Lake front cottage with "million dollar" view, close to Bethel Woods Reviews, Deals & Photos 2025

10/10 Excellent

Max C.

2 September 2021

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

week in paradise

My girlfriend, and I had the best week of our entire year at this house. The area is phenomenal, the house itself is cozy and comfortable, and the lake is beautiful. We caught a whole bunch of bass right off the dock, took the boat out and caught some pickerel. what great fishing :). there was a very good vegan pizza place nearby for those who need vegan food., The geary family is wonderful. Upon arrival, we were thrilled by the surprise of a wine bottle, its the little things that make the stay super special. Great music options on the speaker, played santana for 6 days straight. waking up to a sunny lake, taking the boat out, going for a swim, coming back to the house to cook a nice meal, only to go back out on the lack afterward. couldnt have asked for a more relaxing vacation . Thank you for letting us enjoy your piece of paradise.

Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2021

6/10 Okay

David

13 August 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, communication

Disliked: Amenities, property conditions & facilities

This is a very interesting and unique place and I’m glad we stayed here - it was perfect for seeing Phish 3 nights in a row at nearby Bethel Woods - but there are some major drawbacks renters should be aware of. One is that the parking situation is horrendous. The parking area is on a different road behind the cabin and is actually a pretty far walk over treacherous rocks, and the parking area is very small - there’s only room for 2 small cars or one big vehicle. Also, as others have said there’s no AC so the cabin gets very uncomfortable if it’s hot and humid. The cabin is also not well lit at night and the kitchen in particular is very dark so it’s hard to see what you’re doing if you have to cook. However, if you’re adventurous and able bodied and need a relaxing place to stay near Bethel Woofs then it’s worth it.

Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

6/10 Okay

Stacy Y.

18 July 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great on paper

The view of the lake from this property is beautiful, and it's a great escape from the city if you truly want to unplug and be surrounded by nature. When I say "unplug", I mean it. No AC, wifi, TV, etc., and the house is extremely old. That being said, it does have a charm about it once you adjust...nice books, games, music, totally immersed in nature, the Woodstock feel. We also wish we could have swam in the lake, but there's another one very close by with a nice beach. The Geary family was very easy to communicate with, there were no issues with check-in and the location for us was perfect as we were in town for a concert at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts. Overall it was a memorable and pleasant enough experience.

Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

natalie k.

31 August 2021

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Connecting with family

This cottage is absolutely wonderful! Made me remember many times at the lake of long ago! Was a wonderful time to just enjoy family and the lake.

Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

John K.

9 August 2021

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great time on Mountain Lake.

We spent a couple of days in this vintage but updated cottage in Bethel NY. The house has all the amenities of a new place but the cool history and character of a place built in 1934. Steps away from a beautiful lake, sitting on the dock on screened in porch was awesome. You can hike around the lake or just a couple min drive are numerous other hiking spots. Gas grill if you want to cook out as well. Really cool place that I highly recommend. Will stay again!

Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Tommy C.

3 August 2021

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Sticky Delectables

Wonderful time had by all

Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Rebecca R.

3 August 2021

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Sweet family getaway

We loved our time on the beautiful porch overlooking the lake. Nice, cozy living space. Comfy beds. Well-equipped kitchen. Great games and books. It was a lovely stay. Thank you!

Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2021

6/10 Okay

Emily K.

12 July 2021

Liked: Check-in, communication, location

Disliked: Listing accuracy

Pro’s and con’s

Great view of lake from porch with comfortable chairs for looking. Kitchen and bathroom nice and clean. Windows old and very difficult to open. Kayak extremely difficult to get out of basement. Needed a neighbor to help. Needed step stool to reach kitchen light. Back and front walkway entrances pose fall hazards.

Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

jessica g.

30 August 2020

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Magical part of the world

LOVED our time here. There's a frame on the wall here that says, "if you're lucky enough to be on the lake you're lucky enough" and that just about sums it up. It's a very idyllic spot in sleepy hamlet on a pristine lake. We all can't wait to come back!

Stayed 35 nights in Jul 2020

10/10 Excellent

Sandra P.

9 September 2019

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Still full of magic

I visited this house as a kid so my hopes were high that it would still live up to my wonderful memories after 35+ years. I'm so happy to say it did. We spent our days at Smallwood beach and out in the rowboat; we spent our nights on the porch and by the fire, teaching our 5 year-old to play Uno (one of many games in the house). This is a great place to disconnect (read: no wi-fi!) and reconnect. My daughter was excited to sleep in the front bedroom which is full of windows that look directly out at the ever-changing view of the lake. In addition to the binder full of house history and local recommendations, the bottle of wine and firelog were thoughtful additions to our stay. The Gearys were wonderful hosts It was a fantastic way to celebrate my birthday and I can't wait to visit again next season!

Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2019

10/10 Excellent

patrick b.

29 August 2019

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

great

jus wish you had more bedrooms because if you did everyone I told about it wanted to come . Very nice place. will love to do it again

Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2019

2/10 Terrible

Hilda H M.

