Vacation Rentals by Owner

Serenity Stone Cottage on 5 Beautiful Acres in a Historic Town [#298860] | View Property

Shelburne Falls
Cottage, 3 Bedrooms + Loft, 2 Baths, (Sleeps 7)
$126 - $154 per night (USD)
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Traveler Reviews (22)

• Mr. & Mrs.

  Mr. & Mrs.

  • Guest Gary
  • Date of stay 10/06/12
  • Review Submitted 10/15/12
  Owner was easy to communicate with and responded immediately regarding any issues. Cottage was very clean and comfortable. Great pots and pans other amenities were excellent. Master bedroom was great; other bedrooms are best suited for children or young adults. Great place to stay if you want to unwind, relax and spend quality time with those you bring with you into the cottage. The owner has done an outstanding job giving directions to the cottage and things to do and places to go around the area. Spending time in the cottage was like going back in time, don't expect anything fancy.

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

  Owner response: Thanks Gary, it was a pleasure hosting your stay! I'd like to share some comments that you and your wife were kind enough to leave in our Guest Book: "I am so pleased that we found the Serenity Stone Cottage, and the week we spent here with my mother and sister has been one of the most enjoyable weeks of my life. The cottage itself is right out of a book of romance and art. The history of the house and the surrounding area takes us back to simple times." So glad you enjoyed your stay, and I hope you will return again for your next vacation! Best Wishes, Lisa

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/1

• Great time at serenity cottage.

  Great time at serenity cottage.

  • Guest Eric and company
  • Date of stay 09/28/12
  • Review Submitted 10/16/12
  Simply, just what we needed and what was most important, the cottage is located - away from it all. We certainly made our stay a home away from home. The cottage is cozy, clean and well kept. Heath and the surrounding areas are charming. We can't wait to do it again.

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

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/1

• Beyond Charming!

  Beyond Charming!

  • Guest db
  • Date of stay 09/21/12
  • Review Submitted 10/29/12
  My family and I often rent houses as a way of gathering (we come from several different states so it's the easiest way), and this was by far the nicest home we have yet encountered! It was only part of my family this time but we've already talked with each other about when we might be able to come back. It's absolutely a charming home, vacation rental or not. Beautiful, well kept gardens, quaint details, a warm fire...it was sad to come for so short a time. I have to thank Lisa, as well, for her generosity and welcoming spirit - all in all an absolute treasure of an experience. Thank you! Deborah

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

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/1

• Beautiful and relaxing

  Beautiful and relaxing

  • Guest mabbam
  • Date of stay 09/01/12
  • Review Submitted 10/01/12
  My mom, uncle and I spent a beautiful and relaxing week at the Serenity Stone Cottage in September. We loved just sitting on the deck/porch looking over the wild flowers, so colorful, the many butterflies flittering around us, and our favorite: the hummingbirds!! I've never had so many (or any) encounters with hummingbirds - it was breath-taking to watch and listen to them. My uncle and I also took my dog Barney on a hike at the nearby Mohawk Trail State Park up a small mountain. And we enjoyed visiting the Bridge of Flowers in Shelburne Falls. The cottage was so well done and comfortable we mostly just stayed in and enjoyed the peace. We will definitely try to get back there some day!!

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

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 2/2

• RD,New York

  RD,New York

  • Guest Bisou
  • Date of stay 06/30/12
  • Review Submitted 07/17/12
  The cottage was everything as it appears in the photos and very comfortable. Everything was in place when we arrived and felt very welcoming. We enjoyed eggs and cheese from local farms, as suggested, as well as our visits to Shelburne Falls and Salmon Falls Artists Gallery. A lovely day was spent at the Clark Museum in nearby Williamstown, with a great lunch in the Museum Cafe. Hiking Greylock was a perfect afternoon activity, and fishing in the nearby streams was great fun. Something for everyone, and all ages!!!! Don't miss lunch in Elmer's General Store, and a visit to the Bridge of Flowers is always a highlight. We have visited the area before, but this is the first time we rented the Serenity Stone Cottage----and certainly will not be the last. Can't wait to be there in the Fall.

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

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/1

• A Slice of Paradise!

  A Slice of Paradise!

