ANALOG - Private Beach & Acres of exclusive sanctuary set in a peaceful forest
About this cottage rental
After a fun drive down a curvy forest flanked road, you emerge into the sunlight with expansive fields on either side of you. You turn left down a dirt path that takes you by an old farmhouse. You dogleg around another field and enter the woods on a gravel road. When you get to the gate you step out and inhale deeply. Through the trees, you can vaguely see the vastness of the James River and you hear the sound of a light breeze as it tumbles amid the leaves. You work the gate and as you push it open you feel that you just opened a portal to something profound. Your gut does not deceive you. The time you will spend on this sacred land connects you to more than 100 years of family gathering and natural balance. Back in your vehicle you steer right, around the driveway loop and notice that you are at the peak of a hill that drops deeply into a great wooded ravine on either side. Straight in front of you is the cottage which sits at the tip of the peninsula surrounded by views of the River. You shut off the vehicle and step outside. There is not another home or person in sight!!! THIS IS JUST ONE...of the many things that sets this place into a league of its own….and why you selected it for your most precious time with the ones you love. NOW....You are feeling like your officially on vacation. You stroll down the brown pebble path with pep in your step and pass an open pole shed that was built by Boy Scouts, who camped here annually, in the early 1900's. The breeze from the river feels stronger now and you can see some details of the water and the white sandy beach below. Your heart rate increases in anticipation. The cottage you approach isn’t a perfect architectural specimen but you can tell it’s rich with history and an evolving design. A work in progress so to speak. Then again, as you stop at the edge of the walkway, you acknowledge the entrance before you is stunning and evokes the entrance to an elegant treehouse or the gangway to a yacht. Either way, you sense that once your feet leave the ground you will be disconnected from the reality you are seeking refuge from. Just as you step onto the entry deck you receive an affirmation of your whimsical notions. Two adult bald eagles catch your eye as they soar above the beach looking for prey. They catch your eye because you didn't have to look up to see them as they were at eye level with you. As you near the front door the scale of things comes into focus and you realize you are 70' above the river and the surrounding forest floor. Your instinctive foresight was correct, this experience is like being in a treehouse, except without the downsides of luggage up a rope ladder and a composting toilet. The breeze is loud in the trees now and this gives you the feeling of being enticed, prodded, pushed by nature. Go! Go! Go! You enter your code, nudge the thick iron and glass door open and you are inside. Looking around its not a fancy place, yet everything is curated, special and somehow comforting and calming. Americana, books, toys and furnishings reflective of a gathering place that's been a family heirloom for generations. You place your bags down, cold stuff is put into the fridge and you want to settle in further.. but looking out the walls of windows you see an inviting path that winds around the hill and dissipates into the woods. You think, “I bet that leads to the river” and with that you are out the back door on your first of many adventures.
Amenities
Pool
Air conditioner
Pets allowed
Kitchen / Kitchenette
Parking
Laundry
Balcony / Patio
Dishwasher
Garden
Family friendly
Map of Virginia
Cottage in Virginia
Reasons to book
People love it hereGuests give this property a top rating
Great for pets
Includes essentialsGarden, Pool, Pets allowed and more
$$$$
Reviews
4.9/5.0
Outstanding(233 Reviews)
10.0
Magical! My first ever review and kinda don’t want to share the news about this amazing location. Everything, and I mean everything, is catered for here! The cabin is modern, gorgeous, fully stocked with everything you could dream up and then there’s the location itself, oh and the views!! Totally private with not another house in sight. We will be back here many times in the future.
5.0
We had an amazing stay. There are a variety of things to do here, but the weather was chilly, so we stayed inside and cooked and played games that were available in the house. I think my favorite part was sitting by the firepit overlooking the river. Absolutely beautiful.
5.0
The River House was way beyond our expectations. We came to Virginia from upstate NY to attend a wedding. We only stayed for 2 days. The house was beautiful and clean. The beach was gorgeous. We found lots of seashells and pretty colored rocks. We played games and laughed so hard. We will hopefully be returning to the River House.Thanks again to the Sadler family for sharing such a nice place with us.
5.0
Had an absolutely fantastic stay following a recent storm, only far too short, at Analog. We are a retired couple and had our 4-year old grandson and house pooch with us. Needless to say, we did not have any trouble disconnecting. Loved the privacy, high end finishes with the remodel, and amenities the home had to offer. We enjoyed hiking up & down to the secluded beach, wading in the water looking for fossils and sharks teeth & doing a whole lotta nothing. During the evenings, our grandson kept busy building with the Lego’s & classic toys. Jeffrey was very attentive, quick to respond to our questions, and sharing information about the family home and area. Cannot wait to return.
5.0
Super nice home and location. Owner is excellent. Couldn’t ask for a better place to stay. Highly recommended.
5.0
Our family has been here two years in a row. We love the location and private river access. Everything is there that you need for a relaxing, comfortable, and “analog” stay. My wife and I did both have to do some work while there and had no issues using our phones as hotspots. You can’t beat the views! We’ll
Be back!
5.0
An incredible house in an amazing location! We loved our time on the river. The house is set up with everything you need and has amazing views into the forest and of the river. Kayaks, SUPs, canoes and chairs are all provided to enjoy the river. Jeffrey was wonderful communicating before and during our stay. Great vacation and we hope to go back again!
4.0
Every window has a great view, the house decor has open space. I got to see a bald eagle, sun rise and sun sets are so beautiful. Private beach front gives your family all beach to yourself.
5.0
This place is a gem. I am not sure I can summarize the beauty that is this home and property. We spent all day at the beach, daily. Searching for fossils, Teeth, interesting rocks, artifacts and more. The water temperature was perfect for an all day affair! Our dog frolicked through the water and swam alongside our children on canoe rides. The views were breathtaking! Getting to watch incredible lightning storms from the huge bay windows was breathtaking. the kids played on the ninja warrior courses quite often, as well! We saw all sorts of wildlife including baby deer right in the backyard. We learned all about the history of the area all the way back to the archaic time period. Raining outside? They have a load of games, books, puzzles and toys to keep the children occupied! Incredibly Clean and well thought out. There was nothing in the home that they did not think of that may be needed.
This is a home away from away and worth every dime we spent for this visit, and each future visit! We are already narrowing down our next dates!
Thank you, Jeff and Family for the spectacular vacation!
5.0
Just a magical place with a wonderful property manager who communicated with speed and kindness. A wonderful retreat for families!
5.0
Incredible scenery and private location. Great house. Felt roomy in spite of 2 br 1 bath.
5.0
Beautiful location on the James River! The view was incredible and the setting was so peaceful. We took the canoe out, walked the shore and caught(and released) the biggest rockfish ever for us!
The cottage is comfortable, cozy and very clean. Everything you need is provided. The ferry ride to Williamsburg was so easy and convenient. From the ferry, you are a short drive to Busch gardens or Merchants Square.
We had a lovely Thanksgiving and hope to visit again!
5.0
The cozy cabin is perched on a bluff above the wide James River with wonderful sunset scenes.
Everything we needed for a wonderful comfortable family stay was there. The beds were comfortable and the kitchen well stocked. The host was responsive and helpful.
It was pretty cold and I would love to come back when when it is warmer so we can spend more time on the shell, fossil strewn beach.
We took the ferry everyday to the Jamestown, Williamsburg area and loved it. Thank you for the wonderful, unplugged retreat.
5.0
House was a wonderful space. So many things to do there. We had a great time!! Loved seeing the deer.
5.0
Everything about this listing is accurate and our brief stay to unplug and visit Williamsburg was lovely. Be prepared for a 20 or so minute drive after leaving the ferry - the cabin is, as the driving instructions say, in the country. My kids loved the books and legos in the cabin and the water toys and equipment for enjoying the large private beach. Note: You’ll want water shoes that strap on v. flip flops for the walk down to the water. We will absolutely come back when we need to disconnect and recharge.
5.0
We rented the house for a short weekend getaway. It was the best, most relaxing time for all of us! We absolutely LOVE that there is no TVs in every room, and the place is filled with books and games! The scenery, the river, availability of the kayaks, fully working kitchen, outdoor fireplace. Nothing more is needed for a great weekend away.
5.0
Private beach, fossils, solitude - magical place.
5.0
This was the perfect spot for our family to get away and unplug for much need rest and relaxation. We loved the feeling of being in the woods, like we were camping, and also having a beach and the river to enjoy. The water was great, and you can easily stand on it for a good 30 feet from the shore. Just be sure to have water shoes, as the beach and getting into the water have lots of shells that can make it hard to walk on, but that’s not a complaint, just a heads up! Plenty of room for everyone to spread out and have quiet time. No one missed the TV, we played cards, read, and just enjoyed each other’s company. We didn’t feel the need to venture out too much, but Jamestown/Yorktown/Williamsburg are all very easy to get to if you’re looking to explore. We took groceries with us, because we weren’t sure what to expect, but discovered that the Harris Teeter just off the ferry, in Williamsburg, is easy to access (it just takes longer because of the ferry trip). The RiverHouse is equipped with everything you need to make your vacation enjoyable! We hope to make the trip again next year!
5.0
My family had the most relaxing time at this property. Everything was better then described! By day 2 the kids were already asking to come back.
