Vacation Rentals by Owner

Akron Friends

Guest: Akron Friends (Akron)
Date of Stay: 10/14/11 Review Submitted: 10/17/11

We have lost track of how many visits we have made to the cottage. Once again we had a wonderful time. We have hit every season. Each season holds its own beauty. Each visit has been perfect. The fall foliage was very scenic on our last visit. The pond is so relaxing whether sitting outside, in the sun room or from the kitchen table. Tom and Mary are truly wonderful hosts. This is our favorite "Getaway" spot. We hope to return for many more visits.

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

Beautiful Inside & Out

Guest: Suzie (Kettering, Ohio)
Date of Stay: 07/30/11 Review Submitted: 08/11/11

My husband & I stayed at the cottage with our 11 & 12 yr. old grandsons from 7/30 to 8/2/11. The cottage is decorated beautifully and everything is provided exept for food. We loved the seclusion and peace and quiet. My husband and the boys loved the fishing! Would definitely stay at this property again, fall would be beautiful. Thanks Tom & Mary for a nice little get-a-way!

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

We're still talking about it

Guest: Janelle (NE Ohio)
Date of Stay: 07/27/11 Review Submitted: 09/02/11

It's been a month since we stayed at the cottage and we're all still talking about it. Our family had such a relaxing and fun time! We needed some quality time together before the hectic schedule of school and sports started. It was perfect. The cottage was clean and comfortable - we felt right at home from the moment we arrived. We had a great time exploring Mohican State Park. We hiked, played in the river and swam at a local lake. But we had just as much fun hanging out at the cottage. The kids loved fishing and going out on the paddle boat and having campfires each evening. Even the afternoon that it rained, we enjoyed playing board games and hide and seek in the spacious cottage. We've already recommended this place to family and friends of ours. The kids can't wait to go back, but I think the next visit will be a couples weekend!

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

Perfect!

Guest: The May's (Buffalo, NY)
Date of Stay: 07/03/11 Review Submitted: 07/11/11

We just returned from a week at Pond Mist and could not be more happy with the experience. We arrived on a Sunday afternoon to a very clean and well kept cottage, soothing music and a private pond for our use. The home was very cozy and reminded me of when I would visit my grandparents as a boy. The fishing was great all week and Tom and Mary were very gracious hosts and even better people. The cottage provides you everything you need to be at home and is so much better than a hotel. We cannot say enough good things about the property and hope that everyone has the same opportunity to enjoy Pond MIst Cottage as we did. We look forward to our next visit!

Owner response:What this guest didn't mention was their stay last year at a cabin in upstate New York which cost over twice as much as Pond Mist Cottage and wasn't nearly as nice! Besides being a great venue for family getaways, reunions, and a very romantic and private setting, the Cottage is a great value. We hope to see you soon at Pond Mist Cottage!

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

Family Gathering

Guest: Dennis/Linda (Traverse City, Michigan)
Date of Stay: 06/24/11 Review Submitted: 07/03/11

What a peaceful cottage for a family that wanted family time without a lot of distractions. We loved fishing in the pond, paddle boating on the pond, playing ball in the large yard in, roasting marshmallows over the campfire, biking on a nearby trail and relaxing in the beatifully decorated and clean cottage. It was more than we expected. The cottage greeted us with open arms, beautiful music and a nice bottle of wine. There was plenty of space for 6 aduts and 3 young boys. We would recommend visiting the Mohican State Park's gourge overlook and covered bridge, the Malabar Farm and Restaurant, The Kingwood Center and gardens in Mansfield and the nearby Amish country. But, what really enjoyed the most was the cottage, the pond and the time together. The cousins said they loved "fishing". Tom and Mary are great to work with and were ready to answer any questions we had and offer suggestions when needed. We felt very comfortable and welcome. We would go back for another visit.

Owner response:Pond Mist Cottage offers a rare combination of privacy with lots of space to enjoy time with the family, fish on the pond, or just "hang out" and relax! The Cottage is close to lots of great outdoor activities, yet offers the seclusion that is so desirable whether escaping a crowded city or just enjoying a change of scenery. It's a perfect "laid-back" retreat from the pace of day-to-day living!

