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Avoid crowds with private lakefront beach perfect for large groups!

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Pond and dock
Pond
Living room
Interior of secondary cottage "Batchelor Hall"
Boats available

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
7 bedrooms3 bathroomsSleeps 17

Popular amenities

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

Explore the area

Map
Harwich, MA
  • Cape Cod Lavender Farm
    ‪5 min drive‬
  • Harwich Port
    ‪6 min drive‬
  • Ocean Edge Golf Club
    ‪14 min drive‬
  • Hyannis, MA (HYA-Barnstable Municipal)
    ‪21 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

7 bedrooms (sleeps 17)

Bedroom 1 Sleep House

1 King Bed and 1 Single Bed

Bedroom 2 Sleep House

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 3 Sleep House

1 Single Bunk Bed and 2 Single Beds

Bedroom 4 Sleep House

1 Single Bed

Bedroom 6 Bachelor Hall

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 7 Bachelor Hall Bedroom

1 Single Bunk Bed and 1 Double Sofa Bed

Bedroom: 5 Cook House main room

1 Double Sofa Bed

3 bathrooms

Bathroom 1 In Cook House

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Bathroom 2 In Sleep House, near the 4 bedrooms

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 3 In Bachelor Hall

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 4 Outside Bachelor Hall

Bathtub or shower

Spaces

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

About this property

Avoid crowds with private lakefront beach perfect for large groups!

Private lakefront setting which avoids the Cape Cod crowds and public beaches!

Vacation with friends or extended family in this 'Old Cape Cod' style setting with a large private beach on John Joseph’s Pond. This 3.5 acre private wooded lot has 3 cozy cottages each with its own fireplace and 2 separate kitchens so that you and your friends or family can vacation together but still have privacy when you want it. A covered breezeway connects 2 cottages and a common courtyard allows for the whole group to gather around one or both of the two fire pits. Or follow a short wooded path down to a large private sandy beach for lounging or for swimming off the dock or to the float. Enjoy boating ( several boats available for your use), fishing, or just relaxing during the day. In the evenings enjoy food or song at the fire pits on the beach. And don't forget your dogs or other furry friends!

Property manager

Sarah S Cousins

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi
Outdoor space

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 21
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

Events allowed: family gatherings, birthday parties, weddings
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Pets

Pets allowed: limit 2 total
Well -behaved pets are welcome
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Out door is permissible but discouraged

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: 30
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 C0241351260

About the area

Harwich

Located in Harwich, this cottage is on the beach. Hyannis Harbor is a notable landmark, and the area's natural beauty can be seen at Cape Cod Beaches and West Dennis Beach. Travelling with kids? Consider Adventure Chatham and Cape Cod Lavender Farm. Enjoy the area's slopes with cross-country skiing, and don't miss out on the ice skating.
Map
Harwich, MA

What's nearby

  • Cape Cod Lavender Farm - 5 min drive - 3.7 km
  • Harwich Port - 6 min drive - 5.2 km
  • Bank Street Beach - 7 min drive - 5.7 km
  • Chatham Lighthouse - 12 min drive - 11.1 km
  • Ocean Edge Golf Club - 14 min drive - 12.4 km

Getting around

  • Hyannis Transportation Center - 20 min drive
  • Hyannis, MA (HYA-Barnstable Municipal) - 21 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Dairy Queen - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Brax Landing Restaurant - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Corner Store- Chatham - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Ember Coal Fired Pizza & Wings - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Sundae School Ice Cream - ‬6 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Avoid crowds with private lakefront beach perfect for large groups! pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows pets (limit 2 total).

What time is check-in at Avoid crowds with private lakefront beach perfect for large groups!?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Avoid crowds with private lakefront beach perfect for large groups!?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Avoid crowds with private lakefront beach perfect for large groups! located?

Nestled on the beach, this Harwich cottage is within 3 mi (5 km) of Adventure Chatham, Cape Cod Beaches and Red River Beach. Harwich Port and Cranberry Valley Golf Course are also within 3 miles (5 km).

