Perched on the lake, this 2-bedroom vacation home accommodates 4 guests and features 2 bathrooms. The property includes 4 bicycles for exploration and easy access to nearby fitness facilities, golf, and skiing. Enjoy the patio views of the lake while being near the Housatonic River and Thom Reed UFO Monument Park. Pets are welcome.
Highlights
Family fun awaits
Top-rated for families.
Beach equipment
A rare find — beach equipment ready to go for your days by the sea.
Centrally-located
You're never far from where you need to be with this convenient location.
2 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 4
Popular amenities
On-site fitness center
Barbecue grill
Garage parking available
Internet
Laundry
Air conditioning
Explore the area
Sheffield, MA
Housatonic River
Place, Housatonic River
5 min drive
Thom Reed UFO Monument Park
Place, Thom Reed UFO Monument Park
6 min drive
Three Mile Pond Wildlife Management Area
Place, Three Mile Pond Wildlife Management Area
11 min drive
Pittsfield, MA (PSF-Pittsfield Municipal)
Airport, Pittsfield, MA (PSF-Pittsfield Municipal)
“Elterwater”-Swan lake. Your own lakefront oasis, a true Berkshire getaway
One of the very few waterfront homes available for rent. What other houses offer you 150 feet private lakefront where you can awake to birdsong? absolute best house in the best little town for the full Berkshire experience. If you want your own totally private oasis, and a whole house to yourself, leaving crowds and hassle behind, come up to this lovely, quiet, lakefront Berkshire house with a Zen-like feel, just a mile from the center of Sheffield. Just sit and listen to the silence.
Immaculately behaved, non-shedding, totally house trained small dogs welcome. Ask about special rates for longer stays.
Perfect location for all Berkshire activities, including Tanglewood and Jacob’s Pillow, plus Shakespeare and Company, Norman Rockwell, The Mount, Berkshire Botanical Gardens.
Light-filled, year-round lakefront house (150 feet on private lake with own dock). with fireplace and fire pit, all decorated in mid-century retro style and immaculately clean. Think 'Walden,' think 'On Golden Pond.' Two bedrooms with A/C—one queen-sized bed, two twins, two full baths, living room with fireplace and A/C, dining area, kitchen with dishwasher and microwave, den with pull-out couch. Water softener, plus screened in porch, full laundry room, two car garage, fire pit, comfortable outdoor seating for five plus two—and all on the most blissful private 150 acre lake with wonderful fishing--bass and pike--and just a mile off Route 7, Sheffield, handy to everything and spotlessly clean. Cleaned, bleached and treated with UVC wand sanitizer. Self checkin and checkout. Lake is natural, pure and lovely to look at (but not good for swimming due to natural vegetation). Canoeing, fishing and kayaking are great. Your own dock and 150 feet on the lake. Kayaks and canoe. Ping pong table! Electric bikes available to rent. Dog walkers available!!
You can work from home here. WiFi, 5G, good cell reception, slightly rare in the Berkshires., Smart cable tv. Spectrum service. This is a slice of heaven! Everything you need for that perfect Berkshire getaway—we can give lots of tips for top-notch local restaurants and things to do. Local owners readily available to answer questions and make recommendations. Great local hiking on closeby Appalachian trail, great biking (we have 4 good bikes), wildlife observation (meet our otter and nesting bald Eagle), riveting local history (Shays Rebellion, Mum Bett), local swimming recommendations.
Very convenient for Berkshire School and Hotchkiss parents. Also convenient for nearby Litchfield County, Conn, including Music Mountain events, plus Lime Rock Park racing. Further west, Hudson, NY, is fun to explore, along with houses like Olana, built by Frederic Church of the Hudson River School. You will never run out of things to do here—or nothing at all—whatever you want. Bliss!!!!
Our prices include all fees. No hidden fees.
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Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children; if you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room
About the neighborhood
Sheffield
Located in Sheffield, this vacation home is in a rural area and on the waterfront. Ashley House and Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center are local landmarks, and the area's natural beauty can be seen at Drury Preserve and Jug End State Reservation. Harney and Sons Tea Tasting Room and Berkshire Botanical Garden are also worth visiting. Enjoy the area's slopes with cross-country skiing and snowboarding, and don't miss out on the ice skating and sledding.
Thom Reed UFO Monument Park - 6 min drive - 3.3 km
Three Mile Pond Wildlife Management Area - 11 min drive - 9.2 km
Great Barrington Historical Society & Museum - 13 min drive - 10.6 km
Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center - 16 min drive - 12.7 km
Getting around
Hudson, NY (HCC-Columbia County) - 43 min drive
Restaurants
Guido’s Kitchen - 11 min drive
Café Holli - 13 min drive
Dunkin' - 12 min drive
Cumberland Farms - 14 min drive
SoCo Creamery - 13 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Is “Elterwater”-Swan lake. Your own lakefront oasis, a true Berkshire getaway pet-friendly?
Yes, pets are allowed at this property.
How much does it cost to stay at “Elterwater”-Swan lake. Your own lakefront oasis, a true Berkshire getaway?
As of Sep 18, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at “Elterwater”-Swan lake. Your own lakefront oasis, a true Berkshire getaway on Mar 1, 2027 start from $302, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.
How much is parking?
Onsite parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at “Elterwater”-Swan lake. Your own lakefront oasis, a true Berkshire getaway?
Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.
What time is check-out at “Elterwater”-Swan lake. Your own lakefront oasis, a true Berkshire getaway?
Check-out is at 10:00 AM.
Where is “Elterwater”-Swan lake. Your own lakefront oasis, a true Berkshire getaway located?
Situated on the waterfront, this vacation home is 1.4 mi (2.2 km) from Thom Reed UFO Monument Park and 1.9 mi (3 km) from Housatonic River. Drury Preserve and Jug End State Reservation are also within 6 mi (10 km).
Reviews
10
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labeled.
House is comfortable and clean, a cosy quiet spot to relax. Kayaking and fishing on the pond, enjoying the wildlife, especially enjoyed watching the local eagles fish along side us!Lovely area, conveniently located to all things Berkshire's.
The house on the lake was lovely and Gillian was even lovelier! Beautiful spot, convenient to all the fun things to do in the area.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2026
Response from VrboOwner on Jan 8, 2026
An extremely nice guest who readily communicated. She left the house spotless. All in all, the perfect guest.
Verified review
2/10 Terrible
Verified traveler
Sep 9, 2026
Liked: Check-in, location
Disliked: Cleanliness
The Host claims that she could have brought over an air purifier to address the overwhelming musty odor in the property; I completely disagree with that - no air purifier could address the must -- and perhaps mold -- at the property -- not only in the air but permeating all of the linens and furniture. We had booked 4 nights but had do leave after 1 night as the environmental conditions made us physically ill. I do understand the property is on a lake (a lake that is full of plants), and of course the humidity causes some must, and I am not picky about the age of a house -- but this was actually impossible to deal with. I'm sorry but I cannot recommend this property.
This house was perfect for a short winter get away! The host was very responsive when questions did come up.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2025
Response from VrboOwner on Jan 2, 2026
Lovely guests who left the house spotless. They were very understanding when we had a WiFi glitch and had brought lots of board games.
Sweet dog, too! We hope they come back again.
Wonderful winter getaway! This cozy lake cottage is well situated near two ski resorts and several adorable New England small towns. We enjoyed a lovely snowstorm nestled in this warm and inviting home. Owner was extremely responsive and helpful answering our questions.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2026
Response from VrboOwner on Jan 20, 2026
A really nice and generous response from lovely guests. We do hope they come back again.
This was our 2nd stay at this property, and it was as good as last year. It was very clean and comfortable. A very nice place to just kick back and relax.
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2025
Response from VrboOwner on Jan 5, 2026
We love having guests like these, especially when they are return visitors. Really nice people who appreciate the house and the Berkshire. Five stars!!
Great location. Nice amenities. The great room is, well, great! We were there in early November and it was too cold and wet to make use of the outside but well new back!
Returned for the third time, absolutely love the property. A slice of heaven in the Berkshires.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2025
Response from VrboOwner on Sep 18, 2025
And we love these wonderful guests who are perfectly in tune with everything the Berkshires has to offer—fishing, cooking, and just relaxing on the screened porch breathing in the serenity.
This was a perfect summer retreat. Close enough to Tanglewood and the surrounding area with enough to do right in Sheffield. But really, why would you want to leave? We ended up staying right at the cottage for our four day trip, spending the morning in the canoe on the Lake, the afternoon in the cottage to escape the heat reading and playing ping pong and board games, and evenings by the fire ring or on the screened porch. The Weber grill was just the right size for two or four. The kitchen had everything we needed. On the first evening we sat on the back porch listening to the frogs and other fauna, watching the fireflies, just letting the stress melt away. We loved all the wildlife including a fox, groundhog, deer, other woodland creatures, and many birds. We saw two large fish jump out of the pond. It was an idyllic, rejuvenating getaway. We couldn't have asked for more!
We had a wonderful stay at Elterwater over the Thanksgiving holiday. The layout of the house was perfect for us and we loved the view from the den as well as sitting by the fireplace. Our dogs loved going on walks around the pond. The location was great & Gillian was a gracious host! We look forward to our next trip!
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2025
Response from VrboOwner on Dec 2, 2025
And these guests could not have been nicer. They left the house absolutely immaculate, and even did the laundry. Truly lovely people who are welcome back any time.
Gill
Our family of four loved staying at this sweet little lakeside cottage. The views of the lake were beautiful. The house is just enough off the path in the country, but close enough to plenty of stuff to do. We skied at Butternut, went to the Norman Rockwell Museum, and spent sometime in. Great Barrington. The house was lovely, clean and all the amenities we needed for our trip with two kids. The host was lovely and communicated with us well during our stay. We would love to visit again, perhaps in another season like Fall.
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2026
Response from VrboOwner on Feb 25, 2026
Thank you so much for this kind and generous review.
We enjoyed having you to stay.
Warm wishes,
Gillian
Great location, beautiful scenery on the lake with privacy. Fishing was great!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2024
Response from VrboOwner on Jun 15, 2024
These were absolutely lovely guests who made the most of everything we had to offer. They were definitely 5 star guests although for some reason the site posted it as 4–but no, definitely 5.
The house was left immaculate. Truly wonderful people.
Without a doubt the best place we ever rented. We have stayed at many places through the years but this was the best. Can't say anything negative about our stay it was as good as it gets!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024
Response from VrboOwner on Jun 22, 2024
And what terrific guests these were. They loved everything the Berkshires had to offer and made the most of every minute. Mostly, they enjoyed our little corner of paradise, loving being by the water and just relaxing and enjoying life. Just really wonderful people.
Gillian
Great week spent at the lake! Great Barrington is adorable with great food nearby. The accommodations were perfect for our family of four with dog. We spent some time paddling, some time roasting marshmallows, some time shopping. Very peaceful and comfortable!
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2025
Response from VrboOwner on Jun 30, 2025
Absolutely lovely guests—considerate and appreciative. Do hop they come back again!
We had a fun family stay hete during Thanksgiving. The house had everything we needed for our non traditional Thanksgiving meal. Close to Great Barrington stores and on a beautiful Berkshire Lake.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2024
Response from VrboOwner on Dec 10, 2024
We have been so lucky to have truly terrific guests, time after time. They come and relish all the Berkshires has to offer, leave the house immaculate (if not improved!) and are altogether really lovely people.
Come on back! It’s lovely here year round.
Gillian
About the host
Hosted by Dr. Gillian Hettinger
English professor and husband fell in love with this idyllic house, not least because of the lake, which is amazing. Perfect in all seasons, and something to do all year long. We love the wildlife and drifting gently in the canoe across the private lake--wonderful winter views across private lake, great fishing in the summertime. The land across the road and across the lake is all preserved so your views are spectacular. Great local restaurants and, of course, everything the Berkshires has to offer. You'll be delighted with this rare find and come back again and again. You'll come for the culture--the music, theater, dance--and you'll stay for tranquil hours reading a favorite book on the porch, or beginning to write your novel.
Why they chose this property
This year-round lovely property has everything you want for the perfect vacation getaway--romantic weekend, hiking the Appalachian Trail, skiing, girls'/guys' retreat. Feel the weight of the world fall off your shoulders when you enter and look out at the lake, just beyond the slope to water's edge. Cozy fireplace in living room. Fire pit out by the lake. Peaceful, yet not remote and on a sought-after, very private lake with views -- about a mile off Route 7 in Sheffield and just five miles south of Great Barrington. The house is immaculately clean-- there's also the charm of hearing the screen door slam on the porch which evokes memories of summers past.
What makes this property unique
200 feet directly on the 150-acre private lake with your own private dock, kayak and canoe and protected shoreline across the lake. Surrounded by Land Trust protected property. Enjoy the cozy fireplace in addition to individually controlled heat in every room. You will never want to leave. Water is pure, tested, and good to drink. All linens and paper products provided--just walk in, relax, and enjoy this magical house--don't you deserve it?