Skip This House and Keep Looking

Guest: Frustrated Customer (Tx)
Date of Stay: 08/09/11 Review Submitted: 09/06/11

Dealing with the owners is not worth the amenties in the house. Many things advertised on this site are false. Air conditioning: a noisy window unit only in the master bedroom. Dishwasher: It was broken during our entire stay. Disappointing to wash dishes every day instead of playing games with the kids. Cleaning included: Apparently not! We left the house as we have all of the other VRBO houses we've rented with the beds unmade, towels on the floor, catsup and mustard bottles and ice still in the refrigerator, and trash gathered in the trash bags we had to buy, because there was only one supplied, and put by the front door. The only thing I don't normally do is I left the breakfast dishes in the sink on the last day, because the dishwasher was supposed to be repaired that day. Well the owner kept my entire deposit, because he said I left it a mess. When I called to discuss it with him, I was yelled at, told there was no talking about it, and hung up on! So, I paid the entire deposit to have the beds made, the towels washed and put away, bottles in the refrigerator thrown out, a few dishes cleaned, and floors swept. So, I'm not sure what is meant by cleaning included! I'm sure the owner will respond to this post describing the pig sty we left (a flat out lie) with many words in ALL CAPS, because that is the way he spoke to me on the phone. So, again, my advice is find another house.

Owner response:In the 4 years I have been renting my 2 holmes, I have never had it left in such a mess. The garbage is supposed to be removed and taken to the compactors. 3 bags of garbage left in house, another full bag for the food left. Pots and dishes left in sink & on counter. display items all over the floor. cleaning crew charged me double to clean house. It was just a mess. Had to pay to have 4 garbage bags removed. DO NOT COME BACK. Future renters read my other reviews. DO NOT be fooled by this persons review. Dick Rubin Owner

Recommended for:

Awesome July 4th!

Guest: Brian (Bayside, NY)
Date of Stay: 07/01/11 Review Submitted: 07/09/11

My friends and I wanted to rent a house in Poconos for 4th of July weekend and we definitely weren't disappointed. I'm very big on basing my decisions on reviews and I'm glad all the reviews were accurate. The pictures provided on VRBO does not do the house justice. Not only did I feel the house was modern and up to date, there are tons of miscellaneous items throughout the house that astounded us New Yorkers. Also, the house was fully supplied from cooking utensils to bath towels. My group of friends are in the age group of 25-27 and the house was great for all of us. All I can say about the hot-tub is wow! Richard was very easy to work with and I wouldn't mind renting this house again. Thanks.

Owner response:Brian, Glad you had a great time. Hope you will return soon. Regards, Dick & Lois Rubin

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, adventure seekers, girls getaway, age 55+, families with young children, families with teenagers.

Honeymoon Couple (Phila, PA)

Guest: Pat and Monica (Phiadelphia)
Date of Stay: 05/15/11 Review Submitted: 05/21/11

It was a joy to spend our honeymoon at this magnificent house. We were blown away from the time we showed up until the time we left. The house was beautiful and clean. The pool table and hot tub were the perfect amenities as they more than made up for the rainy weather. We still managed to enjoy the outdoors as we visited Boulder Field and Bushkill Falls which were both super close by. I can definitely say we will be returning to this getaway to enjoy the peace and beauty (and deer!!) of this fantastic vacation home. Thanks Dick and Lois!!

Owner response:Glad to hear you had a great time, even though it rained all week. We look forward to your return. Lois & Dick Rubin

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, adventure seekers, girls getaway, families with young children, families with teenagers.

Cozy house; 10 minutes from Big Boulder

Guest: Tee (Pine Beach, NJ)
Date of Stay: 01/21/11 Review Submitted: 01/30/11

Enjoyed our weekend in this lovely home. Very clean, cozy and charming. Short ten minute drive to Big Boulder for skiing. Owners were great to work with and our security deposit was returned promptly. Our only complaint is our weekend went too fast! Definately needed more to time to enjoy ourselves. Wished we could've had more time to explore the area. Well, there's always next time.......

Owner response:Glad you had a wonderful stay and the snow cooperated. You are welcome back anytime since the area truly has 4 season activities. Hoping to have you enjoy Rubins' Retreat in the future. Lois and Richard

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, girls getaway, families with young children, families with teenagers.

Winter Wonderland

Guest: kiama (Wollongong Australia)
Date of Stay: 01/21/10 Review Submitted: 01/27/11

I wish to share my experience of my family stay, 3.5 weeks in the middle of winter in this beautiful cabin in the Pocono Mountains. I, with my partner travelled from our warm climate of Australia to visit our children in the USA and made Richard's cabin our home. The area the cabin is located, at first, seems away from the entire world, yes, with snow on the ground, we had daily visits from deer, watched groups of giant wild turkeys walking through the woods near the lake. We saw squirrels and finches (no bears they were in hibernation). We found ourselves living near 2 ski resorts and close to many amenities, including great restaurants and cafes, there was so much to explore and we were only 2 hours from New York. The cabin itself, is not done justice by the photos above- it is awesomely airy, roomy, homey and decorated with lots of obvious love and care. Before our visit, I was concerned about the snow and the roads, However, we had our own snow-plow gentleman who came and plowed the driveway each time it snowed, the roads were regularly plowed, so despite 2 snow storms, we were never 'snowed in'. The Cabin was as warm as we wished! a lit gas-log fire was on and warmed the cabin on our 10:30pm arrival and there was individual heating in every room, we were literally as snug as a bug in a rug :) Not knowing anything about snow, I rang and asked Richard the owner if we should turn off the hot tub which was bubbling and steaming away on the porch. Richard declared 'no, it stays on all year'- my partner and family enjoyed the warmth of that! Any slight issue or question was always answered and cared for extremely promptly and politely. Dave, the property manager was a gem and gave great service, thanks Dave. We will be back as soon as able, hopelfully within a couple of years. Thanks Richard and Louise for helping give us an unforgettable holiday :) Sheila & Don oxo

Owner response:So glad Rubins' Retreat made for a memorable winter vacation. Traveling around half the world, and selecting our home in the Poconos for your exploration was certainly an honor. You are the second guests who came from Australia and vacationed at one of our homes. They, too were delighted with their stay. I hope you utilized the nearby ski resorts since the snow certainly cooperated with your stay. Seeing the animals in their natural habitat is something to marvel at considering the cold weather and amount of snow. Hope you quickly get over jet lag, and you are most welcome back as guests again in our retreat in the woods. Lois and Richard

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

Excellent fall vacation location!

Guest: Joel (Accokeek)
Date of Stay: 10/16/10 Review Submitted: 11/01/10

This was a wonderful place to spend our annual 'fall getaway' vacation. The Rubin's have provided all of the comforts, as well as the necessities for a great retreat. We had fun seeing the local wildlife, turkeys, deer, etc. The home was warm and comfortable, and the view out of the many windows and off the porches was fine. Hot tub was perfect, and relaxing. The location is within a few miles of all the things we like to do in the mountains in the fall! We will very likely stay here again next year! Joel and Barbara

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, girls getaway, age 55+, families with young children.

Renter Beware

Guest: cutechic (Malvern, PA)
Date of Stay: 06/10/10 Review Submitted: 10/01/10

The owner wrongfully withheld our security deposit from us, claiming we broke a closet door that was in perfect condition when we left. It soured our entire vacation, and we will not be staying here again.

Owner response:Door was OK when they arrived and broken when they left. What does that tell you?? Read the other comments from reasonable people. Thanks Dick & Lois Rubin

Recommended for:

Fantastic holiday at Rubins Retreat

Guest: Radleys (UK)
Date of Stay: 07/30/10 Review Submitted: 08/16/10

We had a fantastic holiday in the Poconos and Rubens Retreat was everything we hoped for and more!!. The rental is gorgeous and has a real home from home feel as soon as you enter the property. The standard of the furnishings is really high and the location is great, not too far from the clubhouse but enough to enjoy a peaceful break. We would return at a drop of a hat and hope to holiday there again soon. Thank you Dick and Lois for sharing your lovely home and ringing to see how we all were.

Owner response:We are glad you enjoyed your stay. We hope you will return soon. Thanks for staying with us. Regards, Lois & Dick

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, families with young children, families with teenagers.

Guest: gail oneill (north arlington nj)
Date of Stay: 12/02/09 Review Submitted: 12/02/09

we stayed at Rubins retreat for the second time thid=s October for four nights. It is a relaxing vacation. The hoouse is very clean the beds are comfortable everything you need is there. Restuarants are nearby. We used the pool table for hours at a time. Looking forward to returning again next October

Owner response:Thanks for returning, we look forward to your return. Regards, Lois & Dick

Recommended for:

Guest: Beth Cooper-McHale (New Jersey)
Date of Stay: 11/10/09 Review Submitted: 11/10/09

Thank You Again to The Rubin's!! Great time as usual. And don't forget Tom (the peppers were great) Looking forward again soon. Ed & Beth

Owner response:Ed & Beth, Thanks, we look forward to your return. Dick & Lois

Recommended for: