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Quintessential New England Lake Front Cottage

Photo gallery for Quintessential New England Lake Front Cottage

A house with a stone chimney, wooden siding, and a view of a lake.
A bedroom with a large bed, two bedside tables with lamps, a wall-mounted towel rack, and framed botanical prints.
A bedroom with a large bed, a nightstand with a lamp, a framed picture on the wall, and a window with a view of trees.
A cozy attic bedroom with two beds, wooden ceiling, and a window with a view.
A cozy attic bedroom with a wooden ceiling, a large bed with a plaid comforter, a window with a view of trees, and a small seating area with a bench and cushions.

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional

Highlights

  • Family fun awaits
    Top-rated for families.
  • Discover nearby landmarks
    Walk to Crescent Lake
4 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 8

Popular amenities

  • Toys
  • Dock
  • Barbecue grill
  • Pet-friendly
  • Refrigerator
  • Washer

Explore the area

View in a map
Acworth, NH
  • Place, Crescent Lake
    ‪1 min walk‬
  • Place, Lake Sunapee
    ‪28 min drive‬
  • Place, Dartmouth College
    ‪49 min drive‬
  • Airport, Lebanon, NH (LEB-Lebanon Municipal)
    ‪47 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

4 bedrooms (sleeps 8)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 3

1 Twin Bed and 1 Double Bed

Study/Bedroom 4

1 Double Bed

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Bathroom 2

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Quintessential New England Lake Front Cottage

Beautiful Lake Front Cottage with all the comforts of home and New England charm. Renovated with original character kept in mind! There is a three day minimum stay.

Spring provides opportunities for hiking and boating. Summer is the perfect opportunity for swimming, boating, or floating your cares away in this beautiful clean lake. Fall is a beautiful time to visit the lake, the water is warm and the lake is quiet. Winter weekends provide opportunities for skiing at nearby Mount Sunapee and possible skating or snowmobiling on the lake and nearby trails. Book now for a week or long weekend away!

Less than 30 feet right to your own dock and waterfront for swimming, boating, fishing or water skiing. Or perhaps just sit back, relax and enjoy the scenery! The rental is equipped with 3 kayaks, 1 double kayak, 2 canoes and 2 paddle boards. The dock will hold up to a 21 foot boat. The dock has stairs to a shallow sandy swimming area (3 feet deep) great for younger children and older adults and the end of the dock is approximately 10 feet deep with a ladder.

Awesome views and exceptionally clean, warm lake. This cottage makes for great family memories!

For nature lovers, there are great trails to hike right out your front door. Crescent Lake is located in Acworth, NH right in the middle of quaint towns, including Sunapee, Claremont & Newport. Great antiquing, shops and more. Mount Sunapee has fun Summer, Fall and Winter activities and is 20 minutes away.

In Winter, Crescent Lake offers skating and walking on the frozen ice, snowshoeing or cross-country skiing on the lake, snowmobiling on the local trails, and skiing and snowboarding at nearby Mt. Sunapee or a little farther away (45 min) at Okemo Mountain.

This lake home is a true hidden gem & makes for magical memories with family and friends for years to come!

NOTE: The property requires stairs and may be difficult for guests with limited mobility. Also the cottage is at the end of a long dirt road so 4WD is suggested and 100% necessary off season (winter and spring).
Our prices include all fees. No hidden fees.

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0-17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

Pets allowed
Dogs with prior consent.No cats due to allergies
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Check-out instructions

The host requires you complete the following before checking out:
Strip any used beds and gather used towels
Remove personal items, remove leftover food and drinks, and take out the trash
Turn off the lights, lock the doors, and return the keys
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.
Use dock, waterfront and boats at your own risk. No fires in the indoor fireplace in summer. Please leave house and yard as you found it.
No Fireworks Allowed at any time.
No Pets on Furniture. Thank you for your consideration.

