Entire home

Rustic charm meets modern comfort at Arsulas House

your current months are December, 2024 and January, 2025.
December 2024
January 2025

Photo gallery for Rustic charm meets modern comfort at Arsulas House

Aerial view
Smart TV, fireplace
Golf
Interior
Property grounds

Reviews

10 out of 10

Exceptional

Entire home

3 bedrooms3 bathroomsSleeps 10184 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Washer
  • Pet-friendly
  • Kitchen
  • Air conditioning
  • Fireplace

Explore the area

Map
Stonefort, IL
  • Shawnee National Forest
    1 min walk
  • Bynum's RT 45 BBQ
    11 min walk
  • Carbondale Station
    55 min drive
  • Marion, IL (MWA-Williamson County Regional)
    40 min drive

Room options

Similar properties

About the area

Stonefort

When you stay at this vacation home in Stonefort, you'll be on the waterfront and steps from Shawnee National Forest. .This family-friendly vacation home is 12.3 mi (19.7 km) from Saline County Area Museum and 13.6 mi (21.9 km) from Harrisburg Township Park District.

What's nearby

  • Shawnee National Forest - 1 min walk
  • Lake of Egypt - 28 min drive
  • Marion Cultural and Civic Center - 35 min drive
  • Garden of the Gods Recreation Area - 49 min drive
  • Southern Illinois University - 57 min drive

Getting around

  • Marion, IL (MWA-Williamson County Regional) - 40 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Bynum's RT 45 BBQ - ‬11 min walk
  • ‪Big Boys On The Loop - ‬8 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.

Rustic charm meets modern comfort at Arsulas House

Welcome to Arsula's House Sitting atop Goe Hill. Nestled in a serene location, our short-term rental property offers a peaceful escape with breathtaking views lots of visiting wildlife. Immerse yourself in nature within our well-appointed retreat, featuring modern amenities and comfortable accommodations. Discover the perfect balance between relaxation and adventure. Explore the surrounding area and indulge in outdoor activities during the day, then unwind in our tranquil oasis under the starry night sky. Experience the essence of tranquility at Arsula's House.

A-su-la's house was built by my grandfather nearly 50 odd years ago for my grandmother Arsula. We have updated much but tried to leave the intent and ambiance of the place as Johnny B intended it to be. You will enjoy this spacious quiet home setting on 9 Wooded and well secluded acres for your enjoyment , well away from roads, traffic and neighbors.
You could spend hour on end exploring this place as it has a nice stocked fishing pond (catch and release only), the live spring is just a little walk in the woods, there are large rocks the Indians used for grinding, and it is jam packed with history and nature. There's a 1800's cemetery on the property
.
It sets on top of Goe Hill with a beautiful scenic view overlooking the Stone fort valley. As you look south east across the valley you can see Stone fort bluffs and Tom Dick Hill and the start of the Shawnee national forest. You can visit places like Burden Falls, Bell Smith Springs, Natural Stone Bridge, John Mack Hollow, Buzzards Roost, McCormick Lookout Tower, Trigg Tower, Jack’s Trail Ride, Camp Ondessonk, Cedar Falls, Fern Cliff State Park. I’ve had many hours of fun on the Little Saline River and so much more, all of these just a few minutes away. The Garden of the Gods State Park and Cave in Rock State Park are just a few minutes farther away.
Make yourself comfortable in this air-conditioned vacation home, which features a fireplace and a Smart TV. A kitchen is outfitted with a refrigerator, an oven, and a stovetop. Complimentary wireless internet access is available to keep you connected. Conveniences include a desk and a microwave.
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

Keith

Languages

English

Property amenities

Internet

  • Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • On-site parking

Kitchen

  • Fridge
  • Stovetop
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Dishwasher
  • Cookware/dishes/utensils
  • Toaster
  • Coffee/tea maker

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 3 bedrooms
  • Bed sheets provided
  • Sofa bed

Bathrooms

  • 3 bathrooms
  • Combined shower/bath
  • Hairdryer
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Fireplace

Entertainment

  • Smart TV
  • Games

Outdoor areas

  • Barbecue
  • Garden
  • Firepit

Laundry

  • Washing machine and dryer

Work spaces

  • Desk

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • Pet friendly

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoke-free property

Services and conveniences

  • Iron/ironing board

Location highlights

  • On the lake
  • On the waterfront

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

General

  • Unit size: 1980.6 sq ft (184 sq m)

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

Pets allowed
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome

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
Long-term renters welcome
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 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

Property is also known as

199876
Vrbo Property
Quiet, Secluded With a View of Shawnee National Forest Stonefort

Rustic charm meets modern comfort at Arsulas House Reviews

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 53 out of 55 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 55 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 55 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 55 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 55 reviews" "

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Amenities

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Evi O.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great place to get away from it all!
House has no visible neighbors but convenient to Garden of Gods and other trails. House has amazing views, 3 bathrooms and lots of big beds for adults. We used wash machine after getting clothes wet and muddy on trail. Kitchen fully stocked for grilling or cooking. Nearest grocery store a bit away so plan to haul in food.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Bob B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Gerri S., Essex, IL

Liked: Cleanliness
Hilltop getaway
This property is in a quiet, secluded area with plenty of property to explore and enjoy family time. The house is perfectly appointed, very clean and has rustic charm with all the modern amenities. The coffee nook was a nice touch as well. The location is in the middle of all the activities we participated in, hiking, zip lining, swimming, antique shopping and wine tasting. I recommend this house and location for a trip to southern Illinois.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Susan A.

