Vacation Rentals by Owner

Holiday Escape

Guest: Linda (Rochester, NY)
Date of Stay: 11/23/11 Review Submitted: 12/08/11

Stumble Beach far surpassed any expectations we could imagine. My family and I rented it for our Thanksgiving holiday and it was fabulous! Tom and Chris went out of their way to stock every amenity necessary right down to new kettles to cook our holiday dinner, wood for the wood-burning stove, and the freshest linens, and bedding. We needed the peace and quiet, the sound of waves hitting the rocks, and the time for family on holiday. This was an experience we will never forget, and we look forward to summer and fall to make it all happen again. Thank you Tom and Chris.

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

A Wonderful Getaway.

Guest: The Russell's (Ontario NY )
Date of Stay: 10/06/11 Review Submitted: 10/19/11

Stumble Beach is a wonderful hidden getaway that is a perfect place to relax and enjoy nature and the lake, It is secluded and private yet close enough to local wineries, friut farms, and grocery stores .My husband and I along with my in-laws spent 4 wonderful nights at this beautiful home 10/6/11 to 10/10/11. The property is park like with a nature trail that leads through the woods to the lake which is set up with chairs, picnic tables, grills and even a playground and cabin for kids. Along the trail to the lake you will notice bird houses, beautiful plants and even an occasional chipmunk. We even saw a deer on the road leading back to the house. We had a family get together on Sunday, ( we were very lucky with 75-80 degree temps for October) , our entire family were amazed at the beauty and well kept property both inside and out.. The home has EVERYTHING you could possibly need, Tom and Chris have thought of everything and the personal tour that they give to their guests is wonderful, we felt like family. We highly recommend Stumble Beach and will surely be going back. Thanks Tom and Chris!

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

Loved our stay at Stumble Beach

Guest: Kris (Buffalo ny)
Date of Stay: 08/22/11 Review Submitted: 09/04/11

My husband, our two grandsons, ages 13 and 5, and I stayed at Stumble Beach for 4 nights at the end of August. The cottage was so pretty and comfortable. We had a great time on the deck, bird watching, (we saw three eagles) and so many other interesting birds and flowers. Also had a great time on the beach lawn especially the night we made a bon fire. There is no hotel in the area that could compare, All arrangements went great.

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

Perfect Lake Ontario Retreat

Guest: 'meel (Prince Frederick, MD)
Date of Stay: 07/09/11 Review Submitted: 08/06/11

Stumble Beach is a jewel, carefully hidden on a private, wooded estate, with the lake shore only steps from the door. We stayed here in the summer of 2010 and again in 2011, and it seems like it just gets better each year. The cottage is quiet, beautifully appointed, and filled with all the necessities, from linens to paper products and spices for cooking. Nothing has been over-looked: Tom and Chris prepare this lovely home for their guests as if each of us were a personal friend. The cottage itself is spotless, and the grounds are meticulously maintained. There are countless things to see and do in this region -- Rochester is only 30 minutes away, Canada and Niagara Falls are close enough for a day trip (bring your passport!), and the Finger Lakes and wine country are equally close -- but prepare to spend at least a day or two "at home." just enjoying the Lake (and perfecting your technique for skipping stones). Stumble Beach remains our favorite place to stay in New York State.

Owner response:We're so pleased that you had such a nice time during your stay. You picked a perfect weather week to stay at the Stumble Beach, Camille! Hope to see you next year and thanks for taking such good care of the cottage during your stay! Sincerely, T & C

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

Perfect family getaway at Stumble Beach

Guest: Fanton's (Wellsville, NY)
Date of Stay: 07/02/11 Review Submitted: 07/18/11

We just recently stayed at this cottage over the 4th of July weekend and enjoyed every minute. Tom and Chris went above and beyond to provide everything that you would need during your stay. They also did a walk through of the property which was very nice. The photos of the property did not give it justice. It was very relaxing and a nice family cottage. We all had a great time. Thanks again Tom and Chris!

