On the shores of beautiful Lake Willoughby, this 1930s cottage offers a peaceful retreat with three porches to soak in incredible sunset views. Explore vintage wainscot walls adorned with artwork, relax by the fire ring or enjoy private beach access across the road.
Reviews
9.69.6 out of 10
Exceptional
Entire home
5 bedrooms3 bathroomsSleeps 9
Popular amenities
Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Free Wi-Fi
Outdoor space
Add dates for prices
About this property
Lakeside Isbell Cottage and Isbellita Guest Cottage
Peaceful rustic 1930s cottage on beautiful Lake Willoughby in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont. Incredible sunset views over the lake from any of the 3 porches, open, screened and sleeping. Vintage wainscot walls hung with old and new artwork, and large front yard with a fire ring. Lovely cedar hedged alley leading to private beach across the road with deck, Adirondack chairs and a dock for sitting and swimming. Shallow swimming perfect for young children. Second guest cottage on property included with queen bed, single day bed, mini kitchen (fridge, sink and coffee machine only) living room and porch. Just 3 properties north of the Willoughby Lake Store where you can find just about anything you might have forgotten from fishing gear to ice cream (and creemees!), to local gifts and a liquor store. Close to beautiful hikes, museums, great antiquing, farmers markets and the Bread and Puppet Theater.
Property amenities
Beach
Beach nearby
Beach towels
Internet
Available in the cottage: Free WiFi
Parking and transport
Parking on site
Kitchen
Blender
Coffee grinder
Coffee/tea maker
Cookware, dishware, and utensils
Dishwasher
Electric kettle
Hob
Kitchen island
Kitchenette
Lobster/crab pot
Microwave
Oven
Refrigerator
Spices
Toaster
Dining
Dining table
Bedrooms
5 bedrooms
Bedsheets provided
Bathroom
2.5 bathrooms
Bathtub or shower
Hair dryer
Shower
Soap
Towels provided
Living spaces
Dining table
Living room
Entertainment
Books
Games
Stereo
Outdoor areas
Barbecue grill
Dock
Firepit
Garden
Outdoor furniture
Patio
Yard
Laundry
Laundry facilities
Washing machine
Work spaces
Desk
Desk chair
Comfort
Heating
Pets
Pet friendly
Welcoming cats and dogs only
Up to 23 kg per pet
Suitability/Accessibility
If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
Area rugs in public areas
Handrails in stairways
Hardwood flooring in public areas
No lift
Smoke-free property
Location highlights
In a rural location
In the mountains
On a lake
Things to do
Golf
Kayak
Water sports equipment
Birdwatching nearby
Fishing nearby
Golfing nearby
Hiking/biking trails nearby
Kayaking nearby
Motor boating nearby
Mountain biking nearby
Mountain climbing nearby
Rock climbing 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)
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
Dogs: Dogs MUST be leashed when over at the beach!
No fireworks
Pets
Pets are allowed
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees
Welcoming dogs and cats only
2 total (up to 23 kg per pet)
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
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 and a first aid kit
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
This property does not have any lifts
About the area
Located in Orleans, this cottage is in a rural area and on a lake. Old Stone House Museum and Charleston Historical Society Museum are cultural highlights, and some of the area's activities can be experienced at Orleans Country Club and Quechee Gorge Mini Golf. Kayaking and waterskiing offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with rock climbing and mountain biking nearby. Visit our Orleans travel guide
Is Lakeside Isbell Cottage and Isbellita Guest Cottage pet-friendly?
Yes, this property allows cats and dogs (limit 2 total) with a maximum weight of up to 23 kg per pet.
How much is parking at Lakeside Isbell Cottage and Isbellita Guest Cottage?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at Lakeside Isbell Cottage and Isbellita Guest Cottage?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Lakeside Isbell Cottage and Isbellita Guest Cottage?
Checkout is at 11:00 AM.
Where is Lakeside Isbell Cottage and Isbellita Guest Cottage located?
Situated on a lake, this cottage is steps from Lake Willoughby and within 3 mi (5 km) of North Beach and Sentinel Rock State Park. South Beach and Mount Pisgah are also within 6 miles (10 km).
Have a question?
AI iconBetaBeta
Get instant answers with AI powered search of property information and reviews.
Lakeside Isbell Cottage and Isbellita Guest Cottage Reviews
Reviews
Exceptional
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travellers 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.
We had a great time. There was plenty to do, including hiking, kayaking, antiquing, and even a local corn maze. The house is very comfortable, well equipped, and we love all the antiques in the vibe. The casita next-door was great for our new parents and their baby to have a little privacy. Hope to be back next year!
Carla B.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2025
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Nadine
20 Sept 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, communication
We loved the unique structure and decor of the house, and felt very at home. The property was spacious, clean, quiet. The private dock and water access was perfect for morning coffee and swimming. We knew there was no tv on site, so we brought a small one with us for movie night! Communication with the owner was quick and responsive. We'd happily book there again!
Lake Willoughby is a special place for me and my family and this was a perfect spot to gather together for a lake vacation. Great for families and awesome beach access! We hope to return next year.
We love the charm and layout of the cottage, it’s so welcoming and relaxing with multiple porches and cozy comfy bedrooms. Can’t wait to come back next year.
Fantastic location. Hose had everything we needed for our family visiting for a family wedding. We enjoyed hanging out on the porch, swimming and relaxing at the dock and gathering together for dinner. Thanks for a lovely stay. Stunning fall foliage too!
We had a fabulous weekend at this property! The house was comfortable and relaxing. Our kids loved the unique feature of the sleeping porch. It was nice to have our own dock across the street and our family enjoyed the use of the kayaks. We hope to return someday!
The house is straight out of an antique shop which I absolutely loved! My family and I enjoyed the peace and quiet. The private beach was just that. Perfect. Floats & kayaks were provided which made it even more fun. General store close by made it all the more convenient. Definitely worth the trip!
We had a wonderful time. The place brought memories of summers at my grandmothers house. We enjoyed sitting on the porch listening to the loons and catching up with reading. Such a relaxing weekend. Wish we could of stayed longer . Thinking of coming back next year.
Thank you Mary
Our family of 5 adults and a 1 year old spent a great week here. The house is the perfect Vermont lake house. Plenty of space. The porches are amazing!! The yard is perfect for outdoor games. The separate cabin is a great space. It’s nice to have a ‘private’ beach area and the dock had plenty of space for the boat. The lake is beautiful! Plenty of choices for hiking in the area. Would definitely go back!
Beautiful views and plenty of space in this lakeside house and cottage. There were 6 of us and the space was perfect. Even though the weather didn't cooperate we made the best of it. Lots of games and fun! Loved the porches for our morning coffee. Living area was nice and cozy with plenty of seating. We hope to return in better weather to take advantage of the private dock and firepits. Thanks for sharing with us!
Tammy M.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2023
Verified
8/10 Good
JoAnna S.
2 Oct 2023
Liked: Check-in, communication, location
Disliked: Cleanliness
Sibling reunion
The house has a lovely, old fashioned feel and was clean except for the refrigerator. We thoroughly enjoyed sitting outside on the porch. Considering that the oven doesn’t work, it would have been very helpful to have instructions for the convection oven. The water pressure was low. It is a beautiful home and setting.
This was our family's first trip to this part of Vermont and hopefully it will not be the last. The Lake Willoughby area is singular and this cottage is at the heart of it. The cottage is "rustic" in the most positive sense possible of that word; it is not "fancy" and it is maybe even a bit dated, and that is exactly as it should be - the cottage has everything you could possibly need for a pleasant stay, everything works as it should, it is clean and comfy, and there is plenty of space. If you are traveling with kids, the front yard of this property is sizeable and perfect for all manner of activities (and they might not even miss their phones). The lake access is convenient and the neighbors, friendly. We found the property host be easy to reach and very responsive which was appreciated. Highly recommend!
This property had essentially 5 bedrooms so ample space for our family. Sleeping porch was wonderful and all beds were very comfortable which was not always the case in our past rentals. Beach area is not very private and is very small but nice dock for our boat. Loved the large covered porch which we enjoyed our morning coffee on and loved sitting out on to read during the one rainy day we had. Large front lawn to play yard games on. The only disappointment was that things were not as clean as they could have been - dirty refrigerator, dirty/stained porch swing cushion and lots of cobwebs especially in guest house. No gas grill so we brought our own. Also Vt recycling is challenging. We were instructed to use Westmore bags for trash but there were none to be found. Nice having washer and dryer available. Overall we were very happy with our stay and it was a beautiful setting to spend time with family and make memories.
The property is comprised of two charming cottages -- one is a snug, cosy guest cottage that sleeps three; the second, Isbell Cottage, is a larger cottage that sleep 8-10 with a large living room/dining room, charming kitchen, and double porch. The cottages have access to Willougbhy Lake with a deck, dock and beach front. The cottages have a lovely character harkening back to a simpler time, with unique furniture, eclectic and beautiful artwork, and amenities you need for a relaxing lakeside respite.
My husband and I spent the second week of our honeymoon at Isbell Cottage and it was perfect! We used the snug guest cottage, rose each morning to have coffee on the porch and watched the sun come up. We took amazing hikes, visited museums in Glover, and spent a rainy day making chili, reading and playing cards as the sound of rain kept us cosy. (Don't miss the Bread and Puppet Museum and the amazing and quirky Museum of Everyday Life in Glover!)
At the weekend, ten our best friends joined us to celebrate our marriage and everyone fit perfectly into the two cottages. We kayaked and paddle boarded and we spent most of the days on or near the water. Evenings we watched spectular sunsets, listened to the loons, and sat around a fire on the beach reminiscing and telling stories. It was a magical experience.
Finally, I slept better than I have slept in a long time in the deeply quiet, dark night. I left Isbell Cottage with a deep feeling of peace and restfulness.
The cottage had everything we needed, lots of space, especially appreciated the extra sink, mirrors and downstairs bathroom when 5 of us were getting ready for a wedding
Isbell and Isbellita were truly wonderful and the oasis we needed for the weekend! Everything was perfect, we spent the whole day on the lake, and it is conveniently located. The house is cozy and warm and has plenty of sleeping options. I slept on the porch which was particularly delightful. Also, Bread and Puppet is a 15 minute drive away — I’d highly recommend giving them a visit! On the whole, it was so lovely and it was the perfect birthday getaway.