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

Photo gallery for Welcoming retreat close to Cornell, Ithaca College, and Cayuga Lake

Front walk
Welcome!
Exterior
Driveway is about 1/10th of a mile long, setting the house well back from road.
Miscellaneous

Reviews

10 out of 10, Loved by Guests
Top 10% of guest reviews in this area
3 bedrooms2+ bathroomsSleeps 7

Popular amenities

  • Onsite parking available
  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Air-conditioning
  • Barbecue
  • Deck or patio

Explore the area

View map
Ithaca, NY
  • Place, Shops at Ithaca Mall
    ‪2 min drive‬
  • Place, Cornell University
    ‪9 min drive‬
  • Place, Ithaca College
    ‪14 min drive‬
  • Airport, Ithaca, NY (ITH-Tompkins Regional)
    ‪7 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

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

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.

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House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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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

Check-out instructions

The host requires you to complete the following before checking out:
Load and start the dishwasher
Gather used towels
Remove personal items and take out the rubbish
Turn off the lights and lock the doors
Please close any open windows. If you were using the heat, please turn the thermostats to 58 w/fan on "auto" before leaving. For AC, please turn up to 74 on "auto" as well.
Please text Margarite when you've left.
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.

Important information

You need to know

Property # 2809459vb
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

Ithaca is home to this holiday home. Cornell Botanic Gardens and Sciencenter are local attractions and those in the mood for shopping can visit Shops at Ithaca Mall and Triphammer Marketplace. Looking to enjoy an event or a game while in town? See what's going on at Robert J. Kane Sports Complex, or consider a night out at Dutch Harvest Farm. Take in the nearby slopes with cross-country skiing, or try out other outdoor activities such as ice skating.
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Map
Ithaca, NY

What's nearby

  • Shops at Ithaca Mall - 2 min drive - 2.9 km
  • Cornell University - 9 min drive - 8.2 km
  • Ithaca Commons - 11 min drive - 9.6 km
  • Ithaca College - 14 min drive - 11.0 km
  • Buttermilk Falls State Park - 16 min drive - 12.0 km

Getting around

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

Restaurants

  • ‪McDonald's - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Sumo Japanese Sushi And Hibachi Grill - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Taco Bell - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Dunkin' - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Longshots Sports Bar & Grill - ‬5 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.

How much is parking at Welcoming retreat close to Cornell, Ithaca College, and Cayuga Lake?

On-site parking is available at the 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 within 2 miles (3 km) of Shops at Ithaca Mall, Regal Ithaca Mall and Cayuga Lake. Triphammer Marketplace and Corners Gallery are also within 3 miles (5 km).

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. 44 out of 44 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 44 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 44 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 44 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 44 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Amenities

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Noel B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This was a quiet and spacious house for our family! We were in Ithaca to visit Cornell and this house was a great location and great value compared to hotels. The host was very responsive and we had a lovely time. We will definitely stay again!
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 26 April 2026
Thanks for choosing to stay in our home! Great to hear that you found the location convenient and the home a good size for your family. Looking forward to hosting you again in the future!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer Y.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We enjoyed our stay. It was a short drive to Cornell, our primary destination. The house was spacious and so quiet, a great retreat. We would definitely here again.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 18 April 2026
I’m so glad you enjoyed the proximity plus privacy of our home. Thanks for taking such wonderful care of it! We hope to host you again in the future.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Peter L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This is by far the best vacation rental that my family and I have ever enjoyed. The location is close to everything, but completely peaceful and private. The house itself is immaculate. It is spacious enough for a large family gathering and the hosts have absolutely thought of everything. We will definitely look to stay again.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 11 October 2025
I'm thrilled that you had a great stay and enjoyed our home, Peter! When we bought the house several years ago, it was that combination of "close to everything, but completely peaceful and private" that hooked us. Excited to have you back again, and thank you for taking such good care of the place!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Christine A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The stay at Laurie's was wonderful! Well stocked, with decent cook pans and utensils. Very clean house, comfortable beds, enjoyable outdoor areas. Thank you Laurie for the exceptional home and amenities!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 1 October 2025
Loved having you, Christine! Glad you were able to enjoy the outdoor and indoor areas to relax plus had time to do some cooking. Thank you for caring for our home so well. We look forward to a return visit!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Kristin M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This rental was the full package. Beautiful home and furnishings, great location, great recommendations about places to go and restaurants to go to as well as a super responsive hostess who went above and beyond to ensure that our stay was perfect!
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 20 October 2025
I’m really glad you enjoyed the house and the location, Kristin! We also appreciate the proximity to shopping/dining as well as downtown and the two colleges. I so appreciate your going above and beyond with the cleaning, and really hope we will have the opportunity to host you again!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Lori M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We had a wonderful stay while in Ithaca for a wedding. The house is beautiful and comfortable; quiet and secluded, yet 12 minutes from Cornell. We did not want to leave! We enjoyed the Farmers Market Saturday morning, Ithaca Falls and Ithaca Bakery Sunday morning. We hope to come back for a longer stay.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 13 October 2025
Thanks so much for the wonderful recap of your stay, Lori! And for leaving lovely bouquets of flowers (I assume from your visit to the famed Ithaca Farmers Market) scattered around the house. :) We would love to host you and your family again when you can spend more time exploring all that the area has to offer!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Sara S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We really enjoyed our stay. Very nice home.....shot drive into downtown Ithaca and over to Cornell. Beautiful, serene home.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Winnie L.

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

Ithaca weekend

We had a fantastic time. Everything was perfect. The house was spacious and well maintained. The grounds were very pretty. Thanks for opening your home to us !
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 21 August 2025
It was a pleasure hosting you and your family! I’m glad you were able to spread out and take advantage of the different living spaces within the house (and hopefully on the deck as well). I appreciate your care for our home and look forward to your return!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Erin M.

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

Lovely Stay

This was a wonderful place to stay! Nice, clean, spacious, and very welcoming hosts. Has everything you need and ideally located.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 8 July 2024
So glad you all enjoyed our home! Thanks so much for taking great care of the place. Excited to have you and your family for a future stay!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Heather D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We had a wonderful stay at this welcoming retreat! The house was perfect for our family—spacious, comfortable, and thoughtfully equipped with a well-stocked kitchen and multiple family rooms for relaxing together. The location was ideal for visiting Cornell, Ithaca College, and Cayuga Lake, and we especially enjoyed spending time on the back deck. Laurie was fantastic to work with—easy to communicate with and incredibly attentive. We would absolutely stay here again!
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 15 August 2025
I'm so glad you and your family enjoyed your time at our home, Heather, and that you appreciated the convenience of the location. Thanks so much for taking wonderful care of the place - we look forward to hosting you all again when you're back in the Finger Lakes!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Kelley B.

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

Comfortable, spacious, great views and location

Perfect spot for our family attending graduation weekend. Close to airport and Cornell campus. Clean, cozy, comfortable spot to relax together in between events. Hosts were great with communication and instructions - even had coffee creamers for us! First class all the way, thank you!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 28 May 2025
So glad we could be a comfortable base that felt like home during a busy Commencement weekend! Thanks for taking such great care of our home - we hope you'll return for some fun in the Finger Lakes (without graduation craziness)!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

diana g.

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

Perfect fit

I highly recommend this property if you’re traveling to Ithaca. Communication with host was great, very clean, location was great for many activities. It was the perfect fit for our family weekend getaway.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 16 October 2024
Thanks so much! I'm glad you were able to use our home for you and your adult children as your home base for visiting family in the area. I appreciate your taking good care of the place and hope you'll stay again on your next visit!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Barbara C.

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

Wedding

I would rate the house and contents above a 5 star. We felt at home as soon as we walked in the door. Our family was in Ithaca for a wedding. We also explored the area. The house was a short distance from everything we wanted to do. Laurie was also an amazing host.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Julie S.

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

Cornell Reunion

Perfect house for our stay for Cornell Reunion with the family.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 16 June 2023
Thanks so much, Julie! It was a pleasure having you and your family stay in our home!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Sarah L.

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

Really nice house

This house was even better than we expected. Good location where the house was private but still close to a lot of places. It was really clean, the beds were comfortable and they had k cups ready for us. I will absolutely stay in this house next time we’re in Ithaca!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 31 July 2023
So glad you enjoyed the house, Sarah! You are welcome back anytime - thanks for being a wonderful guest!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Rachelle P.

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

Amazing Property

Had a fantastic time at this property with my family while moving my daughter into Cornell. Very clean and plenty of space for all of us to spread out. Laurie was fantastic with communication throughout the entire process. Will absolutely stay here again!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 16 August 2023
Thanks so much for caring for our house as if it were your own! We loved having you and always enjoy hosting Cornell and IC families. Looking forward to having you back!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Tanya V.

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

Absolute gem in perfect location!

Beautiful home with a wonderful backyard, ideal location for all things Ithaca, Cornell and the Finger Lakes. The property is spacious, so comfortable and we were a short drive to everything we wanted to take in. The hosts were incredibly helpful with recommendations and we were able to take in so much, even during a short stay. We will be back!
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 19 March 2023
So glad you enjoyed your stay! Thanks for your openness to being our first guest; I’d welcome any thoughts and suggestions you have for future guests. Look forward to having you back!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Graham C.

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

Wonderful Finger Lakes vacation home

We loved our stay in this lovely, tastefully, handsomely appointed house. Laurie was an attentive hostess who responded quickly and professionally in all our dealings. Instructions were thorough and there were very nice, thoughtful touches on our arrival. This rental ranks in the very top tier of our VRBO rentals.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 30 July 2024
Wow, thank you so much for your kind review, Graham! It was a genuine pleasure having you and your family stay in our home; thank you for caring for it so thoughtfully. I'm glad you had some days of usual, beautiful Finger Lakes summer. We'd welcome you all back anytime!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Katherine R.

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

Great find!

We felt at home instantly at Laurie’s clean, spacious house. Well appointed with bright open floor plan. Bedding, linens and bathrooms were perfect. Easy access to parks, lake and colleges. Will definitely stay again!
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 31 March 2023
Thank you, Katherine! So glad you felt at home. Would love to welcome you back when you visit again!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Allison P.

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

College drop off trip

We loved everything about the Cherry Rd house!! It was so cozy and cute. It was so thoughtfully decorated and had everything we needed. We loved the privacy and the location. We were able to get everywhere we needed to be quickly. We hope to stay there again one day! We love Ithaca ❤️
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 22 August 2023
Thanks so much, Allison! So glad you found the location convenient - we definitely appreciate being so close to both Ithaca College and Cornell. Look forward to having you back for future visits!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Meghana M.

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

Wonderful get away with friends

Laurie’s place was the perfect spot for our long weekend trip out of the city. It was very close to Ithaca and an easy drive to hikes and wineries near by. The house was spacious, clean, and accommodated our group perfectly. The hosts were very responsive to our needs both before and during the stay. Thank you, Laurie!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 8 September 2023
It was wonderful having you all stay at our place - thank you for taking such good care of it and treating it as you would your own home. Hope you were able to enjoy some gorges, waterfalls, and good Finger Lakes wines. We'd love to have you back anytime!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Allison P.

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
Response from VrboOwner on 12 November 2023
You and your family are amazing guests - hard to even tell you stayed there! So glad you have landed in our place as your Ithaca home. :) Looking forward to hosting you all again for another stay!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Vikram A.

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

Better than expected

Loved this home. It was perfect for our family as we needed a home base for my Cornell masters graduation. Quick drive to anywhere in Ithaca. And it was a nice place to relax in between events. It was larger than I expected which is always a good thing. Will stay here again the next time we’re in Ithaca
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 28 May 2024
So glad our place was a spacious and comfortable home base for your time on the Cornell campus (and congratulations on your graduation!). Thank you for taking such good care of it! We look forward to having you back, perhaps for some fall leaf peeping and waterfall viewing amidst hiking at the many nearby parks, or some winery/cidery/brewery visits. Thanks again for choosing our home!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Pete B.

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

Spotless, spacious, welcoming, and convenient

This was home base for a Thanksgiving with family. The house is absolutely spotless, with comfortable modern rooms and lots of space to spread out. The house is set back from the road with a secluded backyard with a deck and a fenced in area, you’d never know the grocery store and mall are 5 minutes away, and downtown Ithaca is a short drive. The kitchen was well stocked, and communication with Laurie the owner was excellent.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 1 December 2024
Thanks, Pete! We love when wonderful guests like you and your family are able to create new memories together in our home! So glad you found it to your liking and appreciated the proximity to all things PLUS the privacy it provides. I appreciate how you cared for our home, and hope this won’t be the last family event you celebrate in our Ithaca home!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Michael W.

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

Beautiful home away from home

Colleague and I attended a conference at Cornell. This home was a perfect stay. Laurie communicated before, during and right before our leave. The home was completely stocked with everything and more to make our stay an easy and comfortable one. Just 10-12 minutes away from Cornell. Would give higher than 5 stars if possible!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 12 October 2024
Thanks so much, Michael! I'm glad our property was a nice place to come home to after long days of "conferencing." You were ideal guests - thank you for leaving the place immaculate! I hope you'll return either for future conferences and meetings or just for fun, when you'll have more time to explore all that Ithaca and the FInger Lakes have to offer!

About the host

Hosted by Laurie Koehler

Host profile image
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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