11 Mins from Stratton Ski/Golf Resort

• Summer 2012

  Summer 2012

  • Guest John
  • Date of stay 08/04/12
  • Review Submitted 09/10/12
  Six of us (my wife, my two kids (ages 11 and 9), my parents, and I) stayed at Valery and Louis's house during the first week of August, along with our two dogs, and we had a wonderful time. The house itself is lovely, inside and out. Comfortable, clean, loaded with good books and art, and full of interesting architectural features. Not to mention satellite TV, which came in handy during the Olympics. The master bedroom has a jumbo King bed, which was useful because my kids were determined to sleep with me and my wife (the old house being clearly haunted). The outside property is huge, with plenty of room for my dogs (and kids) to run around while I dozed in the hammock. We slept with the windows open at night, an unbelievable treat in August (we came from the steamy DC area, where it was 100 degrees and humid all summer). The town of Jamaica is literally a stone's throw away, and we visited it several times. I bought a small print at the Elaine Beckwith Gallery, my folks bought a glass bowl and some Christmas ornaments from the Hot Glass Works, and we made repeated trips to the well-stocked D & K Grocery, where we bought local cheese and maple syrup, as well as homemade pies and cookies (and some wine!). Karen, who runs D & K and bakes the most amazing strawberry rhubarb pie, is also the caretaker for the house. She's the one to call if you need anything. Very helpful and responsive if you have questions. We took full advantage of the Jamaica State Park, which is a 5 minute drive away (if that). We swam in several wonderful swimming holes, went on some vigorous hikes in the park, and also took a few leisurely strolls along the very level and wide rail trail which runs along the West River. This trail was nice in the summer, but it must be truly breathtaking in Autumn. We took lots of day trips to the picturesque villages along Route 100 (Weston, Londonderry, Townshend, Newfane), visited a few farmers' markets and dairy farms, took a ton of pictures, and relaxed. I highly recommend this house. I'm pretty sure we'll be making it an annual pilgrimage from now on.

  Recommended for: Sightseeing, families with young children, pet owners, adventure seekers, families with teenagers, age 55+.

  Owner response: Wow John — we were very touched by your feedback. We always wonder whether visitors will have the time, energy, curiosity, whatever it is that will allow them to really “get” Jamaica which you and family clearly have. Not just this house but the world around it, the rivers and dams, mountains and little villages tucked away. There is an exhibit planned for our little brick Historical Museum of the Indian artifacts that were just discovered, but for now that fishing village remains invisible. So much to see and do…and eat: especially, as you say, our caretaker Karen Ameden’s pies and homemade chili from her and her husband Dale’s general store. We are glad you found some prints you liked. Just as an aside, Elaine Beckwith published a book last year about Jamaica’s non-conformists in the 1940’s and 50 is called “Almost Utopia.” She carreis copies at her gallery and so does Karen at her store. In any case, the book is a treasury of old photos taken of the Jamaica community built up around Helen and Scott Nearing who wrote the seminal back to the land book, “The Good Life.” And now we must confess — after commending you on “getting Jamaica” in a week we have yet to visit the remaining structures of this “almost utopia” after five years off an on. It's not more than five minutes up the hill; just ask Karen or Dale how to get there. Soon, John, soon.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0

• New York State

  New York State

  • Guest tall man
  • Date of stay 08/18/12
  • Review Submitted 09/10/12
  The house is charming. We stayed in the master bedroom. We were pleased with the handicapped handles on the edges of the shower, and by the size of the bed. I am tall--the king sized bed is low and I had trouble getting out of it--only a problem if you are tall. The dining room table was spacious enough for all eight of us. We loved being able to walk into the town of Jamaica and go to the general store where Karen gave us helpful information. We enjoyed kayaking on the nearby reservoir. Perhaps because of the reconstruction following the flood damage, there was more truck traffic than usual--the house is near a hill and near the town dump--there was a LOT of road noise, and the town trucks started rumbling by at 8 AM. The downstairs bedroom holding the queen size bed is just slightly larger than the bed--the couple using this room found it tight. We loved the screened in porch and the hammock in the side yard. The stairs were steep and smooth and felt risky when we came down.

  Recommended for: Sightseeing, pet owners, families with teenagers.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0

• Guest comment entered by owner

  • Guest Steve
  • Date of stay 06/24/11
  • Review Submitted 07/06/11
  Weather aside, everything was wonderful. The house is charming, and truly one of the best equipped rentals I have been in. Everything tidy, well organized and clean. We really appreciated the bottle of delicious wine and the many staples in the house. Next year, hopefully. Thank you!

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0

• 2010-11 Winter Season Rental

  2010-11 Winter Season Rental

  • Guest Rhode Island Skiers
  • Date of stay 12/01/10
  • Review Submitted 05/22/11
  My family, including a 6 year old and 2 year old, rented this lovely home for the whole ski season. It's a really welcoming, comfortable old house that's been nicely updated. We affectionately called it "the Vermont House" all winter. A quick 15 minute drive to Stratton made it a really convenient place to stay. The owners were helpful and available for questions, though we really didn't have any issues with the house. I would definitely recommend the house to friends and family looking for a getaway. Overall, it was a great experience!

  Recommended for: Sightseeing, families with young children, adventure seekers, families with teenagers.

  Owner response: We have put much love and thought into making our Vermont house a comfortable "home away from home " for families and friends. We are pleased to see that it continues to be a great place with character for those who want a little of old Vermont. I hope our next renters will enjoy the house as the previous family did. Thanks for the review.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0

• Winter 2010

  Winter 2010

  • Guest Winter 2010 renter
  • Date of stay 01/19/10
  • Review Submitted 05/22/10
  This house is fantastic and has everything you need for a comfortable ski vacation... your 15 min to Stratton on VERY well maintained roads, 45 min to Okemo (check online for winter lift ticket specials FYI) and 30 min to Snow. Forget bread? No problem--- Jamaica's town market is a 5 min walk and they have it all. So back to the house--- it has a spacious kitchen which plenty of counter space to prep and cook, HUGE dinning room, bedrooms are large, master bathroom is heated (so is the downstairs bath room), the yard is great for snowmen and snowball fights, plenty of parking and an enclosed porch for your skis/boards... In short, you could throw away a lot of money to tell your friends "I live on the mountain" or rent this house which has it all and save money for lift tickets and post-ski cocktails!

  Owner response: David, you are too kind. If houses have memories which I think they do -- you and have will always have a secure place in its heart.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0

• Guest comment entered by owner

  • Guest Stewart
  • Date of stay 10/31/09
  • Review Submitted 04/09/10
  >To: Louis Postel; Valery Rockwell > Subject: a homemade dinner... > >...we are just about to sit down to a homemade meal of a chicken and vegetable soup...and a chopped salad topped with crumbled feta - in your cozy dining room! > >The place is lovely. > >After unpacking - we're easily/lazily settling in.... > >The DVD (and wine?) was a wonderful surprise - which we'll look forward to watching back in New York - with our Russian friends in tow! > >Delighted to be here! > >My daughter is calling me to table.... > >More, anon! > >Katya, Natasha and Stewart

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0

• • Guest Craig30
  • Date of stay 05/22/09
  • Review Submitted 05/22/09
  I rented this house for the whole 2008/09 winter season.. the location in Jamaica is very convenient to Stratton, Bromley, and downtown Manchester.. house was very nicely decorated, warm, sleeps a lot of people and I would stay there again!!

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0

• • Guest Heather113
  • Date of stay 07/29/08
  • Review Submitted 07/29/08
  This house is beautiful and cozy with a lovely screened in porch. It is close to Jamaica State Park, the town center, and a nice swimming hole. My family stayed here for my wedding weekend, and no one---children or adults---wanted to leave.

  Owner response: As a beach going family we had no idea how exhilarating a swim in fresh water can be. That swimming hole reminds me of those Swimex pools you see in The New Yorker. Swimming against the current in this tiny space. Very cool. Thanks for reminding me a year or two later! but better late than never. Hope all is well! Louis

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0

900/wk rental from Saturday to Saturday
short term 9% VT rental tax
Full Season Rate for 2013-2014 ski season $17,000
Security Deposit as a % of total rental & Cleaning Fee $200 (with dogs $250.)
The 9% Vermont Meals tax is additional

Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.