Entire home

Designer Guest Suite on Historic New England Homestead

Photo gallery for Designer Guest Suite on Historic New England Homestead

Private kitchen
Private kitchen
Private kitchen
View from kitchen to neighboring organic community gardens
Private kitchen

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
2 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 583.6 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Breakfast included
  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Barbecue grill
  • Outdoor space

Explore the area

Map
Florence, MA
  • Smith College
    ‪6 min drive‬
  • Academy of Music Theater
    ‪6 min drive‬
  • Historic Northampton
    ‪6 min drive‬
  • Westfield, MA (BAF-Barnes Municipal)
    ‪25 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 5)

2nd Bedroom

1 Double Bed and 1 Single Bed

Master

1 Double Bed

1 bathroom

Bathroom

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Kitchen
Garden

About this property

Designer Guest Suite on Historic New England Homestead

Guest Suite is a short walk into downtown Florence. 2 Bedrooms and 1 bathroom. One bedroom with a full bed and second bedroom with full bed and single bunk bed.
Two parking spots are reserved for this unit that are conveniently located right in front of the unit. There is a 3 stair tread climb up to enter the apartment and it is not wheelchair friendly. There are other tenants who share this 2+ acre property and we ask all our guests to be courteous of one another while enjoying its peaceful, park-like setting along the Mill River.

The historic Hill-Ross Farm is listed on the National Historic Registry
for being a stop along the Underground Railroad, along with other attributes.

Hill-Ross Homestead features a 19th-century farmhouse - the home for two important figures in the abolitionist movement, Samuel Lapham Hill and Austin Ross. Samuel Hill purchased the farm in 1841 from the Northampton Silk Company. In 1842, Hill and others founded the Northampton Association of Education and Industry, an organization with strong abolitionist views. The Association chose to locate in the Broughton’s Meadow (now Florence) section of Northampton due to the community’s thriving silk industry. Free laborers, rather than enslaved workers, produced silk, increasing the industry’s popularity among abolitionists. The Association’s property, including the Hill-Ross Farm, provided a store, school, common eating area and living space for its members. Because of the strong presence of the Association and silk manufacturers, Northampton became a haven for African Americans and abolitionists. Northampton proper often served as a stop for fugitive slaves traveling to Canada, and Association members encouraged fugitives’ permanent settlement.

Property manager

Jacqueline G Leighton

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Breakfast included
Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Air conditioning
Outdoor space

Have a question?

AI iconBeta

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

Similar properties

House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 21
Check out before 11:00 AM
default

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
Bunk bed is not permitted for children under 6
default

Events

No events allowed
default

Pets

No pets allowed
default

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Please have dishes loaded in dishwasher and used towels in shower stall.
Please take off dirty shoes in entry way.
Please don't enter any of the closed out buildings without permission.

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, a first aid kit and a deadlock
Property Registration Number C0167732140

We should mention

A car is recommended for transport to and from this property

About the area

Florence

Located in Florence, this holiday home is on a river. Holyoke Crossing and Holyoke Mall are worth checking out if shopping is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Connecticut River Greenway State Park and Brewer Brook Wildlife Management Area. Travelling with kids? Consider Congregation Beth Israel and Lyman Conservatory.
Map
Florence, MA

What's nearby

  • Cooley Dickinson Hospital - 3 min drive - 2.4 km
  • Smith College Botanic Garden - 6 min drive - 4.2 km
  • Smith College - 6 min drive - 4.1 km
  • Academy of Music Theater - 6 min drive - 5.1 km
  • Historic Northampton - 6 min drive - 5.2 km

Getting around

  • Northampton Station - 14 min drive
  • Westfield, MA (BAF-Barnes Municipal) - 25 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪McDonald's - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Burger King - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪D'Angelo Grilled Sandwiches - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Taco Bell - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪JJ's Tavern - ‬9 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is Designer Guest Suite on Historic New England Homestead pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Designer Guest Suite on Historic New England Homestead?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Designer Guest Suite on Historic New England Homestead?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Designer Guest Suite on Historic New England Homestead located?

This family-friendly Florence holiday home is located on a river, within 2 mi (3 km) of Look Memorial Park, Congregation Beth Israel and Look Memorial Park Tennis Center. Lyman Conservatory and Cooley Dickinson Hospital 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.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 10 out of 10 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 10 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 10 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 10 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 10 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Kurt V., New York, NY

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

Charming stay in beautiful location

We had a beautiful stay. Everything we could possibly want was there. Beds were very comfortable, beautiful textiles, lovely kitchen, nice breakfasts.... The surrounding farm is lovely. We highly recommend. The location was very convenient for Smith graduation.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Katie S.

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

Lovely stay at the Hill- Ross Farm

I would highly recommend this guest house as a rental! In fact, I have stayed in dozens of rentals over the past 20 years and this is in my top 3! The decor and layout of the house was comfortable and very tasteful, embodying New England. This place is perfect for family, especially with the outdoor space and play structure and also cozy for gathering with friends. A short drive to Look Park and a short walk to downtown Florence, makes it a great location. It was also very quiet at night, a plus for good sleep! The hosts were very helpful and attentive and I loved that all their cleaning products are natural and eco- friendly. Please consider staying here...it really is a hidden gem!
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

David and Diane L.

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

Elegant farmhouse stay

Amazing property, everythingcurated to provide a comfortable clean lovely experience. Coffee beans and grinder, farm fresh eggs and milk. Wonderful sourdough bread for toast. Great sheets and beautiful location.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Aimee S.

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

Gorgeous guest house in prime location

This beautifully updated guest house was one of the nicest VRBO rentals we have ever stayed in. The attention to details was incredible, from the decorating to the amenities like wine, seltzers, local milk, bread, eggs (from the property itself!) coffee beans and lovely music to greet us when we arrived. My husband and son worked from the house before the wedding we were attending began and the wi fi was great. The beds were comfortable as were the couch and chairs. It was a joy to stay here-we didn’t want to leave. It was about 3 minutes to Look Park which is where we were heading for a wedding. I would absolutely stay here again!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Margaret B.

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

Excellent property

Top notch in every respect.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Keith U.

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

Perfection!

Our stay exceeded any expectations we had! From the moment we booked to the moment we checked out, Jacqueline and Lance’s customer service went far above excellent. Their communication was always quick and helpful. The property itself was perfect for our family. Upon check-in the kitchen was stocked with coffee, milk, farm fresh eggs, bread and other staples so we didn’t need to do a grocery run the first night as we had been traveling all day - which was so thoughtful! The outdoor play area allowed our kids hours of self entertainment. Lance and Jaqueline showed our kids around the farm and animals. The house itself had all the amenities you would need, right down to the USB charging outlets. We will definitely be staying here again on our next visit to Western Mass!
Stayed 9 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Amy G., Irvine, CA

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

Perfection

Hill-Ross Homestead was perfect in every way. All you need to show up with is a change of clothes and a toothbrush. We loved the chickens, the goats, the suite, the beds and the whole experience. Jacqueline and Lance thought of everything. You can cook a gourmet meal with everything in the kitchen. Every last touch is beautiful and thoughtful. It actually made me want to downsize, and live in a perfect guest suite like this.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Val W.

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

Perfect. Just perfect.

Three family members--two from England, one from California, all very experienced national/international travelers--spent a week based at Hill-Ross Homestead and couldn't have been happier. Everything in the place is designed thoughtfully and functions beautifully (the shower alone is outstanding); the location is fab; and the hosts are gracious and instantly responsive but otherwise unobtrusive. If any of us have reason to stay in the area in the future, we'd book there again not only instantly but eagerly.
Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2022

10/10 Excellent

Lois L.

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

Perfect

We loved everything about this beautiful, cozy home. The house was so inviting the minute we walked in the door. First thing we saw was a welcome note and a bottle of wine. Breakfast was yummy too. All accommodations were simply perfect. Area was scenic and shops were delightful. I cant wait to return for a longer stay!
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2021

10/10 Excellent

Eric B.

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

***ATTENTION VRBO OWNERS***…

All VRBO owners need to learn from these owners on how to run your property. The Hill-Ross property is the best VRBO we have ever stayed in. The exceptional welcome guide was thorough and very well done. Check in was a breeze even though we didn’t get in until 3 am. The accommodations were tastefully done and there was everything you could need for your stay. There were multiple simple touches that were fantastic. My wife even asked if I would leave her there so she could stay longer! The beds were very comfortable and we all slept like babies. Then there is the owner, Jacqueline. What a joy to deal with. She was so responsive to all of my emails (and there were a lot of them!). She was always asking if things were going well and if there was anything she could do for us. I would highly recommend this property. If you are in this area, you HAVE to stay here. Thank you so much, Jacqueline!!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2021

About the host

Hosted by Jacqueline G Leighton

Host profile image
My husband and I own The Historic Hill-Ross Homestead which houses our design-build firm, our 5 children, dog, cat and chickens. We love staying in beautiful one-of-a-kind homes that gifts our family a unique experience we so treasure.

Why they chose this property

Our property was featured on the Northampton Historic Home tour and is one of the oldest homes in the town. For historic enthusiasts, we can provide a brief walking tour of the property and barns, upon request.

What makes this property unique

Located a few blocks outside of downtown Florence on the Bike path, you are a 5 minute walk to Yup Coffee, The Freckled Fox, Lilly Library, Local Farmers Market every Wednesday afternoon hosted at the Florence Civic center, Miss Florence Diner and Pie Bar are some local attractions not to be missed. Look Park is a 10 minute bike ride or 30 minute walk and wonderful activity for children with their Playgrounds, Petting Zoo, Water Sprinkler area & Mini Locomotive Train Ride through the park. Learn more about the history of our lovely village and homestead at David Ruggles Center for History & Education, also located within walking distance.

Languages:

English