James' property was perfect for our holiday stay in Connecticut. We enjoyed the water view and it ended up being perfect when we woke up Christmas Eve to a coating of snow on the ground! This property is perfect for a single or couple, and it has everything you need for an intimate home-cooked dinner or if you just want to sip coffee and watch the ducks dive for their breakfast. We'd love to visit again.

We loved our weekend at James' lovely cottage, and hope to return sometime. The cottage is small but perfect for two people. The lake is a dream. We were so lucky to have perfect weather for swimming and canoeing. We also enjoyed a nice dinner in Guilford, which we'd be happy to explore more on some other trip. Thank you for a great weekend!

I had a wonderful time at James’ cottage, and would recommend it to anyone who loves lakes, fishing, or birds looking for a quick getaway. James was friendly and communicative from the beginning. It was easy to get there a short drive up from the 95, and the North Branford area had good restaurants conveniently nearby, especially for breakfast. Upon arrival it was simple to find where to park and James provided easy instructions for entering. As a whole the interior was very tidy and clean, and the perfect size for a solo vacationer or a couple, with one bedroom and a full sized bed, appointed with very excellent linens. Kitchen and bathroom are efficiently sized and completely serviceable. The sunroom has windows all around and looked right out onto the back yard and lake - it was a great spot to enjoy meals. The back door opens right onto the deck, which has many additional seating options, though I preferred one of the adirondack style chairs right by the water. The lake itself is a great size for relaxation. During the weekdays in May it was very quiet, only a few people might be out on a kayak or fishing off one of the docks at any given time (lots of fish jumping all day long). It left much opportunity for enjoying the scenery, and the many beautiful birds that were around all day. I saw Mallard ducks, Canada geese, swallows, song sparrows, orioles, a huge Pileated Woodpecker right next door, and tons and tons of red-winged blackbirds. The canoe that came with the cottage was great! I never paddled one by myself before but it wasn’t too hard to maneuver into the lake and get in and out from the dock. James also provided a life jacket, thankfully. In summary, I thoroughly enjoyed my time and would love to come back. Thanks James!