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Private beautiful setting, Lyme's best kept secret, Swim, Boat, Fish, Hike

Photo gallery for Private beautiful setting, Lyme's best kept secret, Swim, Boat, Fish, Hike

House from the lake
House looking toward Uncas Lake, Lyme, Ct Note: trimming has opened up the views
Screened porch
Uncas Lake view from the house
Laurel Cottage on Uncas Lake, Lyme, Ct

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
3 bedrooms2+ bathroomsSleeps 6

Popular amenities

  • Onsite parking available
  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Air-conditioning
  • Barbecue grill
  • Balcony

Explore the area

View in a map
Lyme, CT
  • Place, Beckett Hill State Park
    ‪1 min walk‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

2 Single Beds

Bedroom 3

2 Single Beds

2 bathrooms, 2 half bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 2

Bathtub or shower · Bathtub · Toilet

Bathroom 3

Toilet

Bathroom 4

Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Balcony
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Private beautiful setting, Lyme's best kept secret, Swim, Boat, Fish, Hike

Tucked into the hillside above the serene waters of crystal-clear Uncas Lake, this comfortable cottage is surrounded by its own wooded grounds with private lake frontage. Guests can enjoy the canoe provided, fishing, swimming, wildlife and tranquility (no motor boats are allowed on the lake). You may spot otters, beavers and ospreys diving for fish in the calm waters, deer in the woods and wild turkey from the balcony or one of the two decks. Inside the spacious cottage are cedar-paneled walls, cathedral ceilings and a office/library with books and games. Enjoy beautiful lake views from almost every room and the large screened porch. The main floor has a full kitchen, study with full bath, master bedroom with queen bed and full bath, great room with fireplace, huge screened porch, and outside decks, all overlooking the lake. Upstairs is a balcony overlooking the great room, 2 bedrooms and a 1/2 bath,. Downstairs, game room, 2 dressing rooms, 1/2 bath, washer and dryer. Yard, Dock, Raft, Boats.

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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

No pets allowed
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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, a first aid kit and a deadlock
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room

About the area

Old Lyme

Located in Old Lyme, this holiday home is in a rural area and on the waterfront. Florence Griswold Museum and Connecticut Valley Railroad State Park Trail are local landmarks, and some of the area's attractions include Saybrook Country Barn and Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center. Travelling with kids? Consider Dinosaur Place at Nature's Art, or check out an event or a game at Waterford Speedbowl. Discover the area's water adventures with kayaking and snorkelling nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with mountain biking and ecotours.
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Map
Lyme, CT

What's nearby

  • Beckett Hill State Park - 1 min walk - 0.1 km

Getting around

  • Old Saybrook Station - 21 min drive
  • New London, CT (GON-Groton - New London) - 39 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Coffee’s Country Market & Catering - ‬21 min drive
  • ‪Dunkin' - ‬18 min drive
  • ‪Polar Express - ‬23 min drive
  • ‪Long River Local - ‬18 min drive
  • ‪The Griswold Inn - ‬25 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Private beautiful setting, Lyme's best kept secret, Swim, Boat, Fish, Hike pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much is parking at Private beautiful setting, Lyme's best kept secret, Swim, Boat, Fish, Hike?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Private beautiful setting, Lyme's best kept secret, Swim, Boat, Fish, Hike?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Private beautiful setting, Lyme's best kept secret, Swim, Boat, Fish, Hike?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Private beautiful setting, Lyme's best kept secret, Swim, Boat, Fish, Hike located?

This family-friendly Old Lyme holiday home is located on the waterfront, steps from Beckett Hill State Park and within 6 mi (10 km) of Goose Island and Selden Neck State Park. Saybrook Country Barn and Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center are also within 9 miles (15 km).

Reviews

9.8

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. 31 out of 34 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 34 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 34 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 34 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 34 reviews

9.8/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Brian S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Always a magical stay at Uncas Pond.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 25 Jul, 2025
thank you Brian. Glad you had a good time and thank you for leaving a copy of your latest novel, Calypso Blue. Just finished reading your page-turner and loved all the twists and turns of the characters and their many adventures. Will leave it on the shelf for future guests. carol
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Melanie Z.

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

Nature and quiet. A true retreat!

Peace, quiet, a wonderful part of CT with fun day trips available if wanted, or, perfectly beautiful and much to do all day on the lake!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 3 Aug, 2022
thank you Melanie, it was a pleasure having you here again--hope you come back and Dylan continues his interest in nature, especially frogs! carol
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Sudhir M.

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

Beautiful lake house

Our family had a wonderful time at the property and Carol and Steve were gracious, responsive hosts. Beautiful views and all the trappings you need to have a relaxing stay.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 22 Jun, 2021
thank you Sudhir. We enjoyed having you here and loved meeting our darling daughter! steve and carol
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Patrick M.

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

Wonderful Stay

We have stayed with Carol and Stephen for many summers now and as always we had a glorious couple of weeks in this beautiful setting in their cozy house. We felt well cared for and are already looking forward to our stay next year! Thanks so much!
Stayed 14 nights in Aug 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 8 Sept, 2024
Thank you. We love having you and feel like family watching the kids grow and hearing about their schools and activities. Looking forward to next summer. Have a good year.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Patrick M.

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

Great hosts! Wonderful place!

This is a gorgeous location and Stephen and Carol are attentive and communicative hosts. We've been here before and we will be back again and again. It is just lovely.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 3 Aug, 2022
thank you McNulty's--always great to have you here--see you soon
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Shaunna M.

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

Very nice property

We loved this house for a nice quiet vacation. The lake was perfect for our family to swim and the pedal boat there was a bonus. Steve and Carol were wonderful hosts as well. We definitely recommend this house for anyone looking to unwind with beautiful scenery
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 21 Jul, 2021
thank you Shaunna. We enjoyed having you here and glad you enjoyed the lake.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Susan O.

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

Location is wonderful.

Loved the easy access to a freshwater lake with no motorboats allowed. Swam and kayaked everyday! Owners were very nice, available and non-intrusive. A perfect low-key getaway.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 7 Aug, 2022
Glad you had a good time. That was one huge fish the eagle left near the dock. Must have been exciting to see it catch and drop.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Melanie Z.

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

True beauty

An oasis of true beauty: clean and calm water, peaceful forests and a Lakehouse with so much warmth and character. The surrounding area is filled with fun dining, things to do and tons of nature. Love this gem of a spot!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

douglas s.

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

Wonderful experience at this exquisite cottege

Very roomy and nicely furnished cottage with a large and lovely screened in porch overlooking the exquisite Uncas Pond. We swam , kayaked and went canoeing in the pond and found wonderful hikes very close by. The hosts,Carol and Stephen were extremely responsive to any of our questions and made our stay especially enjoyable. We look forward to our next stay there!
Stayed 27 nights in May 2020
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Stephanie M.

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

Lovely lake house

Unfortunately our vacation was cut short due to loss of power from Tropical Storm Isaias. Steve and Carol were quick to respond and help us through the situation as best they could. The house was beautiful and the lake pristine. We would definitely go back!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2020
Response from VrboOwner on 12 Aug, 2020
What an unfortunate happening. So sorry you had to leave early and do hope you come back. Hope everything at your house was ok. Looked like you did get to enjoy the lake the few days you were here as we saw you out in the boats etc. Enjoyed meeting you all and thank you for leaving everything so neat and tidy--you're a fun family!!!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Pam S.

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

Fun and relaxing stay!

My family and I loved staying in this private lakeside cottage nestled in the woods! We enjoyed quiet mornings on the screened in deck overlooking the water, listening to birds and and evenings grilling dinner and watching the fireflies. The water toys and boats provided all the entertainment my teens needed, away from screens for hours at a time! Stephen and Carol were attentive and available as needed but also respectful of our privacy. The home exceeded our expectations, we'd gladly return again!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 4 Aug, 2022
thank you. We enjoyed having you here and fun to watch you having fun on the lake. You were terrific guests and hope you will return.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Melanie Z.

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

Magical

Pictures cannot relay the profound beauty of this lake and surroundings. What a much needed respite. All our expectations were exceeded. Feeling very grateful to have had this slice of perfection and peace. Thank you to Carol and Stephen for sharing this magical house.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Brian S.

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

An Idyllic Escape

Coming from the city, this was a needed escape. The property is old school in the best sense of that phrase. Surrounded completely by nature and a pristine lake, you can't ask for more in a country getaway. The owners, Carol and Steve, are gracious, helpful, and readily available to answer any questions you might have. Put the cottage on Uncas Lake on your bucket list!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 12 Jul, 2023
And coming from a travel critic that is a wonderful compliment. Glad you had a nice stay and know you enjoyed the lake--swimming and boating. Great to meet you and look forward to seeing you in the future. You were wonderful guests and thank you also for leaving the cottage so neat and clean. Carol and Steve
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Patrick M.

