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The Lodge at Cricklewood...where time melts away....

Photo gallery for The Lodge at Cricklewood...where time melts away....

The living room, with a cozy fireplace and plenty of room to chill...
An amazing fire pit for S'mores, hot dogs...or simply relax & share stories
Relax and let the bubbles take you away, whilst you sip wine under the stars...
The great room has leather, wrap-around lounge sofa seating with amazing views
Enjoy the Chef's kitchen, bring a pro chef or caterer...or plan your own feast!

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
5 bedrooms3+ bathroomsSleeps 16464.5 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Breakfast available
  • Parking available
  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Fireplace
  • Hot tub

Explore the area

Map
West Chester, PA
  • West Chester University of Pennsylvania
    ‪9 min drive‬
  • Chester County Hospital
    ‪13 min drive‬
  • QVC Studio Park
    ‪15 min drive‬
  • Philadelphia, PA (PHL-Philadelphia Intl.)
    ‪30 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

5 bedrooms (sleeps 16)

Game Room

2 Single Beds and 1 Double Futon

Sanctuary Suite - Master

1 King Bed

The Blue Room

1 Queen Bed

The Calm Room

1 Queen Bed

The Library Suite

1 Queen Bed

The Lounge Suite

1 King Bed

3 bathrooms, 2 half bathrooms

Blue Room Bath

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

Library Suite Bath

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

Lounge Suite Bath

Soap · Toilet · Shower only · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Powder Room

Soap · Toilet

Sanctuary Suite

Soap · Towels provided · Bidet · Toilet · Shower only · Jetted bathtub · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Balcony
Separate dining area
Garden
Dining area

About this property

The Lodge at Cricklewood...where time melts away....

Wild yet serene, the Lodge rests on a hillside adjacent to a 60+ acre wildlife haven with a pond and creek running through. Nestled in a forest near the scenic and historic Brandywine Valley, this retreat affords you all the accoutrements of a mountain lodge, yet is nearby to high-end shopping, historic sites, outstanding restaurants and nightlife in the boroughs of West Chester, Chadds Ford and Kennett Square...

Featured in 2018 Philadelphia Magazine, the Lodge has received accolades! Tom Bury (as seen on Restaurant Impossible and the Stone House Revival series on DIY Network) hosted his 2018 season wrap party here. Tom also built a bespoke king bed in the master suite with 100+ year old reclaimed wood... it is beautiful (and comfortable too).
Rivers Cuomo (lead singer of Weezer) also stayed at the Lodge -- twice during the 2019 Weezer Tour. Others, who wish to remain nameless, have called the Lodge a home away from home.

From the fully stocked professional chef's kitchen to the outdoor hot tub, relaxation and inspiration will be your companion at the Lodge. Enjoy your meals at the dining table in the Great Room with an amazing view of the forest, or al fresco on the deck or screened porch.

With 5 bedrooms (and a sixth private space with 2 twin beds and a full size futon) and 4.5 baths, including a massive master suite with jetted tub, walk in shower and heated marble floors, the Lodge will delight you.. The seclusion and privacy of the property will enhance your experience!

Rejuvenate in the outdoor hot tub and melt away your stress. A large outdoor deck allows for sunbathing and evening conversations around the gas fire pit, or build a bonfire in the second fire pit and eat some s'mores. There is also a third firepit on the screened in porch where you can relax and take in the nature around you, especially soothing while listeing to the rain, allowing you to enjoy a delicious meal at the spacious teak dining table.

Take a walk through the woods and commune with nature, where wildlife abounds, including red foxes, red-tailed hawks, groundhogs, white tailed deer, an occasional bald eagle and many other varieties of beautiful and interesting songbirds and woodpeckers.

For entertainment, there are many options:

...The Lounge has an antique pool table, dart board, large fireplace and many classic board games to while away the time.
...The Library is full of antique and contemporary books, many of which are focused on the US Civil War and other topics of American History.
...The Game Room has a ping pong table, an air hockey table, a foosball table and the requisite xBox One for the kids (or kids at heart!).

Check out the listing details for all the amenities.

The Lodge is perfect for more intimate events for up to 50 guests: a family reunion, a murder mystery party, birthday or holiday event. (please inquire for any events as addition fees may apply). If you have an event with more than 50 guests, we are excited to partner with a Michelin star chef (former executive chef at the Waldorf Astoira Hotel) to accommodate your needs. Chef Paul is able to host large events including weddings of up to 100 plus guests, at his beautiful barn in Chester County (please inquire). Chef is also available to design a bespoke menu for you and your guests, and will be your personal chef at the Lodge for smaller occasions of up to 50 guests. Please inquire about any events at the Barn or the Lodge, additional fees will apply. Also upon request we are partnered with an interior designer who will craft beautiful custom floral arrangements, per your desires, at an additional charge.

There is ample parking for up to 10 cars in the driveway near the house. Any additional parking needs during an event will be discussed.

Early check-in may be available for additional fees -- $400 after noon and $200 after 2pm - please inquire about availability. Early check in fees depend on time of check-in and availability. Please inquire prior to check-in.

Late check out is also available for additional fees - $200 until 1pm and $500 until 4pm. Please inquire prior to check-in.

The Lodge is idyllic during a snowstorm with a warm fire, while the autumn leaves changing color add to the beauty of the seasons. Spring brings new growth and late June and early July bring the harvest of the wild raspberries, always a delicious treat!

Plenty of space to get away from the outside world. Stay, relax, rejuvenate....celebrate and enjoy!

Looking forward to hearing from you and seeing you soon at the Lodge!

Property manager

Eric B.
Premier Host

Languages

English, German, Spanish

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Hot tub
Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Free WiFi
Air conditioning

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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
This property is not child-proofed.
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Events

Events allowed: family gatherings, birthday parties, weddings
Please indicate event plans -- fees may apply
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Pets

No pets allowed
No exceptions.
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Smoking

Smoking allowed: in designated areas
Smoking is permitted outside.
Please bring house slippers... a no shoes policy is requested for cleanliness. Exceptions include special events, health or age concerns. Thank you!
I work hard to provide an enjoyable environment for all guests. If I can improve anything, please let me know during your stay!
Please inform me of any events and additional guests prior to check in. Additional fees apply. Please let me know if you’d like to move furniture

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 (including family gatherings, birthday parties and weddings) are allowed on site. Maximum attendees: 50
Note from host: Please indicate event plans -- fees may apply
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

We should mention

A car is recommended for transport to and from this property

About the area

West Chester

Located in West Chester, this holiday home is in the mountains and on a river. Longwood Gardens and Ridley Creek State Park reflect the area's natural beauty and area attractions include Pipers Way and Baldwin's Book Barn. Travelling with kids? Consider Brandywine Picnic Park, or check out an event or a game at Subaru Park. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
West Chester, PA

What's nearby

  • West Chester University of Pennsylvania - 9 min drive - 6.9 km
  • Brandywine River Museum - 10 min drive - 8.2 km
  • Chester County Hospital - 13 min drive - 10.2 km
  • QVC Studio Park - 15 min drive - 13.0 km
  • Longwood Gardens - 18 min drive - 15.9 km

Getting around

  • Exton Station - 15 min drive
  • Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) - 30 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Chick-fil-A - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Bierhaul - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Texas Roadhouse - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪McDonald's - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪P.J. Whelihan's Pub + Restaurant - West Chester - ‬5 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is The Lodge at Cricklewood...where time melts away.... pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at The Lodge at Cricklewood...where time melts away....?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at The Lodge at Cricklewood...where time melts away....?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is The Lodge at Cricklewood...where time melts away.... located?

This family-friendly West Chester holiday home is located on a river, 2.6 mi (4.1 km) from Cheyney University, and within 6 mi (10 km) of Pipers Way and Baldwin's Book Barn. Chadds Ford Village & Barn Shops and Brandywine Creek 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. 63 out of 66 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 1 out of 66 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 2 out of 66 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 66 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 66 reviews

9.8/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

9.8/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Melissa W.

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

Beautiful place

We are grateful for our time at the lodge!
Stayed 5 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Linda G.

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

Great!

Great family house
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2024

6/10 Okay

Tim T.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Our Stay

It was spacious and just needs some TLC.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Goodson G.

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

Weekend Stay in West Chester, PA

I had a wonderful few days staying at this beautiful home nestled in the woods of West Chester, Pennsylvania. The host was incredibly gracious and gave us a warm welcome, complete with a tour of the gorgeous house. We made so many cherished family memories during our stay, and the serene setting made it even more special. The location was also very convenient, with easy access to local shopping and great restaurants. I highly recommend this place for anyone looking for a relaxing and memorable getaway!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Vida S.

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

Family visiting for a wedding

Everyone in our group thought the house was great and everyone was very comfortable at all times. It was lovely gathering together on the deck around the fire and inside at the fireplace, and there was never ending entertainment for the kids. The big trees, falling leaves and autumn foliage were a beautiful backdrop. Our time together here will be a new happy memory for all of us.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Helen E.

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

Great place for a family or group

Very nice, private setting.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2020

10/10 Excellent

Ajay S.

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

Nice big place

This was perfect for our needs. Great place. Very big, lots of space to spread out. Hot tub was a nice addition. Eric was great to work with
Stayed 33 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Pierre-Andre D.

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

Just what we needed

Hello, If you're planning a small family reunion and need plenty of space for your party of 15, this house is well appointed and very spacious on a quiet lot in suburban Philadelphia. We wanted somewhere close to Longwood Garden that was wheelchair accessible. I might recommend some grab bars in the ground floor bathroom, but otherwise we had a great stay.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jessie N.

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

Wonderful Hideaway

The only thing wrong was we didn’t book enough days to fully enjoy it! Wonderful property with plenty of space for groups to convene but also plenty of rooms for some quiet time or privacy. Eric was proactive in fixing an issue with the AC before we arrived, welcoming and responsive our questions.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Amy T.

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

Cricklewood Lodge

There was plenty of room for our family stay at the Lodge at Cricklewood, both with bedrooms and living space. Owner was helpful and available. In the country but close to shopping and restaurants. Fall is a great time to be there!
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Karen B.

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

Excellent Stay

We had an excellent stay at the Lodge at Cricklewood. It is a beautiful property, and the owner, Eric, was wonderful. I can't recommend it highly enough. We will definitely be back!!
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2020

10/10 Excellent

Brian C.

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

Five stars

We hosted a 40th birthday party here and it was the perfect spot -- plenty of options for indoor/outdoor activity, great kitchen, and ample privacy. Would definitely stay again. Thanks Eric!
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2022

10/10 Excellent

Jen M.

Tranquil setting for a girls getaway

Had a great time enjoying the deck and screened porch with 8 girlfriends. Idyllic nature setting.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2019

10/10 Excellent

DrueAnne S., State College, PA

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

Perfect location for going to a Longwood Gardens!

This was a great house. Wish we could have stayed longer. I plan on going back with a group of ladies in the future and making sure to get some fire pit and hot tub time in as well as really use the amazing kitchen!!! Our whole group slept well. It was just delightful.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2019

10/10 Excellent

Cara R.

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

Great Environment for a Multi-Family Trip!

Loved our stay at The Lodge! We had five families come together for one large extended family weekend for a lacrosse tournament and the Lodge was the perfect location for it. Plenty of activities in the game room for kids young and old (air hockey, ping pong, foosball). The property itself feels like a nature retreat, lots of birds and deer to watch and the house has a fun eclectic retro feel. The giant kitchen made family meals a breeze. We highly recommend!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Alexa B.

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

A dream come true

14 of us stayed here for a secluded bachelorette weekend in nature and it was truly a dream come true. The home is beautiful and comfortable for a large group, it didn’t even matter that it rained the entire time! We even canceled some of our day plans to stay and enjoy the house. The only minor down side was the water heater struggled keeping up with 14 woman’s daily hygiene needs. Overall, everything was so wonderful and Eric was very pleasant and accommodating. If you stay here you will never want to leave!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Nicholas E., brooklyn

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

Amazing home for wedding after party

We had our wedding at oakbourne mansion and this home is conveniently located 6 minutes away. Eric is awesome enough to allow smaller parties at his home. This made our night so much fun and allowed everything to flow smoothly becomes of transit times. Would recommend this to anyone have a wedding there!
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2021

10/10 Excellent

Paula O., Bethesda, MD

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

Perfect for our needs

This home is huge! Not kidding that there were some rooms that we never stepped foot in because the property is so big and spread out. Was great for gathering inside and out. Kitchen is well supplied and the nature surrounding this home was beautiful— spotted lots of deer and a fox during our stay! Eric was so great to work with. Super responsive and kind.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2021

10/10 Excellent

Alyssa R.

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

It was perfect for our party!

We had a family gathering at the lodge and it was perfect. The celebration was weekend long and it fit our whole family of 25 very comfortably. We had 8 people stay at the house the rest came each day for different events and it never felt crowded or that we didn't have enough space. There was plenty of seating both inside and out and the kitchen was fully stocked for making meals for a crowd. The neighborhood is beautiful and quiet and you feel like you're in the woods (while still being conveniently located to West Chester). Highly recommend staying here with a group!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2021

8/10 Good

Lynn L.

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

So much space … and the location!! Wow!

If you have a big group, if you want lots of social space, if you want to be inside and out… this is the spot for you!! The kitchen and dining/living spaces are huge and open making it the perfect spot to hang out. The games are an added bonus! The woods are amazing! Eric is so easy to contact and work with. He responds immediately to all questions and even brought me a meat thermometer!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2021

10/10 Excellent

catherine n.

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

Great for larger groups, excellent manager!

It's a great property, but what stands out is how awesome Eric, the manager, was before and during our stay. We decided to celebrate Thanksgiving in Philly since our freshman college daughter couldn't fly home. Eric helped with our planning, to include informing us that his restaurant would have smoked turkey, brisket, and fixins' available for our holiday meal! (the brisket and turkey were divine!!) The house was perfect--large, well-supplied kitchen, comfortable bedrooms, many areas for my daughter and her friends to hang out-- to watch movies, enjoy the game room, relax by the fire (thank you for all the firewood), and hottub. Eric was quick to respond when we had any questions, we so appreciated his attentiveness. Highly recommend and we'd love to stay again!
Stayed 5 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Colleen H.

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

A Unique Gem

What a beautiful home! My family stayed here during my son’s wedding. I even worked with the host to coordinate having the groomsmen over prior to the wedding. It was an amazing experience for all. Such a wonderful host with great communication, extremely accommodating and so friendly. Don’t let the house deceive you from the outside; it is extremely spacious inside and so comfortable. An absolutely unique experience. Such a stunning home with tons of history! I would definitely stay here again!! Thank you for sharing your beautiful home with us.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kristen S.

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

College Pal Weekend

We rented the Lodge at Cricklewood for an adults-only gathering of college pals to celebrate our collective 40th birthdays. Location was secluded, yet minutes away from grocery stores, restaurants, etc. We barely left, though, because we spent most of the weekend playing pool, ping pong, air hockey, and hanging out in the great room, on the deck, in the hot tub. Sleeping arrangements worked out well and all of the couples felt comfortable and had privacy. On our way home, we were already thinking about returning next year. Eric was a great host, very communicative. We would be happy to work with him again.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Ryan K.

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

The Most Wonderful Weekend

We had the most wonderful weekend imaginable at Eric’s place. The home itself exceeded all expectations and Eric was the best host you could ask for. My now wife and I got married at the courthouse nearby in West Chester and then had an event back at the house afterwards. Eric was so helpful and accommodating throughout the whole process. We had a catered dinner party with 50 of our closest friends/family and it went perfectly. The house is very well suited to host an event of this type and allowed for a truly amazing wedding night. Chef Paul and his team catered the event - the service they provided was incredible and the food was out of this world. The menu he curated was so elegant and had everyone raving. Could not recommend Chef Paul and his team enough for anyone looking to have an event. 12 of our family members then stayed at the home for the remainder of the weekend. The house is so elegantly decorated and cozy, the back deck with fireplace was our favorite place to relax and hang out. The game room was great for the two kids. We really could not have asked for a better weekend and we were all sad it came to end. I highly recommend Eric’s place for an unforgettable stay in West Chester and for anyone looking to host a small gathering - truly perfect. If I could give more than 5 stars I would. I hope to have the opportunity to gather here with family again. Thank you to Eric for helping make our wedding weekend so special and memorable.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Ryan L.

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

Weekend with kids

We had a 3 day soccer tournament with our 12 year olds. We had 7 adults, one toddler, one 16 year old and five 12 year olds. There was plenty of bathroom and bed space. Kids had great time with hot tub, grass area in yard for volleyball (we brought own stuff for this), fire pit and walking through woods on trails. Indoor game room with ping pong and pool table was great as well. Very private setting at end of a no outlet street. We hosted a team party one night and the outdoor space and wrap around deck and porch was great for this. Kitchen space was good for entertaining as well. Will definitely come back if we are in the area again. Eric was great.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2023

About the host

Hosted by Eric B.

Host profile image
Digital Marketing Sales Executive. Entrepreneur. Adventurer. Writer.

I spent many years living abroad in Puerto Rico, Los Angeles, Amsterdam, San Francisco and Bend, OR. I once attended a royal Hapsburg wedding in Cuernavaca, Mexico... it's a great story, ask me about it...

I have two amazing sons -- both are living on the west coast. I raised them here and they loved the adventures in the woods! Great memories in this place with many more to be made.

I enjoy meeting new people and inviting you into the Lodge... it is a blessing to be able to share my little slice of heaven! I look forward to meeting you upon arrival if schedules permit.

Love Life!

Why they chose this property

Because there is nothing else like the Lodge and "Lodgelivin" is the only way... if you can find it!

Located in historic Chester county, this location offers the best of both worlds. The Brandywine Valley countryside is only minutes away, with beautiful rolling hills and amazing vistas. The borough of West Chester is close by, with amazing shopping, restaurants and bars.

The property is quiet and private and provides many opportunities for inspiration -- wildlife is everywhere. It is also close to civilization and easy to access many upscale amenities such as museums, restaurants, shoppes and bars.

Secluded and private, the house is built to entertain, while also providing many spaces to relax and rejuvenate.

Inspired by mid-century modern architecture and built in 1979, the decor has been curated over many years. It is unique and difficult to describe in words. Many guests have told me that the pictures on Vrbo of the Lodge don't do enough to adequately describe the space.

If you choose to stay, I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

What makes this property unique

Amazing views from the large decks and screened in porch. Two indoor fireplaces to warm up and enjoy during the colder months. Outdoor firepits for S'mores... and a hot tub for relaxing under the stars with a glass of wine and good friends!

Chef's kitchen to prepare amazing meals. Open floor plan for entertaining... many rooms to allow for relaxation and privacy.

Antique Brunswick regulation size pool table -- air hockey, foosball and darts too!

There are five bedrooms (2 kings, 3 queens) plus an additional private room with a double twin daybed -- 12 people can sleep in comfortable beds! I invite up to 16 to sleep over -- the additional four can sleep on couches or comfy queen air mattresses.

I have hosted many wonderful guests, as well as special events, including corporate retreats, birthday parties, bachelor(ette) parties, family reunions, murder mysteries, and many more! I look forward to hosting your special event here at the Lodge!

Languages:

English, German, Spanish

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests