Mallards Nest on Lay Lake

Quack open relaxation — lakeside comfort with mallard charm

Welcome to the

Mallards Nest on Lay Lake

Feather your nest by Lay Lake. We’re a family-run lakeside retreat in Shelby, AL, created to help you slow down, reconnect, and make memories.

Nestled on 176 feet of private shoreline, Mallards Nest on Lay Lake blends thoughtful comforts with playful mallard touches — from a porch swing perfect for morning coffee to a game room for rainy-day fun.

Whether you’re here for a wedding weekend, a fishing tournament, or simply a restful escape, our mission is the same: offer a serene, upscale lakeside home where time slows and guests leave feeling like family.

Unwind in Lakeside Comfort

Open living and dining area at Mallards Nest on Lay Lake with lake views and cozy seating

Thoughtfully curated Mallard-inspired interiors

Our 3-bedroom, 2.5-bath home sleeps up to eight and is designed for effortless togetherness. The open-plan living, dining, and kitchen areas flow toward sweeping Lay Lake views, creating a relaxed setting for morning coffee, family meals, and long conversations. Cook in a fully equipped kitchen, pour a cup at the dedicated coffee bar, gather around the 8-seat dining table, then sink into the comfy living room seating and watch the boats drift by. Subtle mallard accents add personality without overpowering the serene lakeside palette.

Fully equipped kitchen with stainless-steel appliances
Dedicated coffee bar (K-cup + drip options)
5-ft kitchen island with bar seating
Separate pantry and generous prep space
Dining table seats 8 for family feasts
65" Smart TV in the living area
Comfortable living room seating with panoramic lake views
High-speed Wi-Fi, linens & towels provided

Breathtaking Outdoor Living

Panoramic Lake Views

Step from the living area onto Mallards Nest’s two-level outdoor living. The covered upper deck offers cushioned lounge seating, overhead fans, and a six-person dining table for lake-facing meals. A short set of stairs leads to the lower patio with a twin swing bed and a four-burner Blackstone griddle — perfect for lazy mornings, easy cookouts, and sunset conversations.

Mallards Nest Deck with stunning lay lake views

Covered deck with overhead fans & 6-person table 🍽️
Twin-size swing bed — the ultimate nap spot 🌤️
Lounge seating for relaxed gatherings 🪑
4-burner Blackstone griddle for easy outdoor meals 🍳
Two-level flow with short stairs connecting deck and patio ↕️

Mallards Nest on Lay Lake outdoor dining table with lake views

Mallards Nest Swing Bed with panoramic lake views

Mallards Nest on Lay Lake cook out on blackstone griddle

Lay Lake Vacation Rental - Mallards Nest on Lay Lake in Shelby, AL

REVIEWS

"Wow! Absolutely perfect. I really don't know what else to say. On the water. Beautiful views. Fully stocked with what you need and many other items you wouldn't even think of. We definitely hope to visit the Mallards Nest again in the future. "

Eric

"This cabin is truly fantastic and The pictures do not do this place justice. Fishing the lights at the end of the dock was really fun to do and tons of fish. So whether you want to fish, swim, relax by the fire pit or have fun in the game room. There’s plenty to do and I highly recommend this place. "

Jordan

REVIEW

"Wow! Absolutely perfect. I really don't know what else to say. On the water. Beautiful views. Fully stocked with what you need and many other items you wouldn't even think of. We definitely hope to visit the Mallards Nest again in the future. "

Eric

Restful & Stylish Bedrooms

Thoughtful design for peaceful sleep

Return to the lake. Return to yourself. At Mallards Nest, each of our three bedrooms is curated for comfort and calm — thoughtful finishes, soft linens, and small touches that make settling in effortless. Whether you’re recharging after a day on the water or easing into a slow morning on the porch, these rooms are meant to feel like your personal retreat.

Mallards Nest - Lake Vacation Rental - Comfortable bedrooms

Main Bedroom (Downstairs)

King bed with plush linens & bedside charging stations

Smart TV, large dresser and generous closet space
Sound machine for quiet sleep
Full-size wall mirror for wedding attendees
Ensuite bath with a roomy walk-in shower and spacious vanity

Perfect for guests who prefer one-level living or a quiet retreat after a full day lakeside.

Guest Bedroom (Upstairs)

King bed with quality mattress & bedside charging stations
Smart TV and sound machine
Lovely lake views from the window
Shares the upstairs full bath (shower/tub combo) with the bunk room

Bunk Room (Upstairs — sleeps 4)

Queen-over-queen bunk (comfortable for adults or kids)
Smart TV, bean bags, and cozy reading nook
Giant magnetic Scrabble wall, kids’ books, and a variety of family games — built for fun and easy evenings together

What’s included

Sleeps 8 total
Fresh linens & bath towels provided
Blackout curtains and white-noise options for restful nightsPack-n-play available on request

Embrace Outdoor Adventures

Endless lake-side Fun

Make the lake your playground. Mallards Nest sits right on 176 ft of waterfront with deep water (8+ ft) off the dock — perfect for boating, swimming, or a day of fishing. Paddle around in our kayaks or glide on the SUP, then return to shore for a cookout on the Blackstone and cozy evenings at the gas firepit. When night falls the dusk-to-dawn green fishing light comes on and fish gather beside the dock — great for admiring or late-night angling. It’s the ideal setting to reconnect with nature, family, and friends.

Mallards Nest Outdoor Fun - Lakeside Firpit and Smores

Mallards Nest Outdoor Fun - Lakeside Lounge Seating

Mallards Nest Outdoor Fun - Lakeside sunsets

Mallards Nest Outdoor Fun - Lakeside Cornhole and Kayaks

Mallards Nest Outdoor Fun - Lakeside Green Monster Fishing Light

On-site lake features & gear

Private boat ramp on property — bring your boat. 🚤
Covered boathouse with electric lift (fits pontoons/boats)
Cleats at the dock for tying up boats and floats
Deep water off dock (8+ ft) for safe swimming
4 cushioned lakeside lounge chairs + large grassy yard
Propane gas firepit — easy, clean evenings & s’mores kit included 🔥
Water toys: 2 kids’ kayaks, 1 adult kayak, inflatable SUP, pool noodles & floats
Lifejackets in a range of sizes (required for kids) 🦺
Yard games: Cornhole, Giant Connect 4, plus more
Green fishing light for night fishing

Safety note: There is no lifeguard on duty. Children must be supervised near the water at all times.

Game Room Glow-Up

Where friendly rivalry meets retro charm

Step downstairs and the party begins — an accent turf wall and a neon Mallards Nest sign set the scene for unforgettable game nights. Whether you’re chasing high scores on the arcade, battling it out at foosball, or gathering around the table for board games, this space is built for laughter, competition, and cozy rainy-day hangs.

Mallards Nest on Lay Lake - Game Room Neon Wall Sign

Mallards Nest on Lay Lake - Game Room Foosball and pepper pong

Mallards Nest on Lay Lake - Lake house Game Room in Alabama

Mallards Nest on Lay Lake - Game Room board games, chess, checkers and more

What’s inside

Turf accent wall + neon Mallards Nest logo — instant vibe. 🎯
Arcade with a variety of classic & modern games 🕹️
Foosball table for fast-paced matches ⚽
Convertible game/table setup
Giant Connect 4 for yard-sized fun
Smart TV for streaming movies, sports, or console play 📺
Board & card games: Uno, Life, poker cards, and dozens more 🎲
Removable wall games + central table for easy play space
Party-ready extras: Pepper pong set (table converts for epic matches) 🏓
Light tackle box + a few fishing rods for lakeside spontaneity 🎣

Perfect for rainy days, late-night tournaments, or keeping the kids (and big kids) happily entertained while others relax by the lake.

REVIEWS

"Pictures don’t do it justice! It’s absolutely beautiful and we didn’t want to leave. I would live there if I could. Had everything you could think of. Kayaks they provided were nice. Fire pit and s’mores they provided was an excellent touch. It really was like walking into a magazine home. Beds and linens were super comfortable. We will definitely be back."

Janice

"My kids loved using, the provided binoculars to watch all the wildlife on the lake. The views here are the absolute best ever and the cleanliness in this home is top notch! We played every game indoors/ outdoors and made so many memories! The coffee bar was well stocked, s’mores for the family upon entering and loved relaxing on the swing bed!"

Rachel

REVIEWS

"This cabin is truly fantastic and The pictures do not do this place justice. Fishing the lights at the end of the dock was really fun to do and tons of fish. So whether you want to fish, swim, relax by the fire pit or have fun in the game room. There’s plenty to do and I highly recommend this place. "

Jordan

Book Now & Availability

Words can’t describe how relaxing it is to wake up, walk into the great room, and gaze out on the magnificent sunrise over the lake. Water views like this is so hard to find.

Come experience it for yourself.

Book your unforgettable vacation to the Mallards Nest on Lay Lake today.

Availability

Book Now

YOUR HOSTS

We would like to personally welcome you to our family’s lake home! We are very excited for you to stay in our dream vacation home on the amazing Lay Lake. We hope that you and your family have a wonderful vacation here and enjoy it as much as our family does.

We will be your hosts and are available to answer all your questions both prior to or during your stay.

The Mallards Nest is located on the Southwest side of Lay Lake nestled on the shores of Spring Creek. It is in the perfect location. It is just off the main channel, ideal for swimming, riding kayaks, and enjoying unforgettable sunsets.

-Scott and Shanelle