Entire home

Retreat-Like Setting

Lakefront holiday home with kitchen and balcony

Photo gallery for Retreat-Like Setting

Deck off of Kitchen for bbq, sun bathing or simply enjoying surrounding nature
Main Bedroom - queen bed. Bathroom ensuite.
Bathroom ensuite with main bedroom
bathroom ensuite
Small bedroom.  Double bed

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
2 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 6107.0 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Dryer
  • Parking available
  • Washer
  • Barbecue grill
  • Kitchen

Explore the area

View map
  • Place, Taughannock Falls State Park
  • Place, Ithaca College
  • Place, Cornell University
  • Airport, Ithaca, NY (ITH-Tompkins Regional)

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Double Bed

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Bathtub · Toilet · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Bathroom 2

Soap · Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Balcony
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Retreat-Like Setting

On a private 2.3 acre creekside parcel of land, conveniently located near the village of Trumansburg and 11 miles from downtown Ithaca, this one-of-a-kind rental has a master bedroom with queen bed and a full bathroom. The second room sleeps two with a double bed and a 3/4 bathroom located directly across from the room. Sleeper sofa can accommodate up to two additional people. The fully equipped kitchen was designed for those who love to cook and entertain. With beautiful granite counter tops, gas stove, stainless steel appliances and a dining counter with stools for breakfast or snacks. The dining area is furnished with a table and chairs situated so that you can view the creek and nature as you eat. There is a piano for your playing pleasure -- bring your sheet music! The living area is furnished with a leather sleeper sofa and chair, stone coffee and end tables, smart television with internet connection for easy access to Netflix and other streaming television viewing. There are authentic oriental carpts, local original artwork, and 35 feet of windows looking over the Taughannock Creek to cook, eat and relax in front of.

The house is air conditioned with Mitsubishi wall units.

Outside, the house is surrounded by 14 acres of wooded land with the Taughannock Creek running past the house providing year-round beauty and the sound of running water. Two chairs and a small bistro table sit on the balcony off of the living area and a new deck with table, barbecue and two lounge chairs for outdoor enjoyment.

No Smoking in the house or on the balcony.

No pets allowed, however you will enjoy viewing the local wildlife.

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
Outdoor space

Have a question?

AI iconBeta

Get instant answers with AI powered search of property information and reviews.

Similar properties

House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 24
Check out before 11:00 AM
default

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
default

Events

No events allowed
We welcome small gatherings.
default

Pets

No pets allowed
default

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
If you smoke outside discard all butts
Leave your shoes at the door - slippers provided or bring your own
Separate recycling from Garbage and place them in correct containers by the parking area. Garbage must be in a closed garbage bag.
Please do not move furniture in the house. We are careful to protect our beautiful hardwood floors and want to avoid it getting damaged.

Important information

You need to know

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
Note from host: We welcome small gatherings.
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 first aid kit and a deadlock

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Trumansburg

Located in Trumansburg, this holiday home is on the waterfront. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Cayuga Lake and Buttermilk Falls State Park. Looking to enjoy an event or a game while in town? See what's going on at Newman Arena, or consider a night out at Dutch Harvest Farm. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Trumansburg, NY

What's nearby

  • Ithaca Falls Natural Area - 21 min drive - 21.2 km
  • Ithaca Commons - 22 min drive - 23.3 km
  • Buttermilk Falls State Park - 25 min drive - 24.3 km
  • Ithaca College - 26 min drive - 24.0 km
  • Cornell University - 27 min drive - 23.3 km

Getting around

  • Ithaca, NY (ITH-Tompkins Regional) - 31 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Trimmers Ice Cream - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Inn At Taughannock - ‬13 min drive
  • ‪Gimme! Coffee Roastery - ‬12 min drive
  • ‪Mama Said Cafe - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪Ice Cream Bar - ‬6 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Retreat-Like Setting pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Retreat-Like Setting?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Retreat-Like Setting?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Retreat-Like Setting located?

Situated on the waterfront, this holiday home is 2.3 mi (3.7 km) from Taughannock Falls State Park and within 6 miles (10 km) of Cayuga Lake and Hillendale Golf Course. Americana Vineyards and Cayuga Nature Center are also within 9 miles (15 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Amenities

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

10/10

Eco-friendliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy
Rating 10 - Excellent. 158 out of 163 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 5 out of 163 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 163 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 163 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 163 reviews

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Matthew M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful property.
Stayed 9 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Carol C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
I now see why The Bee House is a solid 10 in every review. The house is exactly as advertised. Communication was perfect! Property is impeccable. Every last detail from the yoga mat, puzzles, musical instruments, lovely hand made pottery dishes and very well appointed kitchen were so appreciated.Thank to the hosts! I look forward to another relaxing visit soon.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

camille w.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Bee House

We love the location and the house. This was our third visit.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Richard G., Tucson, Arizona

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Stay in Trumansburg

Great place. Be sure to visit Taughannock Falls nearby when visiting.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Enid

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
Very Peaceful setting. A homey comfort feel. I would definitely recommend this property.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Richard E.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Hand-made pottery

Location was great to local parks and waterfalls, Etc. Hand-made dishes was a lovely touch. We enjoyed our stay!
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Heather R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great stay

The house was wonderful! Very quiet and peaceful. Great location for lots of day trips! The pottery made by Shirley in the house was awesome!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

ellen p.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Vacation

Beautifull
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely place in a private setting

We enjoyed our stay at the Bee House. Comfortable bed, beautiful views and fast internet! Would recommend a bigger TV and better couch setup so more than one person can enjoy. Otherwise, it exceeded our expectations.
Stayed 14 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Ken S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Just lovely

A lovely, peaceful week of cooking, sledding and bird watching!
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Alicia J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely private home

Our second stay at the Bee House was just as lovely as the first. Our two kids absolutely loved running around the yard, spotting deer, and catching fireflies. The layout is great, really maximizing the space, and the hosts are super responsive. We had a great week away!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Roberta Y.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful house and great host

Reuniting with old friends at the Bee House was the perfect setting for relaxation and conversation. The house is comfortable, and the setting is beautiful. Everything we needed to make meals and sleep well was provided. Shirley is a great host and even showed us her pottery studio. We enjoyed her artistry and all of the thoughtfully chosen artwork on display in the house.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Heather L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Fantastic house and property

Our family loved the house! The wall of windows offered lovely views, and Shirley’s amazing artwork throughout the house was a wonderful touch. Every detail has been thoughtfully taken care of. Shirley was a pleasure to work with, and all of the directions and recommendations were super helpful. It was great to be so near a variety of state parks, wineries, and more. We would totally recommend this property.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Lynne H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Peaceful

What a wonderful house we happened upon. Everything we needed was provided and more, and the handmade touches made it feel all the more special. We especially loved the views from the large windows and sitting on the balconies and riverside chairs as the weather allowed. Everything was comfortable and bright. Add in easy communication with our hosts, and this house is hard to beat. If we’re ever in the area again, we’d love to stay right here. Thank you!
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kimberly T.

Private, Peaceful, Perfect

The pictures of this property tell the story. It is clean, quiet, private, and all in a serene setting. Out the window the lawn slopes down to the river. Step outside at night and see the stars. The kitchen is beautifully equipped with Shirley's ceramics as well as top of the line pots and pans. Not all rentals have good quality cooking utensils. You will not be disappointed should you decide to stay at this property. The one thing I would add to this home is lamps in the living area for reading at night.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2018
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Jeny H.

Bee- utiful Bee House

We loved, loved LOVED the Bee House. The Bee House exceeded our expections in every way. Situated in an elevated position overlooking the creek, it has the most amazing views of woodland, water and a charming little bridge. The location is tranquil and secluded, whilst in easy reach of Trumansburg, a charming little town, with all amenities. The Bee House is furnished to a high standard, with beautiful wooden floors and everything you could possibly need, inluding toiletries and kitchen spices! The only possible improvement I could suggest, is that the single bed in the second bedroom could be replaced by a double bed or another single added, instead of the futon. Shirley couldn't have been more helpful. She went out of her way to enable my husband to see one of the World Cup rugby matches and nothing seemed too much trouble. I wholeheartedly recommend the Bee House and have no hesitation in rating it five star.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2015

10/10 Excellent

Sharon G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We had a wonderful time staying here. Our kids (ages 4 and 6.5) loved having a big yard, woods, and creek to explore, and we loved the peace and quiet and connection with nature. The location was perfect for us - rural, but 7 minutes drive to Trumansburg, 20 minutes to the center of Ithaca, and 20-30 minutes to all the hiking and swimming (and some wineries) we could want!
Stayed 11 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This was a wonderful house in a perfectly quiet but not too remote location. It was impeccably clean and stocked with beautiful pottery dishes that the owner made. Loved morning coffee on balcony! Beds were comfortable, linens were nice and plentiful. There is quality, well maintained furniture as well as wonderful kitchen. We enjoyed neighboring parks and easy access to Ithaca. We would absolutely do this again!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Alison B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Close to Father in Law, great getaway

My husband's dad lives in Trumansburg, he is 90 and has some confusion. It was too much for him to have three houseguests so my husband stayed at his dad's house and my daughter and I stayed at the Bee House, a six minute drive, very convenient. We stay up later and sleep in so we were able to have our daily rhythm without worry of disrupting my father in law. The house is clean, beautiful and comfortable. Owner is responsive and helpful. Highly recommend.
The river
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Edward S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Quiet Tranquility

Excellent spot and such a beautiful quiet place. So close to cider mills and wineries as well as the center of Ithaca for restaurants and attractions. New favorite spot for a quiet weekend away.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Craig U.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great stay for Cornell graduation

This property was a tranquil, beautiful oasis away from the hustle and bustle of Cornell graduation weekend. It was super clean and very comfortable. It was great to enjoy some quiet time with family in this serene setting.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Rob S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful country setting

With the hustle and bustle of graduation weekend in Ithaca, this was a perfect location for a little R & R away from it all. With the windows open, it was wonderful waking to the sound of water. The host makes and stocks the house with lovely ceramics. Cute little town took care of our few needs while there. We would definitely stay again.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kristen B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Peaceful oasis

We normally visit the area in the fall and stay at a place on the lake. This time we decided to try spring and couldn't stay where we normally do. The Bee House was so comfortable and peaceful. You feel like you are in a secluded area yet you are about 20 minutes from Ithaca and not much further to Watkins Glen. This is a great place to stay to visit the west side of Cayuga Lake and the east side of Seneca Lake. Hiking, waterfalls, gorgeous gorges (!), and wineries, cideries, and breweries all nearby. We loved how all the many windows let in the natural light, which makes you feel like you are in a treehouse overlooking the creek. We enjoyed coffee on the balcony in the morning and wine in the Adirondack chairs by the creek watching the sunset. Great little kitchen, too, with beautiful pottery made by the owner. Would definitely stay here again!
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Sheri G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful and Peaceful!

We had a fantastic stay in this Trumansburg house. We cannot speak highly enough of this beautiful house and grounds. It was such a joy, every morning, to look out at the woodland and bubbling river. Very peaceful. Well appointed. Even though it was cold and rainy for one of our days, it was still such a pleasure. We cannot wait to return.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer E.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Anniversary getaway

We had a wonderful time! House was just what we wanted. Loved that we were could go out for some day trip activities and come back and relax. Very cozy, and welcoming home. We played some of the games and just relaxed. Lots of restaurants near by.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2024

About the host

Hosted by Shirley Brown and Rich Goldman

Host profile image
We live in the house next door and purchased The Bee House in the Spring of 2013 to fully renovate, it with a completely new floor plan that brings nature into the house.

We love supporting people in having great lives and consider this wonderful home a way for us to contribute to people living in a nurturing home away from home.

Why they chose this property

Every person who has walked into this house has wanted to move in. That includes our friends and family members who have their own homes. It is filled with love and care from every angle of every room. This is a place to come to relax, slow down from a busy life or enjoy the quiet after a busy day. It is a perfect writer's retreat. It is a home that is good for the soul.

What makes this property unique

The 35' windows gives a view which permeates the entire house takes your breath away and leaves you feeling peaceful and surrounded by the best that the Finger Lakes has to offer. We also have a wonderful fire pit with 6 chairs so that you can enjoy the outdoors around the fire.

Languages:

English, Italian

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests