Location: Bryce Resort, Virginia, USA (2 hours west by car from Washington DC) View Map
Accommodations: Lake House, 4 Bedrooms + Convertible bed(s), 2.5 Baths (Sleeps 8-10)
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.
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.
Vacation Rental Features
- Amenities
- Air Conditioning
- Washer
- Dryer
- Linens Provided: Linens included in the rates for up to 8 people only; higher numbers require additional fee for linens
- Off Street Parking: room for 3 cars only to park off the street
- Wood Fireplace
- Beds
- Queen Bed (5) : 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.
- Convertible Bed (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.
- 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.
- Entertainment
- Cable/Satellite TV (2) : One TV with cable, VCR and DVD players in great room; a second smaller TV with cable, DVD and VCR in "playroom".
- TV (No Cable/Satellite): one TV upstairs in room with bunk beds that has a DVD and VCR only.
- DVD (3)
- VCR (3)
- 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.
- CD Player
- Stereo System
- Shared 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!
- Kitchen
- Full Kitchen
- Cooking Utensils Provided: 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.
- Refrigerator
- Dishwasher
- Microwave
- Ice Maker
- 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'. 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.
- Broadband Internet: Highest speed internet available in house, including wifi.
- WiFi (Wireless Internet): 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
- Pet Friendly: additional fees required for pets -- additional $225 damage deposit per pet (fully refundable after visit if no damage from your pet) plus non-refundable $25 additional cleaning fee per pet.
- Kid Friendly: 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: I have no age limit BUT this is not a "party" house. I rent to families looking for a child-friendly vacation, or couples wanting a peaceful getaway.
- Smoking Not Allowed: Absolutely no smoking allowing inside my house or outside on decks.
- Activities (on site and nearby)
- Golf
- Theme Park (Amusement Park)
- Zoo/Wildlife Park
- Sightseeing
- Restaurants
- Kayaking
- Swimming
- Downhill/Alpine Skiing
- Sledding/Tubing
- Wildlife Viewing
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Fitness Center/Gym
- Antiquing
- Miniature golf
- 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 some weekends) .. approx. $1250/week
(3 night minimum on premium weekends like 4th July, Labor Day, Xmas)
(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 me with questions
as I like to give personal service.
Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.
Credit Cards Accepted:
Map & Owner's Profile
Year Purchased: 2003
Why the Owner Chose Bryce Resort
Bryce 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 Lake House
My 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
- View of Lake House from trail - Bryce Resort Lake House with Mountain Views
- Beautiful Lake Laura with winter sunset - Bryce Resort Lake House with Mountain Views
- Lake House great room/living room with fireplace - Bryce Resort Lake House with Mountain Views
- dining room and deck/lake thru windows
- Lake House great room in afternoon sun
- Trail around Lake Laura, winter walk
- My son enjoying a float on the lake.
- Boys enjoying diving platforms on Lake Laura
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Vacation Rentals by Owner Listing #211166
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This listing was first published here in 2008.
Date last modified - October 08, 2009
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Nancy Roberts , Detroit, MI