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Entire home

Writer's Retreat & Explorer's Adventure, S of Rte. 1 Madison!

Photo gallery for Writer's Retreat & Explorer's Adventure, S of Rte. 1 Madison!

Property grounds
Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop
Exterior
Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop
Property grounds
Perched on the water's edge, this designer-inspired retreat offers a serene escape. Kayak out to the Long Island Sound or bask in the sunrise over the marsh among Great Blue Herons. Enjoy smart TVs, high-speed internet, and cozy heat in winter or cool air conditioning in summer.

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire home

2 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 4127 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Hot tub
  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Barbecue grill
  • Parking available

Add dates for prices

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

Writer's Retreat & Explorer's Adventure, S of Rte. 1 Madison!

Experience a combination of spectacular marsh and water views along with designer inspired finishes. Kayak out to the Long Island Sound or enjoy the sun rising over the marsh among the Great Blue Herons.

We are committed to making your stay peaceful and easy, whether you're a writer looking for new inspiration or a small group looking to explore the marsh and everything else this beautiful shoreline town has to offer. Featuring 2 well positioned bedrooms at opposite ends of the house with living and laundry rooms in between it makes for a larger feel and it's DIRECTLY on the water. A twin alcove bunk allows for an additional sleeping option with direct water views, a great place for someone to perch and keep an eye on all of the nature outside the wall of windows as the sun comes up.

Ice cool air conditioning in the summer and cozy heat in the winter!

Smart TVs throughout the house allow you to bring your favorite apps with you along with high-speed fiber optic internet service, you can keep in touch with the office from a place that feels Far Farrr away.

Don't worry about getting your clothes dirty on your new adventures. A washer and dryer are located next to the kitchen for your convenience!

In addition to the brand-new kitchen stocked with all the basics don't forget to add some grilling items to the Instacart order or take a trip to Clinton and experience the new impressive Big Y grocery store. We have a Webber grill mounted on the deck off of the kitchen! 

We have lived and visited the river house for years now and not one of those days have we forgot to comment in awe of the views. Having access to such a Gem of a property is something we are happy to share with you and look forward to helping build lasting memories for years to come.

Property amenities

Beach

  • Beach loungers
  • Beach towels

Pool/Spa

  • Hot tub

Internet

  • Available in the house: Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Parking on site

Kitchen

  • Blender
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Dishwasher
  • Hob
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Paper towels
  • Refrigerator
  • Toaster

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 2 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • 1 bathroom
  • Bathtub or shower
  • Hair dryer
  • Shampoo
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Dining table
  • Living room
  • Separate dining area

Entertainment

  • Books
  • Games
  • Smart TV with cable/satellite channels
  • Stereo
  • Video games

Outdoor areas

  • Barbecue grill
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Patio

Laundry

  • Laundry facilities
  • Washing machine

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoke-free property

Services and conveniences

  • Iron/ironing board

Location highlights

  • Near an outlet shopping centre
  • Near the sea
  • On a river
  • On the waterfront

Things to do

  • Kayak
  • Water sports equipment
  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Casino nearby
  • Kayaking nearby
  • Motor boating nearby
  • Wildlife walks nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
  • Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Deadbolt lock

General

  • Recycling
  • Unit size: 1,369 square feet

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Dining

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  • Kitchen
  • Washer
  • Dryer
  • Pet-friendly
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Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Minimum check-in age - 25

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Pets

Pets not allowed

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome

Events

No events allowed

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

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
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Long-term renters welcome
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 deadlock
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation

Property is also known as

River House Madison
The River House in Madison Madison
The River House in Madison Private vacation home
The River House in Madison Private vacation home Madison

About the area

Map
Madison, CT

What's nearby

  • Hammonasset Beach State Park - 9 min drive - 7.5 km
  • Clinton Crossing Premium Outlets - 11 min drive - 12.8 km
  • Hammonasset Beach - 12 min drive - 11.4 km
  • Stony Creek - Thimble Islands Historic District - 13 min drive - 11.7 km
  • Yale University - 26 min drive - 31.9 km

Getting around

  • Guilford Station - 8 min drive
  • New Haven, CT (HVN-Tweed - New Haven Regional) - 28 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪McDonald's - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Dairy Queen - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Starbucks - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Wendy's - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Dunkin' - ‬5 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Writer's Retreat & Explorer's Adventure, S of Rte. 1 Madison! pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Writer's Retreat & Explorer's Adventure, S of Rte. 1 Madison! ?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Writer's Retreat & Explorer's Adventure, S of Rte. 1 Madison! ?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Writer's Retreat & Explorer's Adventure, S of Rte. 1 Madison! located?

