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“Elterwater”-Swan lake. Your own lakefront oasis, a true Berkshire getaway

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Picture yourself, lakefront, on your dock on lovely 150 acre private lake.
Your entry to a great vacation
Welcome home
Interior detail
Chic dining area.

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
2 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 4130.1 sq m

Popular amenities

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

Explore the area

Map
Sheffield, MA
  • Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center
    ‪13 min drive‬
  • Housatonic River Walk
    ‪13 min drive‬
  • Ski Butternut
    ‪19 min drive‬
  • Great Barrington, MA (GBR-Walter J. Koladza)
    ‪14 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 4)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

2 Single Beds

Bedroom 3

1 Double Futon

Den with tv, pullout couch

1 Double Bed

Living room

1 Double Bed

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

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

Bathroom 2

Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Garden
Dining area

About this property

“Elterwater”-Swan lake. Your own lakefront oasis, a true Berkshire getaway

One of the very few waterfront homes available for rent. What other houses offer you 150 feet private lakefront where you can awake to birdsong? absolute best house in the best little town for the full Berkshire experience. If you want your own totally private oasis, and a whole house to yourself, leaving crowds and hassle behind, come up to this lovely, quiet, lakefront Berkshire house with a Zen-like feel, just a mile from the center of Sheffield. Just sit and listen to the silence.

Immaculately behaved, non-shedding, totally house trained small dogs welcome.
Ask about special rates for longer stays.

Perfect location for all Berkshire activities, including Tanglewood and Jacob’s Pillow, plus Shakespeare and Company, Norman Rockwell, The Mount, Berkshire Botanical Gardens.

Light-filled, year-round lakefront house (150 feet on private lake with own dock). with fireplace and fire pit, all decorated in mid-century retro style and immaculately clean. Think 'Walden,' think 'On Golden Pond.' Two bedrooms with A/C—one queen-sized bed, two twins, two full baths, living room with fireplace and A/C, dining area, kitchen with dishwasher and microwave, den with pull-out couch.
Water softener, plus screened in porch, full laundry room, two car garage, fire pit, comfortable outdoor seating for five plus two—and all on the most blissful private 150 acre lake with wonderful fishing--bass and pike--and just a mile off Route 7, Sheffield, handy to everything and spotlessly clean. Cleaned, bleached and treated with UVC wand sanitizer. Self checkin and checkout.
Lake is natural, pure and lovely to look at (but not good for swimming due to natural vegetation). Canoeing, fishing and kayaking are great. Your own dock and 150 feet on the lake. Kayaks and canoe. Ping pong table! Electric bikes available to rent. Dog walkers available!!

You can work from home here. WiFi, 5G, good cell reception, slightly rare in the Berkshires., Smart cable tv. Spectrum service. This is a slice of heaven! Everything you need for that perfect Berkshire getaway—we can give lots of tips for top-notch local restaurants and things to do. Local owners readily available to answer questions and make recommendations.
Great local hiking on closeby Appalachian trail, great biking (we have 4 good bikes), wildlife observation (meet our otter and nesting bald Eagle), riveting local history (Shays Rebellion, Mum Bett), local swimming recommendations.

Very convenient for Berkshire School and Hotchkiss parents.
Also convenient for nearby Litchfield County, Conn, including Music Mountain events, plus Lime Rock Park racing.
Further west, Hudson, NY, is fun to explore, along with houses like Olana, built by Frederic Church of the Hudson River School.
You will never run out of things to do here—or nothing at all—whatever you want.
Bliss!!!!

Property manager

Dr. Gillian Hettinger
Premier Host

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi
Air conditioning

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House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 30
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
Owners have no liability.
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

Pets allowed
Totally house-trained, small, non-shedding and of
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Please don’t bring barbecue onto screened porch. Please don’t rearrange furniture or pictures!!

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
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
Property Registration Number C0126212670

We should mention

This property does not have any lifts
A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Sheffield

Located in Sheffield, this holiday home is in a rural area and on the waterfront. Ashley House and Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center are local landmarks, and the area's natural beauty can be seen at Drury Preserve and Jug End State Reservatio. Harney and Sons Tea Tasting Room and Berkshire Botanical Garden are also worth visiting. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Sheffield, MA

What's nearby

  • Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center - 13 min drive - 10.3 km
  • Housatonic River Walk - 13 min drive - 10.7 km
  • Catamount Ski Area - 16 min drive - 12.2 km
  • Ski Butternut - 19 min drive - 15.2 km
  • Lake Buel - 24 min drive - 19.5 km

Getting around

  • Hudson, NY (HCC-Columbia County) - 43 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Great Barrington Bagel Company - ‬11 min drive
  • ‪Bogies Restaurant & Pub - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪SoCo Creamery - ‬13 min drive
  • ‪Fuel Coffee Shop - ‬13 min drive
  • ‪GB eats - ‬13 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is “Elterwater”-Swan lake. Your own lakefront oasis, a true Berkshire getaway pet-friendly?

Yes, pets are allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at “Elterwater”-Swan lake. Your own lakefront oasis, a true Berkshire getaway?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at “Elterwater”-Swan lake. Your own lakefront oasis, a true Berkshire getaway?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is “Elterwater”-Swan lake. Your own lakefront oasis, a true Berkshire getaway located?

Situated on the waterfront, this holiday home is 1.4 mi (2.2 km) from Thom Reed UFO Monument Park and 1.9 mi (3 km) from Housatonic River. Magnolia Bluffs Casino and Drury Preserve are also within 6 miles (10 km).

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. 160 out of 168 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 6 out of 168 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 168 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 168 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 168 reviews

9.8/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Dave S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great weekend in the Berkshires
We had a fantastic time at the house. The backyard was awesome because of the huge lake access and it was beautiful with all the snow! The owner Gillian was great. She was Super helpful and knowledgeable of the area and accommodating with all our requests. We would def go back next time we ski or even over the summer if available.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

ryan S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Just what we needed
The house is everything you need if turning off the world is your goal
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

John C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Wonderful ski weekend
We had a great stay in the house. It was, sadly, too cold to enjoy the nearby lake, but the house itself was wonderful. Having spacious bedrooms and an entire kitchen made our trip much easier, and the house is very convenient for the ski slope we visited.Thanks!
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Lovely Lake Cabin
We had a fun family stay hete during Thanksgiving. The house had everything we needed for our non traditional Thanksgiving meal. Close to Great Barrington stores and on a beautiful Berkshire Lake.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Denise C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Peaceful Getaway
We were up for a long fall weekend and found this gem. When I say there was nothing I wish had I mean it. I cooked many meals and had every utensil and cookware pan I needed, there was so many books to choose from to sit and read on the back porch, even shampoo and conditioner which is rare. Plenty of blankets and pillows and comfortable beds. The views of the pond were picturesque with the colors of fall. We sat by the fire pit in the evening and ate dinner around the table at night. Plenty of things to do within an hour and also just stay and relax. The host was very responsive and accommodating and even had the Pyrex dish I had inquired about ready on the oven. We will be returning!!!
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Joseph P K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
excellent
We thank Gillian for the wonderful stay! Hope to stay there again next year.
Stayed 6 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

debbie c.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Idyllic Retreat
Beautiful setting, comfy house, great fishing in the pond and close to all.
Stayed 6 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Alan K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Relaxing Oasis
We enjoyed our time by the lake in Sheffield. Our neighborhood was quiet, and the lack of traffic allowed for many walks on the road. We kayaked in the lake, and had a short drive into Great Barrington for meals and hikes. We are looking forward to returning next year. Thank you again, Gillian!
Stayed 9 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Wendy T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Serene waterfront location
Peaceful locale on a pond with eagles, ducks, turtles and frogs. Many places to relax, whether it be on the dock with morning coffee, on the screened porch reading a good book, or in a canoe floating on the water. Great hikes and things to see in town. Would definitely return. And the host is lovely and very communicative. Great trip!
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Lani M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
A charming lake house
The property is something I dream of having myself one day. Tranquil, private, quiet, lush are some of the words I could describe the outside of the property. The house itself is very charming, super clean and though not new, it provides all the comforts of a new home- dishwasher , ACs, washer and dryer, Roku, WiFi. The beds and beddings are comfortable. The decors are classic with old charm, which is just my taste. Overall, I’m happy to recommend this lake house.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2024

6/10 Okay

Janet W.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Quiet Sheffield home
Near Great Barrington Ma, lots to do in the town. The host was responsive. The house had some bugs coming in from the unsealed windows from the air conditioners and my daughter got some bug bites (mosquitoes). The ping pong table was fun. The boats and bikes could use some maintenance. The kitchen had pretty much everything that one would need. Quit place, back porch was serene.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Valeriy S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Good fishing
Very nice place for quiet weekend! Excellent fishing!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

RICHARD P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great Stay
Without a doubt the best place we ever rented. We have stayed at many places through the years but this was the best. Can't say anything negative about our stay it was as good as it gets!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Ethan C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Connecting with nature
Our family had a great stay and very much look forward to returning in the future. Host was incredibly responsive and accommodating. House was very well suited for a family. We loved the boats (life jackets included) and layout of the home and property. To wake up looking out onto the lake was wonderful. Pictures and description of the property are accurate. It was very close to other surrounding locations and all rather convenient. I very much hope to be able to return again soon and for longer!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

ann e.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great house on the lake for some R&R
Great location, beautiful scenery on the lake with privacy. Fishing was great!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great place to visit!
We loved it! the house was perfect, neat and clean and great windows to look out on the lake. The property manager was super easy to work with and gave us some great recommendations. If i'm ever back in this area, this is where I will stay!
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Steven N., Manchester

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Peaceful!
Great stay! The fish were biting and the foliage was beautiful. Watched the kingfishers and the eagle. Neat as a pin home with everything I needed. Thanks Dr. Gillian!
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Steven D., Yarmouth Port, MA, USA

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Lovely home in a beautiful waterfront setting!
This was a lovely and spacious home in a beautiful waterfront setting! A perfect place for our family trip to nearby bucolic Norfolk CT wear my grandparents once lived and my mom grew up (hiking Haystack Mountain and Campbell Falls is highly recommended). And this house is close to Great Barrington (excellent Thai restaurant in GB) and everything GB and the Berkshires have to offer. We also enjoyed the Frog restaurant just a few minutes from the house in Sheffield (excellent food!). And the house was a comfortable place to land after our day trips. House has everything you need. The setting on the lake is just beautiful. And one of us had the marvelous experience kayaking on the lake one morning and a hot air balloon descended over the lake and seemed to almost touch down in the water before ascending again, just stunning! (We looked online and apparently there is a nearby hot air balloon business, very cool). Sunrises over the pond we’re stunning, and sitting for breakfast with the view of the lake was perfect. Check-in and out was easy, and owner was very communicative. We loved this place and we will be back!
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Ferne D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
elterwater
we enjoyed our stay but the bugs outside the property were very disturbing.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Susan R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Centrally located Water view w/screened in porch and biking
These are the things we loved about this property but there were so many more - comfy beds , lots of little spaces to hang , light filled rooms , and the nicest homeowner . We loved our stay and we will be back!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

John D., Orlando, Fl

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Roomy home on the Pond
This home has plenty of space for relaxation as well as being well equipped.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

HK S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Bow Wow WOW!!
My stay on Bow Wow Road was such a WOW that I found myself missing it like home when I got home. From start to finish the communication with Gillian was prompt, pleasant and exceedingly helpful. It was obvious she cared about the experience of her guests and comforting to know that she was on hand should anything arise... but of course, nothing did, because she has thought of everything. I walked into a warm, welcoming space with a beautiful view and several cozy rooms and outdoor spaces to enjoy, including boats to explore the lake! Such a charming and ideal location to check out a lovely, interesting part of the country. My only complaint is that I intended to rent a spot to tackle some writing goals, but that was hopeless considering the endless options for entertainment in the area! A memorable stay. I hope I can return some day, because I barely scratched the surface of the Berkshires and cannot think of a more pleasant place or thoughtful host.
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Larry F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Wonderful lake house
We had a fantastic time staying in the home. Very clean a well stocked. Very serene and private. Just a beautiful setting. We leave it k forward to returning.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Cheryl M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Husband’s birthday weekend
Gillian was great at communicating, she was so kind to leave a bottle of wine for my husband’s birthday. The place was very clean and included everything you may need .. plenty of towels , blankets , toiletries, teas etc. the kitchen was a good size and the living room cute and cozy. We loved the inclosed porch and plenty of outdoor seating. We used th canoe, the pond has lots of plants growing and can be very thick at spots , but we saw turtles and fish. The house has a cottage feel and it was a relaxing getaway
Stayed 2 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Julie D., Albany, NY

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Another 'eaglegent' stay
A peaceful and delightful home and yard, with fire pit and ever changing views of the pond. Eagles, heron, geese, wood ducks, and a bluebird, were some of the outdoor guests this year. If you prefer activity, there's a canoe and kayak, many, many places to hike, walk on the road, close to theater, events, shopping in unique stores, and restaurants of every taste. Gillian is a gem. We've already booked for our third year (2024) :)
Stayed 6 nights in Apr 2023

About the host

Hosted by Dr. Gillian Hettinger

Host profile image
English professor and husband fell in love with this idyllic house, not least because of the lake, which is amazing. Perfect in all seasons, and something to do all year long. We love the wildlife and drifting gently in the canoe across the private lake--wonderful winter views across private lake, great fishing in the summertime. The land across the road and across the lake is all preserved so your views are spectacular. Great local restaurants and, of course, everything the Berkshires has to offer. You'll be delighted with this rare find and come back again and again. You'll come for the culture--the music, theater, dance--and you'll stay for tranquil hours reading a favorite book on the porch, or beginning to write your novel.

Why they chose this property

This year-round lovely property has everything you want for the perfect vacation getaway--romantic weekend, hiking the Appalachian Trail, skiing, girls'/guys' retreat. Feel the weight of the world fall off your shoulders when you enter and look out at the lake, just beyond the slope to water's edge. Cozy fireplace in living room. Fire pit out by the lake. Peaceful, yet not remote and on a sought-after, very private lake with views -- about a mile off Route 7 in Sheffield and just five miles south of Great Barrington. The house is immaculately clean-- there's also the charm of hearing the screen door slam on the porch which evokes memories of summers past.

What makes this property unique

200 feet directly on the 150-acre private lake with your own private dock, kayak and canoe and protected shoreline across the lake. Surrounded by Land Trust protected property. Enjoy the cozy fireplace in addition to individually controlled heat in every room. You will never want to leave. Water is pure, tested, and good to drink. All linens and paper products provided--just walk in, relax, and enjoy this magical house--don't you deserve it?

Languages:

English

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests