Entire home

Magical Waterfront Cottage! Pet friendly!

Photo gallery for Magical Waterfront Cottage! Pet friendly!

Fantastic fall colors!
New lakeside gazebo with propane fire table.
Outdoor dining
Fire table under the gazebo!
Property grounds

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
2 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 8111 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Parking available
  • Kitchen
  • Barbecue grill

Explore the area

Map
Ashford, CT
  • University of Connecticut
    ‪25 min drive‬
  • Stafford Motor Speedway
    ‪35 min drive‬
  • Old Sturbridge Village
    ‪37 min drive‬
  • Hartford, CT (BDL-Bradley Intl.)

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 8)

Bedroom 1

1 Single Bunk Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Double Futon and 1 Queen Bed

Common area 1

1 Double Futon

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Outdoor play area
Dining area

About this property

Magical Waterfront Cottage! Pet friendly!

Are you looking for a relaxing waterfront get away? This may be your place! This newly renovated cottage is located on a pristine 54 acre lake that just begs to be explored! Please enjoy our kayaks and canoe to embark on your own journey. There are no gas powered motors allowed on this lake which makes it a relaxing place for swimming, floating and boating! I hear the fishing is good too. The cottage is situated on a spacious double lot that provides plenty of room for activities and some added privacy. Inside you will find a lovingly renovated 2 bedroom cottage with approx 1200 square feet of living space. The layout is open and bright with fantastic views of the lake and some magnificent sunrises! The kitchen is fully stocked and should satisfy most of your needs. There are multiple sitting areas for chatting, relaxing, napping and a dining table for 6. The main bedroom is quite large and consists of a queen size bed and full size futon. The second bedroom has twin bunks. There is another futon in the front living room perfectly suited for those that don't want to miss the sunrise, which is often spectacular!

Property manager

Noelle Merle

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi
Air conditioning

Have a question?

AI iconBeta

Get instant answers with AI powered search of property information and reviews.

Similar properties

House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 24
Check out before 11:00 AM
default

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
default

Events

No events allowed
default

Pets

Pets allowed: dogs and cats (limit 2 total)
default

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

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
Long-term renters welcome
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

We should mention

This property does not have any lifts

About the area

Ashford

Located in Ashford, this cottage is in a rural area and on the waterfront. Chaplin Museum and Glazier Tavern are cultural highlights, and some of the area's activities can be experienced at Westford Hills Distillery and Taylor Brooke Winery. Looking to enjoy an event or a game while in town? See what's happening at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion or Stafford Motor Speedway. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Ashford, CT

What's nearby

  • Tinkerville Brook Reserve - 19 min drive - 10.7 km
  • University of Connecticut - 25 min drive - 19.5 km
  • Harry A. Gampel Pavilion - 27 min drive - 24.4 km
  • Stafford Motor Speedway - 35 min drive - 28.0 km
  • Old Sturbridge Village - 37 min drive - 39.1 km

Getting around

  • Hartford, CT (BDL-Bradley Intl.) - 57 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Buck's Soft Serve - ‬16 min drive
  • ‪Ashford Dairy Bar - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Midway Restaurant & Pizza - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪Sneakers Sports Bar - ‬12 min drive
  • ‪Dining Hall at ECC - ‬9 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Magical Waterfront Cottage! Pet friendly! pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows cats and dogs (limit 2 total).

What time is check-in at Magical Waterfront Cottage! Pet friendly!?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Magical Waterfront Cottage! Pet friendly!?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Magical Waterfront Cottage! Pet friendly! located?

Situated on the waterfront, this cottage is 2.3 mi (3.7 km) from Ashford Town Green and within 6 miles (10 km) of Crystal Pond and Crystal Pond Park. Ivy Glen Memorial and Eastford Public Library are also within 6 miles (10 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. 31 out of 32 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 1 out of 32 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 32 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 32 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 32 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

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

A Slice of Heaven!

My Mom and I had a fabulous stay and would love to return!
Stayed 5 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Janine W.

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

Lovely!

This was the perfect place to unwind for a few days. The house is quaint and cozy, super clean, and very dog friendly. There were fresh flowers in the kitchen and plenty of throw blankets for cooler nights. There was even a bed and bowls for the dogs! It is such a peaceful place and so comfortable inside and out. Noelle was easy to reach and very accommodating.I would definitely stay again.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Tom S.

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

Great Place

Nice location
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Karyn N.

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

Great Long Weekend

Gorgeous view of the lake, great neighborhood, and cozy cottage. We had a wonderful long weekend at Noelle’s cottage!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Elizabeth R.

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

Lovely

Cold but sunny visit. Beautiful sunrise each day.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Ashley W.

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

Lovely Stay!

