Entire home

Dean Lake House

Photo gallery for Dean Lake House

An aerial view of a large white house by a lake, surrounded by lush greenery and other houses.
Property video
A dining area with a checkered tablecloth, a vase of flowers, and a view of a lake and hills through large windows.
A wooden dock with two red Adirondack chairs, a clear view of a calm lake, and a distant shoreline with buildings and trees.
A living room with a beige sofa, two armchairs, a coffee table, and a TV. Large windows offer a view of the water.

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional

Highlights

  • On the beach
    A rare beachfront property in the area - enjoy direct access to the sand and sea.
  • Discover nearby landmarks
    Near Watkins Glen State Park
3 bedrooms3 bathroomsSleeps 10

Popular amenities

  • On beach
  • Spa pool on site
  • Garage parking available
  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Air-conditioning

Explore the area

View map
Watkins Glen, NY
  • Place, Seneca Harbor
    ‪11 min walk‬
  • Place, The Tasting Room
    ‪13 min walk‬
  • Place, Watkins Glen State Park
    ‪16 min walk‬
  • Airport, Elmira, NY (ELM-Elmira - Corning Regional)
    ‪36 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 10)

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed

Living Room 1

1 Queen Sofa Bed

Living Room 2

1 Queen Sofa Bed

Living Room 3

1 Queen Sofa Bed

3 bathrooms

Basement bathroom

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

Main floor bathroom

Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Toilet · Jetted bathtub · Hair dryer

Upstairs bathroom

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

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Kitchenette
Balcony
Separate dining area
Number of living rooms
Dining area

About this property

Dean Lake House

"Wow" - is usually the first word from guests when they experience the beautiful view of Seneca Lake from the deck of Dean Lake House.   This charming home, built in the 1880's, has been upgraded to include all the modern conveniences - and it sits on 300 feet of Seneca Lake frontage! Relax on the expansive 70-foot deck with lakefront views.  Enjoy the hot tub, gas grill, outdoor seating and dining for 10, or explore the lake with kayaks and a canoe.  Fish or swim off the private dock.  

Inside, this 3-bedroom, 3-bath home sleeps up to 10 using the bedrooms and 3 queen-size sofa beds.   There's plenty of room to spread out in this 2,800 sq. foot home.   A full kitchen with appliances and dishes to handle 10 guests, dining room with bay windows, beautiful living room with lake view windows, a library room with lots of books and games for rainy days, a downstairs den which could double as a 4th bedroom, and a rec room which leads right out to the huge deck! 

The new owners have upgraded throughout the house.  Full house Wi-Fi, Roku TVs in all 3 bedrooms plus living room and downstairs den, central air conditioning, new hot tub, new stove, microwave, dishwasher and an EV charger in the 2-car garage. All 3 bedrooms have been upgraded to 5-star rated 12" memory foam mattresses.   The recreation room downstairs has been upgraded to include a refrigerator, microwave, sink, and counter space to stage your outdoor dining on the deck!  The rec room also features cornhole boards for outdoor fun.   And we think it's a unique feature...a slow-moving freight train passes right in front of the home several times a week during daytime hours.   The train goes about 5 mph on its run to the salt mine up the road.    

Since buying Dean Lake House in 2025, the new owners have installed:

- Roku 'Smart TV's' in all 3 bedrooms, the living room, den, and activity room downstairs.

- Free Wi-Fi throughout the home

- a new 4-person hot tub

- new convection stove, microwave, and dishwasher in the kitchen

- new washing machine in the laundry room

- 2 kayaks and 2 canoes for fun on the lake!

- refinished the dock - great for swimming, fishing, or just relaxing

- new window shades on virtually every window in the house

- painted every room in the house

- new Pollywood outdoor furniture for seating for 10 and outdoor dining for 10

- new barbeque grill (propane provided)

- new fire pit for evening fires or 'smores

- new mini-split heater/air conditioners in both upstairs bedrooms

- upgraded the downstairs 1/2 bath to a full bath - now full baths on all 3 levels

- upgraded activity room leading out to deck with sink, refrigerator, microwave, TV - to help stage those outdoor meals

- added Keurig coffee makers in kitchen and activity room for those morning coffees on the deck or the dock

- added new 12-inch memory foam mattresses on all 3 beds in the bedrooms

- added outdoor security lights on both sides of the home for safe access to the steps leading down to the beach and dock

- added new solar lighting for the dock and stairs

- upgraded 2-car garage to include Electronic Vehicle (EV) charger for electric cars

The home is the perfect spot to just relax or to start your daily adventures.    Facing east, the deck or dock provide great spots to catch the sunrise in the morning with your cup of Finger Lakes Roasters coffee!  You are less than 1/2 mile to the village of Watkins Glen. You're also near the Watkins Glen racetrack. and the amazing Watkins Glen State Park (#1 attraction is to 'hike the glen' and see the waterfalls and pools in this glacier-carved valley).   There are over 140 world-class wineries in the Finger Lakes - some just a mile or two away.  The house is close to the Corning Glass museum, the Glenn Custis aviation museum, Cornell University, Seneca Falls - the home of the Women's Suffrage movement, and much more.   



For your pre-trip planning – here are the sleeping options at Dean Lake House. This is in the order we think most guests rank the rooms:

Upstairs is a king bedroom with private balcony overlooking the lake! Dresser, closet, TV and the balcony. 2 chairs are on the balcony for having that morning cup of coffee or evening glass of wine! We’ve added a ‘mini-split’ air conditioner/heater for your comfort any time of the year. We’d consider this the first-choice room in the house for sleeping. The upstairs bedrooms do not have bathrooms attached. There is a full bathroom on the upstairs level.

On the main floor is a queen bedroom with beautiful views of the lake, TV, closet, dresser, and attached bath – with support/assistance bars. This is a great room for someone who may need a bit of assistance and support in the bathroom.

Upstairs is a full bedroom – also with great views of the lake. This room also has TV, a closet, dresser, and a nice make-up table. We’ve added a ‘mini-split’ air conditioner/heater for your comfort any time of the year. It is a very private room at the end of the hallway. The upstairs bedrooms do not have bathrooms attached. There is a full bathroom on the upstairs level.

The downstairs ‘den’ is virtually a 4th bedroom. It’s private down there – with a door to enter the room – has a queen sofa bed, dresser, TV, and easy access to the deck. There is a full bathroom on the downstairs level – only a few feet away. We also have portable privacy screens if additional privacy is desired.

The library room is probably the 5th option. It also has a queen sofa bed. Using the portable privacy screens, one can make this a very private area for sleeping. Guests using the library room as a sleeping area will access the upstairs full bathroom – or the main floor queen bedroom’s bath.

And, if a 6th area is needed, the living room also has a queen sofa bed. This room also has a big screen TV, dresser, and beautiful views of the lake. Using the portable privacy screens, one can make this a very private area for sleeping.

Hosts also provide a crib if you have an infant.

The Village of Watkins Glen caps the number of guests at 10 for a short-term rental – so the 6 beds plus crib should provide a good night’s sleep for everyone!

All bedding…sheets, blankets, pillows, pillowcases - is provided for all beds – including the 3 queen sofa beds.

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 30
Check out before 10:00 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
Strip any used beds and gather used towels
Remove personal items, remove leftover food and drinks and take out the rubbish
Turn off the lights and lock the doors
Please make sure hot tub cover is on securely and jets turned off.
Please return kayaks and canoe to the rack and lock the combination cables, securing the equipment to the rack. Codes provided at check in. Please return life jackets to inside the home.
If you used the fire pit - please make sure fire is completely out. Please make sure gas grill is turned off (tank and burners), grill cleaned, and utensils washed. Thank you!
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.

Important information

You need to know

Property Registration Number STR-135-24
Property # 4836212vb
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
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room

About the area

Watkins Glen

Located in Watkins Glen, this holiday home is on the beach. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Watkins Glen State Park and Seneca Lake. Travelling with kids? Consider International Motor Racing Research Center, or check out an event or a game at Watkins Glen International. Jet skiing, kayaking and waterskiing offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with hiking/biking trails nearby.
Map
Watkins Glen, NY

What's nearby

  • Seneca Harbor - 11 min walk - 1.0 km
  • The Tasting Room - 13 min walk - 1.1 km
  • Watkins Glen State Park - 16 min walk - 1.4 km
  • International Motor Racing Research Center - 2 min drive - 2.2 km
  • Watkins Glen Beach - 3 min drive - 2.9 km

Getting around

  • Elmira, NY (ELM-Elmira - Corning Regional) - 34 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Burger King - ‬2 min drive
  • ‪Dunkin' - ‬2 min drive
  • ‪Chef's Gathering - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Blue Ribbon Diner - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Art & Nancy's - ‬2 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Dean Lake House pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Dean Lake House?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Dean Lake House?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Dean Lake House located?

Nestled on the beach, this Watkins Glen holiday home is within 1 mi (2 km) of Seneca Lake and Watkins Glen State Park. Seneca Harbor and The Tasting Room are also within 15 minutes.

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
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Rating 10 - Excellent. 3 out of 3 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 3 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 3 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 3 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 3 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.4/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jill B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great experience with property. Sadly we got tickets on two cars from town for parking in front of the rental, for wrong direction (no signs regarding specifics for parking requirements). Dissappointing!
Stayed 2 nights in May 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 14 June 2026
Jill - we sincerely appreciate you booking your stay in the Finger Lakes with us. You were wonderful guests and left the house looking great. Thank you! I followed up on the situation where 2 of your guests got tickets for parking in the wrong direction on the street in front of the house. In the regulations I could find from several municipalities, it is always illegal to park in the direction of oncoming traffic for several reasons - including visibility of taillights for approaching traffic and the need to cross the lane of oncoming traffic in order to park this way. The laws note that only street parking in the direction of traffic is permitted. We searched the Internet for any signs we could post showing proper direction of parking - with no luck. I did send you a private note to see if we could help with the costs of the tickets - though the ticketing was done by the Village of Watkins Glen. Thank you again for staying with us - and we hope you'll consider returning in the future. All the best. Starr and Allen
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Sarah B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The outdoor space for this property is absolutely amazing. The dock was so spacious and the perfect place to have your morning coffee or afternoon cocktails. The house is close enough to walk onto the main drag. We walked to get breakfast, cocktails and dinner. If you are planning a trip to Watkins Glen and enjoy lake life definitely book this place!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 29 June 2026
Sarah - we are so happy you enjoyed your stay at Dean Lake House! It wasn't easy, but glad we were able to arrange a rainbow for you as well! Thank you again for booking with us - and we hope you will come back and visit again. Have a wonderful summer. Starr and Allen
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Kelli R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This place is a gem. The house was extremely clean and welcoming and equipped with everything you could want. The location is perfect. You are right next to the village of Watkins Glen and can even walk into town if you want. The grounds are the real draw here, though. Beautiful landscaping, a waterfall, a huge back patio with a hot tub, a grill, beautiful lights at night, and tons of seating areas for just soaking in the peaceful setting. There are views of the lake as far as the eye can see. You can sit there all day and watch the sun rise, watch the fisherman and boaters sailing by, catch a rainbow over the lake in an evening storm, and then watch the sky turn pink as the sun sets. Some days we even cancelled plans just to sit out by the lake and unwind. The dock is perfect for relaxing on as well, whether you’re fishing or just reading a book by the water. The kayaks were also put to great use and the plentiful life jackets and towels were appreciated. I think a real highlight for everyone was the train that does go right through the property. We only saw it once, but everyone was excited and waved as it went by.There are little quirks with an older house’s layout that weren’t ideal, and the kids said the pull out beds weren’t very comfortable, but I find it hard to complain about any of that after experiencing the magic of the location and the surrounding areas. I would definitely stay again!
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 23 June 2026
Kelli - thank you so much for staying at our home and for the very nice review. We are so happy that you enjoyed your stay and our 'backyard' of Seneca Lake. Your photos are wonderful! Glad you got to catch a rainbow! You are welcome back any time - and we'll take a look at the mattresses on the sofa beds to see if we can upgrade them. Thanks again for staying and sharing your experience- we hope you and your family have a wonderful summer. All the best. Starr and Allen

About the host

Hosted by Starr Furney

Host profile image
My work: Tour Guide in DC!
Where I've always wanted to go: My 'happy place' is the Finger Lakes
Favorite song in high school: Windy, by the Association
Pets: A cat that hides under the bed
Born in the 50s
Where I went to school: Kent State University
I spend too much time: Updating my Airbnb listing!
Most useless skill: history trivia
Fun fact: Volunteered at Vietnam Memorial 26 years
Speaks English
Lives in Alexandria, VA

Why they chose this property

We hope you like 'Dean Lake House'. We fell in love with it the second we walked in - and saw the view. We've tried to make the home as comfortable as possible for our guests. We use it ourselves when it is not booked. Enjoy the lake, the views, the wineries, the hot tub, the nearby restaurants, Watkins Glen State Park, the museums, the race track, and so much more.
We looked at dozens of homes around the Finger Lakes but this one had special appeal. Room for up to 10 (Watkins Glen village rule is the max), private lakefront beach, huge deck, dock, 2-car garage, beautiful views from many of the rooms in the house, private balcony off master bedroom, and so much more. And you literally can be in Watkins Glen in less than a minute driving from the house.

What makes this property unique

Wake up to stunning sunrises over Seneca Lake, sip wine on the 70ft deck, or soak in the private hot tub under the stars. This spacious 1880’s lakefront home offers historic charm with modern comfort, featuring a private dock, shallow lake entry, and plenty of yard space for games. Walk to town for dining, shops, and the Gorge Trail, or explore nearby wineries—the perfect retreat for couples, families, or friends.
Dean Lake House is registered with the Village of Watkins Glen and has been granted a short-term rental use permit, STR-135-24.
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