The Catskill Oasis | Pond Hottub Trails

Bald eagles patrol the sky above the Rondout Reservoir, and its water views line the country road to your driveway. Turn in behind the tall pines, follow the drive up through the trees, and the house appears the way one guest described it: "like it was out of a movie." This is the Catskill Oasis — a cedar cottage on 7 private acres, bordered on three sides by 100 acres of public woodland, with a swimmable pond out front and a creek running the length of the property.



The main room. Floor-to-ceiling windows and cathedral ceilings bring the woods inside. A deep sectional faces the wood stove, the trees, and a smart TV — guests consistently single out that couch. The style is vintage-eclectic with mid-century accents and modern updates: "the decor is out of a magazine," "felt like we were staying at a friend's house." A full vinyl collection, SONOS throughout, a closet of board games and puzzles, and a genuinely good bookshelf (one guest wished her public library had it) mean a rainy day here is a feature, not a problem.



The kitchen. A full kitchen built for people who actually cook — gas range, dishwasher, stainless cookware (no scratched Teflon), and a mid-century dining table for six. In the warm months, dinner moves outside: the gas grill sits on the deck beside a bank of butterfly bushes, so while the burgers cook, monarchs and swallowtails drift in and out of the blooms at arm's length. Outdoor dining for six and a bistro table for two are right there when the food comes off the grill.



Sleeping. Three bedrooms, two full baths, sleeps 7 comfortably (up to 10 with extra sleeping arrangements below).



Bedroom 1 (upstairs): King, ensuite bath with a modern soaking tub, and a work-from-home nook looking out over the trees.

Bedroom 2 (main floor): Queen.

Bedroom 3 (main floor): Bunk — Twin over Full, with a Twin trundle.

Bedrooms 2 and 3 share a full bath with a roomy walk-in shower.



Outside. This is why people come back. The pond is freshwater, 17 feet deep, clean, and swimmable — paddle board included. Chaise lounges on the deck, hammocks by the pond and creek, a 6-seater premium hot tub with a lounge seat (guests' tip: early morning or after dark), a freestanding umbrella for reading, and acres for your dog(s) to explore. Marked private hiking trails follow the creek into the woods. Between the trees beside the pond is a large fire pit for s'mores and a nightcap — there's no light pollution here, and guests mention the stars in nearly every season.



Games (all on site): Cornhole · Giant Jenga · Ladder Game · Croquet · Paddleball · Frisbees · 5-basket disc golf course with discs · assorted kids' games.



Seasons. Summer is pond days, butterflies on the deck, and fire-pit nights. Fall is foliage from the deck and the hot tub. Winter is the wood stove, snow on the pond, and the hot tub in peaceful snowfall -- several of our best reviews are from February. The driveway does get plowed after snowfall: 4WD/AWD recommended after heavy snow, but usually no-one's had trouble.