Location: Jamaica, Stratton Mountain Area, Vermont, USA (10 Minutes to Stratton, 4 from State Park) View Map
Accommodations: House, 4 Bedrooms + No additional sleeping rooms avail, 2 Baths (Sleeps 7-8)
Keywords: Farmhouse from Greek Revival period 1830, 2500 square feet, beautifully maintained and restored, many antiques, large property within white picket fence close to town, Amenities include High-Speed WIFI, Premium Direct TV, fully-stocked library, Hardwood floors, Screened in porch, stream, orchard
"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!
A recent renter
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By Louis Postel and Valery Rockwell, Owners
We think you'll enjoy yourself here.
The village itself is unique, the home of Helen and Scott Nearing who started the back to the land movement with their book "The Good Life", an area of ten minutes from the Stratton Resort, MT. Snow and a beautiful rail to trail state park where a great trove of Indian artifacts have been discovered. Some of the old houses like our owe their Greek Revival sophistication to the incredible wealth generated by the introduction of Menino sheep.
We had so much fun (and so much excellent help!) restoring this village farmhouse set off Route 30 on a small stream.
The classic Vermont Greek Revival: luxurious country starting with a dreamy screened in porch... wide plank floors,oriental rugs, good library, cable, wifi, whirlpool tub, radiant flooring, ping pong table, king bed with hand-made quilts, babbling brook sound effects, Matisse-like oil paintings, leather sofa by Roche Bobois, even Venus de Milo in the master suite -- mistress of the weeping cherry outside. Large bath upstairs and down. Cozy gas fireplace (no running out for wood)
Just painted the exterior. New York Decorator and next door neighbor Enrique Chavez chose the new paint palette and it works!
Once owned by the local legend and sawmill owner Bruce McGray, this beautifully restored 1830's Greek Revival home is a five minute walk to the Jamaica Village center and 11 minutes to Stratton. There's no stoplight in town but an excellent art gallery, revitalized grocery store, library, historical association, restaurants and coffee shop.
Stratton Ski Resort is a straight shot up Rt 30. About 11 minutes to the base.
The West River running through the Jamaica State Park is a joy. Many people learned to cross-country ski there. In any case, there are wonderful walks and short hikes all through the park.
Twice a year the United States government releases the dam and there's a kayak festival. There is also a sheep-shearing festival in the spring. Watch a 250 pound sheep get sheared in a minute and a half without a knick!
It's near enough to Manchester to do some outlet shopping but that can be easily avoided. Stratton Resort is about eight minutes away. For foodies there's the Three Mountain Inn down the street. Prix Fixe -- excellent!
Vacation Rental Features
- Amenities
- Air Conditioning
- Linens Provided
- Washer : New
- Dryer : New
- Off Street Parking
- Parking for RV/Boat/Trailer
- Gas Fireplace : Easier than schlepping wood and hey it looks real! Also check out radiant floor in guest bath.
- Beds
- King Bed : With memory foam topper
- Queen Bed (2) : Also with memory foam topper
- Twin/Single Bed
- Bunk Bed
- Entertainment
- Jetted Tub in Bath
- Cable/Satellite TV
- DVD
- Video Library (2) : Two boxes full...and the terrific Jamaica general store down the street has more current titles.
- CD Player
- Stereo System
- Music Library
- Ping Pong/Table Tennis
- Kitchen
- Full Kitchen : Some basic food items -- let us know if you'd prefer the cupboards bare.
- Cooking Utensils Provided
- Refrigerator
- Dishwasher
- Microwave
- Catering Available : Nothing formal but the caretaker of our property also owns the General Store. Karen's one of the best cook's around. She'll get you something.
- Outdoor Features
- Gas/Electric BBQ Grill
- Deck/Patio : Large screened in porch on the East side for early morning coffee. View of stream, birdbath, hummingbirds, chickadees, tiny frogpond, wild flowers, Rte 30, and fire station.
- View/Location
- Water View : It's just a brook running along the edge of the property. In Spring it makes a wonderful rushing sound which is especially soothing at night with the windows open.
- Mountain View : Ball Mountain just visible to the North, a lovely rounded mountain typical of the range. One author compared them to the terrain in the US that most resembles Tuscany.
- Communications
- Telephone
- WiFi (Wireless Internet) : no password required
- Other Amenities
- Large property and lawn surrounded by white picket fence. Great for badminton and croquet. We're also proud of our library occasionally added onto by guests (from Phillip Roth to local author Norman Mailer)Some CDs, kids' videos. But best of all: Radiant heat in first floor bath.Garden furniture, swings, hammock.
- Suitability
- Pet Friendly : A good place for dogs, not cats. Pets left out at night have been taken by weasels. Almost an acre of picket fenced in yard. Waste pick up tool provided.
- Handicapped Accessible (may have limitations) : The loft area has an impossible step for wheelchairs. But the guest room downstairs is perfect. The first floor bath is large and accommodating.
- Wheelchair Accessible (may have limitations)
- Kid Friendly : It's a great place for most kids but not for rough-housing indoors or chocolate ice cream on the $4,000 Roche Bobois sofa in the living room. There's a lot of antiques but nothing so perfect and priceless it can't be touched.
