Vacation Rentals by Owner

Very homey cottage

Guest: crasher1339 (Goshen, CT)
Date of Stay: 01/20/12 Review Submitted: 01/29/12

This was our second stay here. Great little home with plenty of room. Immaculate when we arrived. Lots of movies for the kids to watch. Beds are very comfy. Close to everything in Ithaca.

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

Excellent property

Guest: B. (Massachusetts)
Date of Stay: 11/04/11 Review Submitted: 11/14/11

We recently had a wonderful weekend stay at Mockingbird Cottage for the Ithaca College Family Weekend. The decor is fabulous. Beds and pillows were very comfortable and the bedding top of the line, better than what you'd find in an expensive hotel! The Cottage was super clean and really felt like home. We definitely plan to return.

Recommended for:Families with teenagers, girls getaway, romantic getaway.

The PERFECT place to rest, relax and gather with friends

Guest: ktvermi (Bluffton, SC)
Date of Stay: 10/14/11 Review Submitted: 10/19/11

When we decided to come to Ithaca for my 10-year college reunion, the hotels in the area were all sold out. I thought about renting a house and came to VRBO. Mockingbird Cottage was the first option that I found. After speaking with some friends, we made a decision to stay there. Working with Suzanne was super easy and everything was as described! We were 5 adults and two year-old babies. We were able to fit perfectly in the house. A couple and a baby in a pack-and-play upstairs, a couple and a baby in a pack-and-play downstairs, and a single person in the smaller bedroom downstairs. One drawback: The shower in the basement is extremely small and my 6' plus husband really struggled to shower there. This is definitely advertised on the site's description, though, and we could have worked out showering in the upstairs bathroom if we wanted to. We will definitely stay here again. We were all able to gather in the main living room easily and comfortably. The babies were safe as we could close them in and we enjoyed a rainy afternoon watching a great dvd. I'd highly recommend staying at Mockingbird Cottage. Our friends enjoyed it, too. This is a great value for your dollar and provides a place to stretch out and relax.

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

Loved Mockingbird Cottage

Guest: BigJFrodo (Saint Louis MO USA)
Date of Stay: 07/11/11 Review Submitted: 07/24/11

This was a great vacation getaway. The house is in a secluded, quiet location but not far from the Cornell campus and downtown Ithaca. Loved the organic garden and back deck. Lots of space for our family of four to relax and have a restful stay. Also loved the personal touches in the house, such as the pictures and books provided. The owners were easy to get a hold of for a few minor issues that came up while we visited. I would highly recommend Mockingbird Cottage.

Recommended for:Families with teenagers, romantic getaway.

a great place to stay when you visit your kids at college!

Guest: Maura and Mark (Croton on Hudson)
Date of Stay: 05/20/11 Review Submitted: 06/05/11

We have rented Mockingbird several times over the years our son was at Ithaca college. It is absolutely the best way to go when visiting the schools. It gave us a chance to meet his friends and their families on family weekends as opposed to going out to dinner. Mockingbird cottage has a beautiful backyard and the house is kept pristine! It is way nicer than staying in a hotel. It is minutes from dowtown Ithaca and away from the noise of city life. We travelled with our own elderly mother and staying at the cottage made it such an easy way to travel with her. She had her own room and could enjoy the amenities of the kitchen and her independence while we enjoyed sleeping in! The owners Sue and Tim couldn't be nicer. We just had a graduation party in the Mockingbird cottage backyard and it was truely the best way to celebrate with our son and his firends and their families. Sue and Tim bent over backwards to make it a success and they helped us so much. We will miss going to Ithaca and staying there since our son has graduated, but we recommend Mockingbird cottage to anyone visiting the area. There is so much to do. Don't pass up visiting the Cornell plantation and the farmer's market. Thanks to Sue and Tim for opeing their beautiful home to us.

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

Mockingbird Cottage is like Home!

Guest: KCA (Rowayton, CT)
Date of Stay: 04/01/11 Review Submitted: 04/20/11

We have stayed at the cottage several times and each time we walk in we feel relaxed and "at home." The house is very clean and comfortable and allows us to have wonderful "family time" with our college daughter. The location is perfect - so close to campus, yet so quiet it's like you are out in the country. We plan to stay there very often over the next few years!

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

Great Cottage Retreat

Guest: Conferenceteers (Upstate New York)
Date of Stay: 03/04/11 Review Submitted: 04/19/11

This house was wonderful for our group to rent while attending a conference at Ithaca. The rainy, snowy weather meant we were destined to be indoors most of the weekend - where we found hot cocoa, tea and coffees to sip while we enjoyed reading and watching movies by the fire. Would recommend and hope we get the chance to return.