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

Wonderful House and Hosts

This house is situated in beautiful, secluded woods at the edge of really one of the most beautiful lakes. Water is clear, clean and warm during the warm months. Carol and Stephen are incredible hosts: friendly, communicative and responsive. The house itself feels like the perfect cabin in the woods, stocked with everything you need. And did I mention the incredible, spacious screened-in porch overlooking the lake? What more could you want?
Stayed 14 nights in Aug 2020
Response from VrboOwner on 11 Sept, 2020
thank you Patrick. We enjoyed having you here and hope you have lots of wonderful memories. All good wishes for the coming year with school for kids and work for you and Ann.
Verified

8/10 Good

bruce t.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location
Disliked: Listing accuracy

solitude

Quiet rest. Great swimming. Listed air conditioning but it was only available in two of the bedrooms. Lots of fans available but to hot for me with oppressive humidity.Yard looked nice in photo but there was no yard for lawn games.Owner was nice and always available. Porch made this place nice.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 18 Jul, 2023
Thank you for your review. We apologize for your discomfort with the oppressive heat and humidity during your stay. To address it, we installed two additional air conditioners. Now each of the three bedrooms and the great room/ kitchen has air conditioners. It was a pleasure having you as our guests.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Patrick M.

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

Splendid!

This is really a splendid place. The house is well appointed and contains everything you need including glorious views of a lake and seclusion in a beautiful forest. The owners, Carol and Stephen, couldn't be more friendly, communicative and responsive. And did I mention the lake? It is warm, clear, quiet, and the owners provide a kayak, canoe, paddleboat and all sorts of other floaty things for your enjoyment. We wanted to spend as much time in or around the lake as possible! Thanks Carol and Stephen!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2020
Response from VrboOwner on 8 Aug, 2020
we're so glad you had a good time and thank you for your kind words. Know you are coming back next week and look forward to your return and a social distance visit.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Aniko B.

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

Big fun in the small lake

We loved our stay at Uncas Pond - it was a welcome getaway with our family in a lovely location with lots to offer in the area. The home is well laid out with spacious living areas and an awesome screened porch. The porch has an amazing view of the pond. The water was very pleasant - great for swimming, kayaking, paddle boarding. With the house being right on the water it was so easy to get ready to take a dip with kids. The home was very clean upon our arrival. The kitchen is well organized and well equipped and the dishwasher is great to have. We appreciated having multiple bathrooms and the half bath right by the upstairs bedrooms. Carol and Steve were lovely hosts and provided helpful directions and suggestions.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 8 Aug, 2021
Hi Aniko, thank you for the nice review. so glad you enjoyed your time here--and had cooperative weather. Also thank you so much for leaving the house so neat and tidy! Carol Huber
Archival

6/10 Okay

Kristal T.

Not what we expected

The property was clean and the owners are quite friendly and took care of some minor concerns very quickly. A few things to note of importance is that this home is not air conditioned. There are 2 window units (1 in master bed, 1 in upstairs bed). Our stay was during an epic heat wave and these units were not what we expected to have as a home listed with air conditioning. Also, the two upstairs bedrooms have mattresses that have seen better decades. We actually used several comforters to cushion ourselves from the springs. There are no window coverings for the living area and outside patio which would have helped tremendously during the aforementioned heat wave. The pathway to the lake is long and all stairs, so just be aware of this with elderly or young kids. For some reason, we did not get directions from the owners before our trip and Waze had a hard time finding it, namely because of the mile long driveway.
Response from VrboOwner on 17 Mar, 2020
We would like to thank our guests for their review. We hope your stay was pleasant in spite of your unfulfilled expectations. A few comments, the heat wave was unusual but prudent use of the floor standing fans with the AC units has always been more than adequate in the past. Because the house is located in the woods, on a lake with incredible views, and no one around, we have chosen to celebrate the view and not have shades in the great room. We will consider your suggestion for window coverings and look into the mattresses upstairs even though this is the only time they have been mentioned. GPS has not been a problem in the past, but we now also provide directions. The house is about 30 feet above the dock. Many of our guests have returned multiple times and currently 7 weeks in 2017 are booked by returning guests.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Reinhold H.

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

Completely unexpected.

From the warm greeting of Steve and Carol and being shown around, it was lovely. It is so quiet. No neighbors to be seen. The quiet and. Solitude of the lake, no motorboats, The house is amazing. Huge soaring ceiling in the main room, fireplace. Master br with en-suite, an office with books and games and a desk with a stapler, paper clips and other office supplies. The kitchen had everything we needed, including spices. Dishwasher toaster. Upstairs was two bedrooms with two twin beds in each. And a door to a balcony.and a balcony looking over the main room below. Then there was a basement with changing room, washer and dryer. clothesline, and door to the path to the lake. Many water toys, kayak, pedal boat and canoe. There are a lot of steps to traverse but these 83 year olds managed it well. It was a very hot day the day we arrived. Steve helped us unload our car and came by with two air conditioners. On our last day he planned to bring in a new washing machine. We took many pictures of the deer, the lake and the house. We hope we will be well enough to return next year.
Stayed 14 nights in Jul 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Amy V.

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

Serene Lake Retreat

We were in love with this place from the moment we arrived! The house was clean and comfortable with everything we needed to enjoy our stay and a woodsy New England charm. Our hosts were accessible, attentive, and congenial. Always ready to answer questions or visit, they also respected our privacy. We had several nice outings to places like Gilette Castle State Park, Old Lyme, the Mystic Seaport museum, and Harvey's Beach in Old Saybrook. We enjoyed it all, but our favorite past time by far was spending time swimming and boating around the lake and relaxing on the screened-in porch. We wish we could have stayed longer and would love to return one day.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Bonnie B.

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

Wonderful haven from stress of everyday life

The property was exactly as described. The lake was absolutely wonderful. We used the kayak, canoe & paddleboat and swam and even snorkeled right by the dock. It was a serene, magical place. We never got to meet the owners but they were very responsive to any questions we had. So glad we spent the week here.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Connie N.

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

Excellent get-away

The house was well-equipped & comfortable. Steve & Carol we’re extremely attentive. The setting & property are beautiful, We had a wonderful stay.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Kathryn L.

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

Serene hideaway

Enjoyed a peace filled early spring week at the cottage. Steve and Carol were perfect hosts, providing helpful hints on hikes and local attractions. Sat on the porch reading and watching wildlife for an entire afternoon. I can only imagine the fun when it's warm enough to swim! I'd love to return one day.
Stayed 8 nights in Apr 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Maddie H.

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

Cozy Cabin Bliss

This was a true dream come true. We stayed a week and returned to the city different people. Everything you could ever ask for in a true retreat to nature - without sacrificing any modern necessities (like laundry, hot + high pressure showers, comfortable beds, or a bug-free screened in porch). Fall was in full swing and the colors around the lake and on every drive in the area (even if just to the grocery store) were truly spectacular. I went kayaking around the lake every day and saw different wildlife on every trip. Over half of the land around the lake is a (seemingly forgotten about) state park so it was not only quiet and private but offered endless trails to wander right behind the cabin. The log book goes back to 1995 and not even 25 years worth of praise do this place justice. We would go back in a heartbeat.
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2020
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

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

Comfortable cottage on Uncas Lake - Great hosts

Our family of four had a wonderful week-long stay at Laurel Cottage. Plenty of space, great location on Uncas Lake with kayak, canoe and pedalboat provided. Had a great time fishing also. Plenty of kitchen equipment to make breakfast and lunch. Lots of nearby restaurants for dinners. Having a dishwasher and laundry was very convenient. Wi-Fi was great for 2 kids remote learning simultaneously each day plus parents on their laptops. Our hosts were so sweet and helpful as well. We had a great week! Many thanks.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2020

About the host

Hosted by Stephen and Carol Huber

Host profile image
Stephen & Carol Huber are internationally know as the leaders in the field of antique needlework. They live on the same lake and enjoy swimming, boating, and family gatherings. You can find out more about them by simply goggling - Stephen and Carol - really.

Why they chose this property

Lyme, Connecticut is known for it's unspoiled rural beauty. Uncas Lake is nestled in thousands of acres of state forest and Lyme conservation land. The access driveway to the cottage is a 3/4 mile long private gravel lane. People often comment that they feel like they are on a small undeveloped lake in the middle of Maine, even though they are just 10 min. from I-95. You can't find a more centrally located, pleasant, private, tranquil, place to relax and/or explore the Connecticut River valley, Long Island Sound, and the many attractions between New York City and Boston.

What makes this property unique

You will return home filled with wonderful memories of exploring New England, sunbathing on the dock, boating and swimming in the crystal clean waters of Uncas Lake, and candlelight dinners on the screened porch with friends and family.

Languages:

English
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