Nestled in the exclusive Thornewood Estates on American Lake, Thornewood Cottage offers a serene retreat with unmatched luxury comfort. Unwind by the gas fireplace in the great room or take in sweeping views of American Lake from the large deck.
Reviews
1010 out of 10
Exceptional
Entire home
3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 91475 sq ft
Popular amenities
Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Free Wi-Fi
Air-conditioning
Outdoor space
Add dates for prices
About this property
Private Gated Water Front Home on American Lake. Private beach and dock.
Private rental home on American Lake Discover Thornewood Cottage (aka TWCottage), a serene lakeside retreat on American Lake, just minutes from Tacoma and a short drive to Olympia and Seattle. Whether you’re a family seeking a relaxing vacation, a couple looking for a romantic escape, or a corporate traveler needing comfort and convenience, this fully furnished cottage offers everything you need.
Enjoy breathtaking lake views, private access to the water, and modern amenities including high-speed Wi-Fi, a dedicated workspace, and a fully equipped kitchen. Perfect for extended stays, business trips, or weekend getaways, Thornewood Cottage combines the charm of a historic setting with the comfort of contemporary living.
Located near major attractions, military bases, and corporate hubs, it’s ideal for relocation housing, executive stays, and family vacations. Explore the Pacific Northwest, then return to your peaceful lakeside haven.
Escape to Thornewood Cottage, a beautifully maintained vacation home near Tacoma, Washington that feels like a world away. Nestled on the historic grounds of Thornewood Estates, next to the iconic Thornewood Castle, this 3-bedroom, 2-bath home offers the perfect blend of privacy, comfort, and luxury in an exclusive gated community.
Why Stay at Thornewood Cottage?
Ideal for family vacations, extended corporate stays, relocations, or temporary housing during building or remodeling. Recently updated with new carpet, wood flooring, fresh paint, and stylish furnishings for a clean, modern feel. Private gated access with unobstructed views of American Lake, your own sandy beach, and a private dock. Home Features:
Spacious open layout with vaulted ceilings and a cozy gas fireplace. Large deck overlooking the lake – perfect for relaxing or entertaining. Primary Suite: King bed, soaking tub, walk-in shower, skylight, and vaulted ceilings. Second Bedroom: Queen bed, vaulted ceilings, walk-in closet. Third Bedroom: Bunk bed (twin over full/queen). Fully stocked kitchen with breakfast bar, dishwasher, washer/dryer, Smart TV, and custom lighting. Location Highlights:
10 min to Tacoma, 15 min to Chambers Bay, 15 min to Olympia, 40 min to SeaTac Airport, 45 min to Seattle. 2 min to JBLM (McChord AFB / Fort Lewis), near PLU, UPS, and Commencement Bay Rowing Club. Perfect for vacation rentals, corporate lodging, traveling professionals, military housing, and extended stays.
Thank you for considering TW Cottage for your next visit to the area.
Lots of Golf near by; Tacoma Golf and Country Club, Chambers Bay, The Home Course, and more.
