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Historic Retreat - steps from the Lake and Downtown

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Property grounds
Exterior
Interior
Smart TV
Microwave, dishwasher, coffee/tea maker, cookware/dishes/utensils

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire home

6 bedrooms4 bathroomsSleeps 16

Popular amenities

  • Barbecue grill
  • Dryer
  • Parking available
  • Washer
  • Kitchen
  • Pet friendly

Explore the area

Map
Lake Geneva, WI
  • Riviera Beach
    ‪5 min walk‬
  • Lake Geneva Cruise Line
    ‪8 min walk‬
  • Lake Como
    ‪5 min drive‬
  • Kenosha, WI (ENW-Kenosha Regional)
    ‪39 min drive‬

Room options

About the neighborhood

Lake Geneva

Geneva Lake is within a 5-minute walk of this vacation home while other popular sites like Lake Geneva Cruise Line are within a 15-minute stroll. The vacation home includes a kitchen, a sofa bed, and a microwave.
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What's nearby

  • Riviera Beach - 5 min walk - 0.3 miles
  • Lake Geneva Cruise Line - 8 min walk - 0.5 miles
  • Riviera Ballroom - 9 min walk - 0.5 miles
  • Lake Como - 5 min drive - 1.7 miles
  • Moose Mountain Falls Waterpark - 5 min drive - 2.6 miles

Getting around

  • Harvard Station - 31 min drive
  • Kenosha, WI (ENW-Kenosha Regional) - 39 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪McDonald's - ‬15 min walk
  • ‪Culver's - ‬17 min walk
  • ‪Popeye's On Lake Geneva - ‬9 min walk
  • ‪Starbucks - ‬9 min walk
  • ‪Next Door Pub - ‬4 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.

Historic Retreat - steps from the Lake and Downtown

Book this 1896 charmer **with guest house** for your extended family getaway, golf outing, girls trip, wedding weekend or peaceful and fun retreat of any kind! There are a few summer weekends still available, but consider visiting Lake Geneva midweek as well when there are fewer people in town.

This home is fully updated, brimming with character, spacious and in the middle of everything that Lake Geneva has to offer. It has five bedrooms, three full baths and a hide-a-bed couch in the main house in addition to a guest house with living room, 4th full bath and 6th bedroom. The guest house offers some options for larger groups with some people that need or want a little more separation. Maybe grandma and grandpa want to come along, but would like their own space. Or a young parent with a baby that might be up at night. Or an introvert’s dream-come-true. Part of things, but on your own when you want to be.

The basement is a cozy place to hang out and play a game or watch a movie. The stone walls and visible support beams provide a reminder of the history and legacy of the home.

Your whole group can hang out together in the large kitchen, stocked with dishes and cooking supplies and a keurig. Appliances include double ovens, microwave, warming drawer, gas stove with pot filler, and beverage refrigerator. Cook a big meal or go out. You’ve got options.

Laundry detergent and shampoo/conditioner are available. Wi-Fi and Nest thermostats are provided in both units.

The lake is visible from the den and a couple of bedrooms as well as the long front porch where you can enjoy your morning coffee or a book while sitting on a rocking chair or the porch swing.

I grew up in the area and I'm excited to help you plan your stay and enjoy a wonderful time away with your people. The lake path and the park and library are right across the street. Walk to Inspire Coffee or Starbucks, restaurants, shops of all kinds, the beach or the Riviera boat dock to catch a delightful boat tour. So many fun things to do! Skip the parking and walk. It’s all right there.

I’m excited for the opportunity to serve you and your group!
The vacation home is air-conditioned and features a kitchen and 4 bathrooms, and there's space to spread out with 6 bedrooms. Other standard amenities include a washing machine, a sofa bed, and a coffee maker.

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  • Kitchen
  • Washer
  • Dryer
  • Pet friendly
9.8 out of 10, Exceptional, 183 reviews
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Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in the house: WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Parking on site

Kitchen

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Dishwasher
  • Microwave

Bedrooms

  • 6 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided
  • Sofa bed

Bathroom

  • 4 bathrooms
  • Bathtub or shower
  • Hair dryer
  • Shampoo
  • Shower
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Living room

Entertainment

  • Smart TV with cable/satellite channels

Outdoor areas

  • Barbecue grill
  • Dock
  • Porch

Laundry

  • Laundry detergent
  • Laundry facilities
  • Washing machine

Comfort

  • Air conditioning

Pets

  • Pet friendly
  • Welcoming dogs only
  • One pet total

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoke-free property

Services and conveniences

  • Iron/ironing board

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)

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Minimum check-in age: 21

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

  • This property welcomes pets
  • Dogs only
  • 1 total pets
  • Service animals exempt from fees

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 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
  • Check-in: 4:00 PM
  • Check-out: 10:00 AM
  • Minimum check-in age: 21

We should mention

Details about charges, deposits, or other important information:

  • This property is managed by a private host, not a professional engaged in trade or business.
  • Charges for extra guests may apply and vary depending on the property's policy.
  • A cash deposit, credit card, or debit card for incidental charges, as well as a government-issued photo ID, may be required at check-in.
  • Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in and can't be guaranteed. Certain requests may come with additional charges.
  • Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited.

Frequently asked questions

What's there to see within easy reach of this vacation home?

This vacation home in Lake Geneva is within a 10-minute walk of Geneva Lake and Lake Geneva Cruise Line. You'll also find Riviera Beach and Riviera Ballroom less than a mile away.

Is there parking available at this vacation home?

No, there isn't parking at this vacation home.

Is this vacation home next to a casino?

No, this vacation home is not connected to a casino.

Will I find an indoor pool at this vacation home?

No, there is no indoor pool at this vacation home.

What will couples enjoy most about a stay at Historic Retreat - steps from the Lake and Downtown?

Couples will appreciate amenities at this vacation home, including a kitchen and a smart TV in each accommodation and kitchens in some.

Are there hot tubs at Historic Retreat - steps from the Lake and Downtown?

No, there isn't a spa tub at this vacation home.

Does this vacation home include breakfast service?

No, this vacation home doesn't offer breakfast.

Will this vacation home allow pets to stay for free?

Although dogs can't stay for free, they are welcome at this vacation home.

Does this vacation home have connecting rooms?

No, there aren't connecting rooms at this vacation home.

How close is the airport from this vacation home?

The closest major airport to this vacation home is Kenosha, WI (ENW-Kenosha Regional), which is 28.7 mi away (39 minutes by car).

Are there rooms with balconies that I can book at Historic Retreat - steps from the Lake and Downtown?

Yes, every accommodation at Historic Retreat - steps from the Lake and Downtown comes with a porch.

Historic Retreat - steps from the Lake and Downtown Reviews

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 25 out of 26 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 1 out of 26 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 26 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 26 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 26 reviews

9.8/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Cindy G.

Liked: Cleanliness

So comfy and roomy for everyone!

We really enjoyed our stay with our adult children, spouses, girlfriends and grandchildren. Walkable to parks, shops and the lake. Comfortable spaces in the home to talk and play. Comfy beds and beautiful bathrooms and kitchen! We loved it!
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Megan W., Chicago

Liked: Cleanliness

A wonderful winter getaway

We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at this property. The host was very accessible, the location was nice and central, and the house had lots of room for all of us (10 in total) to spread out. Pro tip: bring extra layers if temps dip below zero. It's an old house and got a bit drafty.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jessica H., White Bear Lake, Minnesota

Liked: Cleanliness

Such a beautiful home!

We had a very nice weekend staying at the Maxwell House! The renovations in the home are beautiful, there is a lot of space, and the location is perfect! We were blessed with good weather, so we walked all over town. We hope to come back again.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

kimberly m.

Liked: Cleanliness

Amazing in town rental for whole family

We utilized this home for our daughter’s wedding weekend. It was perfect for our family to stay together and have a central location for the girls to get ready! The “coach house” in back was a fabulous bonus for the bride and groom to have their own space.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Sarah B.

Liked: Cleanliness

Most Wonderful Experience!!

Had the most wonderful stay at this beautiful home with our family. The location is perfection- walking distance to town, park, library and beach. Communication with owner was prompt and extremely helpful. Every small hospitable detail did not go unnoticed. Welcomed us with freshly baked cookies waiting on counter. The home and accommodations were perfect for our large family. Truly appreciated the toys and room for play! We cannot wait to come back!!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024

8/10 Good

Lori J.

Liked: Cleanliness

Great location

Adult family members together with spouses stayed 3 nights Sun to Wed. Within a block of the lake & a few blocks to the beach, this property is an ideal location. Nice size kitchen for preparing meals & large dining table for all to comfortably sit down together. The beds were comfortable & the rooms were as described in the listing. There was delicious homemade cookies & a welcome note for us upon arrival, which added a nice touch to our stay. Our host Rachel responded very promptly to an inquiry made upon arrival with respect to accessing the guest house. All in all, a nice home to stay in when in Lake Geneva. We recommend this property.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness

5 stars all around

Property was very clean, and comfortable - very accurately represented on the listing. Host was super friendly, went above and beyond with communication, very flexible and accommodating with requests and quickly responded to all communication. Plenty of space and well appointed kitchen. A few blocks from a school playground, beach and shops. Highly recommend and hope to stay there again in the future!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Rita Marie B.

Liked: Cleanliness

Holiday at Lake Geneva

Wonderful house! Plenty of counter space to make homemade spaghetti. Loved the Christmas decorations. Loved the location. We went skiing for a day and spent a day at the waterpark. A little problem with basement... grandson had an asthma reaction when down there. So we didn't spend time down there. Guest house was a perfect way for us all to spread out. It snowed and made everything feel like Christmas
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

Brian W.

Liked: Cleanliness

Great Family Thanksgiving!

13 of us stayed very comfortably at this house for thanksgiving. Rachel was easy to communicate with pre, during, and post. Everything was perfect! I would highly recommend this location.
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Beth T.

Liked: Cleanliness

Historical House in Lake Geneva, WI.

We LOVED the property and the location. Easy walking distance to everything. Great house for friends and family to gather and bond. Beautiful kitchen! Comfy beds, great remodeled baths! Would definitely recommend!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

megan l.

Liked: Cleanliness

labor day family reunion.

we had a great time at this home with 15 adults and one baby. It was a great location for walking to town and the water. We also had plenty of common area to hangout and make and enjoy meals together. Given we have a lot of couples in our family we had to get creative with some sleeping situations. If the room in the front living room with a fold out couch had black out curtains that would have been nice. We also had a couple stay in the basement, we brought a queen sized air mattress but having a more permanent sleeping situation down there would have been nice. We were just happy to get the whole family together so we made it work! Rachel the host also made cookies with a sweet handwritten note to greet us when we got there. She was very timely and detailed in her responses to all my questions. Everyone in the group is excited to go back!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Robert T.

Liked: Cleanliness

302 Maxwell was fantastic

We had 9 people stay for the week prior to Labor Day Weekend 2023 and had an excellent weekend! We are a group of college friends all in our early 40's who came up for a Golf trip and played Thursday (night) and Friday/Saturday. Having the guest/coach house was great for those who had to take work calls/less social in the evening. It's a dream kitchen for those who like to cook and suited our group well for big breakfasts prior to our tee times. The rooms were spacious and the bathrooms updated, everything was perfect! I We look forward to returning again very very soon. Rachel (host) was an excellent communicator leading up to and during our stay with questions and updates. We can't thank her enough for the chance to stay at her place. I couldn't click five starts fast enough on this review, highly recommend and although we were a group of guys for our yearly meetup, this place would suit 2-3 families with 6/7 or less kids extremely well also! Thank you! - Rob & friends
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Ann R.

Liked: Cleanliness

Historic home by the lake

Upon driving up to the property you are immediately welcomed by the long front porch filled with rocking chairs. Walking into the home and seeing cookies on the counter with a welcome note made us feel right at home from the start. Our granddaughter immediately went for the room with the bunk beds and was thrilled to open the closet to find a huge choice of books and a rocking chair. The dining room table was large enough to seat our entire group and the family room was great for watching Disney with the little ones. The primary bedroom was well appointed and the bed was incredibly comfortable. Everything in the house worked perfectly. We absolutely appreciated Rachel giving us things to do and restaurant recommendations before we arrived and especially her letting us know about a special celebration at the lake one of the days we were there. The children loved watching the fireworks from the bedroom window. The proximity of the house to the lake and beach, shopping and restaurants was fantastic. We could walk everywhere. We even walked to a nearby park at the school to use the playground. Rachel is a fantastic hostess and her home is a pleasure to visit. Hopefully we can return soon!!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Ron S., Hayward Wisconsin

Liked: Cleanliness

What an awesome home!

The home was exactly as advertised! Great location (a block from the Lake). Quick walk to the public beach, shops, and restaurants. Beds were very comfortable and was great for 10 adults. Could have added another or a several kids in the ‘bunk’ room. Kitchen was well stocked and convenient to use. Bath towels were probably the nicest we had in a STR. Host was very responsive and helpful. Cookies were awesome! Highly recommend the home!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Doreyne D.

Liked: Cleanliness

Didn't Want to Leave!

Great house in a wonderful, safe neighborhood. We used the house for a family reunion. The layout was super conducive to conversation and fun times. We love Lake Geneva and we loved this house. Thank you, Rachel!
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Sue O.

Liked: Cleanliness

Fabulous location in Lake Geneva

We had a wonderful stay! So much to do and enjoy in a beautiful historic family home!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kevin W.

Liked: Cleanliness

Family Reunion

The property was amazing and located in the perfect spot to really enjoy Lake Geneva Wisconsin!!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness

House was lovely.

The house was quite lovely and the accommodations were perfect for a family. Location was convenient to shopping and dining establishments.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Karyn S., Elgin

Liked: Cleanliness

Perfect family place

We loved that we had our own bedroom suite on main floor while the kids and grandkids were upstairs. The grandkids especially loved the main floor TV room where they gathered and played Mario together. Moms and dads too! We all enjoyed the short walk to town and the beauty of the Lake Geneva area. Everyone especially loved Rachel's cookies that welcomed us!
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Stephanie B.

Liked: Cleanliness

Fantastic house for a Lake Geneva getaway

We had a wonderful time at Rachel's Lake Geneva house. Beautiful and very comfortable house with lots of space to spread out, and so close to the lake and downtown! Rachel was such a thoughtful and responsive host, and we'd love to return the next time we're in the area. Highly recommend!
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness

Great for our family gathering

The perfect spot for our multi-generation family to celebrate Thanksgiving. Well appointed and convenient to shops and restaurants. Host was communicative and pleasant to deal with. Many memories made!
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2022

10/10 Excellent

Elias C.

Liked: Cleanliness

Maxwell House

The host was very accessible and property was excellent! Location and size were perfect for our family gathering; we would definitely come back. Host was responsive, friendly and helpful. She even left us a lovely note and sugary treats to get our weekend started right.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Karen L.

Liked: Cleanliness

Perfect place for family gatherings

We stayed at this home for a 15 person (plus one dog) family reunion—ages ranged from 80 to 3. The layout of the house was great for the whole group—especially for meals and hanging out. It also had places for people to take a break if they needed quiet. We also used the guest house in the back for the teenagers who stayed up and woke up later than the rest. The location meant we could walk to the beach or pick up ice cream. We did find dog hair throughout the house from the previous guests—either it was all over (mainly the first floor) already or it was in certain areas and we tracked it all over before realizing it. Rachel was helpful and responsive to questions. She was open to our feedback about the hair and asked how to do better next time. One of us left something at the house which she found and promptly mailed to us. We had a wonderful trip and would be happy to stay here again.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Shivani C.

Liked: Cleanliness

Maxwell Stay

We went with a couple families with 8 kids ages 11 and under. We had an amazing stay! The owner was extremely friendly and helpful. The location was perfect-short walk to the beach. The house was roomy, clean and lots of fun for everyone. We would definitely stay here again.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Scott R.

Liked: Cleanliness

The perfect lake life getaway!

This home couldn't have been more perfect for our family getaway. We had family flying in from the west coast and Canada, so we needed a house big enough to sleep 12 people comfortably. Check-in was super easy, and the host left out some delicious pastries as a welcome gift. First, this house is huge! If you have a large group, I can’t recommend it enough. The newly updated kitchen is fully stocked with everything you need and then some (the pot filler over the sink is a nice touch!). The island spans the entire length of the kitchen, so it was great for setting out a smorgasbord of food buffet style or standing around to play games and socialize. The front sitting room and family room were so cozy and we loved the big sliding doors which closed off the family room if you needed some quiet time. All the bedrooms are spacious and updated beautifully, and the master suite is spectacular. The basement is partially finished but also served as extra room for entertainment or sleeping. We really enjoyed sitting out on the porch during the mornings and evenings as well. The guest house wasn’t quite as grand as the other rooms in the house, but it was great to have the extra bedroom and bathroom. The proximity to downtown Lake Geneva makes this place even more of a gem. The lake is right down the street, and it’s just minutes to all the shops and restaurants. Pretty much anything in Lake Geneva is within close proximity and easily walkable. We also had a boat with us so being close to the water was important. The only suggestion I might make is to add locking doorknobs to the bathroom doors as none of them lock. Otherwise, there is nothing to complain about whatsoever. I would not hesitate to give this home a solid 10/10. We would stay here again without a question.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2022