There aren’t many places where the journey begins before you even arrive.
Where gathering your group means stepping onto a boat, crossing open water, and leaving the shoreline behind.
That’s how a stay at Laurel Island begins—a private island rental Connecticut families and groups return to when they want something truly different.
The Moment You Realize This Is Different
Check-in doesn’t happen at a front door.
It starts at the water.
Guests arrive, park, and are welcomed by the owner—who helps guide the next step. Luggage is loaded. Everyone climbs aboard a pontoon boat. And then, together, you make the short one-mile ride across Lake Pocotopaug.
For larger groups, it may take two trips.
But that’s part of the experience.
Because somewhere along that short ride, something shifts.
The shoreline fades.
The noise quiets.
And the island comes into view.
A Place That Feels Like Summer Camp—For Everyone
Laurel Island isn’t just a stay—it’s a setting designed for togetherness.
Spread across five private acres, this private island rental Connecticut experience includes:
- A large main lodge with a full kitchen built to serve a crowd
- Five separate guesthouses, each with its own waterfront setting
- Space to sleep up to 40 guests comfortably
Each cabin offers its own privacy—its own dock, its own water view—while still being just a short walk from the others.
It’s the kind of place where everyone can spread out…
…and then come back together again.
The feeling is familiar to many guests:
Like summer camp—but shared across generations.
Designed for Gathering at Scale
Finding a private island rental Connecticut that can truly host a large group well is rare.
Laurel Island was built for it.
The main lodge includes a kitchen equipped to cook for a full group—whether that’s a family reunion, a retreat, or a weeklong gathering of friends.
Meals become shared moments.
Evenings become traditions.
And the rhythm of the day becomes collective, not scheduled.
There’s even a central shower house, shared by guests, that adds to the camp-like atmosphere—simple, communal, and part of the experience.
Where the Days Fill Themselves
Once you arrive, something becomes clear quickly:
You don’t need to go anywhere else.
This is the kind of place guests often say is filled with simple ways to spend the day, naturally:
- Canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards
- Swimming and time on the docks
- Open space for games, conversation, and rest
Children run freely between cabins.
Adults settle into conversations that don’t feel rushed.
And the day unfolds without needing a plan.
A Rare Kind of Privacy—With Support Nearby
Even though Laurel Island feels tucked away, it’s not disconnected.
The owner lives about a mile away by water and remains available if needed—offering both privacy and peace of mind.
It’s a balance that matters, especially for larger groups:
Space to enjoy the island fully
Support if anything is needed
Guests often mention how this makes the experience feel both relaxed and well cared for.
A Story That Started with One Decision
Laurel Island itself began with a simple but unexpected moment.
Approaching retirement, Dr. Solomon came across a headline:
An island was for sale.
Five acres.
Room for 40 guests.
Right in the middle of Lake Pocotopaug.
It wasn’t something he had been searching for—but it became something he couldn’t ignore.
Today, that decision has become a place where families from across the country gather—returning year after year to reconnect in a setting that’s hard to replicate anywhere else.
Planning Your Stay on Laurel Island
This private island rental in Connecticut experience is designed for longer, more meaningful stays.
- For the whole island (lodge plus 5 cabin rentals), there is a 2-night minimum and a 20-person minimum = $6000 as a base, $300 per person above 20.
- For the week, it’s $10,000 for 20 people, with an additional $500 per person.
- Contact team Lake to work through this unique booking process
Because of the scale and logistics, booking is done directly with the owner—who helps guide groups through planning and ensures everything is prepared ahead of arrival.
A Place That Stays With You
Guests come from all over the country to experience Laurel Island.
But what they remember most isn’t just the setting.
It’s what happens there.
Time together that isn’t rushed.
Space that feels shared, not crowded.
Moments that don’t need to be planned to be meaningful.
And when they leave, many are already thinking about when they’ll return.
About Lake
Lake was founded by a husband-and-wife team with a shared passion for helping families experience the beauty of God’s creation. Since its launch, Lake has grown to offer more than 40,000 vacation homes by the water across North America and Europe — from quiet lakeside cabins to sweeping oceanfront retreats.
Whether you’re planning a long weekend with the kids or a slower summer escape, Lake makes it easy to find the perfect place to unplug, recharge, and reconnect with the people who matter most. With advanced search tools and a platform built for the way modern families travel, Lake is redefining what an outdoor vacation looks like.
Ready to find your place by the water? Explore homes at Lake.com.
