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Large Shadywood Cottage with Wrap Around Porch

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A two-story house with a balcony, surrounded by dense forest.
A cozy living room with a sofa, armchair, and coffee table. There is a lamp on a side table, a painting on the wall, and a shelf with decorative items.
A dining area with a table set for four, surrounded by chairs. There is a ceiling fan above, and a window with curtains to the right.
A room with a wooden bed, a green table with a lamp, a wall clock, and a poster.
A covered outdoor seating area with wooden furniture and a table with a vase of flowers.

Reviews

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional

Highlights

  • The great outdoors

    Guests love the outdoor space here.
  • Centrally-located

    You're never far from where you need to be with this convenient location.
  • Discover nearby landmarks

    Near Mt. Gretna Lake & Beach
5 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 14

Popular amenities

  • Dog-friendly
  • Toys
  • Barbecue
  • Refrigerator
  • Internet
  • Onsite parking available

Explore the area

View map
Mount Gretna, PA
  • Place, Gretna Theatre
    ‪6 min walk‬
  • Place, Mt. Gretna Lake & Beach
    ‪16 min walk‬
  • Place, Clarence Schock Memorial Park at Governor Dick
    ‪2 min drive‬
  • Airport, Harrisburg, PA (MDT-Harrisburg Intl.)
    ‪27 min drive‬

Where you'll sleep

5 bedrooms (sleeps 14)

Bedroom 1

1 Double Bed and 1 Crib

Bedroom 2

1 Single Bed and 1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 3

1 Double Bed

Bedroom 4

1 Double Bed

Bedroom 5

2 Single Bunk Beds and 1 Double Bed

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1 Upstairs

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Bathroom 2 Downstairs

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Dining area

About this property

Large Shadywood Cottage with Wrap Around Porch

Shadywood Cottage was built by Susan Welker Adams in 1903 and has been owned by the same family through four generations. Take a trip to a more peaceful time in this charming, campmeeting community filled with many Victorian gingerbread-trimmed cottages and quiet walking streets. Mt. Gretna is a storybook lake community only 14 miles from Hershey, Pennsylvania. The town has a world-renown summer theater, an equally famous concert series, and is host to one of the best art shows of the summer.

This spacious Cottage has 5 bedrooms, 2 baths (1 upstairs / 1 downstairs), washer dryer on the first floor, and wifi. There is private covered parking for up to 4-5 cars and a gas grill. The cottage is not air conditioned, but has ceiling fans in every room upstairs and down, and on the wrap around porch.

The first floor has a fully functional kitchen with dishwasher, large living room and a dining room with seating for up to 10. The huge porch wraps around the cottage and includes a swing and many rockers to enjoy the sights and sounds of those warm Mt Gretna nights.

Upstairs has five rooms with a full sized bed in each, plus 2 sets of bunk beds and a crib. The cottage comfortably sleeps 14, perfect for large family gatherings. There are ceiling fans in every room. Towels and bed linens are provided.

The walls in the bedrooms only rise 7 feet so the old-time roof structure is exposed. Guests say they love lying in bed looking at the old wood and hearing the kids' conversations in the next room. Mostly all the cottages in Mt. Gretna have 5/8" old chestnut or hard pine interior walls (wood no longer available) so sound does travel freely. If you're bringing uncle George who snores like a freight train going up an Allegheny Mountain you might not want to stay in Mt. Gretna (or get him a hotel room) as all cottages were originally built as summer cottages from 1892 through 1915.

There are three restaurants and an ice cream parlor within walking distance. The Jigger Shop Ice Cream Parlor has been in operation since 1895. The Porch & Pantry is open from 8am to 1pm every day except Monday. The Mt. Gretna Pizzeria is open Wednesday through Sunday; closed Monday and Tuesday. There is also a nostalgic roller rink, miniature golf, and Mt. Gretna lake that are seasonally open.

Please make sure to check that you don't leave any of your belongings before you check-out. We are not responsible for anything lost or stolen, and do not ship any accidentally left items.

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM

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

Pets allowed: dogs (limit 2 total)

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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Mt. Gretna Campmeeting is a smoke free community

Do not park in front of trash cans - trash is picked up every Monday

Trash must be put in trash cans, and the lid must close (otherwise animals get into the trash)

Important information

You need to know

Property # 989639vb
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 not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher
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

Lebanon

Lebanon is home to this cottage. Mount Hope Estate & Winery and Spooky Nook Sports are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's popular attractions can visit Hersheypark and Hershey's Chocolate World. Looking to enjoy an event or a game? See what's going on at Hersheypark Stadium or Giant Center.
Map
Mount Gretna, PA

What's nearby

  • Gretna Theatre - 6 min walk - 0.6 km
  • Conewago Lake - 8 min walk - 0.7 km
  • Mt. Gretna Lake & Beach - 16 min walk - 1.4 km
  • Clarence Schock Memorial Park at Governor Dick - 2 min drive - 1.8 km
  • Hersheypark - 26 min drive - 27.3 km

Getting around

  • Elizabethtown Station - 21 min drive
  • Lancaster, PA (LNS) - 27 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪McDonald's - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪Isaac’s Craft Kitchen & Brewery - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪Jersey Mike's Subs - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪Colebrook Tavern - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Dunkin' - ‬10 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Large Shadywood Cottage with Wrap Around Porch pet-friendly?

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

How much is parking at Large Shadywood Cottage with Wrap Around Porch?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Large Shadywood Cottage with Wrap Around Porch?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Large Shadywood Cottage with Wrap Around Porch?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Large Shadywood Cottage with Wrap Around Porch located?

Situated in Lebanon, this cottage is within a 15-minute walk of Gretna Theatre, Conewago Lake and Mt. Gretna Lake & Beach. Clarence Schock Memorial Park at Governor Dick is 1 mi (1.6 km) away.

Reviews

9.6

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. 50 out of 64 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 13 out of 64 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 64 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 64 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 64 reviews

9.6/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

9.6/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great property and owner. My second rental there, very smooth.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The location was absolutely amazing and we had the best time with our large group. The kids already want to go back!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We had a great time. Mt. Gretna is such a beautiful, peaceful place. The rooms suited us perfectly, although we spent most of our time on the porch! Summer can be difficult time for a house without air conditioning. We knew what to expect and unfortunately hit a couple of extreme days but overall, the weather cooled down a bit. Holly was a great host, always willing and quick to answer questions, etc. The house is also well stocked. We didn't need a thing during our stay. Thanks so much our visit easy, Holly.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Wonderful, peaceful place to stay. The porch was incredible!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
No A/C so I might not book in the middle of the summer but for the few days we were there it was great!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2026
Verified review

4/10 Poor

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, location, listing accuracy
This is a nice property in Mt Gretna. We were there during 4 days of 90 to over 100 degrees. We had stayed there before and at that time there was at least 1 window AC unit. There were none this time. My family could not sleep there on 2 of the nights.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
New experience for us and we absolutely loved it!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The house is quaint and welcoming and harkens of times past. The porch is amazing, and Mt Gretna is delightful. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay.
The porch
You don’t see front doors like this anymore
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Property was nice and close to the Renaissance Faire! Perfect for our group
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Amazing time and so beautiful

Very spacious! The porch is the best and we had beautiful weather! Would definitely recommend!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This is a lovely home built in a different time. It was very nice experience being there. Everything was very clean and convenient for our stay. We loved Mt. Gretna and booked this lovely house on purpose.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

vacation

the house was perfect for a family. Plenty of space for everyone to relax and enjoy Mt Gretna. Would definitely stay here again.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Great experience

Mt Gretna is the cutest place. We loved the cottage and the host provided everything we needed. The front porch was awesome and the cottage itself was beautiful
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2023
Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We did have a rough Three days with out Electricity. No reflection on owners. Terrible storm. Wrap around porch wonderful. House does need window air conditioning very difficult to sleep, this has been a very hot summer. The house was very comfortable for our family. Thank you for so many supplies.We did leave behind in a pink bag in the room with queen bedroom with a single bed a fiesta cream and sugar bowl and red gravy boat we brought it in an antique store. My son lives in Harrisburg he will drive and pick it up if you have located it. They placed it under the small table with the light on it Please let us know 724-255-0500
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Weekend at Mt. Gretna

This old house was very neat. You can tell the family is trying to preserve the history of the place while also making it more modern. We loved the porch! Just a very nice place to stay. Would love to do so again.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Family Vacation

We had a very relaxing time. It was very quiet and peaceful. The wrap around porch was really enjoyable. The whole family enjoyed eating and playing games. We spent almost all of our time out there.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Perfect Homebase for a Hershey Trip

The perfect place for our small group of families. The property was close to Hershey Park and hiking. The town of Mt. Gretna was quaint and welcoming. A highlight was playing games and building puzzles on the beautiful wrap around porch after a busy day. Adults and kids had a wonderful time.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023
Verified review

8/10 Good

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

Ren faire

Mt Gretna is a great place to stay and this house was very nice for our large group. Only a 10 min Uber to rent faire
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Gretna

We will be back next year for the parade!!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Such a beautiful cottage. An original retreat. Absolutely loved to porch. Spent most of our family time there. Plenty of bedrooms for my family and the teens and lots of parking space. Kitchen and bathrooms had everything we needed. And the big refrigerator was a plus. Didn't need any coolers. We greatly appreciated all the fans and window screens. It was a HOT weekend.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

My. Gretna Art Show Trip

The house, located in the charming Chautauqua community, was just a short walk to the Mt. Gretna Art Show. The house was just as described, a no-nonsense sort of place with a huge front porch. It felt like stepping back in time. Lots of fun.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

just Great

This was such a comfortable, welcoming, and lovely place. Everything that you needed is there. It is so cozy yet open and the porch is amazing. Eventhough there was a heatwave while we were there, the house was comfortable temperature wise. The family pictures were cool to see. You can tell that this house is loved and cared for. We are already planning next years stay.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2023
Verified review

8/10 Good

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

A great place to relax

This was my second stay at this home. A few hiccups when we arrived but they were resolved. The front porch is a wind spot to catch up with friends and family. The fans do a nice job inside of cooling the home down. I would stay here again.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Family Vacation

This beautiful cottage served our purpose well with 5 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, as we were a group of 8. Check-in and check-out process was very easy as we were given well explained communications. The location was good (close to Hersheypark) and it was in a quiet neighborhood. Kitchen was well equipped as well as well stocked with essentials. I thought maybe no air conditioning would be an issue, but it wasn't. The ceiling fans were plenty. Would stay there again.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Relaxing family time

Everything is exactly as posted. Plenty of room, kitchen had everything we needed, enough room for everyone around the dining room table which doubles as a game table and the Perfect Porch! Host was quick to respond to and resolve smoke detector issue. Our family favorite was all the seating and rockers on the porch, a great place for sharing all those old family secrets! Thanks you Holly for opening your home so others may enjoy!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2023

About the host

Hosted by Holly Payton

Host profile image

This property was built by my great grandmother, Susan Welker Adams, and has been passed down in my family across four generations.

Languages:

English

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