Entire home

Writer's Retreat In The Western Catskills

Photo gallery for Writer's Retreat In The Western Catskills

A wooden gazebo with a stone base, surrounded by lush greenery.
A red house with a sloped roof surrounded by dense green trees.
A cozy room with a wooden table and chairs, large windows with red trim, and a view of the outdoors.
A cozy cabin interior with a central island, wooden furniture, a kitchen area, and a bookshelf.
A cozy cabin-style kitchen with wooden cabinets, a stove, and a dining area with a table and chairs.

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
With space for 3 guests, this vacation home features 1 bedroom and 1 bathroom. It offers a patio and deck for outdoor enjoyment. Explore local attractions like Franklin Free Library during your stay.
1 bedroom1 bathroomSleeps 3

Popular amenities

  • Patio
  • Internet
  • Washing machine
  • Onsite parking available
  • Refrigerator
  • Bathtub

Explore the area

View in a map
Franklin, NY
  • Place, Franklin Free Library
    ‪14 min drive‬
  • Place, Hartwick College
    ‪30 min drive‬
  • Place, State University of New York-Oneonta
    ‪31 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

1 bedroom (sleeps 3)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Writer's Retreat In The Western Catskills

This lovely small open design house with an ample size master bedroom is on a very quiet road among woods and fields and old farms. A small creek runs through the property with a maple trunk gazebo above a terrace of native stone. Village of Franklin is 5 miles away and the hamlet of Treadwell, a village of painters and artists, is 2.5 miles away. House is 3 hours from NYC. Heated in winter by a state-of-the-art woodstove. (It is required, if you plan to stay in cold weather, to have some experience with a woodstove.) Wi-Fi available. Suitable for a writer or someone who wants a very quiet getaway in a beautiful rustic location. House is furnished with linens, towels, dishes, pots and pans, food staples, gas range, washer and dryer. Writers, ask about available rebate.

(Sorry, I have been compelled to ask for a refundable damage deposit due to an experience with a renter.)

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House Rules

Check in after 11:00 AM
Check out before noon
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Children

Adults only
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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
The house is most suitable for 1 or 2 people. It is my home when guests are not here so many personal items are in the house. Please be respectful.

Important information

You need to know

Property # 875294vb
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 not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property
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

Franklin

Franklin is home to this holiday home. Susquehanna River and West Branch Delaware River reflect the area's natural beauty and area attractions include Foothills Performing Arts Center and Anderson Center for the Arts. Looking to enjoy an event or a game while in town? See what's happening at Cooperstown All Star Village Fields or Damaschke Field.
View more Holiday homes in FranklinOpens in a new window
Map
Franklin, NY

What's nearby

  • Franklin Free Library - 14 min drive - 11.8 km
  • Franklin Village Hall - 14 min drive - 12.2 km
  • Hartwick College - 30 min drive - 29.8 km
  • State University of New York-Oneonta - 31 min drive - 32.0 km
  • Cooperstown All Star Village Fields - 37 min drive - 34.8 km

Restaurants

  • ‪Tim Hortons - ‬30 min drive
  • ‪2 Brothers Pizzeria - ‬15 min drive
  • ‪Subway - ‬30 min drive
  • ‪The Tulip and the Rose - ‬15 min drive
  • ‪Steiners Meat Market - ‬23 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Writer's Retreat In The Western Catskills pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much is parking at Writer's Retreat In The Western Catskills?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Writer's Retreat In The Western Catskills?

Check-in begins at 11:00 AM.

What time is check-out at Writer's Retreat In The Western Catskills?

Checkout is at noon.

Where is Writer's Retreat In The Western Catskills located?

Situated in Franklin, this holiday home is 5.9 mi (9.5 km) from Franklin Free Library and within 12 miles (20 km) of Franklin Village Hall and Susquehanna River. West Branch Delaware River is 12.3 mi (19.8 km) away.

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. 19 out of 20 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 20 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 20 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 20 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 20 reviews

8.8/10

Cleanliness

9.6/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.6/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We really enjoyed our stay during our son's week at Cooperstown All Star Village. The property is a delightful, quiet respite away from the excitement and energy of the ballfields. We had everything we needed and being musicians ourselves, loved the awesome collection of jazz cds to choose from :)
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2026
Verified review

6/10 Okay

Liked: Communication, location, listing accuracy

Hideaway in Franklin NY

Perfect for artist, writer,someone needing to get away. We were there for baseball at Cooperstown all star Village to watch grandsons games, some 3 a day so it was a ittle too far away to run back and forth, so just slept and showered there,That said, it was great when we could relax and have a glass of wine by the brook.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2019
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Perfect Getaway!

We loved out stay at this idyllic getaway house. The house was very charming and filled with interesting books and music to peruse. The surrounding lawn, brook and seating areas were so peaceful and relaxing. Only visitors were the deer passing through. It was a great location to get away from it all, but also only a 25 minute drive into Oneonta, and about 30 mins to great hiking and kayaking spots. We loved our stay and hope to return again! Thank you for a lovely home John and for sharing details on the house early on in communication.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2020
Response from VrboOwner on 25 Aug, 2020
Xina said when she went to clean it was like no one had been there. Thanks for treating the place with respect and love. So glad you enjoyed your stay.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Peaceful stay

Had a wonderful stay for my son's Cooperstown baseball week. . It was really nice to come home to such a peaceful and comfortable place, after a full day of craziness at the all star village. John was a very helpful and attentive host. He was very accommodating when we showed up earlier than expected on check in day. He had everything organized and ready for our stay. No cell service, but wi-fi worked perfectly. Thank you John!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 27 Jul, 2022
Glad it worked out for you, Vincent.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Great, quiet home

John's home was lovely! We were two couples and stayed comfortably. It was fun to see all of John's mementos from travels in the home, and the kitchen was well set-up for our simple meals.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 7 Sept, 2021
Thanks for leaving the house in perfect order.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Peaceful country retreat far from it all.

Our second stay at " Writer's Retreat " was even better than the first one. This charming place helps to recharge your batteries very fast. Situated far enough from other properties this home makes you feel truly immersed with nature. Bird watching from the porch became our daily thing. Deer are also frequent visitors drawn to the whispering creek steps away from the house. The home itself has a beautiful soul , lots of books, plenty of great music (CD's) and above all no TV. To stay in touch with the outside world Wi-Fi works great, landline telephone is there if needed. If you value organic produce, Franklin Farmer's Market is the place to visit. ( Sundays) Communication with the owner was quick and very pleasant. Thank you John for making our stay at your lovely home such relaxing experience. Cezary and Magda
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2021
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Utterly perfect

John's place is magical, snuggly nestled into nature, the rare home that's both cosy and spacious. The decoration is thoughtful, the kitchen fully stocked with good cookware, the bedroom light and airy, even the bath/ shower are great. The photos don't give you an adequate sense of the house, but the real treats are the backyard and the sublime slate seating overlooking the brook. We looked through a lot of uninspiring places on here, so glad to have found this quiet and charming retreat!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2020
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

A nice break

The house is very efficient and nicely situated. John is very easygoing as a property owner and we quickly felt at home. Part of it is due to the huge amount of books and cd's that he has in his house. (I caught up on my Carl Sandburg.) All in all, an extremely comfortable break from our urban bustle. Everything you need is there. Thank you, John!
Response from VrboOwner on 30 Mar, 2020
Thanks, Chris and Evvie. And thanks for leaving the place in tip top shape. It was beyond the call of duty. I don't really know how to post renter reviews (being the tech-tard that I am) but I would give you guys top ratings, for sure.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

We loved it!

Clean, welcoming, more than we could have hoped for. Not to be missed if one is going to stay in that area.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2018
Response from VrboOwner on 30 Mar, 2020
Glad you enjoyed your stay. Thanks for leaving the place in tip top shape.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Such a gorgeous property!

We had a wonderful week! The house is so welcoming and they have everything you need! We enjoyed the peace and quiet as well as the gorgeous scenery. The brook and outdoor seating area is magical.
Stayed 8 nights in Jul 2018
Response from VrboOwner on 30 Mar, 2020
Thanks, Jodi. And thanks for leaving the house in top ship shape!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Quiet, well kept, friendly home-away-from-home surrounded with harmony and peace.

How easy it is to find a peaceful place with unique personality and in harmony with it’s natural surroundings? That’s what I and my wife were looking for. And we found it. Quiet weekend home “over the hill and far away”, yet close enough to the nearest village. The only visitors we had were two rabbits, couple of robins building their nest, one wild turkey and one cool porcupine interested mostly in fresh water from the brook steps away. This lovely property with it’s red house makes you feel home right away. It is well taken care of, clean and inviting. The house itself is well organized and functional, tastefully decorated, filled with wide variety of books and music. You’ll certainly not miss your TV set... The owner of the property created interesting harmony between the outer environment and inner character of the house which makes this home easy to remember. All in pleasant colors and tones. All in harmony with nature. Highly recommended!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2018
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Idyllic spot in the woods

This home is beautiful and well appointed. We enjoyed the owls at night, the leaves changing on the trees, and the sweet stream that flows next to the property by the gazebo, where we sat at night watching the moon. We attended a meeting while there, which meant that we wished only for more time to spend in the home. I'd love to return some day when we can enjoy the property even more fully.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2017
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Wonderful spot in the Catskills!

Great location! Bed in master bedroom was extremely comfortable. Owner is very responsive, and goes out of his way to make sure everything is all set for you. Nice spaces outside, very relaxing. Highly recommend if you're in the area.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2017
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Excellent

A very nice place to stay. It is very calm and peaceful. We were very impressed!
Stayed 8 nights in Aug 2017
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Charming, secluded, and peaceful

The owner was very gracious to open up such a beautiful house to visitors. Definitely a relaxing long weekend. We highly recommend this property.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2017
Response from VrboOwner on 30 Mar, 2020
Thanks, Michael. And thanks for leaving the place as neat as when you arrived.
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Beautiful and Relaxing

We loved this quiet home in the mountains. The home is warm and inviting. We was able to escape the hussle and bussle of everyday life for a week. My husband and I truly enjoyed the music, art and culture that house provides. We felt a connection with the owner and love that he opened up so much of himself to guests. We took advantage of the outdoors while sitting on the porch and listening to the creek. We would love to visit again!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2017
Response from VrboOwner on 30 Mar, 2020
So glad you enjoyed your stay and the house.
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Wonderful stay

This property is absolutely stunning. In addition to being beautiful and tranquil, it was well maintained and very clean. My boyfriend and I had a wonderful time and would definitely recommend this property to anyone seeking a safe and peaceful retreat. Thank you for opening up your home and making our New Year the best one yet!
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Magical BuddhaBarn

Charming house with lots of beautiful stories. If you are looking for something special this house sure can meet your expections. Everything is just right in this place - house, nature, weather, environment, butterflies. Plenty of things to explore around. We had a magical stay. Thanks John!
Response from VrboOwner on 30 Mar, 2020
Glad you enjoyed it, Sophia. And thanks to Vedran for the wonderful pencil drawing. Best to you all.
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Peace and quiet awaits

Perfect getaway! Clean, quaint, lots of character. Highly recommend this property for anyone looking for a little peace and quiet. I was in town to watch my son play baseball at All Star Village, about a 30 minute drive. Great value to have an entire house in lieu of a hotel room.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2016
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Best place in nature

The pictures don't show off how good this place is once you step in. It feels like "home" from the moment you drive into the driveway. The house is hair as described very quiet and very lovely to enjoy a relaxing moment with your significant other or to get inspired by nature. Defenitley coming back here. Love this place.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2016

About the host

Hosted by owner/property manager

Host profile image
I'm a writer, a musician and a political activist. You will get that sense when you stay here. I'm proud of my little house and get a kick out of the fact that people like staying here. It's rarely available.

Why they chose this property

I love living here and would live no other place. Franklin has real seasons and summers are a dream, rarely reaching temperatures above 85. Even on very warm days, the nights are cool and comfortable. There is a small creek that runs through the property and the sound keeps you company day and night. The creek empties into the lovely Handsome Brook. Traffic is quite thin, maybe a car every 20 minutes, so walking on the roads is a pleasure. You will see deer, turkey, the occasional fox. Hawks abound, and it is not uncommon to see heron and bald eagles. At night you will hear owls asking you hoo you are and coyotes often howl in the distance. I was lucky enough to hit an artesian well, when it was drilled. Free flowing water from an 180 deep spring is available at your leisure. The house is located on the site of the old Arctic Creamery, a reminder of the history of Franklin as a busy dairy center in the early and mid twentieth century.

What makes this property unique

Read the reviews. Visitors find my house special. It's not your typical modern house. It has a charm like no other house you will see. It's small but big enough to make yourself comfortable, especially with its open design. It's surrounded by the natural world and the house is constructed of pine, so the minute you walk into the house you get an organic feeling you don't get from ordinary houses. That said, its' not for everyone. No air conditioning (doesn't really need it... I'm in a cool climate and the house holds the coolness of the night into the summer days). No TV. The house is filled with personal belongings, books, memorabilia, CDs, paintings on the wall. In the rafters upstairs is an extensive poetry collection.

Languages:

English
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