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

Bugs, poison scare, extremely musty, misleading owners and pictures

Guest: Lisa (D.C. area)
Date of Stay: 05/28/11 Review Submitted: 06/19/11

We are reasonable, not expecting perfection, but the pictures and description are misleading. We arrived late and prepared for bed but the "family room" with the twin beds is really a basement room with a very damp feeling, stairs that are unfinished wooden planks, dated & dirty looking paneling, a ceiling with a large hole and a door with terribly rotted wood and what appeared to be a hole to the outside (not sure) allowing who knows what to crawl in, wet feeling bedding and an overpowering musty smell, which was not masked by the multiple air fresheners left about. Uneasy about the space, we dragged the mattresses up the steep stairs for use. As we prepared the sofa bed, I noticed a large, thick spider. We found many more of its friends- hard to put our kids at ease for sleep. We also found ants everywhere, esp the kitchen (on counters, cabinets, table.) Early the next morning, I noticed our dog had chewed something- a poison ant bait station. The owner stated we could give our dog hydrogen peroxide to make her throw up. To be safe, we called our vet who said we should call the SPCA poison control hotline which we did and who charged a $65 fee. Luckily our puppy was fine, but I was frustrated in the negligence of the owner to leave poison where our pet and young children could find it. I requested the owner cover the poison control fee. He said he would (untrue) as on our return home decided that because we followed the advice of our vet (and incurred a $65 fee) over his untrained advice, they would only pay half. Expressing my frustration with all of the the bugs, poison scare and not suitable for sleep "family room," the owner stated "well, we all have different expectations." At the beginning of our stay, my husband spoke with the owner who agreed to provide one night's refund (untrue) plus the poison control call fee (untrue). As there were 5 of us and a dog on a holiday weekend it would have been impossible to find another rental. So we agreed to stay, making due. Despite some newer furniture & nice outdoors, this is a dated shell of a home (bugs, peeling wallpaper, lifting vinyl floor, ugly carpeting.) Also, we knew there was no wi-fi, but prepare for no long distance, no cell service (ensuring a 20 min drive for non-local calls.) Finally home, we requested our promised refund, but they said that because we had stayed they would only provide a half refund supposedly within 10 days. To date (12 days later), no refund...no surprise.

Owner response:After sixty (60) previous happy and satisfied guests, of which more than a few were repeat visitors, and sixteen (16) 5-star reviews, we are at a loss to explain this review. Here are a few comments from our previous reviews: "This is the nicest cottage my husband and I have stayed at and we usually rent a cottage for vacation and have experience trying to find nice digs. The pictures in the listing do not do it justice..".."The cottage very clean, comfortable bed/furniture and is beautifully decorated. Walking through the door you feel instantly relaxed.".."We love this place. Very comfortable furnishings that make it feel like a home away from home.".."This is the nicest cottage I have ever rented. The furniture is just beautiful and the beds are so comfortable!".."The cottage was so very clean, and the designer touches were appreciated without taking away from the feel of a "cottage". .” The sunroom is incredible - so comfortable & cozy, and the view - WOW!".."The cottage is absolutely beautiful! It is better than the photos can show. The entire cottage is immaculate. The furnishings have a designers touch and are all new."..Many more compliments can be found in the Cottage journal. Upon learning of the guest's complaints, we immediately 1) Removed all ant traps, 2) Offered a rental refund if the guest decided to depart early, 3) Offered to prepare and deliver a dinner for the entire family, 4) Offered to contact our veterinarian 5) Acknowledged the request for a refund of the SPCA call. We could not justify a rental refund when the guest did not depart early, although, as a courtesy, we have issued a partial refund for the SPCA call. We do make it known to guests that there is local telephone service only, which provides for receiving long-distance calls and making emergency calls. And most often, a short walk away from the Cottage, or at most, a two-minute drive will find cell service. We would like to thank the guest for identifying cosmetic issues that could be improved, and have since been addressed to create additional comfort. To future guests: rest assured that we will do everything possible to make your stay a relaxing and comfortable one, as we have done from our opening in October of 2009, an effort that has been rewarded by many repeat visits, and recognized by our guests time and time again. We truly look forward to having you stay with us at Pond Mist Cottage.

Recommended for:

Let the Outdoors In

Guest: Zeke/Amy (Columbus, OH)
Date of Stay: 05/26/11 Review Submitted: 06/03/11

Our stay was in late May for two evenings. The moment we walked in Pond Mist we felt good. We both turned to look at each other and just smiled. The atmosphere was warm and inviting with special contemporary touches and all the windows made each and every room open and airy. We especially enjoyed all the different seating areas and greatly appreciated the wonderful bottle of California wine strategically placed in the living room. The bed was most comfortable and the bath very accommodating with nice linens and a washer and dryer. The only complaints we have coming from the big city was that the wonderful singing birds were too loud as was the beautiful waterfall. Just having fun with you of course. Our next visit we hope will be this fall. Our dog, Mr. Higgins, was in heaven and we were so proud he was on his very best behavior.