Situated on the waterfront, this holiday home is 2.8 mi (4.6 km) from Deacon John Grave House and 3.1 mi (4.9 km) from Anna Mia's. RJ Julia Booksellers and Scranton Memorial Library are also within 6 miles (10 km).

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Reviews

Writer's Retreat & Explorer's Adventure, S of Rte. 1 Madison! Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

10

Cleanliness

10

Location
Rating 10 - Excellent. 28 out of 30 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 1 out of 30 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 30 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 30 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 30 reviews

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Steven A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great view, very communicative host!
Stayed 6 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Amy H.

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

Fantastic

Exactly as advertised. Great communication. Lovely spot. It was perfect.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Marielle W.

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

The Riverhouse - Cute and Cozy

Beautiful views and idyllic setting. Very comfortable furnishings and great WiFi. Very convenient to to everything in Madison. One note: accessibility is not great - steps down to bed, bath and kitchen and lots of uneven floor transitions. Just fine if you don’t have mobility issues.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Matthew G.

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

A beautiful waterside retreat

The place was clean, comfortable and a delightful place to stay. Hunter was helpful and communicative and made everything very easy. I would be eager to stay there again!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Hannah K.

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

Special and unique

We loved our stay at Hunter’s home especially the setting. It was serene and idyllic. Haven’t stopped thinking of it since we returned.
Stayed 10 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Mary M.

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

Great getaway

Peaceful retreat.

10/10 Excellent

April F.

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

The SPOT

Gorgeous views in a comfortable, hassle free setting.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023

8/10 Good

Paula O., Conway, Ma., USA

Great location with beautiful view of the marsh

Charming little cottage, quiet, and clean. Beautiful view of the salt marsh. Short drive to Hammonasset Beach. I will be returning!
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2018

10/10 Excellent

Karen G.

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

River house

This house was very cute , clean and well laid out. Enjoyed being on the water, sometimes it felt like you where in a house boat. Great peaceful place! Hunter was a great host.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jaclyn D.

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

Wonderful

This property was absolutely amazing. The entire back side of the home is all windows to give you a spectacular view of the river. The host was easy to communicate with.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jane F.

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

Beautiful Riverside Retreat in Madison

We thoroughly enjoyed our stay in this bright, inviting and immaculate home! The house is an older home that has been beautifully updated and decorated in fresh whites and blues with a beachy theme, while preserving lots of charming character. It is a very comfortable space with plenty of comfortable seating and cozy window seat nooks with water views for relaxing with a good book. Windows abound and the views of the meandering river and marshes are just beautiful. We visited in late April and enjoyed time on the deck watching the many shore birds and song birds.The kitchen and bathroom were very clean and well equipped with ample cooking supplies, towels and toiletries.Communication with Hunter was excellent and we really appreciated all the care that went into making our stay so enjoyable. We definitely recommend this quiet, relaxing property and its amenities, and would love to return in the future.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Sasha B.

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

Fun Getaway

My family had a lovely stay at the River House! Everything was brand new, clean, and comfortable. Perfect weather for kayaking when tide was high in the river. Enjoyed watching the egrets/ospreys looking for their breakfast fish in the morning. Quiet and peaceful, which is what we wanted. Lots of great places to eat in Madison, and beaches close by.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

TJ H.

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

Reunion weekend

Lovely, quiet, cozy riverfront cottage, Nicely updated, with cute decorative touches. Great for a couple or family with one to three small children as bunk bed in “river view” side room (enclosed previous porch) could be used as extra sleeping area. Enjoyed the views, especially sunrises. Highlight was kayaking through the meandering marshland rivers, rife with wildlife. Would stay again.
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Carol Lee D.

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

Perfection

My month-long stay was absolutely wonderful. Hunter was an amazing, proactive host. The weather wasn't cooperative in the beginning of my stay, but Hunter went above and beyond to make sure whatever issues arose were taken care of and I couldn't be happier to have made this choice. I will definitely be back!
Stayed 28 nights in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

Rachel B.