Liked: Cleanliness
Stayed 2 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Juan M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great place! Beautiful area
The house was beautiful inside and out in the yard. Firepit and grill available on site .
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Skyler R.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great place near waterfalls
The house was great and the people were great
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Richard S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Fantastic home
We needed to get away for a bit and this home was the perfect place. The house is fantastic and it was so quiet there. Just what we needed. We did cut our trip short but that was only due to the weather.
Stayed 5 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Latonya D.

Liked: Cleanliness
Peaceful
Wonderful. Clean. Private. Safe.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

tedd j.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great stay
Thus was an excellent home for a group of 5 adults. Beautiful setting. Quiet. Well stocked kitchen. Spacious fire pit/gathering spot. Host was very helpful
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Debbie L.

Liked: Cleanliness
Restful and Relaxing
We were in Carbondale to meet family for an afternoon so decided to take a mini vacation in the Shawnee National Forest. After checking hotels in the area, thought should check out VRBO and found this lovely gem in a quiet little town. The property was quiet and private, sitting a top a hill. I was not expecting the $52 fee to VRBO but it stands to reason they would have a listing fee. The last night, my husband and I enjoyed sitting out by the fire pit. Also, enjoyed speaking with Keith and learning more about all the beautiful aspects of the home and decor. We plan to go back with friends. Thank you for sharing your home.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Dru K.

Liked: Cleanliness
Fantastic
This place was great. Very clean and very well decorated. Wonderful host very friendly and helpful. Pictures do not do this place justice. Would recommend 10 out of 10.
Stayed 5 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Laura R.

Liked: Cleanliness
What an amazing place!
We stayed here for a few days while visiting Garden of the Gods and other places in Southern Illinois and Kentucky. Everything was perfection. Such a lovely home and beautiful grounds. Loved the deer that came to visit and we had a visit from a great horned owl. The owners were wonderful and thought of every detail.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Deborah K.

Liked: Cleanliness
Hiking Adventure
Great place to stay if hiking the eastern portion of the Shawnee National Forest. Numerous trails are within easy driving distance, including the popular Garden of the Gods. House was quite comfortable, perfectly clean, and well-equipped for our cooking needs with deer visiting outside the home most mornings and evenings.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Shane W.

Liked: Cleanliness
Peaceful, beautiful and perfect for groups!
My husband and I were so happy to have snagged this home last minute for our trip to Shawnee National Forest! The grounds are absolutely beautiful! The home is comfortable, well-stocked, clean and would be perfect for a family or group getaway! The home has so many lovely touches that made it feel “homey”. The property has a pond, fire pit complete with hot dog/marshmallow sticks, a picnic table and a tree swing! We watched deer in the field morning and evening! We were sad to be leaving after just one day! I would recommend stopping at that market on your way and eat in, there is no need to go out to restaurants, which are at least 15 minutes away. We hiked trails in the Garden of the Gods-be sure to catch the observation trail at sunset or early morning sunrise! The host was super quick to respond when I had questions. The check in process couldn’t have been easier. I am looking forward to returning to this gem!
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Courtney R.

Liked: Cleanliness
Getaway
Overall, great place to stay. I was a little disappointed that the listing states 4 bedrooms and we only found 3.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2023

8/10 Good

Linda S.

Liked: Cleanliness
House is beautiful
My only problem was the road to the house was in terrible shape. I thought my car would be damaged so I only went 5 mph. Once there house and grounds were very nice.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Sarah L.

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect
Arsula's House is a wonderful place to stay and hard to leave
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Cindy A.

Liked: Cleanliness
July 2023 stay
This place was beautiful and very clean. Fred was very kind and informative. Would highly recommend.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Gordon B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Discipleship
We came with another couple to bond together in Christ. The place was clean, well maintained and had all the comforts of home. The host has a sticked coffee bar as well as a few snacks that we enjoyed while windung down from our day.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Amanda F.

Liked: Cleanliness
Amazing stay at arsulas house
Met up with my sister and her family. Large group 11!of us. Stunning property with everything we needed. The kids loved the pond for catch and release fishing. We could lounge by the fire pit while they fished and played. The house was so unique and comfortable with everything we needed. Fred was an awesome host and available for any questions.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Penny P.

Liked: Cleanliness
Memorial day weekend stay
House was super clean and nice...we loved our stay
Stayed 2 nights in May 2023

8/10 Good

Joy B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Family Fun
We had a great time at the house. Keith was easy to work with. Everything was great. Close to Jackson Falls and great hiking. Also Tunnel Hill Trail was blocks away.
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Diana C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great
House was very clean. Location was great. Very comfortable and would definitely stay there again.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

John C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great house near Garden of the Gods
Fantastic property that is clean and comfortable. Has all the necessary amenities. Hosts are great!
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Richard H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Love this place
We love staying here. Peaceful, quiet, relaxing no one around. We have stayed here twice both times everything was great. Our last trip we discovered the house is only 4 tenths of a mile from a 50 mile bike trail. We will be planning a return trip for late spring
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2023