Property amenities
Beach
On the beach
Beach loungers
Beach towels
Ski
Close to skiing
Internet
Available in the house: Free WiFi
Parking and transport
Car recommended
Onsite parking options include a garage
Kitchen
Blender
Coffee grinder
Coffee/tea maker
Cookware, dishware, and utensils
Dishwasher
Electric kettle
Hob
Ice maker
Kitchen island
Microwave
Oven
Paper towels
Refrigerator
Spices
Toaster
Dining
Dining table
Bedrooms
3 bedrooms
Bedsheets provided
Bathroom
2 bathrooms
Bathtub
Hair dryer
Shower
Soap
Toilet paper
Towels provided
Living spaces
Dining table
Fireplace
Living room
Entertainment
Books
DVD player
Games
Smart TV with cable/satellite channels
Stereo
Outdoor areas
Balcony
Barbecue grill
Garden
Outdoor furniture
Laundry
Laundry facilities
Washer/dryer
Work spaces
Desk chair
Comfort
Air conditioning
Heating
Pets
No pets allowed
Suitability/Accessibility
If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
In-room accessibility
Upper floors accessible by stairs only
Wheelchair-accessible path of travel
Smoke-free property
Services and conveniences
Housekeeping on request
Iron/ironing board
Location highlights
Near a hospital
Near a zoo
Near an outlet shopping centre
Near the bay
Near the marina
On a lake
On the waterfront
Things to do
Golf
Kayak
Snow sports gear
Water sports equipment
Birdwatching nearby
Casino nearby
Fishing nearby
Golfing nearby
Hiking/biking trails nearby
Ice skating nearby
Jet skiing nearby
Mountain biking nearby
Mountain climbing nearby
Sailing nearby
Scuba diving nearby
Sledding nearby
Snorkelling nearby
Swimming nearby
Theme park nearby
Water skiing nearby
Water tubing nearby
Whale watching nearby
Winery tours nearby
Safety features
Carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools
Pets
Pets not allowed
Children and extra beds
Children are welcome
Events
No events allowed
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted
Important information
You need to know
This property is managed by a private host (a party not acting within their trade, business or profession). EU consumer law, including the right of withdrawal, will not apply to your booking. The cancellation policy set by the private host will cover your booking.
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
We should mention
This property does not have any lifts
A car is recommended for transport to and from this property
Frequently asked questions
Is Private Gated Water Front Home on American Lake. Private beach and dock. pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property.
How much is parking at Private Gated Water Front Home on American Lake. Private beach and dock.?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at Private Gated Water Front Home on American Lake. Private beach and dock.?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Private Gated Water Front Home on American Lake. Private beach and dock.?
Checkout is at 10:30 AM.
Where is Private Gated Water Front Home on American Lake. Private beach and dock. located?
Nestled on the beach, this Lakewood holiday home is within 6 mi (10 km) of Lakewold Gardens, St. Clare Hospital and Joint Base Lewis-McChord. Grand Prix Raceway and McChord Clinic are also within 6 miles (10 km).
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Reviews
Reviews
Exceptional
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travellers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
What an amazing place! On American lake on a gorgeous property with a dock. It’s even next to an eloquent castle. The host was so responsive and kind. The home was beautiful, clean, and perfect, with an amazing view.
What a place, it's a great house and a beautiful little neighborhood. Communication with the owner was great, he actually called me the day of check-in to make sure everything was OK. Everything you might need such as a grocery store is close by. Rent this place if you are in Lakewood
We came up to see my son who just got stationed at JBLM. The house had everything we needed, all necessary kitchen things too. Beds were really comfy. The area is real secure and close to the base. Everything was super clean in the house, no issues at all. Thanks so much, we will be back
Great family house we stayed for Xmas. It is comfortable and homey. Randy was very attentive. I
It needs some updates but very clean and has many amenities.
Faith T.
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2021
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Caroline R.
17 Jan 2019
Family of five comfortably enjoyed the beautiful view!
Gorgeous sunsets and everything you need for cooking and relaxing. The property is so quiet but so close to shopping. For us it was a good midpoint for Oregon or Seattle visits.
Clean, well equipped, great location with many amenities located nearby. The property owner provided a significant number of water toys along with a friendly dog to greet you on the beach most mornings.
This home is set in a very quiet and beautiful gated neighborhood. This home has a fantastic Lake view with direct access to the lake and a private beach / dock to use. You could almost call this lake frontage with the exception of having 60’ of grass between you and the lake. The Owner Randy was fantastic to work with and had great communication. I would absolutely VRBO with Randy again. Great property, location and owners. Highly recommend this property
Randy was VERY responsive. House is great, very clean. And you can’t beat the view of the lake. Kitchen has everything you need, plenty of towels/linens too. The Thornewood Estates area is eclectic for sure, and the Thornewood cottage is perfect for a family or friends to spend a few nights. Close to I5 and Lakewood. Two hours to Mt St Helens, 90 min to Olympic National Forest! Or just stay at the house and enjoy the sunset over the lake.
