A quiet lakefront suite near Raleigh
Tucked into a garden-level suite overlooking a quiet North Raleigh lake, Butterfly Lake Retreat pairs the calm of a nature escape with the comforts of a well-kept home. Start the morning with breakfast from the kitchenette, then take the complimentary bikes out on the walking trail or paddle the canoe across the water — a true canoe lake getaway, without ever leaving the city.
From the patio you’ll look out over a pollinator garden that lives up to the name — butterflies drift through all season, joined by ducks, turtles, and the occasional great blue heron. Evenings end around the fire pit under the pines — a private suite with fire pit and patio seating made for slow nights. It’s minutes from everything in Raleigh, yet feels a world away.
Where nature slows you down.
Around the retreat
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Amenities
Everything you need for an easy two-person getaway in North Raleigh.
Canoe & lake access
Follow the path to the dock, where the canoe, paddles, and life jackets are ready.
Complimentary bikes
Two bikes for the walking and cycling trail around the lake.
Fire pit & patio
Outdoor furniture and a dining area beside the fire pit, all with lake views.
Kitchenette
Microwave, freezer, coffee maker, and toaster for breakfast and simple meals.
Fireplace
A cozy indoor fireplace for slow evenings in.
Pollinator garden
Garden paths, a pond, and butterflies all season long.
High-speed internet
Fast Wi-Fi throughout the suite — stream, browse, or get a little work done.
Queen bed & full bath
Queen bed, shower bath, towels, shampoo, and a hair dryer provided.
Non-smoking
A smoke-free suite; safety extras include detectors, extinguisher, and first aid kit.
Easy arrival
Private entrance, keypad self check-in, and free parking on the premises.
Explore the Raleigh area
- North Raleigh Arts & Creative Theater14 min walk
- Shelley Lake Park~5 min drive
- Crabtree Valley Mall7 min drive
- NC State University11 min drive
- Lenovo Center13 min drive
- Raleigh–Durham Intl. Airport (RDU)17–22 min drive
- Duke University26 min drive
House rules
- Check-in after 3:00 PM · Check-out before 11:00 AM
- Adults only · Sleeps 2 · Minimum rental age 21
- Registered guests only · Quiet hours 10:00 PM–8:00 AM
- No pets, smoking, parties, events, or commercial photography
- Please remove shoes when entering and keep windows closed
- Return bikes, canoe, paddles, and life jackets after use
What guests say
“Butterfly Lake is well named — a beautiful spot to spend a few days. The gardens are inviting, and Kim was unobtrusive but always available if needed.”
“We had a great stay at the butterfly retreat. The place was clean, comfortable, and had everything we needed. The house itself was really nice and made for a great weekend getaway. Unfortunately, the weather didn't cooperate, so we weren't able to enjoy the lake like we had planned, but that wasn't the host's fault at all. Overall, we really enjoyed our stay and would definitely come back again! 10/10 would highly recommend”
Meet your host
Kim Gonzalez hosts Butterfly Lake Retreat and is known for striking the right balance — warmly available whenever you need anything, and completely hands-off when you don’t.
Languages: English & Spanish
Plan your stay
$267 / night, taxes & fees included
Nightly rates found on Vrbo in October 2026 start at $267 for two guests — and pricing here includes all fees, with no surprises at checkout.
Check availability on Vrbo Check availability on AirbnbLive pricing and availability are confirmed on Vrbo at booking.