Location: Bryce Resort, Shenandoah Valley, Virginia, USA (2 hours west by car from Washington DC) View Map
Accommodations: House, 4 Bedrooms + Convertible Bed(s), 2.5 Baths (Sleeps 8)
If you're looking for a place to have a fun family vacation or a peaceful, romantic getaway an easy 2 hour drive from Washington DC, this is it. It's also an ideal writer's retreat.
My beautiful lake house features a wall of picture windows looking out at the lake and mountains beyond. You can enjoy a cozy evening in front of a gorgeous stone fireplace in the great room, or a family dinner at the big wood table in the dining room. Peaceful and secluded, the house also boasts a large deck with loads of lounging chairs so that you can relax and enjoy the view, or watch the kids play on the little beach below the house. There's also a private deck off one of the bedrooms where you can read a book or enjoy a morning coffee.
The lake house is not like most rental properties -- it is my home. As such, it features a very well stocked kitchen for those who like to cook; loads of books and videos (I'm a wildlife filmmaker so if you like movies or books about animals, I've got them), and lots of toys for kids. All I ask is that you treat it like your own home and leave it as you found it.
The lake is pure bliss -- in the summer months it's warm and clean for swimming; my family kayak allows you to access the lake's hidden corners and to meet the local beavers. And, there's a hiking trail around the lake that makes for a lovely walk. If you're lucky you'll see deer in the late afternoons, or a bald eagle swooping over the lake.
Please note that my neighbors on either side of my property share "my" little beach in front of my house, keep their boats there (for their use, not yours -- I have one, family kayak that is for YOUR use) and they appreciate larger groups respecting their privacy and their need to have some private time on the beach. This is very important to me since they are not just my neighbors but my dear friends. Bryce resort operates a large beach resort next door to "my" beach. When you rent my house you get a pass that gives you free access to this facility for 6 people which is open for swimming etc. from Memorial Day to Labor Day. If you have more than 6 people, you can pay a small daily rate to use this facility -- it has diving platforms,canoes and paddle boats for rent, a protected, sandy "toddler beach," and a snack bar and lots of lawn furniture. Occasionally a local resident will use my beach to fish.
If you're looking for fun activities, Bryce Resort offers many, a short walk to some, or 5 minutes drive to others -- golf, mini-golf, swimming and paddle boats, as well as a climbing wall,tubing and bungee jumping facility in the summer ; skiing and tubing in the winter. The resort has full restaurant and bar, too, which is a fun place to watch sporting events with the family. Nearby towns feature antiquing, wonderful restaurants, and a movie theater. The area is famous for civil war sites, caverns, and mountain hiking... and of course there's the beautiful Shenandoah valley which is spectacular any time of the year.
To see lots of photos of my home and the area, please check out my flickr site. I am "1birdy" on flickr.
Keywords: Lake House
Vacation Rental Features
- Amenities
- Air-Conditioning : Plus there are fans in each of the bedrooms,a ceiling fan in the great room and one in the kitchen.
- Linens Provided : Linens included in the rates for up to 8 people only;
- Parking Off Street : room for 3 cars only to park off the street
- Wood Fireplace
- Clothes Dryer
- Washing Machine
- Beds
- Sleep Sofa /Futon (3) : 3 of the above noted 5 queen beds are futon beds. All futon beds are easy to lay flat and the futon mattresses have internal springs and are very comfortable. All have mattress pads and down comforters.
- Baby Crib : Home has a porta-crib in bedroom closet, along with other baby gear such as high chair and backpack carrier. All baby gear is for use at your own risk.
- Queen (2) : 2 queens in private bedrooms; 3 queen futons that have internal springs and are very comfortable. Down quilts for all queen beds.
- Bunk Bed (2) : 2 sets of bunk beds in a large room that can be divided into two separate spaces.
- Entertainment
- Communal Pool : There is an outdoor pool you can access using the "pool & resort beach" pass that comes with my house during summer. Pool and lake resort beach are open from Memorial Day through Labor Day each year. Pass allows 6 guests to access for free. Others cost $5/person. In winter there is an indoor pool near Bryce Resort that you can pay to use. Has a hot tub too!
