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A Wonderful Rustic Cottage on Skaneateles Lake

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A rustic cottage in the woods
Exterior
Cozy Dining
Stove, Kitchen Cabinets and Refrigerator
Kitchen Counter and Sink

Reviews

10 out of 10, Loved by Guests
Top 10% based on
3 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 6816 sq ft

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Outdoor space
  • Parking available
  • Barbecue grill

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

2 Single Beds

Bedroom 3

2 Single Beds

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Outdoor play area
Dining area

About this property

A Wonderful Rustic Cottage on Skaneateles Lake

If you’re looking for a secluded rustic cottage on a beautiful lake, Pinewood is the place for you.
Located on the eastern shore of Skaneateles Lake, the “jewel of the Finger Lakes”, Pinewood, is the perfect getaway. Pinewood is a rustic 3 bedroom cottage, secluded in the woods, on the lake. You can enjoy sunny days on the dock and in the water. In the evening the sunsets are breathtaking from your porch, the firepit or the dock. You are just 8 miles by boat or car from the Village of Skaneateles where you can find restaurants, gift shops, and a grocery store.
From your front door it is just a few steps to the firepit. Chairs surround the firepit and we provide all the wood you need to enjoy your evenings around the fire. Just past the firepit are the stairs, (40 steps down) leading to the water and the private dock. There you find chairs for sitting and enjoying the lake. There are two kayaks and life vests so you can have fun paddling around the lake.
This 3 bedroom cottage has a Master bedroom with a Queen bed. The additional 2 bedrooms each have 2 twin beds. Maximum occupancy is 6 people. Cottage has an open plan kitchen/living room/dining area. Cottage is fully furnished. Cottage has cable TV, cd/dvd player, Wifi internet, a selection of dvd’s, gas stove, refrigerator, microwave, and an outdoor gas grill, (propane is provided by owner). Bed linens and towels are provided. Beds are made before you arrive. We even provide beach towels. There is one bathroom with a shower. The cottage has a covered porch and open deck with a patio table and 6 cushioned chairs. There is also a picnic table that seats 6.
This cottage has 100 feet of lakefront and is situated on 5 wooded acres. The one half mile private road insulates you from the nearest public road. On the lake you have a 36’ dock to enjoy. If you have a boat the dock will accommodate up to a 24’ boat for passengers to board or leave the boat. There is a mooring buoy available for leaving the boat when not in use. There is a rowboat to get you to and from your boat or just to have fun rowing around on the lake. Great swimming, fishing, and boating in the clear water of Skaneateles Lake.
Whether a place to come and hang out or a vacation starting point to see the wonders of the Finger Lakes, we think you will love Pinewood. All you need is your clothes, your food, and your water toys.


Owner requires a separate rental agreement after booking.



Pets: Dogs on approval. No Cats. No Smoking inside Pinewood.

In case of bad weather cottage has a back-up generator to provide electricity.


Contact: Barbara (Littlehales) Hearst



Keywords: cottage, rustic, cabin, lakeside,vacation,boating,swimming

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi
Outdoor space
Parking available
Lake view

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 21
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 3–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

Pets allowed: dogs (limit 2 total)
* Pet to be approved prior to renting
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

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

A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Skaneateles

Located in Skaneateles, this cottage is in a rural area and on the waterfront. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Bahar Nature Preserve and Summer Hill State Forest, while John D. Barrow Art Gallery and Skaneateles Historical Society are cultural highlights. Jet skiing and kayaking offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with cycling and hiking nearby.
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Map
Skaneateles, NY

What's nearby

  • Skaneateles Lake - 3 min walk - 0.3 km
  • Syracuse University - 32 min drive - 45.8 km
  • New York State Fairgrounds - 32 min drive - 46.7 km
  • Destiny USA - 36 min drive - 47.1 km
  • Cornell University - 52 min drive - 78.9 km

Getting around

  • Syracuse Regional Transportation Center - 39 min drive
  • Cortland, NY (CTX-Cortland County) - 38 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪The Milkhouse - ‬13 min drive
  • ‪Frank's Moondance - ‬13 min drive
  • ‪Lakeside Vista - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Mandana Inn - ‬25 min drive
  • ‪Niles Gourmet Bistro - ‬39 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is A Wonderful Rustic Cottage on Skaneateles Lake pet-friendly?

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

How much does it cost to stay at A Wonderful Rustic Cottage on Skaneateles Lake?

As of 6 Mar, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at A Wonderful Rustic Cottage on Skaneateles Lake on 31 Dec, 2026 start from S$351, 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 A Wonderful Rustic Cottage on Skaneateles Lake?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at A Wonderful Rustic Cottage on Skaneateles Lake?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at A Wonderful Rustic Cottage on Skaneateles Lake?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is A Wonderful Rustic Cottage on Skaneateles Lake located?

This family-friendly Skaneateles cottage is located on the waterfront, steps from Skaneateles Lake and within 9 mi (15 km) of Otisco Lake and Clift Park. Shotwell Memorial Park and John D. Barrow Art Gallery are also within 9 miles (15 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. 38 out of 41 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 3 out of 41 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 41 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 41 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 41 reviews

9.6/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Nostalgic decor and spectacular swimming! A wonderful place to relax, with friendly and generous hosts.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

helen z.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We were incredibly lucky with beautiful weather and as always (this is our 5th year) the best hosts one could wish for. A truly quiet, gorgeous lakefront cabin on the Finger Lakes most spectacular water!
Stayed 14 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

helen z.

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

Beautiful lake. privacy and gracious hosts!

The property is perfect for rest, water sports and privacy. Another wonderful stay!
Stayed 14 nights in Jul 2023

8/10 Good

HEIDI O.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Enjoyable Stay and very dog friendly!

Our stay was enjoyable and relaxing. The rental is very dog friendly, with places to walk your dog off-leash. Very good communication with the owners.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

alex p.

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

Relax by the lake!

amazing lake front experience, incredible sunsets. Rustic cabin in a perfect location.
Stayed 9 nights in Aug 2020

8/10 Good

Stacey H.

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

fun old camp

the best lake access! lovely property.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2019

10/10 Excellent

helen z.

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

Beautiful days on Skaneateles!

We spent another 2 weeks at the cottage on Skaneateles Lake. Our hosts were as wonderful as always and we enjoyed the water, the woods and all the fantastic restaurants in the village. We hope we can always return there.
Stayed 14 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Marlene M.

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

Lake view cabin

We love this property on the lake. A purely relaxing week with swimming, kayaking and watching our dog have the time of her life in the water. Thanks for sharing your special place.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

helen z.

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

Peaceful privacy with beautiful water

This was our fourth year of staying at this adorable cottage. Every time we arrive something new has been done. This year it was a beautiful new kitchen that is so user-friendly! We hope to return to this wonderful place as long as we are able.
Stayed 14 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

rose c.

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

A rainy but wonderful week!

We absolutely loved this little no frills, rustic cabin, (July 11-18, 2021) we didn't miss the air conditioning at all, surrounded by trees and plenty of fans made it pleasant! The hosts, Ken and Barbara are so nice, very friendly and helpful, we can't wait to stay again next year!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Katie S., Columbus, Ohio (Midwest)

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

Great location & amenities - highly recommended

We had a great visit here. Loved that the listing description is very accurate & the positive reviews all justified. You can enjoy the lake from 3 different levels, the cabin was easy to get to, comfortable & well-equipped in a great location on the lake, and we enjoyed the kayaks, dock, firepit & the great front porch. Hosts friendly & helpful. Sweet dog too!
Stayed 6 nights in Sep 2020

10/10 Excellent

Bridget M.

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

A slice of heaven

My family and I had such a wonderful stay! Barbara and Ken were wonderful hosts and very attentive. We were greeted upon our arrival and any questions we had were answered immediately. This cottage was the perfect space for my family and our dogs. Skaneateles Lake is the cleanest and most beautiful lake I’ve ever seen and I can’t wait to come back next year!
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

helen z.

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

Perfect Skaneateles Vacation!

Once again we had the perfect 2 weeks at the adorable cottage on the lake. There is a new dock that is absolutely world class and large enough to comfortably host a group of friends enjoying the sunset. As always our hosts were welcoming and there to help, but never ever intrusive. A very special place on one of the worlds most beautiful lakes!
Stayed 14 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

rose c.

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

Sweet camp in the woods

This was our 2nd stay at the camp. rustic charm, quiet and a new dock that is great to hang out on! Our hosts are so friendly & live next door so any questions or problems are taken care of immediately. We cant wait to book it again for next year! ❤️
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Stephen N.

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

As advertised

Pinewood is just as it states, relaxing. Our hosts couldn't have been better. Ask about the history of the cabin as it's a great story. The swimming is top notch! No weeds, smooth rock bottom. The stairs provide a good workout. If you're lucky enough to be there for a Borodino VFD pancake breakfast you'll be very happy!
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Melanie P.

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

Perfectly Peaceful and FUN!

Returned to Skaneateles Lake 50 years after creating impossible to duplicate little kid memories. What a happy surprise and magical vacation! Our welcoming and down to earth hosts were lovely, informative and kind. Their well appointed cozy cabin is tucked steps from beautiful Skaneateles Lake. Kayaks await and mooring - we rented a pontoon boat to explore the spectacular lake - what fun! The village shops, restaurants and tour options are just right. All joy! We will be back!
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Ginny H.

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

Lovely

The property is lovely and simple. So easy to pack for since everything is included-even beach towels, bedding, and paper products! The lake is spectacular, the sunsets are stunning, and the owners are wonderfully social! The access to lake can be a little steep for elderly or folks with physical disabilities. However definitely still doable and worth the extra effort! Loved it! Thank you Barbara and Ken!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2019
This review was submitted before 2018 and can't be verified.

10/10 Excellent

Gretchen E.

Classic camp with all the necessities

We have grown up around this lake in one camp of another so it was nice to find something we were used to being in. Old wood flooring, plenty of sleeping space, great covered porch and far enough off the road to feel secluded. We loved getting to know Ken and Barb and their families history on the lake. We feel as though we have made new friends to visit again. They make sure you're more than taken care of. The camp comes fully equipped! The plus was being able to bring our dog! Very nice spot to relax and read a book or entertain on the porch or indoors. These old camps are hard to find now so get in while you can!

10/10 Excellent

Michael H.

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

Rustic lake vacation

We enjoyed our week at the Pinewood property located midway on beautiful Skaneateles Lake. Barbara and Ken were great hosts. As others have noted they are not intrusive but around if you need anything. The house is as described clean, neat, comfortable and pretty well stocked. It was a very humid week so the house got a little stuffy even with open windows and the fans on, however we spent the days out on the lake or visiting tourist spots. We slept comfortably at night. Also, as noted, the paths to the house and down to the water are a little steep and could be difficult to manage for less-abled or older visitors. Overall our stay was very pleasant and relaxing. Thank you!
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2021
This review was submitted before 2018 and can't be verified.

10/10 Excellent

Laura B.

Perfect location; excellent hosts!

At the risk of sounding too much like Goldilocks, this property is just right! It's not too rustic and not too modern, offering modern conveniences like a microwave and internet but with an old fashioned feel. It's not too far from town, but it's not too close either. It's nice to be away from hustle and bustle while still having grocery stores and restaurants close by. The hosts are friendly and helpful, but they also let guests enjoy their time without interruptions. Three generations of us stayed at this cottage and all of us enjoyed it! We walked up the lane to enjoy a spectacular view of the surrounding area, picked berries, relaxed on the front porch and marveled at the view, greeted the mail boat from the dock, played in the lake, and made fantastic memories. I really cannot say enough about what Pinewood Cottage offers families. Skaneateles Lake is a lovely destination, and there's no place we'd rather stay than Pinewood Cottage.
This review was submitted before 2018 and can't be verified.

10/10 Excellent

Just perfect!

This little cottage is nestled in the woods with a lovely view of the lake. The owners are just wonderful. Barbara baked us a plate of cookies, which were especially welcome after our 6+ hour drive. They were wonderful neighbors, available and helpful when we wanted and nearly invisible when we wanted to be by ourselves. It felt like we were staying in the guest house of old friends. The house is an old hand-built cabin with few frills, but a nice open kitchen, decent sized dining table, and living room overlooking the lake. The covered front patio was our favorite place to sit and take in the fantastic view. There's no beach, but easy access to the lake for swimming. The water is bracing, but crystal clear (it's the water supply for Skaneateles). While there are motor boats in the lake, they mostly steer clear of the shore so swimming feels very safe and relaxing. The beds are comfortable and the cottage had everything we needed. It's by no means fancy, but it feels very authentic. You can imagine people sitting in the cabin 50 years ago doing exactly what you are doing (minus the cable TV and WiFi). And the mail boat really is fun. Also, the house is a real bargain, reflecting the lack of (utterly superfluous) frills. We loved this home and hope to return soon.

10/10 Excellent

Bridget M.

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

Slice of Heaven

My family and I came back for our second year in a row and absolutely loved our time spent. Would highly recommend!
Stayed 13 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Shelley a.

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

Rustic cabin relaxing and a great beach

This was our second year visiting this perfect cabin in the woods. We loved the upgrades that were done. Great spot to relax and enjoy the Lake and close enough to town for a short trip in to enjoy the sights. Love this cottage and we plan on visiting again next year!!
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Jessica M.

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

Rustic Cabin in Beautiful Location

We had a rainy but wonderful week! Ken and Barbara are incredibly nice and helpful. The lake is breathtaking and our 3 boys enjoyed jumping off the dock, swimming and using the kayaks. It was very nice to be nestled in the woods, but still with a lot of amenities. We would highly recommend, especially for families!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

helen z.

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

Peace , privacy and a gorgeous lake.

Fantastic cottage on possibly one of the most beautiful lakes in the world. Many water toys are available to the guests along with a wonderfully put together kitchen with all the appliances from home. The water is gorgeous and the owners are perfectly respectful of your privacy.. A little piece of Paradise!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021

About the host

Hosted by Barbara Hearst

Host profile image
Barbara (Littlehales) Hearst is part of the third generation of the Littlehales family that has owned this property since 1918. She spends her summer with her husband on the property in a cottage adjacent to the Pinewood cottage.

Why they chose this property

Barbara's grandfather came to the property in 1918 and decided it was the perfect summer home for his family to enjoy the lake activities and escape the summer heat of their home in Syracuse. Subsequent generations agreed and have maintained family ownership of the property.

What makes this property unique

Pinewood cottage was built after WWII as a one room cottage by her uncle. Over the years three bedrooms and a bathroom were added. However the rustic cottage feel was retained. Modern amenities have been added without losing the rustic charm of a simple cottage.

Languages:

English
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