🍁 Autumn is GORGEOUS at Sylvan Lake – View Our Fall Photos!
—Availability Note—
The 1 & 3-bedroom layouts of Hilltop Haven are typically available October through May, while the full 5-bedroom layout is available year-round.
Occasionally, the smaller layouts open for short-notice summer stays—if your dates look unavailable, check our other listings or message us to confirm.
Whichever layout you book, you’ll have the property to yourself — the home is never shared with other guests.
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🌅 The Setting
Reconnect • Recharge • Make Memories
Welcome to Hilltop Haven on Sylvan Lake—an upscale, romantic lakefront retreat with its own private island. This 1BR/2BA layout offers couples or solo travelers a peaceful escape that blends comfort and style. Perched just above the shoreline, it overlooks Sylvan’s calm waters and offers scenic lake views in every direction. Enjoy morning coffee on the deck, a soothing soak in the indoor hot tub, or a cozy evening by the fire pit beneath the trees. Paddle the lake or bike the nearby paved rail-trail by day, then unwind as the sun sets across the water—your perfect place to reconnect, recharge, and simply breathe.
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🏠 The Home
Step into the vaulted great room, where a wall of windows frames the lake and the open chef’s kitchen with a live-edge dining table invites everyone to gather. A separate game room with a pool table and kitchenette provides rainy-day fun and evening entertainment, and the indoor cedar hot tub offers a soothing retreat after long days on the water.
Upstairs you’ll find 1 bedroom with an ensuite bathroom (see sleeping setup), plus a private office/sitting room for those needing a quiet corner to work or unwind. Another full bath is located on the main level.
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🌊 Deck, Bridge & Island
Slide open the doors to a wraparound deck with lounge seating and a Weber grill. Steps lead to 100+ feet of lake frontage and a 72-foot footbridge connecting to your private island—a shady green space for lawn games, a stone fire pit beneath mature trees, and an 84-foot pier with benches for sunrise coffee and golden-hour sunsets.
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⭐ Inside Highlights
• Fully renovated in 2024
• 1BR/2BA • 3 beds available in this layout
• Vaulted great room with wall of windows
• Chef’s kitchen w/double oven & large island
• Game room w/ pool table, kitchenette & TV
• Indoor cedar hot tub (year-round)
• Office/Sitting Room with lake views
• 3 HDTVs (Roku/AirPlay) + computer monitor
• Fast fiber-optic Wi-Fi
• Central A/C; whole-house water softener & filter
• 1-car garage bay for guest storage (no vehicle parking)
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⭐ Outside Highlights
• Private island with fire pit, 10 Adirondack chairs & picnic table
• Wraparound deck with picnic table & lounge seating
• 84' pier with benches; space for 2–3 boats
• Pedal boat included
• 2 adult bikes included (extras available for rent)
• 1 SUP + 1 single kayak included (extras available for rent)
• 1 large floating mat (12′ × 6′) included
• On-site pontoon available for rent (May–Oct, weather-dependent)
• Complimentary firewood (extra available for purchase)
• Basketball hoop
• Parking for 6–8 vehicles (inquire for more if needed)
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🛌 Sleeping Setup (1BR/2BA)
• BR1 – King bed (ensuite) – sleeps 2
• Great Room – Queen sofa bed – sleeps 2
• Office/Sitting Room – Loveseat pull-out – sleeps 1
Beds: 3 • Sleeps: 5 • Max occupancy: 5 (+ infants under 2)
Pack-and-play available.
✴️ Optional Add-On: Second Bedroom
Need extra space? During select dates, Bedroom 2 can be added for an extra fee. It overlooks the great room, has lake views, and includes its own private bath. Please inquire before booking to check availability and pricing.
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🚲 Bikes
Included: 2 adult bikes + helmets.
Optional: Bike Bundle (up to 8 total—adult/teen/kids) for an additional rental fee.
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🛶 Watercraft
Included: 1 SUP + 1 single kayak (life vests).
Optional: Watercraft Bundle (adds another SUP, a single kayak, and a double kayak) for an additional rental fee—seasonal May–Oct.
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🛥️ Pontoon Rental (on-site)
Our pontoon ties up at the pier for easy handoff—perfect for family lake days or sunset cruises. Additional rental fee. Seasonal May–Oct. Operator must be 25+ with boating experience.
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👥 Business Retreats (Full 5BR Layout Only)
Bring the team for meaningful time together on the water—where productivity meets relaxation.
• Work zones: Dining table (8–9), kitchen island (6), game-room table (4–6), plus private office for focused work.
• Screens & hookups: Great room 65” TV (HDMI/AirPlay); TV room 65” TV (HDMI/AirPlay); office monitor (HDMI/USB-C).
• Wi-Fi: Fast fiber-optic with strong coverage (speed proof available upon request).
• Gear by request: Whiteboard/markers, flip chart, HDMI cables, power strip.
• Unwind: Hot tub, island fire pit, cornhole/bocce, pedal boat; bikes and kayaks/SUPs available seasonally.
