Vacation Rentals by Owner

Bucolic Inn

Guest: David L (United States)
Date of Stay: 04/11/12 Review Submitted: 04/19/12

The cottage is very nice and quaint, one needs nothing. The owners have made sure that everything works and that every possible restaurant and info is available to make your stay more enjoyable. The real catch to this great location, though, is the silence! Staying on the porch, you see the entire valley, hear every bird sing, and feel the quietness of the universe. One of those places where you can feel the remoteness and power of nature without the need to be away from it all. At night, the stars were stunning - full sky - beautiful. And then, if you are really lucky, as you walk through the woods and the fields with your kids and spouse, out of nowhere, a white tail doe jumps in 20 yards away from you, stares at you, and goes her way, jumping elegantly and having made your vacation. David Libchaber

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

Wonderful tucked away cottage!

Guest: Jane
Date of Stay: 10/07/11 Review Submitted: 11/11/11

A great place to escape and recharge. I was greeted by George who took the time to show me around the property and familiarize me with the cottage. The cottage is charming, clean, and very welcoming. George and Mary are friendly and down to earth. They have fitted their rental with everything you can think of to ensure their guests a pleasant stay. Maps are abundant, so are games, books, magazines, and suggestions for activities, restaurants, and the like. The surroundings are quiet and beautiful and you could see the stars up in the loft area. I was there for three nights and enjoyed the view of a full moon on one beautiful crisp night right from my bed. On my last day, I had a chance to sit a bit with Mary and had a lovely conversation. I got to meet their sweet son Evan as well, who expressed a desire to greet his dad's guests! Highly recommended!

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Perfect getaway!

Guest: Keri D.
Date of Stay: 08/21/11 Review Submitted: 09/14/11

My husband and I spent a week here with our 5 year old daughter this August. The cabin was immaculate and the perfect size for the three of us. It is very private and quiet with beautiful views in all directions. The small kitchen is well stocked, we cooked most of our meals in the cabin or on the grill. There is a nice little table on the front porch - a lovely place to eat and watch the sunset. The cabin is a perfect home base to explore all the Catskills has to offer. Our daughter went to horseback riding camp in Roxbury (about a 40 minute drive). There is also a great restaurant in Roxbury called Public that is worth checking out. There are numerous easy hikes in the area that are suitable for a child; our favorite is Mine Kill Falls. It is an easy drive to Howe Caverns (great rainy day activity). George is an exceptional host. He was so kind and made sure we had everything we needed. We are looking forward to another stay at Sunny Hill!

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

Perfect getaway

Guest: Keri D.
Date of Stay: 08/21/11 Review Submitted: 09/14/11

My husband and I spent a week here with our 5 year old daughter this August. The cabin was immaculate and the perfect size for the three of us. It is very private and quiet with beautiful views in all directions. The small kitchen is well stocked, we cooked most of our meals in the cabin or on the grill. There is a nice little table on the front porch - a lovely place to eat and watch the sunset. The cabin is a perfect home base to explore all the Catskills has to offer. Our daughter went to horseback riding camp in Roxbury (about a 40 minute drive). There is also a great restaurant in Roxbury called Public that is worth checking out. There are numerous easy hikes in the area that are suitable for a child; our favorite is Mine Kill Falls. It is an easy drive to Howe Caverns (great rainy day activity). George is an exceptional host. He was so kind and made sure we had everything we needed. We are looking forward to another stay at Sunny Hill!

Owner response:We really enjoyed hosting this lovely young family! Being parents of Evan, our eleven year old, Mary and I feel a special affinity for young families, and we make every effort to provide a comfortable, sanitary - and safe - environment so they can enjoy a carefree vacation and savor the uninterrupted time with their child that the necessities of daily life too often preclude. Having their sweet, energetic young daughter with our guests necessitated our paying special attention to providing children's books, magazines, and games in-house, as well as researching and furnishing information about opportunities for off-site activities and diversions. Avoiding intrusiveness, yet nevertheless keeping in touch during their stay to be certain their needs were met, we were gratified to learn of the interesting activities they pursued (some of which are mentioned in their review). We are so pleased that this great family plans to return! It will be a pleasure to witness their daughter's growth, and, who knows?, perhaps witness the growth of the size of the family as well!

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

Great getaway!

Guest: Deb S. (Syracuse, New York)
Date of Stay: 08/12/11 Review Submitted: 08/23/11

This was our first annual women's weekend for four friends and me, and it was WONDERFUL!!! We brought all of our own food, so the kitchen was a must, and it had everything we needed! The house is adorable, and all of us were perfectly comfortable. We all enjoyed ourselves tremendously, and can't wait to come back next year!

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

Amazing Hosts!!

Guest: April X. (Jericho, New York)
Date of Stay: 07/31/11 Review Submitted: 08/19/11

SunnyHill was the perfect place for a relaxing week-long vacation. There is a large swath of forest behind it that makes for great walks, and it has absolutely stunning views of the sunset. We all felt very close to nature while we were there, although there is a nearby town (Stamford) where you can buy groceries and use the Internet and the like. However, we were glad to be away from the hustle and bustle of normal life, for the most part. George and Mary provided us with everything we could possibly need. Although there were 5-6 of us living in the one small (but very clean and well-maintained) cabin, we never felt overcrowded or suffocated. If anything, the intimate atmosphere improved our vacation. We were able to cook for ourselves using the incredibly well-stocked kitchen, we barbecued on the grill outside, and we roasted s'mores at the fire pit also. We had an extra person coming in the middle of our stay, and George and Mary were so accommodating and brought over an extra futon right away. They were always looking to make our stay more enjoyable, and always so helpful. I think everything we could possibly have needed they provided for us-- and more, too! When I wanted to read a book outside, I could just take the hammock that George and Mary so kindly bought for SunnyHill guests and go set it up behind the house. When we wanted to stargaze, we could just go outside to the meadow (perfect place for stargazing) and lay down and marvel at the beauty of the night sky. When we wanted to bake blueberry pie (made from blueberries we picked ourselves!), or make pancakes, we found that all the necessary utensils were there. We could tell that George and Mary really cared about us and our experience, and they were always extremely warm and welcoming. They provided us with a ton of reading materials about the Catskills and things to do in the surrounding area, which helped us make plans for each day. They were always checking in, seeing if we were doing well, if anything needed to be fixed or improved. Really, they were the perfect hosts, and all of us were 100% satisfied with our stay at SunnyHill. It was such a homey cabin, extremely well-stocked and furnished, and located in a gorgeous, peaceful location. I would recommend it to anyone. Thanks, George and Mary, for being such great hosts!! -April (and I'm sure Paige, Bethany, Attilio, Alex, and Caitlin all agree!)

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

Mini Vacation

Guest: Jean (New York)
Date of Stay: 05/27/11 Review Submitted: 06/02/11

This recent Memorial Weekend I stayed at this cottage. The cottage is in a lovely wooded setting and it is delightful to wake up in the morning to the chirping of birds and to see them flying in and out of their birdhouses. George and Mary are the hosts and they are 2 exceptionally wonderful hosts. Every need is anticipated and they more than go out of their way to make you feel comfortable and to give you info about the surrounding area. Recommend this rental highly.

Owner response:Jean told us that one of the reasons she and Dennis chose SunnyHill was due to its close proximity to family – son, daughter-in-law, and grand-kids – who live in nearby Hobart (“Catskills Book Village.”). We were pleased that by the end of their Memorial Day weekend visit (they ultimately decided to extend their stay an additionalday), Mary, Evan, and I, too, felt like family, even to the point that we spent some time socializing! That’s how friendly, warm, and open Jean and Dennis were. Even more unusual - though surprising and heartwarming - was the fact that when they were leaving to return to “the ‘real’ world” of work and routine, Jean presented us with a beautiful painting she created during her visit. Her accomplished, pastel-hued watercolor pictured purple iris, which, coincidentally, were the mirror image of some heirloom purple iris that had just the day before bloomed in Mary’s garden! While SunnyHill has hosted writers (see Meryl and Marina’s review), Jean becomes the first fine artist whose name will enter the annals of SunnyHill history, a fact that gives us great pleasure, since from the very first, when Mary and I purchased the property, we envisioned the intimate, albeit bright, open SunnyHill cottage and its embracing micro-environment consisting of secluded forest, meadow, and mountain views muse-like for creative people (as well as romantic for paramours!). Thanks to Jean and Dennis, the Robinsons are reminded that SunnyHill is, for us, much more than a mere commercial enterprise- it is a door through which we are privileged to have the opportunity to meet exceptional people from far and wide; e.g., Peter and Anne, the couple who were our guests until Jean and Dennis arrived, came all the way from Stratford-Upon-Avon (Shakespeare’s hometown) in the UK! Jean has assured us that she and Dennis plan to visit their son’s family frequently, and when they do, they will again be SunnyHill’s guests, in a sense becoming part of a growing number of returning guests, i.e., our “Extended SunnyHill Family.” Mary, Evan, and I look forward to their next visit.

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

This is a wonderful place......

