This is the first place that actually lived up to their word in the description and pictures. Most rentals embellish and let me down upon arrival but not here! Truly a beautiful serene property, the owners were lovely and easy to contact, and the cottage was beautifully made and kept. It was just suppose to be a place to stay while we went zip lining at zoar but ended up being a quiet haven to refresh.

We had a lovely stay in this cottage. The enclosed porch and grounds were great and the owners helpful and friendly.

We loved the location! The screened porch is perfect for sitting outside and enjoying the beautiful view without any bugs. We had a quiet, relaxing week. We will be back!

Best ever!

Great

The cottage is exactly what I needed to get away from the city. Breathtaking Berkshire beauty right from the comfort of the screened in porch. It’s pure heaven in the morning with a cup of tea listening to birds sing or enjoying dinner watching the sun goes down. Comfortable firm bed, fully equipped kitchen, great shower pressure plus communicative host make this a great stay. Hope to return with my family.

The perfect getaway for a long weekend. Between the screened-in porch, the pool, the cozy cottage, and the view it was an extremely restful weekend. Thank you for being such fantastic hosts!

Super calm and relaxing spot, but still in striking distance of Northampton/Amherst. Great hosts, friendly and helpful.

What a treat for our family to stay in this classic New England cabin. The view was magnificent and the pool a huge plus. John could not have been a more lovely, magnanimous host. Highly recommended. Thank you!

Better than expected

We were very excited to find this lovely little cottage with a beautiful view and even a pool! The pictures did not do it justice - the house, the property, and the view are all much more gorgeous in person. Our kids (ages 8 and almost 12) were awed and kept exclaiming how cozy it was. We were all very comfortable for our 3 night stay. Some other highlights included the screened in porch for coffee in the morning and a cocktail in the evening. The spacious and well-appointed bathroom was also a hit. And by staying in Cummington while visiting the Northampton area we were able to explore more of the beautiful natural surroundings.

This was our sixth or seventh stay in two years ... This time, I was appreciating how many different birds were serenading us all the time -- how sweet to the ear. And I noticed all the many perennial flowers throughout the yard -- there is always something in bloom, so the air is sweet too! Everything was delightful -- the screened porch for doing art and having dinner, the woodstove inside for a chilly rainy night's meal, and lots of hot water for a good bath or shower. Can you tell we like it?

John’s place is in an idyllic setting with fields, forests and hills all around. The house is spacious and comfortable. My brother and I enjoyed some local craft beers on John’s screened in porch every night. Just lively!

The property was lovely with a magnificent view of the mountains, fields and beautiful flower beds. The cottage was peaceful, quaint and clean. Our host was hospitable and available to answer any questions that we had. We had a most enjoyable stay.

What a great mountain stay. Views Views Views. John was a wonderful host and its a spectacular property. Clean and peaceful.

This cottage was paradise for us: cosy, spacious, tastfully decorated, a porch with a great view and situated in the middle of a wonderful garden with a pool. We would have loved to stay there all summer! Very much recommended.

This charming cottage offers everything one could want in a bucolic setting with gracious hosts: quiet, peaceful, and off-the-beaten path. We highly recommend this spot if you want to connect with each other and nature. We hope to return soon!

Another great stay, so relaxing, so peaceful and so beautiful! The bathroom and kitchen are amazing and we loved having a fire in the wood stove each night. We will be back!

We love staying here and are starting to make it an annual trip. So relaxing, cozy, and lovely. Everything is clean and John the host is very nice. We will definitely be back again for another stay

My husband and I stayed at the cottage for a week celebrating the blessing of 30 years of marriage. We loved our time here. The cottage is so well-situated and well- appointed! In the cottage we enjoyed the windows which gave delightful views of the beautiful setting and fall foliage! Our host and hostess were so kind and available to give helpful advice about the area. My husband and I thoroughly soaked up the natural beauty of the local area--going on hikes everyday ( some right from the edge of the property) purchasing maple syrup right down the road, and visiting an apple orchard. We have so many memories we brought home to Texas with us!

"Everything you seek is here" was John's response when I told him that my husband and I wanted to do some hiking, biking, reading, and to enjoy the quiet, the stars, and explore a bit in the Berkshires. Much forecasted rain kept our bikes at home, but we noticed several possibilities for the future. We especially enjoyed seeing the Chesterfield Gorge, several trails along cascading waterfalls, the view from the top of Mt. Greylock, and the Bridge of Flowers in Shelburne Falls on our way home. John and Joyce were warm, helpful, and good-humored hosts who respected our space and privacy. The photos of the cottage didn't capture its charm and spaciousness or the great soaking bathtub, showerhead, and generous water pressure. The beds were comfortable and supportive. We were glad to have brought a favorite stainless cooking pan or two and wished we'd remembered our garlic press, but most common kitchen utensils were there. Internet access was best for us along the front wall of the house and we could stream (with interruptions) when sitting at the dining table. The weather and other plans kept us from enjoying the hammock, pool, and trails from the property, but these assets, along with the view from the screened porch, ample open space, gorgeous maple trees, and mature and lovely plantings make this secluded spot a great environment for both adults and families with children.

This place has everything needed for a getaway from the hectic world.

The Clearing is a lovely, peaceful oasis. The property is beautiful, quiet, and well maintained. This is a guesthouse fairly close to the main house and while John let us know that he was available should we need anything, we never felt like there was any intrusiveness. We will definitely be back!

The property is 20 miles from Northampton, as indicated. It’s pretty much 20 miles from anywhere, except the creamery. That was OK for us, but maybe not for everyone. The roads are great and the traffic is light, so what’s wrong with driving 20 miles in the Berkshires. We enjoyed the property and enjoyed the adventure of discovering the hamlets peppered around the area. We even popped over to Lennox. Jon was a great host, personable and responsive, and he’s a gourmand, so his restaurant recommendations were spot on for those who like elevated dining. And, to have the creamery 10 minutes away with fresh baked pasteries, a nice deli counter with prepared food, and high quality provisions made the remoteness no issue at all for use. So if you want a comfy bungalow with a lovely screened in sun porch, perfect for having breakfast, a beautiful pool , for the right season, and beautiful views, this is the place. Best just for a couple.

Gorgeous view of meadows and hills, adorable cottage outfitted with everything you could possibly need, great hiking trail right out the back door, delightful host. Perfect stay in every way.

We loved our stay. The cottage is spacious and comfortable with lots of modern conveniences and plenty of charm. This is one of the nicest owner rentals we've ever stayed in. A remarkably beautiful setting with a wonderful view of the mountain and lovely walks/drives in the woods. We enjoyed several swims in the large pool. John and Joyce are excellent hosts. We definitely plan to return. Thanks!

We are repeat guests of this beautiful cottage. We enjoyed morning coffee, lazy afternoons, and home-cooked dinner on the screened porch overlooking the flower gardens and rolling hills. Day trips included the Greenfield Community College's Outdoor Learning Lab and Historic Deerfield Village. We enjoyed friendly service and a hearty breakfast at the Whateley Diner. Another lovely, comfortable stay and we look forward to visiting again!

Since finding this property & hosts John & Joyce a little over a year ago, this was my 5th stay — 3 times with my husband & twice with a friend. I think that tells you how much I love it here!

A beautiful property with excellent views of the valley to behold...and the added benefit of the pool, made for a great stay. John and his wife were great hosts and there is no doubt we will be back to this piece of paradise!! Thanks agaiin John..

The pictures and the reviews do not do enough justice to this bucolic property and it’s gracious owners. Have rented many a property in VRBO over the years and this is one of the best!!! The only caution I have is that the internet is “spotty”- which is actually ideal as disconnecting from the outside world is exactly why we appreciated the house & its owners. They too were there if we needed but not overly so.

This was our 2nd trip to the Clearing. The pool was fantastic, especially during this year's heat wave! We were visited by the porcupine and 20 or so young turkeys. Nature at its best. Relaxing and quiet week away.

This bucolic 50-acre land in het Berkshires is the vision of its owners. It is a slice of paradise. The 2 homes, the owners and the guest cottage, are set comfortably apart, so each enjoys privacy. Sitting in the screened in porch, one can view the picturesque scene of the 60 foot Gatsby-like pool encased in acres of cropped grass and seeming endless fields with the Catskills and vast sky as a back drop. The charming cottage is spotless and has all the amenities for a comfortable stay. The hosts are welcoming, easy to be around gracious people. It is the one place in this area I hope to visit many times in he future. It truly feels like a Shangri la vacation in nature.