Ellen was a great host and the house was perfect (we loved the decorations). Check-in and check-out were a breeze. The master bedroom had an incredible view of the tree-tops. The neighbors we encountered were all super friendly. The house was a 5 minute walk from a great dog park, and a 15 minute walk from the center of Ipswich. For longer walks we ventured to Nichols Field which was fun. We found a fun coffee shop in town, a delicious smoothie shop next to the train station (both within walking distance of the house) and we even made it to the Masonic Hall for the 2018 Polish Picnic which had a live polka band! If we ever come back to Ipswich we'd gladly stay at Ellen's place again! Thanks for the vino!

We arrived to an unclean house - dishes in the sink, counters that needed wiping down, back-splashes covered in dirt and grime, a bathroom that needed scrubbing (hair in the soap caddy, dirty toilet bowl and tub, owner's belongings in the cabinets), AC unit filters full of dust and grime, a sticky kitchen floor that needed mopping, a cooler full of rotting food on the back patio that prevented us from enjoying that space for the first three days, and a home that did not at all live up to its advertising. While the owner was good to stay in touch and had some backups that were for the most part available and responsive, the home itself (which she lives in when not renting it out) was not at all ready for paying company. I stepped on a piece of glass that was lodged in the ball of my foot for a full day, had to scrub down the kitchen and run pots, utensils, dishes, mugs and glasses through the dishwasher to be able to make simple meals for my family, but really did not feel comfortable cooking large meals there. Two of my family had stomach flu for two days while there - which I suspect could have been due to the AC filters being full of dirt and the unclean nature of the main eating areas. The blow-up queen mattress deflated during sleep. The glass kitchen and living room tables had fingerprints and had not been cleaned. Sure, different people have different level of cleanliness standards and that's acceptable, but if I rented my home, I would make sure that "lived-in character" didn't mean layers of dirt. The small bedroom with the single bed has a handle that locks. One of our children had to climb out on the roof to come in through the bedroom next door until we could get it open. Huge liability here. The basement studio apartment, where we assume the owner resides when not traveling, was jammed with boxes and furniture, posing another fire and safety hazard. Overall, it was a disappointing visit. The home, although of character and age as described, needs a very deep and thorough cleaning to be able to be rentable.

My wife, 12 year old daughter and I stayed for a week at this lovely home in Ipswich. My parents live in Hamilton and we needed a place nearby; this fit the bill perfectly. We loved walking downtown to get coffee and breakfast in the morning. My wife in particular loved all the old houses (many built in the 1600s) we passed on the way to & from downtown, and we all loved the walk. The house has an idyllic view of the church steeple from the 3rd floor loft, and lovely light throughout the day. My wife is an avid cook, and she LOVED the kitchen in this house. She said, "I can tell the owner cooks regularly -- everything I need is here". We hosted my brother and his girlfriend for dinner and we had a great time eating and chatting around the dining room table, with views of the trees outside. The dining room is small but cozy and a really special space with its enormous windows. Access to Crane's Beach and (my daughter's favorite) Russel Orchards was a piece of cake. We also all loved unwinding at the end of the day on the enormous couch in the living room! It was super comfy and a great place to lounge and relax. Ellen was an INCREDIBLE host -- she checked in on us regularly, made sure everything was working for us, and was incredibly helpful before and during our stay. In short, we were all SO happy with our stay here and will return as soon as we can.

This is a highly recommended property with tremendous character! Beautiful vistas, lots of natural lighting, comfortably furnished, elegant artistic touches throughout. We drove out from Boston, and despite being only 45 minutes from home, felt totally transported during this enchanted idyll at Ellen's "Tree house". The third floor "penthouse" is very spacious and private, with a beautiful skylight that lets in the moonlight - perfect for a romantic getaway. And with two other bedrooms on the second floor, this property is equally well-suited for accommodating families or a group of friends. When this house is not a rental property it is a home, and as a rental retains the feel of a home in the best possible sense - warm, inviting, comfortable, thoughtfully decorated, and fully equipped with cookware, dishes, appliances, towels, linens, books, internet, TV/Blu-ray/DVD, stereo, music. Aside from the character of the house itself, the lighting is outstanding. The sitting room off the kitchen features floor to ceiling windows, letting natural light pour in from sunrise to twilight and affording vistas onto the trees and sky and the eclectic and historic neighboring houses. We loved drinking morning coffee, listening to Mozart, and reading by the windows so much that it took us great effort to finally get out of the house by noon to see the local sites. Crane Beach is only a 10 to 15 minute drive from the house and is a truly magical place. The Crane Estate itself was closed when we were there (end of March), but the grounds are open year round and are very beautiful to walk - forest paths, pine bluffs, misty marshes, miles of beaches. We picnicked on the promontory at the base of the Grand Allee - a half mile long, 100-foot grassy corridor delineated by rows of stately trees, where southward in the distance stands the shimmering estate and to the north plum island and eternity. It's one of the most beautiful places in New England. If you're looking for an enchanting and relaxing getaway that's not as conspicuously on the tourist radar as other locales, and where the rental is more than a place to shower and sleep, we recommend that you come to Ipswich and stay here. The owner, Ellen, is so kind, gracious, and charming, full of interesting stories and positive energy, and is a great resource for local recommendations in the area. We had a wonderful time and met a wonderful friend in Ellen. We're looking forward to our next return.

Hospitable does not even begin to describe our hostess Ellen. She was absolutely delightful, and available every step of the way to make sure our needs were met. The accommodations didn't disappoint. It is very clean with so much charm. The loft bedroom on the third floor was very private, and the perfect master bedroom. The other two guest rooms were perfect as well. My husband and I truly look forward to an opportunity to stay here again. We would highly recommend it!!

We (a family with two little children) spent the whole summer in Ipswich and had the most wonderful time at the "tree-house" with Ellen. The house was very clean, very charming, individually furnished and offered enough place for us. The whole equipment of the house was just great (kitchen equipment, linnen, beach towels etc.). Besides, the house is really great located. The beautiful Crane's Beach and the center of Ipswich is just a couple of minutes away. Ellen (the owner) was just wonderful, very sweet and very supportive from the very beginning until the end of our vacation. The children immediately fell in love with her, as we grownups did. My family and I plan to come back to this wonderful place again soon. Heide & family

We (a family with two little children) spent the whole summer in Ipswich and had the most wonderful time at the "tree-house" with Ellen. The house was very clean, very charming, individually furnished and offered enough place for us. The whole equipment of the house was just great (kitchen equipment, linnen, beach towels etc.). Besides, the house is really great located. The beautiful Crane's Beach and the center of Ipswich is just a couple of minutes away. Ellen (the owner) was just wonderful, very sweet and very supportive from the very beginning until the end of our vacation. The children immediately fell in love with her, as we grownups did. My family and I plan to come back to this wonderful place again soon. Heide & family

My 18-year-old daughter and myself spent a week here in early fall just as the leaves were beginning to change. We loved the house; it has a very artistic feel with the white walls and wood floors and beautifully chosen details. Everything is crisp and clean, the beds are comfortable and made with good-quality sheets, blankets and pillows...my daughter claimed the loft space immediately and enjoyed her private aerie very much. We enjoyed walking around Ipswich, with its remarkable selection of early 17th-century houses and especially liked the museum with its wonderfully preserved historic houses (so you can get an idea of what the insides might be like!). My daughter also particularly liked the Applegate Farm, which has a number of easy hiking trails among big trees and open pasture. We spent one rainy day in Boston at the Fine Arts Museum, an easy drive as long as you avoid rush-hour! (There is also a train connection from Ipswich.) On a Sunday we drove straight through Boston to the Plimoth Plantation, a re-created 17th-century village which was well worth the hour or so it took to get there! We also drove the coast road near Ipswich, and joined many other families clambering around the huge rock formations at Halibut Point State Park. We were delighted to find a superb restaurant our first night (Zabaglione Cafe) and breakfasted a couple of times at the Agawam Diner, which is a local institution. The kitchen at the house is well set-up for cooking, so we ate in often. Ellen is very welcoming and is often available if you need advice about things to do or places to go. My daughter already wants to go back again! So maybe next year! Cheers from Ontario Canada Judy R