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 & features no cliffs/hillsides, & an incredibly rare 650 feet of Cayuga 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 that adds to the feeling of 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, and 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 location of the south facing point with the lake angle means you also get sunrises! The best of both worlds!
Please note that 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 & maximum dog numbers. No other pets permitted; we are particularly not able to allow cats due to homeowner 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 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.
INTERIOR AMENITIES:
* Window AC units in each bedroom June-Oct
* Well-equipped cook's kitchen: Gas stove, dual electric oven, refrigerator, microwave, dishwasher, toaster, 12-cup drip coffee maker with re-usable filter (paper filters not needed), French press, Moka pot, blender, hand-mixer, waffle-maker, standard pots/pans, dishes/tableware
* ROKU TV for streaming (no cable service at the cottage), DVD player w/kid-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 may be uncommonly but unpredictably limited due to septic limitations during periods when lake levels are high
* 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*
OUTDOOR AMENITIES:
* Outdoor dining on the deck with an ambiance better than any local restaurant!
* Panoramic, gorgeous, sunset views
* Lakeshore firepits for small bonfires
* Weber propane barbecue
* Huge, level lawn provides plenty of room for the kids to burn off energy; they will also enjoy the playground structures at Myers Park, an easy 10 minute walk away
* 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. Floaties & life jackets. Outdoor furniture & watercraft are seasonally stored & not available during cooler months (dates are weather-dependent/not guaranteed; usually late-Oct to mid-May).
* Extensive lake access via stepped stone block shoreline revetment and a wave-protected gradual shale beach in the kayak launch area for easy entry/exit
* Boaters: The property has 2 docks. Heavy/multi-directional wave action around the FRONT dock on Cayuga Lake *does not permit mooring*. This dock is near end of life/due for replacement but provides views & a place to fish (replacement is planned but wait lists in our area for this work are several years long; because of unpredictable storm damage potential, front dock availability is *not guaranteed* but there is plenty of other lake access from our shoreline). 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 often has available temporary slip rental (also a gas dock), which offers a very convenient storage alternative if renting or bringing a boat; they are 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.
Additional property description: 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. The open floor plan kitchen/dining area provides panoramic views. The living room area includes a comfortable leather sectional & TV.
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 an 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 swimming lazily amongst the water lilies in the cove behind the house. Explore the area parks, waterfalls, & wineries. 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. 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. 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 at this one-of-a-kind spot! We hope that you enjoy The Point!
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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 (only disclosed guests who are part of the reservation). 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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INSECTS/SPIDERS: Bugs 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 and legally limited due to environmental impacts. To reduce the numbers that sneak inside, make sure to keep doors and screens closed, especially at night, turn off attracting lights in empty rooms, & do not leave food out, etc.
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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 and vary seasonally, with less flexibility in the very busy summer months. To ensure you see the correct policy for your dates of travel, make sure the dates are correctly represented in your search. 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.