• Vendors welcome: Facilitators, yoga/massage providers, private chefs—with prior approval and Certificate of Insurance.
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💍 Micro-Weddings, Showers & Celebrations (Full 5BR Layout Only)
We’re honored to host life’s most meaningful moments—from intimate island “I do’s” to joyful gatherings with family and friends.
• Island ceremonies: Exchange vows surrounded by water, trees, and sky—our private island is an unforgettable setting for small weddings and vow renewals.
• Local venues: Continue the celebration nearby—Sylvan Cellars offers rustic-elegant barn charm & open fields; Gene Stratton-Porter’s Carriage House & Gardens provides a romantic lakeside backdrop; and 5C Farms Event Barn in Albion is another beautiful countryside option.
• Showers & day events: Hilltop Haven is also available for bridal and baby showers (daytime use only). Bedrooms remain locked off for a focused event experience—please inquire for details.
• Planning note: additional guidelines and event fees may apply.
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🏡 Alternate Layouts of Hilltop Haven & Availability
Hilltop Haven offers three flexible configurations—each designed to suit different group sizes and styles of stay (see our other listings for details):
• 1BR/2BA – Sleeps 5 (this listing): Ideal for couples or small families. 2nd bedroom available (w/fee).
• 3BR/3BA – Sleeps 12: Great for mid-size groups or wedding guests from Sylvan Cellars.
• 5BR/4BA – Sleeps 18: Full-home layout for large gatherings and celebrations.
(TV Room closed in 1BR & 3BR layouts; open in 5BR full-home configuration.)
Dates typically open about six months in advance. From June through September, smaller layouts are generally unavailable unless released for short-notice openings. If your preferred dates are blocked, check our other listings or message us directly to confirm availability.
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📍 The Local Area – Four Seasons of Lake Life
Hilltop Haven sits on Sylvan Lake’s Upper (middle) Basin, one of five connected basins with over sixteen miles of scenic shoreline—offering endless ways to enjoy the water, trails, and surrounding nature in every season.
• Sylvan Lake: A full-recreation lake that welcomes speedboats and all water sports. Ski, tube, fish, or paddle as you explore Sylvan’s islands and winding basins. Each season brings something special—spring wildlife and peaceful paddles (keep an eye out for bald eagles!); summer boating and golden-hour sunsets; autumn reflections among fiery trees; and cozy winter days with ice fishing or skating when conditions allow. A public boat ramp is nearby, and our pier welcomes your rental or personal boat (with approval).
• Boy Scout Island: Just a short paddle from our island—100+ wooded acres featuring a one-mile loop trail, outdoor chapel, public dock, and picnic pavilion.
• Gene Stratton-Porter Historic Site: A beloved local gem with a lakeside cabin, museum, gardens, and gift shop—beautiful year-round and accessible by bike or foot via the Fishing Line Trail.
• Fishing Line Trail: A 12-mile paved rail-trail connecting Rome City and Kendallville—perfect for morning walks to get coffee, afternoon rides through the countryside, or evening strolls for ice cream. Excellent for cross-country skiing in winter, too!
• Sylvan Cellars: Only 5-min away by car—offering a tasting room, great food, live music, and frequent events. Shuttle service available; check their concert calendar.
• Sower’s Tea Room: Just a 5-min walk—a cozy spot for coffee, tea, pastries, and thoughtful gifts.
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🌆 Nearby Attractions & Day Trips
Beyond Sylvan Lake, the surrounding region offers charming towns, scenic drives, and memorable experiences year-round:
• Fort Wayne (40 min): Indiana’s second-largest city with a revitalized riverfront, top-rated Children’s Zoo, Promenade Park, and great dining.
• Pokagon State Park (35 min): Trails, lake swimming, and a thrilling toboggan run in winter.
• Shipshewana (40 min): A picturesque Amish town famous for its flea market, bakeries, handmade goods, and concerts.
• South Bend / University of Notre Dame (1 hr 15 min): Catch a football or basketball game.
• Auburn Cord Duesenberg Museum (30 min): A must-see for classic car enthusiasts.
• Elkhart & the Heritage Trail (50 min): Explore artisan shops, museums, and scenic countryside routes.
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🚘 Travel Times
Hilltop Haven is centrally located between major Midwest cities—making it easy to reach!
• Fort Wayne – 40 min
• South Bend – 75 min
• Indianapolis – 2 hrs
• Toledo – 2.5 hrs
• Detroit – 3 hrs
• Chicago – 3 hrs
• Grand Rapids – 3 hrs
• Columbus – 3 hrs
• Cleveland – 3.5 hrs
• Dayton – 3.5 hrs
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💫 So come enjoy Hilltop Haven...
Reconnect in the vaulted great room, unwind in the cedar hot tub, and share stories around the island fire pit as the stars come out. Paddle to Big Island, explore the Gene Stratton-Porter Historic Site, bike or hike the Fishing Line Trail—and of course, play all day on beautiful Sylvan Lake!
