Welcoming retreat close to Cornell, Ithaca College, and Cayuga Lake

3 bedrooms2+ bathroomsSleeps 7214 sq m

Popular amenities

Kitchen

Washer

Dryer

Free WiFi

Air conditioning

Outdoor space

Enjoy the area

Ithaca, NY

Shops at Ithaca Mall3 min drive
Ithaca, NY (ITH-Tompkins Regional)6 min drive
Cornell University7 min drive
Ithaca Commons9 min drive

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 7)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 3

1 Queen Bed

Office 1

1 Double Sofa Bed

2 bathrooms, 1 half bathroom

Bathroom 1

Soap · Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Bathroom 2

Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Toilet · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Bathroom 3

Soap · Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio

Porch or lanai

Kitchen

Garden

Dining Area

About this property

Our warm, welcoming, home is situated on 5.6 acres, set back from the road, providing privacy and seclusion in a beautiful natural setting just a mile from shopping and restaurants, 1.5 miles from the airport, 10 minutes from Cornell & downtown Ithaca, and 15 minutes from Ithaca College.

Three bedrooms upstairs with high-quality queen mattresses, Smart TVs in two. Two full bathrooms upstairs (one en suite) plus half-bath on the main level. Main level has two large, light-filled family living spaces, one with a large Smart TV & gas fireplace, as well as an office that includes a twin daybed that can pull out to queen/king if needed. Three-zoned AC throughout.

Large deck, gas grill, and fenced backyard for corn hole, frisbee, watching the deer graze, or catching a shooting star before bed. Linens/towels/pillows, paper products, fully outfitted kitchen including condiments/spices for cooking. Plenty of parking for multiple vehicles. High-speed wireless internet. This is a great home base for visits to Cornell University or Ithaca College, local festivals, Cayuga Lake, and Finger Lakes wine/cider/craft beer trails.

Property manager

Laurie Koehler

Amenities

Kitchen

Washer

Dryer

Free WiFi

Air conditioning

Outdoor space

Kitchen

Washer

Dryer

Pet-friendly

House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM

Minimum age to rent: 25

Check out before 11:00 AM

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17

Events

No events allowed

Pets

No pets allowed

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Damage and incidentals

You will be responsible for any damage to the rental property caused by you or your party during your stay.

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

About the area

Ithaca

This holiday home is located in Ithaca. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Cayuga Lake and Buttermilk Falls State Park. Cornell Botanic Gardens and Sciencenter are also worth visiting. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.

Ithaca, NY

What's nearby

Shops at Ithaca Mall - 3 min drive
Triphammer Marketplace - 4 min drive
Cornell University - 7 min drive
Ithaca Commons - 9 min drive
Ithaca College - 11 min drive

Getting around

Ithaca, NY (ITH-Tompkins Regional) - 6 min drive

Restaurants

McDonald's - 3 min drive
Salt Point Brewing Co. - 6 min drive
Dunkin' - 5 min drive
Ithaca Bakery - 4 min drive
Applebee's - 4 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Welcoming retreat close to Cornell, Ithaca College, and Cayuga Lake pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Welcoming retreat close to Cornell, Ithaca College, and Cayuga Lake?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Welcoming retreat close to Cornell, Ithaca College, and Cayuga Lake?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Welcoming retreat close to Cornell, Ithaca College, and Cayuga Lake located?

Situated in Ithaca, this holiday home is 1.4 mi (2.3 km) from Shops at Ithaca Mall and 1.6 mi (2.6 km) from Cayuga Lake. Triphammer Marketplace and Corners Gallery are also within 3 miles (5 km).

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.

Learn more

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Amenities

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

10/10 Excellent

Cristina A.

23 April 2024

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

Everything we wanted and more

A retreat was what we needed and the property delivered on its name. And yet, it was 8 minutes away from downtown Ithaca and close to the access points to various destinations in the Finger Lakes. The property was immaculately clean and we felt right at home when we got there, each one finding the right cozy nook for instant napping. The owner welcomed us warmly with information and tips for our eclipse-triggered visit. She answered questions promptly. The house's center made for a wonderful gathering place for us. Flanked by the living room with a fireplace on one side and the kitchen on the other, the dining table was the place for bonding and planning. The brightly-lit area led to the porch facing the woods. Total privacy. We enjoyed star gazing (best done while on your back on the lounge, the owner suggested). We enjoyed listening to the birds while basking in the sun and the cool breezes. The temperature in the whole house was perfect! Household appliances including Keurig coffeemaker, kettle, and toaster were good and clean. Good plates, cups, bowls, saucers, utensils were a nice touch: who wants to be using paper plates and plastic utensils on a retreat? Good quality pots and pans were available. The 2.5 baths were clean and Zenlike. Hand soap, body wash, shampoo and conditioner were supplied. The towels were perfectly white and crisp. Bed linen were all comfy. A great decision about where to stay always makes for great moods and fine vacation.

Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Andrew L.

2 April 2024

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

Comfortable, Well Appointed, Roomy

Our stay at the Welcoming Retreat was awesome! The location was perfect for us, and we enjoyed the quiet and rural setting, though close to shopping and amenities. The living spaces and bedrooms were comfortable and clean. Our family felt very at home. The kitchen is well appointed, and we appreciated the staples available for our use. And the welcome snacks were enjoyed! Overall, this is a 10 out of 10 listing!

Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kari S.

13 November 2023

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

I'll never stay anywhere else!

Laurie's property in Ithaca was perfect for our family's early Thanksgiving! It truly felt like a "home away from home" and not once did I need a thing while we were hosting a big family dinner. This house is beautiful, spotless and clean, and the setting is like an oasis in the country - yet you are only minutes from everything Ithaca has to offer. I can't imagine staying anywhere else when I'm home for a visit. Thank you Laurie for such wonderful care and attention to detail.

Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Allison P.

7 November 2023

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

Great home base for Ithaca Family weekend!

We had another amazing stay while visiting our son for Ithaca family weekend. The house was so cozy and immaculate! We had enough space to spread out but we were able to all come together for dinner and a movie. It’s the prefect location! We will be back again! Laurie is the best host!

Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Karen G.

23 October 2023

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

Just as advertised

Everything about the property was amazing. Laurie is such a gracious and thoughtful host who clearly cares. She's very communicative and had so many nice touches that there are too many to count. She even left brochures for activities in Ithaca and a discount book. The house was spotlessly clean...every room, every bedroom, every linen, every bathroom. And the house had everything stocked that you could possibly need. The location was truly lovely, so close to campus and the commons, yet incredibly peaceful and relaxing. We even got a glimpse of the wildlife on her property, from birds to bunnies. I've stayed in many rentals, and I can say that this experience was exactly as advertised. Thank you so much, Laurie!

Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2023

About the host

Hosted by Laurie Koehler

Though originally from the D.C. area, I'm a super fan of Ithaca and the Finger Lakes, having chosen to live here on two separate occasions as an adult who works in higher education. We love the combination of a beautiful natural environment which still takes my breath away every day, with a small, manageable city centered on education with an incredible arts scene, great food, and a lack of pretension. While known for being a wine-lovers paradise, I'm more knowledgeable about the outstanding craft beer scene in the area and am happy to provide recommendations if you are interested. Of course, I also have plenty of other recommendations on ways to spend your time here, what not to miss, the importance of trying all of the local ice cream, where to go for a short run, and more!

Why they chose this property

I'm so grateful to have found this house and the 5.6 acres on which it is situated! I feel like we live in the middle of a bird sanctuary/nature preserve and that when I'm at the house, the spaces inside and outside allow me to breathe in a way that the stress of the world sometimes can impede. As only the second owners of the home, I have such an appreciation for the original owners' thought processes in building the place - maximizing light, passive solar, and the views. It's private without being isolated - you can watch the deer in the front field one minute and then hop in the car and be at Ithaca Coffee Company or Salt Point Brewing in five minutes or Downtown or at the Farmer's Market in ten. Plus it's just really well built with quality materials and craftsmanship. It's a privilege to live here and serve as the stewards and caretakers of this remarkable place.

What makes this property unique

Every night, before heading upstairs to bed, if it's a relatively clear night, I make it a point to step outside - usually onto the back deck, but sometimes onto the front porch - look at the stars, and take some deep breaths. First off, I've never lived anywhere before with so little light pollution, so getting to see the number of stars I do is special (during one of the recent meteor showers, I literally counted 16 unique "shooting star" sightings!). But for me, it's also a chance to be reminded to keep perspective on the challenges of the day. I hope, if you choose to stay here, you'll also be able to find some peace and perspective amidst the busyness of your days.

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