Notes from the host
The Oswegatchie House II
A newly renovated, beautiful 1890 2 bedroom cottage set on Keeny Cove, in Waterford, CT. On a brackish inlet of the Niantic River is a little slice of heaven on CT’s Shoreline. Made for a small girl’s getaways, small family vacations and romantic weekends. Come unplug in this magical river front oasis. Please note, 2-4 adults and 2 children sleep very comfortably or 5 adults; 6 adults is very tight and not recommended. Upon arrival, PLEASE review the House Rules.
15 mins from downtown Mystic / 10 mins from the Coast Guard Academy / 5 mls to downtown Niantic / 15 mins from Mohegan and 25 mins from Foxwoods Casinos / 1 hr from Bradley Intl and New Haven Tweed Airports and conveniently halfway between Boston and NYC at the 95/395 corridor. Farm-stand, convenience store and gas station within walking distance /Walmart and Dollar General 2.4 mls away. Tri-town grocery 3 mls away.
With 75 feet of private brackish waterfront directly across from the cottage, have fun tubing, kayaking, paddle boarding, canoeing or swimming right out from the front yard.
Frequent wildlife sightings include seagulls, swans, fish, crabs, Mallard ducks, egrets, owls, Cardinals, Bluejays, Bald eagles, heron, deer, rabbits and our resident hawk and fox familes. Awake to the sound of birds every morning and fall asleep to the sound of frogs and crickets every night.
The large, stonewall lined, two-tier Perennial English garden is an oasis year round. Dine alfresco under the stars. Nap in the hammock with panoramic water views. Sunbathe on the cushioned loungers under one of the two umbrellas. Fish or enjoy your coffee from the brand new dock. Watch the birds and boats while in one of five lounging Adirondack chairs. Make s’mores and enjoy the large bonfire circle. Take your shoes off and enjoy the lush grass between your toes on the upper garden (bonfire level). Practice yoga or play yard games in the middle sunken garden. When dining or drinking in the other raised garden / mini beach area or around the fire-pit, no glass is permitted but we provide plenty of shatter-proof tumblers, glasses and plates.
Cook it up in the spacious fully equipped gourmet kitchen with expansive water views, commercial grade Viking oven / stove, leathered granite countertops, brand new stainless steel fridge with two ice-makers and water dispenser, and dishwasher. Most kitchen amenities and basic pantry provisions are provided including: Coffee and coffee makers (3 types include: traditional drip, French press and Keurig), spices, pantry and baking basics, creamer, condiments, utensils, plates (indoor and outdoor plates and stemware), microwave, hand mixer, toaster oven, grinder, mini waffle maker, blender, mini processor, juicer, bar utensils, shakers, paper straws and napkins, hand-pottered goblets, handmade cutting board and more await. Butcher-block bar / island with 2 barstools offers additional seating and storage. Butterfly leather chair with Shearling cushion to snuggle in while drinking your morning bev.
Well appointed dining room has a restored farm table, wrought iron globe chandelier and seating for six as well as a cedar blanket chest full of blankets and a lattice lounger. The china closet is locked and stores china used for special occasions or catered meals.
Catered meals are available upon request. Your host is a trained chef specializing in American, Italian, Mediterranean and South American cuisine.
Living room features a brand new, custom built gas tempered glass fireplace and (completely safe for families with small children with fire guard screen) and built-ins featuring treasures and books from the host’s travels around the world including books written and illustrated from 3 famously accomplished authors. BT speaker / record player / AM/FM stereo along with several vintage records. Featherbed covered daybed / pullout trundle offers more sleeping options with two more oversized twin beds. Antique wood chest is filled with countless board-games, coloring books, flashcards, puzzles and playing cards. Large Smart Sony mounted television with cable and streaming (Netflix, HBO Max, AppleTV, Youtube music, PrimeTV and Peacock). 4 different lighting options, all on dimmers.
Brand new GE Washer / Dryer is in the laundry closet on first floor.
4 dedicated parking spaces in front of the cottage are yours to use. (Marked by a Private Property sign)
Your host has exclusive use of the driveway and has shared use of the waterfront, dock & outdoor shwr with guests.
Central air con / forced air heat. Additional small fans and heaters provided in every room. If cool enough, don’t forget to turn off the A/C and open the windows at night. The sea breeze off the river / ocean is amazing!
A winding stairwell full of art leads to the 2 bedrooms and 1/2 bath located on the 2nd floor.
The main Niantic Nautical BR is the larger of the two and has a Qn size bed, luxurious bedding, five pillows, two nightstands, ceiling fan/light on dimmer remote, alarm clock, Bluetooth Bose speaker, bathrobes, new slippers for each guests, a 40” TV available w/cable, one very large dresser / mirror, an antique chest with extra blankets, yoga mats, a small antique writer’s desk, a scanner/fax (no printer), original art and beautiful river and fire-pit views from bed.
The Fox & Bird Bedroom has a beautiful antique Full-size bed, a dresser, a mango wood mirror, extra hooks, nightstands, an alarm clock, a Bose Bluetooth speaker, a closet, bathrobe, new slippers for each guests, a 34” TV connected to streaming and the best views in the house. Enjoy watching kayaks float down the river’s bend, into Keeny Cove as well as views of the front garden and fire-pit from bed.
The 1/2 bath on the second floor features a patina copper theme with repurposed antique lanterns, faucet, small barn-style sliding doors, custom Chantilly lace shell curtains and original art.
Votive lights on timers come on all through the cottage from 6 pm until midnight.
The full bathroom on the 1st floor has a leathered granite double vanity, large eclectic mirror, 5 bath-sheet size towels, 10 normal-size fluffy towels, washcloths, hand towel, tub/shower combo. Enjoy our ‘Lush Garden Signature Soap’ made custom for the cottage 4 miles away. A blow dryer, hair iron, first-aid kit, medicine cabinet stocked with all the basic toiletries as well as some surprises, lots of privacy and sunshine all included.
Come back from a day on the water or at the beach and enjoy the very private, family-size, custom built outdoor hot / cold shower with double shower heads and foot rinse featuring Martha’s Vineyard slate flooring and Mexican lava rocks. Only the eco-friendly biodegradable toiletries provided by the host are to be used in outdoor shower in order to not contaminate the well below which provides the drinking water.
The boats are not available to guests. All other water sporting equipment is available for rent and can be reserved by scanning the VENMO QR code located in the cottage. Use of 5 single kayaks ($20 per person, per stay), 1 teen / young adult kayak ($20 per person, per stay) 2 paddle bostds ($25 per person, per stay), 1 tandem kayak or canoe ($35 per stay). Paddles and life vests included and required.
2 Beach chairs, 1 umbrella / stand, beach bag, several beach towels, sunblock, aloe and lotions all provided in closet on first floor.
Checkout is easy: Have a coffee on the dock, be sure no food or dishes are left out, throw towels at the bottom of the stairs and leave the key on the butcher block. Lock front door.
MORE INFO ABOUT THE COTTAGE / NEIGHBORHOOD
This is a VERY quiet property and neighborhood, especially at night. It is a property with private waterfront but the property is on a small, rather populated cove of the Niantic River, just one nautical mile from the ocean. This property is ideal for a small family of four, a small group of friends or for a romantic getaway. It is not the appropriate property for weddings, parties, reunions, retreats, musical or ceremonial events. Swimming is permitted and encouraged. It’s tidal and very brackish but clean water which means the water will feel more like the ocean than a lake. Nudity is prohibited by CT State law. Noise ordinances in the area apply from 8PM thru 8AM and are strictly enforced. We love this because it’s what makes it so tranquil at night. That said, the fire pit area is yours to use quietly, 24/7. We provide enough complimentary wood for one bonfire. Additional bundles of wood are for sale for $5 and can be found in the woodshed at the front of the garden where you can scan and pay via QR code. Please note, neighbors occasionally light fireworks from their waterfront properties. Smoking is prohibited anywhere in/on the property, including in your vehicle. One small breed dog (25 lbs or less) is permitted with an extra $75 fee. Dog must be crated when not with their human in the cottage and leashed outdoors. No peeing on grass EXCEPT the middle lawn, (where you step down) sunken part of the garden. We want you to be able to go freely barefoot in the upper garden so no pets are allowed up near or around the fire pit / lawn. Poopoo Bags are provided to clean up after your pet. All glass is strictly prohibited anywhere outside the cottage, including outdoor shower, garden and yards. Furniture is not to be rearranged or exchanged between the cottage or the garden. No furniture or firewood is allowed on the lawn. Nothing but toilet paper is permitted in the toilets. China closet and locked upstairs closet are to remain locked as they store valuables or seasonal catering supplies. Viking stove / oven must be handled and cleaned with care. Please do not use any abrasives. Gas Fireplace is not to be left unattended or left on for more than an hour at a time.
For pet care contact Barks & Recreation, a trusted pet service provider. Connect with them here: https://calendly.com/barksandrecct/keenycove-virtual-c 
