Vacation Rentals by Owner
Lovely Bright Log Chalet Nestled in 12,000 Acres of Forest [#161026] | View Property
Monterey
House, 4 Bedrooms, 2 Baths (Sleeps 7)
From $590/wknd - $1800/wk
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Traveler Reviews (26)
A wonderful escape
Guest: Leroy J.
Date of Stay: 01/13/12
Review Submitted: 01/27/12
We rented the house for a weekend getaway and had a great time. The owners are friendly and easy to deal with. The location is fantastic, secluded but not isolated. The home is comfortable and well appointed, the flannel sheets a nice touch. Sitting before the fireplace, or watching the projection tv in a reclining movie seats, are great ways to spend a cold, winters night. The owners even leave cozy wraps for our use on the theater seats. The only drawback, and it is a slight one, is the need to think about having the porch and stairs shoveled in the winter. I understand its not feasible to have someone plow ever time there's a flurry, but when it isn't dealt with, it accumulates and turns icy. That said, the owners did leave salt for our use, which was nice. We would certainly consider renting the home again.
Recommended for:
Great Winter Getaway
Guest: john h.
Date of Stay: 01/06/12
Review Submitted: 01/25/12
Perfect setting for a weekend getaway. The property was exactly as described and it was clean and very well maintained. Every amenity that we needed was available and easy to find. The owners were very helpful and easy to work with. I plan on returning to this property and have already recommended it to friends and relatives. It was so nice inside that we didn't venture out into the neighboring towns but we did note that they are close and easy to get to. We did take advantage of the quiet gravel road that leads to the state forest. It was great for walks and jogging. Note that you need to bring your own firewood and kindling. We loved this home :-)
Recommended for:
Amazing Secluded Home
Guest: Joy
Date of Stay: 11/05/11
Review Submitted: 11/13/11
Forest Gate is truly an amazing space! We were both floored when we opened the door to this home. The high ceilings, inviting decor and secluded location made for an unforgettable weekend. Everything in this home was immaculate! I did a fair amount of cooking during our stay and the gas stove was wonderful. There were tons of kitchen gadgets and extras that made this amateur chef right at home. Each bedroom was very inviting but we chose to stay on the second level master suite that had a full bathroom, two huge closets, skylights as well as a private porch. The loft area was beautiful as well and had its own sitting area and telescope. The location of this home is secluded- just like we wanted. We took the main route here but used the seasonal road through the state forest during our stay. Just be sure you have 4-wheel drive if you choose to do this! The owners were extremely helpful, friendly and inviting. They answered all our questions very quickly. There is also a helpful binder in the home that has a collection of information about the area as well as the home itself (instructions, trail maps, etc). You can tell that the owners take pride in this property as well as want others to enjoy it to its fullest. I am so happy that we had the opportunity to stay at Forest Gate. This home will surely be one we visit again.
Recommended for:
Excellent Weekend Stay
Guest: Vivek M.
Date of Stay: 10/14/11
Review Submitted: 11/16/11
It’s a beautiful house with all that you would need. It’s clean, comfortable and has a lot of character. There is plenty to do around and the scenery around the house is especially spectacular during fall (when we visited). Time during the evening can be spent sitting around the fireplace/grilling or watching movies on an awesome home theater (catering to all interests). In short, it provides at least as much as it advertises.
Recommended for:
Fantastic autumn retreat
Guest: Nisim P.
Date of Stay: 09/29/11
Review Submitted: 11/16/11
We stayed in this beautiful home with my IL's for their 50th wedding anniversary, with our 2 young daughters and brother-in-law. It was very comfortable for all 5 adults and 2 kids. The kids love the bunk beds with the very cute teddy bears all set up for them. They loved the movie theater in the basement, and we all loved watching movies upstairs and hanging out. A very comfortable home as others have mentioned, exactly like the pictures and quite clean. 25 minute from Great Barrington for shopping and downtown restaurants. We were able to visit so many attractions that were within 1/2 hour including the Norman Rockwell Museum and the Shaker museum, VERY interesting! We would definitely recommend this home and would like to visit again.
Recommended for:
Lovely secluded spot
Guest: matthew t.
