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Private Island Retreat on Grenadier Island – 5 Bedrooms, Dock, Pet-Friendly

Photo gallery for Private Island Retreat on Grenadier Island – 5 Bedrooms, Dock, Pet-Friendly

View from harbor
View of bay
From Basin harbor
Exterior
View from Halcyon Point

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
5 bedrooms3 bathroomsSleeps 144000 sq ft

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Dryer
  • Pet-friendly
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Air-conditioning

Explore the area

View in a map
Cape Vincent, NY
  • Place, Queen's University
  • Place, Kingston Waterfront
  • Place, Fort Drum
  • Airport, Watertown, NY (ART-Watertown Intl.)

Rooms & beds

5 bedrooms (sleeps 14)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 3

2 Single Beds, 1 Double Futon and 1 Crib

Bedroom 4

4 Single Bunk Beds

Bedroom 5

1 Double Bed

Living Room 1

1 Queen Sofa Bed

3 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Bathtub · Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 2

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Bathroom 3

Bathtub or shower · Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 4

Bathtub or shower

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Balcony
Separate dining area
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Private Island Retreat on Grenadier Island – 5 Bedrooms, Dock, Pet-Friendly

Escape the crowds at this well-maintained, air-conditioned 4-bedroom lakefront cottage with a separate A/C stone guest cottage (5th bedroom, no bath), a barn with a second floor unfinished game room (ping pong, foosball, weights), and a dock for up to four boats. Located at the foot of bridge-free Grenadier Island in the Thousand Islands, this pet-friendly retreat offers sweeping views of Lake Ontario, Basin Harbor, and passing freighters.

The home sits on 700 private preserve acres on a 1,200-acre island—with 15+ miles of maintained trails for hiking, biking, and ATV riding, plus abundant wildlife and wildflowers. The house itself occupies seven acres of lawn with a stone fire pit on the shore. You are renting far more than a house—this is a private nature adventure.

Inside, the home blends old-stone charm with modern comfort: a master suite with balcony and marble bath, a queen bedroom, a twin room with lounge/pull-out sofa, and a 4-bed bunk room with loft. The guest stone cottage holds a full bed. Two additional marble bathrooms, four smart TVs, and a fully equipped kitchen (KitchenAid, waffle iron, warming drawer, ice-cream maker, new Thermador range) provide all conveniences.

Enjoy hiking, swimming (private beach at the island’s head + flat-stone shoreline by the house), boating, birding, fishing, tubing, water skiing, and more. Included are a canoe, two kayaks, and a paddleboard. A restored 19th-century schoolhouse with original desks delights kids and adults alike.

Fall is perfect for apple picking (many trees on property), hiking, bonfires at the new fire pit, or relaxing by the two fireplaces.

If you venture off-island, Cape Vincent is a 15-minute boat ride, and Kingston, Ontario is ~40 minutes by boat (longer via ferry). Tennis, golf, shopping, museums, restaurants, and bars are all easily accessible once ashore.

Boat access is required (5–10 minutes). Take your own boat(boat ramp at marina) or boat rental may be available from owner, with proven experience, or arrangement can be made for transport by caretaker; caretaker can assist with transport and will greet you at the marina on arrival. Optional rentals:
• 2 ATVs – $875/week each (+ deposit)
• 4-seat Polaris + trailer – $975/week (+ deposit)
• 22’ Grady–White w/ 250 HP – $1,500/week (+ deposit)

Rates:
• Base rate includes 10 guests (children/babies included). Additional guests $100/person up to 14 max.
• Dogs: $75/week each, max 2 (exceptions possible).
• Minimum stays: 7 nights July–August; 3 nights most of June & September.

New for 2025: Starlink high-speed internet, upgraded sound system, and WiFi extended to the guest cottage.

Keywords: Thousand Islands lake house, private island home, preserved land, internet, satellite TV, pet-friendly.

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi
Air conditioning

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 30
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 (limit 2 total)
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
$75 per dog fee $100 per person over 10; maximum 14

Important information

You need to know

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
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit

We should mention

This property does not have any lifts

About the area

Cape Vincent

Located in Cape Vincent, this holiday home is near theme parks and on the beach. Rideau Canal and Tibbets Point Lighthouse are local landmarks, and travellers looking to shop may want to visit Kingston Centre and King's Crossing Outlet. Travelling with kids? Consider Marine Museum of the Great Lakes and Kingston Family Funworld. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
View more Holiday homes in Cape VincentOpens in a new window
Map
Cape Vincent, NY

Getting around

  • Watertown, NY (ART-Watertown Intl.) - 37 min drive

Restaurants

  • Channel Marker 243
  • Snug Harbor Bar Restaurant and Marina
  • ‪Cape Vincent Brewing Company - ‬14 min drive
  • Cup Of Joy
  • Pw's Fire House Diner

Frequently asked questions

Is Private Island Retreat on Grenadier Island – 5 Bedrooms, Dock, Pet-Friendly pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 2 total).

How much does it cost to stay at Private Island Retreat on Grenadier Island – 5 Bedrooms, Dock, Pet-Friendly?

As of 16 Mar, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Private Island Retreat on Grenadier Island – 5 Bedrooms, Dock, Pet-Friendly on 4 May, 2026 start from S$853, 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 at Private Island Retreat on Grenadier Island – 5 Bedrooms, Dock, Pet-Friendly?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Private Island Retreat on Grenadier Island – 5 Bedrooms, Dock, Pet-Friendly?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Private Island Retreat on Grenadier Island – 5 Bedrooms, Dock, Pet-Friendly?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Private Island Retreat on Grenadier Island – 5 Bedrooms, Dock, Pet-Friendly located?

Nestled on the beach, this Cape Vincent holiday home is steps from Lake Ontario and 10.7 mi (17.3 km) from Long Point State Park - Thousand Islands. Big Sandy Bay Management Area and Cedar Point State Park are also within 16 miles (25 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 22 out of 23 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 1 out of 23 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 23 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 23 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 23 reviews

9.2/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Michael G.

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

Great vacation spot can’t wait to go back

A great place to spend a week and disconnect from the everyday life. Great property with lots or as little to do as you want. Very nice people to deal with for booking and our stay. It has become our home away from home.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

8/10 Good

Jay P.

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

Grenadier Week

Very nice...maybe a little remote for some , but perfect for our family
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2019

10/10 Excellent

joanne v.

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

Absolutely beautiful vacation spot!!

We absolutely loved our week here and we certainly hope to come back again in the near future! What a place to escape and relax and enjoy nature! There's so much for everyone to do and so much to explore. The property was beautiful and the lake water was so clean. We enjoyed lots of fishing and beautiful sunsets and relaxing on the porch.... can't wait to go back!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Paul C.

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

Fantastic

One of a kind property. Was more then I expected. Truly a special place
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Michael G.

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

A relaxing getaway

This was our 4th year back to island and as always it was a great week. Lots to do exploring the trails on atv’s, fishing, swimming or going to the beach across the island all while enjoying the awesome scenery all around you. Then at night watching the beautiful sunsets every night with drinks in hand. It doesn’t get better than this.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024
This review was submitted before 2018 and can't be verified.

10/10 Excellent

Fishing

We had a great time fishing…My gang would pack up and head back in an instant if we gave the word!

10/10 Excellent

Kristi S.

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

Amazing place with fantastic views!

Another great vacation on the books at Grenadier Island! The house is very comfortable, even for my crew of 10 people! Lots of places to hang out, cook and eat together too! The views from all of the porches are fantastic. Loved the addition of the A/C throughout the house! There is so much to do on the island that we hardly ever left the place! John (the owner) is very accommodating and responds to requests immediately. This is our favorite place to vacation in Cape Vincent. We will definitely be back next year!!!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2019

10/10 Excellent

Kristi S.

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

Amazing island paradise!

Once again my family and I had a fantastic time on the island! The house is super-comfortable with plenty of places to hang out. The views from the deck are spectacular. The island has lots of nooks and crannies to explore, including a white sand beach. The house and garage are stocked with everything you would need (including extra beach chairs - a nice touch), and the recent addition of a commercial icemaker makes island life a lot easier. The owner is great to deal with and George the caretaker makes sure you are always well taken care of. This is our favorite vacation spot by far. Love this place!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2020

10/10 Excellent

Celia B.

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

Magical island getaway!

Our family travels quite a bit, but this island now occupies a special place in our hearts! John (our host) and George (the property caretaker) both went above and beyond to make us feel welcome and make sure we had everything we needed. The house is both elegant and comfortable, and we felt at home immediately. We woke up to jaw-dropping views in the mornings, then went on day-long adventures all around the island. No one day was the same, and we kept finding new surprises and delights. We built a fire by the lake every evening to watch the stunning sunsets, and then we'd retire to the cozy library to collapse in the comfy chairs and enjoy our books or a movie. We left yesterday and I miss the island already!
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2021
This review was submitted before 2018 and can't be verified.

10/10 Excellent

Patrick M.

Awesome Adventure!

I stayed at Grenadier Island with my family as well as my brother's family. In total, 4 kids, 4 adults and 2 dogs. We had a blast! The views were spectacular, the atmosphere was truly breathtaking. The house was very nice, plenty of bed space and room to operate, and service upon arrival was excellent. We rented the boat as well as a couple ATV's which were a big hit as we explored the Island on a daily/nightly basis and the kids loved it. The fire pit was fun, the beach was nice and found the entire week very relaxing as a family. If you are into Boating, Fishing, ATV's, Sunsets, Sunrises, etc you will LOVE this spot! We will definitely be back! Thanks to John (owner) for everything.

10/10 Excellent

Joshua C.

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

Island Paradise

My family had an amazing time on Grenadier Island. If you are looking for a place to escape and enjoy nature (with all the modern conveniences) then this is the place for you. There is plenty to explore on the island and the natural beauty of the place is unparalleled. Wild life is plentiful - we saw deer, foxes, mink, cranes, herons, geese, snakes, frogs, osprey, eagles, and numerous other types of birds. The house is incredibly comfortable and has everything you need during your stay. Our family only left the island once during our stay for provisions. The owner John and his caretaker George are incredibly helpful and made sure we had everything that we needed. You can tell that this isn't a normal vacation rental -- it is a family home that clearly John and his family cherish. We will definitely be back next year.
Stayed 14 nights in Aug 2019

10/10 Excellent

Paul L.

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

Fantastic spot, great owner

We stayed over the week of July 4th. 3 couples with adult kids. If you like the water, water sports, relaxing, nature and unbelievable scenery....this is an amazing place. The island is a short boat ride away and offers up a fantastic view in all directions. We took advantage of the kayaks, canoes, firepit by the lake, cornhole on the sprawling lawn, tubing, fishing, sunsets, ping pong, hikes, drinks on the deck, cruising on the lake and generally having a great time. John, the owner, is fantastic...great communication & information, responsive, etc...Although we spent most of our time outside, the house was spacious, the rooms comfortable and generally speaking, it had more amenities than we expected. The caretaker George is also super knowledgeable, thorough and accomodating. We'll be back!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kristi S.

Paradise and Privacy!

What an amazing place! My family of 7 adults and 2 kids had a blast. The house is super comfortable and very spacious. There's plenty of space for everyone to hang-out. The views from the house and all around the island are breathtaking - from the sunrise to the spectacular sunsets..... ship watching, wildlife and the acres and acres of wilderness.... this place is a photographer's dream. We rented the UTV to explore the island (highly recommend this if you have more than 4 people) and made several trips to the white sand beach on the back of the island. This place looks like the Caribbean and is basically like having your own private beach. There is so much to do on the island; swimming, hiking, bird-watching, hanging out on the beach, fishing or just spending time on the huge porches enjoying the sunsets. John (the owner) and George the caretaker were great to deal with and very helpful in making sure all of our needs were met. We will definitely be renting here again.... true Paradise in Cape Vincent!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2018
This review was submitted before 2018 and can't be verified.

10/10 Excellent

Anitamarie B.

What a Find!!!!!!!!

We have stayed at many vacation rentals and this rental is the best!! Our family has nicknamed this rental "Surf and Turf" because there is just as much fun to be had on land as there is on the water. We had three generations with us and had so much fun together ...BOATING...ATVS ....BONFIRES.....FISHING....BEACH DAYS...LOOKING FOR FOSSILS ON THE COAST...BIRD WATCHING.....AND JUST RELAXING . The home is VERY PRIVATE, beautiful and had every ammenity we could ask for. We are all cooks and enjoyed making family meals in the well stocked kitchen. The porches provided hours of entertainment having coffee or cocktails while birdwatching or watching the sunset. We had teenagers and preschoolers and everyone was outside and entertained. The owner (John) is great! He had Bill (the caretaker) meet us upon arrival at Martin's Marina and follow him to the rental to show us around and answer any questions we had. We would like to thank John for sharing this gem of a property with our family. We can't wait to return next year :-)

10/10 Excellent

Regina T.

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

Wonderful

One of a kind family vacation! Private, relaxing, and so much to do. We all really enjoyed ourselves!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2020

10/10 Excellent

Amanda L.

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

Beautiful! Amazing!

My family of 6 (kids ages - 15, 13, 7 & 7) and our 2 labs had the most wonderful time at John's place. We spent all of our time outdoors - jumping from the boat, to the paddle boards, to the ATV's/Polaris. The scenery was gorgeous and having the island to explore everyday was so much fun. Long walks, catching frogs, turtles, and fish and than water front fire pits nightly made for an amazing get away from it all! Thank you John! And thank you to George for all your assistance!
This review was submitted before 2018 and can't be verified.

10/10 Excellent

Jim P.

Amazing island retreat!

This was our first time using VRBO and visiting 1000 islands. John, the owner, and his caretakers, George and RJ, were trustworthy, honest and extremely accommodating! They were very easy to get ahold of and responded to emails, calls and texts very quickly... They made us feel very comfortable through the entire process and everything was perfect, just as the ad stated. The house was very clean and everything worked perfectly. The island was amazing for exploring and/or hunting and the house location is perfectly situated! We saw sunrises and sunsets from both the patio and living room! You can't ask for a better location! Wish I could post pics because they were amazing. I'll send them to John so he can post in the ad if he chooses because it was breathtaking. We didn't see a single person as we explored the island, so if you love solitude, this place is perfect for you. We took full advantage of the amenities that the house and property had to offer and it made our vacation even better than we expected. I highly recommend this property and owner, and I doubt you'll find better service, cleanliness, accommodations and especially location! We will be back again... John thanks for everything! Jim and Sherry
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2017
This review was submitted before 2018 and can't be verified.

10/10 Excellent

Never bored

Hi John, I can't even begin to describe how much we enjoyed your house and the island. It was perfect for us in so many ways. The boat and ATVs were such a huge hit and enabled us to enjoy the island on many different levels. My sister's children, ages 4 and 6, were free to enjoy the surroundings without the fear of cars or other hazards. My boys, ages 11 to 23, had an absolute blast. Not once did we hear the typical, "we're bored" routine from any of the kids! The adults truly appreciated the opportunity to unplug. It is such a special place, I think we all agreed we'd like to return same time next year. Again, just an incredible place. Thanks for making it available to us, as well as your attention to detail. It has been clear to me that you want your guests to enjoy their stay on the island. We typically rent vacation homes twice a year and I must say that this experience, both the rental itself and your ability to make your home feel so welcoming to guests, exceeded all of our collective expectations and experiences. By the way, I loved reading the newspaper article in the downstairs bathroom about your 6 hour event on the ice, as well as your son's detail of the fall journey to the island in 8ft swells! Sounds like a lot of memories have been made on Grenadier. Take care, Meg
This review was submitted before 2018 and can't be verified.

10/10 Excellent

James N.

Thanks

Thanks for everything. In short, it way exceeded our expectations. Well worth it. One of the best family trips we have every had. thanks again.
This review was submitted before 2018 and can't be verified.

10/10 Excellent

cheri c.

This home an unbelievable slice of paradise!

Our family arrived never expecting such a wonderful place to stay for the week. There is sleeping capacity for many more than 8 -- the bedrooms are large & comfortable. The owner is extremely reasonable and fair! We had internet, TV, unlimited use of nearly any appliance you could imagine, a fully useable kitchen and information galore. The owner truly feels that whoever stays there should feel comfortable. We brought our own boat and Jet Ski which I would recommend if not renting one. One day we took our 30' boat to Kingston Canada -- just a one hour ride across the channel. We also rented the owner's ATVs to explore the 1000 acres of untouched property. The home is far away from any neighbors so it assures the renter of quiet privacy. This place is a "re-do" annually for us going forward! It is a short 2.5 hr drive from Rochester. The VRBO description by the owner is understated..... Our entire family recommends this home without any reservation whatsoever! Truly, by far, one of the nicest vacations we have taken as a large family ever -- and THE nicest rental we have ever made thru VRBO.
This review was submitted before 2018 and can't be verified.

10/10 Excellent

Wyatt U.

Great Weekend

We had a wonderful time last week in a fabulous home. So nice and peaceful up there. I could spend all day just sitting on the deck. The sunsets - wow! and going back memorial day weekend!
This review was submitted before 2018 and can't be verified.

10/10 Excellent

CT

I really enjoyed your place and would recommend it to others without reservation (was there for two weeks)
This review was submitted before 2018 and can't be verified.

10/10 Excellent

We had an awesome time. ...

We had an awesome time. Honestly, the best family vacation we've ever had. Thank you so much for everything. We are definitely considering going back. On Sat, Jul 25, 2009 KP

About the host

Hosted by John Uhlein

Host profile image
My wife and I have four children (ages 32-38), and 6 grandchildren, and currently just one yellow lab We all love the thrill of a new adventure, and this island really helps bring the whole family together. We all become kids again. My kids brought their kids out when they were just a few weeks old.

Why they chose this property

My family is originally from the area, and the Island has been in the family for over seventy years . My four kids and their families still love the island; so much that they have cross country skied across the lake to get out there in the dead of winter. There is so much that you can do out there, you will never have enough time to fit it all in... I am still trying.

What makes this property unique

I have just taken up mountain biking on the island, so if you don't want to rent the ATVs, bring your bikes....or just walk/hike. There is a LOT of history to the island which you can read about in The Bedford Journal(written in late 1800s) left in the house, or in the newly restored School House, mid island. Many renters tell me they stayed up late at night reading about life on the island in the 1800s. Half of our rentals are repeat renters.

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English
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