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Year-round Cayuga Lakefront with easy access to house and lake

Lakefront holiday home with kitchen and patio

Photo gallery for Year-round Cayuga Lakefront with easy access to house and lake

Upstairs living/dining room with lake view
Upstairs living/dining room with lake view
Upstairs kitchen
Upstairs kitchen
Upstairs queen bedroom with lake view

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 10

Popular amenities

  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Barbecue grill
  • Fireplace
  • Kitchen

Explore the area

View map
Ovid, NY
  • Place, Sheldrake Point Winery
    ‪2 min walk‬
  • Place, Cayuga Lake
    ‪1 min drive‬
  • Place, Thirsty Owl Wine Company
    ‪5 min drive‬
  • Airport, Ithaca, NY (ITH-Tompkins Regional)
    ‪39 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 10)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

2 Single Beds

Bedroom 3

1 Queen Bed

Convertible bed(s)

1 Double Futon

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Bathroom 2

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Spaces

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

About this property

Year-round Cayuga Lakefront with easy access to house and lake

Windgarth House has offered year-round hospitality in the heart of the Finger Lakes for 17 years. We rent this beautiful lake house by the week from Sunday to Sunday during the summer (late June until Labor Day) or for shorter stays the rest of the year (2 night minimum).

The house is on a quiet, well-maintained road, with easy access to the house: only four steps and you are inside! Lake access is equally easy. Just go down the internal staircase in the home, walk out the back door across a beautiful lawn with mature shade trees and the lake is right there. There are no cliff or staircases to navigate, as is common in other locations on Cayuga Lake. Or walk around the side of the house on a gently sloping lawn on one side, or just eight steps on the other side. There are no stairs and no road between the house and lake, as is common elsewhere on Cayuga Lake. The house is located on a cove near Sheldrake Point. The water is shallow at the shore and gradually becomes deeper along the dock, to about four feet at the end of the dock. It is ideal for wading and swimming for children of all ages and adults. We provide a canoe and kayak, life jackets and other water toys for our guests' use.
The house has free Wifi. There is central air conditioning and an additional Mitsubishi air conditioning unit in the downstairs living room/kitchen. In the fall, spring and winter, the house is heated with a forced air furnace and the heat/AC unit in the downstairs living area. A gas fireplace adds additional warmth in the downstairs kitchen/living room.

The house consists of two floors. Upstairs there is a full kitchen with a cafe table, a living/dining room with two sleeper sofas, a full bathroom, a queen bedroom and a twin bedroom. Both bedrooms and the living/diving room have views of the lake.

Downstairs, there is a queen bedroom, a full bathroom, a kitchen/living area with twelve windows overlooking the lake and a gas fireplace for colder times of the year, and recreation room with a 42" Smart TV for watching DVD's. The utility room has a washer and dryer for our guests' use.

Windgarth House sleeps 6 people in 3 bedrooms, and up to another 4 on one of the sleeper sofas upstairs or two inflatable full-size mattresses that you can place in the location of your choice.

Windgarth House is located on the west shore of Cayuga Lake, across the road from the Sheldrake Point Winery and Cafe. Only 12 miles from Taughannock Falls State Park, 10 miles from Trumansburg and 20 miles from Ithaca, it is nestled in a prime location.

The area around Windgarth House is ideal for long walks along the lake and biking. There are many hiking opportunities in the area, including at Taughannock Falls State Park.

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Amenities

Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Air conditioning
Outdoor space
Parking available

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House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 26
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
We welcome families with children of all ages.
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Events

Events allowed
Prior consent of owner required.
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
No radios, stereo system or other sound amplifying devices are allowed outside the residence, or inside before 9 a.m. or after 10 p.m.
All food must be removed from the refrigerators before departure. Please place used bedlinens and towels by the washer in the utility room.
One vehicle can park in front of the garage and the other parallel to the road. Others please park in the winery lot across the street.

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
Parties and events are allowed on site
Note from host: Prior consent of owner required.
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

About the area

Ovid

Located on a lake, this holiday home is in Sheldrake, a neighbourhood in Ovid. Sheldrake Point Winery and Thirsty Owl Wine Company are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Cayuga Lake and Sampson State Park. Looking to enjoy an event or a game while in town? See what's going on at Dick Van Dyke Addiction Treatment Center, or consider a night out at Dutch Harvest Farm. Discover the area's water adventures with kayaking and fishing nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with hiking/biking trails and cycling.
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Map
Ovid, NY

What's nearby

  • Sheldrake Point Winery - 2 min walk - 0.2 km
  • Cayuga Lake - 1 min drive - 0.4 km
  • Thirsty Owl Wine Company - 5 min drive - 7.1 km
  • Lucas Vineyards - 5 min drive - 7.5 km
  • Taughannock Falls State Park - 14 min drive - 22.0 km

Getting around

  • Ithaca, NY (ITH-Tompkins Regional) - 42 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪NY Quick Shop - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Pat’s Pizzeria - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪Aurora Ale & Lager Co. - ‬61 min drive
  • ‪Thirsty Owl Wine Company - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪O'Malley's - ‬4 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Year-round Cayuga Lakefront with easy access to house and lake pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Year-round Cayuga Lakefront with easy access to house and lake?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Year-round Cayuga Lakefront with easy access to house and lake?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Year-round Cayuga Lakefront with easy access to house and lake located?

Located in Sheldrake, this holiday home is within a 5-minute walk of Sheldrake Point Winery and Cayuga Lake. WeBeTilin' Studios is 0.3 mi (0.6 km) away.

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. 110 out of 113 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 113 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 113 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 113 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 113 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

jackie l.

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

Graduation Weekend

The location is convenient and the place was clean and equipped with everything we needed. We really enjoyed our stay!
Stayed 5 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Melinda V.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Met some friends from MN and had a great time. Weather didn't cooperate, but great time. Older home with great lakeside charm. Worked well for the four of us. Owner sent great information prior to our stay to help us navigate what we needed.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Grace S.

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

Excellent, Comfortable Stay

We so enjoyed staying here! Great location, beautiful lakefront property, and well maintained!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Margaret A.

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

Family friendly

Great place for a family getaway.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2020

10/10 Excellent

Lynn H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Absolutely wonderful property - in every possible way! The house is lovely and has everything that anyone could possibly need. The backyard slopes gently to the lake - where waves lap gently at the bank. Two kitchens and multiple living rooms allow guests to spread out or congregate together. Truly one of the most exceptional places we have ever stayed!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Laura S.

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

Perfect location

A great location and house. Many amenities included.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Laura S.

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

Charming home on beautiful lake

We loved our stay— the house was clean, tidy, and well-equipped. Window boxes, gardens, yard, and lake were beautiful! Clear and detailed information from host was very helpful— we would definitely stay here again!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Amy M.

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

Perfect girls weekend

So close to all the places we wanted to hit. Could have used one more day to just hang out at the dock.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Mary M.

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

Excellent location for girls weekend getaway

A small group of friends stayed at this property for a 50th birthday winery tour weekend. The property was extremely clean, well-stocked with everything we needed, and easy to communicate with the owner. Beautiful lakeside views, especially at sunrise!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Melissa M., Warwick, NY

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

Peaceful Retreat

This was such a welcomed and peaceful stay with family. We enjoyed every aspect from the quaint house, the beautiful lake access and the charming area of Ovid. We wish we could have stayed longer!!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2021

10/10 Excellent

Patricia F.

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

We had a fantastic time. So relaxing and great weather

Easy to communicate with owner. Very informative literature prior to arrival
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Kay M.

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

Grassroots Lake vacation

Rented online. Owner very friendly and helpful.
Stayed 14 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Margaret A.

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

Nice yard with easy lake access for children

Great week! Everything we needed. Beach access for two little ones was perfect. Friendly neighbors, easy access to local sites.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Robin D.

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

Fantastic!

Amazingly well equipped and exceptionally clean lakeside home. Easy access to the lake with lots of floats, canoe, kayak. Hoping to return again!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Devin F.

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

Bachelorette Weekend

The house was perfectly located on Cayuga Lake. It was a beautiful, clean house with enough space for all of us. The backyard was awesome and the downstairs sunroom was perfect for hanging out. Would highly recommend to anyone looking for a nice, quiet weekend on the lake or a wine tour.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Ann M.

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

Lovely

Windgarth is all that is advertised! We had ease with communication with the manager, and there were no problems with the house. The house is well-equipped, and comfortable. Location is beautiful.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jessica P.

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

Wonderful stay at Windgarth House

We had a terrific experience staying at Windgarth House. The house was very spacious and comfortable. It’s right on Lake Cayuga, and we enjoyed watching the sunrise from the dock as well as making use of the canoe and kayak! Instructions for accessing the property were very clear and easy to follow, and communication with Mariette couldn’t have been better!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

andrea b.

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

Paradise on the lake

We had a wonderful 5 day stay at the lake house. We woke up to an amazing view of the lake, and watched the moon rise at night. Mariette was great, easy to get in touch with if we needed anything, and she gave us wonderful suggestions for markets and things to do. We spent most days in the backyard, on the lake and enjoying the property. The winery across the street was an added bonus. We will definitely be back!!!
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2022

8/10 Good

Brianna C.

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

Bachelorette Weekend!!

We had a wonderful stay! It was a great location and had so many amazing wineries around the area! We enjoyed the water front property and had a great fire during the evening. The house was very well supplied and had anything we may need during the stay. The host was so helpful and communicative before our stay so we had all the info necessary! We did notice some small bugs on the bedding in one of the bedrooms however all of the rooms were well maintained and very clean and tidy! I would recommend staying here :)
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Michael C.

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

Navy birthday/Navy Reunion

What a beautiful house - well kept inside and out. Steps to Cayuga Lake - beautiful winery across the street - they allowed parking in their lot. Restaurants down the road - great place to launch to either Seneca or Cayuga wine trails/breweries and distilleries. Friendliest folks to meet and talk with - very military friendly. Our host Mariette explained the history of the house and its location and was very clear and concise as to the rules of the house. I can't say enough positive comments about this property and its host!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Margaret A.

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

Cayuga Lake Retreat

The property was exactly as described. The house was nice and roomy for six adults and two small children. The children loved the spacious lawn sloping down to the beach. The beach was perfect for little ones as it was shallow at the shore. They were able to swim and splash to their hearts content. The house was well stocked and clean. The neighbors were lovely. Hope to come again next year.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2019

10/10 Excellent

Lisa Q.

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

*Lakeside Tranquility*

Windgarth was the Perfect home for our summer retreat. We had three generations of folks teaching/learning/remembering how to skip rocks, experiment with what candy bar made the tastiest smores, and mixing generations to prepare meals. Our hostess provided everything we needed and more: waffle maker-check, kayak - check, 2 kitchens - check. It was cozy, yet large enough where everyone could be together and still have their own space. The location was just where we wanted, peaceful and yet near vineyards, waterfalls, farmers' market and Cornell.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Sam D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This was such a lovely time for our family! The weather was fabulous and we enjoyed the outdoor space by the lake. Everything one needs for a comfortable feel-at-home stay can be found in the house. The instructions provided by the owner were very helpful. A few items need to be cleared out, such as old condiments, spices etc from previous guests, and a few things to be renewed such as dish racks, cooking utensils, etc. but other than that, highly highly recommend! Thank you!
Stayed 6 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Robert C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The house is a clean, up to date two story, with dual kitchens and bathrooms. It was perfect for our teenagers and the adults to have private areas, as well as common areas for meetings. The lot has a level walkout to the water, as well as a gradual shoreline into about 5 feet of water at the end of the dock. Both neighbors were very friendly, but not overburden and made our family feel welcomed. We can't think of anything to make our stay any better!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Margaret A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Property is lovely for a family vacation. Clean with everything you need. Beautiful lakeside spot.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2025

About the host

Hosted by Mariette Geldenhuys

Host profile image
I have lived and worked in Ithaca, New York for 32 years and love the natural beauty of the Finger Lakes region.

I grew up in South Africa and always enjoyed the outdoors. I completed high school and college in South Africa and then studied in England for two years, before moving to Ithaca.

Why they chose this property

I always dreamed of having a vacation home on the lake. When my late spouse and I came across Windgarth House in 2001, we knew that we had found our slice of paradise, and wanted to share it with others by renting it out. Judging from 17 years of guest book entries, our guests have experienced the Windgarth magic and many have returned year after year. My spouse's beautiful paintings of Finger Lakes nature scenes continue to add beauty to the home.

When I'm at Windgarth, I enjoy long swims along the shore and trips in the canoe and kayak, especially at sunset when one can paddle north past Sheldrake Point and watch the sun set over the hills and water. I also love long walks along the shore on the quiet road and bicycle rides in the surrounding countryside. I enjoy getting up early and watching the sun rise over the lake while listening to birdsong.

My spouse and I came up with the name "Windgarth House" shortly after we bought the house. One branch of my family was from Applegarth in Scotland, and named their farm near Cape Town, South Africa "Applegarth". I always liked the name, but there were no apple trees at the house. One late fall weekend, the wind was blowing and waves were breaking on the shore. That's when the name Windgarth House occurred to us, The Windgarth House sign on the garage was hand made by local ceramic artist Annemarie Zwack.

What makes this property unique

We fell in love with Windgarth House for many reasons. Here are just a few:

Access to the house is very easy, unlike many Cayuga Lake properties where there is a steep cliff near the lakefront and one has to climb many stairs to get to the house, the lakefront, or both. It is located on a quiet public road, which serves about 2 miles of lakefront. Because it is a public road, it is well-maintained year round.
We wanted to be close to the lake and not across a road or some distance away. Windgarth has a beautiful living room/kitchen downstairs with twelve windows overlooking the lake, a beautiful lawn and garden and the lake is right there.

One can see the lake from all rooms, except the upstairs kitchen and bathroom. The lake views and the sound of the water make this a stunningly beautiful spot.

The house is a charming, bright, home with plenty of windows and light, yet cozy and very comfortable.
It's great to have a full kitchen and full bathroom on each floor. Friends and family members can vacation together and also have their own space.

The house is on the Sheldrake cove, which is sheltered and protected. The water is shallow at the edge and gradually gets deeper. It's great for kids and adults for wading and swimming. Kids also enjoy playing on the back lawn by the lakeside.

There is a swimming dock which we had rebuilt and we extended the deck area by the lakeside. The mature trees provide plenty of natural shade.
The Sheldrake Point Winery is right across the street, yet one is unaware of it when one is in the house or in the back yard. Many other wineries and restaurants are close by.

Languages:

English, Dutch

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