Manual for Charming Lakefront Cottage on Swan Lake!

We’re thrilled to have you here and can’t wait for you to enjoy the peaceful beauty of Swan Lake, NY. We’ve thought of everything to make this stay comfortable, so please feel free to explore, make yourself at home, and let us know if there’s anything you need. Here’s to a memorable stay! Enjoy 😊

Distance: It takes 2 hours from JFK or 1:40min from Newark airport, but it depends on traffic. The road is beautiful in every season of the year. Just drive carefully.

Local Area: We’re a 10 minute drive away from the famous Woodstock festival site & museum  (https://www.bethelwoodscenter.org/museum)

🛣️Directions

Once on Briscoe Rd, turn into Swan Lake Road (a dirt road), and continue until you spot the “13” sign. Welcome, you’ve arrived!

🚗 Parking

Please park fully in the driveway, past the fence. Avoid parking on the main road.

House Rules

We did everything possible so you can feel at home, but please remember that this is our house, and we put our heart & soul into it. Please take care of it like it is yours. 

  • What can you use? Whatever you see in the house. 

  • Most of the light switches are marked. 

  • Some of the switches and connected devices are marked DON’T UNPLUG. Please don’t unplug them, and if you did, please plug them back. 

  • Please Return all remotes to their place. Otherwise, they will get lost, and future guests won’t be able to use them.

  • The house and our property is entirely 100% smoking free.

  • No vapes, E-cig or any kind of any type of smoking. 

  • Shoes off, Please. Please remove your shoes while you're in the house

  • No loud noise or music after 10pm. We have neighbors who live around all year long, and this is our community. Please respect it. 

  • No outdoor trash or food leftovers. You are in nature. Your food or even closed garbage bags will attract animals, especially at night.

Check-In/Out Times

  • Check-in: 3 PM (We’ll do our best to accommodate earlier arrivals!)

  • Check-out: By: 10:00AM (Our cleaner arrives at 10:15 AM, so please plan accordingly.)

    We can try to be flexible with your timing, including late arrivals, just let us know in advance.

🔑Entering the House

  • Main Entry: Use the electronic lock by pressing the lock icon, enter 1313, and confirm (✓).

  • Backup Key: If needed, there’s a manual key in the lockbox on the wooden fence. Code: 2255.

  • Important: Please return the key before you check out.

    **If you arrive late, road lights will guide you to the house. Watch your step on the front deck stairs, they can be slippery, especially in winter.

🔑The Lockbox

It is located on the RIGHT side of the fence if you face the exit.

Heating & Cooling

  • AC: A new AC in the living room cools the house quickly when doors and windows are closed.

  • Heat: Floor radiators with thermostats are in each room.

TV, Internet & Cell Reception

  • TVs: Are available in the Master bedroom & the living room. both are smart TVs with the popular apps.

    **Note: the TV requires an internet connection to work.

    • Our smart TV offers streaming via Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+, and YouTube TV.

  • 🛜Wi-Fi: Network: Lake_Guest_5g (or 2.4) | Password: 22552255G

    • Equipped with 1GB of internet speed.

  • 📶Cell Reception: It’s low indoors. Use WiFi for calls if needed.

🍳Kitchen

  • Fully Stocked Kitchen: Our fully stocked kitchen is designed to cater to all culinary needs, ensuring that guests feel right at home during their stay. Equipped with modern appliances, including a refrigerator, stove, microwave, and dishwasher, the kitchen provides a seamless experience for meal preparation.

    A variety of pots, pans, and utensils are available, along with a selection of knives and cutting boards. Essentials such as measuring cups and mixing bowls make it easy to whip up your favorite recipes. Our kitchen also includes small appliances like a toaster to enhance your morning routine.

  • Smoke Alarms: Sensitive and connected to emergency services! If smoke happens, clear it out with a towel quickly and open doors.

    The smoke alarms are connected to 911, and the fire department will dispatch!

    🧯Fire extinguisher is under the sink.

🛁Bathroom Essentials

  • 🧼Fresh towels and shampoo are provided for your convenience.

  • 🚽For the comfort of all guests, PLEASE ONLY FLUSH TOILET PAPER—nothing else! Please AVOID flushing anything else (including wipes, feminine products, or paper towels), as it can cause blockages and disrupt your stay.

    If a clog occurs due to improper flushing, the cost of repairs will be CHARGED TO THE GUEST. Let’s keep the water flowing and your stay stress-free! 😊

🗑️Trash & Recycling

  • Place trash in the outdoor bin near the main path.

  • Collection is Thursday early mornings, so if you're staying during the week, please take all trash out by Wednesday night.

  • Be sure to tie bags securely before putting them in the bins to prevent any wildlife issues.

🏡Outdoor Area

We highly recommend closing the screens EVERY TIME you step outside or inside even for a few seconds.

🛶Deck & Dock

  • Deck: Enjoy it, but close screens to keep out insects. Watch your step on the dock; it can be slippery.

  • Lake Activities: Feel free to swim, kayak, or fish (NY license required). Green kayaks and safety vests are available. Please use vests, especially if you're not a good swimmer.

