Location: Rhinebeck, Hudson Valley, New York, USA (A Short (5 min) cab ride from the Rhinecliff Amtrak Station.) View Map
Accommodations: House, 4 Bedrooms + Convertible bed(s), 2 Baths (Sleeps 7-8)
Come relax in this peaceful four-bedroom house nestled on several secluded acres just minutes away from the charming towns of Rhinebeck and Red Hook, near the Hudson River. Pet and child friendly!
The house is a Nelson, Eames-style, Contemporary, Danish design commissioned in the early 1950's. It features four bedrooms, one with a home office, several living spaces including a "floating bridge room," and Flagstone patio with trellis and rock fountain. The house is set on a few quiet acres just northwest of Rhinebeck Village, south of Red Hook, and across the river from Historic Kingston.
The property is located near a scenic byway running along the east bank of the Hudson River. The road, River Road, also known as "Mansion Mile" features the estates of contemporary stars such as Natalie Merchant and Annie Liebovitz and old-world families including the Rockefellers, Astor's and a German Baroness's, and a bit farther down the road the famous Vanderbilt and Roosevelt Estates. The house has several major attractions within a short walking distance of the house including Ferncliff Forest Park, and Poet's Walk Park.
The area of the Hudson Valley surrounding the house contains such attractions as the Duchess County Aerodrome, great shopping districts with plenty of charm in towns such as Rhinebeck, Red Hook, Kingston, New Paltz, and Millbrook, great state parks such as Lake Minewaska, Mohonk Mountain resort, the new Bard College Fisher Performing Arts Center, designed by renowned architect Frank Gehry, the Bardavon Opera House, Upstate Films, and many many more!
Kitchen: The house, originally designed for entertaining, makes a great spot to gather a group of friends and family to share in any type of celebration or relaxation. The 200 square feet plus kitchen features two ovens, a large refrigerator, stove/range, microwave, dishwasher, toaster-oven, blender, coffee and espresso maker, and a 6-foot section of butcher-block countertop. You will find complete silverware, glassware, and cookware sets for your use.
Indoor Dining Area: A complete set of wine glasses, martini glasses, margarita glasses and cocktail shakers await your creative hand at the dry-bar in the dining room. The dining room features a six person table.
Outdoor Dining Room: Listen to the bubbling fountain built right into the rocks jutting out of the hill as you sit at the outdoor dining table beneath the wood pergola and enjoy the private concert of crickets, frogs and cicada’s and in the summer the firefly light show that competes with the starry sky for beauty. If there are more than a few guests, or you would like to have some of your own guests over, make use of the 1,000sqft.+ bluestone patio and custom-built iron-wood benches and tables to entertain outdoors.
Upstairs Living Room: Two full couches encourage you to snuggle up with someone as you watch the fire crackle in the stone fireplace. During the day enjoy a wide view of the property from the ribbon windows that run along both exterior walls just above the built in book cases filled with award winning novels, biographies and of course some of the classics. You will also find a good selection of board and parlor games for your enjoyment and a TV equipped with cable and DVD player.
Floating Bridge: Flooded with light from two 20 foot by 20 foot walls of windows on the opposite sides of the room you can enjoy a quiet moment of peace and reflection on 14 foot wide bridge between the master bedroom and the kitchen/living room. If you prefer being constructive with your time, sit at the drafting table and make use of the high-speed wireless or Ethernet cable Internet connection to check your email, finish that last bit of office work, or surf the web.
Downstairs Living Room: A large room located just below the bridge with thick carpet and a den area, a great area for kids to play while you sit at the writers desk and enjoy the landscape through the two walls of windows. The downstairs den area includes a plush leather couch (that pulls out into a bed) and a TV equiped with a Play Station 2 that also functions as a DVD player! The downstairs living room also serves as a great place for extra guests (if pre-arranged beyond the eight-person limit) who end up needing a place to stay with the full-size sofa bed and an air mattress ( twin and full-size provided), blankets, or sleeping bag, or a good place for a kids’ slumber party.
Upstairs Bedroom #1: Furnished with a queen-size bed, dresser, as well as a full closet. This room is very comfortable for a couple.
Upstairs Bedroom #2 and Home Office: Furnished with a seven foot wide, antique desk, desktop computer with fast ethernet connection, as well as a twin-size bed and dresser.
Downstairs Bedrooms #1: Furnished with two twin beds, a built in desk and a full size closet.
Downstairs Bedrooms #2: Furnished with a full size sleigh-bed, matching dresser, and a built in desk. This room also has a seperate door to the outdoors.
Vacation Rental Features
- Amenities
- Air Conditioning
- Washer
- Dryer
- Linens Provided
- Covered Parking
- Off Street Parking
- Wood Fireplace
- Beds
- Queen Bed
- Double Bed
- Twin/Single Bed
- Convertible Bed
- Entertainment
- Cable/Satellite TV
- DVD
- VCR
- Video Game Console
- Video Games
- CD Player
- Stereo System
- Music Library
- Private Hot Tub
- Kitchen
- Full Kitchen
- Cooking Utensils Provided
- Refrigerator
- Dishwasher
- Microwave
- Outdoor Features
- Gas/Electric BBQ Grill
- Deck/Patio
- Communications
- Telephone
- Free Long Distance
- Computer
- Broadband Internet
- WiFi (Wireless Internet)
- Other Amenities
- Two Bathrooms, Upstairs is a full size tub and shower, The room was just renovated and updated with all new fixtures, and sparkling white tiles and Wainscoting, The downstairs bathroom features a tiled shower, There is also a covered parking area, No Smoking please.
- Suitability
- Pet Friendly
- Minimum Age Limit for Renters
- Smoking Not Allowed
- Activities (on site and nearby)
- Golf
- Tennis
- Shopping
- Sightseeing
- Restaurants
- Rafting
- Kayaking
- Sailing
- Boating
- Waterskiing
- Swimming
- Biking
- Mountain Biking
- Cross Country Skiing
- Downhill/Alpine Skiing
- Snowboarding
- Snowmobiling
- Sledding/Tubing
- Wildlife Viewing
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Hunting
- Rock Climbing
- Fitness Center/Gym
- Health/Beauty Spa
- Basketball Court
- Antiquing
- Cinemas/Movie Theaters
- Live Theatre
- Museums
- Horseshoes
- Miniature golf
- Horseback Riding
- Other Activities
- The Hudson Valley has many activities to fill your days while staying at our Ferncliff Estate, Hiking and Rock Climbing at the "Gunks" (Shawanagunk Mountains) across the river, Biking along the Scenic highways and quiet paths of the nearby (within walking distance) public parks and forest land (Ferncliff Forest & Poets Walk Park), During the summer the Rhinebeck Recreation Center offers swimming pools, tennis and basketball courts, walking paths, playgrounds, and sports fields just minutes down the road, There are several private clubs in the are offering amenities such as golf courses, fitness centers, gyms, and spa treatments (we recommend Haven Spa!), Other nearby activities include, Rafting & Tubing, Brochures available & a New York State Fodor's Guide.
Rate Details (In US Dollars)
Off-Peak (11/01-03/31) | Peak (04/01-10/31)* includes Holidays
Weekend: $900 | $1,000
Week: $1,200 | $1,600
Month: $4,500 | $5,000
Entire Peak Season, Holidays & Long Weekends Are Available But Rate May Be Higher.
15% Discount Coupon for Every Referral That Results in a Completed Stay.
Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.
Map & Owner's Profile
Year Purchased: 2004
Why the Owner Chose Rhinebeck
Sarah and I both attended Vassar College, and Rhinebeck was that very cute, tony town just up the river from us that you went to on special occasions for dinner with the family or after acing a tough final. After graduation we both moved to NYC and having grown up on a large farm on the West Coast myself, living in NYC seemed a little to hard-core urban to not have some means of "getting some country air" as one would say. So began the search, and after looking at far too many old crumbling colonials and poorly designed raised ranch homes, when we came across this amazing architectural gem situated just perfectly to catch the early morning rays streaming through the forest and to get a glimpse of the Catskill mountains across the river we couldn't pass it up. We were so much in love that we actually ended up in a bidding war with another couple equally smitten. But thankfully, we prevailed and now get to call Ferncliff our home away from home. At only 90 minutes from NYC by car or easy train ride (the Amtrak station is about 3 minutes from the house) it's made the perfect getaway for weekends and even the occasional full-time weeks (where I get to hop the Amtrak to and from the City each day).
And with all the cultural venues (Vassar, Bard, Upstate Films, Woodstock, Bardavon, and much more) nearby there is never a lack of entertainment of superb caliber.
The Unique Benefits at this House
As avid out door exercise enthusiasts Sarah and I greatly enjoy the hundreds of miles of hiking, thousands of acres of parkland and wildlife reserves and endless roads to explore on our bikes.
Sarah's excellent skills in the kitchen and our chosen locatarian preferences combined with the bounty of the Hudson Valley found just down the road at the weekly farmers market or the local butcher, grocer, and farm stand (that are all open daily) result in one after another amazing meal to enjoy ourselves and share with our friends.
With the addition of the 1,000sqft+ bluestone patio, custom designed and built furniture and of course the hot tub enjoying the outdoors from the comfort of home couldn't be easier. We enjoy a glass of wine in the hot tub nearly every night we're at Ferncliff and can't wait each Spring to invite friends up for the first dinner party of the season served out on the patio.
Dinsmore golf course, the third oldest in the nation, is a great place to enjoy the challenging game of golf on a public course in one of the most beautiful settings imaginable and for only $26 for 18 it's a steal!
We hope that you too enjoy some of these great benefits of Rhinebeck and find some of your own to share with us as well!
Several hundred acres of the old Astor estate donated by the late Ms. Astor. Now with miles of hiking trails, old ruins, a beautiful lake and the new Ferncliff Forest Tower providing unprecedented 36
With it's access some of the most stunning views of the Hudson River and it's quiet meandering trail it's no wonder this park brings out the poet in all who visit be they young or old.
Owner's Map of Rhinebeck
Currently Sarah and I live in New York City full time and sneak up to our magical retreat in the Hudson Valley as often as we can on the weekends and for a few full weeks each year. As a writer, the beautiful views and silence are of great benefit to Sarah's craft and she cries foul when I allow too many rentals between our own use of the house. For me, having grown up on a ranch, getting to exert myself at rebuilding stone walls, doing outdoor chores (you'd be amazed how many leaves are created annually!). And getting to head out into the hills for an adventure hike or a bike ride up and down the beautiful curving roadways is exactly what the doctor ordered to get rid of the stress of running a company in uber-fast-paced NYC.
Sarah and I very much plan to move up to Rhinebeck full-time at some point in the future - we can't imagine living anywhere else. That's why we also decided to get married in the area, so that all of our friends and family could come witness the glorious beauty and exciting finds of our little corner of the world.
We hope that you too come visit Rhinebeck and fall in love as we have with it's charm, gracious residents and astounding local beauty and bounty. You couldn't ask for a more central or well appointed home base from which to explore the countryside than Ferncliff.
Sincerely, Brian & Sarah
(Photo: New Year's Eve 2008 at Ferncliff)
Property Photos
- Living Room - Rhinebeck Home in the Hudson Valley
- Outdoor patio - Rhinebeck Home in the Hudson Valley
- Landing and Bridge to Upper Bedrooms and Bathroom - Rhinebeck Home in the Hudson Valley
- Bluestone Patio with custom-built Ironwood furniture & 7 person hot tub
- Dinner Party at Ferncliff
- Upstairs Bedroom #1
- Dining Room
- Upstairs Bathroom
Guest Comments (10)
First (10) of (10). View all comments
Vacation Rentals by Owner Listing #60374
There have been 25946 visitors to this page since the counter was last reset in 2005.
This listing was first published here in 2005.
Date last modified - June 26, 2009
Positive Rating
Lloyd Torres , New York, NY
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Amy & Steve Zepplin , New York, NY
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Thank you Brian & Sarah, our 2008 FTW Planning session was made perfect by your wonderful HOUSE-PITABILITY!
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We really enjoyed our New year's weekend at your home! It was so nice to get out of New York City and relax in this beautiful setting with our friends. Thank you for everything!
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What a perfect month at an exquisite place! Thanks so much. We hope to return soon. Have a wonderful wedding!!!
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Thank you for sharing your lovely home. It served as a beautiful area & gathering for our family (two from California, two from Florida, one from Mass and two from Connecticut). We felt a reflection of love and peace in your home. Have a wonderful New Year!
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Thank you so much for opening your home in the woods to visitors. We were here to visit Bard College & Vassar from Dallas, Texas. Our family from Pennsylvania & Massachusetts joined us for the holiday. Ate way too much food ;-). Poet's Walk, FDR Museum, Rhinebeck and the snow enhanced our holiday stay. Favorite restaurant was Luna 61 in Red Hook [Now in Tivoli]. Their bannana cream pie is the best!
Positive Rating
Brian & Sarah - thank you for sharing your lovely home. We enjoyed the peaceful setting immensely. We visited Ferncliff Fores, Tivoli, Red Hook, FDR Monument, Vanderbilt Mansion, the CIA, and Burger Hill. We wish we had time to see more but maybe we'll be back again some day! Thanks again!
Positive Rating
We had a wonderful week enjoying the Rhinebeck/Red hook area! The first 3 days, with Nicolas, Henry & Owen exploring the woods as well as having an amazing time at Lake Taghkanic were terrific! Marc & Lucas joined us when Faith, Henry & Owen went back to NYC. We continued to explore the area, play baseball in Red Hook, swim in Lake Taghkanic and at Wilcox Park as well as cook some incredible food in your wonderful house!!
Positive Rating
What a beautiful, relaxing setting! This getaway was just what I needed to regain some peace and balance in life. The area is wonderful and the house is great!