Vacation Rentals by Owner

Peace and Love!

Guest: Britt-Marie and Pere, Stockholm, Sweden
Date of Stay: 05/06/12 Review Submitted: 05/06/12

Thank you so much for opening you home to us. Staying at "The Gift" has been an absolute treat. The house is just amazing with its wonderful decor. We've had great restful sleeps and great steam showers. The surroundings are very serene and remind us of our country place in Sweden. Additionally we've had the pleasure to explore Woodstock and experience its message of peace and love. Our visit to the Buddhist Monastery was so interesting and relaxing.

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Above and Beyond....

Guest: Alex, Arthur, Alia, New York and San Francisco
Date of Stay: 04/23/12 Review Submitted: 04/23/12

Thank you so much for building and maintaining this loving home with such warmth, elegance, attention to detail and ease of use. You went above and beyond at every possible opportunity to make our stay so wonderful - starting with holding my hand to navigate here, to getting us a special BBQ cookbook. This was a very special weekend, with my father and daughter. All three of us are deeply grateful for making it such a cherished experience. With love and thanks

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What a Surprise For My Birthday!

Guest: The Townsend's, Bklyn, NY
Date of Stay: 04/01/12 Review Submitted: 04/01/12

What a surprise I received for my birthday! Our own private cottage in the woods. Lovely decor, very homey and sooo quiet! I wish we could have stayed longer to explore the nearby hiking trails. The hot tub was a definite plus on these March nights as was the steam room. We walked "The Resevoir" (see Walking Woodstock, p. 93) It was amazing!

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The Gift is WONDERFUL

Guest: tevis t.
Date of Stay: 01/25/12 Review Submitted: 04/03/12

I headed to Woodstock for a two-month writing sabbatical and staying at The Gift served my purposes perfectly! Chef's kitchen, outdoor hot tub, room for an occasional guest, fireplace, state-of-the-art shower, great linens, washer-dryer, screened porch for warmer nights...even writing this review makes me want to go back. Upon arrival it was spotlessly clean, and for my longer stay I was given access to a great cleaning service that kept the place immaculate. The owners are really delightful to interact with - both socially and in business transactions. I found the entire process straightforward and hassle-free. If you're looking for peace and quiet with an easy 3 minute drive to town, this is the place. Between the stream, the lack of street lights, and the firepit outside, in ANY weather and for many options, staying at the Gift is a true delight. I will definitely be back and will always recommend it to others.

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The Snowfall Transformed the Woods and Stream!

Guest: Elizabeth, Mike & James, Springlake, NJ
Date of Stay: 01/22/12 Review Submitted: 01/29/12

We stayed at "The Gift" and went to The Midnight Ramble. We had the best time! "The Gift" gave us great times around the fireplace, yummy BBQ'd steaks, cooked by the stream, rest and recuperation and a snowfall that transformed the woods and stream. The steam shower and the leather recliner topped off a very memorable weekend! We also loved the tasteful, well-curated early American decor!

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"THE GIFT" IS TRULY A REAL GIFT!

Guest: Renata & Robert
Date of Stay: 01/16/12 Review Submitted: 01/19/12

Thank you so much. You made us feel very warm and welcome! Your generous energy permeates the cottage - from the meticulous lighting to your well-equipped kitchen and all the other joys that everyone has already mentioned - the STEAM SHOWER (ahhhh), the HOT TUB (double ahhhh), THE COZY FIREPLACE ..... All truly make "The Gift" a real gift!

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WE LOVED "THE GIFT" SO MUCH!

Guest: Beatriz and Fernando
Date of Stay: 01/02/12 Review Submitted: 01/19/12

Thank you for a wonderful stay at "The Gift". We are so sad to be leaving, we loved it so much we hardly left the house! We even chose to stay in for New Year's because we felt so cozy and happy here. We enjoyed all the wonderful amenities including the hot tub, fireplace, surround sound and TV hookup. Our dog Rowdy also had a fantastic time running around in the woods and he even fought his normally timid spirit and ventured to cross the babbling brook.

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Thank You a Hundred Million!

Guest: Heather et al
Date of Stay: 12/03/11 Review Submitted: 01/19/12

Great friends, the man I love, music at the Ramble that touches your soul. Peace and balance at the monastery - what a beautiful place to stay and focus on what life is really about!

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We Truly Felt as Though We "HIT THE JACKPOT"

Guest: Laura, Anthony, Jeremy, Angela. Australia
Date of Stay: 11/27/11 Review Submitted: 11/28/11

WE LOVE THIS PLACE!! We had such an amazing and relaxing Thanksgiving, a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of New York City. This cottage is GORGEOUS and we loved all the amenities - we truly felt as though we hit the jackpot! We took advantage of the cozy wood-burning fireplace, the hot tub and its gorgeous natural surroundings and the babbling brook truly set the backdrop for a wonderful and perfect escape.

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Beautiful Cottage

Guest: Kathy R.
Date of Stay: 07/18/11 Review Submitted: 11/09/11

We enjoyed an extended stay at this lovely cottage. It is truly a high-end rental home. The owners have spared no expense on this property by decorating with antiques and installing top-of-the-line appliances, cabinetry, and fixtures. The home is perfectly located close to the town of Woodstock, yet you will feel away from it all in the midst of the woods. Sit on the back porch and enjoy the sound of a babbling stream. The home will also appeal to anyone who appreciates detailed cleaning. We highly recommend this property.

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Chile and now Woodstock!

Guest: Annie & Leo, Bayside, NY
Date of Stay: 05/01/11 Review Submitted: 05/01/11

My husband and I stayed at your Villa Puertazul (www.villasinchile.com) for our first anniversary and had an amazing experience. When it came to choosing a weekend getaway spot with our friends, I knew we wouldn't go wrong staying at another one of your properties - and I was right! Everything was absolutely lovely- all of the great attention to detail really makes this place special. We are looking forward to future stays in both Woodstock and Chile!! Thanks for everything, especially Toyita's jam!

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Our Second Visit to "The Gift"

Guest: Renee and Philip
Date of Stay: 04/23/11 Review Submitted: 04/24/11

We love all of the special details that Judy has put into this home. After exploring Woodstock and hiking it was truly a pleasure to come back and use the hot tub, make a fire and relax in the steam room. We can't wait to come back again and create more memories @ "The Gift"!! We also recommend Oriole 9 and Cucina for great meals..

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"The Gift was a Dream"

Guest: JC, Michael & Frenchie (my mom)
Date of Stay: 04/13/11 Review Submitted: 04/18/11

Wonderful visit!! "The Gift" was a Dream and a week was not long enough. From the hot tub to the steam shower to the deer greeting us in the evening - Thank you for everything!!

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Perfection

Guest: EmilyRJ (New York, NY)
Date of Stay: 02/18/11 Review Submitted: 03/10/11

My boyfriend & I rented "The Gift" for President's Day weekend with another couple. We were so excited for our "get out of the city" retreat. Usually rental properties in the Catskills are knotty pine & tacky interiors with plaid or black leather furniture. I was so surpised when I found "The Gift" listed here. It looked like a "home" instead of a rental property, and that's exactly how it felt inside. Upon arrival, the owner's assistant showed us around & helped familiarize us with the different appliances & switches in the cottage. He was very friendly and offered to come back anytime if we needed anything or had trouble getting anything to work. Once settled in, we lit a fire. There was plenty of firewood stocked inside the house as well as on the porch & even an extra stash stacked beside the house in case we ran through everything on the porch (which we nearly did). The living room has a huge flat screen & wonderful stereo setup. It even has an adapter for your iPod. They've really thought of everything here. You've got state of the art appliances at your fingertips for cooking. There are games & DVDs to entertain yourself. The hot tub was just wonderful! One day we sat out in it & watched the falling snow while drinking our morning coffee. Just perfection! The upstairs bedroom has two skylights. We loved to fall asleep watching the stars or the clouds rush by. One night we even saw a full moon. There is a steam shower in the main floor bathroom. It was a little too intense for me, but it sure opened up my pores. The beds were incredibly comfy, we wanted to check what kind of matresses they were, but forgot. There is a state of the art washer/dryer so you can do laundry if need be. The property is 8 acres, so you can take a nice long walk if you want. There was about 1 1/2 feet of snow while we were there, so we didn't really walk anywhere. We did enjoy having the nice screened in porch to lay on. It was about 30 degrees or colder there most of the weekend, so we just pulled one of the down comforters out to the double chaise on the porch & snuggled under it to watch the snow. It was so peaceful & quiet. There wasn't any noise from neighbors or the road. In short, this place is amazing! It was the perfect escape from the city for us & we left feeling relaxed and rejuvinated, which was exactly what we hoped for. Thank you, Judy, for making creating such a lovely experience for your renters. We plan to be back many more times in the future.

