Lakefront | Sauna | Kayaks | Firepit | 35 Min to Nashville

Some trips check boxes. This one fills something up.

The Cozy Cottage on Old Hickory Lake was made for the kind of stay where everyone finds their rhythm — the kids at the water, the grandparents on the deck, and the whole group together around the fire when the sun goes down.

Thirty-five minutes from downtown Nashville, tucked into a quiet cove on Gallatin's Sunset Bay, this is where your group finally unplugs. Mornings start slowly with coffee on the deck while mist lifts off the water. Afternoons belong to the kayaks, the fishing gear, and whoever claims the Adirondack chairs first. Evenings end around the fire, under more stars than anyone expected to see this close to the city.

It sleeps 8 comfortably across four bedrooms — including two private king suites — with room to gather and room to breathe. The owners care for it personally. It shows.

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INSIDE THE COTTAGE

At 2,288 sq ft, the cottage is designed so everyone has somewhere to be — together or apart. Two living areas mean the card game doesn't have to compete with the movie. And the layout means grandparents don't have to climb stairs to find their room or their morning coffee.

Main Level
→ King suite with private bath
→ Indoor infrared sauna with chromotherapy lighting (2-person)
→ Fully equipped kitchen with two full coffee bars — one on each level — so morning doesn't require a single flight of stairs
→ Dining for 6 + bar seating for 2
→ Living room with lake views

Lower Level
→ Second king suite with private bath
→ Queen bedroom with quality bedding
→ Twin + trundle bedroom (perfect for kids)
→ Shared full bath
→ Laundry room
→ Second living area with direct access to patio and yard

Two separate living areas give everyone space to gather or unwind — whether you're spending time together or finding your own quiet corner.

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OUTDOOR LIVING

The upper deck offers dining for 8, a gas grill, and the kind of sunrise view that makes getting up early feel worth it. The lower patio has a fire table and comfortable seating, with a gently sloped yard leading just 57 steps to the shoreline.

Three kayaks, life vests, and fishing gear are waiting at the water. The property sits on a quiet, protected cove near Sunset Island — calmer water than the main channel, ideal for families with kids who are still finding their lake legs.

Evenings are best spent around the wood-burning firepit under the stars.

→ 3 kayaks + life vests
→ Fishing gear and lake essentials
→ Upper deck — dining for 8 + gas grill
→ Lower patio — fire table + comfortable seating
→ Firepit in the yard
→ 57 steps to the water
→ Protected cove access
→ Dock on property

The property includes a dock on Old Hickory Lake, permitted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. As these are federal waters, dock use is at guests' own discretion and is not advertised as a guaranteed amenity — but it's there, and the shoreline and water access are yours to enjoy fully.

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A NOTE ABOUT THE SHORELINE

Old Hickory Lake is a real, working lake — and that's exactly what makes it special. The Army Corps of Engineers controls the water levels, and after heavy rain, wind, or current shifts, natural debris can collect along the shoreline. We're talking driftwood, branches, the occasional uprooted tree. It's part of life on a living lake, not a sign that anything is wrong.

We clear the shoreline regularly and do our best to keep it tidy before every stay. But nature moves faster than we do sometimes, and we want you to know what to expect rather than be caught off guard.

A few practical tips from people who know this lake well:

→ Water shoes are a good idea any time you're in or near the water — the lakebed can be uneven and debris isn't always visible below the surface
→ If something significant has washed in during your stay, just let us know — we'll do our best to help
→ Most days the shoreline is clear, calm, and exactly what you came for

This is lake life — honest, beautiful, and occasionally a little wild. We wouldn't have it any other way.

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THE WILDLIFE

Deer move through the yard daily and geese walk the shoreline like they own it. You may spot turtles sunning near the water, a fox slipping through the meadow at dusk, and if you're lucky, our resident skunk who visits the water's edge most evenings and minds his own business entirely.

Please enjoy them from a distance. These are wild animals — not pets. Deer in particular can be unpredictable, especially in spring when does have fawns nearby and in fall during rutting season. No feeding, no approaching, no attempting to befriend the skunk. Watch from the deck, take the photos, and let them do their thing.

It's one of the best parts of staying here — as long as everyone keeps a respectful distance.

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THE SAUNA — A GUEST FAVORITE

Step inside after a day on the water and let the warmth work its way into your shoulders.

The indoor infrared sauna fits two comfortably and heats differently than a traditional sauna — it's a deep, radiant warmth that doesn't feel overwhelming, even for first-timers. No steam. No shock. Just the kind of quiet that makes your whole body exhale. A chromotherapy lighting system lets you set the mood while the heat does its work.

In summer, it's the perfect wind-down after a long afternoon on the lake. In fall and winter, it's the reason guests start planning a return trip before they've even left.

Note: Please shower before use and avoid perfumes or scented oils — infrared saunas absorb fragrance and we keep it fresh for every guest.

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THE FIREPIT — WHERE THE NIGHT STARTS

There's something about a wood fire that makes everyone slow down.

The kids roast marshmallows until they're practically asleep on their feet. The adults linger long after the s'mores are gone. Conversations that wouldn't happen at home seem to start themselves out here, under a sky that's darker and fuller than you'd expect this close to Nashville.

The fire table on the lower patio is perfect for smaller evenings — a glass of wine, the sound of the water nearby, a little quiet after a full day. The firepit in the yard is for the whole group. Both are ready for you.

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EVERYTHING THAT'S INCLUDED

→ Indoor infrared sauna with chromotherapy lighting (2-person)
→ 3 kayaks + life vests
→ Fishing gear and lake essentials
→ Fully stocked kitchen with quality cookware
→ Two full coffee bars — one on each level
→ Wi-Fi and Smart TV
→ Heating and air conditioning
→ Washer and dryer
→ Lawn games
→ Cozy blankets and lake extras
→ Refillable bath essentials and paper goods
→ Gas grill
→ Firepit + fire table
→ Ample parking, including space for boat trailers

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WHY GUESTS COME BACK

Guests come back for the quiet. Not the silence of an empty place, but the particular quiet of a morning on the lake when the mist hasn't lifted yet and the coffee is still hot and nobody has anywhere to be.

They come back for the firepit evenings that stretch longer than expected. For the sauna after a full day on the water. For the way the deer just walk through the yard like they live there — because in a way, they do.

They come back because two couples can each have their own king suite and private bath, and still share dinner without anyone feeling crowded. Because the kids can run to the water and back without a second thought. Because grandparents don't have to manage stairs to find their room or their morning coffee.

And they come back because it feels like staying with people who actually care — because it is.

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LOCATION

Set in Gallatin's quiet Sunset Bay community on Old Hickory Lake — 5 to 7 minutes to groceries, coffee, and restaurants, and 35 minutes to downtown Nashville. Close enough to make a night out easy. Far enough that you'll actually want to stay in.

→ 5–7 minutes to groceries, Starbucks, and restaurants
→ 35 minutes to downtown Nashville and Broadway
→ 40 minutes to Nashville International Airport

Launch ramps are nearby for guests trailering boats. The neighborhood is quiet and walkable — great for morning strolls with kids or a low-key bike ride.

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CAMERAS & SECURITY

For the safety and security of guests and the property, three exterior cameras are located on the premises — covering the driveway, the front walkway, and the back deck overlooking the yard toward the water. All cameras face outdoor areas only. There are no cameras inside the home or in any private spaces. Cameras are not actively monitored.

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A NOTE FROM THE OWNERS

This isn't a managed rental. We visit regularly to refresh supplies, update details, and make sure everything is exactly as it should be. We love this place — and it tends to show up in every stay.

Your rate includes cleaning, platform fees, and guest protection. No surprise add-ons when you arrive.

We host guests who want a peaceful, well-cared-for home — not a party house. If that's you, we'd love to have your group.

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A FEW THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU BOOK

We want every guest to have a peaceful, comfortable stay. These guidelines help us protect that experience for everyone.

Booking Requirements
→ Primary guest must be 23 or older
→ Government-issued photo ID and signed rental agreement required within 48 hours of booking
→ Reservation name, ID, and payment must match — no third-party bookings
→ Primary guest must rema