Location: Ithaca, Cayuga Lake, Finger Lakes, New York, USA (15 Minutes to Ithaca, NY, 15 minutes to Watkins Glen) View Map
Accommodations: House, 5 Bedrooms, 2.5 Baths (Sleeps 10)
Clarke's Cottage on Hidden Pond is a five bedroom, 2 ½ bath farmhouse situated on over 6 acres in a peaceful and very private country setting. The entire interior has been recently renovated with today’s creature comforts.
The fully equipped gourmet kitchen has granite counters, a Viking six burner range top, Subzero refrigerator/freezer and a center island with seating. There are HDTV flat screen televisions with cable in the gathering room and the library, as well as high-speed WIFI throughout the house. The library also has books and games for your use.
Additional first floor rooms are the dining area with a table that seats ten and a 10 foot bay window featuring a view of lawn and trees, a bedroom off of the library, a mudroom, the first floor half bathroom and a laundry room complete with washer, dryer, ironing board and iron.
The second floor features a spacious master suite with a king sized bed, cathedral ceiling and a walk-in closet. This suite has windows on three sides, and a beautiful view of the hidden pond. The attached master bathroom has an oversized whirlpool tub and a very large walk-in shower. From the tub you can look out of the six foot picture window into the treetops of huge maples or gaze at the historic red barn while listening to the birds singing sweetly. The large expanse of granite counter has two sinks and a vanity area.
On this floor you will also find three more bedrooms, one with a king bed, one with a queen and the last with two twin beds. There is also a large hall bathroom with two sinks and a tub/shower combination. Clarke’s Cottage comes furnished with sheets, towels and pillows, as well as some of the most comfortable pillow top mattresses you have ever slept on. The two king-bedded rooms have IPod docking clock radios as well.
Outside – the beautiful vistas of woods and farmland create a peaceful getaway from city life. The large pond is surrounded by trees, creating a private lagoon to enjoy through all seasons. There are picnic tables and lawn chairs surrounding the large firepit. A gas barbeque, volleyball net, croquet set and an inflatable raft are on site for your enjoyment. NEW!! A wonderful 6 person hot tub is now here and open year round!
We love to hear from people interested in renting Clarke's Cottage. Please check our Availability Calendar before submitting a request to make sure that your dates are available.
Due to the intimate nature of our setting, use of this home is limited to registered guests only. We do not allow weddings, parties or functions on this property.
Keywords: Very private, two story, 5 bedrooms, country home on acres, peaceful retreat, swimming pond, modern updates
Vacation Rental Features
- Amenities
- Linens Provided : We provide high thread count cotton sheets, blankets and quilts, feather and hypo-allergenic pillows and luxurious fluffy towels.
- Parking For RV/Boat/Trailer : Large circular driveway can accommodate boat and travel-trailers with no need to back up.
- Washing Machine : New front-loading washer. bright laundry room off of kitchen
- Clothes Dryer : New front-loading dryer
- Air-Conditioning : central a/c
- Parking Off Street
- Beds
- Queen (2) : one queen bedroom upstairs, and a queen bedroom on first floor (off of library), both with plush pillowtop mattresses
- Twin/ Single (2) : yes, even the twin beds have plush comfortable mattresses. two twin beds in this bedroom.
- King (2) : two second floor bedrooms with king beds with plush pillowtop mattresses
- Entertainment
- Jetted Tub : Wonderful oversized whirlpool tub in the master bathroom.
- Hot Tub : Brand new - 6 person hot tub available year round
- Video Library : Blue-ray Dvd player in gathering room
- Satellite Or Cable (2) : TVs have digital, high-def cable.
- DVD
- CD
- Stereo System
- Kitchen
- Full Kitchen : Kitchen features high-end stainless steel appliances including a Viking 6 burner stove and granite counters, as well as an island with additional seating
- Refrigerator : Sub-Zero refrigerator
- Cooking Utensils
- Dish Washer
- Microwave
- Outdoor Features
- Deck/Patio : Large paved patio with picnic tables, gas grill and chairs surrounding the large firepit
- Lanai : Covered porch on north side of house
- Gas/Electric BBQ Grill
- View/Location
- Waterfront, Not Lake/Oceanfront. Ask For Details : Just steps out the back door you will find our Hidden Pond, which allows privacy by way of the tall trees enclosing over half the shoreline. Large enough for swimming and paddling around on the 3 person inflatable raft we supply.
- Ski-Out : Cross-country skiing right out your door.
- Communications
- Broadband Access
- Wireless Broadband
- Telephone
- Free Long Distance
- Other Amenities
- Our serene farmhouse sits on over six acres with the large swimming pond a beautiful focal point. You will enjoy complete privacy and a magnificent view of the rolling countryside from every direction.
- Suitability
- Children Not Allowed : Children are welcomed, but please be aware that there is no gate surrounding the pond, and parents assume all risks of supervising their children. Also, the home is furnished with very nice furniture and oriental rugs, so food must be confined to the kitchen, dining and picnic areas.
- Non Smoking Only : We have a strict no smoking indoors policy, renters are subject to a $500 fee if smoking indoors occurs.
- Minimum Age Limit For Renters : 18 years of age and up.
- Pets Not Allowed
- Activities
- Fitness Center
- Golf
- Cycling
- Boating
- Cross Country Skiing
- Kayaking
- Swimming
- Fishing
- Rafting
- Sailing
- Hunting
- Hiking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Live Theater
- Antiquing
- Horseback Riding
- Restaurants
- Cinemas
- Museums
- Health/Beauty Spa
- Miniature Golf
- Snowmobiling
- Sight Seeing
- Hot Air Ballooning
- Shopping
- Other Activities
- There are over 100 wineries in this area, open to the public, and more than 150 waterfalls to visit, many located in state parks with public swimming spots and hiking trails. The Finger Lakes National Forest is nearby for a more natural experience.
Rate Details (In US Dollars)
April-Oct: $425-$575/night (3 night minimum) Nov-March: $325-$450/night (3 night minimum) Plus Tax Special Events, Graduation Weekends and Holidays may be subject to higher rates.
Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.
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Credit Cards Accepted:
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Map & Owner's Profile
Year Purchased: 2008
Why the Owner Chose IthacaThis area of upstate NY is known as the Finger Lakes region, and its micro climate gives us milder winters and much less humid summers than other parts of the state. It also makes for a wonderful place for growing grapes. We are surrounded by wineries and vineyards, sandwiched between the Cayuga Wine Trail and the Seneca Lake Wine Trail. We have sparkling lakes, over a hundred waterfalls, parks, farmland, forests, quaint villages and small cities. Although we are within a half day's drive from many large cities, we are a world away from the bustle and crowds. Clarke's Cottage is 15 minutes from Ithaca, where Cornell University and Ithaca College bring culture and a vibrant atmosphere. Restaurant choices abound here, including several who specialize in featuring the bounty of the region's local farms. The charming city of Watkins Glen is also 15 minutes away, with a park along the shores of Seneca Lake, The Glen racetrack, and the not-to-be-missed Watkins Glen State Park. The stunning beauty of this area is apparent through all four seasons, and you can be as active or as relaxed as you choose.
The Unique Benefits at this HouseThis is not your typical casual vacation property. We purchased this house as our future home when we retire, and all of the renovation work and upgrades reflect the luxury, comfort and quality we want to live with in the distant future. From the ultra-comfortable beds to the fabric wrapped walls of the library, you will find serenity in each room of this home. Large picture windows take the place of artwork, with spectacular views in every direction. The true selling point for us when we found this house was the pond and the land. Trees wrap around the bank of the pond, giving it a very secluded feel. A future guest once asked how many people the pond could fit for swimming, and I estimated at least 40 to 50. It also makes a picturesque backdrop for the hot tub and fire pit. We hope you enjoy your stay at Clarke's Cottage and we look forward to pampering you!
Beautiful gorges, waterfalls and hiking trails. A not-to-miss destination!
Highest single-drop waterfall northeast of the Rockie Mountains, higher than Niagara Falls. Hiking trails along the gorge rim as well as a 3/4 mile long wide, easy trail at the bottom of the gorge th
A public state park on the shores of Cayuga Lake with picnic tables, a swimming beach, and a marina.
Owner's Map of Ithaca
Mitch and I moved from Colorado to the beautiful Finger Lakes region to begin another phase of our life together and to be closer to my parents as they are getting older. I grew up in the Buffalo area and Mitch came from the east coast originally, so this was a "coming back to our roots" move. After several years of searching in three different states, when we found the Finger Lakes we knew this was the place we had always dreamed of. Our love of water sports, lush green forests and a desire for the peaceful country life made Trumansburg an ideal choice. We found a wonderful historic mansion which we renovated into the Halsey House, a luxury bed and breakfast and we never looked back. Mitch and I are avid animal lovers, with six exotic parrots and our beloved rescue dog Tess. Renovating these splendid old houses has become our passion and Mitch is certainly developing his woodworking and cabinetmaking skills here. Someday I hope to get back to my hobby of making quilts, if I could only find the time. When we have the opportunity for a vacation, you will most likely find us in the Caribbean scuba diving.
Property Photos
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- roaring fire by the Hidden Pond
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- hot tub and fire pit overlooking Hidden Pond
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- gourmet kitchen fits four cooks!
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- Clarke's Cottage from the north lawn
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- Master bath
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- Master bedroom
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- Gathering room with large screen HDTV
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- pub-height dining table, open to kitchen and gathering room
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- green bedroom, king bed
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- Skylight room - queen bed
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- Viking cooktop
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- Library
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- master bath
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- Early June morning on the pond, looking out on the countryside
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- Covered porch, looking north
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- view from the back yard, looking away from the pond
Traveler Reviews (19)
Great Getaway
Guest: Melissa
Date of Stay: 10/13/11
Review Submitted: 10/24/11
I took a group of 9 girlfriends up to the Fingerlakes from NYC to get away for the weekend and we had a fantastic time! The house is very comfortable and spacious and the owners were gracious and helpful. The majority of our 3 day stay was filled with rain, but when it did let up, we were able to visit Watkins Glen Gorge - very highly recommended - and spend a day visiting wineries. When it was raining, we watched movies and played games in the house. We also prepared a majority of our meals at the house. The local grocery store had everything we needed and the kitchen was stocked with all the cooking and baking supplies we could possible need. During our visit, I think we caught the peak of the color change and everywhere we went, the views were just breath taking. I'd love to take this trip over and over and over. Maybe without the rain next time.
Recommended for:
Hidden Gem
Guest: Gar
(Fort Lee, NJ)
Date of Stay: 09/29/11
Review Submitted: 10/05/11
This house is special. My wife and I was up in Ithaca (Cornell) with friends and this house truly made this trip. The house has a fully renovated interior. Interior is elegant... Open kitchen and dining area. Master bedroom/master bathroom is divine. This house is halfway between Ithaca and Watkins Glen. A little hard to find but the fact that it is in a remote place is actually a good thing. The fields next to and behind the house had apple trees and a pear tree (which we had the joy of picking from). There is a fire pit next to the pond where we all gathered around and toasted marshmallows. There is also a gas grill to bbq from. Truly a magnificent setting with great amenities. I would highly recommend this place to anyone! You will not be disappointed.
Recommended for:Romantic getaway, adventure seekers, age 55+, families with young children, sightseeing.
A very nice stay
Guest: Kimberley C.
Date of Stay: 08/29/11
Review Submitted: 09/04/11
We had the opportunity to stay at Clarke's cottage for three nights and found it a very relaxing and comfortable place to stay. The home is on a nice piece of property in a quiet country setting. It was immaculately clean on our arrival and is beautifully appointed. We loved having a kitchen to prepare picnic lunches and dinners at 'home' versus dragging our kids out to restaurants for each meal-a trial we were glad to avoid! Soaking in the jacuzzi at the end of the day was also a nice treat. Overall, we were very pleased with the house and would recommend it to others planning a trip to the Finger Lakes region.
Recommended for:Girls getaway, age 55+, families with young children, people with disabilities, sightseeing, families with teenagers.
Beautiful Setting
Guest: Traveler
(Pennsylvania)
Date of Stay: 08/05/11
Review Submitted: 09/03/11
We rented this for a wedding in the area. We had people coming from many different parts of the country and we met here. This was a very pleasant experience. The kitchen was wonderful and the rooms were very nice. The only improvement is that the first floor needs a complete bath and not half bath since there is a bedroom on the first floor. We had elder people with us who needed to climb the stars for baths/showers. Otherwise this was a very nice and this is a great place for a family get-together. This is a beautiful home and it very quiet. Thank you for a wonderful stay. I would not hesitate to say here again. The guys enjoyed the big screen tv!!!
Recommended for:Romantic getaway, tourists without a car, girls getaway, sightseeing.
Clarke's Cottage on Hidden Lake - Awesome!!
Guest: Don
(Simi Valley, CA, USA)
Date of Stay: 08/12/11
Review Submitted: 08/28/11
The cottage is in immaculate condition and is extremely comfortable. The owners are delightful and very helpful. We had a group of six for the weekend and everyone raved about how nice it was. Kitchen is fully stocked with all the dishes, pans, etc you could want. Lots of cooking options and a large area for preparation. Sitting areas are very comfortable. Large television, DVD player and DVDs! Bedrooms were all very comfortable. Master bedroom is hugh and the master bath is very well done. If you find your way to the Finger Lakes region, this is a must stay place.
Recommended for:Romantic getaway, girls getaway, age 55+, families with young children, sightseeing, families with teenagers.
Beautiful, comfy home
Guest: Maria S.
Date of Stay: 07/28/11
Review Submitted: 08/08/11
We just returned from our stay at this wonderful cottage. We had a large group - three families with a total of seven small children - and this house provided more than enough space for us all. The furnishings look just as pictured, and the house was immaculate for our arrival. The master bedroom is enormous, and the other bedrooms had enough extra space for air mattresses and pack-n-plays. We were even able to use the large closet in the master bedroom as a "bedroom" for our 2 year old in his pack-n-play! The yard is also lovely - the kids had a great time running around and flying kites. The pond was a bit of an issue for our 2 year old who really wanted to run into the water, but the older kids were fine. We used the fire pit to roast marshmallows each night, and were grateful for the firewood provided. The kitchen was beautiful, and we were able to prepare our meals there (great stove, by the way) with all the tools we could ever need. Mitch and KC were wonderful to deal with, and they obviously take great pride in their cottage.
Recommended for:Romantic getaway, girls getaway, age 55+, families with young children, families with teenagers.
July 21-27, 2011
Guest: Linda
(Fairport, NY)
Date of Stay: 07/21/11
Review Submitted: 08/01/11
If you are looking for a vacation rental in the Finger Lakes for a large family or group, look no further. Clarke's Cottage is the ideal location for relaxation and wholesome family fun. This immaculate house is surrounded by beautiful countryside and comes complete with every amenity to make you feel pampered. One of the reasons my husband and I decided to rent the house for our family of nine is because KC and Mitch are the proprietors of a popular bed and breakfast in Trumansburg. We were confident that the hospitality and attention to detail that is required in that business would transfer over to this rental property and we were not disappointed in the least. They were readily available to answer questions before the trip and were very quick to help us on the first night when we had a slight problem with the hot water. They fully refunded our security deposit even after their 6-person raft blew away during a rainstorm while we were in Ithaca. This beautiful home is far from being a cottage with the exquisite decor, pillow top mattresses, central air and first floor laundry. Our seven children range in age from 20 to 3 and everyone was equally enchanted with our choice of vacation rental home. The college girls enjoyed feeling pampered with the plush decor, hot tub, and Jacuzzi bath tub. They were also quite happy to be able to stay connected to their friends using the Wi-Fi. Our teenage son, who ended up getting sick, took over the library since he was sleeping in the downstairs bedroom. He greatly enjoyed the privacy of having his own suite with cable TV. Our younger sons had a wonderful time playing outside, flying kites, swimming and paddling on the pond, roasting marshmallows, setting off rockets, and playing with glow sticks in the dark. The yard is awesome. We set out to make memories and I will forever remember giving the three youngest a bath in the Jacquzzi tub and how many bubbles the shampoo generated in the soft water! We hiked Watkins Glen, the Cornell Plantations, and Robert Treman parks, visited the Museum of the Earth in Ithaca, and ate out a few times. Because three of us were sick, we didn't get to do as much as I had hoped, but the house provided enough entertainment on its own. We did a big shopping trip on the first night at Wegmans in Ithaca and cooked all but three of the meals at the cottage. Fruit smoothies with the blender and homemade waffles were big hits. We left feeling refreshed, relaxed, and rested.
