Serene island retreat with a private dock on Candlewood lake

Candlewood Cottage is a lakeside retreat a mere 75 minute drive away from Manhattan. It's part of a private community on Candlewood isle, the largest isle in Candlewood lake, that features tennis courts, a basketball court, bocci area as well as a Clubhouse with the beach and a children's playground.

The Cottage is our home and we hope you feel welcome like you might at a friend's home. The sprawling property features a garage, main house, boathouse and a private dock. The crunching sound of the gravel as you pull into the driveway will be your signal: you've left the city noise behind.

The Main House is spread across four floors, each offering unparalleled views of the lake stretching for miles. The entire house is surrounded by magnificent tall oak trees that offer generous shade in the summertime.

There is a separate private studio on the lowest floor with a dedicated entrance, kitchenette and bathroom. This bright and lively area is perfectly sized for an adult couple. It features a glass-cover desk and a light blue sofa that quickly turns into a queen-sized bed. The bathroom is fully stocked with fluffy Turkish towels and organic toiletries. The remainder of the house is a one family unit with three bedrooms, two full bathrooms and one half bathroom.

When you first enter the house, you'll find yourself in the wood-paneled main dining room with a perch-like view of the Great Room below. The rustic heavy wood dining table can easily accommodate 6-8 people. Conveniently located right next door is a French country style kitchen featuring Sub-zero and Viking appliances. The kitchen extends into an adjoint breakfast nook with full views of the lake and surrounding hills. Nested between the kitchen and the dining room is a half-bathroom.

Walking down the beige carpeted staircase you find yourself in the Great Room, an impressive space with cathedral ceilings and panoramic windows overlooking the lake. For cold winter nights, there is a stone-built fireplace facing a dark wood table and a plush, L-shaped sofa. Curl up and watch your favorite show on the large-screen HD TV. Or you might sink into one of the two treated-leather armchairs, perfect for a hot chocolate and a book. The room's tall panoramic windows offer extensive views of the lakes and nearby islands, and plentiful sunshine all year round. On the same floor is the master bedroom with its own master bath.

Walk down another flight of stairs and you'll be greeted by ship-themed sleeping quarters. Two generously proportioned bedrooms and a full bathroom are on this floor, both fully stocked with Turkish cotton towels and organic toiletries. The children's bedroom features a single/twin size bunk bed, the other bedroom a single/twin size bed. Both have large windows looking out on the emerald green lake below. A white door discretely hides a laundry room fully equipped with a heavy duty washer and dryer.

The main house is surrounded by a terraced landscaped garden. The entrance connects with a patio complete with a dining table and a professional grade gas grill. The patio has a full view of the water and the dock.

Down at the water's edge you will walk onto a stone walkway that connects the Boathouse with your own private dock. The Boathouse keeps an enviable supply of water toys, inflatable donuts, floaties, beach towels etc.

There is a pontoon boat tied to one side of the dock - please ask us if you're interested in using it - and a stairway into the lake on the other for a refreshing summer morning swim.