Hilltop Haven + Arbor Island | 5BR/4BA | Hot Tub, Fire Pit, Pier, Kayak/SUP | House in Rome City, IN

Welcome to Hilltop Haven on Sylvan Lake—a spacious, upscale lake home with its own private island connected by a footbridge. Inside, a wall of windows frames the water; outside, a wraparound deck leads down to an 84’ L-pier, shallow swim area, and island fire pit under the trees. Fresh 2024 renovation. Room to gather, room to spread out, and easy lake access for kayaks, SUPs, and the optional onsite pontoon.
The Space
Bright and airy with ~4,000 ft² across 5 bedrooms / 4 baths. Open kitchen flows to dining and a vaulted great room. Separate game room with pool table and kitchenette. Custom indoor cedar hot tub for year-round soaking. Designed for multi-generational families, reunions, and milestone celebrations.
☆☆ Indoor Highlights ☆☆
• 2024 renovation • ~4,000 ft² • 5BR/4BA • 11 beds
• Vaulted great room + 65” HDTV (HDMI/AirPlay)
• Chef’s kitchen: new appliances, double oven, large island (seats 6)
• Live-edge dining table (seats 8–9)
• Game room with pool table, HDTV & kitchenette
• Custom indoor cedar hot tub (year-round)
• BR5 office with door + external monitor (HDMI/USB-C)
• 6 HDTVs w/ Roku • Fiber Wi-Fi throughout
• Central A/C (2 zones), on-demand water heater, whole-house softener
• 1 garage bay for parking/gear
☆☆ Outdoor Highlights ☆☆
• Wraparound deck with Weber grill, picnic table, loungers
• Private island via 72’ bridge; shaded rock fire pit (Adirondack chairs)
• 84’ L-pier with benches; docking for 2–3 boats; easy-entry, gravel-bottom swim area
• Included: Pedal boat; 1 SUP + 1 single kayak (vests)
• Available: Extra SUP/kayak bundle; onsite pontoon rental (seasonal, by request)
• Yard games (cornhole, bocce, lawn darts) • 2 adult bikes (more to rent)
• Parking for 6–8 vehicles • Basketball hoop
Sleeping Arrangements
• BR1 (primary, ensuite): King (sleeps 2)
• BR2 (ensuite): Queen (sleeps 2)
• BR3: Queen + Daybed (sleeps 3)
• BR4 (bunk room): Full/Twin bunk (x3) + extra Twin (sleeps 4)
• BR5/Office: Loveseat pull-out twin (sleeps 1)
• Great Room: Queen sofa bed (sleeps 2)
• Loft: Two chair pull-outs (sleeps 2)
Total beds/sofabeds shown: 16 → Max occupancy: 18 (1 pack-and-play available).
TV room is not a legal bedroom (single egress); no sleeping here.
Location
• Sylvan Lake: 5 basins, 16 miles of shoreline, many islands—great for skiing, tubing, paddling, exploring. Public boat ramp nearby; our pier welcomes your rental or your own boat (with approval).
• Boy Scout (Big) Island: Short paddle; 100+ acres, outdoor chapel, 1-mile loop, public dock & pavilion.
• Gene Stratton-Porter Historic Site: Lakeside cabin, museum, gardens; reachable via Fishing Line Trail near our road.
• Fishing Line Trail: Smooth, paved 12+ miles (Kendallville ↔ Rome City)—walk/run/bike with coffee & ice-cream stops.
• Sylvan Cellars: Minutes away—premier venue + tasting room (craft cocktails, wine/whiskey, live music).
Business Retreats & Micro-Weddings (by approval)
Multiple breakout areas, fiber Wi-Fi, 65” HDMI/AirPlay display, office monitor (HDMI/USB-C). Gear by request (whiteboard, flip chart, HDMI, power strip). Popular sunset pontoon cruises for team time (seasonal, by prior approval). Micro-weddings and small daytime gatherings considered with written permission and COI/vendor approval.
Optional Add-Ons
• Watercraft Bundle: add 1 SUP, 1 single kayak, 1 double kayak (seasonal).
• Pontoon Rental (onsite): seasonal, by request; signed waiver; experienced operator 25+; follow lake rules/quiet hours.
• Bike Bundle: up to 8 total (adult/teen/kids) available to rent.
Access
Guests access the entire property except: two utility rooms, two closets, the house & garage attics, the 2-car garage bay (big door), and the area behind the basketball goal. Smart-lock entry. Parking for 6–8 vehicles plus a 1-car garage bay for parking/gear. Digital guidebook provided after booking; arrival details sent ~24 hours before check-in.
House Rules (summary)
• Who can book: Lead guest must be 25+ and present for the entire trip. No third-party bookings.
• Verification: Government ID required + signing our rental agreement & waivers. Choose refundable deposit or non-refundable damage waiver.
• Group size: Max 18 overnight guests (plus infants under 2). Day visitors by written approval only.
• Timing: Check-in 4pm / Check-out 10am.
• Quiet hours: Outdoors (deck, island, pier, yard) 10pm–8am. Indoors (hot tub room & game room) midnight–8am. No loud voices, speakers, or amplified sound after midnight.
• Smoking/pets: No smoking or vaping anywhere. No pets allowed.
• Parties/events: No parties or unauthorized events. Small daytime gatherings by prior approval only.
• Vendors/photographers: Written permission + Certificate of Insurance required.
• Food & drinks: Meals and beverages must be kept in main living spaces (kitchen, great room, TV room, game room, dining room). Water is fine anywhere, but no food/drink in bedrooms, bathrooms, or the hot tub room.
• Fire & fireplaces: No fireworks. No open flames within 50 ft of the house (gas grill OK while attended). Indoor fireplaces are decorative only.
• Grill use: Grill must be cleaned and turned off after each use, and covered at the end of your stay. Failure to clean may result in an additional fee.
• Water & hot tub safety: Life vests required on watercraft; no watercraft after dusk; swim at your own risk; no diving/jumping from bridge, pier, or hot tub. Hot tub/watercraft/bike use requires signed waivers. Children must be supervised at all times (home is not child-proof).
• Parking: Driveway/garage only (6–8 vehicles). Do not park across from neighbors’ houses.
• Boats: Docking your own boat requires written approval; guest assumes all liability.
• Cameras & sensors: Exterior cameras cover driveway/entries/pier/bridge/island. Interior sensors monitor noise/smoking (no audio).
• Trash & recycling: Use outdoor bins only (black lids = trash; yellow lids = recycling). Do not leave bags outside bins. No plastic bags in recycling—violations may result in extra cleaning or disposal fees.
• Seasonality: Pier, watercraft, bikes, fire pit, grill, and outdoor furniture may be seasonal or weather-dependent.

Hilltop Haven + Arbor Island | 5BR/4BA | Hot Tub, Fire Pit, Pier, Kayak/SUP is located in Rome City. Hilltop Haven + Arbor Island | 5BR/4BA | Hot Tub, Fire Pit, Pier, Kayak/SUP provides accommodation, featuring Balcony/Terrace, Security/Safety, Bedding/Linens, among other amenities. This House features Balcony/Terrace, Security/Safety, Bedding/Linens, to make your stay a comfortable one.

Hilltop Haven + Arbor Island | 5BR/4BA | Hot Tub, Fire Pit, Pier, Kayak/SUP has 5 Bedrooms , 4 Bathrooms, and max occupancy of 18 people. The minimum rental for this property is 1 nights, but this can change depending on the season you plan on staying. Previous guests have given good rated it, and VRBO labeled it a top-rated House because of the excellent services rendered by the owner or manager of this House, and has consistently provided great experiences for their guests. Most families or guests that use it recommend it to their friends and some of them are repeat guests. House has a friendly neighborhood, and the Rome City has interesting places to visit. If you want to learn more about the House in Rome City, such as places to visit and things to do nearby, you can check below to learn more.