The world might tell you to follow your heart, but perhaps a little dirt road is what you need to follow. We can’t promise you’ll find the answers to any soul searching, but, perhaps, if you’re lucky, you’ll stumble across Serenity at Sunset Cove.
Located on private Meaders Lake outside Cleveland, this waterfront vacation rental offers charming accommodations in a tranquil setting. On the outside, the cabin is natural and unassuming, but you’ll find a recently renovated space inside. New owner Lisa McWilliams, who purchased the property last year, brought the building back to life with new floors, walls, cabinets, granite, backsplash, light fixtures and décor to create a bright, airy farmhouse feel that is at once crisp and clean while still cozy and inviting.
The three-level house boasts ample sleeping space, with a bedroom on each floor and closed stairwells adding an extra layer of privacy. There’s also a sleeper sofa in the terrace-level living area, plus a separate carriage house onsite with an additional queen bed.
Add a set of twin-over-double bunk beds in the lower-level bedroom (plus a shelf stocked with games!), and the entire property comfortably accommodates up to 10 guests.
On the main level, a small kitchen and dining area with a farmhouse table is perfect for prepping simple summer meals to throw on the grill.
The focal point of the main living area is a flat-screen SmartTV and an electric firewall with flame color customization for ambiance.
But the focal point of the entire property is undoubtedly the lake, a quiet, 8.5-acre, spring-fed watering hole with just a few other houses lining its banks. Guests can soak up the serene views from a ¾-wraparound porch on the main level with two separate tables for outdoor meals, plus a retractable sunshade for minimizing those intense, mid-day rays.
A gently sloping backyard beckons for a leisurely stroll to the wood-burning fire pit and a small dock, where you can cast a line (be sure to bring your fishing rod and bait for bass) or perhaps enjoy a cocktail at sunset. Once the sun slips below the treeline surrounding the lake, flip on the strands of large bulb lights crisscrossing the deck down to the fire pit for an enchanting glow.
The aforementioned carriage house is included in your rental and offers its own private retreat with a bedroom, kitchenette, and—my personal favorite space—a screened-in porch with a wood-burning fireplace and another sleeper sofa. On mild North Georgia nights, this would be a magical place to sleep, surrounded by the sounds of nature (without all the bugs!) in the comfort of a bed. Now that’s my type of camping!
Additional amenities include a washer and dryer, high-speed WiFi, a charbroil gas grill, and kitchen and bathroom essentials, including coffee filters, shampoo, and conditioner. There’s also a cornhole set with bean bags in the backyard and even a basketball net affixed to the side of the garage for some friendly competition.
Serenity on Sunset Cove is secluded yet still situated amid some of North Georgia’s best offerings. The cabin is centrally located to several top-notch wineries, including Yonah Mountain Vineyards, Serenity Cellars, CeNita Vineyards and Sylvan Valley Lodge and Cellars, which also serves lunch and dinner Friday through Sunday. It’s also 20 minutes from Yonah Mt Trailhead for a challenging 4.5-mile out-and-back hike or 30 minutes to the more accessible Yonah Preserve Trails, as well as 10 minutes to downtown Cleveland, 15 minutes to Sautee Nacoochee, and 20 minutes to Downtown Helen for a day of shopping, dining, riding the mountain roller coaster or tubing the ‘Hooch.
With property management by Cabin Rentals of Helen, rest assured you’ll have an easy booking and everything you need for a comfortable stay. (Be sure to check out the company’s portfolio of additional waterfront or mountain-view rentals in Northeast Georgia).
SERENITY ON SUNSET COVE
LOCATION: Cleveland
SLEEPS: 10
MOUNTAIN VIEW: No
FIREPLACE: Yes, electric firewall inside, plus an outdoor fire pit and wood-burning fireplace on carriage house porch
PETS: No
SPECIAL AMENITIES: Private-lake access with mini fishing dock; bunk room; and separate carriage house for additional guests
NEARBY ATTRACTIONS: Yonah Mountain Vineyards, Sylvan Valley Lodge and Cellars, SauteeNacoochee, downtown Helen
MINIMUM STAY: 4 nights during Oktoberfest and holidays; 2 nights otherwise
HOW TO BOOK: renthelen.com