Guest: Peter and Anne (Lutterworth, UK)
Date of Stay: 05/18/11 Review Submitted: 06/04/11

This is a wonderful place. It is so peaceful, surrounded by beautiful, rural, views. The house is very clean and cosy with everything you need for a very comfortable stay, including a verandah and barbecue. There are quiet country lanes and abundant wild life all around. If, like us, you enjoy hiking there are great walks from Stamford, in the nearby State Parks and, of course you can just stroll along deserted roads right outside your door. Shops, restaurants and supermarkets are in the friendly little town of Stamford- a ten minute drive away. The booking and payment arrangements were entirely trouble free, which is always a bit of a bonus when booking from overseas. George, the owner, is the perfect host. He is friendly, helpful and full of useful suggestions to increase the enjoyment of your stay. Nothing is too much trouble for him. All this advice was most welcome given that this was our first stay in this area. We unreservedly recommend this excellent holiday home in an area that, from a UK perspective at least, is a real hidden gem. Thanks George for your hospitality and for a great holiday.

Owner response:While SunnyHill has hosted guests of different national origins (i.e., "hyphenated Americans"), Anne and Peter, from near Stratford-Upon-Avon in the UK, were our very first guests visiting from abroad. Receiving the unqualified five-star endorsement of this lovely couple, who have traveled internationally and thus have a significant basis for comparison, is extremely gratifying. Knowing of their keen interest in local history, and their vitality, we took care to accumulate relevant information which they clearly appreciated and put to good use, as is mentioned in their review. We do hope Anne and Peter will visit us again when they next travel to ‘the colonies.’ ”

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

A necessary return trip!

Guest: Monica (New York, NY)
Date of Stay: 04/08/11 Review Submitted: 04/14/11

The house was absolutely beautiful. What the pictures cannot perfectly illustrate is how spacious and comfortable it is. George and Mary have clearly thought through everything their guests might need. The stove not only lends the home a homey (or romantic) feel on a chilly night, but keeps it just warm enough (both on the main level and in the loft). The views are absolutely spectacular and there are so many ways to enjoy them! The many windows look out over the beautiful catskills - you get the sunset and the sun rise easily visible from inside the house. There's a patio area for warmer mornings with coffee and a book and evenings for grilling. Unfortunately, we didn't get a chance to experience much of Stamford itself due to a horrendous rental car incident that forced us to be tied to the phone for a huge part of our Saturday (when we had been planning a long hike). However, as is clear from the other reviews, George came to the rescue and was a phenomenal friend (and I can't thank him enough for this!). He drove us, counseled us, and checked in on us throughout the weekend to make sure that we weren't helpless. His hospitality is truly unmatched. Sunny Hill is clearly not just a business to him - the place (and it's owners) make you feel at home. The experience is very personal and makes you want to come back again! The Stamford area is very pretty. As a New Englander used to Vermont, Maine and New Hampshire, I wasn't sure what to expect in the Catskills. Stamford was beautiful because it had a wonderful mix of pastures and mountains. For those who can appreciate the authentic grittiness of the farmlands, there are amazing photo opportunities. As George put it when we were chatting (in his car driving back from grabbing groceries), the farms were built to be functional and real, rather than kitsch and new age. We really loved our stay here. Thank you so much, George and Mary!

Owner response:We greatly appreciate the time our guests took to reward us with this gratifying review. Furthermore, we feel very fortunate that our cottage has attracted such appreciative, considerate – and literate! – guests. Helping our guests through their rental car crisis was the least we could do as their hosts. Fortunately, for them, to quote The Bard, “All’s well that ends well.” We were relieved that once they resolved their car problems they had sufficient vacation time left to enjoy early spring in the Catskills- the first notes of birdsong, sighting deer and other native critters, and hearing gurgling streams fed by the rapid snow melt. Regardless of the season, we look forward to their return visit, hopefully sooner than later. -George J. Robinson, Host

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

A Wonderful Experience

Guest: Rebecca (New York, NY)
Date of Stay: 03/25/11 Review Submitted: 03/29/11

We really enjoyed SunnyHill. The cottage was adorable and comfortable. The surrounding area is gorgeous -- mountains as far as the eye can see -- and very remote. We sat by the wood-burning stove and cooked a lovely dinner. And George and Mary couldn't have been any nicer or more helpful. They were so kind to us. SunnyHill certainly provided us with the respite from the city we were seeking and much more.

Owner response:Mary and I could not be more pleased that these guests found SunnyHill to be a "comfortable" place of "respite," and that they considered us to be helpful beyond the scope of our responsibilities as their hosts. Of course, being blessed by having such fine and considerate young adults as our guests made our job easy.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Writer's Retreat A Success!

Guest: Meryl & Marina (Brooklyn)
Date of Stay: 03/18/11 Review Submitted: 03/31/11

My writing partner and I were looking for an ideal getaway for a brief writing refuge from the city. We wanted a peaceful and accommodating atmosphere on a modest budget, which was surprisingly hard to come by until we luckily stumbled upon Sunny Hill and its welcoming owner George Robinson. From the moment we first contacted him, he radiated warmth and generosity. He ushered us swiftly through the booking process and touched base before our arrival to make sure we were adequately supplied for a snowy weekend. The was was cozier than we expected and endlessly charming. We enjoyed spending our evenings cooking on the patio grill and counting the infinite stars. We were looking for solitude and Sunny Hill, which is at the apex of a summit, very much provided that. We loved sleeping in the tent like loft and admiring the neighboring farms on our afternoon walks. George provided us with suggestions of local activities and sites and checked on us daily to make sure we were comfortable. We were sad to leave such a comfortable retreat. We highly recommend it as such a gem of a bargain is hard to come by! We look forward to returning in the near future for our next retreat. - Meryl & Marina

Owner response:When Mary and I first saw the property that has become SunnyHill Summit Retreat we immediately realized it's potential as a muse for creative professionals. The land - its welcoming woods, its wildflower-colored meadows, its mountain range and bucolic views, its quiet, serene position at the summit of a steep hill (approx. 2,000 ft. above sea level) - and the cottage - a cozy, albeit not small, human-scale A-frame design with a bright, cathedral ceiling-ed and multi-windowed Great Room (vs. many area lodgings' full-size "standard" lay-out, cavernous "white bread" houses) - these attributes have proven to be conducive to the kind of focus, reflection, introspection, and - importantly - inspiration that feeds creativity. We cannot reveal the subject of our guests screenplay, however we are confident that it will be produced, and that when Meryl and Marina walk on stage to receive their Oscar, Mary and I will be gratified to know that SunnyHill contributed to their success.

Recommended for:People with disabilities, age 55+, girls getaway, romantic getaway.

A cared for cottage and a great owner

Guest: Nick (NYC)
Date of Stay: 02/04/11 Review Submitted: 02/11/11

We've rented at least a dozen properties throughout the years and this has definitely been one of the best experiences. The cottage feels remote, yet is actually not far from a main road. Go out on the back porch and you see nothing but the woods all around -- especially breathtaking on a clear night. From the front porch is an open field; the the cottage bathes in daylight. Inside, there are details all around that make it feel like a cared for home: a great TV, a comfy chair, couch pillows, spacious beds, UV filter for the water, floor mats, sharp knifes, even a little night light in the bathroom, the list goes on. There is plenty of heat from a pellet stove and there is electric heat as backup. It gets warmer on the second floor, but leaving the sealing fan on low works very well. George, the owner, is absolutely one of the nicest people I've ever met. He went above and beyond what we are accustomed to. A pipe burst due to cold and was fixed before we even got there, but we had to let the water run a bit to clear the plumbing. George went out, bought, and brought us -- three people -- ten gallons of fresh water to last the night. The stove was set for the night and running by the time we arrived. Moreover, every day, George would come in, clean out the stove, fill it up and start it up again while we were out skiing. The man clearly cares about the cottage and your experience! As good as it gets! Recommended without hesitation!

Owner response:Mary. Evan - our ten year-old son - and I, SunnyHill’s hosts, are especially pleased with this, our very first review from vacationers since our newly renovated, newly furnished, and newly listed property opened its doors to guests. We do work very hard to live up to the reasonable expectations our listing description encourages in our guests, and naturally feel proud that our efforts are recognized and appreciated. Our caring extends beyond the routine provision of services one expects. As in the case mentioned by Nick, our reviewer (who was accompanied by two friends), we have provided for the unexpected, in this case, a frozen pipe. SunnyHill is fortunate to have secured the services of Bruce, a local professional property manager-cum-”handyman” who is on call 24-7 to respond to guests’ requests for assistance. Importantly in this context, Bruce is also personable and trustworthy. Winter wonderland sports enthusiasts – especially skiers – will have noted Nick’s mentioning that he and his companions are experienced skiers and thus experienced, selective lodgers with a considerable basis for comparison of lodging quality. Their enthusiastic, unequivocal recommendation is thus very gratifying. Additionally, these skiers’ choice of SunnyHill due to its location in the Catskill Mountains is also of significance, since they found it convenient to be located relatively near all four regional ski resorts: Belleayre, Hunter, Plattekill, and Windham. Finally, Mary. Evan, and I would like to review the reviewers! As a family-run enterprise, we’re obviously small-scale and personal; that is, we treat SunnyHill cottage, acres, and wildlife as we would our own, and its guests as we would friends we’ve invited for a visit. Nick and his companions were ideal guests- considerate, understanding, patient - and joyfully appreciative of the beauty of SunnyHill’s natural environment, the kind of young people you’d like to befriend and that give us, we of the older generation, hope about the future. We expect and will do our part to have this kind of relationship with all our guests.

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