the cove provides safe overnight boat tie-up. There is a roped off hiking trail to a sheltered ledge with a spring in Cap'n Jack's hollow, fun exploring for kids of all ages. All staircases and decks are kid-friendly, with railings and wire panels or wooden pickets. Smoking is allowed outside on the dock, the decks and the porch only. Pets are allowed. We just ask that they use the XL kennel crate provided when inside the house.
There are TVs in the living room (55") and on the porch (40") with DVD players and a 20" TV in bedroom 2, all with Dish Network America's Top 120+, DVR and SEC Network. You can DVR the game, play in the lake, and watch the game later.
Unlimited Viasat WiFi Satellite Internet is provided and the fee is itemized in the quote.
Cell service is good for Verizon and fair for AT&T. The WiFi Internet provides email connectivity even if your cell coverage is bad.
We provide bath towels, wash cloths, beach towels, bed linens, bath soap, shampoo, conditioner, toilet tissue, paper towels, dishwashing liquid, scrubby pads, dishwasher pods, laundry soap, dryer sheets, trash bags, Propane gas, charcoal, firewood, lighters and starter material. There is an ice maker in the laundry room with filtered water. A pack and play is provided in the downstairs bedroom closet for the littlest guests as well as a booster seat for the kitchen table. A backpack is also provided for taking snacks, drinks and ice down to the lake.
Make yourself comfortable in this air-conditioned vacation home, which features a fireplace and a Smart TV. There's a private balcony or patio. A kitchen is outfitted with a refrigerator, an oven, and a stovetop. Wireless internet access (surcharge) 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 manager

Julie

Languages

English

Property amenities

Beach

  • Beach towels
  • Beach sunloungers

Internet

  • WiFi available (fee applies)

Parking and transport

  • Limited on-site parking (max. 4 spaces)
  • On-site parking
  • Car required

Kitchen

  • Fridge
  • Stovetop
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Dishwasher
  • Spices
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Ice maker
  • Electric kettle

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 3 bedrooms
  • Bed sheets provided
  • Sofa bed

Bathrooms

  • 2 bathrooms
  • Bath or shower
  • Soap
  • Shampoo
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided
  • Hairdryer

Living spaces

  • Fireplace
  • Living room
  • Wood stove

Entertainment

  • Smart TV with cable/satellite service
  • Table football
  • Ping pong table
  • DVD player
  • Stereo
  • Games
  • Video library
  • Books

Outdoor areas

  • Balcony
  • Barbecue
  • Garden
  • Outdoor furniture

Laundry

  • Washing machine and dryer

Work spaces

  • Printer

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • Pet friendly

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoke-free property
  • Note from host: Outside and on the screened porch only.

Services and conveniences

  • Iron/ironing board
  • Phone

Location highlights

  • On the lake
  • On the waterfront
  • In a rural location

Things to do

  • Water sports equipment
  • Boating on site
  • Golf on site
  • Kayaking on site
  • Wildlife and game walks nearby
  • Power boating nearby
  • Hiking nearby
  • Swimming nearby
  • Hunting nearby
  • Jet skiing nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Mountain biking nearby
  • Marina nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector installed (host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
  • Smoke detector installed (host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • Fire extinguisher
  • First aid kit
  • Deadbolt lock

General

  • Unit size: 1470 sq ft (137 sq m)

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Contactless check-in available
Minimum check-in age: 25

Check-out

Check-out before 12:00 PM
Contactless check-out available

Special check-in instructions

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

Pets

Pets allowed
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees
Note from host: In XL kennel crate when inside the house.

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
Note from host: Railings & wire panels/pickets on all staircases

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 indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
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

We should mention

A car is required for transportation to and from this property

Property is also known as

Privacy View Big Porch Covered Outdoor Cooking Dock Cove Toys
Privacy View Big Porch Covered Outdoor Cooking Dock Cove Toys
Vrbo Property

Cottage in the Cove - Privacy / View / Screened Porch / Outdoor Cooking / Dock Reviews

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 94 out of 99 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 5 out of 99 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 99 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 99 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 99 reviews

9.8/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Dan M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Thanksgiving away from home
We stayed here during Thanksgiving. I was concerned about cooking a full Thanksgiving dinner at a rental. This property has the best stocked kitchen I've stayed in yet! We have stayed in places all over Europe and the US. You can tell when the owner spends time there compared to an investment property. Wonderful!
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jordan O.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great home away from home
Great owner with thoughtful amenities
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Hannah S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great way to end the summer!
We love Smith Lake and always end with a week at the lake before school. Julie was very helpful and responsive to my questions. The best part of this cottage is how well-equipped it was. I loved all the extra towels, kitchen appliances, little extra toiletries etc. Especially since Walmart is 30 minutes away. We had a wonderful week her and I appreciate being able to bring our dog. Many thanks!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Pam J.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great getaway
Great cozy cottage on the lake it was wonderful place to stay. The stairs to the water was a work out but worth it. The house was clean and it had every thing we needed.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Cynthia R.

Liked: Cleanliness
Lake vacay
This place is the best to stay at !! Especially if you don’t actually own a boat but want the lake experience! She offers so much things to get on the water in ! This is our second year and we have not been disappointed yet !
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jordan O.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great family house
Just as advertised. Stocked like you were prepping for yourself. Great owner!!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Tom R.

Liked: Cleanliness
Stay at Cabin in the Cove
My two sons, two grandsons and I spent four nights at the Cabin in the Cove. This is our 5th Smith Lake guys-reunion and, by consensus, the best. The cabin itself is very nice, very livable and extraordinarily well-equipped. The huge screen porch adds spaciousness, along with ping-pong and other games, two hammocks, and a nice table for six we used for evening meals. The deck provides a wonderful view of the lake. The cove shelters the dock from lake traffic. We made good use of the kayaks and canoe. It's fairly remote, so try to anticipate your food needs, but the kitchen has good appliances and all the cookware, utensils, etc. we needed. Julie provided helpful information and promptly addressed any concern or question. All-in-all, this is one of the best VRBO experiences I have had and I highly recommend it.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Paige C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Smith Lake
It was absolutely perfect! A perfect “Lakehouse”. It does take a little to get there! Gravel roads! But awesome! We were there for a wedding my daughter was in “nearby” 0.7 miles by water but a 25 minute drive! :-)…so we brought our boat and taxi’d back and forth. Actually really fun! One afternoon I used the provided paddleboard and paddleboarded over to hang out. The dock is great! And you are tucked back way off the main channel. They provided all kinds of amenities! Plenty of coffee! Overall 💯! I would definitely go back!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Ted N.

Liked: Cleanliness
Wonderful host and great location
At first, had some mixed impressions about how remote the property was while driving there, but the location in a cove was perfect for allowing younger children to play in the water while keeping an eye on them. The private cave located on the property was an unexpected bonus! The host was very attentive and accommodating. Definitely, a return trip is in the cards.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2023

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness
Enjoyed it
The property was awesome other than the odor of cat urine. It didnt bother me as much as it did my guests. The property was very well stocked. I would stay again.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Stephanie F.

Liked: Cleanliness
Amazing Stay and Wonderful Memories
We had such an amazing stay with our kids and my Dad. This was our first time visiting Smith Lake, and it was everything we hoped for and more - clean, private, and beautiful! We have stayed in multiple homes in a variety of locations, but this home was BY FAR the most well-stocked (paper towels, toilet paper, first aid items, laundry supplies, shampoo/conditioner, and so much more!). It had everything we needed and more, including life jackets, kayaks, a paddle boat, and floats. We were so impressed with how accommodating everything was! There are a lot of steps to get down to the boat dock, but there are areas to stop and rest along the way, and it is so worth it once you get to the dock! We have fallen in love with Smith Lake and can’t wait to come back again this fall!
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Cynthia R.

Liked: Cleanliness
Our Stay !
We are in love with this location ! The owner was the best at all times and we have truly enjoyed our time at the lake .
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Stephen R., Mobile

Liked: Cleanliness
Not Long Enough
Our family, including our two pups, had a wonderful stay at The Cottage in the Cove!! It was comfortable for the two adults and two teens, as well as for the dogs. We spent much of our time on the floating dock or in the water… it was beautiful. Only wished we could’ve stayed for a whole week!
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Katie H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great property
Can’t wait to go back!
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

ELISABETH B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Incredible Getaway Spot
From the moment we pulled up to the moment we left our time here was amazing! The house even had a Christmas tree up for us to get in the holiday spirit. Julie made the whole check-in process simple. Our family spent days playing games on the deck, walking down by the lake, and seeing the fun spring and pirates. This house has everything you could possibly need and more! From games to cooking items, to blankets and pillows. Everyone felt right at home here. We will definitely be back again to this gem of a house!
Stayed 5 nights in Nov 2022

10/10 Excellent

Cindy C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Wonderful lake house!
We had a great stay at Cottage in the Cove. The house is so comfortable and stocked with everything you could possibly need. Great activities for our family - indoors in the incredible screened-in porch and outdoors on the dock with a variety of options (paddle boarding, kayaking, fishing, etc). Julie was a fantastic host and we highly recommend this lovely home. We hope to visit again soon!!
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Tyler W.

Liked: Cleanliness
Worth It!
This host thought of EVERYTHING. Grab yourself a few groceries and you're set. Amazing views from several vantages tucked away with just the right amount of privacy. The property is well maintained and even contains a few hidden charms. Without spoiling anything, just be sure to take a walk on the walking path portion of the property :-)
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

John W.

Liked: Cleanliness
So peaceful!
We are from Atlanta and this was a wonderful place to stay while we waited for the birth of our granddaughter in Birmingham. The house was fully stocked with everything we could need. We made multiple trips to Birmingham easily enough. This home is about 30 minutes from 65. So peaceful and quiet, just the sound of some boats on the lake and birds. We were here for 3 weeks and have returned to Atlanta fully refreshed.
Stayed 20 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Rebecca C.

Liked: Cleanliness
A very relaxing and cozy stay with everything
Very beautiful place! Plenty of room and equipped with everything you need! The 3 balconies and screened in porch really added to the experience. Nice and Clean. Definitely planning to come back!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Jane A.

Liked: Cleanliness
Rest
The property was great
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2022

8/10 Good

Andrea L.

Beautiful house but some issues need fixed
This was our 2nd time staying at this house under 2 different owners. The house is beautiful, in a great location, & well stocked with supplies & water toys. The only problem is the sewer issue. The first time we stayed the sewer had to be pumped out & everything was good after that. This second stay, the sewer was a problem again from day one. I feel like the owner should have had the sewer pumped out or offered a discount after I said something about it. We paid a lot to stay for a week & had to smell sewer. Luckily the wind blowing in the right direction helped out most days…
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Scott M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Relaxing setting
I found the house and it's lake dock to be very cozy and relaxing. We spent most of our time on the dock watching the kids and dogs swim. It was a great way to spend a few days away from the busy world. Everything was as advertised and there were plenty of supplies. And the fact that our two dogs could join us made all the difference.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Eric E.

Liked: Cleanliness
Neat house, well furnished
We enjoyed our weekend at Cottage in the Cove. Great view of lake and in quiet cove. Very clean property. This house has everything you would need in case you forget something! Well furnished, with many extras. Hope to come back again soon.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Stephanie M., Brandon, USA

Liked: Cleanliness
Smith lake!
Amazing house on the lake with boat dock and plenty of water activities. Most pet friendly house I’ve ever stayed in!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Christine T.

Liked: Cleanliness
Fantastic Family Fun
The house was super family friendly- well stocked with all we needed for a fantastic family vacation. We enjoyed time on the dock, using the Lilly pad, paddle board, etc. The screened porch was great for evening games. We loved the privacy and all the amazing outdoor areas. We love Smith Lake and have stayed in a few different places. This was the best place yet!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2022