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

As an Architect I Appreciate the Design!

Guest: Nikki & Suman
Date of Stay: 02/04/11 Review Submitted: 04/24/11

We had a wonderful weekend. We went skiing, hiking, sightseeing and saw "the 200th Ramble" at Levon Helms' Studio. It was all great fun!! The cottage is perfect! As an architect I can appreciate how ell it is designed and built. The kitchen/dining/living area is open and well lit. The bedrooms are cozy. The fixtures are very good as is the craftsmanship of the house. Thanks for everything and we would love to come back.

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As an Architect I Appreciate the Design!

Guest: Nikki & Suman
Date of Stay: 02/04/11 Review Submitted: 04/24/11

We had a wonderful weekend. We went skiing, hiking, sightseeing and saw "the 200th Ramble" at Levon Helms' Studio. It was all great fun!! The cottage is perfect! As an architect I can appreciate how ell it is designed and built. The kitchen/dining/living area is open and well lit. The bedrooms are cozy. The fixtures are very good as is the craftsmanship of the house. Thanks for everything and we would love to come back.

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As an Architect I Appreciate the Design!

Guest: Nikki & Suman
Date of Stay: 02/04/11 Review Submitted: 04/24/11

We had a wonderful weekend. We went skiing, hiking, sightseeing and saw "the 200th Ramble" at Levon Helms' Studio. It was all great fun!! The cottage is perfect! As an architect I can appreciate how ell it is designed and built. The kitchen/dining/living area is open and well lit. The bedrooms are cozy. The fixtures are very good as is the craftsmanship of the house. Thanks for everything and we would love to come back.

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We Just Don't Want to Leave!!

Guest: Sam & Dani
Date of Stay: 01/23/11 Review Submitted: 01/23/11

We've been here for 1 week and we just don't want to leave, But we must. But....we'll be back. Recommendations: Woodstock Prime Meats, Cucina for dinner, 28 West Gym for day pass, Overlook Mountain for day hike. Whatever you do, though, what a great area and a great place to stay!! Thanks.

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Love, Love, Love The Steam Shower!!

Guest: Paul, Cheri, Cal & Scott
Date of Stay: 01/10/11 Review Submitted: 01/23/11

Well, what can we say? It was the best of times here at "The Gift". Judy was very helpful and kind, a great host! Love, love, love - the steam shower. We can't say enough about how relaxing it was here!! Thanks for everything!

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Fabulous!! The Fireplace was Incredible!

Guest: Erik & Erica, NYC
Date of Stay: 01/02/11 Review Submitted: 01/02/11

We had the best tie, inside and outside spaces were equally fabulous. One of our most relaxing trips! Thanks for everything -- the fireplace was incredible!

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We were truly amazed by your place!

Guest: Bill, Michigan
Date of Stay: 01/02/11 Review Submitted: 01/02/11

My friends and I did not want to leave. I live in Michigan and only make it back to NY once or twice a year - but I can easily see spending some extra time here to stay in your wonderful cottage! Thanks you again..

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Beautiful Decor, Fireplace and Hot Tub

Guest: Ches, NY
Date of Stay: 12/26/10 Review Submitted: 01/02/11

Great Place! We enjoyed the beautiful decor, the hot tub, the modern appliances and the great kitchen. And the home theater system! Thanks and until next time...

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Your House is Done with Taste and Intelligence!

Guest: Nicolas and Heidi, Paris France
Date of Stay: 11/26/10 Review Submitted: 01/02/11

Visiting from Paris. A great time was had by all. This house is wonderful, beautifully done! We used the hot tub and saw the stars. Definitely want to come back in the summer. We cooked some great meals, rested and relaxed peacefully - it is Woodstock, after all. We could stay another month for sure!! You house is done with taste, but more important with intelligence - Thank you!!

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A Perfect Place!

Guest: Merrideth and Donny
Date of Stay: 11/21/10 Review Submitted: 11/21/10

All I can say is we just did not want to leave!! Thank you for sharing your home with us. Our time spent here was rejuvenating and peaceful. We could not have imagined a more perfect place to spend a week away from the city. The fireplace, steam room, kitchen, and hot tub were too much to ask for!! We look forward to our return!!

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Perfect Getaway! A+

Guest: Sadu (New York City, US)
Date of Stay: 11/14/10 Review Submitted: 11/24/10

Absolutely Amazing! As other reviews have mentioned the pictures (although still great) do not do it justice. This comfy home was more than we could have imagined. Everything from the appliances to the flooring is of highest quality, indoors and out. We are from NYC so our expectations are always a bit too high and this fabulous retreat met and surpassed each one. We did not want to leave! After a long hike closeby we would have wine in the hottub and then relax by the gorgeous fireplace at night. The owners are super sweet and referred us to great restaurants in town as well. We will DEFINITELY be back. Worth every penny!! JUST FABULOUS!!

Owner response:Thank you so much for choosing to stay with us. We enjoyed meeting you both and are so happy that you enjoyed your week's getaway. We do need better pictures, I know!! Look forward to seeing you again soon...

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

What a Great Autumn Getaway!

Guest: Lauren & Nevin
Date of Stay: 10/24/10 Review Submitted: 11/21/10

Thank you so much for the opportunity to experience Woodstock and your beautiful home. We sat in the hot tub and drank coffee both mornings and took in the color of all the leaves and watched some deer passing by. What a great autumn getaway!! We enjoyed going into town and shopping at all the stores and found our way to the Farm Animal Sanctuary. There we heard stories about the rescue of each animal and had a real hands on experience - really cool! From the moment we walked in, to packing up again, we truly enjoyed every moment here. We are already working on scheduling another visit before Christmas. Thanks again..

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This Place is Amazing!

Guest: N & M, Phila. Pa.
Date of Stay: 10/24/10 Review Submitted: 10/25/10

Thank you so much. This place is amazing! We just finished up breakfast after coffees in the hot tub. Exactly the getaway we were looking for! Now we just need to figure out how/where to build our own! But in the meantime, we're already planning our next visit. Hope you are enjoying your time away as much as us!

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Absolutely Gorgeous!

Guest: Mary Ane & Daren, NJ
Date of Stay: 10/10/10 Review Submitted: 10/10/10

An absolutely gorgeous place! Very serene - We had a chance to recharge and enjoy the beautiful fall weather! We would love to come again. Thanks so much Judy.

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So Cozy its Hard to Leave

Guest: Gerral F.
Date of Stay: 10/03/10 Review Submitted: 10/10/10

I enjoyed another restorative stay at "The Gift". The cottage is so cozy and homey that its hard to leave. Thank you Judy, for sharing your home!

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Incredible Tranquility & Beauty 5 min to Woodstock

Guest: The Centeno Bunch
Date of Stay: 08/31/10 Review Submitted: 09/01/10

Thank you for sharing "The Gift" with our family...from the moment we arrived and met July, we felt right at home. The accommodations were incredible from the beautiful kitchen to the steam shower, every comfort and need was covered... and then some... The tranquility of the woods and the beauty of the cottage made our stay so relaxing, which was well appreciated. Our family loved spending time exploring the grounds, chilling our on the screened-in porch and splashing in the hot tub... all within minutes to the village of Woodstock, where we found great music and an awesome swimming hole. The quality time we spent together is invaluable and will be remembered always. We can't wait to come back. Thank YOU!

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This was the First Time I Ever Rented a House !

Guest: Gerral & Nelson "woof"
Date of Stay: 08/20/10 Review Submitted: 08/26/10

I found it on the internet and was a bit apprehensive. I was pleasantly surprised to find the Cottage was everything promised and MORE! We enjoyed leisurely country walks, using the hot tub while deer passed by. We loved eating outside in the rain (thanks to the spacious screened in porch) Judy's warm welcome along with the house's charm helped me feel at home instantly. I can't wait to return!

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Best Week EVER!! In the Top 95% !

Guest: David and Alison
Date of Stay: 08/12/10 Review Submitted: 08/26/10

We have traveled all over the US, Mexico and Canada in the last two years. "The Gift" is certainly in the top 95% of all the vacation homes we have visited. We loved it. It was the perfect rendezvous for two long distance lovers!

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What a Treasure!

Guest: Betty R.
Date of Stay: 08/03/10 Review Submitted: 08/26/10

What a wonderful way to end a two week break. Four nights in a perfect setting! The Woods, the Town, and the house -- what a treasure! From the kitchen to the steam shower to the hot tub - everything was perfect - especially Judy's hospitality. She and Nat thought of everything. Would love to come back and hope to in the near future.

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LUSH WOODLAND- Lovely, Inviting and Comfortable!

Guest: Jeff & Cristin, Marion Indiana
Date of Stay: 07/30/10 Review Submitted: 07/30/10

We've really enjoyed our relaxing visit here - this cottage is lovely, inviting and comfortable. We enjoyed reading on the porch with lush woodland surroundings. The beds were really comfortable too. Thank You!

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BLISSFUL WEEK AND A HALF

Guest: Chrissy, Len, Siena & Hunter
Date of Stay: 07/23/10 Review Submitted: 07/23/10

We have just spent a blissful week and a half at "The Gift". It truly has been a fabulous stay. The kitchen, the gardens and just the ambiance and fabulous mix of antique and modern was perfect! We live in Ft Lauderdale, Fl, but my husband grew up in Woodstock and we will be constructing a small cottage on 11 acres we have up here. Of course, it was great to gather ideas for our cottage as we love what Judy & Nat have created here at "The Gift". Thanks so much!

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Great Stay - Great House!

Guest: Karen
Date of Stay: 07/21/10 Review Submitted: 07/30/10

Judy & Nat couldn't have been more hospitable and eager to please. Love the kitchen and screened i porch. And we had great hikes! I am coming back soon!

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Thinking of the Comforts of all Your Guests!

Guest: Primavera
Date of Stay: 07/05/10 Review Submitted: 07/10/10

Our stay here was full of "Gifts", one detail after the other one - there is nothing I could have thought about and said,...I wish I had - I found everything! Thank you for thinking of the comfort of your guests in every way. Lots of love!

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A Magical Place, Full of "Gifts"!!

Guest: Katie
Date of Stay: 07/05/10 Review Submitted: 07/10/10

This is a magical place. Thank you for "The Gift"! We truly enjoyed our stay and look forward to coming back soon.

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Amazing Backyard Experience!

Guest: The LaMire Family
Date of Stay: 05/31/10 Review Submitted: 05/31/10

We wanted an escape from the city for Memorial Day weekend with relatives who traveled far to be with us. "The Gift" was absolutely perfect. Close to town, but enough away for quiet relaxation. The PERFECT kitchen for cooks - and an amazing backyard experience with BBQ, picnic table, hot-tub, fire-pit and lounge chair for the perfect nap/ And the screened in porch was perfect when the bugs came out. Comfortable and luxurious. Close to everything. Already thinking about coming back! Thank You!

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Guest: The LaMire Family
Date of Stay: 05/28/10 Review Submitted: 05/31/10

We wanted an escape from the city with relatives who traveled far to be with us. "The Gift" was absolutely perfect. Close to town, but enough away for quiet relaxation. The PERFECT kitchen for cooks - an amazing backyard experience with BBQ, picnic table, hot-tub, fire-pit and lounges for the perfect afternoon nap. And the screened porch was perfect when the bugs came out. Comfortable and luxurious. Close to everything - we are already thinking about coming back. Thank you!

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Sun-dappled Moss and the Owl on a Branch

Guest: The Kagans's
Date of Stay: 05/13/10 Review Submitted: 05/31/10

Things I loved: the sun dappled moss filtered through the tress. The owl on a branch watching from the distance - and the silence - What a perfect home in an idyllic setting - what a wonderful weekend! Can't wait to come back. The real treasure of staying in your beautiful cottage was getting to know you!

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Guest: The Kagan's
Date of Stay: 05/13/10 Review Submitted: 05/31/10

"The real treasure of staying in your beautiful cottage was getting to know you! Coming Back for our annual pilgrimage!" Things I loved - the sun-dappled moss filtered through the trees - the owl on a branch watching from the distance - and the silence - what a perfect house - what a wonderful weekend. A wonderful house in a perfect idyllic setting - can't wait to come back -

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Guest: Kit & Will, Kelly & Bill
Date of Stay: 05/02/10 Review Submitted: 05/02/10

As soon as we arrived, the thoughts of city living completely faded away. Your cottage is stunning and we were thrilled when we walked through the door. From the hot tub, to hiking up Indian head Trail, sleeping with a cool spring breeze, snoozing comfortably on the screened porch and laughing around the fire pit - we had a great weekend!

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The "Gift" is Stunning!

Guest: Kit & Will, Kelly & Bill
Date of Stay: 05/02/10 Review Submitted: 05/02/10

As soon as we arrived, the thoughts of city living completely faded away. Your cottage is stunning, we were thrilled when we walked through the door. From the hot tub, to hiking up Indian Head Trail, sleeping with a cool spring breeze, snoozing comfortably on the screened porch and laughing around the fire pit - we had a great weekend!

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Guest: K. Costner
Date of Stay: 04/22/10 Review Submitted: 04/30/10

This is our third time here and each new visit we discover something else that we love about this cottage. I've been here in spring, the winter and the fall and each is so beautiful. It is this only place I stay in Woodstock.

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Guest: Sondra & Adam
Date of Stay: 04/09/10 Review Submitted: 04/30/10

What a weekend! What a home! What an experience! We absolutely enjoyed every second of our being here. We felt so welcome! From relaxing by the stream, to drinking wine on the screened porch, to reading by the warmth of the fireplace, this cottage experience was peaceful and unforgettable. We will surely by back again to enjoy "The Gift" again and everything that Woodstock has to offer.

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What a Weekend!! What a home! What an experience!

Guest: Sondra & Adam
Date of Stay: 04/04/10 Review Submitted: 04/30/10

What a weekend! What a home! What an experience! We absolutely enjoyed every second of our being here. We felt so welcome. From relaxing by the stream, to drinking wine on the screened porch, to reading by the fireplace, this cottage experience was peaceful and unforgettable. We will surely be back again to enjoy everything "The Gift" and Woodstock has to offer.

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Guest: Carmine, Michelle & Nick
Date of Stay: 04/04/10 Review Submitted: 04/30/10

The Cottage is beautiful! From the babbling brook, fireplace, steam shower, hot-tub and the wonderful surroundings. We loved it all. We will definitely be back. Thanks for everything!

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The Babbling Brook, Fireplace, Steam & Hot Tub WOW

Guest: Carmine, Michelle & Nick, New Jersey
Date of Stay: 04/04/10 Review Submitted: 04/04/10

Dear Judy, The Gift Cottage is beautiful! From the babbling brook, the fireplace, steam shower and hot tub and the wonderful surroundings. We loved it all! We will definitely be back again! Thanks for everything.

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Guest: Amy & Wesley
Date of Stay: 03/19/10 Review Submitted: 04/30/10

Thank you so much for offering this amazing cottage! We had such a relaxing time in the hot-tub and the steam shower, not to mention the beautiful setting. We will definitely be back!

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