Cottage by the Creek: Hot tub | Waterfront | kayaks | Close to Appalachian Trail

Welcome to Cottage by the Creek
Escape to your own private waterfront oasis! Nestled deep in the woods along the peaceful banks of the Swatara Creek in Jonestown, PA, this cozy cabin is the ultimate destination to unplug, unwind, and reconnect with nature. Whether you are sipping coffee on the balcony while watching bald eagles, kayaking down the creek, or soaking in the hot tub under the stars, this tranquil woodland retreat offers the perfect blend of outdoor adventure and cozy comfort.

✨ Property Highlights
🫧 Creekside Hot Tub: Soak your muscles and unwind right next to the peaceful sounds of the water.
🛶 Kayaks Included: Adventure awaits! We provide 2 complimentary kayaks and lifejackets to explore the serene creek.
🔥 Outdoor Pavilion & Fireplace: Enjoy summer nights under the covered pavilion, or gather around the outdoor fireplace on crisp evenings.
🦅 Wildlife & Nature Views: Sip your morning coffee on the second-floor balcony and keep an eye out for our resident Bald Eagle!
🌲 Tranquil Forest Escape: Surrounded by beautiful woodland views for the ultimate peaceful cabin experience.

🏠 Inside the Cottage
The interior of the cottage is designed for relaxation and quality time with your group.

Living Area: A cozy, inviting space perfect for unwinding after a day on the water. It includes a comfortable pull-out sleeper sofa for additional guests.

Fully Equipped Kitchen: Whip up delicious home-cooked meals! The kitchen comes fully stocked with modern appliances, cookware, dishes, and everything you need for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Dining: Gather around the indoor dining table to enjoy your meals with a view of the surrounding woods.

🛏️ Sleeping Arrangements & Bathroom
Comfortably sleeping up to 6 guests, the home features comfortable bedding and peaceful views to ensure a great night's rest.

Bedroom 1: Queen bed with fresh, cozy linens.

Bedroom 2: Queen bed with fresh, cozy linens.

Additional Sleeping: 1 Sleeper sofa located in the main living area.

Bathroom: 1 Full bathroom stocked with fresh towels and essential toiletries.

🌲 The Outdoor Oasis
The true magic of this property is right out the back door. The massive outdoor living space features a covered pavilion, offering plenty of shaded seating to relax regardless of the weather. Spend your afternoons paddling the Swatara Creek with our provided kayaks, and end your evenings sharing stories around the crackling outdoor fireplace before taking a dip in the private creekside hot tub.

📍 Location & Access
Tucked away in Jonestown, PA, this property offers incredible privacy while still being a convenient drive to local hiking trails, state parks, and the beautiful Pennsylvania countryside. You will feel a million miles away, with nature right at your fingertips.

*rental agreement may be required. please see house rules.


1. General Rules
Respect the Property: Please treat our home with the same care and respect you would your own.

No Parties or Events: Our property is not suitable for parties or events. Unauthorized gatherings will result in immediate termination of your stay without a refund.

No Smoking: Smoking of any kind (including cigarettes, cigars, vapes, and e-cigarettes) is strictly prohibited inside the house. No smoking of any kind outside the home and all evidence must be taken with you. Imagine, a child picking up a butt or vape dispenser and putting it in their mouth. GROSS!

Quiet Hours: We ask that you observe quiet hours from 10 PM to 8 AM to be considerate of our neighbors. This includes minimizing loud music, conversations, and other noise.

Maximum Occupancy: The maximum number of guests is seven [7] people. Only registered guests are permitted to stay overnight. Please inform us of any additional day visitors.

Check-in and Check-out: Check-in is at 4PM and check-out is at 10 AM. Unauthorized late check-outs may result in an additional fee.

Security: Please lock all doors and windows when you leave the property and at night. We are not responsible for lost or stolen items.

Damages: Accidents happen. Please inform us immediately of any damages or breakages. Guests are responsible for the cost of repairs or replacement for any damage that is beyond normal wear and tear.

Trash and Recycling: Please place all trash and recycling in the designated bins.

Appliances: Please use all appliances (stove, oven, microwave, washer, dryer, etc.) according to their instructions. Never leave a stove or oven unattended while in use.

Conservation: To help protect the environment and keep our costs down, please turn off lights and the air conditioner when you leave the house.

2. Service Animals are Welcome: We are required to accommodate service animals. Service animals are not considered pets.

What is a Service Animal? A service animal is a dog (or in Florida, a miniature horse) that has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability.

Disclosure is Appreciated, but Not Required: While you are not required to disclose that you are bringing a service animal prior to your stay, we appreciate a heads-up to help us prepare for your visit.

Is the service animal required because of a disability?

What work or task has the animal been trained to perform?
We cannot ask about the guest's disability, require documentation, or ask the animal to demonstrate its task.

Responsibility of the Guest: The service animal must be harnessed, leashed, or tethered unless these devices interfere with the animal's work or the individual's disability prevents their use. The animal must be under the control of the handler at all times.

Removal of a Service Animal: A host may ask a guest to remove a service animal if:

The animal is out of control and the handler does not take effective action to control it.

The animal is not housebroken.

The animal's behavior poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others.

Damages: The guest is financially responsible for any damage caused by their service animal that is beyond normal wear and tear. This includes damage to furniture, floors, or other property.

3. Insect & Wildlife Interactions (Essential for Florida)
A Fact of Life: Welcome to Florida! It's a beautiful, tropical state, but it is also home to a diverse population of insects and wildlife. We take every precaution to keep our home pest-free, but it's not possible to eliminate all insects, especially during certain times of the year.

Pest Control: Our property is professionally treated on a regular basis to prevent pests. Please do not leave doors or windows open for extended periods without a screen, as this is the primary way insects can enter the home.

Food and Waste: To avoid attracting unwanted guests (both critters and insects), please ensure all food is properly stored in sealed containers and any food waste is disposed of in the sealed kitchen trash can. Please take the trash out regularly, especially before you leave.

Lizards and Geckos: You may see small lizards or geckos in the yard or even inside the house. These are a normal and harmless part of the Florida ecosystem. They are not pests and actually help control the insect population. Please do not harm them.

Alligators and Other Wildlife: If your rental is near a body of water, be aware of your surroundings. Do not feed or approach alligators, snakes, or other wildlife. Always supervise children and pets when they are outside.

Reporting Concerns: If you encounter a significant insect or pest issue, please notify us immediately. We will do our best to address the problem as quickly as possible. Please note that while we will address the issue, a few ants or a stray cockroach is not an automatic reason for a refund.

4. Rules for Extended Stays & Work Crews
Weekly Check-ins: For all stays over seven nights, we require a quick weekly check-in. This is a non-intrusive way for us to ensure the property remains in good condition and that you have everything you need for a comfortable stay. We will contact you via the Airbnb app to schedule a convenient time. This is not a formal inspection, but a chance for us to say hello, see how things are going, and address any potential maintenance issues.

Additional Cleaning Fee: For stays longer than seven nights, an additional cleaning fee of $100 will be added to your reservation. This fee covers the cost of a mid-stay or post-stay deep clean, which is often necessary to maintain the property's high standards during extended use. This is separate from the standard cleaning fee.

Respectful Use: Please be mindful that our home is in a residential neighborhood. We ask that all work crew members respect the property and our neighbors by observing quiet hours and keeping noise to a minimum. Please do not store work-related materials, equipment, or vehicles in the yard or on the street. All company vehicles must be parked in the designated driveway.

5. Rental Agreement and Guest Requirements
Rental Agreement Required: To ensure the safety and security of our property, we require all guests with fewer than three completed stays on Airbnb, or a rating of less than 5 stars, to sign a separate rental agreement.

Process: Upon booking, you will receive a digital copy of our rental agreement via the Airbnb messaging platform. This document outlines the same house rules you have read here, along with liability and property protection clauses.

Timeline: We ask that the agreement be signed within 48 hours of your reservation confirmation. If you are not comfortable with the terms of the agreement, you may decline to sign, and we will work with you to cancel the reservation for a full refund, as per Airbnb's policy.

Purpose: This agreement is in place to protect our property and provides a clear, legally binding understanding of our house rules. We appreciate your cooperation in helping us maintain a safe and well-cared-for home for all guests.

6. Weather, Hurricanes, and "Acts of God"
Be Aware of the Weather: We are located in Florida, and tropical weather, including afternoon thunderstorms and even hurricanes, is a possibility, especially during hurricane season (June 1st to November 30th). Guests are advised to be aware of weather forecasts when booking and during their stay.
Bad Weather Is Not a Reason for Refund: A guest cancellation due to "bad weather" (e.g., rain, wind, or a cloudy day) is not a qualifying reason for a refund. Our standard cancellation policy will apply.

Airbnb's Major Disruptive Events Policy: Please be aware that Airbnb's Major Disruptive Events Policy only applies in specific, officially declared circumstances.

What is Covered: The policy covers events like mandatory evacuation orders, government-imposed travel restrictions, or large-scale, prolonged utility outages that make the property uninhabitable. If one of these events is officially declared for our area, both guests and hosts can cancel without penalty, and a full refund will be processed by Airbnb.

What is NOT Covered: The policy does not cover:

The threat or possibility of a hurricane.

A forecast for bad weather (e.g., rain or wind) that does not result in an official government order or a utility outage.

General travel advisories.

Your personal decision to leave due to a storm that does not require an official evacuation.

Travel Insurance is Highly Recommended: Given the potential for hurricanes and other weather-related disruptions, we strongly encourage all guests to purchase comprehensive travel insurance. This is the best way to protect your trip and financial investment from unforeseen weather events that do not meet Airbnb's Major Disruptive Events Policy criteria.

Guest and Host Safety: In the event of an approaching storm, your safety is our top priority. We will follow all official guidance from local authorities. If an evacuation order is issued for our area, you must vacate the property immediately.

Missing/Stolen items: We like to stock our rentals with things that you might need during your stay such as linens, pillows, towels, etc.
If at the end of your stay there are items missing you will be asked to replace those items with the cost of replacement.
Some examples may include: pillows ($20), pillow case covers ($10), top sheet ($30), bottom sheet ($40), room spray ($10), soap dispensers ($40)

Security: Assume all properties maintain security cameras on the front and side entrances of the properties. Some properties also have cameras in the garage where equipment is kept for security purposes. Please ask more questions if you have concerns. Tampering with security cameras can cause a minimum $250 fine if we have to come out to the property to reset or investigate.
Cottage by the Creek has security cameras monitoring the driveway