Great Lake Escape

We absolutely loved Great Lake Escape! Even with the unusually low lake levels this year, this was the perfect place for our family vacation. The lake and sunset views are beautiful, and we spent a ton of time outside. The huge lakeside fire pit was probably our favorite feature. We used it every single night! We loved having plenty of outdoor seating and space to spread out. The commercial-size grill was perfect for feeding everyone, and the foosball and cornhole got plenty of use too. We also really appreciated being able to bring Milo our pug along. The house was clean and spacious, comfortable, and set up really well for a family lake vacation. Our one suggestion would be an ice maker. With a house this size and everyone filling coolers and drinks for the lake, it would be a great addition. A commercial-style ice maker would be perfect here. We had a fantastic week and would absolutely stay at Great Lake Escape again!

As a family, we have been vacationing at SML for over 10 years. As our family grows, we need a larger house for all of us and Great Lake Escape did not disappoint. The home is beautifully decorated and maintained. The kitchen was gorgeous and well stocked. (I think the temperature in the oven needs recalibrated but there is another full kitchen downstairs!). The slope to the lake was tough but I have stayed in houses that were much tougher! The firepit was welcoming and had plenty of wood and seating. The dock was spacious and had all kinds of furniture for us to use. The water in the lake was low which was a bummer but we still enjoyed it and the kids loved having a beach! My favorite part was the huge, gorgeous deck. I had my coffee out there every morning and just stared at the beautiful view. Our whole family agreed this was one of our favorite rentals and we would happily stay here again.

We just got back from a week at The Great Lake Escape, and it was everything our family of six was hoping for. The house itself is gorgeous. The twins immediately claimed the entire upstairs area, thinking it was “the coolest ever.” They had their own gaming area and sofa, so they also enjoyed the Xbox club room. Our French bulldog, Lily, may have been the happiest of all. She’s a little lake dog at heart and even joined us on the wakeboard — which the kids are still telling everyone about! Having the lake right outside the door with deep water off the dock was such a bonus. It was easy access for swimming, floating, or launching our kayaks. It also felt calmer here compared to other parts of the lake we’ve stayed in, and we loved the quieter vibe. Evenings were our favorite. We’d grill out, sit on the deck, and watch the sun drop behind the mountains. Some nights, the kids would head downstairs to play foosball while the grownups enjoyed a little peace and quiet outside. Having multiple living areas really made it easy for everyone to enjoy themselves without being on top of each other. The location in Goodview was also perfect. It felt tucked away, but we were still just a short drive from the restaurants and shops when we wanted a change of pace. Honestly, it struck the right balance of being close to the action but still feeling like we had our own private piece of the lake. We've rented a few homes around Smith Mountain Lake over the years, but The Great Lake Escape checked off all the right boxes. It’s beautiful, family-friendly, and made for cannonballs off the dock!!

We were blown away by The Great Lake Escape! For a new rental, this place was incredibly well-stocked—every kitchen tool, dish, or gadget we needed was right at our fingertips. The layout is perfect for our group, with plenty of room to spread out but still lots of cozy gathering spots for meals, games, and lake-view lounging. The views from the deck were unreal—sunrise over the water, coffee in hand, was the perfect way to start each day. The house itself is spotless, beautifully renovated, and full of thoughtful touches. The main kitchen was simple to cook in, and having the second one downstairs was great for snacks and drinks while we hung out on the lower level. We also appreciated how easy it was to get into the house—just a couple steps in, and you're on vacation. Our little corgi was even allowed to join us, which made the trip even better. Between the dock, the games, and the comfy beds, everyone found something to love. It is as nice as the pictures make it look!