Entire home

Hensley’s Cornerstone Lakehouse

Photo gallery for Hensley’s Cornerstone Lakehouse

Beach nearby, beach towels
Exterior
Outdoor dining
Interior
Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop

Reviews

9.8 out of 10

Exceptional

Entire home

3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 12

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
    Parking available
  • Gym
    Gym
  • Washer
    Washer
  • Barbecue grill
    Barbecue grill
  • Kitchen
    Kitchen
  • Air conditioning
    Air conditioning

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

Hensley’s Cornerstone Lakehouse

Intro:
I affectionately refer to this house as “The House That Built Me.” Referencing (of course) the title of country artist Miranda Lamberts hit song, from 2010. The lyrics couldn’t be more accurate. My name is Crystal, and this is The House That Built Me.

My father bought this property in 1970. He married my mother and her two children in 1976. I was brought home from the hospital to this home in 1977 & raised here with my siblings, until eventually we all married and left home.


The space:
This is a beautiful 3 bedroom, 2 bath lake house, in the sweet little town of Wauconda, Illinois.

Situated on almost one acre of lakefront land, this property is unique as it is arranged and shares land with a few other small cottages, and longterm tenants. All neighbors are very friendly. You will feel extremely safe and welcome.

Property runs parallel to Homer T. Cook park. Recreation center, running/walking nature path, skateboard park all only footsteps away.

Perfect location for those who enjoy the outdoors; fishing, biking, paddle boarding, kayaking, etc...

Guest Access:

Access to lake is included with your stay. We allow all guests and longterm tenants to use our kayaks, paddle board, row boat and paddle boat. We have a few fishing poles, some (limited) tackle, life vests and flashlights. We recommend any avid fisherman, bring their own poles & tackle. What we offer is much more amateur, level.

In addition to what we provide, there are many options as far as opportunities to rent boats, jet skis, wave runners, etc... as well as a few local bait shops.

We have just about everything imaginable in the kitchen to prepare meals. A plethora of pots & pans, wok, serving bowls/dishes, juicer, crockpot, coffee maker, toaster oven, waffle maker, bread maker, etc... Often times many spices and oils are left behind to share.

We provide a hair dryer, iron and ironing board, plenty of bath towels, washcloths and two bath robes.

Supplies: We have shampoo, conditioner, body lotion, body wash, etc.. on hand, however we request these are used as a backup to forgotten products, opposed to your unlimited supply. We have basics in the way of medication, feminine products, bandages, sun screens, bug spray, etc… to use in unprepared situations.

To get you started, we provide 1 roll of paper towels, 4 rolls of toilet paper, a handful of trash bags, hand soap and a mini bottle of dish soap. In the event you surpass the initial provided quantity, we do not restock these supplies. We provide all the laundry detergent needed, to wash linen, during checkout.

Extra amenities include: 4 bicycles, 3 fire pits, cornhole game, adult yard games, coolers, beach towels, tree hammocks, a picnic basket, cable, WiFi, a wireless/bluetooth printer and speaker, several adult card and board games, as well as a few essential oil defusers.

We try to provide some extras, for traveling families with little ones. Things we would appreciate if traveling with children, like: a portable crib/playpen, high chair, stroller, bouncers, sippy cups, toys; dolls, barbies, blocks, trucks, puzzles, games, sleeping bags, teepee tents, 2 scooters, helmets, etc... and most recently, a really fun tree swing!

There are 3 propane tanks in total, on the property. Two firepit tanks and one grill tank. They’re approximately $25 each, to switch out at the local gas station. This expense/hassle is NOT covered in your stay, if any should need to be refilled. Owner frequently manages from afar, and doesn’t have the ability to “test” tanks. You’re most welcome to enjoy the fire pits/grill as a bonus amenity, but please keep in mind owner does not check them, fill them, OR REFUND the expense for switching them out. We only make sure 3 tanks still remain on property at the end of each stay.

In addition to the gas grill, we also provide a charcoal grill. We do not provide charcoal.

Summer 2020: There is currently no private dock on the property. Sadly, it saw its last year in 2019. Fortunately, there are two public docks within steps from our water bank.

FOR GROUPS OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE MORE THAN 4 GUEST OR USE MORE THAN 2 BEDS:

*** Hensley’s Cornerstone does NOT charge extra per person.***

To keep the price down for larger groups, we require our “extra guests” (groups larger than 4, or using more than 2 beds) to make sure (all) bed and bath linen is washed per provided instructions, before checkout.

We appreciate our larger groups for helping us to cleanup on a larger scale (in exchange) understanding the trade off is that your group is not being charged extra, per person.

If your travel time does not allow for extra cleanup, we request you please communicate this upon booking, so we can prepare for extra flipping time AND an additional laundry fee.

WE honor your trip by keeping price down & not charging per person. We request you honor this agreement in good faith, in return.

Sleeping arrangements:
1 King bedroom (sleeps 2)
1 Queen bedroom (sleeps 2)
1 bedroom with 2 twin beds (sleeps 2)
A Queen size blowup mattress (sleeps 2)
2 twin cots (sleeps 2)
Couch (sleeps 2)

Hensley’s Cornerstone will sleep 12 total. Twelve is tight. Some don’t mind this, and others don’t prefer it. We want you to do what is most comfortable for you, however please keep in mind after the 4th person, you’re now a party of 5+ and expectations for extra laundry comes along with this booking.

Interaction with my guests:

This property is shared with a handful of longterm tenants who rent out smaller cottages. While only VRBO guests have access to the main house... the parking area is shared with longterm tenants who also occasionally walk down by the lake and/or use kayaks.

Owner lives part-time in cottage on property, but is most frequently traveling.

Notes:

After the passing of my father in 2013, I inherited my childhood home and hold this property to the highest of sentimental value and treasure. The last 8 years have been a labor of love! I have worked very hard to transform many aspects, while trying to maintain the integrity of some of the original craftsmanship. It is an ongoing work in progress, as I’m still in the process of refurbishing. A new dock and beach area, a newly paved driveway etc.. are all part of the dream, for the future of Hensley’s Cornerstone. Every year we see success, is another project we can tackle!

I’m very grateful to have been given the opportunity to hold something so meaningful, and share with my family and children, as they too created their own unique memories at the lake house.

My deepest desire is that you and your family/friends will feel all the love that will surround you, during your stay. My dads heart would explode with happiness, if he could see other families enjoying his home and land.

We are on a heavily wooded piece of land, and with that comes some friendly spiders & bugs. Please understand it has nothing to do with cleanliness. It’s the nature of the land. :)

This house has the original kitchen setup, from the 1940’s and does not have a dishwasher. You will have to wash dishes the old fashioned way. Rustic living at its finest.

The Neighborhood:

Wauconda a modern day Mayberry.
My property is a work in progress.

Everything you will need in Wauconda is within walking/biking distance. Or a short car ride away.

Library
Public dock
Skateboarding park
Gym
Shops
Restaurants
Brewery’s
Bakery/Coffee
Wine & Martini
Beaches
Gas
Grocery

Great Lakes Naval Base, 6 Flags Great America & Ski Resorts, within a 30 minute drive.

Getting Around:

rental car is ideal.

•• BIG PLUS ••

One of the greatest parts about Wauconda, Illinois... is that you’re geographically situated in a location that puts you about an hour from Chicago (in one direction) and an hour from Milwaukee (in the other.) You could easily mix your small town “Mayberry” type vacation, with a little bit of a faster paced “city” experience, as well. Hit Wrigleyville for a Chicago Cubs game. Tour some of the original architecture of the iconic Frank Lloyd Write. Transportation is easy, as Metra Train stations run locally (at all hours until about midnight) and are the most hassle free way to travel to the city. And of course, Uber is just a click of an app away!

Can’t go wrong. 😊

Please follow parking instructions (photos) carefully as it can be a little confusing. Longterm tenants have designated parking spots, as well as Airbnb guests.

Property manager

Crystal Smyth

Property amenities

Beach

  • Near the beach
  • Beach towels

Internet

  • WiFi available

Parking and transportation

  • Onsite parking

Kitchen

  • Refrigerator
  • Stovetop
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Toaster oven
  • Paper towels
  • Blender
  • Lobster/crab pot
  • Waffle maker

Bedrooms

  • 3 bedrooms
  • Bed sheets provided

Bathrooms

  • 2 bathrooms
  • Shower
  • Soap
  • Bathrobes
  • Hair dryer
  • Towels provided
  • Toilet paper
  • Shampoo

Entertainment

  • TV with cable/satellite service
  • Games

Outdoor areas

  • Patio
  • Yard
  • Charcoal grill
  • Firepit
  • Dock

Laundry

  • Washing machine and dryer

Work spaces

  • Printer

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoke-free property

Services and conveniences

  • Iron/ironing board

Location highlights

  • On the lake
  • On the waterfront
  • In the city center

Things to do

  • Fitness center

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector installed (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
  • Smoke detector installed (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • Fire extinguisher
  • First aid kit
  • Deadbolt lock

Similar properties

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 5:00 PM
Contactless check-in available
Minimum check-in age: 25

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Pets

Pets not allowed

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
Note from host: Adult supervision by lake and driveway is required

