Entire home

Karin's Place VT: Phenomenal Safe Guest House with hot tub, pool, playground...

Photo gallery for Karin's Place VT: Phenomenal Safe Guest House with hot tub, pool, playground...

Exterior
Private kitchen
Children's area
Children's area
Dining

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
4 bedroomsSleeps 12743.2 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Fireplace
  • Parking available

Explore the area

Map
Bennington, VT
  • Bennington Battle Monument
    ‪15 min drive‬
  • Bennington Center for the Arts
    ‪16 min drive‬
  • Williams College
    ‪18 min drive‬
  • Pittsfield, MA (PSF-Pittsfield Municipal)
    ‪59 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

4 bedrooms (sleeps 12)

2nd floor

2 Single Beds

Gondoliers

2 Single Beds

Pirates of Penzance

1 Single Bed, 1 Queen Bed and 1 Crib

The Merry Widow

4 Single Beds

Yeomen

1 Queen Bed

Bathroom 1

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 2

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

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

About this property

Karin's Place VT: Phenomenal Safe Guest House with hot tub, pool, playground...

Board Member of VTSTRA (Vermont Short Term Rental Alliance)

Are you looking for a private pool, hot tub that holds 8, sauna, AND a playground!? Are you looking for a more concierge quality of hosting? Look no further. Karin's Place is your home away from home. All the privacy with as much interaction as you need/want or don't.

Some have referred to Jenny as the super. So adding to her already designated titles, Director of Vibes and Chief Memory Officer, she has now adopted "Super Jenny!"

That said, please join us in our guest house called Karin's Place and enjoy our "Gentleman's Farm" of goats, chickens, and freshly planted veggies! We live on site in a separate space and you have as much privacy as you desire with the convenience of instant response if you need anything.

There is something for everyone at Karin’s Place–from the enormous backyard, private pool, hot tub, sauna, and a pirate ship playground to enough books and games to last several lifetimes! Lie in a hammock and take in the sun or cross country ski on the 22 acres of land. The leaf peeping is also impossible to beat.

This home is unique and grand. It was conceived by Jenny's father who was a bonafide eccentric. He lived a large life and was truly one-of-a-kind. There is no other home or inn in the area like Karin's Place. The house seamlessly converted into two completely separate spaces, allowing for a living space for us and a retreat space for you while retaining privacy. Our goats, chickens, and ducks look forward to your stay as well.

There are hotels. There are convention centers. There are inns and B&Bs. None have a a pirate ship or a grown-up sized swing and enough books for a lifetime. Our attention to detail and personal investment in your time at Karin's Place makes every visit distinctive and uniquely special.

Karin’s Place is an 8,000 square-foot estate nestled in the woods of Bennington, Vermont. The guest house is the original upgraded house with a separate entrance and a large wooden fence to separate the outdoor space as well. We are far enough off the road for solitude and listening to birds and animals rustling in the woods yet just four miles from the town of Bennington and nine miles from Williamstown, Massachusetts, Karin’s Place is in the middle of nowhere and close to somewhere. She can be your ultimate destination and/or she can be your resting ground after taking in theatre, music, museums, skiing, and more.

The limit is 12 including children all with their own beds. Rent the entire house for 2 days or a couple of weeks. (Discounts for a week or more and we do NOT charge the overage fees for children 2 and under.)

Just come. Why wait? We look forward to meeting you!

As John is an acoustic expert, there is no sound bleed between the living spaces.

A portion of your fee is donated to the Alzheimer's Association in the name of Jenny's mother, Karin.

The base price is for up to 8 people. $45/person/night for additional people. (No additional person charges for children under age 3. The fees are non-negotiable. No parties or events above and beyond the people staying at the house.

Vermont Meals and Rooms Tax account number : MRT-10113308l

Property manager

Jenny Dewar
Premier Host

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Pool
Hot tub
Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Free WiFi

Have a question?

AI iconBeta

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

Similar properties

House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 11:00 AM
default

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
Lots of activities for kids!
default

Events

No events allowed
There are additional fees for parties and events.
default

Pets

No pets allowed
default

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
The non-smoking policy is strict.
Outdoor neighborhood quiet hours outside are 9pm - 8am as sound travels in the hills. Please treat our neighbors as your own.
Amplified music is not allowed outdoors. Quiet background music outdoors is fine, but loud party music should remain indoors. Exceptions for events.
NO slippy slide (well water) or beer pong. Think home, not naughty teenager party house. :-) No wild bachelor(ette) parties.

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
Note from host: There are additional fees for parties and events.
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

We should mention

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

About the area

Bennington

Located in Bennington, this holiday home is in a rural area and in the mountains. Harmon Hill and Williams College Taconic Golf Course are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Green Mountain National Forest and Mountain Meadow Preserve. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Bennington, VT

What's nearby

  • Hemmings Motor News Car Lover's Convenience Store & Vehicle Display - 13 min drive - 8.0 km
  • Bennington Museum - 14 min drive - 8.6 km
  • Bennington Battle Monument - 15 min drive - 9.5 km
  • Bennington Center for the Arts - 16 min drive - 10.4 km
  • Williams College - 18 min drive - 14.6 km

Getting around

  • Pittsfield, MA (PSF-Pittsfield Municipal) - 59 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪McDonald's - ‬15 min drive
  • ‪Taco Bell - ‬15 min drive
  • ‪Apple Barn Country Bake Shop - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪The Dutchman's Tavern - ‬13 min drive
  • ‪Chili's Grill & Bar - ‬18 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Does Karin's Place VT: Phenomenal Safe Guest House with hot tub, pool, playground... have a pool?

Yes, this property has an outdoor pool.

Is Karin's Place VT: Phenomenal Safe Guest House with hot tub, pool, playground... pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Karin's Place VT: Phenomenal Safe Guest House with hot tub, pool, playground...?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Karin's Place VT: Phenomenal Safe Guest House with hot tub, pool, playground...?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Karin's Place VT: Phenomenal Safe Guest House with hot tub, pool, playground... located?

This family-friendly Bennington holiday home is located in the mountains, steps from Green Mountain National Forest and within 6 mi (10 km) of Fiddlehead at Four Corners and Bennington Potters Yard. Taconic Ridge State Forest and Bennington Museum 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. 69 out of 71 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 71 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 71 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 71 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 71 reviews

9.6/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Alfredo C.

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

Vermont experience

It’s a gorgeous place to stay. I’d recommend it to everyone I know. And the owner is super nice people and honest.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jamie C.

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

Labor Day Getaway

Fabulous place. Kids loved the layout, as well as the pool and jacuzzi. Nice hiking options nearby. Jenny was very responsive and had great suggestions for things to do, places to eat, etc. Would definitely stay here again.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Abby D.

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

Great place to relax and enjoy time with loved ones

We had a great time for my sister’s bachelorette. Lots of privacy and Jenny is easy to reach if you need her. Great property with a sweet story as well.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Praveen R.

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

Great home with character

The house was exactly as advertised and was a beautiful space full of character. Communication with the host was excellent - quick and genuinely welcoming. Thank you for sharing your amazing home with our two families!
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Colby E.

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

Great spot to get whole family together

lots of bed combinations
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Ron R.

Wonderful Graduation Weekend

The house was great for hosting family and friends for my son's college graduation
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2017

10/10 Excellent

Leigh B.

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

Great stay for a large group

Amazing stay. The property really dazzled us with its features for both kids and adults, and we wish we had a week to stay and truly enjoy it all. Jenny, the host, went above and beyond to make sure we had everything we needed and really seemed to care that we had an excellent time. Hope to come back in the future!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2019

10/10 Excellent

Stephanie J.

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

Bachelorette Weekend

Jenny hosted us for my sister’s bachelorette weekend. Jenny was very helpful and kind! We had a very relaxing weekend get together!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Sam M.

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

It has EVERYTHING!

This was a beautiful place and experience. We did not have to leave the entire weekend, and when we did, Jenny had incredible recommendations. I could not recommend this property enough.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Nathaniel K.

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

Incredible experience!

Such a great time at Karins Place for our group of 11. Jenny was fantastic in how responsive and informative she was. The pictures don’t do the property justice, and the whole area has incredible views. Jenny also recommended a great personal chef for a night which was well worth it. Hope to stay here again.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2020

10/10 Excellent

Gregory C., Long Island New York

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

A tranquil Escape

Karen’s place is an awesome property! In a tranquil location tucked away in the woods you are able to experience the magic of Karen’s Place. It has all the amenities you could possibly need or want and will be perfect for any and every getaway. It was the perfect location for my family reunion! Jenny is awesome and her communication and willingness to help is unmatched! Thanks for every thing Jenny !
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2019

10/10 Excellent

Laura L.

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

Soul satisfying long weekend

Our stay at Karin's place was a wonderful weekend retreat. Jenny is super responsive, and a very gracious host to us. She met us to give us a tour, and our whole party couldn't help but to be inspired by the charm of this house. The favorite was the ballroom where the kids created and put on a play. The weather was perfect to enjoy countless hours at the pool, and plenty of pots/pans, and beds to keep us fed and comfy. I would highly recommend this house for large groups.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2019

10/10 Excellent

jim b., Where do you live?

Wonderful home, wonderful owner

we spent a long weekend here for a college reunion and had an amazing time. The house is perfect for a large gathering -- plenty of beds/bedrooms, lots of space to spread out, great entertainment options -- from a pool room to a small den off the kitchen to an amazing great room complete with the largest screen on which we've ever watched a basketball game! Jenny took care of us from start to finish, ensuring we had everything we needed and was always available for any quick question. a perfect getaway...
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2019
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Matt D., New York, NY, USA

Excellent Choice

Karin's place was a great choice to house a group of friends and their respective families for a great Berkshire fall weekend. We used every bedroom and took full advantage of the services offered to us (grocery shopping & meal preparation). The "great" room was a perfect place to stick a bunch of infants & toddlers who loved watching the Lion King repeatedly on the massive projection screen. We're all looking forward to making this our go-to vacation spot for an annual fall weekend getaway.

10/10 Excellent

David K.

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

A great week

A wonderful house and property for 18 of us: 10 adults and 8 grandchildren! A spacious house will wonderful common areas as well as private areas for quiet. We spent most of our time on the deck and in the pool; the land-based pirate ship with swings was also a hit as was the hot tub and sauna. The well-equipped kitchen was awesome! A special shout-out to host Jenny for making us feel welcome and for letting us be part of the world created by her parents. Demetrius further added to the enjoyment of Karin’s Place!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Stephanie S.

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

Great stay for wide range of ages!

We stayed at Karin’s Place for 3 nights in late May. There were 11 of us, including three teenagers, three parents in their 50’s and five grandparents in their 80’s. The place fit us well. It was just as advertised. We used the hot tub, sauna, gas grill, and a bunch of appliances, and everything worked great. Plenty of sheets and towels. The porch is large and gets a nice breeze around the pool area. Very comfortable! Jenny was there to meet us, and was helpful and friendly. We did not see her at all after that, though she texted the next day to make sure we had everything we needed. The dirt road leading up the hill to the house took some getting used to, but the scenery along the road (orchards, mountains, the occasional goat) was fantastic. We really enjoyed our stay!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Linea R., Boston, Massachusetts USA

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

Karin's Place was the perfect place for our family vacation

My extended family, ranging in age from 8 to 84, stayed at Karin's Place and had an amazing stay. The home was absolutely perfect. It's spacious, spotless and comfortable. There are beautiful views from the deck and every window. You’ll have your own pool, hot tub, and sauna. The kitchen is well stocked and we had a great time cooking big meals together. The home is very private and quiet, but you're a quick drive to shops and restaurants in Bennington. And for art lovers, the home is a 20 min drive to Mass MOCA and the Clarke Museum. There are plenty of places for outdoor sports like hiking and biking and my kids and their cousins found a local swimming hole. Jenny was the perfect host. He made us feel welcome and filled us in on lots of information about the area. I highly recommend Karin's Place and hope to stay again in the future.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Zach V., Melrose, MA

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

Board Game Cabin Success

Karin's place was warm and friendly despite being the largest house I've ever rented. The Host, Jenny, was very attentive and gave a full tour to our first arrivals. She text checked in once during out long weekend stay. We had 20 adults and 3 kids and all the accompanying dogs to go along with us. One bedroom was directly next to the TV room and only really a nook surrounded by privacy screens. That couple had to move, but there was plenty of space for them to do so. While staying here there are pamphlets and business cards for all sorts of entertainment in the area, we didn't use any but I could see them being a benefit. Would love to stay at Karin's place again.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2020
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Huzefa O.

Perfect Family Getaway

Karin's Place is a wonderful retreat for a large family. We spent the memorial day weekend here and this place is awesome. We had several age groups in our party and I must say that there is something for all age groups in here. A play area for toddlers, a great lawn for young kids and private and relaxing suites for adults to enjoy some quiet time. We stayed for 2 nights and 3 days and did not leave the place. The large central room with a projector was ideal for movie nights and kids had a lot of fun with it. Finally, the host , jenny is awesome. She gave a complete walkthrough of the place and gave great information about the place. The house is full of treasures and I had a joke that I would give her a list of Ten things that I could not find in the house. I am happy to say that my list was empty at the end of our stay. Will be back here again.

10/10 Excellent

Alex W.

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

Truly Perfect

Jenny is one of the best hosts I’ve had, and I’ve stayed at quite a few places. She greets you upon arrival and gives you the overview and then leaves you to your stay. She’s very communicative to make sure she answers your questions and to make sure your stay is as effortless as possible. The house had everything we needed plus some and was a great way to unwind at the end of the year and so connect from the world and just be with friends! 45 minute drive to Mount Snow and probably a few more minutes to Stratton. The town of Bennington is so quaint and quiet, and just feels so homey with all of the Christmas decorations up. The only thing the house didn’t have was a washer/dryer but not going to take off stars for that—could have easily enjoyed the town of Bennington and brought laundry there and spent a day exploring. Would recommend 1000x over to my friends and may even be booking for next NYE. Can’t thank you enough, Jenny!
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Vishal T.

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

A destination in itself

KP' came through for us, in all aspects. Location, Amenities, Service, Cleanliness, the whole 9 yards. We were a party of 14, 4 families with 8 adults and 6 kids. Each of us had our private rooms and kids had multiple dormitory settings to pick from (which they thoroughly enjoyed). Billiards room, movie theater, fire pit (with propane), fire pit (in the woods), trails on property, a pirate ship were just some of the amenities we indulged in. While there was a pool and a hot tub, we just couldn't get to it, with so much else to do around the place. Morning and evening walks around the property with great views were another highlight of the trip for us. The owner also set us up with a private chef, who prepared a 6 course dinner for us and it frankly blew our mind. We could see ourselves coming back for just another meal with Sarah! All in all a great trip for us and we certainly can see ourselves wanting to come back...
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2020
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Betty T.

Perfect Host!

We recently came back from our annual winter trip and I'm so glad we booked with Jenny. We have booked many homes throughout the years and she is by far our favorite host. She was so accommodating in terms of check in/check out times, super responsive to all of my questions and she is just crazy thoughtful. We all loved the personal touch of having brand new ear plugs, eye masks, and slippers supplied in each room. It really felt like we were at a resort! She even provided firewood and a starter log for each night of our stay. The house is spacious and very well kept. Each room has a lovely story and decor to match.The kitchen appliance are top of the line, and the flat top griddle in the middle was a huge hit with our group. The most impressive part of the house is the ballroom that has a full sized movie screen. It will certainly be hard to watch movies on a normal TV after this trip. I can't imagine any group ever running out of things to do. We were still discovering the house all the way into the last hour of our stay! I would highly recommend booking this home for your next group getaway. You won't regret it.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Val W., Scotia, NY

Best Thanksgiving Ever!

We have a family tradition of big Thanksgivings, with the extended family now having outgrown even the largest of our homes. Rather than break up the act, we have rented houses for the last couple of years. We are too big for last year's rental but we found Karin's Place. It had everything we needed - including beds for everyone. This house is amazing in so many different ways and is very well-equipped for a crowd - plenty of dishes, glassware, pots and pans, a commercial 6 burner stove top, two large ovens and two refrigerators, with enough counter space to cook up a storm and feed a small army. And great spaces, including a performance space, which we actually used for a performance. Because of the weather we didn't spend much time outside, except for the kids, who loved the playground. The big kids loved the hot tub. Everybody had a great time and loved the house - and there were many conversations about coming here again for other occasions. And Jenny is fabulous! She is very accommodating and totally commited to making her guests comfortable and happy. Could not have asked for more!!
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2017

10/10 Excellent

Jean S., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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

Best multi family vacation ever!!!!!

I really can’t say enough about Karin’s Place and especially about Jenny. She really was what made our entire vacation. From the slippers, earplugs, robes, thorough directions left in each room, we had everything we could possibly need. We even sent a grocery list in advance for a $100 fee which meant we arrived to a fully stocked kitchen with everything we requested. Our group of 12 adults and 11 children were there for Solid Sound in North Adams. Jenny even arranged for a masseuse to come give 8 of us massages. Everyone said the masseuse was AMAZING. Our kids put on a play on the stage which Jenny even stopped by to see!! A few nights, we watched laser disc movies on the giant movie screen that was in the ballroom. One thing i didn’t realize in advance was there was a fire pit tucked into the woods that we had so much fun hanging out and enjoying the stars and Vermont fresh air. At the end of our trip, Jenny met us to say goodbye and what touched my heart the most, was that we didn’t have to clear out the food that was leftover. She arranged for it to go to families in the community that were in need. Our entire group had the best time ever. Everything from the pool, fire pit, sauna, screened in gazebo, kitchen, very extensive movie collection, thousands of books, and ESPECIALLY Jenny made us excited to come back in 2 years to do it all over again. Thank you thank you thank you for opening this home to people. We will never forget our time at Karin’s Place.
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2019

10/10 Excellent

Etchell C.

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

Loved staying at Karin's Place

We had the most wonderful stay at Karin's Place. It truly is a home. We had everything we needed in the kitchen and there was plenty of room for two families of four. The jacuzzi and sauna were an added bonus. I especially appreciated that the TV was available but it was set away from the main space. So we could have a TV free chill space while the kids watched their stuff upstairs. Absolutely perfect and would consider going back again.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2022

About the host

Hosted by Jenny Dewar

Host profile image
Jenny and John met in 1991 while performing in Jesus Christ Superstar in Germany. John was in the pit playing his trombone and Jenny was onstage kicking her legs while making eyes at the pit.

Jenny began stage managing in the mid-90s while John continued to play his horn in any number of bands, ensembles, records, and films. They both worked on Broadway for a number of years before deciding it was time to live in the country. (During that time, they managed to get married.)

In 2006, they made a quick and sudden decision to sell their home in Astoria, Queens and see what Vermont living was all about. They never looked back. After Robert and Karin (Jenny’s parents) passed away, Jenny’s father entrusted her to continue his legacy of hosting people from far and wide in his home.

Robert and Karin originally built the house in 1994 as a weekend retreat. They so loved it here that they sold their apartment in New York City, moved up here full time, and then built a massive addition in 2010. Karin was wheelchair bound, so the house was designed for her accessibility. A ramp and no multi-leveling on the first floor make it easy to get around via wheelchair.

In New York, any number of people had keys to their home. It was always full of various guests, rehearsing a musical/operetta, giving a concert, or just hanging out because they had nowhere else to go for Thanksgiving. The addition to Karin’s Place was built in the same vein. Build it and they will come…

The bedrooms are named after light operas that Karin and Robert appeared in together during their lives. They were active in the Village Light Opera Group the entire 30 years they lived in New York City. Their first date was a trip to the opera!

Sadly, both Robert and Karin passed away earlier than they should have. Jenny and John promised that they would continue to keep the house full and busy. Thus, Karin’s Place was born and Jenny and John have been enjoying a variety of guests ever since.

Why they chose this property

This property was passed on to Jenny by her parents so that she would save it and keep it full of people.

What makes this property unique

The beauty of this home is the feeling of being in the middle of nowhere but having arts, culture, and towns just a few miles away. There are unexpected treasures everywhere you turn. It is a home. A grand home, but a home. Everyone is comfortable and all you need to bring is food and your bodies!

Languages:

English

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests