MAGICAL, PRIVATE, FORESTED LAKEFRONT/ SWEEPING LAKE VISTAS, EASY ACCESS IN ITHA
House in Cayuga Lake, NY
12 guests · 4 bedrooms · 3 baths
Reasons to book
Guests love it hereGuests give this property a top rating
Top-tier experienceOne of the higher cost properties in the area
Includes essentialsGarden, Kitchen or Kitchenette, Air conditioner and more
About this house rental
Just minutes from downtown Ithaca on the west shore of Lake Cayuga, this property has spectacular lake vistas and over 150 feet of EASILY ACCESSIBLE lake frontage. 1.4 acres of woods and majestic hemlock and oak trees frame a cottage originally built in the mid 1800's by a mayor of Ithaca and then lived in in the summers by his daughter, Belle, until 1922--one of Ithaca's original lakefront homes. We like to share the beautiful view and rustic and quaint vintage house with small gatherings of friends and families. This is our home and we are usually present on the property, staying in our own self contained area which shares nothing with the main house except the driveway. Since it is our home, we ask that you treat it kindly and leave it in the exact condition you found it. Due to the ecologically sensitive location, we don't rent to groups larger than 8 (possible 10, with our permission, if there are small ones). We have a strict NO PARTIES rule and do not allow visitors from off the property. Only the rental group is allowed on the property.
The paved S-curved driveway leads through the woods down the hill to a large parking area with room for vehicles to turn around. There is one flight of stairs to the main floor entrance but bedrooms can be accessed from the driveway level.
The 2200 sf of living space includes--on the main floor--an entrance room; a fully equipped kitchen with stainless appliances (dishwasher, large frig, freezer with ice maker/water, gourmet stove, microwave, coffee maker, toaster oven, electric tea kettle, etc.); a laundry room with front loading washer and dryer, iron, ironing board; a full bathroom with shower; a large open living/dining room with a charming arts-and-craftsy 'inglenook' around the picturesque riverstone fireplace. The main floor has expansive lake views and opens out to an extensive deck area with plenty of outdoor seating, tables, gas grill, and views galore!
4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms as well as a screened porch are on the second floor. Two bedrooms have queensize beds; two have a fullsize bed. Additional living space in the walk-out basement level features a 5- 6-person sauna with a great view.
The 150 ft of lakefront is about half gently sloping shale beach; the other half is a grassy area with a sea wall and includes a fire pit, dock, and boathouse, with lots of outdoor seating and two hammocks as well as a table and umbrella for dock seating. The property comes with a canoe, three single kayaks, and a tandem kayak. There are water shoes and life vests in the boathouse.
Activities and Attractions : The Finger Lakes is renowned for its wineries and breathtaking gorges. Ithaca is a mecca of arts, science, film activities, artisan farming, world famous restaurants, etc. Ithaca's Farmers Market is rated one of the best in the country. However, alot of folks don't even want to leave the property, since the quiet of the majestic old growth forest and the mesmerizing lake vistas, along with swimming, kayaking, and just gazing at the ever-changing water is the best--an oasis of peace and beauty --yet so close to all the perks of civilization! 'Magical' is the word most frequently used by visitors to describe the setting.
In addition, there is a small, 2-bedroom cabin on the upper part of the property completely private from the main house that is available at Homeaway listing # 268870.
The paved S-curved driveway leads through the woods down the hill to a large parking area with room for vehicles to turn around. There is one flight of stairs to the main floor entrance but bedrooms can be accessed from the driveway level.
The 2200 sf of living space includes--on the main floor--an entrance room; a fully equipped kitchen with stainless appliances (dishwasher, large frig, freezer with ice maker/water, gourmet stove, microwave, coffee maker, toaster oven, electric tea kettle, etc.); a laundry room with front loading washer and dryer, iron, ironing board; a full bathroom with shower; a large open living/dining room with a charming arts-and-craftsy 'inglenook' around the picturesque riverstone fireplace. The main floor has expansive lake views and opens out to an extensive deck area with plenty of outdoor seating, tables, gas grill, and views galore!
4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms as well as a screened porch are on the second floor. Two bedrooms have queensize beds; two have a fullsize bed. Additional living space in the walk-out basement level features a 5- 6-person sauna with a great view.
The 150 ft of lakefront is about half gently sloping shale beach; the other half is a grassy area with a sea wall and includes a fire pit, dock, and boathouse, with lots of outdoor seating and two hammocks as well as a table and umbrella for dock seating. The property comes with a canoe, three single kayaks, and a tandem kayak. There are water shoes and life vests in the boathouse.
Activities and Attractions : The Finger Lakes is renowned for its wineries and breathtaking gorges. Ithaca is a mecca of arts, science, film activities, artisan farming, world famous restaurants, etc. Ithaca's Farmers Market is rated one of the best in the country. However, alot of folks don't even want to leave the property, since the quiet of the majestic old growth forest and the mesmerizing lake vistas, along with swimming, kayaking, and just gazing at the ever-changing water is the best--an oasis of peace and beauty --yet so close to all the perks of civilization! 'Magical' is the word most frequently used by visitors to describe the setting.
In addition, there is a small, 2-bedroom cabin on the upper part of the property completely private from the main house that is available at Homeaway listing # 268870.
Amenities
Air conditioner
Kitchen or Kitchenette
Internet / Wifi
Fireplace
Parking
Laundry
Balcony or Patio
Dishwasher
Hot tub or spa
TV
Garden
Family friendly
Map of Cayuga Lake, NY
$$$$
Ratings and reviews
5.0 / 5.0
Great location right on Cayuga Lake with views across to Cornell. Near downtown and several parks and hiking trails.
The driveway is rather daunting: extremely steep and curvy, not for the faint of heart.
The 3rd bathroom is downstairs, whereas the bedrooms are upstairs. Otherwise, the house is quite nice with a large kitchen and multiple outdoor seating areas.
5.0 / 5.0
As advertised, a charming house on the lake. The hosts live next door and were easily accessible. Five--year-old had a spectacular time leaping into the lake from the dock and I managed to get in a couple kayak runs. Highly recommended.
5.0 / 5.0
We very much enjoyed our stay in this unique house. Great location for water access w/dock for our rental boating adventures each day. It was relaxing laying in the hammocks & sitting on the large deck staring at the views. The fires at night down on the lake after we'd cook dinner were peaceful and a perfect way to end the days.
5.0 / 5.0
Beautiful setting, nice place for the weekend.
5.0 / 5.0
We were glad that the home had ac as it was a very hot week . We were able to keep our boat that we rented for a few days on the end of the dock. We used the BBQ and ate o the large deck that has umbrella tables for dinner .
The surroundings have beautiful perennials which add even more beauoto the lake view.
5.0 / 5.0
I have stayed at several lakefront properties on Lake Cayuga and this one by far was the best. The home was magical with lots of personality and wonderful outdoor space.
5.0 / 5.0
The 10 of us enjoyed the house and cabin. Proximity to campus, room to spread out, beautiful views and excellent kitchen set up with nice BBQ grill were just perfect. Enjoyed walks on trail, stop at Pines Tavern and Taughannock Park. Hosts were kind to allow early check in and
Late departure. All good!
1.0 / 5.0
The location was good and the was view of Lake Cuyaga was beautiful. The house was in need of a deep clean; rugs/carpet (gave off a musty smell), bathroom (which each shower had black mold and/or red mildew) and interior doors had paint peeling and trim that had not been wiped down for quite some time. The clawfoot tub was at a height that seemed very unsafe for stepping in and out of; we only used once because of this. The non-lake facing bedroom was so full of spider webs that our adult daughter had a very hard time sleeping in the room. The day we arrived was unseasonably hot and when we opened the front door the house air conditioning had been set to 76 degrees with no windows open for ventilation and the smell from the house was not pleasant. None of the beds in this home were queen size making sleeping for two adults in one bed very tough as this allowed each adult the same mattress width of a crib mattress (30").
2.0 / 5.0
This house was perfect for our family reunion of 7 adults. Plenty of room. Well supplied kitchen. The decor suited us perfect. Old wood floors covered by area rugs. Tons of artwork and books. Beds were comfortable. Super quiet. Amazing views of the lake. Lake front fire pit which we used several times. Huge deck with lots of seating. Parking for at least 3 cars. Awesome sunrises. Convenient to downtown, golf and wineries. Owners very responsive to questions. I would recommend this to anyone who is looking for a quiet place right on the water. You will love it.
5.0 / 5.0
Beautiful location on the lake but also very close to Ithaca. Will definitely be back.
5.0 / 5.0
House is lovely! Very interesting, a lot of attention to detail. View of the lake is hard to beat. Owners are very responsive
5.0 / 5.0
Property was beautiful. Great family visit to Cornell Univ to see our son. 8 adults 1 baby(15 months). Need to update the kitchen photos and give that gorgeous renovation it’s just service. Beautiful gourmet kitchen!!!
Looking forward to booking again for next year.
5.0 / 5.0
Great location and beautiful property.
5.0 / 5.0
This vintage lakeside home has a very special character and spectacular setting. The bedrooms are cozy and quirky, and the common spaces were very comfortable and conducive to large family hang-outs (there were 10 of us). We loved the spacious, well-equipped kitchen, where many communal meals were prepared. We appreciated the labels and many instructions for taking proper care of this home. We live in a 240 year home so we are used to and didn't mind the special precautions needed to make sure all systems functioned well. The gardens and path down to the lake, the tiny but lovely lawn with fire pit, the dock, the kayaks...all perfection.
5.0 / 5.0
Our family enjoyed this house for a 4 night stay in August. It’s a great location on the water and close to town and hiking spots. We loved hanging on the back deck and enjoying the lake views.
5.0 / 5.0
We used this property as a base of operations for a busy wedding holiday weekend. Clean, plenty of space and easy access to the lake. Would stay there again in a heartbeat!
4.0 / 5.0
I stayed here with 6 of my friends for our college reunion. The house is nice, but the best part is the water access and the dock. Highly recommend renting a boat to explore the lake. The only real downsides of the house are 1) driveway/location on the road (the driveway is tough for Ubers and you can’t really walk anywhere due to being on a highway) and 2) the owners live in a house attached to the house where you stay (not as private as I would like personally). The house was clean, but note: there are a lot of rules due to the fragile plumbing system and the finishes (open shelving, marble countertops, etc.). If you have unruly little ones, I would be a little nervous to let them run free inside. But great for adults.
5.0 / 5.0
We stayed here over a long weekend for Ithaca college graduation. It’s closer to Ithaca center than the college is and located directly on beautiful Cayuga Lake. Patios offer lake views , a place to just watch the birds and the early morning scullers ….
This is a much loved older property with quirkiness and charm— wonderfully well equipped kitchen with every appliance, spices and cookware galore. Fear not the steeeeeep driveway but don’t park more than three cars !
The owners were responsive and helpful.
Two minor issues — I booked for the max occupancy just to ensure enough space without realizing there is an up-charge per person over 6– we ended up just five of us staying over so
Beware of hidden fees— my bad. Also renters before us apparently broke the oven so our large catering order unfortunately was difficult to manage, a grill helped but served some food cold.
Despite some difficulty with Mother Nature, we all loved the home and location!
Recommended for college visits and family vacations 👍
5.0 / 5.0
We thoroughly enjoyed this rustic retreat by Cayuga lake during our daughter’s graduation. The deck is perfect for hosting guests and enjoying the lake views. The owner was very helpful. There are steep stairs up to the bedroom so the house may be difficult for seniors.
5.0 / 5.0
Our family absolutely loved staying at the lake house. Sally was extremely responsive and made herself available if anything came up. My only regret was not being able to stay there longer.
5.0 / 5.0
Amazing cabin with a lot of historic character. Amazingly updated kitchen and you get a real sense of who the owners are and the fun and love they have for Ithaca and their home.
This is the perfect Finger Lakes cabin with a great view, great amenities and it really does feel like a home away from home.
5.0 / 5.0
Everything was wonderful! Swam in the lake everyday. We did some fishing off the dock. Took the kayaks out. But just mostly just enjoyed the peacefulness and beauty of the property. Woke up to a beautiful sunrise in the mornings and enjoyed my cup of tea on the deck. The owners were very quick to respond to any questions I had. The house was clean and well maintained. Check in and out was easy. Loved it!!
5.0 / 5.0
We had a great time at the property. We spent most of our time on the water kayaking and swimming. The tea selection was amazing and I sampled each variety. The only con was that it was so hot and the AC had trouble keeping up, obviously this wasn't the owners fault. I highly recommend staying at this property if you're ever in Ithaca!
5.0 / 5.0
Amazing house!
This was an amazing rental house and fabulous property. Very child friendly both inside the house and by the lake. The location is unbeatable!
5.0 / 5.0
Beautiful home!
Great house and excellent location on Cayuga Lake. A great spot for a reunion with old friends. Will be staying again!
5.0 / 5.0
Rustic charm, thoughtful host, and lakefront magic
Our group of 7 adults (we're all 50-60) had a wonderful weekend at this lakefront retreat. The location was perfect, and when we weren't touring wineries and exploring the region, we enjoyed kayaking, dining outside, and toasting marshmallows by the firepit. The host has thought of absolutely everything, and the kitchen was so well stocked that we could easily have moved in permanently.
5.0 / 5.0
Cottage on Cayuga Lake..
We stayed at Sally's and Richard's place for a friend's reunion.. Must say it has a great location right on Lake Cayuga. The cottage was beautifully decorated with a lot of old world charm..
The best part of the property was the dock where you can have your morning tea and spend a lot of time right on the lake..
Would definitely go back...
5.0 / 5.0
In a single word - outstanding!
Extremely happy with the property and the hosts. We had an absolutely wonderful time as my daughter graduated from college.
5.0 / 5.0
Cozy & charming
Great location, plenty of space, privacy, and view. Charming old house. Owners seem to have taken great care & pride in this house. Plenty of needed supplies in kitchen & elsewhere.
4.0 / 5.0
Lovely Place for Family Weekend
Beautiful setting on the lake with great location just minutes away from Ithaca and Cornell campus. This great old house offers comfort and warmth! Large enough for a family, excellent common area. Kitchen is fantastic! Master bedroom nice in the back while the other beds were much smaller better for kids than adults. Unusually heavy rains flooded basement so could not use the spa & would've been nice to have the fireplace to take the chill off but that also didn't work in the main room. Otherwise a very nice home & excellent communication with the owner.
5.0 / 5.0
Very nice home
Very nice setup
5.0 / 5.0
Marvelous Lake Vista!
Great location, wonderful view, fabulous dock & deck. Loved the renovated kitchen! It was super well stocked & had everything we needed and more! Loved our stay
5.0 / 5.0
Beautiful Lakehouse
Lovely spot. Plenty of beds and bathrooms for privacy, plenty of common areas inside and out for family to gather. Great place to stay!
5.0 / 5.0
Great place for a fall getaway
Lakefront location was great, nice docks for fishing and swimming, great porch and outside decks. Plenty of seating, nice view, new kitchen had plenty of supplies and well labeled. Would return again !
5.0 / 5.0
Beautiful Lake View
The view of the lake was beautiful from inside of the house and outside on the deck. The deck was nice and big with plenty of sitting and a great view of the lake. The dock on the lake was nice and had plenty of sitting. It was nice to be able to use the kayak and there was sitting around fire pit. Had everything in the kitchen to cook breakfasts and dinners. The only thing we didn't like is that the driveway is very hilly and can't have too many cars in the drive, it was hard to turn the cars around. WE did enjoy our stay there and would do it again.
5.0 / 5.0
Stunning location & property!
Great location, wonderful view, fabulous dock & deck. Loved the renovated kitchen!
5.0 / 5.0
I wished a booked a few more nights
Great location. Well kept with lots of instructions from owners. I have rented many places . This is the only house that did have any major issues.
5.0 / 5.0
Serene vacation spot
Sally is a communicative host and the property is located in a wonderful location with convenient access to the finger Lakes hotspots. The home, setting, and amenities (kayaks, dock, firepit etc) were all very well suited for our family of 6 adults and 2 young kids. As previous reviews suggest, there are several steps indoors and outdoors that required us to keep a close eye on our little ones. Our only hiccup was an issue with air-conditioning, but Sally was responsive with fans and a plan to get it fixed. This trip definitely made us consider more lakefront vacations in the future.
5.0 / 5.0
Wonderful Lakefront Getaway
We had a fabulous trip. The house was exactly as described. Clean, comfortable and gorgeous!
5.0 / 5.0
Lakeside retreat
The beautiful house on the lake was very welcoming. The new kitchen made meal prep a breeze. The hosts were very charming and provided assistance with some minor problems. Would definitely stay again
FAQs
How much does this house cost compared to others in Cayuga Lake?
The average price for a rental in Cayuga Lake is $325 per night. This rental is $592 above the average.
Is parking included with this house?
Yes, parking is listed as an amenity at MAGICAL, PRIVATE, FORESTED LAKEFRONT/ SWEEPING LAKE VISTAS, EASY ACCESS IN ITHA. For more information, we encourage you to contact the property about where to park.
Is there a pool at this house?
We didn’t find pool listed as an amenity for this house. It may be worth double checking if a pool is important for your stay.
Is MAGICAL, PRIVATE, FORESTED LAKEFRONT/ SWEEPING LAKE VISTAS, EASY ACCESS IN ITHA pet friendly?
Unfortunately, this house is not pet-friendly. Try searching again and filter for "Pets Allowed"
What amenities are available at MAGICAL, PRIVATE, FORESTED LAKEFRONT/ SWEEPING LAKE VISTAS, EASY ACCESS IN ITHA?
We found 12 amenities for this rental. This includes air conditioner, kitchen or kitchenette, internet / wifi, fireplace, and parking.
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