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Year-round Cayuga Lakefront with easy access to house and lake

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Upstairs living/dining room with lake view
Upstairs living/dining room with lake view
Upstairs kitchen
Upstairs kitchen
Upstairs queen bedroom with lake view

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 10

Popular amenities

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

Explore the area

Map
Ovid, NY
  • Sheldrake Point Winery
    ‪2 min walk‬
  • Cayuga Lake
    ‪3 min walk‬
  • Thirsty Owl Wine Company
    ‪6 min drive‬
  • Ithaca, NY (ITH-Tompkins Regional)
    ‪42 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 10)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

2 Single Beds

Bedroom 3

1 Queen Bed

Convertible bed(s)

1 Double Futon

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Bathroom 2

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Spaces

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

About this property

Year-round Cayuga Lakefront with easy access to house and lake

Windgarth House has offered year-round hospitality in the heart of the Finger Lakes for 17 years. We rent this beautiful lake house by the week from Sunday to Sunday during the summer (late June until Labor Day) or for shorter stays the rest of the year (2 night minimum).

The house is on a quiet, well-maintained road, with easy access to the house: only four steps and you are inside! Lake access is equally easy. Just go down the internal staircase in the home, walk out the back door across a beautiful lawn with mature shade trees and the lake is right there. There are no cliff or staircases to navigate, as is common in other locations on Cayuga Lake. Or walk around the side of the house on a gently sloping lawn on one side, or just eight steps on the other side. There are no stairs and no road between the house and lake, as is common elsewhere on Cayuga Lake. The house is located on a cove near Sheldrake Point. The water is shallow at the shore and gradually becomes deeper along the dock, to about four feet at the end of the dock. It is ideal for wading and swimming for children of all ages and adults. We provide a canoe and kayak, life jackets and other water toys for our guests' use.
The house has free Wifi. There is central air conditioning and an additional Mitsubishi air conditioning unit in the downstairs living room/kitchen. In the fall, spring and winter, the house is heated with a forced air furnace and the heat/AC unit in the downstairs living area. A gas fireplace adds additional warmth in the downstairs kitchen/living room.

The house consists of two floors. Upstairs there is a full kitchen with a cafe table, a living/dining room with two sleeper sofas, a full bathroom, a queen bedroom and a twin bedroom. Both bedrooms and the living/diving room have views of the lake.

Downstairs, there is a queen bedroom, a full bathroom, a kitchen/living area with twelve windows overlooking the lake and a gas fireplace for colder times of the year, and recreation room with a 42" Smart TV for watching DVD's. The utility room has a washer and dryer for our guests' use.

Windgarth House sleeps 6 people in 3 bedrooms, and up to another 4 on one of the sleeper sofas upstairs or two inflatable full-size mattresses that you can place in the location of your choice.

Windgarth House is located on the west shore of Cayuga Lake, across the road from the Sheldrake Point Winery and Cafe. Only 12 miles from Taughannock Falls State Park, 10 miles from Trumansburg and 20 miles from Ithaca, it is nestled in a prime location.

The area around Windgarth House is ideal for long walks along the lake and biking. There are many hiking opportunities in the area, including at Taughannock Falls State Park.

Property manager

Mariette Geldenhuys
Premier Host

Languages

Dutch, English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Air conditioning
Outdoor space
Parking available

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House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 26
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
We welcome families with children of all ages.
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Events

Events allowed
Prior consent of owner required.
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
No radios, stereo system or other sound amplifying devices are allowed outside the residence, or inside before 9 a.m. or after 10 p.m.
All food must be removed from the refrigerators before departure. Please place used bedlinens and towels by the washer in the utility room.
One vehicle can park in front of the garage and the other parallel to the road. Others please park in the winery lot across the street.

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
Parties and events are allowed on site
Note from host: Prior consent of owner required.
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

About the area

Ovid

Located on a lake, this holiday home is in Sheldrake, a neighbourhood in Ovid. Sheldrake Point Winery and Thirsty Owl Wine Company are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Cayuga Lake and Sampson State Park. Discover the area's water adventures with kayaking and fishing nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with hiking/biking trails and cycling.
View more Holiday homes in OvidOpens in a new window
Map
Ovid, NY

What's nearby

  • Sheldrake Point Winery - 2 min walk - 0.2 km
  • Cayuga Lake - 3 min walk - 0.3 km
  • Thirsty Owl Wine Company - 6 min drive - 6.2 km
  • Wells College - 57 min drive - 66.0 km
  • Long Point State Park - Finger Lakes - 63 min drive - 69.5 km

Getting around

  • Ithaca, NY (ITH-Tompkins Regional) - 42 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪McDonald's - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪Aurora Ale & Lager Co. - ‬61 min drive
  • ‪Finger Lakes Cider House - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Thirsty Owl Wine Company - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Cayuga Ridge Estate Winery - ‬6 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Year-round Cayuga Lakefront with easy access to house and lake pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Year-round Cayuga Lakefront with easy access to house and lake?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Year-round Cayuga Lakefront with easy access to house and lake?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Year-round Cayuga Lakefront with easy access to house and lake located?

Located in Sheldrake, this holiday home is within a 5-minute walk of Sheldrake Point Winery and Cayuga Lake. WeBeTilin' Studios is 0.3 mi (0.6 km) away.

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 101 out of 104 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 104 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 104 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 104 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 104 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Michael C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Navy birthday/Navy Reunion
What a beautiful house - well kept inside and out. Steps to Cayuga Lake - beautiful winery across the street - they allowed parking in their lot. Restaurants down the road - great place to launch to either Seneca or Cayuga wine trails/breweries and distilleries. Friendliest folks to meet and talk with - very military friendly. Our host Mariette explained the history of the house and its location and was very clear and concise as to the rules of the house. I can't say enough positive comments about this property and its host!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Carrie H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Girlfriends Fall long weekend
We had a great time, property is in great location for exploring the Fingee Lakes region.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Ann M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Lovely
Windgarth is all that is advertised! We had ease with communication with the manager, and there were no problems with the house. The house is well-equipped, and comfortable. Location is beautiful.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Douglas K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
perfect week
Windgarth House is right on the lake and across the street from Sheldrake Winery. We enjoyed many swims. The house was as advertised, very comfortable and well equipped for our meals. Highly recommended.
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Lovely lake stay
The property is just as advertised. Rare to find such a beautiful piece of lake front. Drive right to the house and only a couple of steps to the expansive lawn and beachfront. The property is in a cove so it is protected. House is fully stocked. I wouldn’t have even needed to bring my own spices! Mariette is very easy to communicate with. Comfortable beds, ample towels. Great for 2 families with upstairs and downstairs living. Would definitely recommend.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Laura S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Perfect location
A great location and house. Many amenities included.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2024

2/10 Terrible

Laura R.

Disliked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great lakefront cottage
Loved the lake house and thoroughly enjoyed our time there. Great spot and the lake was so peaceful. Clean and well described.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Lauren W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Amazing Week on the Lake!
We absolutely loved our time at Windgarth House! We would highly recommend this house to anyone and cannot wait to stay again!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Margaret A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Family fun and relaxation
Property is lovely, perfect for family fun. Long lawn down to the lake, beach is kid friendly. House is casual and comfortable.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Laura S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Charming home on beautiful lake
We loved our stay— the house was clean, tidy, and well-equipped. Window boxes, gardens, yard, and lake were beautiful! Clear and detailed information from host was very helpful— we would definitely stay here again!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Amanda A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Cutest Home In Perfect Location
This was the cutest home ever! The landscaping was so beautiful and the lake access was perfect! We enjoyed the fire pit next to the lake and making s’mores in the evening. Mariette was extremely attentive and was quick to answer a call about parking when we arrived. Everything was perfect!
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Elvira G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Pleasant vacation spot
The property is very nice, well maintained. It takes about 20 mins drive to Ithaca. There are 2 kitchens, we used the one downstairs because we wanted to have our meals outside, but the dishwasher and the microwave are in the upstairs kitchen only. So there was a minor inconvenience of carrying the dirty dishes upstairs, and not using microwave. The private part of the lake was overgrown with grass and not pleasant to swim. Nonetheless, the house was clean and comfortable, the grounds are very nice and we enjoyed our short stay there.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Nancy G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Pleasant Stay
Spacious and comfortable house directly on Lake and across the street from a vineyard. Ideal place for two couples or two small families. There are two kitchens and two full bathrooms. It includes a nice patio and dock on the water.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

RITA T., Middletown, NJ

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful Propery
Beautiful cottage property with all the amenities one could ask for. Plenty of cooking equipment and pantry essentials already there. Has a well system from lake, so we used bottled water for everything, mainly because a member of our group is pregnant. Wi-fi worked great for those of us working remotely. We did have to fix the BBQ handle to use it but it wasn’t a big deal. Location is great, easy to get all over the Finger Lakes. the weather didn’t cooperate much but we were able to use the canoe and kayak a few days. The gardens and yard were just so pretty…I have landscape envy. Communication with owner was easy and she was kind enough to give us some tips on where we could take the 2 elderly ladies in our party to view waterfalls. She also gave us great info on where to shop for food and necessities. Overall, highly recommended for a group stay in the Finger Lakes.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kristen C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Perfect lake getaway!!
We had a wonderful time staying at the Windgarth house. The house had everything you would need to enjoy a lovely vacation. We cooked several meals at home in order to enjoy the local produce and meat. The kitchen had everything we needed, and we enjoyed cooking outside on the grill. The shed out by the lake had everything you could need for the outdoors. There was a fire pit by the lake, which I believe we used almost every night. We kayaked and enjoyed the local area of wineries, cheese, and baked goods. My husband and I had another couple staying with us and the two separate floors were perfect providing plenty of privacy. Thank you very much for sharing your lake house with us. Scott and Kristen
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Sandy M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great Lake house
Our family had a great time at the Windgarth house with a beautiful yard that walked right into the lake. House had everything needed for our family of 8 to enjoy eating, sleeping, and doing all the fun indoor and outdoor activities that you would want to do at a lake house.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Mary S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Family Reunion
The split level made it easy for our parents (who don't do stairs very well) to enjoy the lake views and venture out to the yard. Fabulous location with the vineyard right across the street and enjoyed gorgeous walks heading in either direction each morning. Everything we wanted to do was in close proximity and for those with boats, the launch is so close by. Highly recommend!!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Margaret A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Grassy slope to lake
We enjoyed a great week. The sloping lawn down to the lake is perfect for the kids to play games. Easy access to lake. House has everything a family needs.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

8/10 Good

Brianna C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Bachelorette Weekend!!
We had a wonderful stay! It was a great location and had so many amazing wineries around the area! We enjoyed the water front property and had a great fire during the evening. The house was very well supplied and had anything we may need during the stay. The host was so helpful and communicative before our stay so we had all the info necessary! We did notice some small bugs on the bedding in one of the bedrooms however all of the rooms were well maintained and very clean and tidy! I would recommend staying here :)
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Devin F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Bachelorette Weekend
The house was perfectly located on Cayuga Lake. It was a beautiful, clean house with enough space for all of us. The backyard was awesome and the downstairs sunroom was perfect for hanging out. Would highly recommend to anyone looking for a nice, quiet weekend on the lake or a wine tour.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Giles B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great location & wonderfully equipped house
Great location directly on the water but with easy road access to the local areas and Ithaca. The house is very well equipped which makes all the difference when staying for a just a few days. Great communication from the owner which was much appreciated.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Nicole H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Wonderful Weekend
The property was comfortable, and the gardens beautiful. We spent a wonderful spring weekend at the cottage. Thank you for hosting us!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Amy P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Fabulous!
Great host, great house and property. So peaceful and beautiful! Ample parking.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Colleen T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful location!
We used this property for my friends bachelorette weekend and it was absolutely perfect! Plenty of space and very comfortable!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Jessica P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Wonderful stay at Windgarth House
We had a terrific experience staying at Windgarth House. The house was very spacious and comfortable. It’s right on Lake Cayuga, and we enjoyed watching the sunrise from the dock as well as making use of the canoe and kayak! Instructions for accessing the property were very clear and easy to follow, and communication with Mariette couldn’t have been better!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2022

About the host

Hosted by Mariette Geldenhuys

Host profile image
I have lived and worked in Ithaca, New York for 32 years and love the natural beauty of the Finger Lakes region.

I grew up in South Africa and always enjoyed the outdoors. I completed high school and college in South Africa and then studied in England for two years, before moving to Ithaca.

Why they chose this property

I always dreamed of having a vacation home on the lake. When my late spouse and I came across Windgarth House in 2001, we knew that we had found our slice of paradise, and wanted to share it with others by renting it out. Judging from 17 years of guest book entries, our guests have experienced the Windgarth magic and many have returned year after year. My spouse's beautiful paintings of Finger Lakes nature scenes continue to add beauty to the home.

When I'm at Windgarth, I enjoy long swims along the shore and trips in the canoe and kayak, especially at sunset when one can paddle north past Sheldrake Point and watch the sun set over the hills and water. I also love long walks along the shore on the quiet road and bicycle rides in the surrounding countryside. I enjoy getting up early and watching the sun rise over the lake while listening to birdsong.

My spouse and I came up with the name "Windgarth House" shortly after we bought the house. One branch of my family was from Applegarth in Scotland, and named their farm near Cape Town, South Africa "Applegarth". I always liked the name, but there were no apple trees at the house. One late fall weekend, the wind was blowing and waves were breaking on the shore. That's when the name Windgarth House occurred to us, The Windgarth House sign on the garage was hand made by local ceramic artist Annemarie Zwack.

What makes this property unique

We fell in love with Windgarth House for many reasons. Here are just a few:

Access to the house is very easy, unlike many Cayuga Lake properties where there is a steep cliff near the lakefront and one has to climb many stairs to get to the house, the lakefront, or both. It is located on a quiet public road, which serves about 2 miles of lakefront. Because it is a public road, it is well-maintained year round.
We wanted to be close to the lake and not across a road or some distance away. Windgarth has a beautiful living room/kitchen downstairs with twelve windows overlooking the lake, a beautiful lawn and garden and the lake is right there.

One can see the lake from all rooms, except the upstairs kitchen and bathroom. The lake views and the sound of the water make this a stunningly beautiful spot.

The house is a charming, bright, home with plenty of windows and light, yet cozy and very comfortable.
It's great to have a full kitchen and full bathroom on each floor. Friends and family members can vacation together and also have their own space.

The house is on the Sheldrake cove, which is sheltered and protected. The water is shallow at the edge and gradually gets deeper. It's great for kids and adults for wading and swimming. Kids also enjoy playing on the back lawn by the lakeside.

There is a swimming dock which we had rebuilt and we extended the deck area by the lakeside. The mature trees provide plenty of natural shade.
The Sheldrake Point Winery is right across the street, yet one is unaware of it when one is in the house or in the back yard. Many other wineries and restaurants are close by.

Languages:

English, Dutch

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