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Great Year-Round Rental Cottage Finger Lakes Owasco Lake, NY - Smiling Moon

Lakefront cottage with kitchen and patio

Photo gallery for Great Year-Round Rental Cottage Finger Lakes Owasco Lake, NY - Smiling Moon

Smiling Moon Cottage
South Facing View of Lake
Lake and Dock View
Evening View of Deck & Gazebo
Evening Lake View

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
3 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 6

Popular amenities

  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Fireplace
  • Kitchen

Explore the area

View in a map
Auburn, NY
  • Place, Owasco Lake
    ‪2 min walk‬
  • Place, Emerson Park
    ‪2 min drive‬
  • Place, Merry-Go-Round Playhouse
    ‪2 min drive‬
  • Airport, Syracuse, NY (SYR-Hancock Intl.)
    ‪44 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Double Bed

Bedroom 3

1 Queen Bed

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Outdoor play area
Garden

About this property

Great Year-Round Rental Cottage Finger Lakes Owasco Lake, NY - Smiling Moon

Welcome to Smiling Moon! Our Finger lakes cottage is located on the west side of Owasco Lake in Auburn, NY. The cottage is situated in Poplar Cove. There are nice views of the north & east side of the lake as well as gorgeous sunrises in the mornings.
One of the most impressive features at the cottage is the level lake frontage, which is pretty hard to come by in the area. There are no stairs to worry about to get to the water! The spacious deck on the house is scarcely is on the water's edge with 56' of waterfront and a 60'-foot dock for your boat.
There is a small side yard for games/play (corn hole set provided) and each side has a chain-link fence for some privacy. The large decks have comfortable seating including a table & chairs, umbrella, and some additional outdoor furniture along with a Weber gas grill. There is also a mesh firepit (firewood not provided) located at the edge of the lawn.
Smiling Moon cottage is a single-story ranch. An open floorplan with approximately 1100 square feet decorated in eclectic bits of Mid-Century Mod and Bohemian styles. The living room has a 55" smart TV with a large sofa, end table with lamp, and two swivel recliners. Going down a few steps into the great room there are huge sliding windows that offer a beautiful view of the lake, a small seating nook perfect for enjoying your coffee or tea in the morning, dining table with seating for six, and a decorative (no burning) stone front fireplace.
The fully stocked kitchen is charmingly quaint with ample counter space, stainless steel appliances including a gas range, microwave, dishwasher, and refrigerator. The kitchen also has basic appliances such as a toaster, milk-shake maker, tea kettle, and a Keurig coffeemaker. All kinds of cookware, dishes, utensils, gadgets, and cooking spices are provided.
A full bath with walk-in shower.
A dedicated laundry space with a full-size washer and dryer are also a great amenity! Linens including lake towels are provided, but are not your responsibility to wash for the next guests.
Three bedrooms; "Marvelous Mod" is the primary bedroom including a queen-size bed, two nightstands with bedside lamps, bench, 24" smart TV, and a wardrobe cabinet. "Blissful Bleu" is the 2nd bedroom also with a queen-size bed, wardrobe cabinet, and one night table with lamp. The "Ziggy Zebra" room is the 3rd bedroom with a full size bed, wardrobe cabinet, floor lamp, and a small stool.
The cottage is year-round, has heat, and is on public water and sewer.
You will enjoy sitting on the deck watching the boats and kayakers go by & listening to the relaxing sounds of the water. If you don't have a boat, one can be rented at one of the three different nearby marinas and kept at the dock. Take the boats to nearby "Emerson Park" to anchor and socialize. "Emerson Park" features a beach, with lovely sandy bottom waters suitable for swimming, a public boat launch & spectacular sunsets. Owasco lake is popular for water-skiing and boating; it is smaller and shallower than many other Finger Lakes, so the water warms up quickly.
Visit downtown Auburn just 10 minutes away. Located in the heart of the Finger Lakes Region of New York State, Auburn is the county seat of Cayuga County. The City of Auburn is rich in history, arts and culture, offering a great array of museums, historic sites and national landmarks such as the Harriet Tubman National Historical Park and the Seward House Museum. Auburn is known for a thriving arts scene featuring the Auburn Public Theater and the "Schweinfurth" Art Center, and the Merry-Go-Round Playhouse, an excellent recreation spot.
Fantastic restaurants, museums, many wineries/cideries/breweries and hiking are also all close by.
Smiling Moon is conveniently located just 9 miles from beautiful Skaneateles, NY. It is also less than an hour drive to Ithaca, NY, as well as Seneca & Cayuga Lakes. Shopping at the Waterloo Outlets Mall is less than a half hour away. There is so much to see and do, you will be pleasantly surprised!
For our Fall and Winter guests, we want to mention that we are close to the Finger Lake wineries as well as easy access to Cayuga county snowmobiling trails and not too far from snow ski mountains.
For an experienced fishing and hunting guide on Skaneateles Lake, contact Mike Crawford at 315-283-8871. If you're interested in renting a Pontoon Boat, please contact Owasco Marine at 315-258-9096 as early as possible. They sell out quickly.
Free Wireless Internet (network password will be provided in home)
Start or continue your family's tradition of a great Finger Lakes vacation!
Be well. PEACE!

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Amenities

Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
Outdoor space

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 30
Check out before 10:30 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Photo Id is required prior to booking
Swimming and Boating access from cottage is at own risk.

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

About the area

Auburn

Located in Auburn, this cottage is on the waterfront. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Cayuga Lake and Frozen Ocean State Forest, while Ward W. O'Hara Agricultural Museum and Merry-Go-Round Playhouse are cultural highlights. Looking to enjoy an event or a game while in town? See what's happening at Falcon Park or Champions For Life Sports Center.
Map
Auburn, NY

What's nearby

  • Owasco Lake - 2 min walk - 0.2 km
  • Emerson Park - 2 min drive - 2.5 km
  • Merry-Go-Round Playhouse - 2 min drive - 3.2 km
  • Ward W. O'Hara Agricultural Museum - 2 min drive - 3.2 km
  • Cornell University - 49 min drive - 67.3 km

Getting around

  • Cortland, NY (CTX-Cortland County) - 46 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Sakura Chinese Buffet - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Valero - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Simple Roast Coffee - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Nino's Pizzeria II - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Parkers' Grille & Tap House - ‬6 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Great Year-Round Rental Cottage Finger Lakes Owasco Lake, NY - Smiling Moon pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much is parking at Great Year-Round Rental Cottage Finger Lakes Owasco Lake, NY - Smiling Moon?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Great Year-Round Rental Cottage Finger Lakes Owasco Lake, NY - Smiling Moon?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Great Year-Round Rental Cottage Finger Lakes Owasco Lake, NY - Smiling Moon?

Checkout is at 10:30 AM.

Where is Great Year-Round Rental Cottage Finger Lakes Owasco Lake, NY - Smiling Moon located?

This family-friendly Auburn cottage is located on the waterfront, within 2 mi (3 km) of Owasco Lake, Emerson Park and Merry-Go-Round Playhouse. Ward W. O'Hara Agricultural Museum and Harriet Tubman Home are also within 3 miles (5 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
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Rating 10 - Excellent. 19 out of 19 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 19 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 19 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 19 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 19 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Stacy L.

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

Perfect Lake house

We enjoyed the house and lake, visited with family from all around Auburn.
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Ashlee G.

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

Cute cottage for the family

We had an absolutely wonderful stay at the smiling moon! The house was immaculate and such a cozy location. Owners were great and we will definitely be coming again! Great for families, especially if you have your own boat with the dock access!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Amy M.

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

Making Memories at Smiling Moon Cottage

The cottage was perfect inside and out. It had everything we needed to enjoy lake life to its fullest. We look forward to another trip filled with family fun and memories.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Martha A.

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

Fun and relaxing stay.

This was a great place to spend quality family time. There was plenty to do with easy access to the beautiful lake for kayaking, and a pool table and ping-pong for nightly fun. Historic sites in nearby Auburn offered excellent tours. Good restaurants and breweries were abundant in the surrounding area.
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Joshua G., Chapel Hill, NC

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

Relaxing lake retreat

This is a great little place on Owasco Lake. The cottage is very nice and the owners thought of all the details to make our stay relaxing and enjoyable. Great hosts and a beautiful place. Thanks for sharing.
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Clay C.

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

Fantastic Place

My wife, daughter, and I stayed at this property and loved every minute. We found everything to be very clean and comfortable. The views on the lake were amazing. We did a fair bit of traveling the finger lakes while we stayed, and it was amazing to have this house to return to. We certainly will stay here again given the opportunity.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Amy M.

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

Joy and relaxation

Beautiful cottage with amazing views. Felt more like home than a rental.
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

amy f.

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

Second year

Again, this was a great stay. It is perfect for a fishing weekend. The host is great and so accommodating. We will be back next year!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

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

Cozy home

This cozy home was clean and comfortable . Had all the amenities you could ever need. The view of lake is superb. Owners are very responsive in answering questions.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kim G.

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

Awesome Relaxation!

Clean, comfortable cottage with an awesome view! Everything you needed for a get away right at your fingertips. Was a cool fall weekend, however we were able to enjoy the deck both days. Communication with owners was excellent and informative. Definite recommendation for this property!!
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Bridget C.

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

Better than expected!

This beautiful home exceeded my families expectations. David has thought of everything. I worked in travel and so I am very conscious of cleanliness and it was immaculate here. Pristine. I don’t say that lightly. Everything about the stay from check in to check out was exceptional. Wonderful communication, he made me feel comfortable and welcome. David’s home has everything you’d want for a week on the lake with family. My husband said everything had been thought of from kleenex to blankets to garbage bags to laundry and laundry detergent. Everything you could ever need is here. The three bedrooms was amazing, especially with our three year old. He loved having his own bed. I will never forget the week we spent here. Thank you David! We will definitely be back!
Stayed 8 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Alison M., Lakeland FL

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

Perfect weekend stay on the lake!

My husband & I really enjoyed this adorable cottage on Owasco Lake. It was better than we expected. This was an adorable gem of a cozy cottage on Owasco Lake. This is literally the cleanest place that we have ever stayed. They had everything that you could possibly need in a cottage rental. We felt so at home; in my hometown; in this beautifully decorated place.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Kathy S.

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

What a wonderful cottage!

This was the perfect cottage and location for our short end of summer get away. It surpassed our expectations in every way. Every little detail has been carefully thought out. We loved the unique water front deck area leading onto the dock where we tied up our boat. Smiling Moon cottage has certainly left us smiling. We would rent again for sure!
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

amy f.

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

Fishing weekend

We had a great weekend fishing. Your house was perfect and just so convenient. Thank you for letting us stay there. We will be back.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Michael R.

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

Awesome Place! LOVE and will book again!

Property owners are very responsive and on top of things. Instructions and access information was sent promptly before our visit. The property was immaculate with a beatiful deck area and pergola. The pool table was fun in the evenings and on one rainy afternoon we had. Close to two Kayak boat rental locations. Beatiful playground with spray park nearby that my daughter enjoyed. Nice fire pit that we were able to use to roast marshmallows. all the details of everything you could needs was supplied, towels, linens, blankets, well stocked kitchen with Keurig and K-cups. Even corn hole was on site to use for outdoor games. There are two window ac units in two of the bedrooms and tower and ceiling fans everywhere. It was a very comfortable stay even on the one 92 degree day! The view outside was absolutely stunning. We will definitely book this again sometime.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Suzanne M., Lakeview

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

Smiling moon/smiling guests

Beautiful and clean with everything you need. Perfect little lakeside getaway!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Mark P.

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

PERFECT!

Enjoyable stay. All you need for a week at the lake.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

edward p., Matawan

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

Very enjoyable stay on the lake. close to waterfront park with lots of activites

Well equipped cottage on the lake, Very warm weather but had lots of fans. quiet neighborhood, would recommend
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Tanya Y.

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

Amazing!!

My family and I have rented through VRBO for many years, this was our favorite rental to date! My husband and I have 4 daughters ages 8-16 and love to rent places directly on the water as we have a boat as well. This rental was even better than described in the listing! Every detail was thought out by the property owners. As we entered the house it was immaculate and we immediately fell in love. The game room was a HUGE hit as we spent many hours challenging each other in pool and ping pong. There was corn hole available as well. The location of the property on the water is ideal for families as it is very close to Emerson park and the dock is perfect for parking your boat. Thank you David for a great week at Owasco lake, my family and I look forward to returning to your property in the future.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2022

About the host

Your host

Host profile image
Down to earth, simple, appreciating the finer and most important things in life; enjoying family and friends and we LOVE our home state of New York.

Why they chose this property

When we first set eyes on our cozy cottage, we had to buy it! It just felt right, you know. The peace and quiet we get from our lake time together is all we need to unwind & recharge.

What makes this property unique

All the comforts of home.
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