If you’ve ever driven through Chelan, you’ve probably seen the collection of houses on a ridge overlooking the lake and envied their stunning views of the area. However, little did you know that most of them are vacation rentals where you and your family can enjoy your time in the comfort of a home away from home at The Lookout.
The Lookout is a small village of vacation homes situated on a hilly summit with breathtaking views, while never being that far away from the town. Most of the houses are owned by families who live in them part time, but the rest of the year they are open to renting by the public.
Wandering around the community it becomes apparent that it’s intended to feel like a typical, small town neighborhood with traditional vineyard style dwellings mixed with intimate cottages. Most of the houses are built to face east towards the lake, where renters can eat breakfast while treated to a view of the rising sun.
Of course, views of lake are visible the entire day, and especially in the summer when the sunlight reflects off the water and gives the surrounding area a distinct sheen. We stayed last winter in K Syrah, a sweet little home that was ultra cozy and perfect for couples, but it’s no doubt an equally fun place to stay for the summer.
Each house has a distinct character and personal design touch from the owner, and you can choose the one that best suits your needs. Large parties can have their space in the larger homes, and couples can use the smaller ones.
This summer we stayed in a newer village home called Happy Hours. This house was located adjacent to the lakefront homes and quite large, big enough to hold two floors and two porches. Upon entering your driveway you know you’re in for a treat, as you’re greeted with colorful flowers and comfy patio chairs.
The Happy Hours layout is uniquely set up and is separated into two levels. The first floor has a one car garage, laundry area, smaller queen bedroom, kids room with two sets of bunk beds, and a media room. The media room included a desk, a futon, lots of board games, and an Xbox. The downstairs area seemed more like a kids/teen hangout spot, which is perfect for larger family gatherings.
Read about our winter Chelan escape here!
Heading into the upstairs area, it feels like a whole extra home! Up the short stairway you’ll see a wonderfully designed open space area that includes a kitchen, dining area and living room with a fireplace. The master bedroom is also upstairs, and includes a queen bed with a large double vanity and closet, and a master bathroom. Also, upstairs you’ll find two porch options that include outdoor dining and grilling options, with views of the lake and neighborhood.
The upstairs area has a Sonos entertainment system that includes several speakers throughout the area for crisp surround sound. It also boasts an enormous flat screen tv, which is connected to a Roku for streaming and basic cable. Prefer a quiet time in front of the fireplace? Happy Hours has quite a little library selection in the living room for the bookworm in your party.
When staying at The Lookout in Chelan, be sure to step outside and enjoy all this village has to offer! Grab a bike from your garage, or a pool towel and float and explore. The community has many amenities to keep you entertained. A pickleball court, grassy area, lakefront trail, hot tub and pool all await. They recently opened a second pool and hot tub on the north end of the community, which is certainly needed for busy weekends.
We’ve stayed at this community twice now, and it’s one of our favorite escapes in Washington. It offers a vacation home in the country without sacrificing the amenities of a city. The community is still expanding, with more homes being added. Plus, if you prefer to buy a home there are several homes available for purchase.
At The Lookout you’re never far away from the towns of Chelan or Manson, the lakefront, and the numerous wineries that sit close by. Put aside a weekend or a whole week and have a vacation to remember.