This retreat was exactly what we needed! The location was so beautiful -- surrounded by trees, a perfect beach for kids and adults alike, and a comfortable, well-stocked cabin.
First, the grounds: I've said it lots already, but the beach area is so perfect -- lots of sand for the kids to play in, a clear and warm lake to swim in, and TONS of beach toys, floats, kayaks, etc. provided to enjoy it all. I couldn't believe all of the treasures that my husband kept pulling out of the shed for us to use over the course of the weekend. My toddler started calling it the magic shed. We spent our afternoons building sandcastles, swimming with the sunnies, paddling around on the kayaks and canoes, and come evening time, enjoyed the most gorgeous sunsets complete with a pair of loons.
We also had a great time exploring the 11 acres in search of wildlife. It feels so peaceful to wander along the path and enjoy the smells and sounds of nature.
The cabin was well-stocked with all of the things we needed for our stay. Linens and towels were clean and comfy. I really appreciated the soft pillows on every bed, and the kitchen had all of the pots/pans/plates/utensils/appliances we needed to cook some tasty meals. We brought all of our own food, but the pantry did have some essential in case you forget things at home. And, the nearby Dollar General (about 7 minutes away) had a couple of the last minute items we needed to get -- we somehow forgot to bring the ingredients for s'mores!
The house is older so there was a slightly musty smell when we first arrived but that's to be expected with a cabin in the woods. Furniture is well-loved, but certainly comfortable and sturdy. And there are plenty of comfy sitting spots both indoors and outdoors to enjoy.
You may want to bring your own water to drink. While the tap water is safe to drink, it definitely has a brownish tint and metallic taste -- again, to be expected with a cabin in the woods that uses well water. While I'm usually not too picky with my water, I did end up preferring to drink from the gallons of bottled water we bought at the local store for the kids. Just something to consider if you (or someone in your group) is a bit squeamish about drinking hard water.
We would absolutely come back! It was a perfect getaway for my family: myself and my husbands (both in our 30s), my mother (70s), two toddlers (1 and 3), and our dog.