Get in Touch with Ithaca Lakefront Rentals
Have questions about our Cayuga Lake House with Private Dock
Hello! We are Carolyn and Adam, your hosts for these properties. We’ve been living in Ithaca since 2001, although Carolyn likes to say she’s been here since she came for undergraduate studies in 1990, with just two short breaks. We met at Cornell University in 1998.
We first purchased Chez Schaye in the summer of 2001, just before we got married (Adam’s last name is Schaye). It took three visits for Adam to convince Carolyn that the “house,” which lacked stairs, siding, and any sense of style, could really be a home. But Adam was right. We spent our 20s fixing it up. When we became a family with three children under five (two of whom are in college now), we knew we had to move out temporarily. The house became a short-term rental before that was even a term. We advertised through visitithaca.com and sent our guests a lease in the mail. The house is a labor of love—we especially love the lakeside dock, how easy it is to eat outdoors, our personal design touches like the shoji screen closet doors, and of course, the stunning lake views.
The Graye House has a very different origin story (Graye is the portmanteau of Greenwald and Schaye). We purchased this house ten years after Chez Schaye because we thought it was totally beautiful. The wood floors and stone fireplace are stunning. Since we renovated the decks and steps in 2022, this house is also a wonderful place to sit outside with a large group and enjoy the views.
Both of our properties are pet-friendly and come with kayaks, a canoe, and life jackets—perfect for enjoying Cayuga Lake. Whether you’re seeking a weekend getaway in Ithaca, exploring the Finger Lakes Wine Trail, or visiting Cornell University or Ithaca College, our lakefront homes for rent in Ithaca offer the perfect blend of comfort and location.
What people are saying
“We enjoyed our stay at Carolyn’s home. The home was clean, uncluttered, and very welcoming! The lake view from the sliders as we walked in was so lovely! The kitchen was clean and well-stocked with dishes, glasses, pots, pans, and more. We couldn’t wait to unpack and walk down to the lake. We loved the layout, the ease of check- in, and especially how clean the home was. Linens and bedding were provided and we had everything we enjoyed our time there. We had fun using both the canoe and kayaks provided! Just wonderful. Thank you, Carolyn!“
Joanne
Simsbury, Connecticut
“We had a wonderful and comfortable stay. The ease of taking the kayaks and canoes out on the water was a major bonus of this place. There is plenty of outdoor space to relax and take in the beautiful and natural surroundings. I highly recommend staying here for a relaxing getaway that is close to all the best that Ithaca has to offer.“
Corinne
“This is an amazing place to stay if you’re looking for a few days of peace and relaxation. The house is great and met all of our expectations and needs. My family loved that they could swim and go fishing and kayaking right off the dock. There’s lots to do in the area. I would stay here again in a heartbeat!”
Jennifer
Shermans Dale, Pennsylvania
“This house is a real gem. It’s both beautifully maintained and in a gorgeous location (pun intended and celebrated).
We especially appreciated that this house, though nested among many cottages, was very private. There was plenty of space, indoors and out, for our family to enjoy activities together and to spread out and relax. All amenities and descriptions from our host were accurate, and their detailed instructions and guidebook were extremely helpful. And this was just at the property. A short drive away, we had all the adventures of various parks and gardens, not to mention all the delights of Ithaca. This rental allows for the best of all worlds because it feels like a lakehouse and it’s a hop away from fantastic destinations.
We definitely recommend this property and would love to return!
Peter
“Beautiful spot with spectacular views of the lake, convenient to area attractions while feeling private at the same time. Kitchen was well stocked and everything was clean and in good shape. Host was very communicative. Hope to return the next time we are in town! Bring a bike and check out the Black Diamond rail trail and ride it up to Taughannock Falls – you won’t be disappointed!“
James
“The house is beautiful and set right on the lake as promised. We enjoyed watching the rowing crews and kayaking ourselves and hanging out on the deck. The house is so comfortable and efficient. We also loved the area and surrounding towns. We saw just about ever waterfall and loved the natural aspects of where we were staying.“
Dee
Uxbridge, Massachusetts
“We came to Ithaca to visit family, so we did not do much touring. However, Carolyn’s recommendations for activities and restaurants were fairly extensive and appreciated. She was helpful, quick to respond, and honest about the description of the house and surroundings (which were beautiful). The deck area was large and the scenery was gorgeous. The large bedroom upstairs had windows overlooking the lake which made for lots of natural light. The family room and kitchen/dining areas also had large windows and doors that provided the same. Unfortunately it rained/snowed for our time there, but it was still a beautiful and peaceful location to relax and unwind. It is definitely a place we would love to return to in the future! Thank you for allowing us this experience, Carolyn!“