- Minimum Age Limit for Renters
- Smoking Not Allowed
- Activities
- Golf
- Tennis
- Shopping
- Kayaking
- Boating
- Swimming
- Biking
- Mountain Biking
- Cross Country Skiing
- Downhill/Alpine Skiing
- Snowboarding
- Snowmobiling
- Wildlife Viewing
- Fishing
- Hunting
- Health/Beauty Spa
- Antiquing
- Live Theatre
- Horseback Riding
- Rafting
- Sledding/Tubing
- Hiking
- Rock Climbing
- Restaurants
- Fitness Center/Gym
- Museums
- Other Activities
- Overflow guests? Invite your friends to camp at Jamaica State Park, or (fancier) the Jamaica House or Three MTN Inn in the Village. Another very basic activity for us: Reading and reading in the hammock. I have some of my best books there -- WS Merwin's new collected poems which are great by the way and hundreds of other tomes.
Rate Details (In US Dollars)
800/wk
Longer Term & Full Season Rates Available for 2012-2013
Security Deposit as a % of total rental & Cleaning Fee $200 (with dogs $250.)
A 9% Vermont Meals tax is additional
Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.
Map & Owner's Profile
Beautifully Restored 1830's Farmhouse with One Acre Fenced
Year Purchased: 2005
Why the Owner Chose Jamaica
When we started looking for a second home my wife said there was only one condition: "It has to be on the water." And by "on the water" she meant Winslow Homer-esque sea-tossed rocky cliffs and a little sail boat to toot around in. Well, to we drove and drove, finding nothing. Finally I said "How about Vermont? After all, it's where I went to school and where you were born." I'm not sure what happened to the "On the Water" caveat. The first thing we found was an enormous barn which we actually did a "P&S" on only to find that some critical beams had been severed. Finally, we found a Greek Revival farmhouse and fell in love right away. The stream flowing in the back counts as "on the water" at least for me.
The Unique Benefits at this House
I like talking over the fence to our neighbors. One neighbor is a very talented interior designer. We love picking his brain. Why stew about what color to paint the Greek Revival pilasters you've got an expert right next door?
We all like the State Park and now my wife and I joined the Stratton Health Club. It's a little hard to wake early but it's beautiful to see the sun rise on your way there. I've also discovered the Ball Mountain Dam about 2 minutes from us up RTE 30 -- What huge vistas! (And a back entrance to the Park -- no charge)
also the home of Todd Lincoln well worth seeing. Rallying point of Green Mountain Boys at Equinox Inn. Great bookstore -- Northshire! Horse shoes, falconry, Orvis Headquarters (the brothers paved much of the town with marble.)
Owner's Map of Jamaica
Valery Rockwell, M.Ed, LMHC is a psychotherapist with over thirty years working with individuals and couples. She recently earned certification in Internal Family Systems. Valery's husband Louis is a writer and publisher, specializing in interior design and architecture. He is the co-founder of Design Times in 1981 and New England Home in 2005. He continues to write the "Trade Secrets" column for New England Home as well as design showcase for Showboats International in Miami.
Sometimes we admit to feeling a resistance to going up on weekends to VT. We think Well, it's so nice here where we live, why drive 2 1/2 miles? But then when I am there I just become so happy and so much calmer -- We have come to love the little village, our neighbors, the State Park with its cross country ski trail along the river. The notion that I'm able to plant an orchard on the property just amazes me for some reason. Seeing our daughters swim down the road -- I could wax pretty lyrical... so I will stop while I am ahead
Property Photos
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- 1830's Greek Revival in Excellent Condition - Stratton Mountain, Vermont Vacation Home
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- Exterior color palette courtesy of our neighbor the designer Enrique Chavez - Stratton Mountain, Vermont Vacation Home
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- South Lawn with apple trees and rose arbor - Stratton Mountain, Vermont Vacation Home
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- The deck looking out to the hummingbird feeder and stream
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- We love having coffee on this screened-in deck furnished in mid-century modern
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- The kitchen with view of babbling brook and even (once) a moose in the drive
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- Time for coffee around the fire
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- The gas fireplace in the living room is easy to operate
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- The master suite has a whirlpool bath in the next room behind the camera
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- A Roman matron makes herself at home in the master suite
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- The North Lawn with stream to left and firehouse in background
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- Our caretakers, Dale & Karen Ameden, own the fabulous D&K market in town.
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- Co-Owner Louis Postel writes about design for New England Home magazine.
Traveler Reviews (6)
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!
Recommended for:
2010-11 Winter Season Rental
Guest: Rhode Island Skiers
(Providence, RI )
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!
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.
Recommended for:Adventure seekers, sightseeing, families with young children, families with teenagers.
Winter 2010
Guest: Winter 2010 renter
(Stamford, CT)
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.
Recommended for:
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
Recommended for:
Guest: Craig30
(Greenwich CT)
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!!
Recommended for:
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
Recommended for:
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Vacation Rentals by Owner Listing #121533
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