Vacation Rentals by Owner

Exceeded Our Expectations For A Country Weekend Getaway!

Guest: JustNancy (Brooklyn, NY)
Date of Stay: 04/13/12 Review Submitted: 04/15/12

A row of weeping willows lean in to greet you along the gravel driveway. The cottage is cozy and tidy – and well-designed with every amenity you might need on a country getaway – including an oven with a warming drawer (!), large glasses and mugs, the pantry and fridge necessities you forgot to bring, and even a stand mixer if you want to whip up something a little more elaborate. The very kind, accommodating and laid back owners just request common sense stuff: Pick up after your family beast and compost and recycle what you can. It is a "nature" getaway but with all the creature comforts of a lived-in home. We were excited it was just chilly enough to start up the wood burning stove. Wood is neatly stacked on the porch and yours to use. The sleeping loft is as spacious as any conventional bedroom and that king sized bed was just the ticket after a day of adventures on the property. Our old, citified dog broke out and did a few of those silly, full-speed laps in the giant grassy expanse that stretches out to include a beautiful swimming pond. Sadly too cold for that yet on our stay! The property itself was stunning. The sounds of the country surrounded us. The property is grassy, with lush glens to discover, creeks to follow and marshes to clop through. Our pup especially loved to explore the ponds. The property is so huge, each outing felt like a true adventure. We reluctantly left the property to visit the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown about 30 minutes away. Huge baseball fans here. But we hurried back to squeeze in a late afternoon trek before dinner. We are already clearing our schedule for our next visit!

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

I love this house!

Guest: Stargazer (NYC)
Date of Stay: 01/13/12 Review Submitted: 01/17/12

I stayed here with some friends over the weekend and we had the most amazing time. I really can't say enough good things about this house - it's beautifully designed, furnished and decorated, and the owners made sure it was very clean when we arrived. Plenty of towels, sheets, comforters, wood for the fireplace, coffee, etc., ready for us to have a good time and absolutely no worries. The atmosphere inside was warm and inviting, even when it was 1ºF outside. Also there was plenty of flexibility with our arrival and departure and I never felt pressured to arrive or to leave. I will definitely be going back there.

Recommended for:Families with young children, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Home Away From Home

Guest: City Slicker (NY, NY)
Date of Stay: 01/13/12 Review Submitted: 01/17/12

As a group of twenty-something “city folk” looking for a peaceful weekend outside of Manhattan, we could not have dreamed of a more peaceful setting to enjoy the first winter’s snow. The wood burning stove and abundance of pre-chopped firewood kept us warm and comfy, the fully stocked kitchen made home-cooking a breeze, the soaker tub couldn’t have been more relaxing, and the plethora of cozy furniture gave countless possibilities for down time. This quaint cottage far surpassed all expectation, perfectly blending the adventure of the outdoors with the conveniences of home. While the lack of cell service was more than welcomed to keep away unwanted phone calls, the use of free wifi kept us completely connected to the outside world. I think I speak for all of us when I say, “I can’t wait for our next adventure to Dorloo!”

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

Great Place with Great Owners

Guest: Ron (NYC)
Date of Stay: 12/15/11 Review Submitted: 12/21/11

My girlfriend and I spent four nights up there in mid-december. It was unseasonably warm so I don't know what it would be like in heavy snow, but I imagine it would be gorgeous. The property was exactly as described and the owners were easy to work with and very accommodating. The farm is surrounded by beautiful open countryside, with very convenient access to shopping for all your essentials. You feel like you're in the middle of nowhere, but modern conveniences are a short drive away. Great experience - we would definitely stay again.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, families with young children, pet owners, romantic getaway.

Tom

Guest: Tom (Orange County, New York)
Date of Stay: 10/07/11 Review Submitted: 11/02/11

We had a fantastic time! The place is so peaceful and relaxing. Perfect for a fall getaway. And best of all the dogs loved it. Plenty of space for them to explore and run around. It has to be among the best places I have ever gone for a vacation.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Bucolic retreat

Guest: KR (Westchester County, NY)
Date of Stay: 09/23/11 Review Submitted: 09/28/11

This house is a gem! Its interiors are done up in a functional yet tasteful manner. Large glass windows allow plenty of light to filter through, comfortable couches are draped with pretty throws, and the sleeping loft is oh-so-cozy. There are plenty of books, board games, puzzles, and toys for children, and the acres upon acres of fields and woods will tire out the most energetic hikers and dogs. The pungent odor of sulfur in the water takes a little getting used to, and we had to be careful to shut the screen doors in the evening to keep out insects, but these are minor inconveniences. We certainly hope to go back soon.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, families with young children, pet owners.

A Great Getaway Close to NYC Metro

Guest: letsgododgers (Bergen County)
Date of Stay: 09/14/11 Review Submitted: 09/29/11

We had a fantastic time at this cottage. The place was great for a single family, and we had a blast tromping around on the property. The proximity to Cooperstown was a big plus, and we enjoyed the hall of fame, the museums, and Brewery Ommengang. The kitchen was excellent and we were able to cook our meals there and grab lunch in town. We look forward to going back sometime!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, families with young children, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

LOVED it!

Guest: Michele & Beth (Belvidere, NJ)
Date of Stay: 05/13/11 Review Submitted: 05/23/11

We loved the cottage and the property, despite rain the entire visit. High points: awesome views, terrific open interior layout, supportive king-sized (!) bed, deep covered porch on 2 sides and large windows which capture the views. Our golden loved the pond and fields. Set well back from the county route "highway", therefore safe from traffic, but can still hear the occasional car. The "loft" bedroom is accessed by carpeted stairs (not a ladder, as many lofts are), so easily accessible for the dog. We're not very familiar with woodstoves, but it was pretty easy to use, has a great draft and proved the theory that hot air rises (the loft was really toasty!) . There were doves and many other birds in the nearby barns, very soothing to hear the birds and frogs. Great place if you enjoy solitude and peaceful surroundings. Awesome for dogs. We'll return for sure.

Recommended for:Families with young children, pet owners, romantic getaway.

perfect for a relaxing weekend

Guest: Amanda (Rochester, NY)
Date of Stay: 11/25/10 Review Submitted: 11/30/10

this was a perfect half-way point to meet up with my sister. the dogs had a great time exploring the surrounding land. hunters use the land and they were this weekend (after Thanksgiving) so that was one slight deterrent to taking longer walks (along with the soggy weather) which i would have done otherwise. we mostly stayed at the cabin enjoying the heat from the wood-stove and the panoramic views of the countryside with the huge windows on almost every wall. Mindy was helpful in sending links to nearby attractions and tips for our stay. I'd definitely go back.

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

Peaceful getaway

Guest: Andy (Fairport, NY)
Date of Stay: 09/16/10 Review Submitted: 09/30/10

My wife and I and our three dogs had a peaceful retreat for a four day weekend. The area is very quiet and cozy. The property itself has a nice long driveway leading to the house and it extends past a pond on the other side. The dogs enjoyed the stay and it was great being able to allow them to run around freely without the fear of traffic. The interior is great with a fully staffed kitchen, wood stove, and bathroom. (TV and internet are available if you must stay connected with the modern world.) We had a great time in the surrounding area visiting some small state parks, geocaching, and happening upon a kite festival in beautiful Cherry Valley. This is a beautiful area of the state and a great place to unwind.

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

Very relaxing, peaceful spot

Guest: CT Couple (Beacon Falls, CT)
Date of Stay: 08/12/10 Review Submitted: 08/19/10

Driving down the long winding driveway lined with gorgeous weeping willows, we knew we were heading into a very tranquil oasis. The covered porch is just perfect. We were here in August and there was a cool breeze throughout the house. There's a nice open, airy layout in the farmhouse. Great for couples or small family. Our 2 pointers enjoyed watching birds fly in and out of the barn. There's a nice walking path along the barn leading to an open field where our dogs romped and played. Each morning, we were visited by at least a dozen gently cooing doves who landed up on the silo. A short drive into Cobleskill brought us to a selection of restaurants, diners, Price Chopper, and Walmart. Also, Howe Caverns and Cooperstown are both easy to get to from the Farm House. Internet connection was good too if you choose to check your emails or need to get some work done.

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

Quiet retreat

Guest: Matt (Saxapahaw, NC)
Date of Stay: 06/29/10 Review Submitted: 07/13/10

We had a great 6 day visit to the cottage. Great property for relaxing on the porch, walks, and other leisurely activity. Cooked some wonderful meals in the fully equipped kitchen. Close to Cooperstown and Sharon Springs for a day out. Clean, comfortable cabin; would love to come back one day. The owners are very helpful in providing clear directions, things to do in the area, and making the rental process simple. If you are looking for peace and quiet, in a beautiful, rural setting; this is a great spot.

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

Idyllic Retreat

Guest: Pamela June (Northampton, MA)
Date of Stay: 05/15/10 Review Submitted: 06/01/10

We had a fabulous experience at the farm. The rolling countryside is serene and stunningly beautiful, and spring is a glorious time to visit--every color of green on earth was in evidence. The house was comfortable and bright; we especially loved that every window framed a different, equally exquisite view. I especially enjoyed cooking in early evening sunlight that flooded the kitchen. We rented the farm for a writing retreat, and it proved to be the perfect place. We also enjoyed hiking around the farm and state land, and our dog loved 'dew surfing' in the tall field grass, paddling in the swimming pond, and spotting (and sniffing) frogs, snakes, quail, deer, red wing blackbirds, and bright orange orioles. The farm is also a great base for visits to Cooperstown, Sharon Springs, and local antique shops. Finally, one of the great pleasures of renting this property was exchanging emails with the owners--truly lovely, good-humored, considerate people. We highly recommend the farm!

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

Guest: Joyce F
Date of Stay: 08/10/09 Review Submitted: 04/27/10

We had a perfect time! the kids loved swimming in the pond, hiking around the land, and the close proximity of Cooperstown. It was a great family getaway. Thanks for all the help

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