Recommended for:Romantic getaway, adventure seekers, girls getaway, age 55+, families with young children, sightseeing, families with teenagers.
Amazing place for all ages!
Guest: cari g.
Date of Stay: 06/17/11
Review Submitted: 07/19/11
Let me start off by saying we really didn't want to leave! The house is beautiful and was exactly as described- right down to condiments in the kitchen! The linens, pillows, and mattresses were amazingly comfortable (and I was 7 months pregnant when we stayed, so that's definitely saying something!) Our group had 5 adults and 4 children that ranged in age from 1 to 6 years old. We truly couldn't have picked a better home base for all of our activities. Ithaca has some amazing kid friendly activities (science center was a hit) and the bird lovers in the group really enjoyed heading off to hike at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. We also hit a bunch of state parks (Robert H. Treman State Park was like something out of a Tolkien novel) and visited Farm Sanctuary in Watkins Glen. The best part? Coming "home" to Clarke's Cottage. We ate in for every meal (Viking range was awesome!), told ghost stories with smores around the firepit, and wore the kids out running and rolling around the hill out front, when we weren't taking them out on the pond in the kayaks we brought. After putting them to bed, it was hot tub time under the stars for the adults. Luxurious! One of the really big pluses to this house for us included how the library and bedroom downstairs could be closed off, so that became a separate suite for the couple without kids in our group. Another thing we loved were the large capacity washer/dryer- a big bonus in a house of kids. Towels and linens were more than plentiful and while everything was lovely in the house, nothing felt too formal or hands off. Mitch was very welcoming and the binder of general house info was very helpful. Overall, we would definitely stay here again- except next time we're going to need at least 2 weeks!
Recommended for:Romantic getaway, adventure seekers, girls getaway, age 55+, families with young children, sightseeing, families with teenagers.
Lovely
Guest: Jessica L.
Date of Stay: 06/24/11
Review Submitted: 07/11/11
We live near the cottage, but selected it as the place to stay with our out-of-town guests on the weekend of our (local) wedding. It was really lovely, KC and Mitch were friendly and helpful. The decor is beautiful, especially the master suite and downstairs library. We did not realize that one of the bedrooms had two twin beds (rather than a full/king/queen), and you should be okay with paying attention to the rulebook. Also, don't forget to admire the ducks.
Owner response:Thank you Jessica, and the best of luck to you in your new married life! You bring up a good point, it is best if viewers of the Clarke's Cottage listing read through the information we have provided to make sure what we offer suits your needs. Our bedroom configuration is listed, two with a king bed, two with a queen bed and one with two twin beds, for a total of five bedrooms. As for the ducks, well, you will just have to come stay at Clarke's Cottage to see what they are all about! KC Christopher
Recommended for:Romantic getaway, girls getaway, sightseeing, families with teenagers.
Amazing Place!
Guest: Anne
(Long Island, NY)
Date of Stay: 04/29/11
Review Submitted: 05/10/11
My husband and I rented this house for our first vacation with both sets of parents, and we could not have asked for a better place! It was perfectly located near the vineyards (we were there for the Cayuga Lake Wine and Herb Festival), yet close enough to Ithaca to be able to go to the store when needed. The kitchen was absolutely amazing and that, plus the dining room, allowed us to save money and spend more time together over dinners at the house. There was plenty of room (2 living rooms!) so people could get as much space as they needed. The entire house was immaculate and had everything you could think of needing. We can't wait to come back!
Recommended for:Romantic getaway, adventure seekers, girls getaway, age 55+, families with young children, sightseeing, families with teenagers.
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Vacation Rentals by Owner Listing #277596
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