    **There is a safety water suit in the outside box (lock is 2255)

🫕Yard & BBQ

  • Yard: Perfect for games, the fire pit, or relaxing. Please wear shoes outside.

  • BBQ: Feel free to use it. Remember to turn off the propane valve once you’re done, clean the grill, and cover it when cooled.

    If the tank is empty, there is usually an extra one in the garage. Feel free to contact us, or you can swap it at a nearby gas station, and we’ll reimburse you.

    **Don’t leave the grill ON and unattended. It can start a fire.

🍂Leaves

  • In autumn, leaves fall often, and while we clean every two weeks, you might still see some on the grass or balcony shortly after. Feel free to use our leaf blower. Just contact us for instructions!

🪔Fire Pit

  • Use appropriately sized wood, keep the lid on, and ensure the fire is fully extinguished before leaving it unattended.

🌳Nature & Wildlife

  • You’re surrounded by nature! You may encounter spiders, ants, and the occasional wandering deer. Keep doors and windows closed to avoid insects indoors. A vacuum is available if needed.

🌊 Make the Most of the Lake. Stay Safe and Have Fun!!

Enjoy the peaceful waters, but please keep these safety tips in mind:

  • The lake is yours to enjoy at your own risk: We strongly recommend wearing a life vest, even for experienced swimmers.

  • Expect mud and rocks on the lake bottom: Water shoes will make swimming more comfortable.

  • The lake depth changes with the seasons, so no jumping from the dock!

  • Kayak & Paddleboard Rules: Always wear a life vest. When finished, tie kayaks back in place and return the paddleboard to the lawn so they don’t drift away.

  • Dogs are welcome to swim under your supervision: Please be mindful of their safety.

  • Want to rent a boat? There’s an additional charge. Just contact us in advance!

We’ve also put together a Guidebook with our favorite restaurants, local eats, and day trips.

Check it out Airbnb Guidebook by clicking HERE.

🆘Emergency Information

  • 🚨For any emergency, dial 9-1-1 immediately.

  • 🏥ER (24/7): 14 min away – Directions

  • 🚑Urgent Care (Monticello): 9 min away – Check hours

  • 💊Pharmacies:

    • Walgreens: 381 Broadway, Monticello, NY 12701

    • Walmart: 41 Anawana Lake Rd, Monticello, NY 12701 (Check Hours)

  • Fire Safety: If there’s a fire you can’t control, call 9-1-1. A small extinguisher is under the sink.

  • First Aid Kit: Located in the bathroom drawer. available if needed.

Security Alarm and Monitoring System

  • Our property is equipped with a Ring security alarm system and wifi cameras. 

  • There are NO cameras in the house, only outside.

  • There are cameras on the property for your security. For privacy reasons, we disconnect the audio while we have guests. If you prefer us to disconnect the outdoor cameras, let us know but be aware that it also means that the alarm and maybe some security lights won’t operate as well. 

Hi, You are in nature 🌲

There will be outside and rarely but sometime inside: Ants, spiders, and other flying Insects. The house is well protected, but please remember to close all doors, windows, and nets when you step outside, even if it’s only for a minute.

You can find them in the restrooms; Insects replant if you want.

Some seasons bring different insects. Oct - Nov, there will be more yellow jacks until it gets colder.

No outdoor trash or food leftovers. You are in nature. Your food or even closed garbage bags will attract animals, especially at night.

If you see a spider in the house or other incest, you can use the vacuum to get rid of it. (if you prefer)

In nature, you feel the changes of the seasons even more. Leaves will fall and stay on the ground; branches can fall, and snow can pile. Please just be aware of it and be extra careful.

Our area has a lot of wandering deer. They are magnificent animals; they may walk to our property. Please don’t scare them away; they will leave quietly. It’s a beautiful thing to see them early in the morning. If you close the fence at night, more likely they won’t come in.

Also, when you drive on the roads, be extra careful, especially at night.

Check out instruction

We hope you had a wonderful stay with us! Your experience is important to us, and we would greatly appreciate it if you could leave us a 5-star review. If you have any private feedback on how we can improve, we would be grateful to hear that as well. As a small business, your support means everything to us, and we want to ensure that any issues are addressed before they become public. Thank you for being part of our journey! 😊

We kindly ask for your help in preparing the house for the next guest by doing the following:

  • Check-out time: 10:00am (Our cleaner will come at 10:15am)

  • Sheets & Towels: Place used ones in laundry baskets.

  • Dishes: Load and run the dishwasher. Even if it’s only a few dishes, it’s ok!

  • Porch Items: Bring inside any items used outdoors.

  • Deck Doors: Close and LOCK the two sliding doors.

  • AC/Heaters: Turn off all the AC units before you leave.

    • In winter, set heaters to 55°F.

  • Trash: Place all trash bags in outdoor bins.

  • Lights & Plugs: Turn off lights and replug any “DON’T UNPLUG” items.

  • TV Remote: Put back all remotes in their place (TV on the coffee table, AC and Fans back to their holders)

    If you had a great stay, we’d truly appreciate a 5-star review! ⭐

    Your feedback helps us continue providing great experiences 😊

    Thank you, and we hope to host you again!