Entire home

Birch Creek Retreat ~ 8br, 8ba, New Hot Tub + Sauna

Photo gallery for Birch Creek Retreat ~ 8br, 8ba, New Hot Tub + Sauna

Exterior
Exterior
New Hot Tub!
Brand new outdoor barrel sauna! Seats 4-5ppl
Private kitchen

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
8 bedrooms7+ bathroomsSleeps 20557.4 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Dryer
  • Pet-friendly
  • Fireplace
  • Washer
  • Parking available

Explore the area

Map
Pine Hill, NY
  • Belleayre Mountain Ski Center
    ‪16 min walk‬
  • Belleayre Beach at Pine Hill Lake
    ‪5 min drive‬
  • Belleayre Mountain Ski Center
    ‪6 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

8 bedrooms (sleeps 20)

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 1

1 Double Bed

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed and 1 Double Bed

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed and 1 Double Bed

7 bathrooms, 1 half bathroom

Bathroom 1

Bathroom 2

Bathroom 3

Bathroom 4

Bathroom 5

Bathroom 6

Bathroom 7

Bathroom 8

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Birch Creek Retreat ~ 8br, 8ba, New Hot Tub + Sauna

Historical, spacious place for families to bunker up in a natural setting.

Stay at this private, sprawling & historic country home just 5 mins from Belleayre Ski Resort! This is a generously spacious home situated on 23 acres of woodlands. There is a barn and a rare keystone bridge on the property with a meandering stream that runs throughout. Perfect place to host memorable family reunions, friends gatherings & all season getaways! :) Please inquire for use of the barn.

This is a historical home with tons of original features. Dr Henry Morton (first President of Stevens Institute) and his descendants called this estate home for over 4 generations. The Mortons were benefactors to the local area, including the Pine Hill Library. Since acquiring the house, I have done my best to maintain the integrity of the home while continuing to embrace some modern touches for comfort.

License #2024-STR-AO-027P

The house has 8 comfy bedrooms and most have their own personal bathrooms! Two working fireplaces and large eat-in kitchen with a commercial Garland range and a covered, outdoor hot tub. Come get toasty by the firepit or soak in the hot tub after a long day or skiing, hiking, boating, swimming, antiquing and exploring!

Firewood and Propane for BBQ will be on site gratis and plentiful for your stay!

During your stay, you will have access to entire main house and wraparound deck, along with surrounding grounds and parking. Please inquire for use of the barn in advance.

I have a local property manager who is readily available for any potential needs that may arise. I will always be respectful of your privacy and space. I will also be available by phone for any requests, needs or questions that you may have! There is a guide in the house with suggestions to eat, drink, see & do.

The house is set up to comfortably accommodate 16 adults maximum. Any add'l guests visiting the home beyond booking agreement must be requested in advance.

Loud music must be turned down outside past 10pm with respect to the local neighbors and surrounding forest.

I love dogs! So, well-behaved dogs are welcome. 2 dogs max. The add'l fee will be $25 per dog, per night booked.

This house was built in late 1890's and is reflective of that style of home. If you are expecting a modern, fine-lined and updated property, this may not be most ideal fit for your needs. The house is in a rural setting. Please anticipate rusticity and old fashioned character. The home is thoroughly cleaned and cared for between guests though not void of imperfections. There are general updates which I am constantly working on with my maintenance team in between guest stays. If you notice something specifically broken upon arrival or in need of repair, please message me about this upon/during your arrival so that I may address appropriately.

The home is located in the woods on a secluded property; potential for wildlife sighting is quite possible!

In inclement weather, 4WD or AWD is recommended.

There's one exterior camera that oversees the parking area ONLY.

This a very large, older home so temps can vary throughout. During colder weather, small areas of the of home stay warmer (bedrooms, kitchen) than larger open areas (formal dining room), so sweaters and comfy slippers may be needed for some folks. There are supplemental heating sources for your comfort: fireplaces, floor heaters, wall heaters and throws.

Check-out is 11am SHARP and Check-in is between 4pm - 10pm. Please understand that the house requires the entire time in between to clean & prepare for the next set of guests. If you would like to arrange an early check-in or late check-out please let me know beforehand so I can try and make arrangements ahead of time, if possible.

There is so much to do in this part of the Catskills in every season! Pine Hill is a Hamlet in Shandaken in the heart of the Catskills, approx 2.5hr drive from midtown NYC. We are 5 mins away from Belleayre Ski Resort and about 30 mins from Hunter, Plattekill & Windham. Belleayre Beach at Pine Hill Lake is a 3 min drive with swimming, kayaking, stand up paddle boarding and more. There are endless hiking trails in the area.

Getting around by car is recommended.

No car? Trailways of NY Bus Line drops you off to nearby Fleishmanns, a 5 min drive from house (.08 miles). The bus takes 3 hrs & 15 min to and from Port Authority.

Property manager

Mella
Premier Host

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Hot tub
Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
Please inquire for permission for special events!
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Pets

Pets allowed
2 dogs max. $25 per night booked, per dog.
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
No Children in Hot tub. Do not remove floating filter from hot tub. Doing so will incur a $250 fee! Un-amplified, low key music outdoors off by 10pm.
Please ensure all garbage is collected before check-out and placed in the dumpster on the property. Any garbage bag left will be charged $25 p/bag.
Any add'l guests visiting beyond the booking reservation must be requested for permission in advance. 8 vehicles is the max vehicles on the property.

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: Please inquire for permission for special events!
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, a first aid kit and a deadlock
Property Registration Number 2022-STR-AO-027P, 2024-STR-AO-027P

We should mention

A car is recommended for transport to and from this property

About the area

Highmount

Located in Highmount, this holiday home is in a rural area. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Catskill Mountains and Catskill State Park, while Empire State Railway Museum and Zadock Pratt Museum are cultural highlights. Travelling with kids? Consider Pine Hill Community Center and Delaware & Ulster Railroad. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Pine Hill, NY

What's nearby

  • Belleayre Mountain Ski Center - 16 min walk - 1.4 km
  • Pine Hill Community Center - 17 min walk - 1.4 km
  • Catskill Mountains - 5 min drive - 6.8 km
  • Belleayre Beach at Pine Hill Lake - 5 min drive - 2.6 km
  • Belleayre Mountain Ski Center - 6 min drive - 3.7 km

Restaurants

  • ‪Oakley's Place - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Peekamoose Restaurant & Tap Room - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪The Village East - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪La Cabana Mexican Restaurant - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Goatie Whites - ‬4 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Birch Creek Retreat ~ 8br, 8ba, New Hot Tub + Sauna pet-friendly?

Yes, pets are allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Birch Creek Retreat ~ 8br, 8ba, New Hot Tub + Sauna?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Birch Creek Retreat ~ 8br, 8ba, New Hot Tub + Sauna?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Birch Creek Retreat ~ 8br, 8ba, New Hot Tub + Sauna located?

This family-friendly Highmount holiday home is located in a rural location, within 1 mi (2 km) of Catskill State Park, Pine Hill Community Center and Belleayre Mountain Ski Center. Belleayre Mountain Ski Center and Belleayre Beach at Pine Hill Lake are also within 3 miles (5 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
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Rating 10 - Excellent. 85 out of 93 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 8 out of 93 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 93 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 93 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 93 reviews

9.8/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Allison P.

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

Great stay for a big group

We just got back from a great stay with a few other families and their kids and had the best time. This is our second time staying here and it’s exactly as we remembered which was great, but it’s even better now with the new sauna - which was AMAZING! I would recommend this home to anyone and cannot wait to book it again next year!
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Casey W.

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

Great family place

We enjoyed our stay and had plenty of room for our whole family. Close to Belleayre and 30 mins from Hunter.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

tanya h.

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

Annual Holiday Family Ski Trip

This large home comfortably accommodated 16 guests ages 21 to 87. Ample bedrooms and bathrooms for a group this large are hard to find but this home has plenty. The large and well stocked kitchen was a great gathering space after a day on the slopes with plenty of space for chefs and sous-chefs to work while the rest watched while enjoying apres-ski activities. The dining room was great for evening board games and led easily to the living room for evening movies. We look forward to returning.
Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Ricardo C.

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

Family Weekend

My cousins and siblings had a great time from start to finish. The house was very comfortable with multiple places to relax. We had a large group and never felt short for space. All bedrooms were well furnished. The amazing kitchen was perfect for making our large family dinners. The area around the house offered beautiful scenery and nice options for when we wanted to go out. Highly recommend this property and host (Mella)
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Mitchell L.

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

Wonderful weekend stay

We held a reunion weekend for a close group of friends. We loved the fact that there were plenty of bedrooms (without bunk beds) and plenty of bathrooms to accommodate us.My friends enjoyed the hot tub and barrel sauna. We had a great time cooking and hanging out in the kitchen chatting til the wee hours. Mella was a fantastic host, easy to communicate with and very responsive. Everyone had a great time. I wouldn't be surprised if we tried to do another reunion gathering next year at this place!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

deborah l.

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

Wedding Stay

Our family stayed for five days surrounding my daughter’s wedding in the area. The kitchen is absolutely fabulous and each room has its own personality and convenient bathroom. The surroundings were gorgeous and relaxing on the porch helped us to wind down from all the wedding stress. The owner quickly responded to all our questions and we felt very spoiled! I highly recommend Birch Creek Retreat. 😀
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Yessenia C.

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

Beautiful time in the Catskills

We had an amazing time Labor Day weekend! The weather was great. We went to Caterskills waterfalls which was amazing. A must see and the nearby beach was also very nice. The house was very clean & well kept with all the amenities. Made it a great stay!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

8/10 Good

Greg W.

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

Family reunion

Half way point between extended family members. Just the right amount of bedrooms, bathrooms, and social areas for our group.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kara N.

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

Extended family gathering

We stayed at Mella’s property for our extended family gathering. It was wonderfully private and relaxing. We loved being able to all fit at one table for meals, but we also ate on the back deck and spent time around the campfire. The children spent a lot of time in the stream and the older ones enjoyed the hot tub. The house is much more spacious than the pictures can show. This was great for napping children to be away from the noise in the main part of the house, or for grandparents who went to bed early. We also particularly appreciated how most bedrooms have a private bathroom! There are also multiple sitting areas to relax and visit. We took a walk down the road (barely any traffic) and had a pleasant chat with a friendly neighbor. We like the homey character of this lovely old house and hope to come back for our next gathering.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Casey S.

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

Magical stay!

We had a wonderful trip to Pine Hill, and Mella's house was the icing on the cake! The house is very large and offers plenty of space for all of us. There are six bedrooms on the second floor and two on the third. The first-floor living room, dining room, lounge, and kitchen are large and wonderful for a group gathering. However, the real highlight of the house is the outside area - the sauna and hot tub are wonderful, and the deck is very large and provides plenty of space for us to sunbathe on a warm day or to eat dinner outside. Mella communicated effectively, and the house guide provided all the information you need to live in the house responsibly. I would highly recommend staying at this property for a large group!
Stayed 4 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Patricia K.

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

Family weekend

Great house and property for family get together. Plenty of space and activities nearby.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Sharon M., Seaside Park, NJ

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

The Great Winter Getaway

This was a return winter visit for our family. We love this property with its walking trails and other outside amenities. Plus the house is large enough for our family of ten to not get in each others hair. The kitchen is great and well stocked with glasses, dishes, pots and pans as we cook dinner as a family every night. We explored some towns this time and enjoyed the area. And of course, I need to include, that gem of a ski mountain, Belleayre. just down the street.. Other than wanting more snow it was a great winter getaway!
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kelly M., Medford Lakes, NJ

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

The most charming home

Once again our stay at this property was amazing! It’s a perfect home for large groups. Almost every bedroom has a private bathroom. Mella is available for any questions.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Deborah O.

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

New Years Family Trip

The house is the perfect size for a large family gathering! Communication was responsive and helpful. My family had a wonderful time bringing in the new year!! Would stay here again!
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Leigh P.

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

Great house for a large group

Just had our second Christmas at this house with a large family group. There’s so much space for big groups, with lots of different places to hang out and a dining table that can easily fit 15+. We also love that everyone gets their own bathroom and plenty of bedroom space. The kitchen is well-stocked and great for cooking large meals and spending time together. The house is old, with some of the things that come along with that (eg some rooms are cold, which the owner notes in the listing), but overall I’d recommend it for a big gathering!
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Josh R.

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

Perfect for a large group getwway

Mella’s house is the perfect space for a big group to escape to nature. Amazing property, large house, lots of bathrooms, and tons of amenities. Plus Mella is great with communication. Highly recommend!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Belinda D.

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

Annual Family Getaway

The house is a beautiful old homestead snuggled back in the trees with a babbling brook running through the back of the property. The house is old but full of history and character. We loved that every room kept it’s antique charm. There was a bathroom in every bedroom. They had AC units and heaters in each room for your climate preferences. The kitchen was huge and allowed ample space for the adults to gather while the children played in one of the great rooms. We all loved being able to sit on the porch and drink coffee, listen to the rain falling, and watch the kids playing in the creek. We felt like we were in our own little world. There was a quaint little town about 15 minutes away for our grocery needs and many trails to hike nearby, suitable for those who were pregnant, carrying babies, tiny tots, and young adults. The area is just gorgeous. The host was very quick to respond to any questions I had and really seemed vested in our stay being comfortable and enjoyable.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Philip B.

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

Great property for a get together

This was a great property for a large get together with kids. The house was very big, with good common areas and a giant deck. Everything went smoothly.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Nancy C.

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

Backyard Wedding

We just got home from 4 wonderful days in this charming historic home. We had a perfect long weekend for 3 families to come together and share a private backyard wedding. The layout of the home allowed for each family to have plenty of private quiet space including a 3rd floor two bedroom suite for one family, another two bedroom suite on a one side of the second floor for another family and a larger 4 bedroom area with its own living room and fireplace for the third family. There was also a second floor laundry. We did not spend much time upstairs however, because this house also has multiple wonderful places for gathering together on the first floor. The dining room table sat all 13 of us comfortably, the first floor living room had a giant sectional couch and big screen tv and the kitchen was big enough for all of us to gather and enjoy cooking on the 6 burner professional stove with built in griddle. We also spent much of our time enjoying the spacious back porch with a hot tub and walking the grounds to enjoy the lovely streams that flow through the property. We will have wonderful memories of our family wedding at your lovely home. I imagine this house holds many wonderful memories for your past guests will create new memories for your future guests.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Allison L.

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

Tranquil Getaway

Huge, fascinating old house with a great kitchen and spectacular grounds. Bedrooms are large and spread apart which makes it great for sharing across friend and extended family groups. Excellent TV and WiFi, but honestly the outdoors were the highlight. The brook that runs through the property lends a truly magical feeling of peace and tranquility. We spent most of our time on the huge deck and had an epic fire pit experience.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kristen K.

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

Historic Pine Hill Retreat

We had a great time in this home that is filled with lots of character and history. We loved that the bedrooms have their own bathrooms and how big the dining room is! And the deck is great as well. Hearing the sound of the creek in the backyard is so lovely. Also, the kitchen is so well stocked, it has everything you need to make big meals for all!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Susan H.

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

Multi family vacation in the Catskill Mountains

Our large family had a wonderful time at this historic home. Unique things we enjoyed: lush, beautiful private grounds with rushing streams/rocks creating a peaceful vibe, festive outdoor lighting, ample outdoor seating, fire pit, bedrooms with their own bathroom, huge gas stove/griddle/double oven, kitchen stocked with basics, large kitchen island, big dining room table/extra chairs, laundry room, supplied linens, towels, toilet paper, complimentary firewood/propane/streaming services, hot tub and easy parking. Tap water was fine, no bottled water needed. Accurate description of historic house with all the period charm/rustic elements including uneven floors and dim lighting in some areas. If you want modern, clean lines, this may not be the right fit. Our family embraced this charm and appreciated the time/money it must require to maintain such a property. Improvements? some drawers/cabinets in the kitchen did not open/close easily/hang well; 3rd floor bathtub spout was broken/jagged, peeling paint in some bathrooms, some bedroom furnature were hard to open/close and had loose hardware, outdoor railings were loose in spots. Most concerning, the wooden deck had soft areas and gave way under the weight of a foot in two places (we reported this to Mella - she replied that a handyman would be called asap). Mella is very quick to respond to any questions/concerns you may have. We recommend this wonderful home for those that appreciate its comfortable vibe and history!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

8/10 Good

john l.

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

Country retreat

The property is pretty much as described. Great place to relax if you want to sit on a huge deck over looking a forest.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jen L.

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

A great house!!

My husband and I had a tiny micro wedding here and it could not have been more perfect. The outside is gorgeous and though the house itself is a little creaky, there was lots of space for everyone to feel comfortable, and it was so cozy. A lovely home.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

ANoop T.

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

Best Weekend Gateway

This place has everything you need for a gateway, very spacious, perfect size kitchen, rooms are cozy and large and the location is perfect. will definitely recommend and will return for sure, thank you for making my bday trip memorable.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2023

About the host

Hosted by Mella

Host profile image
Hi! I split my time between Catskills and Brooklyn. I love good eats, good wine, traveling, yoga, cooking, hiking, design and gardening. I am a Wine & Spirits Sales Consultant. I love using VRBO to book my trips and to host others!

Languages:

English

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests