LISTING SUMMARY:
The ideal home base for outdoor exploration, right in Keene, center of the High Peaks. With unrivalled proximity to the mountains, local dining and shops are just a walk away. This 1BR/1BA space with full kitchen blends rustic Adirondack exteriors with renovated contemporary interiors and has everything you need for any length of stay. Experience our designer woodfired traditional Finnish sauna & totally recharge while embracing our harsh Adirondack weather. We hope you love it here.
SPACE SUMMARY:
A fully furnished 1 bedroom / 1 bathroom private apartment perfectly setup whether for a brief escape or an extended stay. This space, equipped for all seasons, comes with private parking and entrance. Part of a duplex, the spaces is nestled beneath our other apartment (Listing: Xplorer II).
Xplorer I enjoys a thoughtfully designed living space. Each detail, from the bathroom featuring natural stone floors, custom woodwork, and locally sourced furnishings, to the renovated modern kitchen, has been carefully curated for comfort. Bright, light colors welcome in an abundance of natural light through the apartment's numerous windows. Outside the house is our designer wood-fired dry and steam sauna, a shared feature with our two other guest rentals, reserved for private use by one guest group at a time (details below).
Ideal for solo travelers, couples, and small families / groups, this 650 space comfortably accommodates 1-3 guests and we welcome up to 4 guests for groups who don't mind closer quarters.
Note: For guests seeking a larger space, we invite you to explore our listing Xplorer II, a two-bedroom apartment located just above Xplorer I; and, for even larger groups, the option to combine both apartments into one is available, creating a spacious 3BR, 2BA house (see "Xplore House" listing for details).
BEDROOM & EXTRA SLEEPING AREAS: The space comes with one bedroom featuring a king-sized bed, a closet, and a dresser. For extra guests, there is a full-size futon in the living room. By day, it's a comfortable couch, and by night, it easily folds out into an additional sleeping spot. Extra linens are stored in the linen closet for your convenience. In total, the space features two beds: one king and one full.
LIVING ROOM / DINING AREA: The space includes a small but functional living and dining room area with a comfortable futon style couch and a versatile dining table for meals or work. High vaulted ceilings and an abundance of natural light make the space feel open and airy.
For entertainment, the space has a TV equipped with a Chromecast device, allowing you to stream your preferred video service. Super-fast, fiber optic Wi-Fi ensures you can take video calls or stream movies easily.
KITCHEN: Renovated and modernized, the kitchen offers everything you need for an enjoyable cooking experience, regardless of the length of your stay.
SAUNA: The sauna is a shared amenity with our two other guest rentals, with a signup sheet on the sauna allowing guests to reserve private 2-hour sessions, so it can be enjoyed exclusively by one guest group at a time (full usage details, rules, and safety guidelines are provided in our House Guide before check-in). Custom-built and designed using local Adirondack wood, the sauna was built with Finnish design principles and features shou sugi ban siding, a traditional Japanese method of charring wood. The wood-burning sauna stove can be enjoyed dry or with steam by ladling water over the heated sauna stones. The sauna cabin has a small covered outdoor porch with seats, allowing you to rest and cool off between sauna cycles.
EXTERIOR: Just outside off the kitchen is a small porch with a gas grill completing the cooking experience.
THE GROUNDS & SURROUNDINGS: Xplorer I is located right in the heart of town. We have private parking right in front of the house with enough room to comfortably fit two cars, (or even three smaller ones if needed). Being right in town, the lot is small, and we don't have a typical "backyard", but with the beautiful mountains all around us, who needs one? At Xplorer I, the Adirondack wilderness is your backyard.
We're just off the main strip in town, which means local dining and shopping options are just a short walk away - You can walk to 46 Restaurant, Cedar Run Market, East Branch Organics, as well as our awesome neighbor Dartbrook South for artfully curated Adirondack goods & products. There’s even a public EV charger just a 2-minute walk from the house and another EV charger set located at Stewarts gas station just up the road. Enjoy the convenience of town living right at your doorstep.
NEIGHBORHOOD: The space is located in Keene, NY. Known as the 'Home of the High Peaks', Keene is a small, quiet, picturesque town, coveted for its central proximity amidst the mountains and major trailheads. To name just a few, trailheads including the ADK Loj/Heart Lake, The Garden, and the AuSable Club are just a short drive away, making it an excellent base for experiencing nature and outdoor exploration. Come winter, the slopes at Whiteface Ski Resort are a just a 17 min drive away. In addition to natural attractions, Keene and Keene Valley have several restaurants, unique shops, and town amenities. For those seeking more vibrancy, Lake Placid and its nightlife, shopping and dining options are just a short drive away (18min).
THINGS TO NOTE & SPECIAL FEATURES:
SPECIAL FEATURES:
1. SAUNA: The space features a designer woodfired traditional Finnish dry & steam sauna to totally recharge while embracing our harsh Adirondack weather. The sauna is a shared feature with our two other guest rentals, reserved for private use by one guest group at a time.
2. LOCAL FLAVORS: We provide locally roasted organic coffee from the best local roasters we have found in the ADK and Vermont and locally procured organic hot cocoa powder. We also provide locally produced Maple Syrup right from Keene.
3. HIGH SPEED INTERNET: The space is equipped with fiber optic high speed Wi-Fi.
4. HEATING & COOLING: Full and modern heating and air conditioning for comfort in any season.
5. HEPA AIR FILTRATION: The space comes equipped with a HEPA air purifier to ensure air quality.
6. GRILL: We have a grill in the front porch area of the house.
7. ECO-FRIENDLY PRACTICES: We are committed to the environment, which is why all our cleaning products, soaps, and detergents are, as best we can find, eco-friendly, plant-derived, and non-toxic. All waste bags are biodegradable. Our down blankets are all "Responsible Down Certified"
8. LOCALLY SOURCED MATERIAL & LOCAL CRAFTSMEN: Many pieces you will see throughout the property came locally sourced from the Adirondacks. We worked with local craftsmen on custom design, fabrication and wood work. From the floating shelves in the kitchen to the futon in the living room - wherever we could find, most materials were procured locally.
THINGS TO NOTE:
1. SOUND: Our property is conveniently situated just off the main strip, which means you might occasionally hear some noise. However, we provide a HEPA Air Purifier with a strong fan in the unit that can be used for white noise if desired. Further, Xplorer I is part of a duplex. We've taken measures to minimize sound transmission between the units by installing sound-damping insulation. However, given the nature of duplex living, we respectfully request all our guests to help maintain a peaceful environment, particularly during nighttime hours. Mindfulness in this regard will ensure that all guests enjoy a quiet and restful stay.
2. EXTERIOR SECURITY CAMERAS: For the safety and security of our guests, this property is equipped with exterior security cameras. These are located on the sides of the house/garage facing towards the driveway and monitor exterior entrances and outdoor areas only. Footage is used for security purposes only.
3. CLEANLINESS: We take great pride in maintaining the highest standards of cleanliness. We conduct a comprehensive multi-hour cleaning and aerate the house utilizing a HEPA air purifier between each stay (HEPA even helps filter viruses like Covid-19 and Flu).
OTHER SPACES BY US:
If you are looking for more options, we welcome you to explore all our spaces, each thoughtfully designed with distinctive features and aesthetics.
-- Ascent House
-- The Loft
-- Xplorer I
-- Xplorer II
-- Xplore House
HOUSE RULES:
1. RESPECTING OUR NEIGHBORS AND THE COMMUNITY: When you stay with us, you become a member of our community and we ask that you strongly respect those in the surrounding area looking to enjoy the quiet serene natural environment. In order to respect our neighbors and community we do not allow any loud music, loud noise, loud talking, yelling, or otherwise boisterous behavior, etc. We ask that you please be quiet and respectful of neighbors, especially during quiet hours as we may have guests staying in the adjoining unit.
2. QUIET HOURS from 8:00pm-8:00am.
3. NO PARTIES: large gatherings, parties, or events are not permitted on site.
4. NO SMOKING/VAPING in the house or use of illegal substances
5. REGISTERING GUESTS: The number of guests must be reported on the reservation. Only the number of guests booked are allowed to stay. Unregistered guests are $50 extra per night.
6. SAUNA:
- Sauna Use & Safety: For any guests wishing to use the sauna, to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience, all guests are required to thoroughly review the Sauna Rules, Safety Precautions, and our easy-to-follow How-To Videos provided in the electronic House Guide prior to use.
- Liability Disclaimer: By booking this property, guests acknowledge that use of the sauna is at their own sole risk, and the host/owner assumes no responsibility for any injuries or accidents of any kind resulting from its use.
- Etiquette: Bathing suits or appropriate undergarments are required at all times—nude use is strictly prohibited.
