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A rustic stone cottage on an estate close to the Texas State Railroad.

Lakefront cottage with kitchen and balcony

Photo gallery for A rustic stone cottage on an estate close to the Texas State Railroad.

Surrounded by lush greenery, this rustic lodge features a gabled roof and stone foundation.
Enjoy cooking in this well-equipped kitchen with a sink, stove, and dishwasher.
Stroll through a serene garden featuring a variety of flowering plants and lush greenery.
Relax in a charming outdoor space with a wooden deck, stone wall, and comfortable wicker seating.
Rest in comfort on a four-poster bed with a floral-patterned bedspread and multiple pillows.

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire home

2 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 6900 sq ft

Popular amenities

  • Dryer
  • Fireplace
  • Washer
  • Parking available
  • Kitchen
  • Pet-friendly

About this property

Entire place

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

A rustic stone cottage on an estate close to the Texas State Railroad.

Lakefront cottage with kitchen and balcony
Along with laundry facilities, this smoke-free cottage has a garden and barbecues. The cottage has 2 bedrooms and offers free WiFi and a balcony. Guests can enjoy a fireplace, and other amenities include a kitchen with a fridge and an oven.
Air-conditioned accommodation at this cottage offers fireplaces and coffee/tea makers. Rooms open to balconies or patios. Kitchens offer fridges, stovetops, microwaves and kitchenware and utensils. Bathrooms include a shower and hairdryers.

Guests can surf the web using complimentary wireless Internet access. Smart televisions are featured in guestrooms.

The recreational activities listed below are available either on-site or nearby; fees may apply.

Property manager

ROLAND OR SUSAN HARTZOG

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in the cottage: Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Car required
  • Parking on site

Kitchen

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Electric kettle
  • Hob
  • Ice maker
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Paper towels
  • Refrigerator
  • Spices
  • Toaster

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 2 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • 1 bathroom
  • Hair dryer
  • Shampoo
  • Shower
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Dining table
  • Fireplace
  • Living room

Entertainment

  • Books
  • Games
  • Smart TV with cable/satellite channels

Outdoor areas

  • Barbecue grill
  • Garden
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Patio

Laundry

  • Laundry facilities
  • Washing machine

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • Pet friendly
  • Welcoming dogs only
  • Up to 9 kg per pet

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoke-free property
  • Note from host: This is a strict NO SMOKING property.

Location highlights

  • In a rural location
  • In the city centre
  • Near a hospital
  • On a lake

Things to do

  • Bicycles
  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Cycling nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Hiking/biking trails nearby
  • Swimming nearby
  • Theme park nearby
  • Water tubing 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)
  • First aid kit
  • Fire extinguisher

General

  • Bicycles
  • Garden
  • Unit size: 900 square feet

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  • Washer
  • Dryer
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Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Contactless check-in and check-out are available
Minimum check-in age - 21

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM
Contactless check-out

Special check-in instructions

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

Pets

Pets are allowed
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees
Welcoming dogs only
2 total (up to 9 kg per pet)
Restrictions apply; for more information contact the property on the number on the booking confirmation
Note from host: We prefer small to medium pets with 2 as a maximum

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome

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
Parties and events (including family gatherings, birthday parties and weddings) are allowed on site. Maximum attendees: 80
Note from host: Picnic pavilion available for additional fee.
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 first aid kit
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

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

Property is also known as

En Rustik Stenhus på en Ejendom tæt på Texas State Railroad

About the area

Map
Palestine, TX

What's nearby

  • Texas State Railroad: Palestine Depot - 6 min drive - 3.7 km
  • Anderson County Courthouse - 9 min drive - 9.2 km
  • Redlands Hotel - 10 min drive - 9.6 km
  • Palestine Regional Medical Center - 11 min drive - 11.1 km
  • Green Park - 11 min drive - 11.1 km

Getting around

  • Tyler, TX (TYR-Pounds Regional) - 57 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪McDonald's - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Chick-fil-A - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Taco Bell - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Whataburger - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Sonic Drive-In - ‬9 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is A rustic stone cottage on an estate close to the Texas State Railroad. pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 2 total) with a maximum weight of up to 9 kg per pet.

What time is check-in at A rustic stone cottage on an estate close to the Texas State Railroad.?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at A rustic stone cottage on an estate close to the Texas State Railroad.?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is A rustic stone cottage on an estate close to the Texas State Railroad. located?

Located in the heart of Palestine, this cottage is 1.8 mi (2.9 km) from Texas State Railroad: Palestine Depot and within 6 miles (10 km) of Anderson County Courthouse and Palestine Community Theatre. Redlands Hotel and Green Park are also within 9 miles (15 km).

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A rustic stone cottage on an estate close to the Texas State Railroad. Reviews

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 107 out of 109 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 1 out of 109 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 109 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 109 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 109 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Amenities

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Patti S.

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

Beautiful peaceful relaxing

Clean well maintained and hosts were amazing and friendly
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Robert W.

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

We went to ride the train and found a heavenly oasis.

I’ve been to many places that promise solitude but you never really feel it, you DEFINITELY will here. So quiet, so beautiful. I will definitely come back if nothing else just to stay here.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Victoria S.

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

Relaxing tranquil getaway

This home is well taken care of by the couple who actually built it for their own use.They have made a lovely property for guests to visit and share its amenities. Our grandkids loved the pond and visiting their chicken coop.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Brenda B.

A Heavenly Haven

A lovely little cottage on beautiful grounds where mind, body and spirit find rest and renewal. The most hospitable hosts EVER and not a single need unmet. Highly recommended and we WILL return!!
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2018

10/10 Excellent

Sarah M.

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

Romantic Cottage!

Bird Cottage was the perfect sanctuary for our wedding anniversary! Roland and Susan could not have been more accommodating! We look forward to returning soon!
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Amanda P.

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

Sweet and fun cottage

Bird Cottage is adorable and the owners are friendly. It’s located on their main home property but we never felt uncomfortable. They are very welcoming. Our kids played ball in the yard, fished the lake, took out the boat and fed the chickens. The cottage is clean and well stocked. The beds are comfy too! Excellent place to stay especially if you’re going to the Texas Railroad.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Sarah L.

Peaceful and beautiful time with my family....

Roland and Susan are amazing hosts and made us feel like family! The property is beautiful and was so relaxing. The cottage is very clean and updated inside but still feels true to being rustic. Our kids were able to be kids and run around and enjoy the beautiful nature of Texas. We would love to return... top notch VRBO!
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2019

10/10 Excellent

Diana N.

Far from big city stress but close to home

Just what we hoped for in a country retreat. All the amenities needed, plenty to see and do but still felt like miles from nowhere. Three kids and two adults fit perfectly with plenty of outdoor space to roam. Our hosts were more than accommodating and added to the experience by suggesting in town restaurants, excursions and even provided the worms for fishing in their pond.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2019

10/10 Excellent

Mary M., Magnolia, TX

So cozy and nice!

Such a cute little cottage! Lots of attention to details, including a towel warmer. Beds were very comfy, and Roland kept us supplied with wood for the fireplace. It was the perfect setting to get away to celebrate my birthday with my sisters. The hosts put up a birthday banner and left cupcakes. Very sweet and attentive.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2019

10/10 Excellent

Andrew R.

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

Amazing vacation and even better people

Cottage was very clean and had all the amenities needed. We spent most of our time outside in the large green space in the middle of the estate, on the boat, or tractor. My two toddlers loved every bit of it. Roland and his wife were very friendly and made sure our visit was nothing but top tier. They made sure we had everything we needed and respected our space during COVID19. We will definitely be making a trip back.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2021

10/10 Excellent

Jasmin D.

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

Nothing short of AMAZING!!

We had such a wonderful time during our stay. The property is AMAZING along with it's hosts. There is so much to do we never left the property during the 3 days we were there. The kids loved wondering around and exploring and we felt safe allowing them to do so. The chickens were so much fun, my kiddos loved watching them and following them around. They thought it was so neat to collect eggs. The lake is beautiful and the paddle boat was a huge hit with my kids. I would highly recommend this place and we will definitely be going back. None of us were ready to leave.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2021

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer L.

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

Just Perfect for Thanksgiving!

My two adult children stayed with us here for Thanksgiving and it was wonderful. The cottage is simply darling and has everything we needed. The kitchen is amply supplied, the living area cozy and comfortable; and we loved using the fireplace that cold weekend. Beds are very comfortable and all the decorative bird touches to make it truly Bird Cottage were charming. It is set on a gorgeous piece of property that is delightful to roam. Our hosts were so welcoming and helpful, even when we had a medical emergency. Also very close to the Texas State Railroad which was so convenient Polar Express was AMAZING . Small note: The spiral staircase to the upstairs sleeping soft is quite small and tricky, but even my hefty adult son managed it. Many thanks to our hosts for a tour of the property and a delightful stay.
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Lonni M.

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

Wonderful!!!

Our hosts, Susan and Roland are just amazing. For our second time staying at Bird Cottage, they attended to our special requests and opened up their lovely property to us and our grandchildren. Our grandkids loved fishing and using the paddleboat on the lake, playing soccer on the massive lawn, and eating breakfast on the huge, comfortable porch of the cottage. The beds are comfortable, the kitchen is great for cooking a meal, and the bathroom is huge with a great shower. Even our little pup enjoyed his stay! Thank you again Susan and Roland for another great stay on your beautiful property. See you next year!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2019

10/10 Excellent

Lonni M.

Our very best HOMEAWAY stay ever!

We were in town for our 50+ family reunion. I stumbled upon Bird Cottage on Homeaway. What an amazing find! The cottage is adorable and very comfortable. The porch has fans and gliders and is an amazing place to sit and drink coffee or just talk to family. The kids fished in the beautiful pond, played baseball on the gorgeous grounds, and enjoyed the loft in the cabin. Our host, Roland, is so kind and helpful and left us danish for the morning, orange juice, creamer, as well as a loaded Keurig for coffee. We loved the huge stone shower and all the comfortable beds. We are looking forward to coming back every year!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2018

10/10 Excellent

Kendra G., Houston, TX

Adorable quiet retreat!

Everything about this bird's nest cottage is 5 star, including the owners, Roland and Susan. Great communication before, during and after my stay. The moment you drive onto the property, the stress melts away. It's beautiful! The cottage is well equipped with everything you need for a great stay - including a towel warmer in the bathroom and some amazing homemade blueberry bread!! It's perfect for relaxing, watching the cows in the neighboring pasture, or taking a quiet walk down to the pond. Likewise, it's close enough to Palestine where you can grab groceries or a bite to eat, or hit the Piney Woods Wine Trail. I booked the cottage for a weekend away by myself, and will definitely be back!
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2019

10/10 Excellent

Tracey J., Palestine, TX

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

Anniversary getaway

Most relaxing place we’ve ever stayed! Absolutely beautiful, peaceful, quiet, secluded, cozy, and comfortable. I believe our favorite spot was the porch, which was always nice and breezy. From the moment we arrived, we could tell that Susan and Roland had gone out of their way to make this a special weekend for us. They were very accommodating, from the welcome anniversary flag, champagne on ice, and homemade blueberry bread. The decor inside and out was very meticulous. I can't count how many bird items are on display. The grounds are immaculate, and the fishing was pretty decent too. We would not hesitate to stay here again. Thanks so much for sharing your beautiful cabin.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2019

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

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

SPRING BREAK FOR THE GIRLS

Everyone caught a fish except the wifey poo! she evidently was not holding her rod correctly! lol the girls had a great time and learned to drive! i think !!! bet Roland was tired of seeing my golf cart go by the house all day!
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2021

10/10 Excellent

Richard P., Cypress, TX.

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

Great and relaxing time.

The cottage met our needs. The stairway to the loft needs to be better explained. It is very narrow and steep spiral stairs and older adults cannot use it easily. My daughter and nephew slept there. My wife or I could not fit on it. We were also inundated with inch worms everywhere in the cottage the whole week. But otherwise we enjoyed the quiet and good weather we were lucky to have and the fishing was very good and relaxing. The porch was enjoyed by all of us. Great get away.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2019

10/10 Excellent

allison r., Dallas

It doesn't get any better than this !

They have thought of every detail. Not only is it beautifully designed ( & I'm a registered designer ) but the champagne was on ice, the "Happy Anniversary" flag was flying, the fire was going in the fireplace, water in the coffee maker, and the amazing blueberry bread was in the refrigerator for breakfast! Cleanliness goes without saying,immaculate grounds,beautiful plants, heated towels in the bathroom, on & on ! Roland and Susan were fantastic hosts and it was the most relaxed we've been in months. I want to live there! Since that's not possible, we WILL be back, over & over! Thank you again and we so look forward to seeing you soon. - Kyle & Allison Russell
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2018

10/10 Excellent

Chris S.

Wish we could have stayed longer!!!!

My Husband, 8-month old son and I stayed at the Bird Cottage this past weekend and had a wonderful time. My husband is from Palestine so it was nice to be back in his hometown for the weekend to visit with friends and family. The amenities were wonderful, especially with a young baby. We had everything we needed! We especially enjoyed having coffee in the morning overlooking the well-manicured property and seeing the lake just a short distance from the front porch. Our dogs enjoyed chasing each other in the lot and running down to the lake and back. The bed was incredibly comfy, the cabin is decorated beautifully and having a hot towel to dry off with after a shower was a huge treat! My husband and I are already planning to come back in the fall to enjoy the fireplace and outdoor cook area by the lake. Roland and Susan were incredible hosts and we look forward to visiting with them more on our next trip. Candice
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2018

10/10 Excellent

John E.

Great Property - Well equipped and truly relaxing

First off, as usual the pictures do not quite capture the beauty of this property. Roland and Susan have done an incredible job not only with this cottage but the entirety of the property. They are two of the nicest, most accommodating people you will meet. The lake is a real amenity that is both serene and full of good sized fish. Kids and I fished there for two days and caught 23 fish in a short amount of time. If you do not have any fishing equipment, don't worry as Roland and Susan have plenty of extra poles and tackle. As you enter the property, you almost think you are entering an English countryside manor. As for the cottage itself, we had 2 adults and 4 children under the age of 12 and never once felt cramped. The loft is quite large and accommodating and the cottage is very efficiently laid out. Lots of patio/deck space and seating. We will definitely be back for the fishing and the tranquility.
Stayed 10 nights in Dec 2018

10/10 Excellent

Tina C.

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

PERFECT CABIN!!!!

The cabin was perfect in every way and the property was absolutely breathtaking! Roland and Susan greeted me upon arrival and went above and beyond to make my stay enjoyable. They even added little sweet touches like mini Bundt cakes and orange juice, so I had breakfast the next morning. The cabin is adorable and has some extra plush amenities such as a resort style extra-large stone shower and towel warmer. There is a large covered porch that wraps around the cabin so you can sit and look at the extremely well maintained landscape to the front and side of the cabin and the beautiful white cows on the back side. Susan and Roland allowed me to roam around the property so I walked down to the lake on both days I was there. It was so peaceful and calming. The lake is only a 3 minute walk from the cabin and you can walk through the shade trees and landscape so it truly felt as though I was at a resort but all by myself as it is very private. I went to Palestine for a family wedding and had never thought of going back but after meeting Susan and Roland and staying at their precious cabin I will for sure go back for some peaceful time as much as I possibly can!!!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Arlen A.

Charm and tranquility, but yet close to activities in Palestine

We reviewed over 300 potential vacation rentals across the State of Texas before we found the Bird Cottage. This rustic cottage left no detail to chance. The building was designed especially for a peaceful atmosphere and the furnishings made you feel like you were in the home you always desired but did not live in. The expanse of green grass and beautiful massive trees reminded me of the best parks we had ever visited. The large porch offered wonderful sitting areas that enhanced the cool breezes that continually passed thru the porch. It was 100 degrees but sitting on the porch felt like it was only the upper 70's. For those that are star gazers you will not be disappointed in the view of the heavens from the large open grass areas. You just need to bring a blanket and look up to view the massive number of stars. The property behind the cottage is a rolling pasture that contains white brahma cattle that come near the fence and serenade you and then move on. For the fisherman in you the property contains a large pond that is fully stocked with fish. You are invited to drop a line in and test your skills or teach your children how to fish. You can play badminton, croquet, or horse shoes with equipment provided by your host. The property is located in scenic gated entry that is made of stone and the road is cobble stone made by the owner on site. I can not even begin to describe how special this property is and the immense potential for anyone looking for a vacation rental for adults or families. The charm and graciousness of the property as wonderful as it is comes in second to that of the owners Susan and Roland. They go out of their way to provide a setting for a wonderful stay that ranges from the immaculate condition of the property to heated towels. You will want to get to know them and learn their story of the property and its development. We plan on staying again but next time we will want to stay a lot longer. This will be our "go to place" when we need to escape the craziness of Houston where the loudest sound you will hear at Bird Cottage is from the birds. Thanks Susan and Roland. Jackie and Arlen Allison
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2018

2/10 Terrible

Joe C.

Pictures can be deceiving~

Nice touches throughout, however, the description boasts "being away from it all" and as a private getaway... however, the property driveway is shared with the owners, and clear eyesight view of each other's porches, and just a stone-through from the county highway for which it sits. Additionally, it's VERY small and difficult to walk around another adult in each room. The winding stairs to the loft are close-encountered with the wall and was narrower than our suitcase (to give you an idea). Sadly, we had one (of our party of 2) on crutches (and reason for our getting out of the house and away from it all (to relax)), and getting through the furniture to even get in the living room posed a problem b/c of the snug fit of said furniture pieces. We made a 3+ hour drive from NW Fort Worth area and were so disappointed in the lack of space & privacy (hardly relaxing or the romantic getaway promised), we left immediately upon arrival to get back home and comfortable. We noticed the lights of owners' home went out as soon as went in, so we shot them a courtesy message upon immediate departure to let them know we were disappointed and wouldn't be able to stay given the immobility factor and the provided honest and respectful feedback re: our disappointment in the description claims, and are now having to work with HomeAway in an attempt to obtain at least a partial refund since we are out a significant amount of money without having stayed in the misrepresented cabin. There were no reservations surrounding ours and not a fully booked calendar so we were disappointed that the owners refused a refund with said reasoning, plus stating we should have called (at 10pm, even though we contacted them immediately in written form out of courtesy of the late hour and seeing their lights go out). I'm sure for those staying alone, or not minding having the owners a stone-throw away from your front door, it would be a lovely stay. But we had hopes for the "away from everything" and "romantic getaway" the listing promised, so it's a two-thumbs down and yield to caution place for us. Owners were pleasant to work with until we had a concern. Then it was delayed & uncooperative communication thereafter. We've had GREAT luck on this site for years, so we'll continue to use HomeAway for our travels, but just sadly won't be frequenting this property.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2018

10/10 Excellent

Tina H.

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

Quiet, peaceful retreat

Beautiful property and wonderful owners. This was a birthday getaway for my parents, and much needed relaxation.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024