The owner was not entirely up front with the lake level issue; he failed to mention that the lake was 30% down from normal pool and that "waterfront/mud front" access was 1/8th mile away on the exposed lake bottom (while on-line photos still depict lake water in the cove no more than 100 feet from the front door step). Swimming in the lake was virtually impossible. He also failed to send me pictures (worth 1000 words) reflecting this issue even though he said he would. We understand that he has no control over the lake level or the weather; however, a more forthright response would have been appreciated.
The "queen-size" bedding in each of the four (4) bedrooms downstairs was deplorable; it is way beyond anything remotely comfortable and should be replaced. The bed frames had no head or foot boards, would not remain in place, and would move across the floor during the night. None of the six (6) adults in my party got a single decent night's sleep.
The furniture suffers from the same malady........overstuffed couches with little stuffing left.
The two (2) restrooms have no ventilation and no means to acquire it. Normal use made for sweaty conditions before one could finish drying off after a shower.
I have no doubt that our experience would have been much better had we not had to deal with extremely low lake water levels and extreme heat, again not the owner's fault. However, even if the lake was back to normal and the weather was warm and balmy, the other deficiencies would still remain. Even the owner's addition of a nice laundry room was diminished by the fact that it is attached to the owner's residence, not the lodge (approximately 200 feet away).
Unfortunately for us, this is one vacation destination that we won't soon forget and for all the wrong reasons. The owner's cordial nature, and the great potential that the venue still holds, was overshadowed by circumstances and conditions that the owner could/should address.