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
Parties and events (including family gatherings) are allowed on site; maximum attendees: 20
Note from host: Small low key gatherings are best.
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, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock
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

About the neighborhood

Map
Wauconda, IL

What's nearby

  • Wauconda Village Hall - 12 min walk - 1.0 km
  • Fox River Preserve - 8 min drive - 7.3 km
  • Volo Auto Museum - 9 min drive - 8.6 km
  • Lake County Fairgrounds - 15 min drive - 14.8 km
  • Six Flags Great America - 28 min drive - 27.2 km

Getting around

  • Barrington Station - 14 min drive
  • Chicago, IL (PWK-Chicago Executive) - 33 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪McDonald's - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Docks Bar & Grill - ‬19 min walk
  • ‪J J Twig's Pizza - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪El Norteño - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Zaza's Tavola Italiana - ‬6 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Hensley’s Cornerstone Lakehouse pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Hensley’s Cornerstone Lakehouse?

Check-in begins at 5:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Hensley’s Cornerstone Lakehouse?

Check-out is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Hensley’s Cornerstone Lakehouse located?

This family-friendly Wauconda vacation home is located on the waterfront, within a 15-minute walk of Cook Memorial Park and Wauconda Village Hall. Lake County Discovery Museum is 2.7 mi (4.4 km) away.

Hensley’s Cornerstone Lakehouse Reviews

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 11 out of 13 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 13 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 13 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 13 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 13 reviews" "

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Amenities

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Nashat G.

Liked: Cleanliness
HOST
Host was very attentive.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Dalephine B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Cute Lake House
The house was very cute, it had everything available we needed!! Has a cute play kitchen area that my Granddaughter's loved!! kitchen area
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Gayla S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Lake getaway in a cute town!
Welcoming and relaxing home on the lake! Cozy and beautiful, we felt right at home. Walking distance to downtown shops and restaurants. Such a cute town, and very friendly. Great getaway!
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Candace B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Friends of a local residents wedding
Delightful, cozy, warm and so creative! Loved the feel and the location and the peace! Many thanks for such great communication and a wonderful experience.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Tina D.

Liked: Cleanliness
Navy Graduation Long Weekend
This stay made being with our boy after a long hard boot camp, feel like we were back home. It was good for our spirits and his home sickness, to be close to nature and water made him and all of us feel we were home..
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Maura

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This is a stunning home that has been beautifully updated! The house is in a prime location right on the lake and close to restaurants, parks, and bike trails. We had tons of fun kayaking, pontooning, and biking.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Joe C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Awesome waterside stay
Excellent stay and a great property owner!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Pam G.

Liked: Cleanliness
Hensleys Cornerstone - August 2021
My stay at Hensleys Cornerstone Lakehouse this past August was everything I dreamed it would be. I really enjoyed the use of the water craft and was able to kayak each morning. The house was perfect for our needs and had everything we could need, and then some. Crystal was very easy going and a great host to work with. We definitely plan to stay here in the future.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2021

8/10 Good

Corinne P.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great stay for outdoor activities!
We had a great stay here! The property was right on the lake and there is a TON of outdoor space and opportunities to be with friends. There were 12 of us - which, as her listing says, was definitely tight. I think it would be better suited for a group around 6. The check out process was a tad cumbersome - she requests that for larger groups, all bed linens and towels are washed and folded before check out, unless you contact her ahead of time to make other arrangements. I would suggest reaching out ahead of time to ask, as she is a great and responsive host, and it was difficult getting everything done before 11am. Overall, had a great time and would come back in the future!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Delta S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful Home
We so enjoyed our stay! It was the perfect location for a team retreat and training and Crystal was so great to communicate with us and make sure we were taken care of during our stay!
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2020

8/10 Good

Oma G.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great house on the lake.
The stay was great, the property and house was beautiful, and it was supplied with everything one could need. However, we did like the property owner having a home so close as we felt we were invading. A few things to note, the banister on the back porch needs to be fixed, as we had a toddler on the property and it was be very dangerous. With our group a dishwasher would be appreciated. Last, the lawn service group wasted about 6 hours of morning and we would have liked to be notified! A few things we enjoyed having were the accessibility to kayaks and the canoes! We also loved having the fire pit and all the games! Thank you for the stay.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2020

10/10 Excellent

Marcia K.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great getaway away from the City
We loved your time in Wauconda, the town has alot to offer and its great to be out on the lake. The house was very clean and has all the amenities you would need!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2020

10/10 Excellent

Anna W.

Liked: Cleanliness
Lovely
A wonderful getaway with memories to last a lifetime.
Stayed 7 nights in May 2020