Welcome to Halcyon Cottage, our updated lakefront cabin that provides the unbeatable combination of lake + wine country living! The word “halcyon” (HAL-see-on) denotes a period of time that is idyllically happy, peaceful & carefree. We hope that your visit here is a halcyon time for you!
The proximity to the water here just can’t be beat, as the house abuts right up to the edge of the lake shore itself. A waterfront deck that just invites lakeside lounging is shaded by a beautiful established poplar tree. You’ll be drawn out here all day long in the warm months, whether it’s to watch the lake come to life in the morning, to bask in lake breezes & the sound of the waves while picking out forms in the clouds, to marvel at the colors of sunset reflecting in the water, or to contemplate the stars and vastness of the universe. In the cold season, cozy up in front of the gas fireplace and enjoy the sounds of the water!
If your desired travel dates are already reserved on Halcyon's calendar, if you need another cottage for extended groups, or if you are looking for a cottage with a boat hoist, you may want to take a look at our other cottage (Pura Vida Cottage, VRBO#809940), located right next door! Pura Vida is well established and its enthusiastic reviews & many repeat guests should give you a good idea of how we manage both of our homes - you can book either property with confidence!
PETS: No pet fees for visiting dogs! However, it is required that all dogs including day visitors *must be disclosed* when booking, and guests must adhere to the pet rules & maximum dog numbers. No other pets permitted; we are particularly not able to allow 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 & especially flea/tick treatment 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 away*, 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 confirm that we have written it here in the description text or provided a photo, or else inquire with us to confirm before booking.
INTERIOR:
* Air conditioning
* Gas fireplace
* Standard major appliances (refrigerator, microwave, induction stove/electric oven, dishwasher) & dishes/tableware/cookware
* A variety of coffee-making methods available including drip, steeping, French press, & Moka pot - no paper filters needed just bring your favorite grind!
* 2 Smart TVs set up for streaming, 1 Blu-ray player. Access your accounts via the TVs' built-in Roku or bring your own access. No cable service.
* Desk for those working remotely & WiFi with speeds sufficient for virtual meetings (Download Speed: 100Mbps, Upload Speed: 8 Mbps)
* Professional interior cleaning between each rental with fresh, clean sheets & a set of bath towels for every guest
EXTERIOR:
* Beautiful sunset views, outdoor seating and dining
* Lakeshore firepit for small bonfires
* Great fishing from the dock (don't forget your gear!)
* Only 10 short steps down the sea wall to a small shale beach area
* Weber propane barbecue for grilling
* Two kid-sized 6’ sit-on-top kayaks + paddles (kids <130 pounds)
* Two adult-sized 12’ sit-in recreational kayaks + paddles
* Two 10’ stand-up paddle-boards + paddles
* Life jackets
* U-shaped dock. Please note that the dock is old & weathered but is sturdy for humans & still very functional! It can accommodate temporary mooring during the day & while boats are observed. However Cayuga Lake can be unpredictably wavy & the dock is not engineered or configured to safely support watercraft overnight in wavy conditions. All boats/PWC must be stored overnight on their trailer or returned to the rental company. *One* watercraft trailer may be parked at the property provided the traffic is not restricted along our narrow 1-lane road. Please be aware that space to turn around is *very* limited. Alternatively, prior guests bringing boat trailers have had very positive experiences with storing trailers+boats the nearby Don's Marina or Long Point State Park launch facilities. *Please confirm with us about boat use in advance of your arrival if you are thinking of having motorized watercraft at the cottage.*
Additional description: Drive right up to the water’s edge & climb only 4 steps to enter the 4-season house. The very recently updated interior is small in square footage (1200 sq. ft), but cozy, comfortable, & well-appointed. The beautiful small-space chef’s kitchen is efficient & well-stocked with cooking equipment. A new induction range provides lots of heat & fine temperature control while also minimizing our eco-footprint (a similar experience to cooking on gas cooktops). An open floor plan offers lake views from most of the common areas. On the first floor are 2 bedrooms (1 Queen/2 Twins) & a full bathroom with a shower. The staircase leads to a second floor with a half bathroom (sink & toilet), a 3rd bedroom (1 Queen) & an open loft TV area. The beds have the very same ultra-comfortable memory foam mattresses beloved by guests at our other cottage. This is a limited square footage home so the 1.5 bathrooms are small, but also clean, efficient, & boast heated floors & lighted mirrors! Recently updated decor features a retro cabin aesthetic with modern conveniences and styling. Eco bonus: Heat & AC is provided by an efficient heat-pump system & all electricity supplied to the property is 100% solar generated, purchased from a nearby solar farm! Aside from the fireplace, the house is run by the sun!
Step out of the house right onto the deck for incredible water views & sounds of the waves against the sea wall. A small shale beach area allows easy launching of kayaks/SUPs as well as a right-by-the-water firepit, perfect to relax lakeside & contemplate the universe. Located in a friendly lakeside neighborhood a very short distance down a quiet, dead-end, single-lane private road with a 5-mph speed limit, the house is very peaceful & safe with quick & convenient access (no long drive to get back to the main road). The flat gravel road is pleasant for a morning or evening walk. Property outdoor conveniences like the watercraft & some outdoor furniture are seasonally stored & *not available* during colder months (usually late Oct to mid-May; exact dates are weather-dependent & not guaranteed). Please note that the house does not have a washer/dryer. This property is clean, updated, comfortable & ready to promote your relaxation & enjoyment. Welcome to Halcyon Cottage!
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FUN FACT: the word “halcyon” is derived from Greek mythology of a period in winter when storms never occur. Alcyone (a princess turned into a kingfisher) was storied to nest floating on the sea around the time of the winter solstice & believed to have the power to calm the winds & waves while incubating her chicks.
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NOTE: We do not ever rent outside of professional booking websites that verify our ownership. If you see this property advertised on c*****list or elsewhere, those are scams.
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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 strictly limited to the max occupancy of 6 registered guests. Others are not permitted on the premises without the written approval of the property owners (only disclosed guests who are part of the reservation). We will consider authorizing small numbers of occasional/temporary day visitors (guests of registered guests) but are not able to accommodate consistent extras or large numbers because of off-grid septic system logistics, general space limitations, parking & other neighborhood impacts. Please message us to discuss if this is part of your travel plans. Any day visitors must abide by all house rules, including speed limits & parking restrictions.
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INSECTS/SPIDERS: Bugs are a natural part of lake life & a healthy ecosystem. We do our very best to keep them out of the house, but because we are so close to an important water source, use of chemical sprays must ethically & legally be limited due to environmental impacts. To reduce the numbers that sneak inside, make sure to keep doors & screens closed, especially at night & make sure to seal/put away food.
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SECURITY: Three exterior cameras are present (doorbell; parking area; exterior basement storage door (not accessible to guests)) that record motion & sound. 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 & vary seasonally, with less flexibility in the very busy summer months & during holidays/event weekends. If you have concerns about the potential for weather, illness, or other unplanned events impacting your travel, we do strongly recommend looking into travel insurance!
CORNELL/IC GRADUATIONS & CORNELL REUNION EVENT BOOKINGS - The cottage is an easy drive for Ithaca events & a great place to relax away from the chaos & traffic! 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 legally be enjoyed by boaters, hunters and fishermen; any on-water proximity is out of our control.