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

Nice mini vacay in Madison

This house is in a quiet/safe neighborhood and has beautiful views - clean and spacious. Air temperature w the AC and mini split units was perfect. Beach towels, chairs, bedding, kitchen goods all provided - and in good shape. Kayaks and bikes are provided and I took advantage of both. Easy drive to beaches, boutique shopping in Madison and Guilford. I also brought my yoga mat - awesome doing sun salutations with the sunrise!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024

6/10 Okay

SHELDON S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location
Disliked: Listing accuracy

Charming and noaccessible for seniors

Once at the property we discovered that it was a hazard for seniors. Too many internal steps from room too room. Master bath too far from the master bedroom. No drawer spaces for longer than overnight stays. Just hanging closet. Picturesque area. WE DID NOT STAY! Host was helpful and communicative nevertheless.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

heather A.

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

Perfect New England Cottage Retreat

The River House is the perfect retreat for a relaxing and quiet new england getaway. Piscuesque river views, and newly renovated. We enjoyed our mornings with the beautiful birds, turtles, and crabs. We had everything needed and the it was spotless. I emailed questions a few times to Hunter and always received a timely response. He was super helpful with restaurant suggestions, and upon arrival after asking if there were beach chairs and an umbrella we were pleasantly surprised to have 4 brand new chairs and an umbrella on the front porch. We really appreciated the extra efforts and his care for his guests. Great location,very private, and tucked away but within 5-10 mins to any conveniences needed. Without a doubt, I would recommend this darling river house cottage for a relaxing shoreline vacation. Thank you Hunter for allowing us create a weeknd full of wonderful memories for me and my family.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Charliss D.

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

Slow down and watch the egrets

We had a wonderful 3-night stay at this little river-front house. What a perfect home base for our family vacation. I asked the owner (Hunter) ahead of booking if they happened to have a pack n play for our 2-year old (he messaged back very quickly that they did!), and we were so appreciative to walk in and find that not only did they set up all of the baby gates, outlet plugs, toilet lock, pack n play for us, but they even had age-appropriate toys and books out for our use! It all was far above and beyond our expectations and made our son feel right at home from the moment he walked in. I really can’t overstate how much Hunter’s attention to little details like this made our visit smooth and memorable. The house itself is right on the water, a perfect place to unwind and watch the herons, egrets, and raccoons fishing. We got to see crabs scuttling along too. Let me tell you from experience, both the sunset and sunrise over the water are beautiful. I wish we had been able to take advantage of the kayaks on this trip - this location is perfect and we saw a kayaker paddle by one day. We’ll have to come back. Highly recommend! Thank you, Hunter!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Shelly H.

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

Peaceful retreat

The views of the marsh kept us entertained with the wildlife and the tide. I came with my daughter and her 2 young children (ages 2 and 6) and we loved the place and the neighborhood. Having toys there was a huge asset! Thanks for having us!
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Chassity V.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Ruth G.

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

Amazing get away

I can not say enough about our stay. Hunter was an amazing host and communication was quick, easy, and made the experience delightful!!! The house is bright and comfy and the view was stunning and relaxing. Every room was perfect from bedroom to living room to kitchen. We wanted for nothing. A quiet getaway to relax was what we were looking for and this was the perfect stay for that. We would love to come back again when we need downtime. This was one of our favorite VRBO rentals ever. Thank you, thank you ,thank you for helping make our weekend memorable and special.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Mary F.

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

Perfect

The Writer’s Retreat was perfect for a visit with my college roommate from 40 years ago!! We loved sitting and looking out on the river/marsh at any time of day. So peaceful. And so pretty in the Fall. The location was perfect too. Close to towns along Rt 1 and the beach!
Stayed 6 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Alexandra B.

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

Serene charm in a beautiful setting

We couldn’t have enjoyed our stay more. The views of the marsh and surrounding trees is outstanding, and the house comfortably welcoming and beautifully decorated. We loved having access to bikes and kayaks and enjoyed the convenient location to stores, restaurants and especially the great beaches.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Aimee B.

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

4th of July Weekend Getaway

We had a wonderful stay at the River House over the 4th of July weekend. The house is so unique and views of the river are beautiful. The house is completely updated, clean and had everything we needed. The host was amazing and super responsive. I would definitely stay again!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jacqueline B.

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

Relaxed retreat

Quiet, nice views, close to amenities.
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2023