Vacation Rentals by Owner

The softball guys

Guest: RR softvall (Rockland County, NY)
Date of Stay: 05/18/12 Review Submitted: 05/20/12

This place is awesome!! Owen is very easy to deal with and the place is better than described. We will certainly be staying up there for a tournament again!!

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Great way to ring in the New Year

Guest: Donna & Penny (NY)
Date of Stay: 12/27/11 Review Submitted: 01/03/12

We stayed over the Christmas Holiday week. The weather was very mild which allowed us to take long walks around the lake- really beautiful area. The house is very large and spacious but still has a warm cozy feel. Owen is great, very easy to work with. He provided us with lots of good tips on sights to explore and nearby restaurants. We will definitely vacation at the Lakeside House again.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, pet owners, sightseeing.

Great Way To End Summer

Guest: Ashley (Philadelphia, PA)
Date of Stay: 09/08/11 Review Submitted: 09/15/11

My boyfriend and I spent five nights here and really enjoyed our escape from city living. The house has every amenity you could need and is private and comfortable. It's much bigger than it appears in the photos. We kayaked some, sat near a fire outside each night, took our time eating our breakfast on the huge deck each morning, explored nearby towns, and got to relax surrounded by nature and quiet. Great choice. Owen, the owner, was very helpful and quick to answer any questions.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with young children, girls getaway, pet owners, romantic getaway.

Amazing and wonderful getaway!

Guest: Monica (Moorestown, New Jersey)
Date of Stay: 07/22/11 Review Submitted: 08/11/11

My family and I just spent a terrific and relaxing week at this lovely vacation getaway near Bethel, New York. We can't say enough at how wonderful the house was and how well it met all of our needs. When we arrived it was spotless and well-maintained. There was plenty of room (we had six adults ranging in ages from mid-twenties to late sixties) and we were all pleased how comfortable it was. Plenty of room to relax, read, play games, or even just to "chill". out on the lovely deck. The area near the property featured a beautiful lake that was great for swimming (a very nice beach is nearby) or kayaking (kayaks were provided), and the road around the lake was perfect for long walks or jogging. Tennis courts were also a 10 minute ride away! Shops nearby provided groceries as well as great restaurants for those nights we did not want to eat in. Twenty miles away we had opportunities to go rafting on the Delaware (a must if anyone is interested), and the Bethel Arts Center provided a great museum describing the Woodstock Festival of years gone by. The owner of this home could not have been nicer as he answered all of our questions and was helpful in giving us ideas of places to go and things to see We definitely would recommend this lovely vacation home to anyone who wants a relaxing and quiet getaway in a beautiful area! We certainly hope to make a return visit one day!!!!!

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Wonderful house, wonderful owner

Guest: B (brooklyn)
Date of Stay: 05/27/11 Review Submitted: 08/09/11

Friends and I rented house for entire summer. Owen (the owner) is wonderful to deal with. The entire process was so easy, I thought it was too good to be true. House is even nicer than the photos show, house is very large, with many different seating areas so you never feel crowded. House has everything you could ever need, dishes, pots, silverware, etc... Washer, Dryer, dishwasher, gas grill, charcoal grill, pool table, games, and so on. Lake is right in front of house. House is perfect for adults and kids. Whole area in basement filled with kids books and toys. Anytime we've had questions Owen responds asap - I found text messaging to be easiest. If you don't hear from him right away, know that you will soon, Owen is a true sweetheart. The area is just beautiful. Enough kind words can't be said.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with young children, girls getaway, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Great place...as advertised

Guest: js (NYC)
Date of Stay: 02/11/11 Review Submitted: 02/19/11

We stayed at the lake house for a weekend in February, 2 couples and 3 kids. The house was comfortable and convenient for skiing at a small ski slope that was perfect for beginners. Lots of room and outdoor space to wander. The owner was easy to work with and helpful.

Recommended for:Families with young children

Absolutely Wonderful!

Guest: SedgleyWoods (East Haven, Ct)
Date of Stay: 12/17/10 Review Submitted: 01/17/11

A group of friends and I rented this cabin for a christmas reunion. We traveled from different parts of Pennsylvania and Connecticut. Owen was excellent to deal with and could not have been more helpful in his accomodations. There is good reason that every review on here is five stars! This cabin is simply gorgeous. Three stories, two baths, and directly on the lake! I reccomend a trip to the nearby Woodstock museum while you are out this way. I cant wait to go back in the summer so that we can enjoy the lake! The amount of space and the location that you get are above and beyond! We will deffinitely be back!

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Exactly as advertised

Guest: Amy (Philadelphia)
Date of Stay: 10/29/10 Review Submitted: 11/12/10

We were four adults just looking for a quiet weekend within easy driving distance of Philadelphia and Boston. The house was wonderful, the kitchen was very well-equipped, Owen was great to deal with. Would definitely do it again! We walked around the lake each day, a perfect 50-minute walk on a brisk fall afternoon.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, pet owners.

Loved our family vacation here!

Guest: The J's (Indiana)
Date of Stay: 10/16/10 Review Submitted: 12/08/10

My family had such a great time here. There were 11 of us in our group and we fit comfortably ( 8 adults, 1 child & 2 babies). We couldn't have asked for a more beautiful view right from the house. I don't know what was more beautiful watching the sun come up over the lake or the reflection of the moon in it. We loved our peaceful family walks by the lake & through the woods behind the house, not to mention watching the deer playing in the front yard! The open concept of the house was very nice also. You could be cooking in the kitchen, sitting at the dining table or in the living room and be able to talk to each other. It has been a few weeks since my family was there ( 10/16/2010 - 10/25/2010) and we still haven't stopped talking about how much we enjoyed ourselves and our time together. It was a vacation we will never forget. We all left saying the only thing we would have changed would be staying longer. We had the house for 10 days and it was so enjoyable that we still wanted more time there. We hated to leave. It was truly a wonderful experience for all of us. We all ( my husband, daughter and I, my parents, 2 of my sisters and their husbands) would not only recommend this house but look forward to hopefully enjoying another stay there soon!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, sightseeing.

Fun filled Week

Guest: John and Family (Williamson NY)
Date of Stay: 08/15/10 Review Submitted: 08/23/10

We just got back from a great week enjoying this cottage!! The house was huge and had so much space for our four kids and their friends to hang out and have a blast-it has its's own pool table, dart board and large place downsairs for the kids to hang out -especially helpful on rainy days! Rental came with three kayaks which we all really enjoyed-lake is beautiful and the property is so private! Everything is there-just bring yourself ! The firepit area is great along with the huge deck on the house-very relaxing. Owen was the best-very nice to deal with and very trustworthy! If your looking for a great place to go - this is it in more ways than one! We went to the near by Woodstock site and the The Museum at Bethel Woods Art Center. Very enjoyable for all of us! We also went to near by Lake Superior Park and rented paddle boats - also a great time!! Thanks again Owen for everything!

Recommended for:Families with teenagers

Great time in a great place

Guest: Mike (NYC)
Date of Stay: 08/06/10 Review Submitted: 08/21/10

This is a wonderful house in a beautiful, peaceful, lakeside setting. The house is large, comfortable, clean, well-equipped and well-maintained, and well worth the price; the surrounding area is filled with fun, interesting and relaxing activities (we especially enjoyed fishing and boating on nearby lakes and hiking in the woods) and convenient to shopping. We were a large group with lots of young children and dogs and the house is very kid and pet friendly; the basement is filled with kids' toys, games and books (and a great pool table!). Above all, the owner was a pleasure to deal with. There were a few times when we had questions while on site and he was always extremely responsive by email and very interested in making sure everything went smoothly for us. One of us saw a bear on our last day so definitely keep the lids securely on the trash cans! We would definitely come back and would recommend the property to anyone without hesitation.

Recommended for:Families with young children, pet owners, sightseeing.

Peaceful Getaway

Guest: Catherine R. (NYC)
Date of Stay: 05/18/10 Review Submitted: 05/21/10

Friendly owner. Great place, so serene, peaceful. Perfect place for some R&R. Amazing views, thanks, Owen!

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, pet owners.

Great House

Guest: Russell (New York)
Date of Stay: 04/29/10 Review Submitted: 05/18/11

Decided to do a last minute trip with another couple..the house was clean, nice, very quiet and cozy. GREAT little lake to fish on, close to woodstock and some stores..... We would stay here again for sure.....and a ton of stuff to play with for kids, my friends 2 year old had a great time....

Recommended for:Families with teenagers, families with young children, romantic getaway.

Guest: Brisy (Pembroke Pines, FL)
Date of Stay: 03/23/10 Review Submitted: 03/23/10

This little getaway was exactly what we were looking for! Plenty of room for 2 families! Spacious and cozy! The area was beautiful and the view of the lake was gorgeous! The instructions that were left for us were clear and easy to follow and made us feel welcome! We will definitely rent this place again if and when we go back! Thank you so much for allowing us to stay at this wonderful house!! Brisy & Family!

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Guest: Natalia & Kevin (New York, NY)
Date of Stay: 02/24/10 Review Submitted: 02/24/10

Thank you very much for a wonderful time.We spent a lovely, peacefull weekend at your place.The house is warm, cozy and very welcoming, the view of the lake is phenomenal. We had great time there and looking forward to come back again.

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Guest: liza6 (new york ny)
Date of Stay: 02/04/10 Review Submitted: 02/03/10

We booked this last minute and despite some issues from Owen's end (his power was down, he lost internet access), he did everything possible to help us book this place. He also checked in on us and walked me through building a fire (there's a switch for the fan by the fireplace... who'da thunk!) and made sure we settled in fine. The house is AWESOME! It was also very well stocked and had every kind of game and entertainment you could need. It was very conveniently located, 10 mins from a 24/7 Walmart and 10 mins from Holiday Mountain (family rates on Sat!). We were upset we had such a short weekend (we stayed in most of the time because it was FREEZING), but we are looking forward to coming back in spring/summer to fully enjoy the lake! THANKS OWEN!

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Guest: John Giordano (Glen Cove NY)
Date of Stay: 01/02/10 Review Submitted: 01/02/10

01/02/2010 - This Place is great for a family of any size, Cooking Area Best I have seen.Excellent for Winter vacation, Plenty to do for everyone thephotos of this listing do not do it Justice.Large open floor plan, Big windows,In back a Fire Pit. And it is Private. Good Deal, Great house for Fun Times Together with Family and Friends. Kids love This house.Winter Wonderland, You will be happy at days end with your choice to stay Hear.

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Guest: Debbi3 (Staatsburg, NY)
Date of Stay: 09/02/09 Review Submitted: 09/02/09

Lovely home with lots of room made this weekend getaway ideal. We unfortunately had a bit of rain so we played lots of games and watched movies...very relaxing. Took in a concert at Bethel Woods and had a great time! I would definitely book again when we will be in the area. Thanks Owen!

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Guest: Jocelynn (Poughkeepsie, NY)
Date of Stay: 08/11/09 Review Submitted: 08/11/09

This home made a wonderful July vacation site for multigenerations. Smallwood was peaceful,pastoral, and friendly. The house and hearth were inviting: ample space, wonderful deck for socializing and sunning,modern kitchen for convenience. Enough space for privacy if needed. The lake provided fishing and nature wonders, swimming and lessons, and other children. Our experience was joyous.

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Guest: Montoro Family (NYC)
Date of Stay: 06/29/09 Review Submitted: 06/29/09

This house fulfilled a wide variety of "wishes" our family of 13 had for our vacation. Biking around the lake was a highlight,but equally enjoyable was the fishing and kyaking. There was lots of room to spread out. Our oldest son was delighted to have wifi available and the children had a great time with all the toys in the basement.

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 03/09/09 Review Submitted: 03/09/09

My family and my sister's family stayed at the house for a week. There was plenty of room and the finished basement was the perfect place for the kids to hang out in. My dog loved the freedom to run around and even made friends with the neighbor's dog. Plenty of space and very peaceful!! The only downside was that the previous guests were not so diligent about leaving the house clean, so we ended up spending our first day at the house cleaning.

Owner response:Hi...Owen here...most guests do a terrific job(see all comments!) cleaning..either themselves, or by hiring a local professional...our philosophy that we impart to all guests is that we hope everyone leaves the place 5% better than how they found it..that is usually the way people DO leave it...

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Guest: Tita Martinez (San Juan, PR)
Date of Stay: 02/04/09 Review Submitted: 02/04/09

We spent the first week of January09 at this great house. The view is awesome and the whole experience was just unforgettable. You feel right at home with all the necessary amenities specially the kitchen. We are looking forrward to spend some time during the summer or perhaps spring at this wonderfull property. I recomend it 100%. Wheather you want to relax or have fun you find it all. Definitely would go back.

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Guest: Barbara36 (-)
Date of Stay: 01/19/09 Review Submitted: 01/19/09

We loved the place--lots of charm and room. The kitchen was great--nothing was lacking. Felt very cozy during snowstorm with the fireplace going. The beds were comfortable with warm comforters provided. We enjoyed the pool table downstairs and the DVD movies. Was a great week-end getaway. We would love to visit in the summer; must be awesome. Thank you!!

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 01/19/09 Review Submitted: 01/19/09

Excellent accommodations for any size family with any age children!It snowed 8 inches while we were there and the picture windows from every direction let us enjoy the flakes while we stayed cozy by the fire. With woods, lake and seclusion, this was truly a magnificent way to take a vacation without traveling too far. It felt like we were in northern Maine, and it is only two hours from our home in Connecticut. A "must go" for anyone wanting to enjoy quality time with their family! Thank you to owners!

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Guest: Audrey 2 (Staten Island NY)
Date of Stay: 01/19/09 Review Submitted: 01/19/09

Owen,The house was incredible! My husband and I spent a long weekend there with some friends and had a wonderful time. There was lots of room and lots to do to keep busy. There was a selection of dvds and videos, lots of books, magazines and board games, wireless internet, a pool table and a great kitchen to spend time together in and cook. The fireplace added ambience during the unexpected snowstorm but being housebound was actually a pleasure. The down comforters and pillows were incredibly comfortable.(a perfect touch) The opening up and closing instructions were very explicit and easy to follow. It was a great weekend spent with friends in a great house!!

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Guest: Robin25 (CT/Fairfield County)
Date of Stay: 12/07/08 Review Submitted: 12/07/08

The house by far is a hidden treasure. The pictures on the site are nothing compared to what the actual house looks like inside . The house is secluded from others giving you privacy, and peace. It also has a finished basement with entertainment, which by far kept us busy. The owner was great to work with, and kept in contact whenever we needed to speak to him. It was a great stay overall. Thanks Owen!

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Guest: John92 (Glen Gardner, NJ)
Date of Stay: 11/20/08 Review Submitted: 11/20/08

This house is without question a great value. Spent a long (3-day) weekend in mid-November and was fortunate to enjoy fairly mild, snow-free weather. There was plenty of room for the four of us, rooms were clean, good selection of board games, movies, etc., plus billiard table downstairs. Very comfortable place to relax in. We cooked our meals in the full kitchen which was just as good and familiar as being in your own home; would love to visit this place sometime between mid-spring and early fall to take advantage of the outdoor grill on the wrap-around porch surrounded by all those trees.Visited the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts (a definite highlight; do not miss it) and enjoyed some good pizza at Benji & Jake's in nearby White Lake.Thanks again, Owen. This place was exactly what we were looking for and a lot more.

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Guest: Mila2 (Brooklyn, NY)
Date of Stay: 11/04/08 Review Submitted: 11/04/08

Wonderful location, lots of entertainment. Perfect for families with kids and dogs. We loved every second of our stay in October. The lake is just across the road. The play room downstairs has entertainment for every age group plus additional beds. Communication with owner was VERY helpful and pleasant. Would definitely like to come back some time.

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 10/18/08 Review Submitted: 10/18/08

Lovely property with lots of room. It was a great place to get away from it all. My husband, myself and 3 older relatives came together to visit family and friends. We enjoyed the home away from home instead of being stuck in a motel/hotel. The kitchen was exceptional, as was the hot water and water pressure, something we did not expect. Would stay there again for sure.Marilyn

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Guest: Melissa 4 (New York, NY)
Date of Stay: 10/06/08 Review Submitted: 10/06/08

What a find! We came up from the city with our golden retireiver for 5 nights in Septemeber and even with a little rain, it was perfect. House was so well equipped, especially the kitchen. The owner, Owen gave us great insight into the area as well, so dinner out was also a find.

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 09/23/08 Review Submitted: 09/23/08

We had a great weekend getaway in this awesome lake house! Everything you could hope for and more in the house - fire pit, computer, DVDs, and a well-appointed kitchen! The lake is so peaceful and beautiful! Owen is very accommodating and helpful! You can't go wrong with this one. I am counting the days until I can return...

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Guest: Kirsten Hopstaken (Yorktown Heights)
Date of Stay: 09/17/08 Review Submitted: 09/17/08

This is a great house ! Very well equipted kitchen and lots of entertainment in- and outside. Nice private yard and large deck. We had a great time !The communication with the owner was also very good and friendly. We´ll come back !thanks a lot Owen !

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Guest: Melissa Birnbaum (New York, NY)
Date of Stay: 09/01/08 Review Submitted: 09/01/08

We rented this great house for the entire month of August to beat the heat of the city- It was a terrific escape that suited our needs very well. Two families with a young toddler each shared this house and had room to spare. It's an ideal family rental with a large finished basement for children to run around in, a fire pit for roasting smores, and a large porch for bbque dinners- The lake amenities were perfect for us- our kids loved the life guarded beach area with swing sets and toys for public use. There were lots of families with other kids to play with. The non-motor boat lake was great for rowing and kayaking- My favorite part of the day was my morning walk around the lake in which I picked my daily wildflower bouquet- so scenic and right across the street from the house!!This particular region in the Catskills is also undergoing a newfound resurgence due to the Bethel Woods Arts center- a must see on your stop!! The farmers market on Sundays in the fall is wonderful, there are a bunch of new good restaurants to try (Benji & Jakes Pizza!!!), Fiddler's Flea market is also new and notable and don't forget to take a road trip to Callicoon - to check out local potters!Great house- highly recommended

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Guest: Jerry Piasecki (White Plains, NY)
Date of Stay: 09/01/08 Review Submitted: 09/01/08

We totally enjoyed our stay. We rented the house for a month, but could have stayed longer. Very relaxing and comfortable. While my wife and friends enjoyed kayaking, hiking and swimming, I was hobbled by a knee injury and spent the time just kicking back on the great deck. We hope to return soon.Thanks.

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Guest: Paul28 (Rochester NY)
Date of Stay: 06/23/08 Review Submitted: 06/23/08

My brothers and I had a great stay at your place. We enjoyed the firepit and just relaxing around the house and deck. Great place to get away and enjoy some peace and quiet. Thanks again.

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Guest: Elyas (Brooklyn, NY)
Date of Stay: 06/09/08 Review Submitted: 06/09/08

My friends and I had a fantastic stay. The property is right off the road but feels very secluded. The lake is literally yards off the driveway and the dock is just a short walk away. Almost everythign you may need is here. Fire pit, pool table, nice kitchen with modern appliances, great water pressure, plenty of hot water, boardgames, covered outdoor eating area, deck, etc etc. We never felt like there was nothing to do and there were plenty of opportunities to relax and just do nothing. And the owner is great to deal with. Thanks!

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Guest: Frank and Ellen Vella (Syracuse, NY)
Date of Stay: 05/27/08 Review Submitted: 05/27/08

This was a perfect meeting place for a family get-together. The pictures on the website do not do the house justice; it is a beautiful house with all the comforts of home. Although there are cottages all around the small lake, all are set back in the woods so you feel that you are alone. Just bring a bunch of food, and you're all set for a purely relaxing experience!

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Guest: Sharon27 (NYC, NY)
Date of Stay: 04/22/08 Review Submitted: 04/22/08

An uplifting experience – in every sense of the wordMy uncle has a house in the Catskills to which my family planned to go to celebrate Passover- when we arrived at the house we discovered that due to a mixup there were people there!!! Can you imagine an entire family, in the middle of the Catskill forest, on Passover eve, homeless???... I'm sure you can't- then a MIRACLE happened – we opened VRBO and found this house. We called- the owner couldn't be nicer and totally understood our situation. He arranged for us to get the key on the spot and helped us with all our needs on a very short notice. This was already a Passover miracle for us, but then we arrived at the house and what a pleasant surprise. Being from New York we thought that if the owner was so nice, and if we managed to get the house on a holiday, there must be a catch... well, did I say a miracle? The house was beautiful, in a peaceful wooded area, it just had the right “feel” to it. Everything was clean and inviting – we celebrated the “Seder” and truly felt blessed.Thank you for an unforgettable experience!

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Guest: Yong1 (NYC, NY)
Date of Stay: 03/18/08 Review Submitted: 03/18/08

The house was outstanding. The owner of the house was very accomodating to our needs even though the rental was on a very short notice. The house was well furnished with plenty of space. Fire place was beautiful and the high ceiling was a plus. Basement had more than enough entertainment to keep us occupied for the whole weekend. It was a shame that my group only had a weekend spend at the house. Will most definitely visit again. Thank you Owen!

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Guest: marcin1 (NYC)
Date of Stay: 03/14/08 Review Submitted: 03/14/08

We rented the house only for weekend, but I wish we could stay much longer. The house is big, clean, there's a pool table, fireplace. The mood of this place and surrounding area is great.Thanks Owen

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Guest: Chris 7 (Freeport NY)
Date of Stay: 03/03/08 Review Submitted: 03/03/08

For starters the house is beauitful.. The area is breathtaking in the snow, fireplace, pooltable, dartboard all great things included in the house which were great!! I will definately be returning to the house!! Thanks Owen Chris Freeport, Long Island

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Guest: Eric9 (Manhattan New York)
Date of Stay: 02/22/08 Review Submitted: 02/22/08

Smallwood is a great get away for a couple or small group. My fiancee and I had a wonderful weekend their, the lake was frozen and it was snowing. The fireplace kept us warm and the kitchen was great for preparing large meals.I recommend this place to anyone A++++.There is also a pool table(awesome).

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Guest: Jacek1 (-)
Date of Stay: 01/02/08 Review Submitted: 01/02/08

This was a great experience. The house exceeded our (already high) expectations. The vicinity is peaceful and magical. Not even a minute of our stay there was wasted or boring. Contact with the owner was very friendly, pleasant and professional. We will visit again.Thank you!

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