Owner response:Thank you, Mary. It was a pleasure to meet you and your family. We're pleased Stumble Beach was a good fit for your vacation needs. You picked a perfect weather week! Sincerely, Tom & Chris

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

Gorgeous, private, fun for kids,dogs and adults

Guest: AL (Baltimore, MD)
Date of Stay: 06/16/11 Review Submitted: 07/07/11

We loved Stumble Beach! We stayed for a long weekend in June and brought great weather with us. Hisband was in a 2-day sailboat race, the rest of us just lounged at the cottage. We had a six year old boy who could not believe he had a whole pond to himself for the weekend - tadpoles, frogs,ducks, crawfish and snakes.....awesome. Our dog loved the large lawn and the cool lake water. It was a good place to train her off leash. The house is really well maintained, with high end linens (unusual in rentals), and very clean comfortable furnishings. There is fishing gear, kids toys, etc...no need to bring a lot. The bonfire pit is really great, and not to be ignored. It proved to be a nice accompaniment to the gorgeous sunsets. We had a canoe and it was an easy launch and good water. (the fish are in a hole just east of the property, off the point!). There are picnic tables and adirondack chairs so you can spend the whole day at the water's edge. The beach is very rocky so bring sneakers, but the water is very clear.You definitely need a car but it is short drives to farm markets (we picked strawberries), and Sodus Point. Pultneyville is cute but not much there; but we had good experiences in Sodus Point- restaurants, and the lighthouse museum was really cool. The site is relatively private. You can see and hear the neighbors a bit, but the lot is so large there is little contact. Speaking of the lot, the owners have landscaped the property so beautifully, and seem to have 10 green thumbs. I could go on and on. In the end, I would say that we rent houses a lot and this our best rental yet. It is really nice for kids, couples, girl getaways. There are stairs so it may be tough for elderly or disabled but once in the house the 1st floor has everything you would need. We definitely plan to rent this again. We cruised by some other rentals while we were there but would still choose this one- it is really fabulous and the owners are wonderful.

Owner response:Thank you for your kind and thoughtful comments, Alison. We’re so happy you & your family had such an enjoyable time at Stumble Beach. Congratulations to your husband and his crew on their outstanding finish in the Scotch Bonnet sailboat race across Lake Ontario. We’ll look forward to seeing you all again next year. Sincerely, Tom & Chris

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

Great Time At Stumble Beach

Guest: Old Husker Fan (Omaha, NE USA )
Date of Stay: 05/18/11 Review Submitted: 05/29/11

My family had a terrific 4-night stay at the Stumble Beach cottage in May 2011. Tom and Chris provided everything we needed for a comfortable and enjoyable time at the cottage. Even though it was a very rainy period, we had no trouble getting into and out of the property due to the excellent maintenance of the drive-in. The scenery and surroundings are beautiful and we had a great feeling of being out in the woods. Thanks Tom and Chris for a great time!

Owner response:Thank you for your kind compliments, Bryce. We are so happy that you and your family were able to enjoy the cottage and property despite the rainy & cold Spring we've had this year. Congratulations again to your son for having recently earned his PhD at RIT!

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

peaceful

Guest: nancy (Rochester NY 14609)
Date of Stay: 09/25/10 Review Submitted: 10/22/10

My husband and I spent a wonderfully peaceful week at Stumble Beach this fall. We were looking for a location close to home so family and friends could join us if they wished and we "stumbled" upon the perfect location, as well as the perfect hosts. Tom and Chris have thought of everything. As well as sharing their little piece of heaven, they have stocked their cottage with all of the neccessities, plus more. When we encountered a rainy day, there were books, games and most helpful, a guide to local restaurants and shops to keep us busy. Although the weather was less than perfect, we were able to stargaze and enjoy the beautiful sunsets, complete with a floatilla of swans! Our 4 yr old dog Tinker had more than enought to keep her busy! Her nose was to the ground sniffing out new scents all week; she actually came nose to nose with a possum! New experience for a city dog. They parted peacefully and all lived to tell the tale! We felt totally at home and would definitely recommend Stumble Beach.

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

Great value

Guest: FJB (Germany)
Date of Stay: 09/17/10 Review Submitted: 09/28/10

This is an outstanding place to stay. The cottage is just a dream and we always will choose this house when we are visiting the Rochester Area. Place like the Niagara Falls, Palmyra and the great Rochester area are easy to reach. The support of the owner also contribute to a wunderful time we had. This Cottage is highly recomendable. The only negative aspect: our stay was definite to short !! (by the way the owner even speaks German) Sept. 2010 Gertrud, Inge and Frans from Germany

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

perfect vacation

Guest: Anatoliy & Yelena (Iselin, NJ)
Date of Stay: 09/04/10 Review Submitted: 09/20/10

We had one of the best vacations in our life. You've built a beautiful house, you have to be proud of this. We kept admiring your way of making nice small things - picture frames, closet doors, shelf over the bathtub, and so on. Our dogs had a great time - they ran around like crazy. They loved your pond the most, which resulted in a dog washing process several times. We also walked them to Lake Rd and back. We used you travel brochures to find many good farms, markets and places. Our favorite trip was to Chimney Bluffs park. Just gorgeous! We also brought home a lot of fruits and couple of pies from the farm market.

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

Lovely, family and pet-friendly property

Guest: jorgy (Brick, NJ/USA)
Date of Stay: 08/16/10 Review Submitted: 08/26/10

Tom and Chris provide all the comforts of home at Stumble Beach. It was one of the best and most relaxing family vacations we have taken. Our three children enjoyed the lakefront and the natural setting, which included lots of wildlife. We especially loved sitting on the lakefront watching the sunset. The finest part of the day was the nightly campfire and marshmallow roast! Our dog even enjoyed her nightly snooze in front of the fire! You are certain to walk away with many family memories. We will definitely be back again!

Recommended for:Families with teenagers, families with young children, pet owners.

Tranquility

Guest: Mike & Linda (Voorhees, NJ USA)
Date of Stay: 08/01/10 Review Submitted: 08/23/10

The description of Stumble Beach was exactly as we found it. Tom and Chris were extremely hospitable and friendly and have a wonderful place that they've chosen to share with others. The windier days were especially nice to sit down by the water and watch/listen to the waves. Coming out of the path through the woods made me feel like I was back in Hawaii or the Caribbean! Thanks Tom and Chris!

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

Best Relaxing Vacation EVER!!!!!

Guest: Jason and Ranae (Southern NJ)
Date of Stay: 07/25/10 Review Submitted: 08/04/10

We 'stumbled' upon this location while looking for a lakeside getaway. We are soooo glad we did!! This property offered everything we had been searching for. The cottage and grounds are beautiful and well-kept. If you enjoy wildlife and privacy, fresh fruits and veggies at seemingly every corner, a place to unwind and explore at your leisure, this is the place!! On calm days you can snorkel and observe the lake's many inhabitants. While relaxing on the beach, you may see a bald eagle or other local wildlife. On the deck, you can enjoy the many songbirds, hummingbirds, and other aviary delights that frequent the various feeders. The owners could not have been more accommodating and it is evident that they take great pride in what they have built. We look forward to returning soon!!!

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

Perfection!

Guest: Marj (Montclair, NJ)
Date of Stay: 07/18/10 Review Submitted: 07/31/10

From the moment we turned onto the pathway leading through the woods, we knew we had discovered an incredibly special place. Sincerely, this was one of the best, most relaxing, peaceful vacations our family of five has ever taken. Stumble Beach was perfect in every way - the charming and lovingly maintained home, the spectacular lakefront beach, the gorgeous property, our gracious hosts. We are most grateful to Chris and Tom for sharing this tranquil spot with us, and we hope to return in the not too distant future.

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

Our Best Stay Ever

Guest: 'meel (Prince Frederick, MD)
Date of Stay: 06/12/10 Review Submitted: 06/18/10

We've used VBRO for years, for vacations, weekend getaways, and for our annual trip to Upstate NY to visit family. We've always had good experiences with the properties we've rented, sometimes even returning to the same rental more than once - but this was by far our best experience in ten years. The cottage is immaculate and comfortable, with every amenity. The property itself is idyllic, with an unspoiled lake-front setting, mature woods, and landscaping that is both beautiful and respectful to the natural environment. This is a vacation rental that has been lovingly built and maintained. The owners are not mere property managers, but thoughtful hosts who go out of their way to ensure that you are comfortable for your stay. For us, Stumble Beach re-created the best of childhood camping memories and combined them with modern comforts and privacy. We skipped stones on the lake, picnicked and built a fire at night, and watched the sunsets and waited for the stars to come out. But we also slept in comfortable beds, had breakfast in a fullly-equipped kitchen, and caught the news on TV before setting out each day. For those travelling to this area for the first time: Rochester is only minutes away, and the Finger Lakes region is close enough for day trips. Bring a passport, and take a day to drive to Canada to see Toronto or Niagara Falls - or just stay put and commune with Lake Ontario (and an occasional bald eagle). This is truly an outstanding vacation rental.

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

Guest: carol130 (syracuse)
Date of Stay: 03/03/10 Review Submitted: 03/03/10

we loved staying here last summer, so peaceful quiet, and the beach was great for a campfire, lots of room to roam. The owner was very attentive, and we do not hesitate to recommend!

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Guest: Dianna and Bob LaBreck (Asheville, NC)
Date of Stay: 09/14/09 Review Submitted: 09/14/09

We chose this unique cottage and property because of its proximity to our large family in the Rochester area. Much to our delight there were many more amenities than we had expected.In addition to enjoying the fabulous sunsets on Lake Ontario and seeing the many “faces” of this beautiful lake, the property itself is a real treasure with its landscaping, pond and pathway. We were able to accommodate our big family gatherings because of its spaciousness. Tom and Chris have provided everything you could possibly need to entertain a lot of people.Stumble Beach will always bring a smile to our faces because of the wonderful memories!

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Guest: Judy Allen1 (Fairview Prk, Ohio)
Date of Stay: 07/20/09 Review Submitted: 07/20/09

Our group spent a long weekend at the Stumble Beach Home. It is like having Lake Ontario to yourself. The property is exactly as described. We had no problems launching our kayaks from the beach. The deck is spacious, you are right up among the trees, at night the fireflies light up the whole area and the frogs serenade you. You can hear Lake Ontario in the background. The sky is amazingly clear. This is a perfect place to just kick back and enjoy the solitude.

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Guest: gail menchey (Rochester, NY)
Date of Stay: 07/17/09 Review Submitted: 07/17/09

I just loved this beautiful summer cottage. It is a little hideaway from home. The driveway gives you the sense of getting away from it all. - The A-frame cottage has everything you could ask for. - The walk way has many little animals and plants to see as you stroll to the beach. And then, there's lake. The grass area is huge. We played crochet. - The name of the beach fits. The rocks are so cool. I had my 3-year old grandson look for dinasour eggs. - The sunsets are the best. And having a little fire just sets the atmosphere. - The swimming was warm and the fishing was good. - It is a great place for peace and quiet and also fun for kids. My grandson had the best time. He even had his own little cottage. - My mom and I made a log and rock walk way to get into the water. We love to build things. We had so much fun. - One of the great aspects of the cottage is you can drive out to the main road and there are farm markets with fresh fruits and vegetables right there for you. - Chris and Tom are great hosts. I am a little bias; they are my very good friends. I have great memories at Stumble beach. ENJOY!

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Guest: Jodi12 (East Palestine, OH)
Date of Stay: 07/13/09 Review Submitted: 07/13/09

We had a wonderful time at this lovely cottage. The accomodations were perfect and the location on the lake is gorgeous. The owners, Tom and Chris, are excellent hosts. Thanks for a wonderful long weekend!!

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Guest: Markie 1 (Rochester, NY)
Date of Stay: 07/07/09 Review Submitted: 07/07/09

Comment Text: Tom and Chris-Thank you for sharing your cottage. What a great location! Getting there was half the fun. Stumble Beach is very convenient and not far from Rochester or Rt. 90. However, the long driveway through the woods and past the orchards set the tone of peace and quiet. The A frame is surrounded by trees, which harbor a myriad of birds that are easily observed from the high deck. This sense of exploration is carried further when you follow the path to the waterfront. The shoreline is made up of fantastically colored cobbled rocks and the view is spectacular. No other houses, docks or boats mar the vista. The house itself is comfortable, clean, and well furnished. What a wonderful oasis of woodlands and water. We hope to come back soon. Thank you so much.

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Guest: Leah Allen-Costa (Bridgeport, CT)
Date of Stay: 05/05/09 Review Submitted: 05/05/09

We had an awesome stay at the Stumble Beach Cottage. Tom and Chris were great hosts and the accommodations were incredible-- to say the least. It was perfect. We rented the cottage for our wedding weekend and had plenty of room for our guests. We'd come and stay again, and recommend the cottage to anyone looking for a beautiful getaway in the woods by the lake.

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