Private Island Retreat on Grenadier Island – 5 Bedrooms, Dock, Pet-Friendly
Escape the crowds at this well-maintained, air-conditioned 4-bedroom lakefront cottage with a separate A/C stone guest cottage (5th bedroom, no bath), a barn with a second floor unfinished game room (ping pong, foosball, weights), and a dock for up to four boats. Located at the foot of bridge-free Grenadier Island in the Thousand Islands, this pet-friendly retreat offers sweeping views of Lake Ontario, Basin Harbor, and passing freighters.
The home sits on 700 private preserve acres on a 1,200-acre island—with 15+ miles of maintained trails for hiking, biking, and ATV riding, plus abundant wildlife and wildflowers. The house itself occupies seven acres of lawn with a stone fire pit on the shore. You are renting far more than a house—this is a private nature adventure.
Inside, the home blends old-stone charm with modern comfort: a master suite with balcony and marble bath, a queen bedroom, a twin room with lounge/pull-out sofa, and a 4-bed bunk room with loft. The guest stone cottage holds a full bed. Two additional marble bathrooms, four smart TVs, and a fully equipped kitchen (KitchenAid, waffle iron, warming drawer, ice-cream maker, new Thermador range) provide all conveniences.
Enjoy hiking, swimming (private beach at the island’s head + flat-stone shoreline by the house), boating, birding, fishing, tubing, water skiing, and more. Included are a canoe, two kayaks, and a paddleboard. A restored 19th-century schoolhouse with original desks delights kids and adults alike.
Fall is perfect for apple picking (many trees on property), hiking, bonfires at the new fire pit, or relaxing by the two fireplaces.
If you venture off-island, Cape Vincent is a 15-minute boat ride, and Kingston, Ontario is ~40 minutes by boat (longer via ferry). Tennis, golf, shopping, museums, restaurants, and bars are all easily accessible once ashore.
Boat access is required (5–10 minutes). Take your own boat(boat ramp at marina) or boat rental may be available from owner, with proven experience, or arrangement can be made for transport by caretaker; caretaker can assist with transport and will greet you at the marina on arrival. Optional rentals: • 2 ATVs – $875/week each (+ deposit) • 4-seat Polaris + trailer – $975/week (+ deposit) • 22’ Grady–White w/ 250 HP – $1,500/week (+ deposit)
Rates: • Base rate includes 10 guests (children/babies included). Additional guests $100/person up to 14 max. • Dogs: $75/week each, max 2 (exceptions possible). • Minimum stays: 7 nights July–August; 3 nights most of June & September.
New for 2025: Starlink high-speed internet, upgraded sound system, and WiFi extended to the guest cottage.
Keywords: Thousand Islands lake house, private island home, preserved land, internet, satellite TV, pet-friendly.
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$75 per dog fee
$100 per person over 10; maximum 14
Important information
You need to know
Property # 181366vb
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit
About the area
Cape Vincent
Located in Cape Vincent, this holiday home is near theme parks and on the beach. Tibbets Point Lighthouse and Sackets Harbor Battlefield State Park are local landmarks, and travellers looking to shop may want to visit Kingston Centre and King's Crossing Outlet. Travelling with kids? Consider Marine Museum of the Great Lakes and Kingston Family Funworld. Jet skiing and kayaking offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with hiking/biking trails and cycling nearby.
Watertown, NY (ART-Watertown Intl.) - 37 min drive
Restaurants
Channel Marker 243
Cape Vincent Brewing Company - 14 min drive
Snug Harbor Bar Restaurant and Marina
Cup Of Joy
The Coal Docks Restaurant And Bar
Frequently asked questions
Is Private Island Retreat on Grenadier Island – 5 Bedrooms, Dock, Pet-Friendly pet-friendly?
Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 2 total).
How much does it cost to stay at Private Island Retreat on Grenadier Island – 5 Bedrooms, Dock, Pet-Friendly?
As of 10 May 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Private Island Retreat on Grenadier Island – 5 Bedrooms, Dock, Pet-Friendly on 15 May 2026 start from AU$918, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.
How much is parking at Private Island Retreat on Grenadier Island – 5 Bedrooms, Dock, Pet-Friendly?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at Private Island Retreat on Grenadier Island – 5 Bedrooms, Dock, Pet-Friendly?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Private Island Retreat on Grenadier Island – 5 Bedrooms, Dock, Pet-Friendly?
Checkout is at 10:00 AM.
Where is Private Island Retreat on Grenadier Island – 5 Bedrooms, Dock, Pet-Friendly located?
This Cape Vincent holiday home is on the beach, 0.1 mi (0.1 km) from Lake Ontario, and within 12 mi (20 km) of Burnham Point State Park and Long Point State Park - Thousand Islands. Big Sandy Bay Management Area and Cedar Point State Park are also within 16 miles (25 km).
Reviews
10
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
A great place to spend a week and disconnect from the everyday life. Great property with lots or as little to do as you want. Very nice people to deal with for booking and our stay. It has become our home away from home.
Michael G.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 16 Aug 2022
Mike Thanks for the kind words. We look forward to having you back next year. Glad the fishing was good.
We absolutely loved our week here and we certainly hope to come back again in the near future! What a place to escape and relax and enjoy nature! There's so much for everyone to do and so much to explore. The property was beautiful and the lake water was so clean. We enjoyed lots of fishing and beautiful sunsets and relaxing on the porch.... can't wait to go back!
joanne v.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 9 Sept 2021
Joanne and Dave Really glad your experience was great and looking forward to your return Thanks for the comments John
This was our 4th year back to island and as always it was a great week. Lots to do exploring the trails on atv’s, fishing, swimming or going to the beach across the island all while enjoying the awesome scenery all around you. Then at night watching the beautiful sunsets every night with drinks in hand. It doesn’t get better than this.
Michael G.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 23 July 2024
Thank you Mike and always great to have you back. Best, John
Archival
10/10 Excellent
15 Apr 2011
Fishing
We had a great time fishing…My gang would pack up and head back in an instant if we gave the word!
Another great vacation on the books at Grenadier Island! The house is very comfortable, even for my crew of 10 people! Lots of places to hang out, cook and eat together too! The views from all of the porches are fantastic. Loved the addition of the A/C throughout the house! There is so much to do on the island that we hardly ever left the place! John (the owner) is very accommodating and responds to requests immediately. This is our favorite place to vacation in Cape Vincent. We will definitely be back next year!!!
Once again my family and I had a fantastic time on the island! The house is super-comfortable with plenty of places to hang out. The views from the deck are spectacular. The island has lots of nooks and crannies to explore, including a white sand beach. The house and garage are stocked with everything you would need (including extra beach chairs - a nice touch), and the recent addition of a commercial icemaker makes island life a lot easier. The owner is great to deal with and George the caretaker makes sure you are always well taken care of. This is our favorite vacation spot by far. Love this place!
Kristi S.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2020
Response from VrboOwner on 1 Aug 2020
Thanks Kristi Hope to see you back again next year
Our family travels quite a bit, but this island now occupies a special place in our hearts! John (our host) and George (the property caretaker) both went above and beyond to make us feel welcome and make sure we had everything we needed. The house is both elegant and comfortable, and we felt at home immediately. We woke up to jaw-dropping views in the mornings, then went on day-long adventures all around the island. No one day was the same, and we kept finding new surprises and delights. We built a fire by the lake every evening to watch the stunning sunsets, and then we'd retire to the cozy library to collapse in the comfy chairs and enjoy our books or a movie. We left yesterday and I miss the island already!
Celia B.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 13 Oct 2021
Celia So glad you and your family had a great time. The pictures you sent during your stay were fantastic and it was clear you were exploring much of what the island has to offer. It helped that apple picking was in prime season. I hope you come back! There is still more to discover John
Archival
10/10 Excellent
Patrick M.
5 Aug 2017
Awesome Adventure!
I stayed at Grenadier Island with my family as well as my brother's family. In total, 4 kids, 4 adults and 2 dogs. We had a blast! The views were spectacular, the atmosphere was truly breathtaking. The house was very nice, plenty of bed space and room to operate, and service upon arrival was excellent. We rented the boat as well as a couple ATV's which were a big hit as we explored the Island on a daily/nightly basis and the kids loved it. The fire pit was fun, the beach was nice and found the entire week very relaxing as a family. If you are into Boating, Fishing, ATV's, Sunsets, Sunrises, etc you will LOVE this spot!
We will definitely be back! Thanks to John (owner) for everything.
Patrick M.
Response from VrboOwner on 30 Mar 2020
Thanks Pat! You, your brother and families(and 2 dogs) were great guests, and I enjoyed speaking with you both before and after your trip.. Glad you enjoyed it and were able to take advantage of almost everything the island has to offer, so I guess you have to come back to keep trying! I still am. Best, John
My family had an amazing time on Grenadier Island. If you are looking for a place to escape and enjoy nature (with all the modern conveniences) then this is the place for you. There is plenty to explore on the island and the natural beauty of the place is unparalleled. Wild life is plentiful - we saw deer, foxes, mink, cranes, herons, geese, snakes, frogs, osprey, eagles, and numerous other types of birds. The house is incredibly comfortable and has everything you need during your stay. Our family only left the island once during our stay for provisions. The owner John and his caretaker George are incredibly helpful and made sure we had everything that we needed. You can tell that this isn't a normal vacation rental -- it is a family home that clearly John and his family cherish. We will definitely be back next year.
Joshua C.
Stayed 14 nights in Aug 2019
Response from VrboOwner on 30 Mar 2020
Thanks so much for your thoughtful, descriptive and kind review. Given you rented for a full two weeks, your comments mean a lot. The island is a special place where you can entertain yourself with so many different things, or just relax, but only leaving the island once is impressive! I look forward to your return and letting you know of the improvements we have made, which we do every year based on suggestions. John
We stayed over the week of July 4th. 3 couples with adult kids. If you like the water, water sports, relaxing, nature and unbelievable scenery....this is an amazing place. The island is a short boat ride away and offers up a fantastic view in all directions. We took advantage of the kayaks, canoes, firepit by the lake, cornhole on the sprawling lawn, tubing, fishing, sunsets, ping pong, hikes, drinks on the deck, cruising on the lake and generally having a great time. John, the owner, is fantastic...great communication & information, responsive, etc...Although we spent most of our time outside, the house was spacious, the rooms comfortable and generally speaking, it had more amenities than we expected. The caretaker George is also super knowledgeable, thorough and accomodating. We'll be back!
Paul L.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 23 July 2024
Hey Paul, thanks for the kind words. It was great having your family and friends and I hope you do come back. I also appreciate the time you took to give me some suggestions after your visit which I will definitely implement. Best, John
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Kristi S.
1 Aug 2018
Paradise and Privacy!
What an amazing place! My family of 7 adults and 2 kids had a blast. The house is super comfortable and very spacious. There's plenty of space for everyone to hang-out. The views from the house and all around the island are breathtaking - from the sunrise to the spectacular sunsets..... ship watching, wildlife and the acres and acres of wilderness.... this place is a photographer's dream. We rented the UTV to explore the island (highly recommend this if you have more than 4 people) and made several trips to the white sand beach on the back of the island. This place looks like the Caribbean and is basically like having your own private beach. There is so much to do on the island; swimming, hiking, bird-watching, hanging out on the beach, fishing or just spending time on the huge porches enjoying the sunsets. John (the owner) and George the caretaker were great to deal with and very helpful in making sure all of our needs were met. We will definitely be renting here again.... true Paradise in Cape Vincent!
Kristi S.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2018
Response from VrboOwner on 30 Mar 2020
Kristi Thanks so much for your kind words. We are very much looking forward to your return! Next year we will have additional improvements, like central AC throughout the house and other items that we will announce soon John
Archival
10/10 Excellent
Anitamarie B.
2 July 2014
What a Find!!!!!!!!
We have stayed at many vacation rentals and this rental is the best!! Our family has nicknamed this rental "Surf and Turf" because there is just as much fun to be had on land as there is on the water. We had three generations with us and had so much fun together ...BOATING...ATVS ....BONFIRES.....FISHING....BEACH DAYS...LOOKING FOR FOSSILS ON THE COAST...BIRD WATCHING.....AND JUST RELAXING . The home is VERY PRIVATE, beautiful and had every ammenity we could ask for. We are all cooks and enjoyed making family meals in the well stocked kitchen. The porches provided hours of entertainment having coffee or cocktails while birdwatching or watching the sunset. We had teenagers and preschoolers and everyone was outside and entertained. The owner (John) is great! He had Bill (the caretaker) meet us upon arrival at Martin's Marina and follow him to the rental to show us around and answer any questions we had. We would like to thank John for sharing this gem of a property with our family. We can't wait to return next year :-)
Anitamarie B.
Response from VrboOwner on 30 Mar 2020
Thanks Pete Glad you took advantage of some of the many things the Island has to offer. Hope to see you again next year best, john
My family of 6 (kids ages - 15, 13, 7 & 7) and our 2 labs had the most wonderful time at John's place. We spent all of our time outdoors - jumping from the boat, to the paddle boards, to the ATV's/Polaris. The scenery was gorgeous and having the island to explore everyday was so much fun. Long walks, catching frogs, turtles, and fish and than water front fire pits nightly made for an amazing get away from it all! Thank you John! And thank you to George for all your assistance!
Amanda L.
Response from VrboOwner on 29 June 2020
Thanks for the kind words. I know we had a couple minor issues: eg, the propane ran out for the stove(a very rare event), but you were very patient as George came right out to the island and took care of it. Come back! Best, John
Archival
10/10 Excellent
Jim P.
13 June 2017
Amazing island retreat!
This was our first time using VRBO and visiting 1000 islands. John, the owner, and his caretakers, George and RJ, were trustworthy, honest and extremely accommodating! They were very easy to get ahold of and responded to emails, calls and texts very quickly...
They made us feel very comfortable through the entire process and everything was perfect, just as the ad stated.
The house was very clean and everything worked perfectly. The island was amazing for exploring and/or hunting and the house location is perfectly situated! We saw sunrises and sunsets from both the patio and living room! You can't ask for a better location! Wish I could post pics because they were amazing. I'll send them to John so he can post in the ad if he chooses because it was breathtaking.
We didn't see a single person as we explored the island, so if you love solitude, this place is perfect for you.
We took full advantage of the amenities that the house and property had to offer and it made our vacation even better than we expected.
I highly recommend this property and owner, and I doubt you'll find better service, cleanliness, accommodations and especially location!
We will be back again...
John thanks for everything!
Jim and Sherry
Jim P.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2017
Response from VrboOwner on 30 Mar 2020
Thanks Jim and Sherry; great having your crew out on Grenadier. You accomplished a lot, from boating, riding the Polaris, and catching some big fish. Yes, please send some of the pics, as I need to do justice to the island. Hope to see you back soon John
Archival
10/10 Excellent
13 Aug 2013
Never bored
Hi John,
I can't even begin to describe how much we enjoyed your house and the island. It was perfect for us in so many ways. The boat and ATVs were such a huge hit and enabled us to enjoy the island on many different levels. My sister's children, ages 4 and 6, were free to enjoy the surroundings without the fear of cars or other hazards. My boys, ages 11 to 23, had an absolute blast. Not once did we hear the typical, "we're bored" routine from any of the kids! The adults truly appreciated the opportunity to unplug. It is such a special place, I think we all agreed we'd like to return same time next year.
Again, just an incredible place. Thanks for making it available to us, as well as your attention to detail. It has been clear to me that you want your guests to enjoy their stay on the island. We typically rent vacation homes twice a year and I must say that this experience, both the rental itself and your ability to make your home feel so welcoming to guests, exceeded all of our collective expectations and experiences. By the way, I loved reading the newspaper article in the downstairs bathroom about your 6 hour event on the ice, as well as your son's detail of the fall journey to the island in 8ft swells! Sounds like a lot of memories have been made on Grenadier.
Take care,
Meg
Archival
10/10 Excellent
James N.
30 July 2013
Thanks
Thanks for everything. In short, it way exceeded our expectations. Well worth it. One of the best family trips we have every had.
thanks again.
James N.
Archival
10/10 Excellent
cheri c.
22 Aug 2012
This home an unbelievable slice of paradise!
Our family arrived never expecting such a wonderful place to stay for the week. There is sleeping capacity for many more than 8 -- the bedrooms are large & comfortable. The owner is extremely reasonable and fair! We had internet, TV, unlimited use of nearly any appliance you could imagine, a fully useable kitchen and information galore. The owner truly feels that whoever stays there should feel comfortable. We brought our own boat and Jet Ski which I would recommend if not renting one. One day we took our 30' boat to Kingston Canada -- just a one hour ride across the channel. We also rented the owner's ATVs to explore the 1000 acres of untouched property.
The home is far away from any neighbors so it assures the renter of quiet privacy. This place is a "re-do" annually for us going forward! It is a short 2.5 hr drive from Rochester. The VRBO description by the owner is understated..... Our entire family recommends this home without any reservation whatsoever! Truly, by far, one of the nicest vacations we have taken as a large family ever -- and THE nicest rental we have ever made thru VRBO.
cheri c.
Response from VrboOwner on 30 Mar 2020
Thanks Cheri. Of course it really helps to have great renters. Island life is not for everyone, but am really glad you enjoyed the island and its history. Thanks also for fixing our purple martin bird house: I had been meaning to do that, and hopefully they take residence next Spring! john
Archival
10/10 Excellent
Wyatt U.
18 Mar 2011
Great Weekend
We had a wonderful time last week in a fabulous home. So nice and peaceful up there. I could spend all day just sitting on the deck. The sunsets - wow! and going back memorial day weekend!
Wyatt U.
Archival
10/10 Excellent
18 Mar 2011
CT
I really enjoyed your place and would recommend it to others without reservation (was there for two weeks)
Archival
10/10 Excellent
13 Mar 2010
We had an awesome time. ...
We had an awesome time. Honestly, the best family vacation we've ever had. Thank you so much for everything. We are definitely considering going back.
On Sat, Jul 25, 2009
KP
About the host
Hosted by John Uhlein
My wife and I have four children (ages 32-38), and 6 grandchildren, and currently just one yellow lab We all love the thrill of a new adventure, and this island really helps bring the whole family together. We all become kids again. My kids brought their kids out when they were just a few weeks old.
Why they chose this property
My family is originally from the area, and the Island has been in the family for over seventy years . My four kids and their families still love the island; so much that they have cross country skied across the lake to get out there in the dead of winter. There is so much that you can do out there, you will never have enough time to fit it all in... I am still trying.
What makes this property unique
I have just taken up mountain biking on the island, so if you don't want to rent the ATVs, bring your bikes....or just walk/hike. There is a LOT of history to the island which you can read about in The Bedford Journal(written in late 1800s) left in the house, or in the newly restored School House, mid island. Many renters tell me they stayed up late at night reading about life on the island in the 1800s. Half of our rentals are repeat renters.