The Writer's Retreat: A Sweetwater Stay

Located on the shore of Tully Pond, The Writers Retreat is a newly designed 325sqft lake side cottage with breathtaking views of Tully Mountain. This 4-season cottage is built with salvaged barn wood; up-cycled maple floors and custom built furniture and lighting. It's the little sister to The Fishing Cottage. You'll find this intimate home has everything you need to relax, write the next Great American Novel, connect with a lover, or just plain chill. Enjoy your morning coffee and stunning sunsets on the back deck with views ofTully Mountain. The master bedroom has a custom built queen size bed and small desk and Cable TV and I smart TV for all your apps. We use Enhanced Cleaning procedures on all of our listings. The common area is a open Living Room and Kitchen with modern appliances. All dishes, cups, pots and pans utensils are provided as well as staple items like salt, pepper, oil, sugar, coffee etc. The living room features a custom couch and table for 2. In the bathroom, there’s all the conveniences of home including a walk-in shower and dual washer/dryer laundry machine. Tully Pond is a nature pond and is relatively shallow and weedy. The water is very clean, but for swimming enthusiasts we recommend visiting nearby Tully Lake. The Kayaks are for guests to use. I am available via the Airbnb App and I am 30 mins from Tully Pond should you need anything from me. Start your day at the Writer's Retreat by jumping into the supplied watercraft of your choice and watch the sunrise right on the water. Don’t forget the fishing rod and go after the big one (Must Have a Mass. State Fishing license) and then row back to shore and have your breakfast and coffee on the deck overlooking Tully Mountain and the pond. Tully Pond has exceptionally clean water that can be weedy so it isn’t great for serious swimmers. Tully lake, which is run by the Army Corp. of Engineers, is a only three miles away and it has great beech and swimming areas. Pack a lunch and head to the trails. The Tully Lake Recreational Area is minutes away. Highly rated for its hiking trails, fishing and boating. Hike the 4.6 mile highly rated Tully Lake Loop, year round. The trail is rated moderate and used for hiking and trail running. Tully Mountain Loop Trail is ac 1.6 mile, dog-friendly road, great for all skill levels. It’s perfect for hiking, trail running, and seeing wildlife. For more information visit A short drive away, at the Orange Mass airport, where you can skydive. So if you feel like jumping out of a plane, we got that too. Not the outdoorsy type you say? Just 14 Miles north visit my family’s award-winning distillery New England Sweetwater Farm and Distillery, for a free tasting and a tour & enjoy a 15% discount on the purchase of our local spirits. There are amazing restaurants in nearby Greenfield, Ma and in Keene, NH that await you. In Keene we recommend Machina Kitchen and Art Bar for farm to table cuisine from award winning Chef Jordan Scott. Try a decadent brunch experience at the Gill Tavern in Gill Center. In Greenfield, you can also find recreational Marijuana shops for your head, which you can enjoy outside at the retreat on the deck. Books, Art and curiosities intrigue you? Well visit the Montague Book Mill for used books and fine dining or go antiquing at shops that feel like more like museums of old New England curiosities. Visit the numerous farmers markets in the area and source, cook and grill yourself meals with the freshest local ingredients. Just a short walk or bike ride away is Nana’s Country Store with the best deli sandwiches for miles and the Boiler Room, Tully's local pub. End your day pond side roasting marshmallows by the fire pit. The closest commuter rail is the Wachusett's station in Fitchburg, Ma. Fire Wood Firewood is available at the local Tractor Supply in Orange. Guests can burn any sticks or fallen branches on the property as well. Tully Pond No motorboats are allowed and there is a YMCA children's day camp on the pond in July and August, Mondays thru Fridays. You will hear the sound of children frolicking from time to time during the day. Tully Pond is a public pond, that the general public can and does use. There are other homes on the pond that people do use and enjoy. Tully Pond is in a nature area and insects, bugs, ants, and small animals are all around and may enter the house. Please let me know if there is a problem so that I can try and fix it. Steps/Stairs/Thresholds/Rugs This home has steps, stairs, thresholds and rugs. Please familiarize yourself with all of them and use caution during your stay so that you do not injure yourself. Cell Service/Internet Cell Service may be spotty, depending on your carrier. It is best to download your welcome message before you come to the home. The internet is provided by Spectrum is reliable except in severe weather conditions. Location This home shares the same lot as the photographer's hut about 100 feet away. The pond is a nature pond, so it has weeds, but is perfectly clean and safe. For serious swimming use the nearby Tully Lake. Cleaning Fees Please understand that I believe in paying a living wage and fairly compensating my team. The team works hard to provide our guests with a clean and covid safe space to stay in. Pets Well behaved pets are welcome, but we do ask that you let us know that you are bringing a pet, and we will send you a request for an extra guest fee of $25 per day for the pet. Pets are not to be left unattended in the space unless placed in a guest provided crate or something similar. Guests are also asked to bring coverings for our furniture to keep pet dander off of our soft goods, bedding and furniture. Our properties do not have fences. Please keep your dog leashed at all times during your stay. Town of Orange General Legislation Chapter 150, Section 115-4 states, “No person owning or keeping a dog in the Town of Orange shall permit such dog to be kept at large in the Town of Orange. The owner or keeper of a dog in the Town of Orange shall restrain by a suitable means such dog.” When your dog is off leash on our property it is at large. Please pick up any animal waste and use poop bags with the regular trash. Fire Extinguisher The fire extinguisher is for emergencies only, if you are putting out a fire in your fire pit please use water from the pond or the hose at the side of the house. A replacement fee of $50 will be charged if the fire extinguisher is used in non-emergency situations. Essential Oils Please do not use of essential oils, candles, fireworks, or outdoor torches (i.e. tiki torches) Garbage During your stay and when you check out, put your filled garbage bags into the Gelinas dumpster located next to the Airstream at 35-37 Mayo Road. Blankets Blankets found in the house must remain in the house, if you bring any quilt, sheet, linen, etc. outside and the item is damaged you will be charged the replacement value. Keys Keys to the cottages can be found in the lock boxes adjacent to the entryway. The key should be returned to the lock box every time you use it, do not take the keys off the property. If a key is lost during your stay you will be charged $50. Airstream The Airstream is not for guests. Please do not enter. Kitchen Please let us know upon your departure if you have gone through all the cooking oil, salt, pepper, coffee, etc. It helps us maintain good service to all of our guests! Water Usage Our cabins are water front and we have a shared responsibility to the environment to use and conserve water. Please take short showers and conserve on toilet flushes. When cleaning or doing dishes use water conservation methods please. The beavers and wildlife thank you. Tully Pond is part of the watershed for the entire city of Boston, we hope our guests understand that. Grill The grills run on propane. When you finish using it please remember to turn the propane tank off as well. If you run out of gas, please inform us through the Airbnb App and we will bring you a replacement tank as soon as possible. Expendables and Toiletries For stays longer then five days, guest will be expected to supply their own toilet paper, tissues, soap, shampoo, coffee, spices etc. Checkout Checkout is at 11AM. Late checkouts are not permissible, for each hour you remain on the property after the 11AM checkout time you will be charged $25. Feel free to pile used towels and linens on the floor so they can be easily identified and picked up. Items Left Behind Please remember to take all of your personal belongings including electronics with you upon checkout. We are not responsible for any items left behind under any circumstances and while we will use best efforts to get them back to you we offer no promises or guarantees. You will be charged the respective shipping fee for any items left behind in addition to $25 for our time in finding, packaging and shipping. Thanks!- Patti