  • Guest Dee H.
  • Date of stay 04/14/12
  • Review Submitted 04/30/12
  This was a return trip and the Stone Cottage was as wonderful as we remembered. This vacation home is run with TLC and it shows. Everything was clean and fresh. We were welcomed with thoughtful offerings of chocolate treats, maple syrup, even fresh eggs from Lisa's hens! Bed was super comfortable. Even though it was early Spring, we enjoyed our morning coffee on the porch overlooking the beautiful property. (We were lucky enough to see the summer gardens in full bloom during our last stay.) If you are looking for a quiet secluded spot to recharge, this is it. On the other hand, you can stroll into Heath Center or take a quick drive into charming Shelburne Falls--and don't miss the Bridge of Flowers! We're so glad we found this gem. Thank you, Lisa!

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

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 4/4

• Great Winter Cottage Experience

  Great Winter Cottage Experience

  • Guest Lynn and Terry
  • Date of stay 02/04/12
  • Review Submitted 02/12/12
  We spent a wonderful winter holiday at the Serenity Cottage in early February 2012. Lisa was a wonderful host and even supplied my son with some size 11 snow boots for the week! We had planned a trip for my son to see snow for the first time (we are from Florida) and the cottage even came with a "flying saucer" to enjoy sledding down the hill next to the house. The house was very cozy and was comfortably furnished. We especially enjoyed visiting Shelburne Falls with its many nice art shops and restaurants. Next visit we want to try the authentic candlepin bowling in Shelburne Falls. Buckland Pizza House across from the Bridge of Flowers is really great--I especially liked their Greek pizza with olives, feta and tomatoes. We ate there twice. Also don't miss the old soda fountain where you can get frappes, milk shakes, malted and sundaes. Vermont is close at hand and we took a day trip to visit Bennington College with our son. Berkshire East was fun for tubing and the snowboard lessons were very reasonable ($10 on Family night and $15 on "Home-school days"). Even with all our sightseeing and activities, we had time to walk to the library in Heath and check out books for the week. On our walks through the woods behind the house we found evidence of a large beaver house on a neighboring pond and an amazing amount of recently downed timber (by beavers) across the stream--I didn't realize that beavers could fell a 2 foot diameter tree in a couple hours. Heath is on a hill and all roads are uphill leading to the village. I would avoid the road from Colrain to Heath through the Catamount Forest--it is pretty scary for a flatlander from Florida. All the other roads are fine, however. We would like to return to Heath in the Summer or Fall to see what it has to offer during those seasons as well. I guess we are "Heathens" at heart!

  Recommended for: Families with teenagers, romantic getaway.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 4/4

• New Year Vacation

  New Year Vacation

  • Guest Kathy M.
  • Date of stay 12/28/11
  • Review Submitted 01/22/12
  We brought in the New Year 2012 at the wonderfully peaceful Stone Cottage. We were a large group of 7 and the cottage was a perfect fit for our group. Comfortable beds and plenty of towels, cooking supplies and blankets made for easy packing. We took advantage of the peaceful and accessible nature and took many local hikes. We even managed to find some snow at Mt Snow which was a short drive from Heath. We will certainly return when we need to recharge and calm our busy city minds!!

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 3/3

• Quiet and Peaceful

  Quiet and Peaceful

  • Guest Danny
  • Date of stay 10/03/11
  • Review Submitted 10/16/11
  This cottage is located in delightful Heath, MA. Its right in the middle of lots of interesting small towns and incredible scenery. However, the thing that we enjoyed the most was the people that we met. Just down the road is an apple farmer that loves to talk about his farm and lets you pick apples to eat right off his trees. The Heath library, while small, was interesting to visit. The Three Sister's is a very unusual place thats not to be missed. Shelburne Falls has the Village Restaurant where the cook "Bob" will tell you all his recipies with enthusiam! We were very comfortable in the cottage and although there were DVDs available, I choose instead to read two books while we were there. There were enough bedrooms so that some old friends from Southwick could came up and stay a night with us. The card games and food were wonderful. On several nights its was cold enought for us to have a real fire in the fireplace. We loved it as we don't get to build too many fires in Texas! I highly recommend the Stone Cottage to anyone wanting a comfortable homebase and is seeking peace and relaxation. We had a great time and will definately consider coming back again.

  Recommended for: Age 55+, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 6/6

• Peaceful

  Peaceful

  • Guest Bernadette
  • Date of stay 05/13/11
  • Review Submitted 05/17/11
  Our stay was brief, but the images of the cottage and surrounding woods will be with us for some time.The house is beautifully decorated with whimsical touches throughout. The beds are beyond comfortable - I couldn't wait to crawl back in after a long day of driving. Lisa was extremely accommodating and very thoughtful with her lovely note and basket of goodies. I only wish we had more time to enjoy the gounds - the rain kept us indoors most of the time. Thank you Lisa for sharing your beautiful home with me and my family. Bernadette, NJ

  Recommended for: Age 55+, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 5/5

• A Week in Wintry Heath

  A Week in Wintry Heath

  • Guest Jody
  • Date of stay 02/19/11
  • Review Submitted 03/08/11
  My husband, daughter and I recently spent a week in February at the Cottage in Heath, as we had in 2009., Our return visit was as delightful as the first. The Cottage was nicely prepared for its visitors: the driveway and path to the front door had been plowed, shoveled, and sanded; the beds well-stocked with quilts and blankets and the bathrooms with fresh towels; the kitchen well-equipped for both the more or less (read: microwave) ambitious cook; and firewood neatly stacked next to the fireplace. While our daughter went snowboarding at Berkshire East just a few miles away, my husband and I ensconced ourselves in the cozy livingroom, enjoying the snowy landscape outside through the room's many windows. In the evening we entertained ourselves with the Cottage's selection of games, books, CDs and DVDs., During our first visit, we had found some lovely walks along the roads leading out from Health Center through the surrounding countryside., While we didn't manage to fit in many walks this visit, I recall with great clarity pausing along the road to enjoy a view over a snow-covered pasture or examine the tracks of wild turkeys as they meandered off into the wintry woods. Lisa, whose artistic sensibility and discerning eye have given the Cottage its welcoming feel, has always been accessible and responsive., All in all, the Cottage is a lovely place to "get away from it all" (although WIFI is now available to those who would prefer not to completely "disconnect"), spend time catching up with family and friends, and reconnect with the natural world., We feel fortunate that Lisa and her family thought to share this special place with others.

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

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 3/3

• Delightful Stay at Stone Cottage in Heath MA

  Delightful Stay at Stone Cottage in Heath MA

  • Guest Marjorie
  • Date of stay 02/12/11
  • Review Submitted 03/02/11
  Our family stayed in this cottage the week of Febuary 12-19, 2011. We loved every minute of being here. The cottage was about the most charming place I have ever had the pleasure to be. The rooms were all beautifully and comfortably furnished and the light was awesome. I woke up one night to find the full moon lighting the trees through my window. The beds were all super comfortable with plenty of comforters. My teens loved staying up in the loft. We played board games every night in front of the roaring fire. Clean comfortable and welcoming-if you are looking for a quiet getaway-this is your home away from home. The kitchen is lovely and set up with everything you need to easily prepare meals. I really could go on and on about this place. It was very easy to ride into town, though I have to say it is hard to leave the cottage and the beautiful surroundings. Lisa you have created a wonderful and beautiful vacation home! We will definitely be coming back. Charming town and a fantastic, huge quilt shop right down the road. Great hosts! We couldn't have felt more welcome, yet you preserved our privacy! Quiet and peaceful spot. Thank you for sharing your wonderful cottage!

  Recommended for: Families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 4/4

• God grant me this cottage!

  God grant me this cottage!

  • Guest merci m.
  • Date of stay 01/02/11
  • Review Submitted 01/06/11
  I cannot believe my cosmic luck! I am on a writing retreat this week with a dear friend. We are writing our memoirs... really. So we needed a quiet, out of the way place to BE writers - not just people who talk about writing (especially with a cigarette and a glass of wine in their hands). So last month I surfed the net and found this darling little cottage in Heath, MA near Shelburne Falls. The owners, Steve and Lisa Andrews, responded to my inquiries with gracious gusto and so my writing muse and I make the decision to just DO it. Take 5 days and write our fannies off. As we took our first steps onto the stone and mud path leading to the not-so-teeny-tiny house, we agreed we were on Hallowed Ground - not sure why but certain of it. Little did we realize that this Disney-inspired Snow-White-and-the-Seven-Dwarves cottage is the very site the Serenity Prayer was written (or heavily edited depending on who you believe) by the famous theologian Reinhold Niebuhr . The Serenity Prayer. OMG! So that's why the house is called the Serenity Stone Cottage! And it is... simply the most serene place I have ever been and it does not have a beach so that is saying something. But I must make this short as I am supposed to be UNPLUGGED. While there is no cell service here there is wi fi. Check out my other thoughts on my blog. http://blog.timesunion.com/merci/back-to-real-life/873/ Also pics on my Facebook page MerciMiglino

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

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 4/4

• And I Shall Have Some Peace There...

  And I Shall Have Some Peace There...

  • Guest Melanie
  • Date of stay 07/17/10
  • Review Submitted 02/25/11
  is the title of a newly released book by Margaret Roach, but those same seven words apply to the lovely Serenity Stone Cottage in Heath, Massachusetts. I have now stayed at this cottage on four different occasions, and each time, I have always found plenty to do ~ or not do ~ in this area tucked in western Massachusetts. The surrounding area allows for a variety of outdoor activities, i.e. white-water rafting, skiing, hiking (And I highly recommend Zoar Outdoor for the best rafting excursions ~ professional and fun guides). When the weather is too cold for outdoor fun, one can choose to remain in the cozy indoors at the cottage with a thumping good book to read in one of the cottage's welcoming rooms (by the fireplace in the living room, I suggest). The village of Shelburne Falls is reasonably nearby with its' eateries (quite a few of those from which to choose within the tiny, charming village), shopping in one-of-a kind places, and once-a-month weekend movies (the old kind like The Hunchback of Notre Dame or Meet Me in St. Louis) at Pothole Pictures with its' popcorn for one dollar a bag. I cannot emphasize enough that simply deciding to stay on site at the Serenity Stone Cottage provides an away stay that, for those so inclined, will find restorative and renewing. I commend the gracious cottagekeepers, the Andrews family, for their attention to the details in restoring and maintaining the cottage in manner that would surely please its' former well-known owners, the Niebuhr family. It is my persoanl hope that many others will stumble upon this cottage as a gem of a vacation destination, and may you too find some peace there.

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

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 9/9

• Wonderful place for peaceful retreat

  Wonderful place for peaceful retreat

  • Guest Person seeking Rest
  • Date of stay 06/05/10
  • Review Submitted 06/15/10
  I have just returned from my stay at the Stone Cottage and long to return. The cottage is lovely and very well maintained. The grounds are beautiful. The owners are attentive and gracious and you will feel instantly welcomed to this clean and cozy home away from home. The setting allows you to be present in your own private retreat. You can totally relax and shelve your anxieties for the duration of your stay. It is lovely to walk around the Heath, drive into Shellburne Falls and enoy the wonderful stores and restaurants. Ollies Down Under is great!! Stillwater Porcelain is fantastic and sitting on the porch of the West End Pub was wonderful. North Adams and MassMoca are close by; Willamstown is also close by and The Clark Institute is wonderful. If you are a "foodey" and an art lover, you will be very contented by your surroundings. I would especially recommend this to people 50 and over who are looking to have some peace, quiet and a place to retreat from the worries of each day.

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

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 7/7

• A Wonderful Cottage

  A Wonderful Cottage

  • Guest ~j
  • Date of stay 02/13/10
  • Review Submitted 03/01/10
  We loved the cottage; it’s a wonderful, cozy, peaceful spot that’s perfect for a relaxing family getaway. Conveniently located to Berkshire East as well as Shelburne Falls and the rest of the Pioneer Valley.

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

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 6/6

• Otero family, New Canaan, CT

  Otero family, New Canaan, CT

  • Guest Six is enough
  • Date of stay 10/10/09
  • Review Submitted 10/13/09
  The cottage was lovely. Rustic but very comfortable. We enjoyed staying here much more than we would have at a hotel or B&B. We have four children and there was room for everyone. The kids loved exploring the property and we didn't need to worry about disturbing other people. We found everything exactly as described on the website. It was very clean and obviously lovingly maintained. The owner was very attentive and had the house ready for us early and called to let us know we could get in. We would definitely recommend this to friends, especially those with kids that enjoy room to play and run around. We easily drove to Shelbourne Falls restaurants for dinner. We really liked Ollies Down Under. This cottage was a great place to stay when you want to explore the Mohawk Trail and the little historical towns along the Trail, go apple picking or just get some good clean crisp air.

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

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 7/7

• Food for the soul

  Food for the soul

  • Guest Maria and family
  • Date of stay 05/15/09
  • Review Submitted 05/30/09
  We stayed at Serenity Stone Cottage in mid-May whilst visiting relatives in Vermont. As soon as we entered the cottage, we immediately felt at home and quickly realized that we would probably never want to leave; everything was so perfect. We loved the thoughtfully decorated rooms, including a very special loft where we could gaze up into the stars through the skylight at night. We also enjoyed sitting in the comfortable wicker furniture on the balcony looking out over the pond, listening to the wind in the trees and trying to identify local birds. The quiet surroundings and the serenity emanated from the cottage were truly food for the soul. Whilst taking a short walk to idyllic Heath and visiting the library with our four-year-old, we were also struck by the friendliness of everyone. Additionally, Shelburne Falls was only a short drive away, a village of quaint cafés and unique stores, including a real gem, Stillwater Porcelain. The Andrews family has managed to create a true home away from home, which we would highly recommend to any of our friends wanting to experience the very best of American hospitality.

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

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 9/9

• Comfortable, peaceful; wish we lived here!

  Comfortable, peaceful; wish we lived here!

  • Guest David & Suzanne
  • Date of stay 04/02/09
  • Review Submitted 04/11/09
  We stayed here in early April while visiting local colleges. If you are looking for comfort and convenience in a rustic, rural setting, this is the place! It was cold and windy outside, but very comfortable inside. Burning firewood in the central fireplace heats the living room, "white bedroom" and loft very well. Baseboard heating is available for the other rooms, yet with all the warm blankets and comforters we did not need to use it much. The house still has its 1930's charm but has been completely updated so that it is clean and comfortable everywhere. Lots of separate rooms, nooks and porches for privacy even with larger groups (we had two adults and four teenagers). Skylights abound which really brightens up the master suite, kitchen and loft. The large yard, woods and a even a babbling brook with nearby beaver pond provided lots of outside fun too. No cell service but calling cards are available. We found their new wireless internet service to be very convenient. Lisa and Steve were great hosts. They have a real gem here. We recommend it highly.

  Recommended for: Families with teenagers, families with young children, romantic getaway.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 11/11

• near everything but plenty of quiet

  near everything but plenty of quiet

  • Guest wintervisitor
  • Date of stay 12/27/08
  • Review Submitted 02/05/09
  I have stayed many places in Western MA and Southern Vermont. This is certainly one of the best. Very lovely house, freshly rehabbed and clean. While you may never have heard of Heath, it is within 30-45 minutes of the Northampton/Amherst area, Mass MOCA, Brattleboro and So. Vermont ski areas, etc. A very short drive to Shelburne Falls, a quaint town with several nice restaurants. Besides what it is near, the cottage offers a lovely place to just hang out, read, walk in the surrounding woods. There are many rooms and seating areas for privacy or time with family and friends. Highly recommended!

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

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 12/12

• Peaceful Escape

  Peaceful Escape

  • Guest Lisa D.
  • Date of stay 11/07/08
  • Review Submitted 11/14/08
  Our family just got back from a simply magical vacation in the Stone Cottage. It is wonderfully appointed, very convenient and yet removed enough from all the hustle and bustle so that you feel you have escaped into another era. The owners of the house are wonderfully attentive, making sure that everything is just right. The house is historic but beautifully maintained. There is lots to do in the area at any time of the year. We will be back.

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

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 14/14

• I wish home was like this

  I wish home was like this

  • Guest K& P in CA
  • Date of stay 07/19/08
  • Review Submitted 07/29/08
  We really have to recommend this rental to anyone who is lookings for a quiet respite from too much noise, distractions and stress. The owners have taken the time to make it feel like home and it was clean, comfortable and they made every effort to make sure we were content. I can't think of anything, other than groceries, that we needed to get to be set for our stay. There were a few restaurants in Shelburne Falls that were good but I liked having a fully functioning kitchen to use. Our weather was rainy but there is plenty to do rain or shine within a 30 or 40 minute drive. There is whitewater rafting (make the reservation early though), hiking, museums, craft and art shops. The cottage is laid out so that the four of us had plenty of privacy (not all stuck in one big room) and the area is very peaceful and has beautiful scenery. The cottage has a number of porches to relax on, and the quiet just soaks in. We enjoyed the cottage and the area for what it did not have - no cell phone service, cable TV, outlet malls, amusement parks, traffic jams. It truely is a place to unwind. It is off the beaten path but that is what makes it special.

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

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 16/16