Come & enjoy our private retreat! Everyone who visits agrees that this spot is idyllic & incredibly unique. Right at the water's edge at the big bend in Cayuga Lake just north of Ithaca, The Point is located on 1.5 level acres, with no cliffs/hillsides & an incredibly rare 650+ feet of lake frontage. The 3 BR/1.5 Bath, 1700 sq ft, fully-insulated, 4-season cottage faces 270-degree lake views, plus a private cove at the back of the house. It feels a bit like being on an island, right in the center of Cayuga Lake! The house is itself is an older (1970's) build, but has been furnished for comfort. What makes this property really special is the unparalleled location, spacious grounds, shoreline, and views! The east shore location means fantastic sunset views, while the south facing point means you also get sunrises! The best of both worlds!
We NEVER rent on cr****list, so if you see this property advertised there, that listing is a scam.
No pet fees for visiting dogs. However, it is required that all dogs *must be disclosed* when booking, & guests must adhere to the pet rules & max dog #s. No other pets permitted; particularly no cats due to family allergies. Dog visit requirements: Maximum of 2 dogs total including day visitors, <75 pounds each, must be up to date on all vaccines & reputable flea prevention, dogs are not allowed on the beds/furniture, dogs must be crated if left alone in the house (or else must accompany owners when going out), all poop must be disposed of appropriately.
AMENITIES:
With the increasing use of artificial intelligence by online booking sites, we are unable to control the occasionally inaccurate identification of property amenities by the website AI in searches. If there is a particular amenity that you are specifically seeking as important to your stay, please make sure to confirm that we have written it here in the description text or have provided a photo, or else message us to confirm *before booking*. Property decor and furnishings are subject to change without notice if required.
INTERIOR:
* Window AC units in each bedroom June-Oct
* Well-equipped cook's kitchen with gas stove and dual electric oven; 12-cup drip coffee maker with reusable filter
* ROKU TV for streaming (no cable service at the cottage), DVD player w/family-friendly DVD library
* Fantastic collection of family-friendly card & board games & puzzles
* Desks for remote working and reliable internet/WiFi with internet speeds sufficient for streaming or remote meetings (Download Speed: 113Mbps, Upload Speed: 11 Mbps)
* Professional interior cleaning between each rental with fresh, clean bed sheets & bath towels
* Washer/dryer; note that washer use by guests may occasionally be restricted/prohibited in the event of septic limitations during periods when lake levels are unexpectedly high. This act of nature is uncommon but out of host control & washer access is not guaranteed
* Eco bonus: All electricity supplied to the property is 100% solar generated, purchased from a nearby solar farm!
* Please note that interior fireplaces visible in photos are capped & *not operational.* Interior fires are not permitted.
EXTERIOR:
* Outdoor dining on the deck with an ambiance better than any local restaurant!
* Panoramic, gorgeous, sunset views
* Lakeshore firepit for small bonfires
* Huge, level lawn
* Kids will enjoy the playground structures at Myers Park, an easy 10 minute walk away
* Gas grill provided as a convenience only and made available to guests to use at their own discretion. Please feel free to fire it up and clean it to your standards before cooking, and do your best to burn off/clean the grates for the next guest when done
* Hot tub (PLEASE NOTE: the hot tub volume is small; it is optimal for 2 adults at a time, occupancy is limited by the need to avoid water overflow). Operates year-round
* Watercraft: 2 adult 12’ sit-in recreational kayaks, 2 kid sit-on-top kayaks (kids <100lbs), one 10' SUP, one 2-person Grumman canoe. Outdoor furniture & watercraft are seasonally stored & not available during cooler months (dates are weather-dependent/not guaranteed; usually late-Oct to mid-May).
* Boaters: The property has 2 docks. The FRONT dock on Cayuga Lake is a great place to relax or fish, but heavy/multi-directional wave action at the very tip of the point *does not permit boat mooring*. The BACK dock provides access to the calm cove behind the house that connects to Cayuga Lake via the next-door marina & receives almost no wave action. Jet skis & small boats with shallow drafts may be moored here, but navigation from the marina through a narrow & shallow opening under a short bridge is required, which limits the freeboard height of boats that may pass through - as a result, *not all boats can access the cove and back dock*. Please message us for more information. Alternatively, the next-door marina (Lansing Harbor) is a very short walk and usually has available temporary slip rental (also a gas dock), which offers a very convenient storage alternative if renting or bringing a boat. The marina is not affiliated with our property, so inquire directly with them for costs. Alternatively, trailered boats may be launched & re-trailered & parked in the Point gravel parking area when not in use.
To arrive at the Point, pass through the neighboring marina to reach our private oasis. The marina is close enough to be convenient but doesn't intrude on the property privacy. A flat gravel drive leads the parking area & house right at lake level.
There are 3 bedrooms (BR1=1 king , BR2=1 queen+1 twin, BR3=1 queen) & 2 bathrooms (1 full bath w/shower+tub combo & & 1 half-bath). As an older home, the bathrooms are small & modest, consistent with its era, but are clean & functional. All three BRs overlook the private cove to the north of the house, great for wildlife viewing throughout the year. During the summer months, window A/C units are provided in each bedroom, & fans are provided throughout the rest of the house to move cool lake breezes through the many windows. Please do note that while the house is well-maintained & well-appointed to make your stay fun & comfortable, this is a quirky older home, in a more rural location.
The perfect mix of nature & convenience, the Point is the perfect spot - far enough from everything to be relaxing, but an easy 10-15 minute drive to Ithaca, & close to a wide range of area attractions. You really won’t find anyplace else like it. Rise early & take in the stillness at sunrise. Enjoy the lake breezes & the sound of the waves against the rocky lakeshore. Hunt for fossils & lucky stones in the lakeshore shale. Spot the enormous carp amongst the water lilies in the cove behind the house. Explore the area parks, waterfalls, & wineries. Quietly observe a stealthy great blue heron stalking along the water's edge, & marvel at a passing bald eagle or an osprey abruptly plunging out of the sky. Laugh with loved ones & unwind around a bonfire. Let the sound of the water against the rocks & the conversations of the frogs in the back cove lull you to sleep at night. Originally purchased by the family in the 1930s as a waterfowl-hunting property, this property attracts local wildlife. We see a huge variety of waterfowl, as well as kingfishers, flickers, orioles, woodpeckers, various songbirds, osprey, bald eagles, hawks, owls, turkeys, blue & green herons, turtles, squirrels, chipmunks, rabbits, voles, beavers, muskrats, a fisher, minks, raccoons, opossums, woodchucks, foxes, & deer who visit at various times.
Come and make some incomparable memories!
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CHECK-IN: Check in after 4:00 pm; check out by 10:00 AM. We genuinely empathize with the challenges of travel logistics & wish that we could accommodate alternatives, but the scheduled times that we must guarantee our cleaners do not permit early arrivals or late departures.
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OCCUPANCY: Property use is limited to the maximum occupancy of 7 registered guests. Others are not permitted on the premises without the written approval of the property owners. We will consider authorizing small numbers of occasional/temporary day visitors but we cannot accommodate consistent extras or larger numbers of people at this time. No camping; tents & RVs are not permitted. Please message us to discuss if having day visitors are part of your travel plans. Any approved visitors must abide by all house rules, including speed limits.
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WILDLIFE, INSECTS & SPIDERS: Critters are a natural part of lake life & a healthy ecosystem. We do our best to keep them out of the house, but because we are so close to the water, use of chemical sprays are ethically & legally limited due to environmental impacts. To reduce the numbers that sneak inside, do not leave food out, keep doors/screens closed & turn off attracting lights in empty rooms (especially at night).
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SECURITY: Three exterior security cameras that record motion/sound are present & focused on the parking area & property entrances. Guest privacy is important to us; no camera covers private areas.
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CANCELLATION POLICY: Refund in full for any cancellation requested within 48 hours of website reservation (check in date >2 weeks away) or within 24 hours of reservation (check in date 2 weeks or less away)
* Please note that our cancellation policies are date-specific, with less flexibility during events or the busy summer months. To ensure you see the policy for your dates of travel, enure the dates are correctly entered. If you have concerns about the potential for weather, illness, or other unplanned travel impacts, we strongly recommend travel insurance!
COMMENCEMENT BOOKINGS - 3 night minimum. Full refunds in the event of ceremony cancellation.
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Please note that as a navigable waterway, the waters of Cayuga Lake may be enjoyed by boaters, hunters and people fishing; any on-water proximity is out of Host's control.
