Veranda Beach Cottages

Our cottage this year was amazing and suited our family perfectly. It was fully stocked with everything we could need and then some, and I loved all the accessories. Veranda Beach never lets us down. This is our yearly trip, and we're already looking forward to next year.

The beach stretches for about a mile and never felt crowded, and the lake was warm enough to swim in, with mostly sandy shore. We loved the pool and its view, plus the restaurant and bar had pretty good food and drinks. They even had some vegan choices that weren't listed on the menu. There's also a small store with essentials and other items. The homes were clean and comfortable, with lovely screened porches that our dogs enjoyed. It was easy to relax and feel free here, and we liked it so much we came back a few months later. Nightly prices run a bit high, though flexible dates can sometimes turn up more affordable rates.

The beach is fantastic, and the kids love the regular activities, like movie nights on the lawn. There's a lot of fun to be had here, and the location is great, but there isn't much else to do around the resort, so plan on plenty of pool and beach time. The pool could use more shade: it's very hot here, there are lots of kids and families, and only a few umbrellas and shaded seats. It's been that way for as long as we've visited, and it's annoying. We've stayed several times over the resort's 12 years, and the property is starting to show its age. Our cabin this year was shabby and worn. I don't expect five-star, but the cabins and common areas need a thorough once-over and regular maintenance. The insides could use a good scrub, and the outside would benefit from pressure washing and fresh paint. It's still a fun place, but the prices feel high for the value.

The kids had a great time, especially with the clean beach, decent playground, large pool, toddler pool, and hot tub. The grounds were well kept, and our cottage was clean and functional. We went with friends, had a good time overall, and would return with the children, though probably not for a trip with just my husband and me. Several things were disappointing. The pool had brown dirt rings, hair, and bugs. The front desk staff were rude and unhelpful, and the restaurant food was deplorable. The seating and floor were so dirty my feet stuck to it. For an upscale resort charging that much per night, I didn't understand having to bring our own pool towels or clean the cottage before leaving to avoid a charge. Having to clean after a getaway felt disgusting.