In the heart of ski country with two cozy fireplaces (one it the kitchen!) .........Sitting on top of a Catskill foothill with a view of 5 states, this historic 1860's home has an eclectic artsy feeling while still holding on to many original details. close to Windham mountain ski area and many great restaurants, antique shopping and beautiful nature. There is internet and cell phone reception.
Its a great house for a large group. Big dinners cooked in the large kitchen that has everything you will need. An amazing old fashioned tub for soaking after skiing. A downstairs bedroom for people who don't want to go upstairs. Amazing views from all the rooms. Gorgeous sunrise and sunsets and great star gazing. Fall might be my favorite time of year here but all of them are great.
bedrooms: 3 queen size bedrooms , 3 double bedrooms, and 1 twin bedroom. In the summer there is an additional twin in the tower. One of the large queen bedroom's has an extra twin bed.
The house is situated on a historic scenic byway ( the Susquahanna Turnpike) in the beautiful Durham Valley. There are epic views of mountains and valleys and dramatic natural vistas. Great hiking, waterfalls, swimming holes, cute historic towns and farms. This area was originally a great escape for New Yorkers seeking to beat the heat of the city. In the winter it offers skiing with several choices of mountains, Windham, Hunter, and a little drive to Belleayre. There is also a fun activities resort called BearPen
There is a bus that leaves from NYC to Windham twice a day with a local car service to take you to the house. You can also take a train to Hudson and then a taxi to the house. It really best to have a car so you can travel around the area once you are there.
Property manager
Steven Willis
Add dates for prices
Amenities
Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
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Events allowed: family gatherings, birthday parties, weddings
Pets
Pets allowed: limit 2 total
Smoking
Smoking allowed: in designated areas
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: 98
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
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
Durham
Located in Durham, this holiday home is in a rural area and on a river. Catskill State Park and Restifo Sanctuary reflect the area's natural beauty and area attractions include Zoom Flume and Gilboa Museum. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Durham, NY
What's nearby
Windham Vineyards and Winery - 12 min drive - 10.9 km
Zoom Flume - 12 min drive - 8.8 km
Windham Country Club - 15 min drive - 12.9 km
Windham Mountain Resort - 16 min drive - 12.8 km
Hunter Mountain - 30 min drive - 27.7 km
Getting around
Hudson, NY (HCC-Columbia County) - 49 min drive
Restaurants
Catskill Mountain Country Store - 14 min drive
The Yellow Deli - 9 min drive
Higher Grounds Coffee Co. - 15 min drive
Windham Diner - 13 min drive
Tap House Grille - 14 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Is Historic Catskill Mountains Grand House pet-friendly?
Yes, this property allows pets (limit 2 total).
What time is check-in at Historic Catskill Mountains Grand House?
Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Historic Catskill Mountains Grand House?
Checkout is at 11:00 AM.
Where is Historic Catskill Mountains Grand House located?
Located on a river, this family-friendly holiday home is within 6 mi (10 km) of Tenmile Creek, Zoom Flume, and Durham Center Museum. Catskill State Park and Irish Cultural Center are also within 9 miles (15 km).
Reviews
9.0
Wonderful
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
My husband and I got married at Steve’s home and everything was perfect. Steve helped us with the entire process with great communication. He had the yard in pristine condition and the home spotless and designed impeccably. My family was in awe of this gorgeous property. Definitely recommend staying in this home if you want a trip straight from a fairytale!
Claire B.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024
10/10 Excellent
Tony V., Seattle, Washington
3 June 2021
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, location
Bursting with charm and character
This house is full of character and you can tell how much the owners love it. Every square inch is decorated in kitsch detail. You could spend the whole weekend just exploring all the decoration.
It was raining our entire trip, so I can't say much about the outside, but we had a great time hanging out inside in the beautiful music room or very large kitchen.
The house ad could use a floorplan, to explain to potential customers the quality of the bedrooms. Of the ten listed when we went, two of them were giant, luxurious bedrooms, four of them were bare bones queen beds, and four of them were either inaccessible or not private and people had to walk through them. This place is GREAT for people staying in the six best rooms, but has problems for any group larger than that.
Make sure to visit Rensselaerville Falls, only 15 minutes away and absolutely gorgeous.
We rented the property with a group of friends for a wedding weekend. The house was out of ordinary with so much natural light. The views of the mountains were amazing. Absolutely lovely!
Minwoo L.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2022
6/10 Okay
Loretta K., Basking Ridge, NJ
2 Jan 2019
Great for Adults - Not great for young families
The house is more suited for an Adult get away. The kitchen is great for cooking and is fully equipped with everything you would need to cook for a large group or an intimate gathering.The dining room is cozy and fun. It feels like you are dining in an Art Gallery. We spent each meal discussing which piece of art was our favorite. The views on a clear day are absolutely stunning. The house has a sense of formality, and history, with many, many, beautiful antiques.
I would not recommend this home for a young family. The decor is eclectic and a bit risque. It is interesting and fun for adults. But maybe inappropriate for children. Especially in the tower where you are greeted by a doll with red eyes sawing off his arm and there are several pictures of art along the stairway, and in the tower, that are not suitable for young children. Also there is not a large cozy room where both children and adults can all hang together. We found ourselves frequently separated into two rooms. There was no basic cable TV. Entertainment is through Roku. So there was no availability for live sports or news. Based on other rentals in the area, and other homes we have rented the price point, seems high for the overall condition of the house, especially on the second floor. The 2nd floor hallway and most of the bedrooms have either wallpapering hanging or the plaster is peeling from water damage. For the right group this house is a terrific experience, however I would not recommend it for a family ski weekend.
The owner is extremely responsive and accommodating. He will respond promptly to any inquiry.
Loretta K.
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2018
About the host
Hosted by Steven Willis
Filmmaker/Artist. NYC and LA
Why they chose this property
This property is my dream house. It combines incredible nature with a historic house