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Karin's Place VT: Phenomenal Safe Guest House with hot tub, pool, playground...

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Exterior
Private kitchen
Children's area
Children's area
Dining

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
4 bedroomsSleeps 12743.2 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Fireplace
  • Parking available

Explore the area

Map
Bennington, VT
  • Hemmings Motor News Car Lover's Convenience Store & Vehicle Display
    ‪16 min drive‬
  • Bennington Battle Monument
    ‪18 min drive‬
  • Williams College
    ‪21 min drive‬
  • Pittsfield, MA (PSF-Pittsfield Municipal)
    ‪70 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

4 bedrooms (sleeps 12)

2nd floor

2 Single Beds

Gondoliers

2 Single Beds

Pirates of Penzance

1 Single Bed, 1 Queen Bed and 1 Crib

The Merry Widow

4 Single Beds

Yeomen

1 Queen Bed

Bathroom 1

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 2

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

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

About this property

Karin's Place VT: Phenomenal Safe Guest House with hot tub, pool, playground...

Board Member of VTSTRA (Vermont Short Term Rental Alliance)

Are you looking for a private pool, hot tub that holds 8, sauna, AND a playground!? Are you looking for a more concierge quality of hosting? Look no further. Karin's Place is your home away from home. All the privacy with as much interaction as you need/want or don't.

Some have referred to Jenny as the super. So adding to her already designated titles, Director of Vibes and Chief Memory Officer, she has now adopted "Super Jenny!"

That said, please join us in our guest house called Karin's Place and enjoy our "Gentleman's Farm" of goats, chickens, and freshly planted veggies! We live on site in a separate space and you have as much privacy as you desire with the convenience of instant response if you need anything.

There is something for everyone at Karin’s Place–from the enormous backyard, private pool, hot tub, sauna, and a pirate ship playground to enough books and games to last several lifetimes! Lie in a hammock and take in the sun or cross country ski on the 22 acres of land. The leaf peeping is also impossible to beat.

This home is unique and grand. It was conceived by Jenny's father who was a bonafide eccentric. He lived a large life and was truly one-of-a-kind. There is no other home or inn in the area like Karin's Place. The house seamlessly converted into two completely separate spaces, allowing for a living space for us and a retreat space for you while retaining privacy. Our goats, chickens, and ducks look forward to your stay as well.

There are hotels. There are convention centers. There are inns and B&Bs. None have a a pirate ship or a grown-up sized swing and enough books for a lifetime. Our attention to detail and personal investment in your time at Karin's Place makes every visit distinctive and uniquely special.

Karin’s Place is an 8,000 square-foot estate nestled in the woods of Bennington, Vermont. The guest house is the original upgraded house with a separate entrance and a large wooden fence to separate the outdoor space as well. We are far enough off the road for solitude and listening to birds and animals rustling in the woods yet just four miles from the town of Bennington and nine miles from Williamstown, Massachusetts, Karin’s Place is in the middle of nowhere and close to somewhere. She can be your ultimate destination and/or she can be your resting ground after taking in theatre, music, museums, skiing, and more.

The limit is 12 including children all with their own beds. Rent the entire house for 2 days or a couple of weeks. (Discounts for a week or more and we do NOT charge the overage fees for children 2 and under.)

Just come. Why wait? We look forward to meeting you!

As John is an acoustic expert, there is no sound bleed between the living spaces.

A portion of your fee is donated to the Alzheimer's Association in the name of Jenny's mother, Karin.

The base price is for up to 8 people. $45/person/night for additional people. (No additional person charges for children under age 3. The fees are non-negotiable. No parties or events above and beyond the people staying at the house.

Vermont Meals and Rooms Tax account number : MRT-10113308l

Property manager

Jenny Dewar
Premier Host

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Pool
Hot tub
Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Free WiFi

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
Lots of activities for kids!
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Events

No events allowed
There are additional fees for parties and events.
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
The non-smoking policy is strict.
Outdoor neighborhood quiet hours outside are 9pm - 8am as sound travels in the hills. Please treat our neighbors as your own.
Amplified music is not allowed outdoors. Quiet background music outdoors is fine, but loud party music should remain indoors. Exceptions for events.
NO slippy slide (well water) or beer pong. Think home, not naughty teenager party house. :-) No wild bachelor(ette) parties.

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
Note from host: There are additional fees for parties and events.
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 and a first aid kit

We should mention

This property does not have any lifts
A car is recommended for transport to and from this property

About the area

Bennington

Located in Bennington, this holiday home is in a rural area and in the mountains. Harmon Hill and Williams College Taconic Golf Course are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Green Mountain National Forest and Mountain Meadow Preserve. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Bennington, VT

What's nearby

  • Hemmings Motor News Car Lover's Convenience Store & Vehicle Display - 16 min drive - 9.3 km
  • Bennington Potters Yard - 16 min drive - 9.3 km
  • Bennington Museum - 16 min drive - 9.6 km
  • Bennington Battle Monument - 18 min drive - 10.7 km
  • Williams College - 21 min drive - 18.5 km

Getting around

  • Pittsfield, MA (PSF-Pittsfield Municipal) - 59 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪McDonald's - ‬15 min drive
  • ‪Taco Bell - ‬15 min drive
  • ‪Apple Barn Country Bake Shop - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪The Dutchman's Tavern - ‬13 min drive
  • ‪Chili's Grill & Bar - ‬18 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Does Karin's Place VT: Phenomenal Safe Guest House with hot tub, pool, playground... have a pool?

Yes, this property has an outdoor pool.

Is Karin's Place VT: Phenomenal Safe Guest House with hot tub, pool, playground... pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Karin's Place VT: Phenomenal Safe Guest House with hot tub, pool, playground...?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Karin's Place VT: Phenomenal Safe Guest House with hot tub, pool, playground...?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Karin's Place VT: Phenomenal Safe Guest House with hot tub, pool, playground... located?

This family-friendly Bennington holiday home is located in the mountains, steps from Green Mountain National Forest and within 6 mi (10 km) of Fiddlehead at Four Corners and Bennington Potters Yard. Taconic Ridge State Forest and Bennington Museum 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. 69 out of 71 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 71 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 71 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 71 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 71 reviews

9.6/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Alfredo C.

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

Vermont experience

It’s a gorgeous place to stay. I’d recommend it to everyone I know. And the owner is super nice people and honest.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jamie C.

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

Labor Day Getaway

Fabulous place. Kids loved the layout, as well as the pool and jacuzzi. Nice hiking options nearby. Jenny was very responsive and had great suggestions for things to do, places to eat, etc. Would definitely stay here again.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Abby D.

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

Great place to relax and enjoy time with loved ones

We had a great time for my sister’s bachelorette. Lots of privacy and Jenny is easy to reach if you need her. Great property with a sweet story as well.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Praveen R.

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

Great home with character

The house was exactly as advertised and was a beautiful space full of character. Communication with the host was excellent - quick and genuinely welcoming. Thank you for sharing your amazing home with our two families!
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Stephanie S.

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

Great stay for wide range of ages!

We stayed at Karin’s Place for 3 nights in late May. There were 11 of us, including three teenagers, three parents in their 50’s and five grandparents in their 80’s. The place fit us well. It was just as advertised. We used the hot tub, sauna, gas grill, and a bunch of appliances, and everything worked great. Plenty of sheets and towels. The porch is large and gets a nice breeze around the pool area. Very comfortable! Jenny was there to meet us, and was helpful and friendly. We did not see her at all after that, though she texted the next day to make sure we had everything we needed. The dirt road leading up the hill to the house took some getting used to, but the scenery along the road (orchards, mountains, the occasional goat) was fantastic. We really enjoyed our stay!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Stephanie J.

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

Bachelorette Weekend

Jenny hosted us for my sister’s bachelorette weekend. Jenny was very helpful and kind! We had a very relaxing weekend get together!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Sam M.

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

It has EVERYTHING!

This was a beautiful place and experience. We did not have to leave the entire weekend, and when we did, Jenny had incredible recommendations. I could not recommend this property enough.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Colby E.

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

Great spot to get whole family together

lots of bed combinations
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Alex W.

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

Truly Perfect

Jenny is one of the best hosts I’ve had, and I’ve stayed at quite a few places. She greets you upon arrival and gives you the overview and then leaves you to your stay. She’s very communicative to make sure she answers your questions and to make sure your stay is as effortless as possible. The house had everything we needed plus some and was a great way to unwind at the end of the year and so connect from the world and just be with friends! 45 minute drive to Mount Snow and probably a few more minutes to Stratton. The town of Bennington is so quaint and quiet, and just feels so homey with all of the Christmas decorations up. The only thing the house didn’t have was a washer/dryer but not going to take off stars for that—could have easily enjoyed the town of Bennington and brought laundry there and spent a day exploring. Would recommend 1000x over to my friends and may even be booking for next NYE. Can’t thank you enough, Jenny!
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Etchell C.

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

Loved staying at Karin's Place

We had the most wonderful stay at Karin's Place. It truly is a home. We had everything we needed in the kitchen and there was plenty of room for two families of four. The jacuzzi and sauna were an added bonus. I especially appreciated that the TV was available but it was set away from the main space. So we could have a TV free chill space while the kids watched their stuff upstairs. Absolutely perfect and would consider going back again.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Bernice S., Richmond, VA

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

Magical…

We had a long awaited family reunion and Karin’s Place was absolutely perfect for it. Jenny was incredible as a host - responsive, kind, enthusiastic. We loved the layout, character, history, beauty of the place. Hot tub, sauna, and pool were huge highlights for us. Thanks again. Was wonderful!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

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

Annual family retreat

Perfect location for extended family of 20. Fun for all ages 3 to 60. No need to leave the property as it had all we needed.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

David K.

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

A great week

A wonderful house and property for 18 of us: 10 adults and 8 grandchildren! A spacious house will wonderful common areas as well as private areas for quiet. We spent most of our time on the deck and in the pool; the land-based pirate ship with swings was also a hit as was the hot tub and sauna. The well-equipped kitchen was awesome! A special shout-out to host Jenny for making us feel welcome and for letting us be part of the world created by her parents. Demetrius further added to the enjoyment of Karin’s Place!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Linea R., Boston, Massachusetts USA

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

Karin's Place was the perfect place for our family vacation

My extended family, ranging in age from 8 to 84, stayed at Karin's Place and had an amazing stay. The home was absolutely perfect. It's spacious, spotless and comfortable. There are beautiful views from the deck and every window. You’ll have your own pool, hot tub, and sauna. The kitchen is well stocked and we had a great time cooking big meals together. The home is very private and quiet, but you're a quick drive to shops and restaurants in Bennington. And for art lovers, the home is a 20 min drive to Mass MOCA and the Clarke Museum. There are plenty of places for outdoor sports like hiking and biking and my kids and their cousins found a local swimming hole. Jenny was the perfect host. He made us feel welcome and filled us in on lots of information about the area. I highly recommend Karin's Place and hope to stay again in the future.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2022

8/10 Good

Ashley B.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Nice weekend getaway

We had a wonderful time with family & friends while staying at Karin’s Place. We’re familiar with the general area, having gone to school at Williams, so spent a decent amount of time in Williamstown. Plenty of space to sleep a lot of different age children. The playground was put to good use. Same with the fire pit. Pool was a bit cold for the kids but all in a good time.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer B.

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

Absolutely Wonderful!!

A group of 13 women stayed two nights for a bachelorette weekend celebration. The house and property were absolutely amazing, and working with Jenny was fun and pleasant and easy. She’s wonderful! Everyone enjoyed the weekend so much - people were talking about renting it out with their families and for other events! Absolutely beautiful area, not far from downtown but it’s fairly secluded and surrounded by woods. Loved it!!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Steven E.

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

wonderful

A beautiful and playful property with marvelous hosts to match.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Alexander M.

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

A Fantastic Home for A Group

We stayed at Karin’s Place, hosted by Jenny, for a long weekend and it was amazing! The house is so beautiful, and kept wonderfully clean. She provided us with all the essentials in the kitchen (re: pots, pans etc.) and even provided robes and slippers. The spa room was an absolute highlight, but the fire pit and the large back yard was a close second. There were so many beds and areas to hang out, the group never even came close to getting bored, but also had enough room to get some alone time if needed. We will definitely be recommending this wonderful house. Thank you a million times over to Jenny!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

Jaime R.

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

The Perfect Getaway

Me and some friends came here to get away from the big city for NYE. It was perfect. The home is massive and beautiful. There is so much character in the house and we had such a great time. Jenny was the perfect host. She checked up on us regularly to make sure everything we needed was taken care of. We are already planning on coming back for the summer. 10 out of 10!
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2021

10/10 Excellent

Gabriel H.

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

Relaxing retreat

The property was just what our group of eleven needed. It's a much bigger place and can accommodate plenty of people, so there were lots of great rooms to choose from, plenty of clean, well-functioning bathrooms, an awesome kitchen, loads of social space, and -- best of all -- an eight person hot tub and a sauna. We had a wonderful, relaxing time over three nights together. Jenny was a terrific host who greeted us upon arrival, was incredibly responsive and generous with her help, and who truly wanted us to have a great time in her home. We look forward to a future trip there sometime down the line.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2021

10/10 Excellent

Agnes W.

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

Exceptional stay

We loved this house. It was spacious and comfortable for our group of 12 adults and 4 young children. For families with kids, it is immensely helpful that the house separates into two "wings". We put the kids to bed on one side of the dividing door and could cook, talk, play music and use the hot tub and steam room in the other wing, not disturbing the kids. We also appreciated how many bathrooms the house has and how incredibly well stocked it is with everything you could need. Many vacation rentals have bare-bones kitchen setups, but Jenny's house had literally everything you could possibly need, which made our stay very comfortable. We even arrived to robes and slippers on each bed, which was a lovely touch. The hot tub is LARGE and the sauna is great. The garden and grounds are well kept and have places for the kids to play, hens and ducks that lay eggs (a very fresh and tasty addition to our breakfast) and even a quidditch pitch! The house is set in gorgeous countryside, is easy to get to, close to facilities in Bennington and surrounded by fun activities. We were very graciously welcomed on a neighboring dairy farm, where our baby met the animals and we bought some of the best yoghurt we've ever eaten. Finally, I will mention the one criticism some members of our group had about the property: The bedrooms located in the upper portions of the house were dusty, which caused some of our group quite bad allergies. That said, we would definitely book the house again. Especially in the summer when the pool is open! Thank you for making our stay so comfortable Jenny. We appreciated your attentiveness and you were so kind to all of us.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2021

10/10 Excellent

Robert B., Indian Land, SC

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

Great Reunion

Rented the property for a family reunion. Property provided for one of the best reunions we ever had. Theatrical theme of the place sparked some memorable moments, especially with some the children in our group. Host was great, accessible and very helpful.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Christopher D.

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

Perfect place for large group with kids

I can’t say enough wonderful things about our stay! Our hostess, Jenny, was the most attentive owner we have ever had in the years we have been renting. Every time we needed ANYTHING she was there within an hour or two to deliver it. I got immediate responses to all texts, and our children absolutely adored her. It truly felt as though she was opening her home to us rather than merely renting us a property. We were a group of 12 adults and 10 kids ranging from the age of 7 to 9 months. The kids screeched with delight when they saw the room with all the tent beds, which is directly connected to a play area that kept them happy and busy on rainy days. The playground was an AWESOME addition, and the pool area was perfect because of the safety gate and proximity to the house. The adults also had a blast by the pool, by the fire pit, and in the hot tub and sauna. The backyard is HUGE and the ballroom was perfect for meals, movies on the big screen, and we even had a dance party. We never even had to leave the house. I HIGHLY recommend this unique spot and we will most definitely be back!
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Rose L.

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

Perfect place to celebrate a postponed 80th birthday party.

Absolutely wonderful, starting with the chef preparing the most delicious meal, the wine tasting by two experts, the great spaces in the house, and surrounding gardens. Jenny is a gracious host with a lustrous background of her family. Her support for the local community is admirable and helpful. Would come back any time and recommend it highly for very personal family gatherings. Thank you Jenny, each one in our group of 14 was sooo happy.

10/10 Excellent

Brian C.

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

Beautiful property, excellent experience, amazing host!

Our group stayed for 4 nights spanning family, friends, and babies and this was exactly the place we had been looking for. Jenny was a superb host and super helpful during our entire stay. We're looking forward to continuing this trip for years to come!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2021

About the host

Hosted by Jenny Dewar

Host profile image
Jenny and John met in 1991 while performing in Jesus Christ Superstar in Germany. John was in the pit playing his trombone and Jenny was onstage kicking her legs while making eyes at the pit.

Jenny began stage managing in the mid-90s while John continued to play his horn in any number of bands, ensembles, records, and films. They both worked on Broadway for a number of years before deciding it was time to live in the country. (During that time, they managed to get married.)

In 2006, they made a quick and sudden decision to sell their home in Astoria, Queens and see what Vermont living was all about. They never looked back. After Robert and Karin (Jenny’s parents) passed away, Jenny’s father entrusted her to continue his legacy of hosting people from far and wide in his home.

Robert and Karin originally built the house in 1994 as a weekend retreat. They so loved it here that they sold their apartment in New York City, moved up here full time, and then built a massive addition in 2010. Karin was wheelchair bound, so the house was designed for her accessibility. A ramp and no multi-leveling on the first floor make it easy to get around via wheelchair.

In New York, any number of people had keys to their home. It was always full of various guests, rehearsing a musical/operetta, giving a concert, or just hanging out because they had nowhere else to go for Thanksgiving. The addition to Karin’s Place was built in the same vein. Build it and they will come…

The bedrooms are named after light operas that Karin and Robert appeared in together during their lives. They were active in the Village Light Opera Group the entire 30 years they lived in New York City. Their first date was a trip to the opera!

Sadly, both Robert and Karin passed away earlier than they should have. Jenny and John promised that they would continue to keep the house full and busy. Thus, Karin’s Place was born and Jenny and John have been enjoying a variety of guests ever since.

Why they chose this property

This property was passed on to Jenny by her parents so that she would save it and keep it full of people.

What makes this property unique

The beauty of this home is the feeling of being in the middle of nowhere but having arts, culture, and towns just a few miles away. There are unexpected treasures everywhere you turn. It is a home. A grand home, but a home. Everyone is comfortable and all you need to bring is food and your bodies!

Languages:

English

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests