See all properties
Entire cabin·Private host

Karen’s Kottage - Lake John Cutie on the Bay! NEW - now with Wi-Fi!!!

Photo gallery for Karen’s Kottage - Lake John Cutie on the Bay! NEW - now with Wi-Fi!!!

Sun-loungers, beach towels
Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop
Property grounds
Interior
Exterior

Reviews

9.8 out of 10

Exceptional

Entire cabin

2 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 9130 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Barbecue grill
  • Outdoor space
  • Kitchen
  • Air conditioning
  • Fireplace

About this property

Entire place

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

Karen’s Kottage - Lake John Cutie on the Bay! NEW - now with Wi-Fi!!!

Welcome to Karen's Kottage!...a true lake escape treasure, hidden among the tall pines boasting panoramic views of one of the best lakes in the area. You'll LOVE this scenic getaway as soon as you turn onto the wooded tree-filled drive leading to our driveway.

Featuring 2 spacious bedrooms and 2 baths, our well-appointed, cozy Kottage sleeps 9 comfortably. We have a fully equipped dine-in kitchen with breakfast bar that leads into open concept living room (with fold-out sofa bed) with fantastic water views from the entire room. Two spacious bedrooms and bath round out this floor. Lower level features another bath and family room with fireplace and another twin bed and futon for additional sleeping. Both upper and lower levels have fabulous walkout patio/decks with upper half screened in for your comfort. The best view for that morning cup of coffee, afternoon wine or anytime with a great book.

Lake John, a 450 acre recreational/scenic environmental gem is considered one of the premium lakes in Wright county. Exceptionally clean and spring fed lake with hard sandy shorelines makes it ideal for all water sports/activities, swimming, boating or just floating around with your favorite beverage! Our shoreline leading to the lake has a flat grassy area surrounded by plush landscaped vegetation, perfect for lounging in the sun or watching all the fun lake-filled activities happening before you :-)

I offer a canoe, paddle boat, two kayaks, stand up paddle board, and a floating dock to help you get out and enjoy Lake John!

The surrounding area of Annandale has some of the best summertime activities around with one of the biggest 4th of July celebrations in the state, great restaurants, award winning brewery, open air markets and many quaint shops.

Property manager

Karen MacMillan

Property amenities

Beach

  • Beach loungers
  • Beach towels

Internet

  • Available in the cabin: WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Parking on site

Kitchen

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Hob
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Paper towels
  • Refrigerator
  • Toaster

Bedrooms

  • 2 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided
  • Sofa bed

Bathroom

  • 1 bathroom
  • Hair dryer
  • Shampoo
  • Shower
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Fireplace
  • Living room

Entertainment

  • Games
  • Smart TV
  • Video library

Outdoor areas

  • Balcony
  • Barbecue grill
  • Garden
  • Outdoor furniture

Laundry

  • Laundromat nearby

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoke-free property

Location highlights

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

Things to do

  • Billiards/pool table
  • Boat
  • Foosball table
  • Kayak
  • Paddleboard
  • Table tennis
  • Water sports equipment
  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Hiking/biking trails nearby
  • Motor boating nearby
  • Sailing nearby
  • Swimming nearby
  • Water skiing nearby
  • Wildlife walks nearby

Safety features

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

General

  • Garden
  • Unit size: 1,400 square feet

Similar properties

Terrace/patio

Private lake home less than 1 hour from the cities

Kitchen
Air conditioning
Outdoor space
Parking available
10.0 out of 10, Exceptional, (15)
Private lake home less than 1 hour from the cities

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 3:00 PM

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

Pets

Pets not allowed

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome

Important information

You need to know

This property is managed by a private host (a party not acting within their trade, business or profession). EU consumer law, including the right of withdrawal, will not apply to your booking. The cancellation policy set by the private host will cover your booking.
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
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
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

Lake John Cutie Bay Steps Water Cabin Annandale
Lake John Cutie Bay Steps Water Cabin
Lake John Cutie Bay Steps Water Annandale
John Cutie Steps Water Cabin
Karens Kottage Lake John Cutie on the Bay!
Karens Kottage Lake John Cutie on the Bay! NEW now With Wi fi!!!

About the area

Map
Annandale, MN

What's nearby

  • Whispering Pines Golf Course - 14 min drive - 12.6 km
  • Powder Ridge - 18 min drive - 16.7 km
  • St. Cloud State University - 38 min drive - 36.3 km
  • St. Cloud River's Edge Convention Center - 39 min drive - 38.2 km
  • St Cloud Hospital - 41 min drive - 46.8 km

Getting around

  • St. Cloud, MN (STC-St. Cloud Regional) - 46 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪McDonald's - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Corky's Bar - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪Homestyle Country Cafe - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Spilled Grain Brewhouse - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Casey's General Store - ‬7 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Karen’s Kottage - Lake John Cutie on the Bay! NEW - now with Wi-Fi!!! pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Karen’s Kottage - Lake John Cutie on the Bay! NEW - now with Wi-Fi!!!?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Karen’s Kottage - Lake John Cutie on the Bay! NEW - now with Wi-Fi!!!?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Karen’s Kottage - Lake John Cutie on the Bay! NEW - now with Wi-Fi!!! located?

Located on the waterfront, this family-friendly cabin is 7.8 mi (12.5 km) from Whispering Pines Golf Course and 10.3 mi (16.6 km) from Powder Ridge. Lake Maria State Park and Warner Lake Park are also within 16 miles (25 km).

Karen’s Kottage - Lake John Cutie on the Bay! NEW - now with Wi-Fi!!! Reviews

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 39 out of 46 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 6 out of 46 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 46 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 46 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 46 reviews" "

9.4/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

james l.

Short MN visit
The place was perfect for our little family gathering. Was great to get out on the lake with all the amenities provided. Less stress. What we were looking for. Very relaxing for all that stayed. The only thing was the cleanliness. The ceiling fans were dusty so when we turned them on the dust was flying, and the shower was a bit dirty. Also, the water issue was a little to get used to, understandable since I think it was well water, to get a good stream of water, it took a while. Water sputtered and made noises like the water was shut off awhile and there was air in the lines. All in all, it was a great place for a short relaxing visit and our adult children and ourselves made lots of memories. Karen did think of everything you could possibly need.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2024

8/10 Good

Paula H.

Good
Lake view wonderful, screened in decks great. Grounds very nice, quiet and pleasant stay
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2024

8/10 Good

Heidi H.

Nice weekend away
Nice location for our annual trip.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024

6/10 Okay

Steph G., Cedar Falls IA

Disliked: Cleanliness
Misrepresentation
Karen’s Kottage was in a very quiet neighborhood and the lake was beautiful. This house does not include central air and the one portable AC unit does not suffice when it was very hot and stuffy even with all the fans going. Additionally, there were spiders and dirty webs everywhere. We can handle some bugs and have stayed in other lake homes before, but this was obvious it had not been cleaned thoroughly. There was also a dead crusty frog lodged in the door frame downstairs. Spiders and webs in the bathroom, the kitchen, on our pillows and in the bedrooms. It definitely needs a deep cleaning. Lampshades were very dusty, pillowcases and comforters hadn’t been washed etc. Several outlets did not work. The lake was beautiful and the kayaks and paddleboard were fun but we would not recommend this house again without some cleaning help and better AC.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2024

8/10 Good

Mark S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful lake cottage
We had a wonderful time staying at Karen’s Kottage. It was a great place for us to supplement our family cabin on Lake John and it was a beautiful place to rest after hectic days. It is a real “up north” experience.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2024

8/10 Good

Gene E.

Liked: Cleanliness
Lake Sylvia Gal
The cabin has a great setting along the shore of Lake John with awesome views. We enjoyed fishing, using the paddle boat and other water toys and just relaxing and playing games.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Whitney K.

Liked: Cleanliness
Sweet classic cabin, super hospitality
Karen's Kottage is Kute and Komfortable! Sweet, petite cottage with a retro feel throughout. The beds were very comfortable and we appreciated having fans in each bedroom for white noise. Everything was very clean and well-maintained. We were there in mid-September and the lake was very quiet as most summer traffic had died down already. Plenty of life jackets in a range of sizes as well as water toys and some water crafts to use. We had a bonfire one night and enjoyed coffee from the upper screened in porch in the mornings. Karen is super hospitable and responsive and checked in with us throughout the stay. And she even brought over a freshly baked treat our final morning!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Dan H., Omaha

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect getaway
The kottage was just what we needed, it was clean and comfortable with everything you need for a relaxing getaway. Karen was a great host and was very concerned about making sure everything was great. Already making plans to try and get back there next year.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Dennis L.

Liked: Cleanliness
Fabulous property
Clean, neat, homey. Great lake side amenities, fishing and swimming beach. Porches up/down were great!! Nice to have grass on the beach rather than sand to track into the cabin and stairs out of the water onto the dock. Nice shade in the afternoon. Fishing was fabulous!! We would definitely consider renting this property again!!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Daun C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Cutie Indeed!
Karen's Kottage is a gem. We stayed in late June with my parents. The location was perfect. Close enough to town, but secluded enough. We wound through the trees to find Karen's Kottage. Pretty much everything we needed was there. The lake was quiet, even in the days leading up to the 4th of July. Most days, it felt like we were the only ones there. The entire back wall of the living room windows and the screened in porch, gave sweeping vistas of the lake. We had a front row ticket to the family of Loons and their haunting call. There were also Osprey that would occasionally buzz the lake. Two of the days, we rented a pontoon. And the dock was perfect for tying the pontoon up at the end of the day. The dock is nice and long, and we were able to catch some nice sized fish from there. All in all, Karen is a wonderful host, and we would whole-heartedly recommend her little oasis! We will be staying again!
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Marie H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect Cabin Getaway
We loved the Kottage! Our kids enjoyed swimming and fishing all day and using the lake toys provided. Perfect location on the lake as well!
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Carley S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Lake fun!
Had a wonderful family weekend! The best part was the floating dock and all the water toys/kayaks etc to play with. Great, accommodating hosts!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2022

8/10 Good

Becky H., Prior Lake

Liked: Cleanliness
Relaxing cabin
We enjoyed our family getaway at the cottage. The lake view was wonderful, and we loved the screened in deck. The lake had some weeds, but there was an area for swimming and floating. The cabin could stand some updated furniture, and a bigger pot in the kitchen for making pasta, taco meat, etc would be nice. The game table downstairs was a hit, when the weather didn’t cooperate. Overall we had a nice time.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2022

8/10 Good

Scott G.

Great location on Lake John
The cabin is nice, it's old, but well maintained. The Owner was very quick to respond to any issues we had, which were very few.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Drea B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect lake getaway
We seriously can’t thank Karen enough for the wonderful hospitality. She seriously has thought of everything you could need to have an enjoyable vacation with your family. My kids spent hours playing in the lake and jumping off the floating dock. Catching lots of fish was the perfect way to start & end the day. We also got to see the loons and hear them calling at night. Can’t wait to return.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Chris V.

Liked: Cleanliness
Nice Kottage
Karen’s Kottage was super cute, exactly what it shows on the pictures. We had a great time, weather was very hot so we stayed inside a lot. It’s just wonderful waking up to the sounds of the loons in the morning. Had an issue with the coffee maker but Karen resolved that very fast.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Shirley N.

Liked: Cleanliness
Karen’s Kottage
Quaint cabin, comfortable location and great hostess! We had a wonderful week making family memories! We’ll be back!
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Maureen M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Our first summer family lake rental.
Our family had so much fun using all the watercraft The owner provided!!! The kind dad were in the water all day long. The fishing right off the dock was a hit. Eagles and loons were spotted daily. Many thoughtful amenities and tips for local outings. Nice shade trees and pleasant neighbors too. All that fresh air made us sleep soundly every night.

10/10 Excellent

Susan O.

Liked: Cleanliness
Summer rest and relax
We enjoyed Karen's Kottage very much. Perfect for a long weekend with our adult children. Very relaxing but plenty to keep us busy as well!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Sarah G.

Liked: Cleanliness
Lakeside Bliss
Great place on the lake with tons of things to do in the water. The house was clean and perfect! We have never seen and heard so many loons. We had a great week at Karen's!
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2021

10/10 Excellent

Drew B., Parsippany, NJ

Liked: Cleanliness
Great Place to Relax and Unwind
Rented the Kottage for Memorial Day Weekend with and invited another couple. House was perfect for what we wanted!!! We rented a pontoon and tooled around the lake, fished, went to Cafe Jules one night, The Thayer another and got great Gluten Free Pizza from Jimmy's. Visited Spilled Grains Brewpub one day and Millner Heritage Winery another. Built a bonfire a couple nights and listened to Jazz. Played games one evening. Janet is a fabulous host and we had everything we needed. Some things are more rustic like the decor, the need to recognize it is a septic system and the grill, but it met our needs perfectly!!!
Stayed 4 nights in May 2021

10/10 Excellent

Zane V., Nebraska

Liked: Cleanliness
A wonderful stay
3 of us stayed at the Kottage for a nice weekend away from the city. We used the kitchen to cook our meals and enjoyed the paddle boat, fire pit, and dock. Karen even brought us some ice cube trays and ice when we asked if there were any ice cube trays in the Kottage. I charged my Tesla from the 120v outlet in the front of the house, worked great!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2020

10/10 Excellent

Jessica F.

Liked: Cleanliness
Fall getaway
We were looking for a Fall getaway that was easy to get to and had plenty to do, the Kottage was perfect! We enjoyed fishing and other lake activities and then also visiting some sites around town and the countryside. Thank you for letting us stay!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2020

10/10 Excellent

Kieran A.

Liked: Cleanliness
Quick Trip
We attended a small wedding near Annandale, so our trip was brief. Our next trip will definitely be longer! My husband and I LOVED the cabin and the lake. The surroundings were so peaceful and the cabin couldn’t be more tidy and charming. I’m already planning another trip next year!! Anyone needing a cozy cabin in the Annandale area- this one wouldn’t disappoint!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2020

10/10 Excellent

Lynn B., Minneapolis, Minnesota

Liked: Cleanliness
Great getaway
We rented the Kottage for a long weekend getaway with my parents. It checked all the boxes for what a summer cabin stay should be. It was stocked with everything we needed as we did cook all our meals at the cabin, beds were comfortable and it was really nice to have 2 bathrooms. I have rented many cabins in the Annandale area and the lake location of this one may be my favorite as it was so peaceful. Karen responded promptly to any questions I had and left us a fun goody package which we thoroughly enjoyed.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2020