Yankee Magazine, "Best of New England" "Best Hilltop Cottage"
- Minimum stay:N/A
- Internet:Yes
- Pets allowed:No
- Wheel chair accessible:No
Just awarded Yankee Magazine's "Best of New England", "Best Hilltop Cottage" distinction, this private, secluded and romantic getaway is perfect for two or four people.
Built in the early 1930's by a famous novelist and completely renovated and enlarged in 2010, the approximately 800 sq. ft. "Laurel Cottage" includes a fully equipped kitchen, bathroom with double pedestal bathtub and a large subway tiled shower. A cozy double brass bed in the Great Room with a view of the stone gas fireplace set in a beautiful wood paneled wall, and a luxurious pull-out queen size bed on the all season sunroom, accommodates four comfortably and two beautifully.
The views from the sunroom across the Connecticut River are spectacular in any season.
Completely furnished with Mission and Arts and Crafts style antiques of the early 1900's with William Morris reproduction wallpapers, the cottage is truly a spectacular destination for discerning travelers.
Located on a bluff above the Connecticut River, the cottage is private and ultimately romantic in any season. Sit in front of the glow of the stone fireplace, take a luxurious bubble bath for two in the double pedestal tub, cook a special breakfast or dinner for two in the charming fully appointed kitchen, or just sip champagne and enjoy the views. It is your private retreat.
Your special stay starts with a walk down the pine needle path through a stand of tall pines and into a clearing surrounded by Mountain Laurel. A walk across the granite patio provides you with a sweeping view of the Connecticut River Valley that the Nature Conservancy calls, "One of the last great places on earth."
ENTRY HALL:
Step into the inviting entry hall that contains glowing wood paneling, book shelves and an antique buffet.
KITCHEN:
To your left, through a 1920's Belgian antique stained glass door, is the fully equipped kitchen with dishwasher, microwave, refrigerator, oven/range, coffee maker and toaster oven. All dishes, utensils and linens are included.
GREAT ROOM (BEDROOM):
To the right of the entry hall takes you into the "Great Room", with wood paneled fireplace wall, antique light fixtures, antique wide board floor, a cozy double brass bed and a dining table for four. A comfortable seating area in front of the gas log fireplace includes two chairs and a loveseat with coffee table. A period armoire holds a CD/Cassette/FM radio stereo system for your enjoyment.
SUNROOM:
From the Great Room, step through French doors into the Sunroom, which contains High Definition, wide screen satellite television, a queen size pull out sofa bed (with special ten inch thick mattress for supreme comfort), antique wood floor, and an antique enameled table with four chairs. The room has windows on three sides with panoramic views of the hills and river valley.
From its perch high up on a bluff it has been described as, "Feeling like you're in a tree house looking down on everything". Eat breakfast or have your morning coffee looking out over the hillside.
Although fully air conditioned, there is also a ceiling fan and the windows on three walls can be opened to catch the breezes.
BATHROOM:
Off of the Great Room is the bathroom, with wood wainscoting and William Morris reproduction wallpaper and antique wood floor (that also contains radiant heating).
A beautiful double shower with subway tile and copper glass tile accents adorns the bathroom as does a double pedestal soaking tub where you can relax and soak while you look out at the beautiful hills and river.
GRANITE STONE PATIO:
You can also enjoy al fresco dining on the spacious stone patio taking in the views of the state park and the hills across the Connecticut River. A gas cooker set in the 1930's stone fireplace on the patio provides you with wonderul dining options. The farm stand within walking distance also provides fresh vegetables in spring, summer and fall.
An Adirondak style picnic table that seats eight comfortably and has an umbrella to shade the sun graces the patio as does an Adirondak chair for two where you can watch the sun come up over the river or just relax.
The cottage contains dressers and closets to store your belongings and bed linens are provided. The cottage has central heating and air conditioning and has wireless internet (wifi) throughout.
ADDITIONAL AMMENITIES:
In addition to all the above, for an additional charge we can also arrange for a personal chef to cook a very special meal for you, on-site massage and laundry and maid service.
Restaurants, theaters, farm markets, museums, art galleries, bird watching, hiking, kayaking, water sports, golfing, ice skating, biking and points of interest abound in this area of the Connecticut River Valley.
Complimentary parking is provided on the grounds.
Keywords: Cottage, guest house, river view, state park, secluded, romantic, private, historic, antique, patio, gas barbeque, double pedestal soaking tub, wireless internet, satellite TV
Property Type
- Cottage
Accommodation Type
- Vacation Rental
Suitability
- Pets Not Allowed
- Non Smoking Only
Bedrooms
- 1 Bedrooms, Sleeps 4, Beds for 2-4
- Bedroom 1
- Sunroom
Bathrooms
- 1.0 Bathrooms
- Bathroom 1
Kitchen & Dining
- Cooking Utensils
- Ice Maker
- Dishwasher
- Kitchen
- Microwave
- Catering Available
- Refrigerator
Amenities
- Linens Provided
- Gas Fireplace
- Parking Off Street
Other Amenities
- Double pedestal tub, double shower, fireplace in bedroom
Entertainment
- Stereo
- Music Library
- Satellite / Cable
- CD Player
Communications
- Wireless Internet
- Broadband Access
Outdoor Features
- Outdoor Grill
- Deck / Patio
Location & View
Activities
- Museums
- Racquetball
- Cycling
- Mountain Biking
- Skiing
- Basketball Court
- Water Skiing
- Snowboarding
- Sailing
- Swimming
- Jet Skiing
- Rock Climbing
- Hunting
- Snowmobiling
- Golf
- Snorkeling/Diving
- Hot Air Ballooning
- Hiking
- Tennis
- Cross Country Skiing
- Cinemas
- Live Theater
- Restaurants
- Theme Parks
- Health/Beauty Spa
- Wildlife Viewing
- Miniature Golf
- Fishing
- Shopping
- Sledding
- Sight Seeing
- Boating
- Horseshoes
- Antiquing
- Shelling
- Fitness Center
- Horseback Riding
- Kayaking
Other Activities
Reviews
Write a review-
25th Wedding Anniversary
25th Wedding Anniversary
- Guest Loren & Amanda
- Date of stay 09/15/12
- Review Submitted 09/18/12
The Laurel Cottage is a wonderful and cozy place to rest and relax. We were more than pleased with the layout of the cottage. The amazing views were enjoyed from every room as well as the outdoor patio. Jeff & Maryan made us both feel very welcome. We look forward to our next visit.Recommended for: Sightseeing, romantic getaway, age 55+.
Owner response: Thank you to our charming guests for the lovely review of our Laurel Cottage guest house. So glad they chose to celebrate their special wedding anniversary in this private and romantic spot. It is always rewarding to us to know that our guests have enjoyed their stay. And, yes, the views are wonderful, especially enjoying that very early morning coffee on the patio while watching the mist rise off the river.
Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0
Rates
$300/nt 1-2 guests $325/nt 3-4 guests or extra bed +tax one night deposit reqd. Weekly rental (7 nights or more)require 50% deposit (plus $200 damage/security) Extra charges may apply for cleaning, extra linens, excess garbage disposal. Cancellations: Daily rentals: Full refund minus $25 fee if cancelled min of 7 days prior to ck in. Within 7 days,one night deposit is retained. Weekly rentals: One night deposit retained if cancelled prior to 7 days. 1/2 of the 50% deposit is retained if cancelled within 7 days of check in. 4 guests maximum capacity in cottage. Minimum rental is 2 nights.
Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.
This owner accepts: Credit cards.
Call the owner directly to confirm reservation details and pay with an approved method (credit card, check, or bank transfer), to protect your payment up to $1,000.
Location
Owner info
Year Purchased: 2002
About the owner: Jeff owns a Retained Executive Recruiting firm and places top executives for international clients. He is also past Chairman of the Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation and a former Press Secretary and aide for a U.S. Congressman. Maryan operates the Nehemiah Brainerd House Bed & Breakfast and Laurel Cottage. Formerly a Human Resources Director for a chemical company for 28 years she and Jeff have restored the Nehemiah Brainerd House, the Laurel Cottage and a 1791 central chimney colonial home in Bethel, CT. Jeff and Maryan enjoy traveling, antiques, restoration, architecture and fun conversation with their B&B guests.
Why the Owner Chose East Haddam:
We both feel that the Connecticut River Valley, and Haddam in particular, offer the best of nature, along with the arts, theater, history, great restaurants, sight seeing, activities for the sports minded and all that makes Connecticut a fabulous place to live and visit.
The Unique Benefits at this Cottage:
Privacy and beautiful views are the first things you notice. In Spring the mountain laurel in bloom is magnificent. In Summer you can enjoy a glass of wine on your private patio while you barbecue on the stone fireplace/gas grill. In the Fall the view of the foliage across the river and the hillsides is nothing short of spectacular. In Winter you can sit by the cozy fireplace with a drink or cup of tea and watch the snow fall outside the picture windows.
Take a bubble bath in the double pedestal soaking tub or an invigorating shower in the beautiful subway tiled double shower.
Air conditioning and central heating make the cottage comfortable year round and the gas fireplace adds that romantic touch in Fall and Winter.
Beautifully appointed with antiques and period lighting fixtures, the cottage is decorated in a William Morris Arts & Crafts style. Glowing wood paneling and antique wood floors add to the ambiance.
Wide screen HDTV and wireless high-speed internet allow you to "stay connected" if you must! A CD/Cassette/Radio stereo system with a selection of music CD's adds to your enjoyment.
For nature lovers and bird watchers, the cottage property abuts the state park and the Connecticut River and provides a "bird's eye view" of the surrounding valley and all that nature offers.
Like to cook? Enjoy the fully equipped kitchen with oven/range, dishwasher, microwave, refrigerator/freezer and toaster oven. All pots/pans/utensils are included along with dishes, flatware and glasses.
Most importantly, the cottage is impeccably clean and in perfect condition. It is easy to see why Yankee Magazine chose it as the "Best of New England."
The Laurel Cottage is mid-way between New York and Boston and is easily accessible from Interstates 95, 91 and 84 along with Route 15 (Wilber Cross Parkway) and Route 9. In addition, it is fifteen minutes from the Amtrak station in Old Saybrook and less than an hour from Bradley International Airport in Hartford.
Contact us
- Primary: 860-345-8605
- Click Here to see All My Rental Listings
Photos
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Fall sunrise at the cottage. Adirondack chairs on patio. Kim Tyler Photography
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Seating area by fireplace in Great Room.
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Brass double bed in Great Room with French doors leading to Sunroom.
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Laurel Cottage through the pines.
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Pull out Queen sofa in Cottage Sunroom with flat screen HDTV.
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This listing was first published here in 2011.
Date last modified - Thursday, May 23, 2013
860-345-8605