We needed a local get away and found our new annual tradition!! Randy was a great host! Home had great views of the lake with bald eagles regularly flying overhead, very nice interior for the home, and most importantly we were able to launch our boat at the property and had our own dock for the week! It was a short walk out the door and maybe 30 yards to our own dock on the lake!! Whether the kids were swimming at the dock, out on the boat, or laying out in the lounge chairs at the beach, the entire family had an amazing time.
Thanks for everything! See you again soon!
This is a real find for folks visiting the Tacoma area. A bit pricey but worth paying a bit more for the excellent lodging and beautiful setting. It's true that the house is not technically lakefront but the view is nonetheless wonderful, and there is direct access to the lake with a small dock and beach "reserved" for guests. There is a nice large deck facing the lake which offered a lovely view and opportunities to observe a variety of birds, including bald eagles and geese flocks. The property owners do also live just in front of the rental and, although we have never stayed in this type of arrangement, we found Randy and his wife to be delightful and helpful but at the same time completely unobtrusive. We definitely intend to stay again when we return to Tacoma for family visits!
Everything was perfect, the gated community was a nice addition and made me feel safe especially leaving early and coming back late every day. Very quiet, very clean and very updated. No complaints at all. I hope I need to travel there more frequently and i would make this my go-to spot!
We rented home near our relatives in Lakewood. We used lake house to gather for dinner, lunch and lake activities. Hosts welcomed us and provided extra chairs for our larger group. Wonderful experience. Thank you.
Clean, good location and very friendly host. The house sits back off the lake with an obstructed view. The only issue I had with the rental is that the pictures left that part out. There is a dock but you have to cross through the other property to get there.
Lot of stairs walking into the house. Other than that the house has a great view of the lake and is well stocked and maintained. Communication with Randy was easy and painless. I would recommend this house for anyone(other then those who have difficulty with stairs). We will definitely be back if he had availability on our future trips to the area.
This “cottage” home was just beautiful and perfect for our family. The location was close to everything in the Tacoma/Seattle area. We loved the design,
the view, American lake access and all the little extras the owner provided.
My family was in the area for a week dealing with a difficult and unpleasant situation. We needed a comfortable place to stay that would allow us to feel safe and able to relax at the end of the day.
Thornewood Cottage was absolutely perfect for us. Convenient location in a lovely gated community, plenty of space for 5, the house had everything we needed, comfy beds, nice showers and tub, a beautiful view of American Lake with lake access, including a small beach and dock.
We were all very grateful to have such a lovely place to stay, it helped us survive a challenging week.
This place was amazing! Randy was so helpful and responsive if I had a question. My family definitely wants to go back.
There was one item that threw me off when we first got there and that was the owner’s home is next door to the house. So there really isn’t a fine division between the properties, but Randy made sure his guests parked on the other side of his home. So we had privacy. My family is social so we didn’t mind meeting new people.
Clean, beautiful home, right on the water and lovely owners!
We had a wonderful stay! There was a good amount of space for all of us, and it definitely felt like a vacation having our own dock to the lake. Randy and his wife checked in with us multiple times asking if there was anything they could do to make our stay even better! I would totally recommend this rental to anyone looking for a nice getaway!
Randy’s place was perfectly located. We loved hanging out on the dock, swimming right off the dock and catching some reys. The kitchen was well stocked. The beds and linen were so comfortable. Randy was very responsive when we told him the fireplace wasn’t working. It was a great pleasure to meet Jingles (Randy’s) dog and their friends Bernese Mountain Dog puppy Theo. We saw so many bald eagles...which was so beautiful! The sunsets were amazing!!! Really my only recommendation would be to try and convince the neighbor to trim their tree so you do have a sweeping view from the balcony.