Important information

You need to know

Property # 984731ha
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, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock
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

Newport

Located in Newport, this cottage is in the mountains and on the waterfront. Little Red Schoolhouse Museum and Claremont Opera House are cultural highlights, and some of the area's attractions include Maple Lanes and North Country Smokehouse. Enjoy the area's slopes with cross-country skiing and snowboarding, and don't miss out on the sledding and ice skating.
View more Cottages in NewportOpens in a new window
Map
Acworth, NH

What's nearby

  • Crescent Lake - 1 min walk - 0.1 km
  • Lake Sunapee - 28 min drive - 28.3 km
  • Keene State College - 47 min drive - 60.2 km
  • Pats Peak - 48 min drive - 63.3 km
  • Dartmouth College - 49 min drive - 78.9 km

Getting around

  • Claremont Station - 27 min drive
  • Springfield, VT (VSF-Hartness State) - 44 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Steurgons General Store - ‬15 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Quintessential New England Lake Front Cottage pet-friendly?

Yes, pets are allowed at this property.

How much is parking?

Onsite parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Quintessential New England Lake Front Cottage?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Quintessential New England Lake Front Cottage?

Check-out is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Quintessential New England Lake Front Cottage located?

Situated on the waterfront, this cottage is steps from Crescent Lake, and within 6 mi (10 km) of White Birch Hill and Gallop Marsh State Wildlife Management Area. Acworth Silsby Library and Acworth Town Common 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.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 72 out of 76 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 3 out of 76 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 76 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 76 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 76 reviews

9.8/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The cabin home was a lovely stay that exceeding our expectations. The homey feeling made everyone comfortable the minute we arrived. Very well supplied with everything you would need. Thank you so much .
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Another great stay at Duckhead cabin even if Mother Nature wasn’t kind to us. Well stocked as always able to makeGreat meals, have a nice fire pit, kayak, canoe and hike with our dog in tow.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This was our second trip to crescent lake and will absolutely be returning. The home is filled with everything you need and then some. We love the memories our family has made at crescent lake, truly a perfect spot to visit! Thank you Kari for the excellent communication, we had a blast!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The Duck Head cottage was adorable. Our boys had a blast playing on the paddle boards and splashing around, and we loved that we could watch them from the screened porch. The cottage has so many things for families: games, kayaks, canoes! The owners left us a nice welcome basket with treats and wine. It was equipped with everything we needed: cooking and grilling supplies, towels, even bug spray! Overall, we had a wonderful time and the cottage was perfect for our family trip.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Thank you for allowing us to stay in your home!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful home on a nice warm lake!

The hosts went above and beyond to make our stay wonderful! We highly recommend this property and hope to return!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The house was as advertised, quaint and quite on a secluded lake that led to a relaxing few days. The amenities and the house were both excellent, and when we arrived a note and bottle of wine from the host made us feel welcome. Overall, it was a great experience.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect place to unwind for a week

Perfect place to unplug and unwind for a week. Served as a great home base for exploring NH and VT through day trips. Loved the availability of canoes and kayaks at the lake, and the size of the lake.
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Always Great.

4th time in three years and enjoy it greatly every time!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Such an amazing cottage. The Macload’s are the perfect hosts. The rental has everything you can need and more. We enjoyed the lake swimming, kayaking and went on hikes near by. Our dog was perfectly at home and the yard was enclosed making it much easier to have her be able to wonder. The fire pit is great and the seating inside is set up for multiple conversation areas. Don’t think just rent!!!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Quiet cabin

This cabin is a great place to relax and unwind. We also enjoyed kayaking everyday we were there. The house is well stocked with everything you could possibly think of.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lake Cottage

My husband and I spent a long weekend away with three other couples here. Wonderful place to stay and relax!!! This place really does have everything you need and more. On the owner’s recommendation we checked out a Speakeasy about 20 minutes away from the house which was also so much fun to visit. Overall such a wonderful experience for a weekend away
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful Experience

This was our first lakeside vacation and this was the perfect place! Cottage was beautifully classic and with many updates. Super comfortable, and beyond well stocked. Owners take great care of this place and were extremely responsive and flexible. Wonderful location, beautiful views and the lake is gorgeous.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Love lake life!

We couldn’t have asked for more!!! Everything we could’ve needed was provided and more. We loved our morning paddle board and kayak rides, the lake was absolutely beautiful and so peaceful. Kids loved the dock, fishing, and lounging on the oversized float. This was the perfect place to connect with family and friends and we cannot wait to go back!!!!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Good time

This was our third time renting cottage and as always good time. Great family time together from the canoeing and kayaking to the fire pit at night. Cottage is quaint but big enough for family to enjoy. Neil
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A wonderful place!

Sweet cottage, lovingly maintained, honoring its history- along with the lake. We loved the multiple, cozy seating areas conducive to connecting and conversations. We only stayed for a long weekend- and it was rainy and coolish, but we lacked for nothing. The cottage has a kind and calming vibe- thank you for sharing it with us.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful Cottage

The Quintessential New England Lake Front Cottage is absolutely gorgeous. The house easily accommodated our group of 8 and truly felt like a home away from home, but with way better decor an a whole lake in the backyard!! There is so much to do at the cottage, inside and out, that kept our whole crew happy and entertained. As parents of screen kids who are always "board", having so may things to do without complaint is where the real vacation starts for us grown-ups!! 😁 Highly recommend staying here...we'll definitely be back!!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful Lake Getaway

We had such an awesome time at Kari and Rod’s Lake house. It was everything we could have wanted to relax and enjoy time with our family. We canoed, paddle boarded, swam in the lake and even caught some fish! We read books, made s’mores at the fire pit, and enjoyed family dinners around their big table. We felt so at home. Their lake house is beautiful and so comfortable The bedrooms were perfect for our family and the couches were so comfy when we were ready to come in from full days of lake activities. It was so hard to leave on our last day and we can’t wait to go back!! Thanks Kari and Rod for being such great hosts!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Ducking’ Awesome!

We were delighted with our entire experience at the cottage. We enjoyed the days on the dock and utilized the kayak and canoe. At night we enjoy the fire by the lake. One afternoon it did rain and we took full advantage of the peaceful serenity in the cottage listening to rain in the most cozy chairs with coffee. The vibes, flowers, decor, and thoughtful instructions made our stay better than what we hoped for. Every detail of care was noticed. We hope to return again.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

So relaxing!

This cottage had everything my family needed to enjoy a long weekend together on the lake. We had fun swimming, paddle boarding, eating/drinking, playing cards, and relaxing! Our dog swam her heart out. We were even able to catch a little music festival at the nearby South Acworth village store. It was incredible. We would have had a fire, but it rained…but even that was OK, as the rain was beautiful on the lake. We had everything we could need in the cabin and little charming towns nearby to grab what we forgot. Thank you for sharing your cottage with us!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A hidden gem!!

I don't even know where to start. What an absolutely amazing family vacation we had at this hidden Gem. First off, the owners are the best. Super friendly, accommodating, easily reachable, and incredibly helpful. We even had to reach out to Kari and Rod one evening when our 1yr old golden retriever got a fishhook stuck in her lip. Within a few minutes one of the neighbors was over with snippers to try and cut it free. Oh, and I can't forget to mention the welcome card and gifts. As far as the lake house itself... PERFECT for our family. We were out on/in the lake every day with the use of the kayaks, canoes, paddle boards, etc. The area is very quiet so nice spot to relax. The house has trees on both sides which makes it very private. I could go on and on about the comfort of the living/dining space, kitchen, utilities, etc,,, but I think you get the point. Was pretty sweet. The one bedroom that had a side bedroom attached was perfect for my son and daughters-in-law's young family. The other rooms worked perfectly for us as well. Couple of things to note ..Was a little tricky to find at first as the owners mentioned may happen but they give great details to limit that issue. It's about 20min from Newport which has whatever you forget to bring with you. Cell service is limited as you close in on Acworth/Unity but the wifi at the lake house is great. My daughter even worked remote one day doing conference calls. Rent it! Thanks for everything Kari and Rod. Hope to be back
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2024
Archival

6/10 Okay

Nice, but overpriced.

The not-so-good: We arrived 15 minutes early, and were greeted by "We're still cleaning." Luckily we were able to use the bathrooms, but dogs were not allowed in. We waited another 25 minutes for the cleaning lady to finish. The cottage was clean, but smaller than i anticipated. The microwave didn't work, and we called the owner about it - she said they would send someone to fix or replace it, but no one ever came. She and her husband were extremely nice. The dock was broken, when you walked out onto the main deck, one of the legs was gone, so it slanted down to the rgt, it was almost dangerous with my nephew. The longer dock, isn't really anchored down to anything, so it floats, which was also a little tough to walk on - especially when boats drove by which created a decent wake. The rooms are set up strange - There's a master br (the largest room) and the 2nd largest is ATTACHED to the master. Beds are uncomfortable (but parents said the master was comfy) So you would have to walk through someones room to get to it. Might not be an issue for some, but i didn't want to share a br with my parents. (ages 28/30). Also the walls are paper thin, so if you're looking for privacy - this is not the place! Oh and every time we used the grill, it set the fire alarms off - i think the grill just needs to be cleaned. Also, seems picky, but the door that leads out to the water, the handle kept falling off, and every time we tried to close, its like a magic touch trying to get it shut, it was just a daily annoyance. The good: the property was in a really pretty, semi-private location in NH. There was a beautiful, large dining room for my family and I to all be able to sit for dinner, with a great view of the lake, with a decent size kitchen for cooking. The cottage had Netflix, which was great for watching movies at night with the family. There's not too much around, but there is a grocery store and some restaurants about 15 minutes away. Also, seems trivial, but there's a great Bose speaker system that you can plug your iphone/phone into to play music out the windows, which was awesome. The bathrooms were newly renovated and clean with plenty of towels and beach towels for use. There was a fire pit with six chairs for us to sit around, which was nice. There are some great railroad trails around for dirt biking and walking. They also have 4 kayaks, a canoe, & floatys which was nice! Overall good experience, relaxing, but pricey.
Response from VrboOwner on Mar 29, 2020
The microwave has been replaced this year. The main dock is fixed. Beds have been improved. The door to outside was also fixed.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Happy Thanksgiving

Third time staying at Duckhead and it never disappoints. Great hosts, property and location. Would love to visit again sometime.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Excellent!!! Hope to return next summer!

We had an amazing time!! Kari doesn’t miss a detail and has everything you need!! It was very hot and we spent most of the time floating in the lake, kayaking or paddle boarding or fishing off the dock! The water is beautiful and clear, great for swimming and fishing! We hope to go back next summer!! Thanks for sharing your piece of paradise with us!
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Love this place.

Couldn’t be happier with this home. Owner is very responsive. Stayed twice now and it feels like home each time. Hope to be back again. Thank you for everything!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2022

About the host

Hosted by Kari and Rod MacLeod

Host profile image
We are a family of 5 who loves being outdoors. We have fallen in love with Duck Head cottage and Crescent Lake. We enjoy our cottage getaway year round and love skiing at nearby Mount Sunapee. We also really enjoy renting our cottage to guests when we can't be there to enjoy it ourselves! We feel lucky to share this special place with others!

Why they chose this property

The cottage is cozy, quaint and steps away from lakeside fun. The property is directly on the lake and has everything you need for kayaking, canoeing, and swimming in Spring, Summer and Fall. In Winter you can drive to ski Mount Sunapee or Okemo, while being able to skate, snowshoe and cross country ski on the lake. We are just 25 minutes from Mount Sunapee and all that it has to offer for year round fun including their high ropes course and zip lines and the chairlift to the top to enjoy the foliage in the fall.

What makes this property unique

We have some of the best swimming on Crescent lake right from our dock.

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