Reviews

9.8

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. 24 out of 28 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 4 out of 28 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 28 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 28 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 28 reviews

8.8/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

9.4/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

8/10 Good

Patricia C.

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

Heavenly pond-side site in beautiful Harwich on Cape Cod.

Our family is big on camping and the great outdoors. This location is a good match for us. Let’s call it rustic. The host is gracious and a good communicator. The “cabins” are rustic and charming, maybe they have some of the original parts from the 1950’s? We enjoyed the private beach and the kayaks, canoes and beach toys. Campfires were terrific fun. Games galore available on site. Kitchen well equipped. Barbeque was handy. Our group had a marvelous time. This is not a fancy resort, if you are super fussy about cobwebs, mildew or leaky screens, this is not the place for you. It is a bit like camping. We plan to return; it is a very unique and special spot. We had a wonderful time!!!
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2024

8/10 Good

Katie L.

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

Magical Family Getaway

Imagine staying at an old style Cape Cod compound where you have the privacy of your very own beach on a large tranquil pond in the middle of Cape Cod. It is minutes to the bike trail, walking trails, great restaurants, shopping, the Bay, the Sound and the Outer Cape. J.J. includes three rustic cabins- one common cabin which includes a great room, large kitchen and bath. In addition there is a bunk house which accommodates two couples with children, and another cabin suitable for one couple with children. Owners are warm, very responsive, engaging and flexible. It was a sweet, relaxing retreat that helped to create wonderful family memories to last a life time. Thank you!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Judi B.

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

Great reunion on the Cape

Some 23 of us, arriving at staggered times, had a wonderful experience. We visited places all over the Cape, sat and played on our private beach, and thoroughly enjoyed the variety of water craft. There was truly something for everyone. There were two cousins, ages 8 mo and 5 mo that entertained us as well as two cousin dogs who romped and played endlessly. It was FABULOUS!
Stayed 14 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Connor D.

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

Incredible Stay in Harwich

I first reached out to Anne on VRBO regarding her property she shares with her family. From the first message until the last message after our trip, she was nothing but completely responsive and helpful. She shared a list of everything they have to offer at the property including trash, amenities, things close to the cottages, etc. The pictures on the website are absolutely accurate and the entire place is more than worth the price. We didn’t run into a single issue while we were there. There’s plenty of space for 15 people and you can make room for more if needed. The pond is right down the woods trail and was perfect. The cottages were in immaculate condition, the grill worked amazingly, there was plenty of seating, and plenty of room for having fun outside. Our group, for example, played corn hole, grilled, had a fire, sat on truck tailgates, and we still had room for more. I would highly recommend anyone contact Anne if they want a beautiful, serene location for some family or friend time and you have a large group. Our group even discussed making it a yearly tradition to use this place! Anne, once again thank you so much! It was truly a wonderful experience.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Jake J.

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

Exactly what I expected

The property was perfect for our group, and it was exactly what was promised.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Sasha H., Brooklyn, New York

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

Glamping in the Best Way Possible

This trio of cabins, nestled in the trees on the pristine John Joseph pond, is situated close to each other but still provides private quarters for individual families traveling with friends. The kitchen is in its own building, along with a great handout room, so people who want to stay up later (our children) can, without disturbing sleepers. A huge and fabulous fire pit roughly centered among the buildings is surrounded by comfortable Adirondack chairs and provides a cozy gathering place after a long day of hanging out on the private beach, accessed through two well-situated paths in the woods. The beach, oh my, it is really special, with kayaks and at least one canoe, a paddle board, beach toys, etc., as well as two more fire pits which our industrious friend used for a day-into-night cookout to great effect. The beds are comfortable, there is plenty of room to sprawl out, and our hostess, Anne, was super responsive and welcoming. If you are looking for luxury, this is not your place, but if you can deal with a bit of rough and tumble, this place is magic.
Stayed 14 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Lori L.

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

Beautiful setting

Property was a very nice place to spend a family vacation. The setting on the lake was beautiful and the kids really, really enjoyed playing in the water. The private beach was great. Loved making s’mores every night. The kitchen was well supplied and we didn’t miss anything. Beds were comfortable and we slept well. Enjoyed our stay.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2021

8/10 Good

Jean P., Dayville, Ct.

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

The Lake

Beautiful stay , we didn’t have the best weather. Still had a great time. Difficulty walking the paths if old🤣😂
Stayed 2 nights in May 2021

10/10 Excellent

Christopher R.

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

Nice stay. Pond was great

Nice relaxing stay. Pond was great and rustic cabin was nice.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2020

10/10 Excellent

Stephen G., West Hartford, CT, USA

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

Wonderful time in the woods on the lake

Our family had a wonderful week in the woods and on the lake at this property. Staying in the various rustic but clean cabins surrounded by trees but close to everything was such a source of calm and relaxation during these trying times. Anne is a wonderful host and was very responsive. We enjoyed the kayaks, canoe, float, dock, sunfish, and fished on the lake. We built a campfire every night and enjoyed reconnecting and relaxing as a family. The kitchen was well stocked. Thank you!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2020

8/10 Good

Jesse C., Boston, MA

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

Beautiful Getaway

This property is spectacular with its private pond access, cute cabins, and ample outdoor space. If you're looking for luxury features and modern lodgings, this place isn't for you. If you like the cabin life and don't mind something cozy, this place is definitely for you. The pond can't be beat and the water sports equipment is such a huge plus! Owners do live on the property (it's a massive lot and their house is a 3-4 min walk away), so you do occasionally run into them, but they are lovely.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2020

10/10 Excellent

Beazie C.

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

Extraordinary, one of a kind property

The camp on John Joseph Pond is not to be missed. It's rustic in the best way with 3 wonderfully quirky cottages with plenty of space (there were 15 of us) on a beautiful and undeveloped piece of land with private beach and pier. You feel away from it all and yet groceries are just a short drive away. Places like this are hard to come by on the Cape. It made for a perfect two week "Camp Covid" stay for 4 families and 3 dogs.
Stayed 13 nights in Jul 2020

10/10 Excellent

amy m.

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

Great stay on beautiful pond

We had a wonderful week on the pond. Two families with kids shared the property. Lots of room for all of us. Really appreciated all the great spots with lots of seating for all: at the beach, the fire pit, outdoor and indoor dining tables. Such a great getaway.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2020

10/10 Excellent

Jane Marlen v.

Magical

This place is so magical! It is right on the lake. We enjoyed BBQs in the evening, singing around the bonfire at night, and going kayaking during the day. This place is awesome for large groups. We went with a larger group that stayed in different houses and gathered at night in this place. There are three spots to do bonfires, lots of seating and a big space to hang out. We had no complaints about noise either. The lake is so gorgeous and it comes with several kayaks, canoes and a litle sailing boat which was really fun to try. Every morning some people would wake up and have coffee on the peer and go kayaking. The houses are rustic, and very lovingly furnished. We felt immediately at home. There is also a large kitchen and two fridges (one in another cottage) which was great for storing large quanitities of food. Thank you for making our graduation trip so amazing! We also had one child there (age 9) and she was in tears when we were leaving because she loved it so much.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2019

10/10 Excellent

Ryan G.

Fantastic property and location!

Anne and Dick’s place has three good sized cabins on a beautiful piece of land that has access to two fire pits and a great private beach. Our weekend get together had 17 people and we played golf at the nearby Captains Course in Brewster which was only about a 10 minute drive. We ended our days around the fire pits while grilling on the back patio. This truly is a great location! I would highly recommend these cottages to anyone and I will definitely be coming back here again with family and friends. I can't forget to mention that Anne and Dick had delicious homemade brownies waiting for us upon arrival. The perfect vacation spot!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2018

10/10 Excellent

Greg D., Hanson, Ma

Great property for multiple families and or friends!

3 good size cottages. Plenty of space for all family and/or friends to gather around the fire pit between cottages or down on the beach. My party had got together for a weekend and went deep sea fishing one day and golf at cranberry golf course about a mile away the second day. Camp fires and grilling to end the days. Great property and great hosts. Thank you.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2018

10/10 Excellent

Brittany M.

Beautiful cottages on the lake!

Anne and Dick’s place is a perfect cape cod getaway! Plenty of beds, great kitchen and lots of outdoor seating. The lake is absolutely beautiful and relaxing. This place is great for a large group! you could easily spend all your time relaxing at the house or if you want to go out they are close to beaches and restaurants. Would highly recommend these cottages to anyone!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2018

10/10 Excellent

Bill L.

Great location

Great place for large group. Lots of things to do nearby
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2018
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

fanny p.

TOPNOTCH !!!!

This cottage is ideally located in Cape Cod, with a private pond & beach. You have everything to enjoy the beach: kayaks, paddle, sunfish...The cottages are well furnished and the owner very nice and accommodating. We would definitely recommend this place and we will come back next year !! The French group
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

fanny p.

Topnotch !!!!! GREAT

These cottages are very well located. It is located on a private pond. You have everything to enjoy the pond with your kids (or without): paddle, sunfish, kayak....Our kids had a blast. The owners are very nice & accommodating. I would definitely recommend these cottage and we will all come back again. The French group.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Jolene K.

Ideal setting

The setting of these cottages is perfect. Located on a private pond, near ocean beaches and within close proximity to the bike trail, we always had something to do. The description of the cottages was accurate. The owners are very accommodating and helpful. I would recommend this property to a friend or would come back again.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Caitlin P.

Perfect spot!!

My group of friends and I from high school try and get together for a "family" vacation every couple years. We had a group of 17 this year so it was a little difficult to find somewhere to accommodate all of us. I came across this property and knew it would be perfect. There was a lot of sleeping space and we loved the main cottage where we could all gather. Our favorite part was the pond and outdoor area. Although the location is great we did not feel the need to leave the house because we were occupied with outdoor games, boat and pond equipment and fire pits which were utilized every night. We were even greeted with freshly baked brownies from the owners Anne and Dick. I could not rave more about how great the spot is. We will certainly be visiting again!
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Michael C.

Great time for our large group get away!

We had a large group looking for a somewhere to stay down the Cape, and this place was perfect! The cottages themselves had plenty of space for our group, though the best part of this place is all the outdoor space. We enjoyed grilling and relaxing on the patio and around the fire pits near the cottages. The access to the pond was an amazing bonus. The beach provides a private space with access to the pond. We happily took full advantage of the dock, variety of boats, the fire pits, and the beautiful sunrise. The owners were extremely friendly and easy to work with. While we were easily able to explore nearby for restaurants and night life, we didn't really need or want to leave! Overall we were incredibly happy with our stay, and our definitely already considering a return visit!
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Natalie B.

Such a Nice Getaway Oasis!

I have stayed here twice already and have just booked my third visit this fall because I am in love with this place. Me and about 12 other women come and relax, do yoga, do bonfires and hang on the water. Most of us are coming from NYC and this place provides the perfect peace and quiet we need! I also bring my two rescue mutts and they love hanging out on the pond and going boating with us! Anne and Dick couldn't be better hosts! When you get there, there is always a plate of delicious homemade brownies! Also, the first couple of days during my last visit, it was unseasonably cold and Dick brought over firewood because he was concerned that we would be cold! I cannot say enough good things about Anne and Dick and the property! I'm sure I will be back for many, many wonderful visits!
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Marc G.

Perfect Vacation

This beautiful property is the perfect setting for a large group of friends or a family gathering. You do not have to leave the property with a large private beach to enjoy all day long and fire pits to enjoy the sunset. The owners are very easy to work with and accommodating. Highly recommended.

About the host

Hosted by Sarah S Cousins

Host profile image
Our family and friends have enjoyed this property for many decades and we welcome you share it too. As a retired medical couple we now find managing this special spot a great way to bring a happy, healthful vacation to new groups of families and friends.
Dick and Anne Simmons

Languages:

English