Vacation Rentals by Owner

Christmas in Beacon/New York City

Guest: Appreciative Tourist York Maine (York Maine)
Date of Stay: 12/24/11 Review Submitted: 01/11/12

We stayed at this lovely rental Dec.24th-28th/2011 and loved it! The owner was informative, easy to talk to, receptive and welcoming! The place was very comfortable I am fussy about sheets, pillows and beds and all were outstanding. The sheets were at least 550 thread count, pillows high quality down and the beds were all comfortable; firm but not too hard. I loved the decorative touches like staying in a boutique hotel. My 8 year old daughter was enthralled with the Safari room, as were we all. There were beautiful pictures of elephants and Africa. The town of Beacon is a great up and coming place. The rental is a block from the sweet downtown mainstreet which has some cool restaurants, a great coffee shop and some neat galleries. We took the train into New York City which was quick and easy. Definitely a great way to go as the rental is so much cheaper than the city and such a welcome comfort from the city craziness. The house must be wonderful in the summer with the sweet front porch and cute garden! I will definitely return! Appreciative Tourists from York, Maine

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

Ideal location, wonderful owner, great town to visit!!!

Guest: Pipsqueak (Long Island, NY)
Date of Stay: 10/07/11 Review Submitted: 10/10/11

I was looking for a house to rent for a 3-night stay maximum over the weekend in a town along the Metro North and always wanted to check Beacon out. This house is a dream come true: It is large enough to accommodate a small group of 7 maximum, not far from the train station and so close to downtown, the Dia Museum, and wonderful hiking areas (that give a gorgeous view of the Hudson River, town, and surrounding mountains), has a full kitchen that is well stocked with cooking utensils and all you need, and there are plenty of extra pillows, linens, and towels for everyone. Due to how short our stay was, we were unable to enjoy the back (which has a grill!) and front decks but hope to do so at a future time as they looked so wonderful. In concurrence with previous reviewers, Carole was extremely quick to respond to my query and reservation and extremely warm and helpful in every way. She gave recommendations of what to do and where to go for what in Beacon. This town was larger than I anticipated and it leaves you wanting to come back for more (which I will certainly try to do!)

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Your bedroom inspired my master bedroom remodel

Guest: Tiffan
Date of Stay: 09/18/11 Review Submitted: 01/12/12

"You have a lovely home. We even did a bit of remodeling when we got back to Seattle, and I used your master bedroom for inspiration. It was so relaxing!" I asked permission from my guest to use this quote (which put a big smile on my face!) from a follow up email. Carole,.. the owner.

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Beautiful home, close to town

Guest: Nicole B.
Date of Stay: 09/03/11 Review Submitted: 03/25/12

We came here on Labor Day and enjoyed our stay immensely. Walking distance to everything (hiking, DIA, restaurants), immaculate home, and gracious host. The house had everything we needed, linens, coffee, etc. We look forward to staying again in the future.

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Comfort AND Location

Guest: Paula (Arlington, VA)
Date of Stay: 08/29/11 Review Submitted: 09/08/11

Arriving just after hurricane Irene had blown through, we were delighted to find our holiday home waiting for us in great order. We had been looking for a location that would allow us to walk to restaurants and local sites as well as provide easy access to hiking and biking – and Carole’s house in Beacon proved to be a perfect home base. The house had a unique and charming feel that was also wonderfully comfortable. There’s an excellent selection of music and books and a well-stocked drawer of information about sights in the region (there’s no lack of things to do in the area). From a guest viewpoint, one of the best aspects of the rental was how responsive and helpful Carole was. When we first arrived, we had several questions; Carole was available and responded quickly. During our time in Beacon, we enjoyed several local hikes and some great bike rides a bit to the north (we drove our bikes to connect with trail heads--maps and info are in the drawer). The local DIA is remarkable and evenings down on the river were lovely. Our favorite coffee was from Bank Square and we loved small plate dinners at Home Spun. There's also a great natural foods store with surprisingly good take out. We had a great week in Beacon and recommend the area and Carole’s home without hesitation.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, tourists without a car, sightseeing.

Mary Oliver is on the bookshelf in bedroom

Guest: Trish M.
Date of Stay: 08/20/11 Review Submitted: 08/29/11

As soon as you enter Carole’s house, you are home. Wonderful books everywhere. “Hotels In Africa” comes to mind, and the poignant poems of Mary Oliver. In late August, if you’re out on the porch fantasizing about owning your own little cottage in Beacon, you’ll hear the cicadas singing Pete Seeger songs. Beacon’s Main Street is a stone’s throw stroll away. We ate at BJ’s twice. Once for the ribs and once late at night for the lemon cake. Lorraine, at Lorraine’s Place” has wonderful old stuff for cheap, and she’s got wisdom to impart. She told us, “Never drop in on your kid at college un-announced.” It’s not just that there’s nothing to complain about at Carole’s, it’s the kind of place that when you leave you call Carole up and you are really, really nice to her because you want to make sure she will have you back.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Quiet and lovely New Year's Eve

Guest: Claire (New York City)
Date of Stay: 12/30/10 Review Submitted: 01/11/11

My boyfriend, his mom, and I stayed in Carole's beautiful house for three days over New Year's. When we arrived a neighbor had turned on a lamp and porch lights so the house felt welcoming even as we got out of the cab (it's a $6 ride from the Metro North station). The house is decorated in a way that's both artistic and personal--the opposite of a sterile or cold hotel. In addition to having every kitchen accoutrement you could want for cooking, Carole has books, games, CDs, and DVDs. Beacon is quiet and charming. We spent most of one afternoon at DIA and some time walking around Main Street, where we especially enjoyed the restaurant Home Spun. The entire experience is highly, highly recommended, especially for New Yorkers looking for a little respite from the city!

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway.

nice cozy place

Guest: Kirstie W. (PACIFIC GROVE)
Date of Stay: 11/12/10 Review Submitted: 11/24/10

My daughter and I wanted to escape Manhattan for a week-end in the country, and Carole's home in Beacon filled the bill. It was clean and cozy and just a short walk to the shops and restaurants in town. Carole went above and beyond when I asked her if there were any vegan restaurants in town. She called restaurants and inquired for us before we arrived... and had several suggestions of where we should go. She also recommended a rental car company, and offered to have a taxi waiting for us at the train station in Beacon when we arrived late at night. What a wonderful hostess!

Recommended for:Age 55+, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

at home

Guest: Sibylle & Paul (Tuebingen, Germany)
Date of Stay: 08/18/10 Review Submitted: 08/26/10

it´s like a friend has invited you to stay in his/her private home while he/she´s away - the house is filled with collectibles from travel, art work and "private" things you would not easily share with strangers, and you would wish to be surrounded with at home - that made our stay here very special, and we could have enjoyed it much longer - we will certainly return.

Recommended for:Romantic getaway

Could not be happier! Our wedding week...

Guest: Franny (NY, NY)
Date of Stay: 06/03/10 Review Submitted: 07/26/10

We rented Carol’s home in Beacon for the week surrounding our wedding, which was held in the area. We could not be happier with our choice! The house is perfectly located, within a few blocks to downtown Beacon, where delightful restaurants and cafes are located. Although we explored the neighborhood on foot and in our rental car, one would certainly not need a car for this spot. The house itself is just lovely, tidy, organized, and very homey in feel. We absolutely loved our down-time on the front porch and the backyard (where we practiced our first dance). Finally, the proprietor was very, very kind and helpful; she made sure that everything was in order for our arrival and handled our stay with a calm professionalism that we really appreciated, especially in light of the wedding chaos surrounding us. We highly recommend this house to anyone visiting Beacon or the Hudson River Valley!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, people with disabilities, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Guest: Rob
Date of Stay: 11/24/09 Review Submitted: 11/23/09

We made the very smart decision to rent the house in Beacon for our stay in the Hudson Valley. For ten days--October 19th--29th--we used this amazing property as our base-of-operations to explore not only the Lower Hudson Valley but to visit various locations in Northern New Jersey and New York City as well. We could not have been more pleased! The house itself is a sanctuary that is comfortable, interesting and so relaxing, that day trips to this or that scenic wonder seemed an intrusion at times. The owner has taken to the time to put her personal stamp on the place, with thoughtfully displayed items from her extensive travels, a brilliant collection of books and CD's and a welcoming feel that does exactly that for any traveller coming through the door. In fact, the owner's 'Welcome Home!' fact sheet begins the process straightaway. The house is fully equipt with a real kitchen, dining room, amazing heating system, abundant storage space and on-site laundry facilities. Comfort abounds with beautiful linens, duvets and pillows in the bedrooms and welcoming, 'at-home' furniture in the lounge room. Plus, its WIFI capabilities makes for a 'laptop friendly' environment. However, the most amazing thing for us was the location: An old Hudson River 'river town' that has been revived, restored and renewed into something that is quite amazing. Beacon is a mix of cultures, lifestyles and the opportunity to experience town life in the Lower Hudson Valley, but with access to all that the larger area has to offer. Within in hour and a bit, by means of a very scenic commuter rail trip along the Hudson River, you're in Midtown Manhattan. A short ride away, and you're at the gates of West Point or surrounded by some of the best outdoor recreation sites available. And a short distance from the house is DIA--a truly unique, cutting edge arts venue. And then there's the magic of Boscobel, Garrison Landing, Cold Spring and the Plumbush Inn. It's all there for you: If only you, too, make the wise decision to give the House at Beacon a go. You'll be very glad that you did! Rob & Simon Trinity Beach, Qld. Australia

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A delightful home away from home for a getaway weekend

Guest: Alix (Brooklyn)
Date of Stay: 10/23/09 Review Submitted: 10/06/10

I cannot even tell you what a wonderful time in Beacon we had! 6 of us from Brooklyn went to Beacon as a surprise birthday weekend away for my boyfriend and we couldn't have had a more relaxing and inspiring time. The house is just perfect - well maintained, comfortable, great outside space, we cooked delicious meals, had an ongoing and rather epic game of Monopoly that lasted 2 days, and the location to everything was extremely convenient. I am already looking forward to a repeat weekend; we really fell in love with Beacon and I feel like we only touched upon a fraction of what the area has to offer! Next time will have to be a long weekend and I will definitely be renting this home again.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

The moment we arrived we felt completely at home.

Guest: Jon Brazier
Date of Stay: 10/08/09 Review Submitted: 07/26/10

“Carole’s home in Beacon was the perfect place for my family’s recent stay while visiting the Hudson Valley. From the moment we crossed the threshold we felt completely at home, as if we already knew the house and belonged there. The furnishings and décor, much of which no doubt was collected by Carol on her travels around the globe, only add to the home’s comfort and coziness. And, to round things out, her graciousness as a hostess is unmatched, lending to making our stay in the Hudson Valley a most special experience. The house’s location affords not only quick access to many of the best sites in the Hudson Valley, but ease of access to the many shops and boutiques in the Village of Beacon.We'll be back!” Jon and daughters Heide and Hannah

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