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

Charming cottage with surprising amount of space

Guest: crasher1339 (Goshen, CT)
Date of Stay: 11/12/10 Review Submitted: 01/31/11

My family rented several months ago here for a weekend and had a great time. The place was immaculate, lots of books, plenty of stuff in the kitchen for cooking (thanks for the coffee!), and cozy stoves. The beds were very comfy. Location is perfect for access to Cornell, nearby restaurants and grocery store. Will definitely want to stay again on our next trip, have already recommended it to some friends.

Recommended for:People with disabilities, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Love It When Something Exceeds My Expectations

Guest: debra (Atlanta, GA)
Date of Stay: 09/23/10 Review Submitted: 09/05/11

After a very long day of traveling (air + car) we arrived at Mockingbird cottage tired and hungry. The photos of this house are deceiving. It looks small but really turned out to be perfect for our 2 families. We could gather in one of the 2 family rooms on the main floor but if privacy were needed we could retreat to the family room in the lower level. The house was beautifully decorated and the beds were oh so comfortable. And, if you by chance forgot to bring a book....no worries. The shelves in several of the rooms are filled with several books to browse through. The owner was very helpful before in answering questions we had about the area (and we had several) but the best part was that there is a resource book when you first enter that has area attractions, google maps to the area attractions and restaurant review and menus. The maps were priceless to us and we used several of them in the book. I would absolutely recommend this home to others and will stay there again when we return to Ithaca.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, people with disabilities, age 55+, families with teenagers, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Cornell Parents - This is the Best!

Guest: Marin Mom (San Rafael, CA Marin County)
Date of Stay: 05/25/10 Review Submitted: 06/30/10

We attended our daughter's 2010 graduation from Cornell, and chose to stay in a house instead of a hotel because our two grown sons were with us. This house was so perfect, and the owners so gracious, that it was a storybook week. Even the weather was amazing, and that topped it all off. This home is on over an acre of land, and although the house looks modest from the street, it has lots of room inside and out. The bedding and towels were great, and everything functioned perfectly. We weren't one of the thousands waiting in line at restaurants, oh no, we were the lucky folks bar-b-queing and looking out over the gardens and lawn to the beautiful eastern sky. Birds singing, flowers blooming, and within five minutes of campus. Even if you are just visiting your son/daughter, you should definitely consider staying here. We even had a get together at the house for our daughter's friends and families, and the space easily accomdated them. All of the native New Yorkers wanted to know how the Californians had found such a perfect house, and I told them about VRBO. That, and luck. So, feel totally confident in renting this darling house, no matter what your reason for being there. Take a drive to Wegman's, load up on delicious food, and you won't have to go anywhere else. Many thanks to our gracious hosts for making this property available.

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

Adorable house, fabulous location, charming hosts

Guest: Donna (Pelham, NY)
Date of Stay: 04/09/10 Review Submitted: 05/26/11

We stayed at Mockingbird Cottage while visiting our son at Cornell and found it to be a fabulous alternative to Ithaca's overpriced (and generally poor quality) hotels. The house is exactly as described -- nicely decorated, well-stocked with the necessities and some lovely amenities, and very comfortable (particularly the bed). We'll definitely return to take advantage of the huge back yard and the deck, and to enjoy the perennial gardens!

Owner response:Wow, Thank you so much for the wonderful thoughts and kind words! We hope that you will visit again! Sue and Tim

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

Guest: Kyra & Marc
Date of Stay: 07/03/09 Review Submitted: 02/21/11

We had a wonderful time at Mockingbird Cottage!!! we enjoyed the beautiful house, yard,the delicious raspberries and the amazing flowering gardens around the house!!!! WE also enjoyed the many animals in the yard, such as birds, chipmunks, adorable baby bunnies and ground hog living near the barn and a mama deer and her two beautiful little fawns munching the grass. We had a great time! Thank you!

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Guest: Allen and Donna, Dominic & Oliver
Date of Stay: 06/27/09 Review Submitted: 02/21/11

We had a delightful time at Mockingbird Cottage with our two grandsons. It was a great home base for seeing all the sights in and around Ithaca and Lake Cayuga. We enjoyed swimming in the various gorges and lakes and waterfalls and exploring Cornell and it's magnificent scenery. How nice to experience summer in Ithaca. Mockingbird Cottage was perfect-location, uncommonly beautiful landscaped grounds, the neat layout of the house and the wonderfully equipped kitchen & house overall. The boys had there own space and bedrooms on the lower level and the main floor is spacious with a very friendly & useful design. The deck and the view of the extensive grounds and flowering landscape is a great place for a glass of wine and hors d'oeuvres. We found this to be the perfect spot for an Ithaca/ Finger Lakes stay and hope to return!

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Guest: Barb, Aaron, Molly
Date of Stay: 11/28/08 Review Submitted: 02/21/11

Thanksgiving 2008 Dear Suzanne, what a warm and wonderful cottage! Our families came from Syracuse and Pittsburgh to celebrate Thanksgiving We had an absolutely wonderful time. Thanks again!

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Guest: Kerry, Brian and Jack
Date of Stay: 10/03/08 Review Submitted: 02/21/11

We had a wonderful time staying at Mockingbird Cottage. The layout suited our two families perfectly. The kids loved running around the back yard. Thank you for such a wonderful stay!

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Guest: Rosie and Peter
Date of Stay: 09/13/08 Review Submitted: 02/21/11

Suzanne anad Tim, 1st not only for you home but for the rescue of a spare key. Thank you ....Went to the famous Moosewood for an eggplant dish. I have always wanted to go to this world known cafe/restaurant. Perfect...We also chose Antler's because we came across it on our way back from fly fishing. We made many stops to Ludgate Farms Grocery Store what a fantastic experience. Many nights grilling, local wines, organic veggies from your garden made this spot home! We watched the Red Violin. We listened to the wild coyotes among the hills. I can't forget those little darling Humming Birds off the back deck. Nights became dreamless in the "cloud-bed" in the master bedroom....Wow Flowers, flowers, flowers everywhere. We felt like we were in our own little secret garden. IYOu guys really pay attention to detail...We will definitely be back!!!

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Guest: Katharina Kaholka
Date of Stay: 08/19/08 Review Submitted: 08/18/08

What a lovely house in beautiful surroundings. We enjoyed the view off the deck. Tried some really good wines and saw some great waterfalls. Will definitely recommend your vacation home to friends. The Koholka's

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Guest: Stefanie Haggman
Date of Stay: 07/19/08 Review Submitted: 07/18/08

It was our first time to the Finger Lakes Region and we all loved it. The Mockingbird Cottage with its amazing gardens was wonderful and very relaxing. The weather wasn't as good as we had hoped it would be but we were still able to explore the region. Went shopping at the Commons downtown Ithaca and had a yummy sandwich and coffee at the Mate Factor. Drove part of the Cayuga Wine Trail and visited several wineries, had a wonderful dinner at the Pumpkin Bistro near Aurora. Visited the Lively Run Goat Dairy near Interlaken, hiked part of the Gorge Trail in the Robert H. Treman State Park, the waterfalls are spectacular! Too bad we have to leave tomorrow, the Mockingbird Cottage was truly a home away from home. Thank you!

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Guest: Joan Alegria
Date of Stay: 07/06/08 Review Submitted: 07/05/08

Held a fire fly for the first time...have only seen them in movies! Enjoyed pulling some weeds, they are so much prettier than the ones that grow in California. The waterfalls were so beautiful. July 7th- Richard had an exciting day soaring in Elmira at the glider fields. Went to the Corning Glass Museum and got to blow my own Christmas ornament. Everything here is so beautiful I don't want to go home. I want Richard to buy a house here. I love it here. July 8th- Went geocaching it was so much fun,we saw things we wouldn't have seen. July 9th- did more geocaching. Hiked and saw more waterfalls. July10th- went to Lake Skaneateles today and rented a boat. spent the whole day on the water. As for the cottage, we couldn't have been happier. The gardens were amazing! House had everything we needed. The attention to detail was unparalleled. The linens were wonderful and the master bedroom looked out onto the most beautiful gardens. We will be back for sure!!! Thank you so much for a wonderful vacation. Joan Alegria

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Guest: Robert Morgan & Company
Date of Stay: 07/05/08 Review Submitted: 07/04/08

We had a fantastic holiday. We enjoyed being close to Ithaca while having a quiet country retreat. Take Care! Robert Morgan & Company

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Guest: Rita & Gary (Montvale, NJ)
Date of Stay: 06/26/08 Review Submitted: 06/26/08

We rented this wonderful cottage for Cornell's graduation weekend. Staying here made a special weekend a very special one. Each room is more comfortable and inviting than the next but our favorite was the den overlooking the gardens. And the gardens were beautiful and relaxing. We loved just walking around the property. A perfect retreat in the country and minutes away from everything Ithaca has to offer. Much, much better than anything any hotel has to offer. Will stay here again when in Ithaca. Loved it!

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Guest: Lynn Harmet and John Devereux
Date of Stay: 06/26/08 Review Submitted: 06/25/08

What a special place! Thank you for making it so lovely. We have enjoyed all of the thoughtful touches and have been thrilled to watch the flowers bloom & the birds feed!

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