- Video Library : I have a huge collection of DVDs and VHS tapes. These include popular films for kids and adults, as well as a unique library of Emmy award-winning documentaries and TV programs.
- Satellite Or Cable (2) : One TV with cable, VCR and DVD players in great room; a second smaller TV with cable, DVD and VCR in "playroom".
- TV : one TV upstairs in room with bunk beds that has a DVD and VCR only.
- Stereo System
- DVD
- VCR
- CD
- Kitchen
- Cooking Utensils : Beautiful pots and dishes and baking pans provided. Also have waffle maker, blender, cuisine art food processor, mixer, coffee grinder and coffee press as well as Mr. Coffee machine.
- Full Kitchen : new glass top stove in 2010
- Refrigerator : new fridge 2011
- Microwave
- Ice Maker
- Dish Washer
- Outdoor Features
- Gas/Electric BBQ Grill : Gas grill is new this year. Fantastic new type of "sensor" grill cooks meat perfectly.
- Deck/Patio (2) : Large deck off living room/ dining room, overlooking lake.
- Balcony : Upper deck is off of one of the private bedrooms upstairs.
- View/Location
- Lakefront : My property extends down to lake. Little beach is short walk down hill from house. NOTE: This beach is shared with neighbors; large groups must please respect neighbors right to have shared and some private time on our 'beach'. Public can use my beach -- but if you park your folding chairs down there you can claim the space for yourself during visit. Kayak kept here -- please note that my kayak is green and covered with tarp; other boats kept on this little beach are NOT for your use -- they are my neighbors boats. Also, I am right next door to Bryce Resort's beach area where you can rent canoes, paddle boats, and dive from dock or floating platforms, lounge on grass, and use snack bar. I strongly encourage large groups, and groups with children to use this option.
- Mountain View : At my house, you are in the midst of the Shenandoah mountains. You can see the range that forms border between Virginia and West Virginia from the house.
- Communications
- Telephone : telephone allows incoming calls, including answering machine, and free local calls; you need a calling card to make calls outside of immediate area of Bryce Resort. NOTE: cell phones do not work in the house, or anywhere in the immediate area around Lake Laura. But you need drive only a few minutes into Basye to use a cell phone.
- Broadband Access : Highest speed internet available in house, including wifi.
- Wireless Broadband : WiFi works all over the house and on the decks outside.
- Other Amenities
- family kayak, paddles and life jackets (for use at own risk), baby items -- portacrib, high chair, booster seats, (each for use at own risk).
- Suitability
- Children Welcome : The house offers many toys, games, puzzles and DVDs/videos for kids from toddlers to teens. There are also booster seats, kids placemats, and other baby gear. Lots of kids lifejackets and swim toys. However, please note that if you have toddlers, you should bring two baby gates to protect them from interior staircase that is steep. Lake gets precipitously deep and extra care must be taken with children near or in lake. Bryce Resort beach has special area for toddlers with sand and a fence to keep them safe from the deep waters.
- Minimum Age Limit For Renters : 25 years minimum age rental. Regardless of your age, this is NOT a "party" house. I rent to families looking for a child-friendly, dog-friendly vacation, or couples wanting a peaceful getaway.
- Pets Considered : additional fees required for pets -- additional $275 damage deposit per pet (fully refundable after visit if no damage from your pet) plus non-refundable $35 additional cleaning fee per pet.
- Non Smoking Only : Absolutely no smoking allowed ANYWHERE on my property.
- Activities
- Hiking
- Fitness Center
- Wildlife Viewing
- Fishing
- Golf
- Swimming
- Skiing
- Kayaking
- Restaurants
- Zoo
- Theme Parks
- Sledding
- Miniature Golf
- Antiquing
- Sight Seeing
- Other Activities
- Airstrip at resort for private plane access; Championship 18 hole golf course, driving Range with pitching and putting area 5 min drive; Bryce operates climbing wall, summer tubing, and bungee jumping in summer; Famous caverns to visit in area;
Rate Details (In US Dollars)
$300-$375/night (2 night min weekends)low season week rate $1250/week (3 night minimum on premium weekends like 4th July, Labor Day, Xmas) Week rentals during summer $1375/week (incl. 7th night free) (Note: additional 11% applied to rental total for tax and handling.) Deposit required, additional pet deposit and additional cleaning fee for pets) Must book through Management Company, but call or email me with questions as I like to give personal service.
Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.
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Credit Cards Accepted:
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Map & Owner's Profile
Year Purchased: 2003
Why the Owner Chose Bryce ResortBryce Resort is a little known secret hideaway just two hours from DC. The valley is absolutely lovely, and the lake is pure bliss. My home offers access to year round recreation opportunities including swimming, golf, boating and skiing, tubing etc.
The Unique Benefits at this HouseMy boys and I always seem to enjoy a different experience while out at the lake house -- there are so many things to do in the Bryce Resort and Shenandoah area. During the summer, we always enjoy swimming, kayaking and hiking around the lake. I love taking my boys to the driving range at Bryce Resort, or golfing on the award-winning 18 hole course. In spring, fall and winter, we can still kayak unless the lake is frozen over -- which doesn't always happen each year -- and can hike and explore the nearby mountains any time of year. When temps are low enough, Bryce Resort makes snow. Both my boys have learned to ski at Bryce Resort's lovely little mountain. We love going to Shrinemont, either for a hike, or for the Shenandoah music festival that runs during summer weekends. We also enjoy the Edinburgh area and the "Way to Play" amusement center where the boys can use a driving range, go-carts, batting cages, and mini-golf. I love going to "Sal's Bistro" for Italian food, or to the little British tea room in the town of Edinburgh. One of my favorite experiences with the boys, or with guests, is to visit the "deer lady." Gail Rose has an organic farm near Basye and also raises fallow deer and exotic chickens. The kids love to feed the deer while I pick my own vegetables. Gail raises an awesome collection of heirloom tomatoes. (you can see photos of kids at the "deer lady's" on my flickr site, please ask for the link. When I go out to the Lake House with my girlfriends, we usually go antiquing in the local towns, or to some of the local wineries. And we always enjoy cooking in my wonderful kitchen, and a glass of wine on the deck at sunset. Pure bliss.
Owner's Map of Bryce Resort
I am an independent wildlife filmmaker with about 20 years experience making films for National Geographic Television, the National Geographic Channels, Animal Planet, PBS, and other networks around the world. My career in wildlife filmmaking got started while working for National Geographic Television, first out of Los Angeles, and then in the DC headquarters. I was there for 15 years and left a couple of years ago to make my own films. I work as an Executive Producer, Producer, Director and Writer. I have won two, National Emmy awards and many other awards for my productions. I have a specialty in African wildlife films, but I'm currently working on some projects in Asia -- one on orangutans and another on giant pandas. The LAKE HOUSE, my home out at Bryce Resort in the Shendandoah Mountains, is my special retreat. It is full of treasures from my travels, and many special memories from visits times spent here with family and friends. I have two young boys, ages 9 and 11 years, and they love spending time here with me. I hope to give them the Lake House someday for them to enjoy with their families. Some of my fondest memories of the Lake House are of times when I've ventured out on the lake in my kayak very early in the morning to find the beavers. A family lives on the lake and in summer when their kits are learning about the world, the adults have introduced them to me in the kayak. I also love being on the lake at twilight. Just before the sun dips below the mountains, swallows perform aerial acrobatics catching insects over the still surface. Then in an instant, when the sun goes below the mountains, they are replaced by bats. It is magic to experience. I hope you'll enjoy visiting my beautiful lake house as much as I do.
Property Photos
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- View of Lake House from trail
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- Beautiful Lake Laura with winter sunset
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- Lake House great room/living room with fireplace
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- dining room and deck/lake thru windows
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- Lake House great room in afternoon sun
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- Trail around Lake Laura, winter walk
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- My son enjoying a float on the lake.
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- Boys enjoying diving platforms on Lake Laura
Traveler Reviews (5)
wow — love this place! amidst nature & artistically comfy + cozy
Guest: signy
(Ashburn VA)
Date of Stay: 12/28/11
Review Submitted: 01/03/12
We thoroughly loved our winter stay here. Huge windows onto the winter view of lake -- pure serenity. Children (and mom + dad) enjoyed waking to watch birds & squirrels feeding from the many feeders just feet from the windows & the sparkling lake backdrop ... amazing. The closest I've ever stayed to & with nature w/o getting dirty. Not deluxe — though this was more than we were expecting from a casual lake home & just our speed — we like outdoorsy, rustic, artistic, natural things. We were pleasantly surprised with nice high ceilings on the top bedroom level and oh — that fireplace is the best. Tastefully decorated & fully appointed (loved the porcelain dishware & we didn't even need to bring coffee grinder). Especially liked the simple, meaningful little artisan touches throughout. Kids ages 6 & 7 were thrilled with the double bunk bed room. This special place is a perfect spot for kids of any age to play, romp & explore nature. Even skied & snow tubed at Bryce despite warm weather -- they crank out the manmade snow & we had a blast.
Owner response:Thank you for such a lovely review. It is gratifying when people like yourselves appreciate all the effort I put into my home. I think it is a special place and so I just love it when other people do too! I'm so happy you had a great time at the Lake House. Thanks again. Also loved what you wrote in my guest book. I hope you'll come back again soon.
Recommended for:Families with young children, romantic getaway, sightseeing, adventure seekers, age 55+, girls getaway, families with teenagers, pet owners.
Great Lake House
Guest: Mick
(Vienna, VA)
Date of Stay: 04/16/11
Review Submitted: 04/26/11
We stayed at the great lake house for a week during Spring Break. The house has everything you need and you do not need to bring anything. We relaxed vary much by just staying in the house, sitting on the deck, walking around the lake, kayaking, etc. Kathy allowed us to take our small dog and that made our trip exceptional. My daughter does not want to leave the dog when we have a vacation. A small shop at the gas station nearby has a little bit of everything you need. You can also drive to Food Lion (only 20 minutes) to get anything you want. We would like to go back there in summer. If you compare this house with other houses, pick this one!
Recommended for:Families with young children, romantic getaway, adventure seekers, families with teenagers, pet owners.
Summer Vacation
Guest: Virginia Family
(Yorktown, Va)
Date of Stay: 07/16/10
Review Submitted: 08/08/10
This house has lots of character and is located in a beautiful area with lots to do.The house was well equipped with outdoor stuff and we especially enjoyed the kayak! The kitchen was well stocked with everything you could need. Overall we had a nice time but there are a few things that would have been helpful to know. The first is this is a small house and large groups will find themselves on top of each other. We took a large family for a week and found the house much too small! As listed, 8 would be the absolute max for a comfortable visit. The major problem we had was the AC is not adequate to cool the house, especially upstairs! We bought box fans from Wal-Mart after the first night. Unfortunately, the house does not have fans and I highly recommend you bring your own. Another unpleasant surprise was that the lake access is public.......this was not made clear at all. Since the area is microscopic if you have to share with 'unpleasant' neighbors or locals (which we did!) you are can be in for an unpleasant experience. Luckily, most of the time we enjoyed fishing and swimming on the little beach area. Just understand that you may have to share. You should also know that there is NO cell phone signal at all and you have no long distance service from the house. Since several in our party needed to keep in touch this presented a major inconvenience. Wi-Fi is available but you are truly off the cell phone grid when you leave the main road leading to the house. We found lots of things to do in the area - fishing, swimming, tubing on the river, visiting local caverns, zip lining, golf, hiking. I would not hesitate to recommend this house to a small or medium group, but go in cool weather or bring fans and be prepared to live cell phone free while you are there!
Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing.
Wonderfull
Guest: Maui2002
(MD)
Date of Stay: 05/28/10
Review Submitted: 06/13/10
There is a trail that is steps from the house, that made it easy to move the family in to some exercise, then the swimming a few steps further, just beautiful. We were there Memorial Day but the lake was very peaceful, no motor boats are allowed.
Recommended for:Families with young children, romantic getaway, sightseeing, age 55+, families with teenagers.
Guest: Nancy Roberts
(Detroit, Michigan)
Date of Stay: 07/09/09
Review Submitted: 07/09/09
This is a beautiful, well-appointed home with plenty of space and lots of lovely art, a great video collection and a fabulous location. One can just walk out the door take a nature hike around the lake ... totally relaxing. I appreciated all the pots and pans and cooking necessities, as well as the modern outdoor grill. 100% recommended.
Recommended for:
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Vacation Rentals by Owner Listing #211166
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