Handcrafted Elegance Close to PHOENICIA | House in Shandaken

An amazing house in woods. The owners are wonderful. The house is so clean and comfortable.. I highly recommend staying in their wonderland!Thank you… Susan & Michael and family

Extremely gracious hosts made us feel most welcome in "sharing" their uniquely crafted and extraordinarily comfortable home, set in the middle of the wooded splendor of the Catskill Mountains, and surrounded by thoughtfully sculpted landscaping and gardens. A great find -- better than advertised!

A true oasis in the Catskills ! The house , the frogs, the chipmunks, the birds, basketball, the garden , the flowers , the deck, walking down the road and wading in the river!! My two daughters played in the cottage and explored the property for hours!! We absolutely loved our stay!!! Thank you Laura and Vinny!!! Your home is amazing !

Perfect for our needs. Wanted to visit a family member at camp. Perfect location. Home and property were very well maintained and had lots to do on the property.

We had a terrific time at Laura and Vinny’s oasis in the Catskills. The house left nothing to be desired, and the yard was amazing. Close to skiing, hiking, a few quaint towns and of course several local craft breweries. We look forward to returning for years to come.

Our family stayed in this home for Christmas. It was absolutely stunning. The house was exactly like the photos, and felt so warm and cozy. The bird feeders outside invite all different kinds of birds- so fun to watch throughout the day! The house was in a quiet and beautiful location, not far from numerous hiking trails. We felt so welcomed by the hosts! They were so kind and made our stay here unforgettable.

Everything was perfect

Our family stayed in this fantastic property for the 4th of July weekend. This is a very special place. The house itself is beautiful, like a fairy cottage in the woods, full of windows that connect the house to the outdoors. It is very comfortable and well-equipped. The kitchen and dining area are large and easy to navigate, with plenty of counter space. The living room is very large and well-furnished. The bedrooms are very comfortable, especially the beds, in which we slept very well. There are many unusual and thoughtful touches - one small example being the provision of napkins, which we usually have to buy in vacation rentals. What elevates this property from the excellent to the sublime is its surroundings. The house is visited by a profusion of birds. We were enthralled by the hummingbirds and the songbirds, which come all day to the feeders next to the windows. We have never had an experience quite like that one. The house is also surrounded by beautiful flowers and plants. The grounds are extensive and beautiful. Our daughter loved the small pond, in which she spotted frogs and salamanders. No other houses are visible, making this a truly secluded retreat. Nonetheless, the house is very well located, a few minutes off Route 28. Just 10 minutes in either direction on Route 28 takes you to excellent restaurants. Finally, the host is very communicative and welcoming. We felt sure that she wanted us to enjoy our stay and experience the magic of the house. She left gifts for us and responded immediately to inquiries. She went above and beyond what you would expect from a host making sure that our stay was meeting our expectations and offering to help. She was truly a model host. We highly recommend this house. Our family hopes to return often.

You can feel the love Laura and Vinny have invested in their home. As I sit on the veranda drinking my morning coffee I cannot find a moment of quiet. The rolling brook that comes down from the mountain, the gentle chirps of the many species of birds, the buzzing of hummingbirds, the chipmunks frolicking in grass, the love songs of the frogs, woody woodpecker doing his thing, and so on. It sounds like one of those nature CDs you would buy to meditate. You can read the other reviews to learn about your incredible hosts and how they make you feel welcome. There is a fire pit, basketball (½) court, hammock, garden, frog pond, wood burning oven, grill, Adirondack chairs, picnic tables, golf net, and much more. If you are looking for a very relaxing getaway, surrounded by nature in a rustic setting this would be a good choice. Right off Rt. 28 you are close to great hiking, fishing, NYS parks/trails, Phoenicia and not far from Woodstock. I highly recommend this property.

We (family; two grownups, three 8-year-olds) had a wonderful time at this beautifully hand-crafted gem of a place. The grounds were immaculately maintained and hosts couldn't have been more friendly. We didn't even need to leave the property to have a wonderful vacation; everything we were looking for in a Catskill Mountain getaway was there! There was hiking nearby and a basketball court, child's playhouse, pizza oven, grill, fireplace and plenty of room in the yard for outdoor games outside. Inside the house and beds were very comfortable for lounging and the house was equipped with all the technology and bandwidth we needed for the modern conveniences we're used to. The kitchen was well stocked and a very comfortable place in which to cook. The property was close enough to civilization for dining and shopping options, but remote enough that you couldn't hear the highway or your neighbors. Nature abounds all around the house, and we were visited by all sorts of birds and wildlife. We can't wait to go back!