Renting a sleeper house from Portavilla.

Hello everyone,
I’m looking for some information from people who have rented sleeper houses from Portavilla outfitters. I booked a trip through them to take my dad and uncle fishing in a sleeper on Upper Red. I did not do any research prior for it was a last minute decision and I didn’t want to miss the opportunity. I’ve read some good reviews but have read some bad as well. I realize that people are more likely to go online to complain rather than say good so I take that into account. We are also easily pleased when it comes to fishing, so as long as we have heat we will be good. We plan on using it more as a base camp unless the fishing is steady in the house. This is our first time doing something like this for we usually fish portables and are mobile. I also plan on spending a lot of time looking for the illusive red lake crappie so probably wont spend much time in the house unless sleeping. Has anyone rented from them before and if so how was it. Really looking forward to going.

I’ve rented from them on Red a few times, all with good impressions. A little different renting a wheelhouse style house, but all the amenities were there and everything was exactly as advertised.

I’ve rented the 4 man wheelhouse, which is incredibly tight for 4 people, but it works. I’ve also rented the 6 man house with 5 guys and it was awesome.

Hope you get on the fish while you’re up there!

We rented from them when they used to be on Mille Lacs. It was fine. They checked on us a few times to see how we were doing. The Ice Castle was in great shape.

Nothing wrong with that outfit. I have used them. I will say the the wheel house will be tight for 3 people even though advertised as a 4 person. Might consider the deluxe.

If your only looking for a “hotel on the ice” you will be more than happy. The biggest complaints I have seen about them over and over are from people that expect to sit in the house all day and catch fish then complain they won’t move them when they don’t catch fish especially later on in the season as red starts to slow down.

Yeah basically just looking for a hotel on ice and a warm place to tip a few back at the end of the night. I’ve also seen most of the complaints have to do with them moving the houses or not being checked on. My guess in that situation they either cant move the house because of bad weather or it just wouldn’t make any difference. I’m not too big on waiting around for fish so ill be out on the ice most of the day. I’m happy that there are outfitters out there to give people who don’t have an ice castle an opportunity to stay on the lake. Most of all I’m excited to not have to argue about who is going to be the DD at the end of the night.

I took my son up there two years ago with another friend and his son. We rented from Portavilla. The houses were good. Heaters worked and we stayed comfy. The generator went out a couple of times but when I called the number they came right out and restarted it. They showed us how to restart it if it happened again, so when it did we were ready.
Fishing was pretty good in our shack but terrible in my friend’s. And even though we were there together our shacks were about 1/4 mile apart, so we hardly saw each other while we were there. Since I booked both houses together I guess I would assume the houses would be closer.

It was really warm while we were there so there was a lot of water and slush on the ice. The guys came by once or twice a day to pack snow up around the shack to keep the drafts down and check on us. With so much water on the ice they told us they were not able to move the shacks as often, so this might have affected the bite a bit. Either way we each caught a few wallies in the one night we were there. Wish it had been more but that is fishing as they say.

Overall I was happy with their service. The check in process was chaotic and the bait was really expensive, but now that we have done it once we will be better prepared for the next time. My buddy and I are heading up in January again, but this time we will try Beacon Harbor, as I have heard a lot of good things about them. Can’t wait!

We will be renting from them the first weekend of January. I did some research and they seem to be a good as anybody. Agree with others that a person can’t expect to be on fish all day in a big house. They will always do their best to put you on fish as that is howthey get repeat customers.

I have been very pleased with the customer service over the phone.

As long as the beer is cold we will find a way too have fun.

Stayed with them a few years back. Houses are very nice (we had a 6 person) and worked great. Only problem was we didn’t catch fish at all the first day and a half and were told they were going to move us for afternoon and night, however they never came back. So sat for 2.5 days and only caught 1 walleye in the house. Luckily we had portables and were able to fish out of them and got on some fish.

We had the same issue fishing super slow said we will move you later and never showed up. I’ll never use the service again

Many valid points, here’s my opinion:

If I wanted a hotel room, that’s what I would get (and save some $).

Any sleeper outfitter that is worth their weight will do their best to put you on fish. I know that sometimes the bite is tough, and there isn’t much you can do. But, you can tell if the effort is there, or they’re the type that spin a good yarn, but try to get away with as little effort as possible once you’re up there.

If they’re aware we’re not catching fish and not satisfied with the experience, and they tell you they’ll be out to take care of you….and they never show up….not only will I never use them again, but they’ll get an earful on the way out the door with plenty of other fisherman within earshot. If you don’t want to move people and put in the work, don’t make the claims in advance. Be transparent. Some people get a shot at trips these once a year, or even once in life, and spend a lot of hard earned cash and time to get there. Really burns me when they treat you like an inconvenience for expecting to receive what they sell you over the phone.

If you have the equipment and ability, youre better off doing it on your own than with about 75% of these “outfitters.”

Don’t get me wrong, there are some great ones out there too, that really bust their butt. You can usually tell by how easy it is to get a reservation.

With my favorite aging trip wrapped up with portavilla I thought I would come share my expierence. I’ll start off with the arrival. Check in time was supposed to be at 12pm on the day we arrived and that did not happen. We showed up about a half hour early anxious to get out on the ice and after about an hour and half wait the showed up to the resort bar and instructed us to wait by the access and follow him out. We were in a line of vehicles about 10 long. We followed him out onto the lake we’re we came up on the first group of houses. All the houses were placed next to each other and surprisingly pretty close together. He walked up to each vehicle and pointed out which fish house those people rented and they drove off. We then followed him to another group of houses that were placed even closer together than the first group and this is were our house sat. He came up the vehicle and said that’s yours and said he would be back to square up with the rest of the house. Even though I’ve fished red lake many many times I was shocked that he didn’t have any information whatsoever. He did not give any tips on what to use or what’s been working. No explanation on why he thought this was a good spot or anything. Literally pointed out the house and left. That was the last we seen of anyone until he came out to collect the rest of the money and then disappeared again. You could tell the houses hadn’t been moved for awhile and the fishing was very slow. We had portables and were able to get on some fish but the neighbors were stuck in that spot the whole time and were not to happy with the service. There was no sight of any otter train that they advertise when you rent from them. I spoke with other people that were out renting from them and they were very disappointed in the service they paid for. If you are looking for a guided trip, absolutely do not rent from this outfit. Now I have to say the houses were in great shape and we had no issues with the house itself. The door did not seal so we had draft coming in the whole time but other than that I have no complaints about the house.

I also have to say my first experience with Rogers on Red was very poor. They were rude and it almost seemed like they didn’t want you there. Maybe they are sick of the 500 wheel houses every weekend. I will not use there access again. I don’t dare write a review on there Facebook page because they really lash out at people on there and I don’t have time for that.

All the said I had good time being out in the lake. We had a warm house and even though fishing was slow we found a few.

I feel the same way about Rogers on Red. I have gone out of this access and I feel like they really have no interest in your success at all. I go out of JR’s and they are fantastic every time I go there! I have not rented from Portavilla however now reading your review I will not be in the future. Thank you for sharing!

Brad Holtman wrote:

I also have to say my first experience with Rogers on Red was very poor. They were rude and it almost seemed like they didn’t want you there. Maybe they are sick of the 500 wheel houses every weekend. I will not use there access again. I don’t dare write a review on there Facebook page because they really lash out at people on there and I don’t have time for that.

Wow you weren’t kidding! Their fb reviews reminded me of a middle school chick fight. It’s odd that the owner of LSF doesn’t have enough time to keep his site up to date, but has plenty of time to bash people who leave a bad review for Rogers on Red…Glad I’ve never gave them a penny. JR’s has always been good to me!

Hi Guys,
I am heading up to Red Monday and will be renting from Beacons Harbor for the first time. I have used Rogers a couple of times, had the same opinion as some od you. Wanted to try someone else.
Any thoughts on the Beacon harbor folks?

I have a thought…..Excellent all the way around!

WS

Steve Kracht wrote:

Any thoughts on the Beacon harbor folks?

I’ve never went through them, but also haven’t heard many/any complaints. Have a GREAT trip and post a report when you get back!

I dont have any first hand experience with them other then using their access but had a couple buddies stay with them last year and like it.

Thanks Guys, I am really looking forward to it.
I will let you know how it goes.

Steve Kracht wrote:

Hi Guys,
I am heading up to Red Monday and will be renting from Beacons Harbor for the first time. I have used Rogers a couple of times, had the same opinion as some od you. Wanted to try someone else.
Any thoughts on the Beacon harbor folks?

Beacon Harbor is great. Their motel rooms leave something to be desired, but i’m there to fish, not relax in the cabin. Very friendly and accommodating staff.