Date of Stay: 09/17/11
Review Submitted: 11/14/11
This is a beautiful log style home located down a country road in the Berkshires. The house is immaculate and has all of the modern luxuries, including a home theater and game room in the basement. The owners were friendly and helpful. We found plenty of restaurants, shopping and apple picking about 15-20 minutes away in Stockbridge. I would certainly recommend this home for a family looking for a country getaway.
Recommended for:
Great weekend away!
Guest: Holly D.
(Boston, Massachusetts)
Date of Stay: 07/15/11
Review Submitted: 07/26/11
I will start out by saying this was a last minute decision to escape for a weekend away and the homeowner was more than accommodating. The home is exactly as listed online. If you are looking for serenety in the woods with only the sounds of nature you have found it. There is a trail through Beartown State Forest directly across from the driveway if you are into hiking. The main entrance of the State Forest also offers easier trails and a pond to swim in. At the bottom of the road that the home is on is Garfield Lake. The town beach is maintained beautifully. We enjoyed taking a dip multiple times over the weekend. We did a lot of cooking and every utensil needed was there. It was great not having to improvise because you were missing a tool. The downstairs was great, although we spent much of our time enjoying the deck. Some citronella candles and bug spray kept the mosquitos at bay. On Sunday we did venture to Great Barrington, 20 minutes away. It seemed to be full of great restaurants. We chose Cafe Adam for brunch and it was absolutely wonderful. I highly recommend it, especially for their organic and natural preperations. After that we checked out the Co-Op market and chose some fresh foods for dinner that evening. Overall a great girls getaway weekend.
Recommended for:Adventure seekers, girls getaway, romantic getaway.
Wonderful retreat
Guest: Susan K.
Date of Stay: 07/01/11
Review Submitted: 08/14/11
We loved this house! We've rented several in the area, and this was the best. The setting is beautiful and secluded, but it's just a short drive to wonderful Monterey beach. The interior is very attractive, comfortable and spacious, with a great common area on the main floor and a beautiful master suite on the second floor. I loved sitting on the deck where only woods and lawn were visible. This place is perfect for a family or a romantic retreat for two.
Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.
Great house for relaxing with the family
Guest: David G.
(Jersey City, NJ)
Date of Stay: 06/03/11
Review Submitted: 06/07/11
I brought my wife and in-laws here for her birthday celebration over a long weekend in June. The house is terrific - very clean, and well maintained. Overall, I'd love to stay here again. Below are some more specifics. Cleanliness - The house was very clean. I don't know when this house was built, but it looked almost-new. The kitchen was spotless, as were the bathrooms. There were plenty of garbage bags provided (I was surprised at how much garbage 6 people could generate in a weekend!). Location - If you want to be remote, this would be perfect for you. It's a good ~20 minute drive to Great Barrington, where you'll find restaurants and shops. At times I thought the remote-ness was great, and at times, I wished it was just a bit closer. In the end though, I really liked the seclusion. Also, you really are across the street from the state forest, so there's super easy access to hiking. Accuracy of listing - Funny thing is how nearly everyone in my group, upon arrival, said how much the house looked like the pictures. I was afraid that the images on this site were prettied up, but what you see is what you'll get. Layout - This is a great place if your group is 5-7 people, but not much more. The dining table can fit 6 adults comfortably. The living room on the main floor is comfortable for that number as well, but would be too "cozy" if you had more than that. What makes up for it though is the game/theater room downstairs. So much space! (more on that later) Amenities - The house has a terrific home theater set-up, with a projector and large screen. The reclining chairs are amazing - if they're not new, then they are super well-maintained. Impressively, the owner has stocked the house with quality DVDs, with recent titles. The one drawback is that there's no way to watch Blu-Ray movies. The house also has an air hockey table, but that's kind of buggy. Sometimes we'd have to bang on it to get the puck out, and the felt on one of the pieces was falling off. There's also a dart board if you're game, as well as a foosball table for little people. Lastly, there's an outdoor grill that's nice, though it's location is curious since it's on one patio, and the outdoor seating area (with table) is in another area, which requires going through the house to get to. Still, the grill works, and we ate inside anyway, so it was fine. Again, I'd highly recommend. The place itself is great, and the owner is very responsive and pleasant to deal with.
Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, pet owners, romantic getaway.
Great quiet getaway in the Berkshires!
Guest: Melinda
(New York, NY)
Date of Stay: 05/27/11
Review Submitted: 06/20/11
I stayed at Forest Gate over Memorial Day in 2011. We are 30-somethings from NYC wanting to spend a weekend of peace and quiet in the woods. We had 6 people (3 couples), and the house accommodated us beautifully with lots of room to spare. The living room/kitchen area is open and excellent for spending time in as a big group. The big deck makes for a wonderful place to enjoy the evening (although beware the mosquitos!!). The house was spotless and well prepared, with fresh towels and linens. The location is just far enough off the beaten path, in a good way. We walked straight off of the property to go hiking in the park, and it was a short drive to the beach on the nearby lake. We spent an afternoon in the town of Great Barrington, so restaurants and shopping aren't far if that's what you're in the mood for. If you want a secluded house for spending time with friends and family, but close enough to outdoor activities and quaint little towns, I'd highly recommend Forest Gate. The owners were easy to work with and the property was exactly as represented.
Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway.
Forest Gate is the perfect get away!
Guest: Gary
(United States)
Date of Stay: 04/28/11
Review Submitted: 06/07/11
We recently spent a long weekend at the cabin - which is modern, nicely furnished and very comfortable. The location is ideal... just a short walk to many hiking trails including the Appalachian Trail. A great place to just relax! I highly recommend it.
Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, romantic getaway.
Perfect Getaway
Guest: Daniel
(Boston)
Date of Stay: 04/23/11
Review Submitted: 04/27/11
My wife and I stayed at Forest gate over a long weekend. The owners were fantastic with all the details, very kind, and organized. Booking with them was a cinch. And the chalet...nice and secluded, quiet mornings on their deck, afternoons spent hiking along the many nearby trails, and quick jaunts into nearby towns for meals. At night, the home theatre was a treat, a great place to have popcorn and enjoy their movie selection on the big screen, with comfy chairs and cinema sound. A great experience, all around, certainly looking forward to returning.
Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with young children, romantic getaway, sightseeing.
Beautiful spot, lovely home
Guest: Kathy
(Somerville, MA)
Date of Stay: 04/19/11
Review Submitted: 04/27/11
I spent three days at this lovely cabin in the woods with my three children and a friend and her daughter. We could not have been happier. The spot is pretty, the house so welcoming and warm that it was hard to leave. I had never been to Monterey before, but it's a small gem. My kids especially loved visiting Gould Farm, where we spent a lot of time with newborn pigs! Our days were rainy and cold, unfortunately, so it was wonderful to come home, build a fire in the fireplace, pop popcorn and watch movies in the home entertainment center downstairs. We thoroughly enjoyed staying at Forest Gate and hope to return sometime.
Recommended for:Families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway.
Awesome Venue
Guest: Karen
(Waterbury, CT)
Date of Stay: 03/04/11
Review Submitted: 03/12/11
We had the pleasure of staying at Forest Gate the weekend of March 4, 5 & 6, 2011 for a girls weekend getaway. This wonderful home nestled in the centrally located area of Monterey had everything we needed - a wonderful kitchen and dining area, awesome home theater with plenty of movies, comfy beds and a cozy living room with floor to ceiling fireplace which we so enjoyed! The house lent itself to a very relaxing and peaceful weekend as we took in the outlets and a nice dinner in Great Barrington. The Costellos were great to work with and answererd any questions. The house is immaculate and you can easily just stay put and enjoy the get away. Only thing missing was a jacuzzi on the deck! We will definitely be back again. Thanks for sharing your lovely home.
Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.
Best Weekend Ever
Guest: Jake
(US)
Date of Stay: 02/18/11
Review Submitted: 02/25/11
I spent President's Day Weekend at Forest Gate with my girlfriend and we could not have picked a better spot. We felt perfectly secluded, yet not too removed from all the great things The Berkshires have to offer. The house is great, from the stone fireplace in the living room to the impressive home theater on the lower level. And those picture windows, incredible. The owners were so friendly and accommodating, and just made the entire experience enjoyable. If you're thinking of visiting The Berkshires I highly recommend Forest Gate. You're an easy ride to Stockbridge or Great Barrington and you have a state forest outside your door. It's perfect.
Recommended for:Adventure seekers, families with teenagers, families with young children, romantic getaway, sightseeing.
comfortable seclusion
Guest: retreater
(United States)
Date of Stay: 01/03/11
Review Submitted: 01/07/11
This home is the perfect retreat for those who need the time away. The home is comfortable and features many amenities. It is also a great base for exploring the nearby towns & villages.
Recommended for:Age 55+, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.
Perfect for a peaceful and secluded nature getaway
Guest: MLP
(Brookline, MA)
Date of Stay: 10/11/10
Review Submitted: 10/17/10
This home is truly wonderful. We have just returned from a stay here and felt sad to leave. The house was immaculate, modern, and comfortable. This rental property is perfect for a peaceful and secluded nature getaway. There are so many great places to explore that are close by but it felt just as great to enjoy a fire and good book at the home. As people who like to hike, this home is perfect as there were so many trails accessible by foot or a short drive. This home is also a great place to stay if you want to take day trips to local attractions such as the Norman Rockwell Museum, Shakespeare and Company, or Tanglewood. Fall was a wonderful time to enjoy this home and the Berkshires but I imagine this house to be extraordinary during any season. The owners were very thorough about providing information needed for the stay and had a lot of helpful information about local attractions at the house. I would highly recommend this rental property.
Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, romantic getaway.
Bershire/Monteray Getaway
Guest: Jean
(Lexington, Massachusetts)
Date of Stay: 10/07/10
Review Submitted: 10/23/10
If you are looking for a little R &R, meeting old friends or just getting back to nature, this is the place for you. We rented this home for a girls getaway weekend over Columbus Day Weekend. The Appalachian Trail is right out side your door if you like to take hikes or just take a stroll. Fall folliage was beautiful and browsing in the near by towns of Stockbridge,Great Barrington, Lee and Lenox was fun. If you like local talent, take in a play at one of many of the local theatres. t was all that it represented on home away. The owners were very accomodating and helpful. The home was immaculate and in excellent condition and had all the newest ammenties, including a home theatre, in which we watched many DVD movies that were available. The beds were comfortable, plenty of hot water for showers and the total living area was spacious. If you do like to cook. the kitchen was nice, but there could have been more updated pots and pans for cooking and baking. Also, if there are more than 4 adults, the seating in the living room was somewhat tight. A couple more over sized chairs and ottoman would be nice. All in all it was a wonderful remote getaway.
Recommended for:Age 55+, girls getaway, pet owners, sightseeing.
Magical Monterey: Our stay at Forest Gate
Guest: nature lover
(NYC/NY)
Date of Stay: 09/06/10
Review Submitted: 10/17/10
I am delighted to encourage anyone looking for the peace and tranquility of a Berkshires vacation, look no further than Forest Gate. From the intoxicating PLEASANT smells of nature at your doorstep to the countless outdoor activities (try the Pleasant Valley nature preserve in Lenox) Forest Gate served as the ideal "home" base. My family enoyed grilling our dinner but there are certainly tasty and eclectic dining choices available in Great Barrington. Also, the fire place is a great feature of the home. I would be remiss if I did not mention that in addition to all the great benefits of our stay, Susan the homeowner, was wonderful to work with! Her kindness and willingness to voluntarily share any noteworthy attractions or a bit of history about the area were not lost on us. I would enthusiastically endorse a stay at Forest Gate!! I would suggest entering Bear Mountain Road from the road just past the historic general store. Clearly visible on a local map. Turn left after general store and a second left about 1/4 mile up the road. Enoy your stay!
Recommended for:Families with young children, romantic getaway, sightseeing.
comfortable living by the forest
Guest: N & H
(NJ)
Date of Stay: 07/16/10
Review Submitted: 08/02/10
The home is delightful with a rustic feel and yet equipped with all of the usual amenities and then some. We used the kitchen to prepare full breakfasts and picnic lunches; there's plenty of cookware for full dinner prep, too. The home theater makes for a relaxing evening. As avid readers, we enjoyed cozy reading spots in the living room and upstairs alcove. Being on the edge of the forest, the location is free of the normal urban/suburban noise. Instead, we enjoyed listening to the sounds of birds. Ceiling fans and breezes kept the house cool even during our summer stay. The listing description is very accurate and the property appears well maintained. The owners were very helpful in sharing their favorite attractions and restaurants. We would definitely recommend this property to others.
Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, romantic getaway.
Great escape from the busy world
Guest: Bob
(Swampscott, MA)
Date of Stay: 07/02/10
Review Submitted: 07/20/10
The house was situated in a rural area convenient to Great Barrington and Tanglewood. Three couples shared the house for a week, and it was absolutely fabulous! The setting was beautiful and peaceful, and provided an opportunity for much needed relaxation. The house itself was pristine--clean, new, lots of space, and plenty of amenities making it a special place to stay (home theatre set-up, satellite TV, etc.). The owners were great to work with. Highly recommended.
Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.
A vacation inside and out
Guest: KGagman
(Worcester, MA)
Date of Stay: 05/19/10
Review Submitted: 06/10/10
Forest Gate is such a beautiful cabin that we were tempted to spend more time inside than exploring the region! The interior is immaculate with an accessible kitchen for cooking and baking; four bedrooms spread across three floors; a spacious master bedroom with balcony; and a cool lower level with a projection screen (perfect for both movies and video games!), reclining chairs, bean bags, air hockey, and darts. When we weren't lulled by this luxury, we found the area to have plenty of fun and diverse attractions, from Rawson's Goat Farm to Bash Bish Falls, all of them easy to get to (as long as you ignore your GPS, which sends you down snowmobile paths through the local state forest). The only downside was that there is no Internet service that far into the woods, but the Monterey General Store, a five-minute drive away, offers free Wi-Fi. Besides, who needs Internet when you're trying to get away from it all -- for which Forest Gate is perfect!
Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, romantic getaway, sightseeing.
Stunning!
Guest: Kahmi
(Boston, MA)
Date of Stay: 05/19/10
Review Submitted: 06/06/10
This house was a gorgeous location for a long-weekend getaway. The directions were easy to follow and the house was stunning--in a lovely secluded area where you can enjoy the surrounding nature, but not too far from a convenience store and Wi-Fi. I wish we could have stayed another 5 nights!
Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.
Great Home
Guest: Shelllaw
(Washington, DC)
Date of Stay: 03/27/10
Review Submitted: 03/31/10
Just returned from a long weekend in Monterey. The home was fabulous..even better then the pictures. It is a very large home with lots of space and EXTREMELY clean. Even though you are definitely out in the country, you have all of the luxuries of home.. flat screen TV, DISH network, movie theatre and all electrical appliances. Beds were very comfortable. Susan, the owner, is a pleasure to work with. VERY easy and accomdating. I would recommend this home to anyone looking for a true Berkshire experience.
Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.
Perfect fall and winter getaway
Guest: KatCNJ
(NJ)
Date of Stay: 02/27/10
Review Submitted: 03/05/10
We have rented the house twice in the last two years; the first time in the fall and the second this winter. Each trip was just perfect. The house is just gorgeous - on the outside and the inside. It's roomy, cozy and has all modern amenities we needed. The location could not be better - easy access to many hiking trails, remote enough that you don't see any neighbors or car traffic. At the same time it's close enough to Great Barrington, which has great shopping and restaurants. Fall foliage season is just beautiful and we spend many hours hiking. In the winter the area is just magical! The owners are very accommodating and helpful. I highly recommend this for a family vacation and/or a quiet getaway. Kathy - New Jersey
Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.
Perfect Ski Chalet!!
Guest: Katherine K.
(Glen Head, NY)
Date of Stay: 02/12/10
Review Submitted: 03/02/10
This chalet was the most perfect location for our February ski vacation! When we walked into the house we were so pleased with the layout of the house. Our group consisted of 4 adults, 4 children and a dog. If you think the pictures on this website are beautiful, wait until you see it in person. The house was immaculate!! The owner provided everything we needed for such a warm and comfortable stay. It snowed everday and watching the snow fall from all of the beautiful windows was such a site. We skiied everyday at Butternut which was 10 minutes away so the location of this house was perfect for us! The best was when we came home from skiing and sat in front of their beautiful fireplace. The kids would immediately run downstairs and watch a movie on their amazing home theatre. I have nothing but positive feedback on this experience and would rent this house again and again in the future!!
Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, pet owners, romantic getaway.