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Welcoming retreat close to Cornell, Ithaca College, and Cayuga Lake

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Exterior
Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop
Interior
Property grounds
Interior

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire home

3 bedrooms3 bathroomsSleeps 7214 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Fireplace
  • Barbecue grill
  • Kitchen

Explore the area

View in a map
Ithaca, NY
  • Place, Shops at Ithaca Mall
    ‪2 min drive‬
  • Place, Cornell University
    ‪7 min drive‬
  • Place, Ithaca College
    ‪11 min drive‬
  • Airport, Ithaca, NY (ITH-Tompkins Regional)
    ‪6 min drive‬

Room options

Similar properties

Exterior
Water's Edge on Cayuga Lake in Ithaca
  • Kitchen
  • Washer
  • Dryer
  • Air conditioning
5.0 out of 5, Exceptional, 41 reviews
Water's Edge on Cayuga Lake in Ithaca

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

Welcoming retreat close to Cornell, Ithaca College, and Cayuga Lake

Our warm, welcoming, home is situated on 5.6 acres, set back from the road, providing privacy and seclusion in a beautiful natural setting just a mile from shopping and restaurants, 1.5 miles from the airport, 10 minutes from Cornell & downtown Ithaca, and 15 minutes from Ithaca College.

Three bedrooms upstairs with high-quality queen mattresses, Smart TVs in two. Two full bathrooms upstairs (one en suite) plus half-bath on the main level. Main level has two large, light-filled family living spaces, one with a large Smart TV & gas fireplace, as well as an office that includes a twin daybed that can pull out to queen/king if needed. Three-zoned AC throughout.

Large deck, gas grill, and fenced backyard for corn hole, frisbee, watching the deer graze, or catching a shooting star before bed. Linens/towels/pillows, paper products, fully outfitted kitchen including condiments/spices for cooking. Plenty of parking for multiple vehicles. High-speed wireless internet. This is a great home base for visits to Cornell University or Ithaca College, local festivals, Cayuga Lake, and Finger Lakes wine/cider/craft beer trails.
During your stay at this vacation home, you'll be within walking distance of Shops at Ithaca Mall. Features include laundry facilities. Free WiFi and a kitchen are available in the vacation home.
  • Air-conditioned home with kitchen, washing machine, and 2.5 bathrooms
  • Free WiFi
  • Amenities include laundry facilities
  • Just a 3-minute drive from Cayuga Lake and 7 minutes from Cornell University
As a guest of this vacation home, you'll find barbecue grills, a garden, and laundry facilities. The front desk is open around the clock.

Property amenities

Ski

  • Cross-country skiing nearby

Internet

  • Available in the house: Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Parking on site

Kitchen

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Dishwasher
  • Electric kettle
  • Hob
  • Kitchen island
  • Lobster/crab pot
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Paper towels
  • Refrigerator
  • Spices
  • Toaster

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 3 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • 2.5 bathrooms
  • Bathtub or shower
  • Hair dryer
  • Shampoo
  • Shower
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Dining table
  • Fireplace
  • Living room

Entertainment

  • Books
  • DVD player
  • Games
  • Smart TV
  • Stereo

Outdoor areas

  • Barbecue grill
  • Garden
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Patio

Laundry

  • Laundry facilities
  • Washing machine

Work spaces

  • Desk
  • Desk chair
  • Printer

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoke-free property

Services and conveniences

  • Iron/ironing board

Location highlights

  • Near a health/beauty spa
  • Near a hospital
  • Near the marina

Things to do

  • Basketball nearby
  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Cycling nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Golfing nearby
  • Hiking/biking trails nearby
  • Ice skating nearby
  • Kayaking nearby
  • Motor boating nearby
  • Sailing nearby
  • Swimming nearby
  • Wildlife walks nearby
  • Windsurfing nearby
  • Winery tours nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
  • Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • First aid kit
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Deadbolt lock

General

  • Garden
  • Unit size: 2,300 square feet

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 3:00 PM
Contactless check-in available
Minimum check-in age: 25

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM
Contactless check-out available

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Check-out instructions

The host requires you complete the following before checking out:
Load and start the dishwasher
Gather used towels
Remove personal items and take out the trash
Turn off the lights and lock the doors
Please close any open windows. If you were using the heat, please turn the thermostats to 58 w/fan on "auto" before leaving. For AC, please turn up to 74 on "auto" as well.
Please text Margarite when you've left.
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.