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

Absolutely beautiful

Guest: Betzi (Cleveland Heights, OH)
Date of Stay: 05/15/11 Review Submitted: 05/26/11

This is the nicest cottage my husband and I have stayed at and we usually rent a cottage for vacation and have experience trying to find nice digs. The pictures in the listing do not do it justice - it really is nice down to the cashmere throw blanket to the silk curtains. Very pretty and upscale without feeling stuffy or uncomfortable. It's in a nice location with lots of hiking and other outdoor activities around and near a few quaint small towns to do some antiquing when it rains. Tom and Mary really went out of their way to make our stay a great one. Highly recommended! Thanks Tom and Mary!

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

Cool Place that can satisfy multiple vacation needs

Guest: Rick M. (Johnson City, TN)
Date of Stay: 03/19/11 Review Submitted: 03/26/11

We just returned from Pond Mist Cottage and had a marvelous stay. Our children(boys ages 9,11 and 13 and girl 15) enjoyed the peddle boat and fishing in the pond. The kids enjoyed the bingo and Monopoly games too.My wife and me like the cottage layout and amenities. All of us left feeling relaxed and satisfied with our destination choice. The Spaydes are excellent hosts and made us feel very welcome. If you want a great vacation in the hills of central Ohio, this is your place. I'd recommend Pond Mist Cottage to anyone.

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

Akron Friends

Guest: Akron Friends (Akron)
Date of Stay: 02/11/11 Review Submitted: 02/13/11

This was our 4th or 5th time at the cottage. We have stayed in many places but this has to be our all time favorite spot to stay. Tom and Mary are awesome hosts! The cottage very clean, comfortable bed/furniture and is beautifully decorated. Walking through the door you feel instantly relaxed. With the beautiful pond and waterfall just outside the sunroom. How could you not feel instant relaxation with the beauty of the scenery surrounding this cottage? Whether sitting in the sun room (my favorite), the living room with the fireplace, outside on the patio grilling or by the outside fire in the evening by the pond it is the the perfect getaway. Very private surroundings. Great for a romantic weekend. Our last stay was Valentines weekend. It was the perfect romantic getaway. We did not want to leave. Tom and Mary have thought of everything to make this a place you will want to return again and again. Very reasonably priced and close to many area things to see and do. Once at the cottage we have never want to leave to do anything. We just want to enjoy the quiet and beauty of Pond Mist Cottage. In the summer it is awesome to see the mist on the pond in the morning. The fall brings the beautly of the leaves changing. The winter cold forms beautiful ice on the waterfall. We cannot wait to return. Tom and Mary thank you for sharing your wonderful cottage with us. We are already planning our next visit to the cottage. By the way Tom, no..... Joe did not write this. I never realized that he did not post a review so I just had to. J & D from Akron.

Owner response:J & D have truly captured the essence of Pond Mist Cottage an described why guest want to return again and again.

Recommended for:Age 55+, romantic getaway.

Loved Pond Mist Cottage

Guest: Paul (Cincinnati suburb)
Date of Stay: 10/04/10 Review Submitted: 11/03/11

We stayed at Pond Mist in October of 2010 for our anniversary and found it to be a great experience. We visited Mohican Lodge and Malabar Farm nearby, sitting at the very same table that Bogart and Bacall had their wedding dinner in the 40's. We just saw Lisa from D.C (5/2011) go to great lengths to knock Pond Mist in her review we felt we had to say something. Our 10 year old Chihuahua would like a word with her dog, Lisa is obviously used to the raucous and intimidating area of our nation's capital but it doesn't work out here in the midwest. My wife and I, and our dog, had a nice time at Pond Mist, and caught a few fish too. The down side was watching the Reds lose all three play-off games, one being a no-hitter.OUCH! But they're better than the Washington Nationals.

Recommended for:Age 55+, romantic getaway.

Great getaway

Guest: Jeff (NE Ohio)
Date of Stay: 08/13/10 Review Submitted: 02/12/11

With the waterfall as a soundtrack to a relaxing weekend of reading, hanging out by the fireplace and a little fishing. We love this place. Very comfortable furnishings that make it feel like a home away from home.

Owner response:Jeff and his family have stayed with us twice and have had great family get-aways. Pond Mist Cottage has everything you need for your family vacation!

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

A perfect place for a true vacation!

Guest: Carrot top (Macon, GA)
Date of Stay: 07/23/10 Review Submitted: 08/01/10

We stayed a week at the cottage and did NOT want to leave! This is the nicest cottage I have ever rented. The furniture is just beautiful and the beds are so comfortable! The linens and blankets are nicer than I have at home! There is a pond right outside with a great paddle boat. My boys loved it and used it every day. It was also easy enough for my mom to use. This place is so peaceful...it truly is wonderful. I am already planning my trip for next year. Tom and Mary are wonderful owners....right around the corner if you need them. Enjoy!

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

Magnificent Place! I want to go back SOON!

Guest: David (Columbus, OH)
Date of Stay: 07/16/10 Review Submitted: 08/02/10

The Pond Mist Cottage is without a doubt one of the most romantic places I have ever stayed. The privacy is unmatched and a great place for a couple rekindling their love! The cottage is large enough to feel like you are at home, but small enough to be cozy and charming. Mary and Tom have the place in tip-top shape and extremely clean. Everything from the furniture, to the kitchen items, to the incredibly comfortable bed are first rate. Although you are close to good restaurants (I highly recommend the Malabar Inn Restaurant and Skyway East) and nearby activities, you feel like you are hundreds of miles away from anyone - it truly is the best of both worlds. I can't say enough about the communication with the owners before hand and how they were willing to answer every question imaginable. Although we didn't meet the owners because they gave us absolute privacy, it is easy to tell they have the utmost concern for your needs and would do anything to make your stay pleasant. Little touches, like the music on when you arrive, placing the fire starter and candles out for you, and writing you a personal note, quickly make you feel welcomed and aware that your stay is going to be a special treat. The scenic pond and relaxing waterfall add to a magnificent property. Although there are plenty of trees, there is a great opening to the sky in the yard to lay under the stars on a blanket for more romance! My girlfriend and I only stayed two nights, which isn't nearly enough. We are already talking about renting the place for a week - we can't wait to go back!

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

Nice vacation for 2 legged and 4 legged creatures

Guest: Papillon handler (Newton Falls, OH)
Date of Stay: 07/08/10 Review Submitted: 07/25/10

Finding good accomodations that allow pets is very difficult. Sometimes you have to give up alot to take them along. Not so at Pond Mist Cottage. Everything was first rate. Tom and Mary will take care of all your needs. If you have any type of question they will find the answer. They even looked up something on line for us and got back to us ASAP. We will be going back and we have recommended them to friends.

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

Beautiful,peaceful,serene getwaway

Guest: Cindy (Maumee Ohio)
Date of Stay: 06/12/10 Review Submitted: 08/18/10

WOW, is how I will start this email. The house was absolutely beautiful, Mary and Tim did an awesome job decorating. If you happen to forget anything, it will probably be in the house. If you like to fishing you won't have to go any farther than the backyard, the fish were biting like crazy(but please put them back so I can catch them again the next time we visit). On a nice night you can leave the bedroom windows open and fall asleep listening to the waterfall. The house is very secluded but close enough to all activities in the area. The best part for us was being able to take our 4 legged child with us, he had a blast riding around the pond in the paddleboat. I would and have recommended this house to couples and even small families. We definetly will be returning. Thanks again Mary and Tom for sharing your little piece of heaven with us! Cindy, Chuck and Yoda too

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

Relaxing stay

Guest: quiet getaway (Delaware, Ohio)
Date of Stay: 05/01/10 Review Submitted: 06/01/10

I had a wonderful stay at the cottage. It was a perfect spring weekend so nearby hiking included Mohican and Malabar Farms. The cottage was immaculate and Tom and Mary were so helpful. It was incredibly relaxing to sit on the sun porch and read. Grilling out and sitting by the firepit made the evening so enjoyable. I was particularly pleased that I was able to bring my beagle. I am very much looking forward to returning to the cottage in the fall. I know it will be absolutely beautiful as the leaves change colors!!

Recommended for:Pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Cell Phone Coverage

Guest: A Grateful Family (Cleveland, Ohio)
Date of Stay: 04/06/10 Review Submitted: 04/15/10

In addition to my review I do want to add that my Sprint Cell Phone Coverage worked great, but my husband has AT&T and he wasn't able to use his phone.

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

Beautiful.

Guest: A Grateful Family (Cleveland, Ohio)
Date of Stay: 04/06/10 Review Submitted: 04/15/10

When we drove up to the cottage, we couldn't believe how beautiful the surroundings were - the pictures on the website aren't able to capture how great it is. My husband and I stayed at Pond Mist Cottage with our two children and two dogs. The paddleboating was a big hit with the kids, and the dogs had fun playing with the geese. The pond, waterfall, and creek were my favorite part. I haven't seen my husband so relaxed in a long time. We enjoyed the fire pit and all the fireplaces. The satellite TV was great for when the sun went down. The cottage was so very clean, and the designer touches were appreciated without taking away from the feel of a "cottage". My family had a wonderful time. We will definitely be back.

Owner response:Pond Mist Cottage is the perfect place for a family to get away from the house and truly have quality time together. It's a great setting that allows the family to relax and enjoy each others company, private enough for everybody to have their own "space". And with so much to see and do in the area, there's plenty to keep the kids busy and entertain the parents as well.

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

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 01/26/10 Review Submitted: 01/26/10

I recently stated at the cottage over the New Year's holiday. I concur with all the others' comments. The cottage makes a prefect getaway. My favorite place in the cottage was the sun porch. I looks out on to the pond. It is the best place to enjoy a morning cup of coffee. The cottage is close to areas for skiing and hiking. I must say that Mary and Tom are great hosts. I was most impressed with their hospitality and their attention to detail. They also did a great job communicating with me. Their responses to my emails were exceptional. There was also a wonderful surprise bottle of wine waiting at the cottage for our arrival. I highly recommend the Pond Mist Cottage

Owner response:Here's a perfect example of how our central location makes a big difference. Two guests wanting a location for a college classmate reunion, one coming from Pennsylvania and the other from Indiana. It's a great place to re-connect.

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Guest: Stan & Ann
Date of Stay: 12/17/09 Review Submitted: 12/16/09

From the Cottage journal on 11/08/09: Thank You! We had a perfect weekend. The cottage is just wonderful. We both said we could easily live here. Everything is awesome - the furniture, the bed, the bath, the fireplace. The sunroom is incredible - so comfortable & cozy, and the view - WOW! The setting is priceless - trees and pond - beautiful. Had some good hikes - saw deer, turkey, squirrel, AND an owl! We plan to come back.

Recommended for:

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Guest: Jessie8 (Cincinnati, OH)
Date of Stay: 12/02/09 Review Submitted: 12/02/09

The cottage is absolutely beautiful! It is better than the photos can show. The entire cottage is immaculate. The furnishings have a designers touch and are all new. The setting is gorgeous and very relaxing. The owners provide everything you need and even had coffee in the cupboard for us. In our experience, only Verizon mobile phones had reception at the cottage. There is a house phone allowing local calls. Bring a calling card for long distance calls, and you will be set. We loved our time at Pond Mist Cottage.

Owner response:This guest used the Cottage as a home base while visiting with family over Thanksgiving. With plenty of room, charm, and all the amenities,the Cottage provides that "home away from home" feeling and a great location for family get-togethers.

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BEAUTIFUL SETTING! WONDERFUL OWNERS!! RELAXING!! GORGEOUS IN THE FALL!!

Guest: Two Bassets (columbus,ohio)
Date of Stay: 10/16/09 Review Submitted: 04/02/10

My family and I (and our two dogs!) stayed at Pond Mist Cottage in mid-October for a long fall weekend. Tom and Mary were very welcoming and quite accomadating. They worked hard to meet our needs and bent over backwards to make us happy. The kids had a wonderful time as we went apple-picking at a nearby orchard, horseback riding, and visited Mohican lodge. The huge adjacent yard provided ample room for the kids and the dogs to play. The property overlooks a beautiful pond and is nestled off the main road but still has easy access to all the area attrations. We enjoyed the fireplace inside when it got cool, and they even had a fire pit outside on the patio if you wanted to roast marshmellows! The girls enjoyed the books that were there and Mary even had a little gift waiting for them upon our arrival! The kitchen was great for making a homecooked meal and the sun room off the living room provided a wonderful view of the property! We certainly hope to make it back in 2010!

Owner response:We strive to provide the best guest experience possible, and pay attention to all the details that make for a perfect and memorable stay. At Pond Mist Cottage, you'll be inspired by the beautiful natural surroundings, charmed by the coziness and comfort inside, and treated as valued "guests", deserving of every consideration from your initial inquiry through your entire stay. We'll do everything possible to make your visit the first of many more!

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