We stayed for 2 nights during a long weekend. Gorgeous home, very clean, and all amenities needed to enjoy our stay were there (life jackets, board games, kitchen items, dog items (bowls, tie out, poo bags)). Beautiful foliage to enjoy when going for a nice walk around the lake as well. Really happy we found this place!
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Grace V.

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

Absolutely Wonderful!

We stayed at this property for about a week to attend a dog competition. It was absolutely worth the price- wonderful location to some good eats, very clean and cozy, and communication with the host was top notch. It helped make a stressful time relaxing!
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Roger C.

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

Beautiful Getaway

The cottage was perfect size with everything you needed.We used the kayaks and boat and did some fishing.Had a great long holiday weekend with the family and dogs.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Deborah M.

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

Enjoyable stay at Ashford Lake

Waterfront with yard. Use of canoe and kayak. Fire pit available ( bring your own wood).DOG FRIENDLY.Plenty of sleeping areas with use of futons. Very open main area. Very quiet lake.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Lianie U.

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

Lovely!

The cottage and it's view are lovely and calming. The kitchen is well stocked with everything you could need. Bedding is comfortable and linens are quite nice. The host is responsive and easy to work with. We highly recommend this cottage and host!
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Christine M.

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

Cool vintage decor, great location

Beautiful spot! Great base for lots of family activities, like CT Science Center in Hartford (60 min drive) and Sturbridge Village (30 min drive).
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Ellen goes by Elena S.

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

Beautiful cottage and setting

This was a wonderful place for a weekend retreat with a few close friends. The cottage is beautiful, clean and spacious, with ample linens and kitchen amenities, a gorgeous view of the lake, and lots of welcoming outdoor space and peace and quiet. The host was very responsive and helpful when we needed her assistance with a water problem on the last night, and generously offered us a partial refund. We appreciated the beautiful place and the excellent service, and would definitely come back.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jeffrey C., Fontana

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

Cute lake house

This house was cute and comfortable for an October weekend with our family.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Tracy S.

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

Girl’s/Cousin’s weekend

We had the most wonderful experience this wkd! The cottage was very accurate to what we saw online & it was even better than we’d expected! It was stocked with everything we needed & we weren’t wanting for anything. Everything was clean & smelled so good. Our host Noelle was great to communicate with. Very prompt with corresponding & she was so thoughtful, leaving us a sweet note & a bottle of wine! Thank you so much! We will definitely be back & plan to have this wonderful place be our annual gathering place for us girls in the future!
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Amy T.

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

Christmas Getaway

Noelle was a great host. She set up a Christmas tree for us and made it homey. The view was so beautiful from the living room.
Stayed 10 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Karin T.

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

Peaceful perfection

Our stay far exceeded my expectations.....peaceful, clean. abundant nature, all creature comforts taken care of , beautiful property and home decor! Owners, Noelle and Sam were very responsive and pleasant to work with. My grandchildren (ages 12,10,7)...all want to come back next year!! Turtles, fish. birds, fireflies, safe walking, clean water, kayaking.....
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2024

8/10 Good

MONTANA L.

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

Great

Overall the stay was great. We were very comfortable and the primary bedroom was very comfortable. My mother was sleeping in the bunk bed room- so she wasn’t as happy- but great if you have children. Also wonderful when the weather is nice! Great outdoor activities.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jody L.

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

Perfect Staycation

We were looking for a lake house not too far from home to relax and vacation for a few days with our pup. I’m so glad we found Noelle’s lake house! Beautiful views, super quiet and calm neighborhood, plenty of options whether you want to get out on the lake, have fun outside, or just hang inside. Weather was pretty cool and rainy for August for most of our trip but we didn’t mind - we were happy just reading and looking out at the lake. The house was clean, set up beautifully, super cute decor, lots of cozy blankets, and lots of great accommodations for our pup (dog bowls, bed, towels, blankets, life jacket, etc.) - made us feel so welcome bringing our boy. Sunrise on the lake was really cool to see! Would love to come back.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Eric M.

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

5-star host!!!

5-star host. 4-star property, but many improvements are in process. The best host ever! Very responsive and supportive. Great location. Super quiet. Great fishing! We will be back here again! Thanks Noelle!!!
Stayed 13 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Brianna S.

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

Wonderful, Peaceful, just what we needed

We came as a bridal party for a girls night right before the wedding. It was absolutely perfect! The right size for us with stunning views! The bride loved it and so did the whole group! Noelle was so responsive and made our stay wonderful! We didn’t feel the need to go anywhere and with a full kitchen we were able to make the food we needed to have a girls night in. Definitely recommending this to anyone who needs a peaceful getaway!
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Donna M.

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

Relaxing weeklong getaway!

This cottage was a wonderful place for a family vacation! We received a mini welcome gift with some popcorn (which was very delicious!). The lake was very private and quiet, which was very nice to take a relaxing swim or kayak ride. The place is pet friendly, which is a plus. One of our favorite parts of this place was getting to feed the turtles in the afternoon all week! There is ample space for both outdoor and indoor seating to read, play games, or just sit and talk. As for off of the property, we were able to go to the drive-in, local restaurants, and there was an apple crisp stand down the road that was awesome!! Overall it’s a very charming place owned by a very nice host and would love to come back in the future :)
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Tom M.

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

We were the first guests, and we loved it!

We just got back from our vacation at Ashford Lake and we had a tremendous time. After a year and a half of constant work we very badly needed one thing, and that was a lakehouse. We've stayed at Ashford Lake before and it's a reallllly relaxing place. We were very happy to have found this gem and stay at our favorite lake again. All I needed, and I felt this deep inside me, was a firepit in front of a lake with drinks and conversation. I got that, here. Every night it wasn't raining, we sat out by that fire for hours and hours. It was so healing. That and the kayaking and feeding the turtle regulars (we named them Ferdinand and Mabel) that dropped in constantly. We really appreciated being able to bring our pets, because we miss them when we leave them... and not having to miss them made everything more special. Noelle was fantastic and responded to every question very quickly. She seems like a great person. Thanks Noelle!!
Stayed 8 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Trevor S.

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

Hidden Gem!

My wife and I stayed here before and we were so happy to see this house available to rent again! This place is high on our list and compare it to every other lake house we have been at. There have been many improvements including some renovations inside, the deck, and the walkout dock on the water! We were there to unwind from work, and this place was so quiet during the week. I went on the kayak everyday to fish, you couldn't ask for a cleaner lake. It is incredibly clear, not many weeds, and plenty of fish (sunfish, catfish, perch, and best of all - bass). I have caught chain pickerel here before just not this time around. The lake itself is clean, and really enjoyed how big it was yet no motors allowed. The quick access to the lake, swimming, fishing, the house, and the size of the yard makes this place a dream! The owner's ability to make this much more dog friendly made this trip easier for our senior dog. We really appreciated the thoughtfulness and communication the owner had with us. We will be dreaming of this place until we are there again!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Cassandra T.

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

Relaxing Vacation!

We truly enjoyed our stay at Mimi's place! The cottage was exactly as listed. We loved the open layout plan in the cottage as well as the lovely decor. We especially loved the amazing view from the cottage! It was so serene, beautiful, quiet, peaceful and just what we were looking for! The owner of the cottage, Noelle was so nice, responsive and communicative. The manual left in the cottage was informative and helpful as well! The neighbors nearby were so friendly and welcoming, even the deers we spotted on our walks around the lake! We truly appreciated all the amenities that Noelle has thoughtfully left for us in the cottage to use along with the fully stocked kitchen! She had even thought of our dog by providing a dog bed, dog towels, dog blankets and even a dog run for the yard! We felt absolutely comfortable in and out of the cottage and could've easily stayed for longer! We did not plan to go out anywhere other than that area, so we can't recommend any restaurants or things to do nearby. However, we can honestly say that you wouldn't need anything else but the cottage, garden, and the lake! We cooked our meals in the cottage everyday, kayaked on the lake, read a book on the hammock, sat by the dock or the firepit and enjoyed our cocktails and even enjoyed listening to a record on the record player that they provided for us in the cottage! We have to say this was one of the best property we had stayed in so far! It's certainly a piece of heaven on earth! Book this now!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Deborah C.

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

Adorable place on a peaceful lake

Just a super cute place that had everything we needed!Host was very responsive.Only 20 minutes from UCONN - we were there for graduation and it worked out very nicely.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025

About the host

Hosted by Noelle Merle

Host profile image
Hello! My name is Noelle and I live in Sturbridge Ma with my husband Sam, our son Crosby and my father Michel (aka Pepe.) We fell in love with Ashford Ct over the past few years camping at Brialee, a local family campground. I have been dreaming of a lake house for years and when I saw this one, well... it spoke to me. The stars aligned and here we are! We named this magical place after my fathers late wife Mimi, who was truly magical and as loving as they come. She would have whole heartedly supported me in this endeavor!
I feel her all around, and especially at sunrise.
I am a local Realtor and Broker/Owner of Hometown National Realty.
Sam is a singer, songwriter and the recording artist, Sam James.
Crosby is 6 and fantastic. Professional kayaker and Minecraft maniac.
Pepe, (Michel) is a retired college professor and full time Artist, Poet and writer. He is fantastic, kind and eccentric! We love him.

Why they chose this property

There is something really special about this property. It just brings me this overwhelming feeling of peace and happiness. The lake is generally very still and calm. The night sky is spectacular without the obstruction of city lights.

What makes this property unique

The local turtles may stop by for a visit and a snack... if you're sharing. The neighbor cat may stop by for a pat. Relax under the willow tree, have a cocktail on the deck. Enjoy coffee with the sunrise. It's all good here!

Languages:

English