23 August 2019

Disliked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Small lake, big peace

We very much enjoyed. staying at this lakeside home. Thanks to limits on power boats, sitting on the dock was quiet and the water calm. The first evening was cool so we made a fire in the real, efficient and beautiful fieldstone fireplace. The simplicity of the home, with no wifi or tv, allowed us to relax and listen to the many birds in the overhanging trees. Thank you, John and Karen.

Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2019

10/10 Excellent

Michael C.

16 August 2019

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing getaway

This HomeAway property will remain close to my heart. It was one of the most relaxing getaway weekends that I have ever spent. Before arrival, I had many questions about the area which John was happy to answer. When I arrived, everything was as it should be, and there was a bottle of wine waiting for us. This was a great touch. In addition, there was wood provided for the fireplace, including a fire starting log. The property has a beautiful view of the lake and we spent a lot of time out in the rowboat fishing. We caught a few different species of fish including largemouth bass. Our favorite area was the porch overlooking the lake and we spent quiet mornings and evenings sitting in front of the fireplace. Coming from someone who works in NYC, this was the perfect getaway from the hustle and bustle of every day life. I highly recommend checking out this cottage!

Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2019

10/10 Excellent

joy a., CONNECTICUT

30 July 2019

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Quaint cottage

This cottage is located directly across the street from a nice dock on a small little lake. The location is perfect and is closes to Bethel Woods Performing Arts Center. The lake is located in front of the cottage and the back is very woodsy. The owners were quick to respond to all my questions. Bedding and towels that were provided were very nice. If we are in the area again, we would definitely select this cottage to stay.

Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2019

10/10 Excellent

Anid L.

25 July 2019

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Weekend escape from NYC!

The home was lovely and lake views are spectacular. Everything we needed to relax for the weekend.

Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2019

10/10 Excellent

Chasidy H.

25 June 2019

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful!

We were in the Catskills to see two concerts at the Bethel Woods Performing Arts Center and really lucked out by finding this property. It’s only four miles from the venue, has gorgeous views and the owner was very easy to deal with. We will be back!

Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2019

10/10 Excellent

Tatyana D.

28 May 2019

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great time at lakefront cottage Margaritaville!!!

The house by the lake was clean and comfortable, had everything we needed. We enjoyed the fishing from perfect size rowboat. Thank you very much. We had a great time.

Stayed 2 nights in May 2019

10/10 Excellent

Lydia K.

20 September 2018

Wonderful time at lakefront cottage

We have spent a wonderful three days at the Geary's cottage. My husband had the best time fishing from the rowboat, and my sister and I just enjoyed the walks around the lake and the luxury of real leisure time. Thank you John and Karen! Lydia

Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2018

10/10 Excellent

Nathan H.

30 August 2018

Highly recommend this little slice of tranquil paradise!

We absolutely loved our long weekend staying at the charming cottage, Margaritaville! We found the house to be perfect for our needs, and well equipped. Beds were comfortable and the porch bedroom was perfect for afternoon naps in the sunshine with the view of the lake. A lot of fun was had on and by the lake, fishing, swimming and floating and using the rowboat, a perfect size for 2 adults and 2 kids. Highly recommend this little slice of tranquil paradise!

Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2018

10/10 Excellent

Denise B., north of New York City

23 August 2018

Perfect get away.

Great location for Bethel Woods shows. Charming cottage with everything you could need. We had a lovely time!

Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2018

10/10 Excellent

Pamela M.

9 August 2018

Great weekend

Lovely cottage . . . beautiful location. John was very responsive when I had questions. I would definitely return.

Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2018

10/10 Excellent

David Z.

1 August 2018

Quiet, scenic, brings back memories of slower times

If you want to get away from it all, this is a great home to do it in Unbelievable lake view! Great music collection.

Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2018

8/10 Good

chris j.

28 July 2018

nice !!

cozy, clean, well kept, would go back if in that area of this beautiful part of the State. could use small A/C unit... was hot but he has fans...

Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2018

10/10 Excellent

Laura G.

5 July 2018

Adorable, quintessential Smallwood house

Loved this cottage for our family of four! Kitchen and bathroom are updated, yet the house retains all of its historical charm. The dock and rowboat were a great addition and made crossing the lake to our family's house fun and easy. We were there during a record heat wave so didn't spend much time on the porch (hottest room in the house). We would love to return in the fall so we could really enjoy it! Thanks John and Karen for being such accommodating hosts!

Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2018

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Nina G.

30 September 2017

Charming perfect and personality

i don’t know what to say other than this place was absolutely charming and adorable! we had THE best time. hanging out on the covered and closed in porch that looks over the lake felt like heaven. we really felt like we lucked out. john keeps it as welcoming as possible. you can tell it’s a place people go to make memories. i could not get over how cute everything was at the cottage. what is also great is that although you feel like you’re in the mountains, you have a nice bathroom and kitchen so no need to really rough it. the little dock by the lake was awesome too! just sitting on it and watching the sunset. all the beds were comfortable, parking in the back was easy. grill was great. i could not say enough wonderful stuff about this little escape. john is also very helpful with any information or questions you might have to help your stay! LOVED! I knew i would miss it the second I left, and a few months later, I still do miss it! Hope to go back!

Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2017

Lake front cottage with "million dollar" view, close to Bethel Woods

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