Vacation Rentals by Owner

Second visit as good as the first!

Guest: Lulu (Boston)
Date of Stay: 07/16/11 Review Submitted: 07/30/11

We loved it here so much last year that we came back again this summer. As we found last year, this property totally lives up to its promises. The house and grounds are lovely and beautifully kept. Everything you could possibly need is there. Sitting on the deck and listening to the birds, watching the trees sway in the breeze, soaking up the sun is an experience of complete relaxation. And, it's a perfect launching point for visits to Jacob's Pillow, the Dream Away Lodge, Tanglewood, Stockbridge, Pittsfield, etc. The owners are extremely helpful and make themselves available for any questions that may arise while you're there (although their thorough resource binder in the house pretty much answers any anticipated questions.) The house is immaculately clean and very comfortable. We hope to return again next year.

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

Exceeded our high expectations!

Guest: Lulu (Boston)
Date of Stay: 08/21/10 Review Submitted: 09/03/10

Never before have we found a summer rental to live up to its description or to our expectations. This wonderful house did -- and more. Rika and John have made a perfect getaway and thought of everything that one may need while there. We were so comfortable and very quickly felt very much at home. The grounds are beautiful and well cared for, the views spectacular. Easy access to all the cultural attractions of the Berkshires but when you're at the house, it's quiet and secluded and private. The perfect combination. We hope to return again and again. It is heartening to find such a haven and the people who created it and are willing to share it! Rika and John provided excellent directions, suggestions, instructions, etc. and were available for questions, even while we were there. Couldn't ask for better owners or a better spot to spend a lovely vacation.

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

Exceeded our high expectations!

Guest: Lulu (Boston)
Date of Stay: 08/21/10 Review Submitted: 09/03/10

Never before have we found a summer rental to live up to its description or to our expectations. This wonderful house did -- and more. Rika and John have made a perfect getaway and thought of everything that one may need while there. We were so comfortable and very quickly felt very much at home. The grounds are beautiful and well cared for, the views spectacular. Easy access to all the cultural attractions of the Berkshires but when you're at the house, it's quiet and secluded and private. The perfect combination. We hope to return again and again. It is heartening to find such a haven and the people who created it and are willing to share it! Rika and John provided excellent directions, suggestions, instructions, etc. and were available for questions, even while we were there. Couldn't ask for better owners or a better spot to spend a lovely vacation.

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

Great Fall Getaway

Guest: Lucky Winners (New Jersey)
Date of Stay: 10/01/09 Review Submitted: 10/25/09

We were a group of 4 adults and 2 kids who spent a lovely fall weekend at the "Hillside Hideaway" and it could not have been more perfect. The house had everything we needed and the owners were extremely helpful with things to do in the area and places to eat. The Dreamaway Lodge is the closest restaurant and we actually went there twice because we liked it so much. We took some nice hikes and went horseback riding and apple picking. Very close to Lennox for additional activities. We hope to return!

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

Lovely, quiet location

Guest: David, NL (Amsterdam, NL)
Date of Stay: 07/24/09 Review Submitted: 08/23/09

Rika's house is beautifully situated with lovely views across the wooded valley, and well-placed for trips to Tanglewood, Stockbridge, Lenox and the Dream Away lodge. Rika and John maintain their house as their family holiday home. They were exceptionally responsive to all questions we had. We had a very calm and relaxing holiday.

Recommended for:Families with young children, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 11/01/08 Review Submitted: 11/12/08

Rika's home in the Berkshires is a beautiful and relaxing escape. We had an excellent time enjoying the peace and quiet of the woods.

Recommended for:

Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 08/01/08 Review Submitted: 08/24/08

Beautiful garden, fire pit was awesome and the view/secluded area was amazing. It was the perfect setting for a group of friends in need of a reunion. :)

Recommended for:

Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 08/01/08 Review Submitted: 08/19/08

Me and my friends had an amazing time in the Berkshires, there is no better location than here! The house was wonderful and everything we needed :) Thank you so much, hopefully we'll be back some day

Recommended for:

Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 06/01/08 Review Submitted: 06/19/08

We had a great time at the Hillside Hideaway. It was very secluded and quiet. It was a very peaceful and stress free stay and very convenient to local attractions.

Recommended for:

Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 08/01/07 Review Submitted: 08/29/07

We had a super two weeks! The lake, the swings, the starry nights and lunch on the patio. Everyone involved was pleased as punch about our stay in Becket.

Recommended for:

Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 06/01/07 Review Submitted: 06/24/07

It was great...Can't wait to go back

Recommended for:

Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 10/01/05 Review Submitted: 10/13/05

This is a lovely, tranquil Berkshires setting. The house in the woods could not have been nicer, and for us, who live in the city, it was a thrill to look out at night and be able to see stars.

Recommended for:

Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 07/01/05 Review Submitted: 07/20/05

We had an altogether peaceful and restful stay here in mid-June. We enjoyed the birds, our son enjoyed the swing and climbing structure, and we all enjoyed the wonderful dining room and deck. Everything about the place was easy and comfortable. The views were sublime. We felt extremely lucky to have found this wonderful location.

Recommended for:

Guest: Meghan Canfield
Date of Stay: 10/18/04 Review Submitted: 10/17/04

This house provided a much needed break from the bustling streets of San Francisco. The four of us had a great time, and all agree that it was a much better alternative to staying at a motel 6 or some other motel here in the Berkshires....We are all native New Englanders and after staying in this house, there is a bit of sadness having to go back to the West coast.

Recommended for:

Guest: Bob & Phyllis Satter
Date of Stay: 10/01/04 Review Submitted: 09/30/04

Your cozy house will do nicely for 5 of us this weekend! I'll always think of sitting on this deck, looking at the sun on the rust and golden trees......I will recall how lucky the occasion of this wedding brought us to you. Many thanks!

Recommended for:

Guest: The Keefes
Date of Stay: 09/03/04 Review Submitted: 09/02/04

We had a great time -- lovely home!

Recommended for:

Guest: Gert Jan van't Land
Date of Stay: 07/31/04 Review Submitted: 07/30/04

Thanks very much for the wonderful stay! We made some nice hikes and saw bears, deer, snakes, beavers -- impressive. We also enjoyed the culture very much -- music at Tanglewood, theater, and the good dining. But above all the tranquility and hospitality of this hideaway.

Recommended for:

Guest: Agnes & Jed Taylor
Date of Stay: 06/21/04 Review Submitted: 06/20/04

We had a wonderful week here doing just what we needed to do - "not much". We enjoyed the beautiful vistas that these new windows gave us. I especially like sitting here in the dining room and watching the shadows race up the hill. We had many good meals in this kitchen that has everything that one needs. Your "natural" garden is truly great.

Recommended for:

Guest: Mark Rubin
Date of Stay: 03/07/04 Review Submitted: 03/06/04

We have been enjoying the Berkshires, and this house in particular, for many years. It's quiet, charming, cozy, and has a different personality every season. Given recent world events, we also feel very safe... Listening to the breeze rustling through the early fall colored leaves is a reminder that there are places where nature rules, untouched by human imperfection. Thank you for sharing your home away from home with us.

Recommended for:

Guest: Mary & Fred Schaefer
Date of Stay: 07/13/03 Review Submitted: 07/12/03

I will miss sitting on this deck enjoying the beautiful view. For two weeks the men went off to Heartwood School with smiling faces and I scoured the Berkies, finding a cultural mecca....

Recommended for:

Guest: Wendy Simon
Date of Stay: 08/02/02 Review Submitted: 08/01/02

Thank you for letting us enjoy this lovely house, lovely mountains, lovely lake. A good time was had by all.

Recommended for:

Guest: Sarah Gall
Date of Stay: 08/02/02 Review Submitted: 08/01/02

It's our third visit and once again, a week of beauty, relaxation, and true vacation. We've been coming long enough that we have memories and a few traditions...The simplicity and convenience in idyllic surroundings really work!

Recommended for: