Convenient to everything! Our "Ithaca Urban Retreat" is a 2-bedroom, 1-bath upstairs apartment in a 2-family house located in a downtown neighborhood. Ideal for family visits to Cornell or to Ithaca College. For larger family groups, rent the downstairs, too: ithaca-urban-retreat-1 A 2 day buffer between rentals whenever possible + professionally cleaned to help you be safe. The apartment reflects both authentic country charm, while providing updated amenities of a modern city apartment! The "country" shows through in the newly-painted original wood floors, the antique kitchen baking cupboard as well as other interesting 19th furniture pieces found in houses of this era in Central New York. These furnishings have been complemented tastefully with new ones and accented with loved items to help you feel at home. There is a study desk in the south bedroom with internet speed tested at 81Mbps. You have two private entries to the upstairs apartment--one off the front porch and the other up the back stairs to your own deck and back door. We enjoy meeting you, but only if you have the inclination... Please text if you have questions or concerns! We live nearby, and are available if needed. * Easy walk to the Commons .7mi, Ithaca Falls .8mi, and local restaurants .3mi. * Bike (jog, walk) to area parks and Cayuga Lake along Ithaca Waterfront trail via the nearby gateway .2mi * Fill your shopping bag at the Ithaca Farmer's Market .4mi, or have lunch there on the dock overlooking Cayuga inlet * Walk to Purity for its famous ice cream .3mi * 1.5 miles to Cornell Arts Quad and 2.5 miles to Ithaca College * Easy on/off access from Rt. 13. The Northside neighborhood is a triangle defined be Gimme Coffee to the southeast, Purity Ice Cream to the southwest and the ScienCenter to the north. It is unique in a number of ways: Like the nearby Fall Creek neighborhood, it is conveniently close to many of the attractions of Ithaca and yet remains distinctly residential in flavor. The Northside typically has lower density per acre than the other downtown neighborhoods; which translates into more open space between houses and larger gardens surrounding them. Historically it was an entry point for many immigrant families moving into Ithaca and remains the most ethnically and economically diverse neighborhood in the city today. In the context of Ithaca's recently approved Comprehensive Plan, it anticipates many future-oriented goals; pedestrian-friendly, affordable housing, mixed use buildings, good bus service, neighborhood-oriented retail on its perimeter, good-access to parks and other recreational opportunities. Many young families are choosing to make the Northside their home. Ithaca is very walkable and is the preferred way of getting around! There is plenty of parking available on the street if you have a car. T-CAT bus service is just a block away to take you up the hill to Cornell or downtown (& transfer to most anywhere.) Bikes can be rented through commercial businesses as well as the Youth Bureau's rent-a-bike program located near Stewart Park. We are working on the exterior of our home and making some minor alterations to the downstairs unit, to be completed in Spring 2021. You have full access via the back stair while we finish the new front entry and garden. If you have any questions or concerns regarding this, please get in touch and we'll provide more detail.
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Amenities
Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
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Charming newly remodeled house five minutes away from Cornell.
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Charming newly remodeled house five minutes away from Cornell.
Pets allowed: dogs less than 23 kg per pet (limit one pet total)
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Smoking
Smoking is not permitted
Well-behaved pets allowed ( $100 pet fee).
Walk your expect dog away from the house, not in the yard!
Pick up after your dog. Dispose of dog waste in labeled container.
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
This property accepts cash
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
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
About the area
Ithaca
Located in Ithaca, this holiday home is in the city centre. Newman Municipal Golf Course and Center Ithaca are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those looking for area attractions can visit Sciencenter and Puddledockers. Travelling with kids? Consider Cornell Botanic Gardens and Museum of the Earth.
Ithaca Coffee Company Roasting Facility - 6 min walk
Bickering Twins - 13 min walk
Nowhere Special - 13 min walk
Frequently asked questions
Is Ithaca Urban Retreat II / Cornell, Ithaca College pet-friendly?
Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 1 total) with a maximum weight of up to 23 kg per pet. Some restrictions may apply, so please contact the property for more details.
How much does it cost to stay at Ithaca Urban Retreat II / Cornell, Ithaca College?
As of 3 Apr, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Ithaca Urban Retreat II / Cornell, Ithaca College on 27 May, 2025 start from S$417, 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.
What time is check-in at Ithaca Urban Retreat II / Cornell, Ithaca College?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Ithaca Urban Retreat II / Cornell, Ithaca College?
Checkout is at 11:00 AM.
Where is Ithaca Urban Retreat II / Cornell, Ithaca College located?
This family-friendly holiday home is located in the city centre, within 1 mi (2 km) of Sciencenter and Ithaca Commons. Cornell University is 2.2 mi (3.5 km) away.
Reviews
9.8
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
We loved the property during our extended weekend stay here as a group of 4 adults. The location was wonderful as it was across the road from the farmers’ market, and an easy pleasant walk through the neighborhood to the Commons and popular restaurants. On-street parking was easy to find, and would definitely recommend this location to those wanting to enjoy living in this neighborhood and what the area has to offer.
It was perfect for our family of four. We were able to walk to town, Cornell's campus and had quick access to regional hiking trails. The unit was very clean, well maintained, and they were able to accommodate us a day early when we had a last-minute change of plans. My daughter described it as "the perfect house" and would love to live there. :-)
Spent long weekend at Urban Retreat II. Very clean and well maintained apartment. Owners left nice and very thoughtful necessities (coffee, tea, cooking supplies). Great location in Ithaca close to Commons and Farmers Market with lovely yard and small deck off the kitchen. Perfect for couple or family with small children. Really enjoyed it and will be back.
D Troy B.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2023
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Janna V.
18 Apr, 2018
Great property in convenient location
Our biggest disappointment is that we weren't on to this place earlier: Our son will be graduating from Ithaca soon and now we've identified the perfect place to stay when we visit Ithaca! Comfortable, modern and very clean. Thoughtful decor and amenities near to the Farmer's Market and Stewart Park.
Janna V.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2018
Response from VrboOwner on 29 Mar, 2020
We are pleased you found us, in any case...and you are always welcome, even if your son has graduated!
We stayed here during Ithaca College move-in. The home was so clean, and really cute. The hosts had everything you could think of that you may need during your stay, and would have forgotten - wine opener, tea bags, board games. They even keep certain staples around for you to help yourself too - beans, rice, honey. It really had such a cozy feel to it. We'll definitely stay here again.
Allison D.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Christine S.
8 May, 2019
Good Family Space
This was perfect for our visit, walking distance from most of our activities.
Three generations stayed here. The kitchen is well appointed and well marked. The beds are comfortable. The hosts are very attentive. It is an upstairs apartment, which would be a problem for those with mobility issues. Our stay was in mid-spring. The back yard is lovely.
Christine S.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2019
Response from VrboOwner on 29 Mar, 2020
We're so glad that your family reunion was a success and that you enjoyed our "Ithaca Urban Retreat"
We were not able to make our trip, but the hosts worked with us and allowed our brother to take our nights at the last minute as his hotel room was over-sold. We were attending a family wedding. We are grateful to Anne for her flexibility.
Colleen C.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024
Archival
10/10 Excellent
Jodi D.
10 Jul, 2016
Comfortable Get Away
We stayed here with my teenage son and it was perfect since there was lots of space for everyone to either be together or have a bit of privacy. The apartment was very clean, nicely decorated and very comfortable. There was always parking in front of the house. The neighborhood is quiet at night--no street noise. Ann and Chad were very helpful; offering some good tips on hikes and restaurants. For our family this was a great place to stay for several days--so much nicer than a hotel.
Jodi D.
Response from VrboOwner on 29 Mar, 2020
We are so glad that you took advantage of the wonders the Ithaca area has to offer! Thanks for staying with us.
My family had a great time staying here! The apartment is clean and comfortable (we kept talking about how comfortable the chairs and couch were) with plenty of space for the three of us. The neighborhood is lovely, quiet, and walkable (parking was easy too). We recommend walking to Ithaca Bakery for your morning beverage. We had specifically come to visit Cornell campus and found that this was a terrific home base. Everything is a quick walk or drive away, and we had a quiet place to return to afterwards. Ann was great about keeping in touch and making sure our stay went well. We would definitely come back!
Three adults and a small dog stayed at the Ithaca apartment for 2 nights. Overall, it was fine and served our purposes sufficiently. Worth noting: the toilet is a bit sensitive and the beds are pretty hard, and there is another Airbnb in the unit below. The space was fine for us but I think fairly expensive for what & where it is.
Erin M.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2022
Archival
8/10 Good
Virginie L.
10 Aug, 2016
Short but very nice stay in Ithaca
We stayed for a few days in Ithaca on our way back to Toronto (from Washington DC).
The apartment is located at the second floor of our guests' home. It is quite spacious and cozy. I have to stay the inside looks much better than the outside. Very clean and well equipped. About 20 minutes walk from the Commons.
The owners (and their cat!) were very friendly and gave us some recommendations on what to do in the area.
I would definitely recommend this place.
Virginie L.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2016
Response from VrboOwner on 29 Mar, 2020
It was really fun to have you and your family here. Next week the new siding will be started and the outside of the house will be as nice as the inside when completed. Thanks for staying with us and come again!
Archival
10/10 Excellent
xia W.
26 May, 2017
beautifully decorated, clean and cozy home away from home
We, a family of 6, have thoroughly enjoyed our stay in this house. Owner Ann was extremely easy to work with. She even prepared the sofa beds for us anticipating we would arrive late at night. The windows on the roof, in the kitchen, washroom and west bedroom gave the place such a bright and airy feeling. There are in fact many large windows on every wall with tall mature trees in the view, so we never felt losing connection with nature. All the beds were extremely comfortable (the sofa bed in the south bedroom may not be so) but we had no complain. The kitchen was well stocked and we never run out of dishes. The dishwasher is of high quality. The internet connection was fast and reliable. This place is conveniently located, as other reviewers have confirmed. But since no one yet mentioned the sciencenter which is only 2 minutes walk from the house, I'll as my kids enjoyed it very much. They ask to come back to Ann's house so that they can go there again. And we will.
xia W.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2017
Response from VrboOwner on 29 Mar, 2020
Thank you, Xia! It was wonderful to have you as our guests! I'm so glad you had a good visit to Ithaca and that our Ithaca Urban Retreat was a good fit for your family. Please come again.
My wife, 19-year old son, and I spent two weeks at this property in January/February 2021 as my son was quarantining in preparation for starting as a freshman at Cornell. The apartment was just perfect - an updated, comfortable and relaxing environment, with a nice kitchen set-up. Given that it was mid-winter, the many windows that let the light were notable and greatly appreciated, as were the lovely houseplants. As hosts, Ann and Chad were wonderfully responsive to the few questions and minor issues that cropped up during our stay. They were also very quick to sweep and shovel the snow from the several snowfalls we had, including the 10+ inch drop that unfortunately coincided with our last day. Finally, others have mentioned how convenient the apartment is for walkers to get to downtown Ithaca. I agree, but as a constitutive walker and bird-watcher, I want to point out that it is close to great parks and nature - Stewart Park and Lake Cayuga are less than a mile a way and a wonderful walk from the property. - Steve R.
Leslie S.
Stayed 17 nights in Jan 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 17 Feb, 2021
Thank you for your high marks and appreciation of what this unit has to offer! We are fortunate to be located centrally close to city amenities AND beautiful natural areas! I am glad that you discovered and explored both. We hope to see you again.
Great location near the North side of town. Easy to get to Ithaca Mall (8 mins), campus (8 mins), The Commons (10 mins), the Milk Stand (4 mins), Ithaca Bakery (4 mins), etc. Its a tiny rustic, garage apartment- esque, on the second floor up some outside stairs with parking only on the street. There's a bit of a mustiness when you first enter but its overall very clean. No central air-condition but the window units work fairly well in August and in cooler months, the heat it very cozy. TV was a bit challenging to get working even with Gen Z help, but we were able to get to Netflix etc. Second bedroom mattress is a but lumpy but bedding is clean and fresh. Very light with skylight in bathroom. The downstairs unit was always quiet if not empty so we didn't feel like we were on top of anyone. Communication with the property owner was excellent and the kitchen had a cute coffee/tea set up along with some basic seasonings and utensils. And THE BEST part of the whole thing is the balcony (table with 4 chairs) overlooking the beautiful back yard! Can sit and enjoy your coffee/meals and work on your computer. The Wifi was great and there is even an outlet to plug in and enjoy your outside office! It was great to have a living area, couch, kitchenette for family time off campus and have a little quiet time on the porch. Overall, not the flashiness of a hotel, but homey with a good family style set up.
We had a great stay. Ann was very communicative and helpful. The house is spacious, comfortable, and clean. The kitchen is perfectly equipped and the living room is great for hanging out. We were close to Cornell and downtown Ithaca and there is plenty of available on-street parking. The neighborhood is nice and very down-to-earth. We walked our dog around and admired the variety of homes and yards. All in all, a very comfortable stay for a great price! We'd love to return again while our son is attending Cornell.
Laura S.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2022
About the host
Hosted by Ann and Chad Hoover
While Chad completed grad school at Cornell, Ann discovered that Ithaca was the ideal place to raise a family---so we stayed, bought this house, and lovingly renovated both the upstairs and downstairs. Our family grew in and out of it, and we have many fond memories of our time here.
Why they chose this property
Being new empty-nesters, we realized we have the opportunity to downsize and live in half the house...When the kids and grandchildren visit, we can expand into the upstairs apartment. We would love to share it with you too, when you visit Ithaca. We hope you enjoy this space and the care we have put into it. Since we aren't quite ready to downsize, we are offering the downstairs unit, also, as a vacation rental. Check out "Ithaca Urban Retreat I" property # 1497253.
What makes this property unique
Ithaca is a unique city with a small-town feel to it. We have loved the Northside, our neighbors here, the variety and diversity. We value the ability to walk-to-everything. I got my exercise for years walking up Cascadilla Gorge to Cornell (one of the best commutes in the world!) At the same time shopping, parks and cultural events are an easy walk/bicycle ride/drive away. Ithaca is amazing, and this apartment is in the heart of it all!
Languages:
English
Premier Host
They consistently provide great experiences for their guests