Events

No events allowed

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

This property is managed by a private host (a party not acting within their trade, business or profession). EU consumer law, including the right of withdrawal, will not apply to your booking. The cancellation policy set by the private host will cover your booking.
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
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions. You will also receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account which will enable you to manage your booking.

Welcoming retreat close to Cornell, Ithaca College, and Cayuga Lake Reviews

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 40 out of 40 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 40 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 40 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 40 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 40 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Amenities

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

10/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Kristin M.

Liked: Cleanliness
This rental was the full package. Beautiful home and furnishings, great location, great recommendations about places to go and restaurants to go to as well as a super responsive hostess who went above and beyond to ensure that our stay was perfect!
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Lori M.

Liked: Cleanliness
We had a wonderful stay while in Ithaca for a wedding. The house is beautiful and comfortable; quiet and secluded, yet 12 minutes from Cornell. We did not want to leave! We enjoyed the Farmers Market Saturday morning, Ithaca Falls and Ithaca Bakery Sunday morning. We hope to come back for a longer stay.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Peter L.

Liked: Cleanliness
This is by far the best vacation rental that my family and I have ever enjoyed. The location is close to everything, but completely peaceful and private. The house itself is immaculate. It is spacious enough for a large family gathering and the hosts have absolutely thought of everything. We will definitely look to stay again.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Christine A.

Liked: Cleanliness
The stay at Laurie's was wonderful! Well stocked, with decent cook pans and utensils. Very clean house, comfortable beds, enjoyable outdoor areas. Thank you Laurie for the exceptional home and amenities!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Winnie L.

Liked: Cleanliness

Ithaca weekend

We had a fantastic time. Everything was perfect. The house was spacious and well maintained. The grounds were very pretty. Thanks for opening your home to us !
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Heather D.

Liked: Cleanliness
We had a wonderful stay at this welcoming retreat! The house was perfect for our family—spacious, comfortable, and thoughtfully equipped with a well-stocked kitchen and multiple family rooms for relaxing together. The location was ideal for visiting Cornell, Ithaca College, and Cayuga Lake, and we especially enjoyed spending time on the back deck. Laurie was fantastic to work with—easy to communicate with and incredibly attentive. We would absolutely stay here again!
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Barbara C.

Liked: Cleanliness

Wedding

I would rate the house and contents above a 5 star. We felt at home as soon as we walked in the door. Our family was in Ithaca for a wedding. We also explored the area. The house was a short distance from everything we wanted to do. Laurie was also an amazing host.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Meena V.

Liked: Cleanliness

Perfect Family Weekend in a Welcoming Home

We stayed at Laurie’s place in Ithaca over the July 4th long weekend and had a truly wonderful experience. The property is perfectly located near the Ithaca Mall, and it was spotless, cozy, and exceptionally well-maintained. We were even treated to several deer sightings during our stay, which added such a peaceful, nature-filled charm to the trip.Laurie went above and beyond with thoughtful touches—like leaving popcorn snacks on the counter, which our family enjoyed. We also discovered a cornhole set in the garage and had a great time playing together in the mornings before heading out for the day. The kitchen was another highlight: well-stocked and thoughtfully arranged, making it easy to settle in and feel at home.We truly appreciated the care Laurie put into every detail. She was a gracious and attentive host, and we’re grateful for the warm, welcoming atmosphere she created. We left with wonderful memories and would absolutely stay again!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Sara S.

Liked: Cleanliness
We really enjoyed our stay. Very nice home.....shot drive into downtown Ithaca and over to Cornell. Beautiful, serene home.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kelley B., Manhattan

Liked: Cleanliness

Comfortable, spacious, great views and location

Perfect spot for our family attending graduation weekend. Close to airport and Cornell campus. Clean, cozy, comfortable spot to relax together in between events. Hosts were great with communication and instructions - even had coffee creamers for us! First class all the way, thank you!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Frank

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This property in Ithaca far exceeded our expectations. The home was immaculately clean when we arrived, and the property had back yard amenities including a large deck (table, chairs and umbrella), gas grill, fenced yard, and cornhole game. The house sits off of the main road down a long driveway, so it felt secluded and quiet. The property owner communicated with us promptly every time we had a question prior to our arrival and provided excellent instructions on how to enter the home using the keypad, a welcome book with plenty of information and check out instructions. The kitchen was equipped with everything we needed to cook all of our meals during our 3-day stay as well as grill tools. There were 7 of us staying in the house and the house never felt crowded. We would stay here again without hesitation.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Pete B., Bolton, CT USA

Liked: Cleanliness

Spotless, spacious, welcoming, and convenient

This was home base for a Thanksgiving with family. The house is absolutely spotless, with comfortable modern rooms and lots of space to spread out. The house is set back from the road with a secluded backyard with a deck and a fenced in area, you’d never know the grocery store and mall are 5 minutes away, and downtown Ithaca is a short drive. The kitchen was well stocked, and communication with Laurie the owner was excellent.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

diana g.

Liked: Cleanliness

Perfect fit

I highly recommend this property if you’re traveling to Ithaca. Communication with host was great, very clean, location was great for many activities. It was the perfect fit for our family weekend getaway.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Michael W.

Liked: Cleanliness

Beautiful home away from home

Colleague and I attended a conference at Cornell. This home was a perfect stay. Laurie communicated before, during and right before our leave. The home was completely stocked with everything and more to make our stay an easy and comfortable one. Just 10-12 minutes away from Cornell. Would give higher than 5 stars if possible!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Graham C.

Liked: Cleanliness

Wonderful Finger Lakes vacation home

We loved our stay in this lovely, tastefully, handsomely appointed house. Laurie was an attentive hostess who responded quickly and professionally in all our dealings. Instructions were thorough and there were very nice, thoughtful touches on our arrival. This rental ranks in the very top tier of our VRBO rentals.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Erin M.

Liked: Cleanliness

Lovely Stay

This was a wonderful place to stay! Nice, clean, spacious, and very welcoming hosts. Has everything you need and ideally located.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Nicole M.

Liked: Cleanliness

Excellent Experience & Stay!

Our stay and experience at this property was fabulous from start to finish! Laurie, the homeowner, was very communicative, professional, thoughtful, kind, helpful with every detail. The home felt larger and more roomy that the photos. Every amenity and supply needed was available, which was nice and alleviated the need to go out and buy much aside from groceries. It was so peaceful every morning, having coffee, sitting on the back deck, and watching all the wildlife around us. It was so relaxing and felt like we were home. The home is in a fantastic location, only minutes from the grocery store, BJ's, Target, and restaurants. We will absolutely keep this property as our #1 choice the next time we're in the area! Thank you for opening your home to our family!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Vikram A.

Liked: Cleanliness

Better than expected

Loved this home. It was perfect for our family as we needed a home base for my Cornell masters graduation. Quick drive to anywhere in Ithaca. And it was a nice place to relax in between events. It was larger than I expected which is always a good thing. Will stay here again the next time we’re in Ithaca
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Sabrina M., Redmond, WA

Liked: Cleanliness

comfortable oasis easy drive to everything

The home is situated in a quiet, private country plot only 10 minutes drive from Ithaca city center, 5 minutes to the park at Cayuga Lake, and easy drives to various state Parks. We slept so well, felt truly relaxed and always happy to be HOME when we returned to the house. We stayed a week and could not have been happier with the fully stocked kitchen, large bedrooms, tasteful,warm decor and little extras like milk in the fridge and snacks for our arrival. We had excellent communication with the owners. We would stay here again in a heartbeat.
Stayed 7 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Sharon F.

Liked: Cleanliness

Amazing Property - everything we needed!

This property in Ithaca was perfect for our stay. It was well appointed and had everything we needed and more. When we realized that we needed to open up the kitchen table for more room, Laurie immediately let us know where the table leaves were and where we could find additional chairs. Her response to this request and all other requests were prompt and helpful. The kitchen was filled with all of the essentials which we really appreciated. All of the livings spaces, bedrooms and bathrooms were comfortable and clean. The location was very convenient - close to everything in Ithaca we wanted to explore. We will DEFINITELY stay here again!
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Cristina A.

Liked: Cleanliness

Everything we wanted and more

A retreat was what we needed and the property delivered on its name. And yet, it was 8 minutes away from downtown Ithaca and close to the access points to various destinations in the Finger Lakes. The property was immaculately clean and we felt right at home when we got there, each one finding the right cozy nook for instant napping. The owner welcomed us warmly with information and tips for our eclipse-triggered visit. She answered questions promptly. The house's center made for a wonderful gathering place for us. Flanked by the living room with a fireplace on one side and the kitchen on the other, the dining table was the place for bonding and planning. The brightly-lit area led to the porch facing the woods. Total privacy. We enjoyed star gazing (best done while on your back on the lounge, the owner suggested). We enjoyed listening to the birds while basking in the sun and the cool breezes. The temperature in the whole house was perfect! Household appliances including Keurig coffeemaker, kettle, and toaster were good and clean. Good plates, cups, bowls, saucers, utensils were a nice touch: who wants to be using paper plates and plastic utensils on a retreat? Good quality pots and pans were available. The 2.5 baths were clean and Zenlike. Hand soap, body wash, shampoo and conditioner were supplied. The towels were perfectly white and crisp. Bed linen were all comfy. A great decision about where to stay always makes for great moods and fine vacation.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Andrew L.

Liked: Cleanliness

Comfortable, Well Appointed, Roomy

Our stay at the Welcoming Retreat was awesome! The location was perfect for us, and we enjoyed the quiet and rural setting, though close to shopping and amenities. The living spaces and bedrooms were comfortable and clean. Our family felt very at home. The kitchen is well appointed, and we appreciated the staples available for our use. And the welcome snacks were enjoyed! Overall, this is a 10 out of 10 listing!
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kari S.

Liked: Cleanliness

I'll never stay anywhere else!

Laurie's property in Ithaca was perfect for our family's early Thanksgiving! It truly felt like a "home away from home" and not once did I need a thing while we were hosting a big family dinner. This house is beautiful, spotless and clean, and the setting is like an oasis in the country - yet you are only minutes from everything Ithaca has to offer. I can't imagine staying anywhere else when I'm home for a visit. Thank you Laurie for such wonderful care and attention to detail.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Allison P.

Liked: Cleanliness

Great home base for Ithaca Family weekend!

We had another amazing stay while visiting our son for Ithaca family weekend. The house was so cozy and immaculate! We had enough space to spread out but we were able to all come together for dinner and a movie. It’s the prefect location! We will be back again! Laurie is the best host!
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Karen G.

Liked: Cleanliness

Just as advertised

Everything about the property was amazing. Laurie is such a gracious and thoughtful host who clearly cares. She's very communicative and had so many nice touches that there are too many to count. She even left brochures for activities in Ithaca and a discount book. The house was spotlessly clean...every room, every bedroom, every linen, every bathroom. And the house had everything stocked that you could possibly need. The location was truly lovely, so close to campus and the commons, yet incredibly peaceful and relaxing. We even got a glimpse of the wildlife on her property, from birds to bunnies. I've stayed in many rentals, and I can say that this experience was exactly as advertised. Thank you so much, Laurie!
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2023