Place, Northern Neck Historical Society Research Library
17 min drive
Room options
About the neighborhood
Montross
This vacation home places you within a 15-minute drive of Stratford Hall and Westmoreland State Park. The vacation home includes a kitchen, a fireplace, and a balcony.
Westmoreland State Park - 10 min drive - 4.5 miles
Stratford Hall - 11 min drive - 4.9 miles
Montross Branch Central Rappahannock Regional Library - 16 min drive - 11.3 miles
Northern Neck Historical Society Research Library - 17 min drive - 11.5 miles
George Washington Birthplace National Monument - 19 min drive - 14.6 miles
Getting around
Richmond Intl. Airport (RIC) - 94 min drive
Restaurants
Northern Neck BBQ - 18 min drive
The Art of Coffee - 17 min drive
Potomac Gardens - 85 min drive
Angelo's Pizza Restaurant - 17 min drive
The Barn - 18 min drive
About this property
Entire place
You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.
Lake Front/Dock, HotTub, Woods, Kayaks/SUP, 3 Beaches, Fossils, Theater Room
Our 3 bedroom/2 full bath + loft home sits on a beautiful freshwater lake surrounded with trees in a neighborhood on the stunning Potomac River! Come enjoy the great amenities or simply do nothing at all! We have kayaks/boats/SUP & life jackets for your use, and crabbing supplies. The community has 3 beaches: a private sandy lake beach with swimming dock, a river-front sandy beach with 15-million-year-old+ shark teeth, and a fossil cliff beach. Daily bald eagle sightings! Seasonal hot tub (Sept-May) on our patio overlooking the lake! Huge screen theater room in the basement game room including ping pong and foosball. Indoor wood stove for cosy fall and winter nights and outdoor fire pit overlooking the lake.
2026 Lake Update: Our lake is currently undergoing major dam improvements — an investment in the lake's long-term health that wraps up summer 2026. Water levels are temporarily lowered, but there's still plenty to love: Shark Tooth Beach, Hidden Beach, and the marina are all open, with personal house paddle boards available at the marina to explore. The hot tub is ready and waiting. The home is ready for memory-making. To thank you for your flexibility, we've already discounted a $100/night on spring and summer bookings — no guesswork, no hassle.
This place is so special that we vacationed here for 2 days and then became homeowners within 6 months!
Our 3 bedroom plus loft home with 2 full baths have all been freshly updated, with a completely remodeled kitchen and main bath. The master bedroom has a queen bed and attached full bathroom. The second room has a queen bed, and the third room is our bunk room with two sets of bunk beds! In addition, we also have a sleeping loft that has 2 comfortable futon couches, bringing the total number of sleepers to 10! (Note: 5'8" overhead clearance in the loft, with steep stairs leading to it; kids love it!) We have a pack n play and a high chair if needed.
The house has its own private dock on the 110-acre clean freshwater lake. Plus our own floating dock! Swim or paddle to your heart's content. We have a canoe, double kayak, Stand up paddle board, single kayak, two kids' kayaks and a kids' paddle board for your use right off our dock! We also have many different sized life jackets. Paddle out and have a flotilla with your loved ones. The water is warm enough for swimming April through October, paddling year round.
A great getaway for the whole family! A campfire ring, tetherball, and hammocks outside. Foosball, games, and books inside. The TV has Roku for Netflix & Hulu and Disney+ and ESPN. Basement has theater room. Our dining room table can seat 10 plus seating at the bar! It is such a joy to sit with everyone together and enjoy a crab feast!
Sitting in the middle of the woods, our house is so quiet and peaceful. You can sit on the deck or dock with your drink and take it all in. Listen to the woodpeckers and the wind in the trees while watching bald eagles soar above you.
Great community amenities as well! Three beaches suitable for swimming or fossil hunting. There is a lake beach with a dock and floating dock for swimming and diving. Two beaches on the Potomac for fossil hunting, beach combing, sand castle building. One is sandy with picnic tables and another is a small hike down with lots of walking and large cliffs. You can hand line a the marina for crabs or we know the locals' numbers if you want to buy them already cooked and seasoned perfectly!
You have full access to the entire house, private dock, and lake. There is a small workroom in the basement that is locked.
The neighborhood common areas are only available to owners and guests. As a guest, you will have full access to the marina, and neighborhood beaches as long as you properly display your guest tag.
We live and work in Washington DC. We have an excellent local manager that if anything comes up we can have it taken care of ASAP.
We are in a rural area, and the nearest stores are at least 10-15 minutes away. Big box stores are even further (>30 mins away).
There is also poor reception for several national cellular carriers. However, we do have excellent, reliable internet.
The vacation home is air-conditioned and features a kitchen, 2 bathrooms, and a balcony or patio. There's space to spread out with 3 bedrooms and a dining area. Guests can expect to find a TV with Netflix. Other standard amenities include a washing machine, a fireplace, and a sofa bed.
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)
First aid kit
Fire extinguisher
Deadbolt lock
General
Garden
Policies
Check-in
Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Minimum check-in age: 25
Check-out
Check-out before 11:00 AM
Special check-in instructions
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools
Rules
NO extra guests or visitors allowed during stay
No Hair coloring or bleaching
Pets
This property doesn't allow pets
Children and extra beds
Children allowed: ages 0-17
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
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock
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
Check-in: 4:00 PM
Check-out: 11:00 AM
Minimum check-in age: 25
We should mention
Details about charges, deposits, or other important information:
This property is managed by a private host, not a professional engaged in trade or business.
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary depending on the property's policy.
A cash deposit, credit card, or debit card for incidental charges, as well as a government-issued photo ID, may be required at check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in and can't be guaranteed. Certain requests may come with additional charges.
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited.
Onsite safety features include a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock.
Frequently asked questions
What is there to do near this vacation home?
This vacation home is located in Montross, close to Stratford Hall, Westmoreland State Park, and St. Clement's Island State Park. You'll also find Cedar Island and The Sands nearby.
Will I be able to park at Lake Front/Dock, HotTub, Woods, Kayaks/SUP, 3 Beaches, Fossils, Theater Room?
No, this vacation home doesn't offer parking.
Is this vacation home adjacent to a casino?
No, this vacation home is not connected to a casino.
Will I find an indoor pool at this vacation home?
No, this vacation home doesn't have an indoor pool; however, there is a hot tub.
Is Lake Front/Dock, HotTub, Woods, Kayaks/SUP, 3 Beaches, Fossils, Theater Room good for couples?
Amenities that appeal to couples at this lakeside vacation home include a fireplace and Netflix in each house, and some feature lake view.
Does Lake Front/Dock, HotTub, Woods, Kayaks/SUP, 3 Beaches, Fossils, Theater Room have a hot tub?
No, there isn't a spa tub at this vacation home.
Does this vacation home offer breakfast?
No, this vacation home doesn't offer breakfast.
Will this vacation home allow pets to stay free of charge?
No, pets aren't allowed at this vacation home.
Does Lake Front/Dock, HotTub, Woods, Kayaks/SUP, 3 Beaches, Fossils, Theater Room have connecting rooms available?
No, there aren't connecting guestrooms at this vacation home.
Can I book a room with a balcony at Lake Front/Dock, HotTub, Woods, Kayaks/SUP, 3 Beaches, Fossils, Theater Room?
Yes, every house at Lake Front/Dock, HotTub, Woods, Kayaks/SUP, 3 Beaches, Fossils, Theater Room comes with a patio and some offer lake views.
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travelers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
Rating 10 - Excellent. 32 out of 35 reviews
10 - Excellent
32
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 35 reviews
8 - Good
2
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 35 reviews
6 - Okay
1
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 35 reviews
4 - Poor
0
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 35 reviews
2 - Terrible
0
9.8/10
Cleanliness
Reviews
10/10 Excellent
Chris W.
Jan 24, 2026
Chris W.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025
10/10 Excellent
Kirsten J.
Dec 11, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness
Communication with the host was the best I have ever experienced staying in a rental property. Rebecca was incredibly responsive and very helpful. We had a hiccup in our stay initially that was resolved very quickly, and we were so incredibly grateful for their care and concern to make our stay the best possible. We loved visiting Shark Tooth Beach as well as the Westmoreland State Park and George Washington's Birthplace National Monument. Great, relaxing stay and would 100% visit again.
Kirsten J.
Stayed 5 nights in Nov 2025
10/10 Excellent
Maureen L.
Aug 1, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness
This is our second time staying at this property. We stumbled into this quaint area a few years ago and my kids had been looking forward to returning since then. It did not disappoint! The host is super responsive and the home is well maintained. We loved the proximity to both the lake, and the Potomac. It was a great few days!
Maureen L.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025
10/10 Excellent
Amy B.
Jul 6, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect Family & Friend Lake Retreat
We stayed four nights with our family of five (kids ages 3, 6, and 8) and another family with a 10 and 13 year old and had a wonderful time!The basement area with the theater room and ping pong table were perfect for kids playing together and entertaining themselves. We paddled out to the Lake Beach twice - it wasn’t too far and an easy place to swim, even for our younger ones. We also enjoyed Shark Tooth Beach! Just be sure to park in guest parking (our bad!). We also enjoyed the fire pit with two nights of s’mores! Our 3yo really enjoyed the kids toys and books around the house! We would definitely stay here again. Thanks for sharing your amazing space with your guests!
Amy B.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2025
8/10 Good
Ray I., Simpsonville, SC
May 26, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness
Great house, lake water level really low
Nice property well kept and good communication with the owners. However, the water level at the lake is own about 6 feet. So, there's a ladder going about 6 feet down from the original dock down to a floating dock. We didn't use any of the water crafts, i.e. kayaks, canoes, because we were thinking we couldn't hand them up from the floating dock 6 feet to the original dock. There is a boat ramp that has been extended to the edge of the lake and it has a locked chain hanging that blocks blocks the use of the ramp. The owners don't have a key for the lock. We were able to get a key from one of the other property owners so we could easily launch our canoe that we had rigged for fishing, The fishing is great!
Ray I.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2025
10/10 Excellent
Tom&Carol W.
Aug 21, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness
Nice lake vacation stay
The kayaks and paddle board provided fun for our family on the water, and the thoughtful equipment offered (life vests of all sizes, fishing gear, sand toys) made our time easier to enjoy. The few issues with the outside areas were addressed in quick response by the owner. Great communication!
Tom&Carol W.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024
10/10 Excellent
Tema T.
May 20, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness
Christmas present
This was my family's Christmas present to me, too spend a weekend away together. It was great spending time together on the lake, at the river, in the hot tub or inside playing games, watching movies, playing ping pong. There were things to do no matter the weather! And the layout of the house was great for hanging out together. All 10 of us could hang out in there dining room, living room or in the basement. Thanks for allowing us to use your space!
Tema T.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024
10/10 Excellent
Eric M.
Aug 3, 2023
Liked: Cleanliness
Love at First Stay
Let’s start with the hosts… I’ve stayed at many rental properties over the years and the hosts are the most responsive and helpful that I’ve had yet. They’ll answer any questions and quickly address any unexpected situations very quickly in the best way.
As for the property… WOW! The perfect getaway retreat with private community beaches, access directly to the lake for kayaking, and a home that comfortably housed a family of 9.
The surrounding area is also gorgeous. Although we preferred to stay close to the serene house, We ventured into Colonial Beach for amazing food at the local Cantina and Eugene’s along the beautiful marina. Do not hesitate to stay here
Eric M.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2023
10/10 Excellent
Morag B.
Apr 6, 2023
Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful
Beautiful house and peaceful surrounding. Loved our stay.
Morag B.
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2023
10/10 Excellent
Graeme D.
Oct 31, 2022
Liked: Cleanliness
Great lake side getaway
Returning customer with nothing but great things to say about the property. Lots of amenities to keep the family happy and located in a beautiful neighborhood.
Graeme D.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2022
10/10 Excellent
Alison L. S.
Sep 19, 2022
Liked: Cleanliness
2nd stay, still in love!
We stayed at the Golden Crane for the second year in a row. I loved it just as much this time. Our favorite part is all the water toys. We went with some friends and we had five kids with us from the ages 3 to 9. As before, there were life jackets that fit everyone, single and double person kayaks, a canoe, and stand-up paddle boards. Everyone had a blast on the lake. We enjoyed the dock and the lake beach. My kids loved finding shark teeth and whale bones at the close by shark tooth Beach. We also had a nice time at the brewery nearby. I love this house, the only downer to it is that it's not mine! We're now talking about getting a outdoor shower and hot tub at our house. It has everything we needed. I always feel right at home. I accidentally broke one of the hammocks and instead of being upset Rebecca immediately sent a new one. I also left an entire bag of shoes behind. We happened to have some friends vacationing the next weekend in Carolina Beach and Rebecca was driving back up from Montrose. She went probably 30 minutes out of her way to drop off the bag of shoe to my friend. She really goes above and beyond to be a wonderful hostess. We are sure to come back again next year! Thanks for sharing you home and being so sweet, Rebecca!
Alison L. S.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2022
10/10 Excellent
Kimberly J.
Aug 20, 2022
Liked: Cleanliness
Great family spot!
We stayed at this property with our extended family- grandparents, cousins, siblings! We loved using the kayaks, going to Shark Tooth Beach, and having meals together at the big table. The ping pong table, foosball, and movie screen downstairs were great when we had downtime at home.
Kimberly J.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2022
10/10 Excellent
Jessica B.
Aug 4, 2022
Liked: Cleanliness
Our relaxing lake house stay
We enjoyed our stay at the lake house. The host was very kind and we had great communications with her. The kids enjoyed playing in the basement with the included activities. The dock is a short walk from the house and we used a few of the provided kayaks and canoe, and swam in the lake. We visited the private beach, Shark Tooth Beach, and enjoyed our afternoon with a picnic lunch, swimming, and looking for shark teeth. I would recommend wearing water shoes as a few of the kids cut their foot on barnacles. We also visited Colonial Beach for a playground and lunch at High Tides on the Potomac. It was a nice little town and there are beaches to swim at. There was more to see and do but we were there to relax and so we did!
Jessica B.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2022
10/10 Excellent
Eric L.
Jul 13, 2022
Liked: Cleanliness
Great property, felt like a home not a rental!
Great place. We loved it!
Eric L.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2022
10/10 Excellent
Alison L. S.
Sep 10, 2021
Liked: Cleanliness
Heaven for families!
We loved this trip so much! I am already looking at the calendar to plan our next trip back. We've taken some really great vacations all around Virginia. My kids are little so we don't like to travel very far. This one was the best vacation yet. So much that the other day My son told me he would rather save up for another vacation than buy toys! But back to the place... It was super clean, it had every single thing that we needed, the location was amazing, and there was so much to do! There were toys for the kids, they also loved the giant bean bag in the basement that they hung out on when watching some kid shows on the big screen. The foosball table was great and so is the ping pong. My kids loved the little attic area that they could go up it, the bucket with the string to take things up and down was fun for hours. I enjoyed the porch, the hot tub and the outside shower. I love to that there wasn't a TV in the main room, we played games and hung out and talked. There were lots of games and interesting books. I really could have stayed here for a month! I actually laid in the hammock and read a book. I haven't relaxed like that in a long time, but my kids were so distracted by all the fun new things that I actually got a break :-) I haven't even mentioned the best things yet, the lake and beach! The lake was far enough away from the house that I wasn't worried about my kids just walking out into the water but close enough that it was an easy walk down. The kayaks, canoe and' stand up paddle boards were all in great condition and easy to use even for novices. They really had every single size life jacket you could need. The water was amazing. They even had a perfect floatie for my two year old. The kids literally had the time of their lives. The shark tooth beach was maybe a three minute drive, I spent three hours there with my boys and they found some amazing shark teeth. They felt like explorers and adventures and it will be a memory that they keep forever. I can say with 100% honesty that this was some of the best money I've ever spent. Part of me doesn't want to leave this review because I don't want it to always be booked! (I would literally try to buy this property if it were for sale) But I also want to share this magic with other families. Thank you so much Rebecca!
Alison L. S.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2021
10/10 Excellent
Teresa C.
Aug 1, 2021
Liked: Cleanliness
Amazing House and property!
This was an amazing place to stay. It’s so perfectly on a perfect part of the water. So many things to do in such a small amount of time, so we would definitely be coming back again. The house is very nice and just perfect for our family. I will definitely recommend this place to anyone. Thank you so much for all of your assistance and for always responding so quickly! 5 stars!!!
Teresa C.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2021
10/10 Excellent
Ashleigh R.
Jul 29, 2021
Liked: Cleanliness
Loved every minute!
We absolutely LOVED our stay at the Golden Crane. The house was so cozy and charming! Kitchen had everything we needed, the upstairs living room was very clean and inviting. The kids loved the games and theater in the basement, though they didn’t actually spend much time indoors using it.
The highlight of our stay was definitely the lake! We would enjoy the community lake beach in the morning (best place for toddlers), come back for lunch and the kids would spend the rest of the day in the lake at the house, jumping off the dock and floating platform, floating in tubes, or taking the kayaks out.
We weren’t all that impressed with Shark Tooth beach as there was just a ton of jellyfish, but Hidden Beach was a true treasure (not suitable for young kids) and even found a few shark teeth!
This is definitely the vacation house for you if you are looking to relax and don’t need any attractions. There is very little in the immediate area to do, and that was perfect for us! We did take a trip over to Westmoreland State Park where we were able to check off “see a bald Eagle” on our vacation bucket list. We went early and basically had Fossil Beach to ourselves. We had dinner out the last night and drove up to Colonial Beach to eat at the Tiki Bar. So fun! The kids loved that they could swim while they waited for their meal!
We ended each day around the fire pit!
Thank you Mike and Rebecca for opening your home for others to enjoy! We made lots of wonderful memories!
Ashleigh R.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2021
10/10 Excellent
adam d.
Jul 26, 2021
Liked: Cleanliness
golden crane spot on
we liked the very rural setting. this was R & R on steroids!!!
adam d.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021
8/10 Good
Joanne T., Sandy Hook, USA
Apr 10, 2021
Liked: Cleanliness
Lake Property
Nice house....lots to do! We were taken back by how steep it was down to the water. Pictures do not show this. Weather was awesome for our stay! Hubby even caught some fish!!
Joanne T.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2021
10/10 Excellent
Audra C.
Mar 22, 2021
Liked: Cleanliness
Great place!!
What a great location. So much room, lots to do and great for family get together.
Audra C.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2021
10/10 Excellent
Jenny M.
Oct 17, 2020
Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect for families!
We loved our time at the Golden Crane. The community amenities were lots of fun and the house itself was a great place to relax together as a family. Rebecca was quick to respond to any questions or concerns and did a great job keeping us updated when heavy rains knocked out the power temporarily. Our family, ages infant through retiree had a blast.
Jenny M.
10/10 Excellent
Donna D., Fairfax, Virginia
Sep 11, 2020
Liked: Cleanliness
Great NNK Getaway
We had a wonderful time at this comfortable, well-furnished house. The lake is so beautiful and peaceful we wished we'd been able to book a longer stay!
Donna D.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2020
10/10 Excellent
Macon B.
Aug 21, 2020
Liked: Cleanliness
5 star reunion
Our group of three childhood friends plus our kiddos ranging in ages 3-13 had a fantastic weekend reunion at golden crane. Our only regret was not making it a three day weekend! The house was nice than we expected and plenty of space for us all including a large table for us all to enjoy meals together. We loved all of the amenities- the fire pit, hammocks, boats, movie area, floating dock, life jackets and made the most of the areas around us. The pool was closed for COVID but it didn’t matter because so much other great activities to do. We would definitely go back again.
Macon B.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2020
10/10 Excellent
Jena F.
Jul 31, 2020
Liked: Cleanliness
Fabulous way to relax and reset
This is definitely a real gem! Rebecca was a pleasure to interact with. She provided lots of information and pro tips. She thought of so many wonderful details to make their Montross Retreat like a home away from home! My kids enjoyed everything this house and neighboring area has to offer. We plan to come back in other seasons to enjoy the color changes, lake view, and hot tub! Thank you Mike and Rebecca!
Jena F.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2020
6/10 Okay
Kristen H.
Oct 15, 2019
Liked: Cleanliness
Pretty nice
This was one of the nicer properties in the area when we were looking for a place for a low-key bachelorette party. The overall house was nice, beds were very comfy, and the lake/backyard was amazing! Overall we enjoyed our stay, however there were a few things that made it less enjoyable:
1. There was about 3 paper towels left on the roll, and no extras in site so we had to make a trip all the way out to the grocery store just to get paper towels, which was very annoying.
2. The basement had a weird smell to it and so we didn't end up spending any time there which was a little annoying because that's where the projector/tv.