Lake Onderdonk Retreat - Lakefront + Fall Foliage

Come for the water. Stay for the peace. Wake to lake sunlight, sunroom coffee and soaring bald eagles, with an eagle nest across the lake. Swim, fish, kayak, paddleboard or explore by water bike, then relax under the pergola or gather by the fire. In fall, enjoy brilliant Helderberg foliage; in winter, snowshoe, ice skate or make this your cozy home base for Catskills skiing. Thoughtfully renovated with 3 queen bedrooms, a 2-twin nook, gourmet kitchen, tiled baths, curated art and stained glass.

The space
Elderberry Retreat was thoughtfully designed to bring the beauty of the outdoors in. Throughout the home, earth, water and sky are reflected in natural textures, original artwork, stained glass and carefully chosen details. From tactile floors that evoke the feeling of walking upon the earth to lily pads, fish, birds and botanical elements inspired by Lake Onderdonk, the home is designed to feel connected to the landscape just beyond the windows.

Each season brings its own beauty. In fall, the glass-front sunroom becomes a front-row seat to brilliant Helderberg foliage, with reds, oranges and golds reflected across the lake. Spend the day hiking nearby trails, exploring scenic country roads and taking in mountain views, then return to the quiet of the water.

In winter, Elderberry Retreat becomes a cozy home base for Catskills skiing, snowshoeing, ice skating and ice fishing. After a day outdoors, come home to the warmth of the gas fireplace, peaceful lake views and a comfortable place to unwind.

Spring brings the woods and shoreline back to life, while summer is made for swimming, fishing, kayaking, paddleboarding, relaxing beneath the pergola and evenings gathered by the fire.

Guest access
Guests enjoy private access to the home, pool, fire pit, pergola with soft solar evening lighting, spacious lakefront grounds and peaceful outdoor spaces designed for relaxation.

Spend the morning with coffee by the water, unwind beneath the pergola, meditate or practice yoga along the shoreline, or gather by the fire as the lake settles into evening.

A collection of watercraft is available for enjoying the lake, including six kayaks, two paddle boards, a water bicycle, row boat, paddle boat and canoe. Guests can also enjoy fishing poles, snowshoes, yoga mats, croquet, board games, basketball hoop, and pickleball paddles and balls for use at a nearby public court about 10 minutes away.

Inside, guests have access to a fully equipped gourmet kitchen designed for everything from simple breakfasts to memorable home-cooked meals. You’ll find new appliances, quality cookware, baking sheets, utensils and all the little details you may not think to pack, along with beautiful serving platters and pieces for both preparation and presentation. German china and vintage glassware add a special touch to the table. Just bring your favorite food and ingredients — the kitchen is ready for you to cook, bake, gather and enjoy.

The home also features custom tiled bathrooms, a spacious soaking tub, shampoo, conditioner and body wash, central air and heat, a clothes steamer and a guest lockbox for added convenience.

Comfortable living and gathering spaces include a gas fireplace accented with stained glass that casts beautiful color into the room, as well as a spacious glass-front sunroom overlooking the lake and grounds. The sunroom is a peaceful place to relax, read from a small curated collection of books, paint, draw, meditate, practice yoga or enjoy games with family while bald eagles soar past the windows.

Electronic entry makes arrival and coming and going easy throughout your stay. Please contact the host through VRBO when you arrive so she can welcome you, provide access and offer a brief introduction to the home and waterfront amenities.

Other things to note
Elderberry Retreat on the Lake is beautifully positioned for guests who want both a peaceful waterfront escape and access to some of the Northeast’s most scenic, creative and culturally rich destinations. From the Helderbergs and northern Catskills to the Hudson Valley and Berkshire Mountains, there is something to explore in every season.

Spend the day hiking forest trails at Partridge Run, wandering the wooded paths and waterfalls of the Huyck Preserve, or taking a scenic drive toward Kaaterskill Falls and the Catskill Mountains. In fall, the surrounding hills and country roads come alive with brilliant reds, oranges and golds, offering exceptional hiking, photography, scenic drives and foliage viewing.

Winter brings a completely different kind of beauty. Guests can enjoy Catskills and Berkshire skiing, snowshoeing, winter hiking, ice skating, snowmobiling and, when conditions permit, ice fishing right on Lake Onderdonk. After a day outdoors, return to the warmth of the gas fireplace and the quiet of the lake.

The surrounding region is also rich in art, music, wellness and creative inspiration. Explore the Berkshires for renowned museums, galleries, sculpture parks, spas and wellness experiences, along with world-class music at Tanglewood and more intimate venues throughout the region. Visit the Norman Rockwell Museum, MASS MoCA, the Clark Art Institute, Art Omi and TurnPark Art Space, or discover historic music destinations such as the Guthrie Center in Great Barrington and Levon Helm Studios in Woodstock.

Artists, writers, photographers and creative travelers will find inspiration throughout the Hudson Valley, Catskills and Berkshires, with galleries, artist communities, live music, outdoor sculpture, historic towns and beautiful landscapes in nearly every direction.

Scenic drives can also lead toward Saratoga, Lake Placid and the Adirondacks, while New York City, Boston and Montreal offer possibilities for longer excursions or stops as part of a broader Northeast getaway.

Then come home to Elderberry. Settle into the glass-front sunroom, watch bald eagles soar across the lake, relax beneath the pergola, gather by the fire or simply enjoy the stillness of the water.

It is the best of both worlds: mountains, hiking, skiing, art, music, wellness, culture and four-season adventure within reach, with a beautiful private lakefront retreat waiting when you are ready to slow down.