Vacation Rentals by Owner

Simply Stunning!

Guest: C B.
Date of Stay: 05/04/12 Review Submitted: 05/07/12

Wow – what a beautiful place! I had an amazing night Friday and an incredible day on Saturday (plus the weather was perfect!). The cabin had everything we needed for a wonderful night away - beautiful views, great beach area, grill, fireplace with plenty of wood, hot shower, clean and comfortable bedrooms, and a kayak to take out on the water. Like so many of guests (from reading the guest book) I had a truly memorable time. I hope to be back for another break away soon! If you're looking for a quiet retreat, this is the place for you! Kathy is wonderfully kind and incredibly helpful. I feel so thankful to have had the opportunity to stay here!

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What an awesome place!

Guest: Jon B.
Date of Stay: 12/01/11 Review Submitted: 12/09/11

If you want peace and serenity, this is the place for you! Everything you could possibly want or need for the perfect get away. And I do mean everything! There are bicycles available to use, a kayak, firewood, brand new gas grill and of course a beautiful peaceful setting. This cabin is down a nice peaceful gravel (well maintained) road and the whole time I was there I saw two cars in four days. There is a handyman on call if there are any issues. Can't beat the "customer service". I went grocery shopping on the way up. I would recommend you just pick something up for dinner and then go to the cabin and make a list of what you will need because as I said everything you need is there. There was already spices, paper towels, foil, utensils, dinnerware ect. and everything was clean. DO NOT STAY AT A HOTEL! STAY HERE! Can't be beat!

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Perfect Getaway!

Guest: Evelina F.
Date of Stay: 11/11/11 Review Submitted: 12/03/11

Amazing location on the lake -- beautiful view! Lovely house with a great fireplace and open living area for cooking, playing games, and spending time with friends. We had a perfect trip and the house was fully equipped with everything we needed (no water issues) and would stay there again when in the region. Thanks for a great time, in a great location!

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Nice but musty cabin in the woods

Guest: Steena F.
Date of Stay: 08/13/11 Review Submitted: 08/23/11

A very nice cabin in the woods, thoughtfully stocked with many supplies. However, the cabin itself was very dirty and in need of a major de-clutter. Lots of dead (and live) bugs, cobwebs, dust and dirt everywhere.

Recommended for:Pet owners, sightseeing.

GREAT PLACE! GREAT TIME!

Guest: DOGGIE VACATION (Portland, Connecticut)
Date of Stay: 07/30/11 Review Submitted: 08/09/11

My sister and our four dogs had a delightful time at your cabin. We arrived to a clean cabin with all the items we needed. By the way, there is NO sulfur smell in the water, so your new water filter is working just fine. We found some state parts on the islands, in NY and on VT's mainland that permitted dogs and enjoyed many fun trails. The dogs thought the ferry ride back from NY was very exciting! The multiple decks and "patio by the lake" had great views of the lake and good access to the lake. What awesome sunsets on the lake! Your cabin will remain our list of cabins to return to.

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

Wonderful Week

Guest: Anne H.
Date of Stay: 07/09/11 Review Submitted: 07/20/11

My husband and I, along with our two dogs, recently spent a wonderful week at the cabin. We especially enjoyed the deck overlooking the lake and saw many beautiful sunsets and there were almost no bugs. Most evenings, there was a wonderful breeze off of the lake. The cabin is large with three bedrooms, and an open kitchen and living room. The kitchen was supplied with most of the essentials and we just needed to get a few groceries. We grilled on the deck most evenings. The cabin is very private (and quiet), even with neighbors on both sides of the cabin. The basement of the cabin contains 2 to 4 bikes as well as other sports equipment. When we decided to go swimming, we thought we should buy some swimming shoes. We went downstairs though and there was a range of shoes to select for swimming, as well as beach towels. The lake is wonderful to swim in. I know comments have been made about the water at the cabin. The only time we noticed it was when taking a shower. Otherwise, the water was fine. There is distilled water in the refrigerator as well. Finally, the cabin is close to Montreal (45 minutes; we left some brochures), Burlington and even Lake Placid, NY (fun shopping). Overall, a great relaxing week !

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

Very Disappointing

Guest: VT visitors (CA)
Date of Stay: 06/05/11 Review Submitted: 06/14/11

It was a bad sign when we walked into the home and the smell was so overwhelming that we were convinced something had died. The smell turned out to be the water, which was so vile that we could not shower and had to leave the house when the dishwasher ran. We brushed our teeth with bottled water. Aside from this and some dingy towels, the place was OK. Nice access to the lake. But vastly overpriced for what it is. And given the water situation, it is virtually uninhabitable.

Owner response: I always feel badly when guests do not enjoy their stay at the cabin. I have been renting it for about 6 years and have gotten only about 3 or 4 complaints about the water. I've probably had over 100 renters and many have left very positive comments in my guestbook or on homeaway.com and/or emailed me as to how much they enjoyed their stay. Everyone in the area has water problems, as we are located on a peninsula with a shale base. There is no 'city' water, although our homeowners association has been trying to get that for years. I did mention to the guest that I am in the process of adding a lake water filtration system which uses UV light and carbon to purify the water, mainly because my well has run dry for each of the two summers, but that will solve the odor problem also. The equipment is in the basement but my drilling/water guys are currently busy dealing with the extreme flooding in the area. I was at the cabin a month before the guests' stay and I drank the water as well as showered with it. The 'dingy' towels are, again, due to the water's mineral content. But they are clean. New towels would be 'dingy' after the first washing. On the other hand, these guests forgot to pay on time the balance of what they owed on the rental. The guest asked me for directions within a week of their stay. I send directions when I receive the balance of what is owed. The balance is due 2 weeks before arrival, which is a generous policy compared to other rentals such as this (homes, not motel rooms). When I checked, they had not paid their balance. I then allowed them to pay through Paypal, which requires a bit more administrative work for me. In actuality, when the balance was that late, I was probably within my rights to cancel the reservation and keep the deposit, which is only 25% (again, a comparatively generous policy). The price is in line with other rentals in the area. It is on Lake Champlain. It sleeps 6 people in beds.

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Great location!

Guest: Peggy (Indianapolis, Indiana)
Date of Stay: 09/10/10 Review Submitted: 10/22/10

My husband and I with another couple used Kathy's cabin in September, 2010. The location is beautiful! The sunsets were magnificent and sitting down by the water was very relaxing. Having a full kitchen was nice because we did not set an alarm but woke on our own, made coffee, sat outside and then had a nice breakfast vs. getting up and having to go somewhere to eat. A nice advantage! We enjoyed the peaceful and relaxing time we spent at the cabin. Although the cabin is remote there is still plenty to see and do in general vicinity. Stowe Mountain, Ben and Jerry's, Montreal are all relatively close and I recommend you take the time to see the area. Thank you Kathy.

Recommended for:Age 55+, pet owners, sightseeing.

Great getaway!

Guest: Doreen (Hoboken, NJ)
Date of Stay: 06/27/10 Review Submitted: 11/25/10

My husband and I rented this property from Kathy for almost a week this past summer. Kathy was so helpful and easy to coordinate with. The place was cozy enough for the two of us but also versatile enough for our families to fit. The kayak was great for getting out on the lake. Although, just a warning that navigating the path down to the water is not for older or less fit people. We loved the big windows that opened to the back balcony and allowed for great circulation of fresh air. We also saw a few great sunsets over the lake behind the house! Cell phone coverage was pretty good (AT&T, Sprint, and VZW all worked fairly well), but there was no cable which was great for preventing my husband and family from sitting in front of the TV all day long. The cabin location was really quiet and remote but definitely central enough to allow for us to take day trips to Montreal and Burlington. Also, the cluster of islands were great for biking (we did 3 or 4 different 20-mile rides while we were there).

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, pet owners, sightseeing.

June '10 stay

Guest: Tina (Pennsylvania)
Date of Stay: 06/05/10 Review Submitted: 07/12/10

A friend and I stayed in Kathy's cabin in early June. The property is fantastic. The quiet of the place was peaceful. There are plenty of videos and books to enjoy during your stay. We saw a few gorgeous sunsets. Looking forward to a future stay at Kathy's place.

Owner response:Thanks, Tina! I think it's a great place, too.

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

An Honest Owner!!!!

Guest: John E from Jersey (New Jersey)
Date of Stay: 10/08/09 Review Submitted: 11/05/09

I planned on renting the cabin for the fall foliage this year. I reserved the cabin and sent in a deposit. Months later, due to unfortunate circumstances, I was unable to keep my reservation. The owner (Kathy) assured me that as long as the cabin rented for the days I had reserved, she would refund my money. Well, some time later Kathy emailed me to inform me that the cabin had indeed been rented and that she would promptly refund my deposit. And that is exactly what she did. This is not something that she had to do, and to be honest, I totally forgot about about the deposit. All I can say is Thank You Kathy for being so honest!

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May weekend 2009

Guest: Nutmegger (Glastonbury, CT)
Date of Stay: 04/30/09 Review Submitted: 05/05/09

My wife and I stayed at the cabin the first weekend of May, 2009. We found the location and facilities to exceed our expectations. It seems like everyone on the street walks alot and we met many neighbors and felt welcome to share this special place. Our dogs appreciated the canine friendly atmosphere - little to no traffic and the pet friendly cabin. Everyone seems to pick up appropriately after their pets, and there was no evidence of abuse. We felt it was a privilege to stay in Kathy's vacation home. We made the short walk to Alburg Dunes State Park daily and look forward to returning in the fall.

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

Bark ~ Bark Trails! Birding!

Guest: old print (Sturbridge, MA)
Date of Stay: 10/01/08 Review Submitted: 10/26/08

We enjoyed the location of Kathy's log home, nice and cozy. Our Norwegian Elkhounds loved the area too. An awesome State Park just a short walk with good birding and long lovely beach and trails. Two young bald eagles followed us on three days. Saw an enormous flock of snow geese North and West. Check the dates for hunting seasons...And don't forget your passports & dogs need a vet cert. for Canada. Yes there is a sulfer smell in the water, so bring your own drinking water, nice hot water. Bark Bark for this vacation!! Thanks Anne & Mark

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

Restful - if overpriced - vacation

Guest: Sussie (Boston, MA, USA)
Date of Stay: 08/16/08 Review Submitted: 08/24/08

Access to the water was great - we all (incl. dog) enjoyed swimming, fishing, kayaking on the lake. Great neighborhood. Very quiet. Close to Montreal and Burlington (1 hr or so). Cabin could have been cleaner - a bit dusty and cobwebby. Also, could have done without the eggy sulphur smell from the well. Don't rely on the coffee-maker or towels. Better to bring your own.

Recommended for:Families with teenagers, pet owners, sightseeing.

wonderful place

Guest: Cabin Girl (Canton,OH)
Date of Stay: 06/21/08 Review Submitted: 07/08/08

We had a wonderful time at the cabin! It had great views, a fun kayak, lots of bikes, and very private. The water was crystal clear. The location made it easy to go to Montreal and Burlington. I would definitely recommend renting this property!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

so relaxing week-end

Guest: charette (Montreal)
Date of Stay: 05/24/08 Review Submitted: 06/03/08

We spent a really nice week-end fishing and sunbathing. The cabin is very nice, quiet and fully equiped for a perfect moment. Thank you very much ! Nicolas

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

Vermont Winter Vacation

Guest: Jacque and Carlos (Miami Fl)
Date of Stay: 02/01/08 Review Submitted: 03/04/08

My boyfriend and I had such a romantic weekend getaway on Lake Champlain. When I first spoke with Kathy in November, I knew right away her description of a cozy cabin would be the perfect vacation for the two of us. It was nestled in the woods off of a back road just perfect distance to civilization and ski resorts. Snowfall, the frozen lake, and beautiful sunsets with crisp cool air- clinked our wine glasses over the stone fireplace at sunset every evening. As we ventured into Burlington, we found an amazing Italian restaurant with excellent service called Tratoria. The food, the wine, the ambiance- such a delicious way to end our evening after a day of ski. Our idea of a wonderful winter vacation came true thanks to Home away and Kathy. I could not have had a more perfect trip to Vermont. What a great way to break in the New year after the Holiday rush! I will continue to use Home Away.com and any other cabins Kathy would like to share! Jacque and Carlos 2/24/2008

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

Winter Wonderland

Guest: MindyC (Providence, RI)
Date of Stay: 02/01/08 Review Submitted: 02/19/08

Great place for a relaxing wintery get-away! We found the house to be clean and tidy with all the amenities of home. The fireplace is fantastic and there is a nice open floor plan for the living/kitchen areas which is great for being able to enjoy just being together. The drive to Burlington was scenic and easy (about 45 minutes). The beautiful (and frozen) Lake Champlain is just feet away from the back of the house. We did have to have snow chains to get up the driveway because at first it was freshly plowed, but a little too icy and steep for our non-4WD SUV, but when it was packed snow we made it in without them. Our dogs loved running around in the snow! As a bonus, there is an excellent selection of books and videos available at the cabin. I would definitely recommend this cabin to a friend.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, pet owners, romantic getaway.

Restful and Fun Cabin Vacation

Guest: jlanier2001 (Amarillo, TX)
Date of Stay: 05/01/07 Review Submitted: 09/15/07

Vacationing at this private Vermont cabin was perfect for our week long vacation. The owner was very helpful in providing information about the cabin via email and phone. My husband and I enjoyed this peaceful home base nestled among the trees yet we could venture to many interesting locations for a variety of sightseeing experiences. The cabin was extremely comfortable, nicely furnished and offered so many if the "little comforts" such as organized folders of local information and a library with novels, games, craft books, etc. There were numerous amenities not often offered in your usual vacation cabins such as a kayak in very good condition, life preservers, bicycles, washer, dryer, microwave, outdoor grill, hammock, plus all the other items listed in the cabin ad. We had never used a kayak before but we had no trouble learning. Lake Champlain is a very gentle lake with many interesting areas to see as you kayak around the shoreline. Sunsets are gorgeous on Lake Champlain! All the homes in this area surrounding the cabin looked quite new and we felt very safe and at home. We would take our coffee out on the cabin balcony or down to the dock to watch the lake in the mornings. Exploring the surrounding islands by car or bike is a great scenic drive. The St. Ann Shrine on Isle La Motte is an interesting and beautiful area. We recommend trips to downtown Burlington for unique shopping, great dining, and local street musicians. Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream Factory is fun and you can't beat the apple cider donuts at the Cold Hollow Cider Mill. Vermont is a beautiful state and we definitely want to see it in the Fall some day. Montreal, Canada is only about an hour's drive away so be sure to spend some time in the downtown area to visit the artistic shops, great restaurants, and entertainment. Even though French is the main language there, most vendors speak fluent English. The Basilica Notre Dame was a breathtaking and worshipful experience. If you are wanting a vacation for peace and quiet yet fun things to do, we would highly recommend this cabin for a lengthy stay.

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