5.0
From the moment we entered this area, tucked away from it all, we were immediately relaxed. From the nostalgic toy collection that our girls adored, to the cozy home feel - before we had even stepped onto the most perfect private beach, we knew we were going to come away feeling refreshed! We’ll definitely be back to make more family memories!
5.0
Pictures do NO justice
From the first 10 minutes of being at the property, I knew this was going to be a week to remember. The house is so clean, and offers so many games for family/friends of all ages. The layout is super cozy and the wrap around deck is amazing. The firepit was also a big hit, with the sounds of nature circled around you. The best part was the private beach. I cannot describe how Beautiful this was. You feel like you are on your own little island, finding Beautiful shells and shark teeth! I took my float out every morning before the family came down and got an hour of complete quietness, only hearing soft waves hitting the shells on the sand. Beautiful. The hosts were very responsive and even checked on us via text to make sure we were OK and had no questions. Couldn't have had better hosts. I Travel a lot, I use vrbo always. I never think about staying at the same place twice because I want to see the world, however this is one to break that rule. I want to bring my mother here next time. Absolutely perfect.
5.0
Exactly what my family wanted!
My Family loved this property. My wife and children (14,12,10). We had such a great time on the private beach. Learning to paddle board, swimming, fishing, and finding shark teeth. Just wanted to thank the owner ( Jefrey Saddler) for the help on how to find them and checking in on our stay. It was on the last day when we were packing up my oldest kid looks at me and said dad where s the TV. He never even noticed there wasn't one with the house. Relax, Unplug, and most of all enjoy yourself and your family. I will be renting this property in the future for longer than we rented this time.
5.0
Always Great
We have stayed multiple times. We enjoy the privacy and disconnect from the business that every day life throws at you. We have also ventured out a little further each time and really enjoy all the history you can dive into literally 15-30min from the house!
5.0
Absolutely serene getaway
My son, pup, and I had a wonderful time at the river house! It exceeded my expectations: lots of nature, wildlife, shark teeth, and fun in the water. Jeff thought of everything to help guests have a relaxing time. We loved the views, the peacefulness of the beach, the eagles flying overhead. My son enjoyed time in the water and relaxing in the hammocks while reading books; amazing since he had no Xbox and wanted to stay longer. We can’t wait to visit again in the future!
5.0
Our vacation here was fantastic, we all had a wonderful time!!
5.0
Awesome Stay!
Our vacation here was fantastic, we all had a wonderful time!!
5.0
Perfect family getaway!
My family and I had a wonderful time at this secluded river house. The beach was magical, completely private, and kept our children busy for hours!
5.0
The privacy and beauty of this beach on the James River is unbelievable and unparalleled! Fossilized Seashells as big as your hands and plenty of wildlife and sunrise/sunsets to enjoy. Our kids loved cooling off in the river and using the kayaks provided by the owners. We literally didn't see another person during our time at the river cottage. The path down from the cottage to the shoreline is magical, if not steep/rugged in parts. We stayed here for a long weekend to also visit Colonial Williamsburg, Busch Gardens, and William and Mary. We knew we'd be on the opposite coastline of these sites, so our day trips were planned to allow about 1 hour of drive time/Jamestown-Scotland ferry. It was no inconvenience since we had planned ahead, but don't rent this property thinking you're very close to Colonial Williamsburg and its conveniences. It is a remote drive on unmarked paved roads and some gravel roads to get to the house. Again, we love this kind of adventure, but not everyone does, so I want to be fair. The cottage is charming and updated tastefully ( bathroom, kitchen, and bedrooms). Lots of personal touches and history in the family room - books and games galore. In my opinion, the road less traveled is absolutely worth it and I hope to return again in the future. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this to other families looking for an adventure and privacy.
5.0
Beautiful private and secluded beach
The privacy and beauty of this beach on the James River is unbelievable and unparalleled! Fossilized Seashells as big as your hands and plenty of wildlife and sunrise/sunsets to enjoy. Our kids loved cooling off in the river and using the kayaks provided by the owners. We literally didn't see another person during our time at the river cottage. The path down from the cottage to the shoreline is magical, if not steep/rugged in parts. We stayed here for a long weekend to also visit Colonial Williamsburg, Busch Gardens, and William and Mary. We knew we'd be on the opposite coastline of these sites, so our day trips were planned to allow about 1 hour of drive time/Jamestown-Scotland ferry. It was no inconvenience since we had planned ahead, but don't rent this property thinking you're very close to Colonial Williamsburg and its conveniences. It is a remote drive on unmarked paved roads and some gravel roads to get to the house. Again, we love this kind of adventure, but not everyone does, so I want to be fair. The cottage is charming and updated tastefully ( bathroom, kitchen, and bedrooms). Lots of personal touches and history in the family room - books and games galore. In my opinion, the road less traveled is absolutely worth it and I hope to return again in the future. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this to other families looking for an adventure and privacy.
5.0
Great stay!
It was great, beach is beautiful, we saw deer everyday.
5.0
What a wonderful off the grid getaway!
We loved everything about this house! First, it was one of the cleanest houses we have stayed in! The towels and bedding were wonderful. The outside was so relaxing with numerous places to sit and enjoy nature! We had a much needed rest!
The description was accurate! The owner was very communicative and even checked in to see how we were doing!
We went to Williamsburg and Jamestowne - the ferry is not far from the house, they run every 1/2 hour, there was no wait and it was free!
I recommend this property and thank you Jeffery for letting us use your home!
5.0
We thoroughly enjoyed staying here, and would love to come again! You definitely need more than 2 nights to fully relax and soak up all this property has the offer.
5.0
Full of adventure and comfort
We thoroughly enjoyed staying here, and would love to come again! You definitely need more than 2 nights to fully relax and soak up all this property has the offer.
5.0
Hidden Gem!
Amazing off the grid property surrounded by enchanting nature. Our family made so many great memories here that will last a lifetime. Perfect secluded environment for our pup, too. We will definitely be back. So worth it!
5.0
We enjoyed our stay at this unique waterfront property. Great extras like deck with grill, fire pit area, beachfront loaded with fossilized scallops, outdoor dining options, outdoor and indoor games and almost a180° view of the James River from the living room and deck. The kitchen and the bathroom are particularly well appointed. Great communication with the property manager. Google maps takes you a long way to get there. Make sure to read the notes from the manager about directions. We enjoyed taking the ferry back and forth from the Jamestown area.
5.0
Great water front property
We enjoyed our stay at this unique waterfront property. Great extras like deck with grill, fire pit area, beachfront loaded with fossilized scallops, outdoor dining options, outdoor and indoor games and almost a180° view of the James River from the living room and deck. The kitchen and the bathroom are particularly well appointed. Great communication with the property manager. Google maps takes you a long way to get there. Make sure to read the notes from the manager about directions. We enjoyed taking the ferry back and forth from the Jamestown area.
5.0
Do not hesitate! You won't regret it. Unplug and unwind!!
5.0
Epic Retreat
Do not hesitate! You won't regret it. Unplug and unwind!!
5.0
Perfect mini vacation
Once again our stay at this beautiful little beach cottage was so fun and relaxing. I think this was the third time we have stayed here. First time in the winter and it snowed and was so beautiful. The ferry to Williamsburg is so convenient and easy to get to. My sons found a lot of shark teeth even on the very first day. No tv is great too. We made all the puzzles. Everyone enjoyed themselves.
5.0
The perfect retreat
After two separate trips here, we have a lot of good things to say about this place! We absolutely love staying here and my 8 year old wants to spend every vacation we've got at "The Cabin" from now on :)
The location is remote and tranquil and extremely peaceful. It can be hard to get to if you're relying on Apple Maps but you'll see the mailboxes and that's where you turn.
As you pull up to the gate you really know you've arrived somewhere special. The only sounds are the wind in the trees, waves hitting the shore and squirrels racing around. It's pretty magical! You can see woodpeckers and eagles. You can occasionally hear the neighbors cows or sheep if you're down at the beach.
The cabin is well updated inside. New bathroom, new kitchen appliances, washer/dryer, a reliable heater and AC and endless hot water. No odors, no pet hair, no bug issues, no sand. My son has pet and dust allergies and needs no medicine here! The place is spotless and they provide everything you could need.
The kitchen is fully stocked. I've made two Thanksgiving meals at this cabin and while it's smaller than my kitchen at home, it's certainly doable. I brought my own turkey pan but the cabin had everything else I needed for the week- a crock pot, milk frother and Bialietti espresso pot like we use at home.
The exterior is where the magic happens. There's a small ropes course that my 8yo loves to play on. There's a generous fire pit and adiraondacks around it. There's a short path down to the water. The beach is private and quiet and full of shells, sharks teeth and interesting finds. There are kayaks, a canoe and paddles (we've used them all!) We bring our fishing gear and the boys caught nice sized catfishes from the canoe.
There's a gas station 10 minutes away, a Dollar General (mini grocery) 15 minutes away that had oat milk, and there's Smithfield VA about 35 minutes away. We spent two days exploring Smithfield. There are tons of cute shops and boutiques, an amazing cafe and great antique furniture. We love it, especially during the holidays. The ferry is 20 minutes away and takes you to Jamestown Settlement, a MUST see!
That isn't everything but you'll just have to stay here yourself to find out how truly magical it is! We'll be back in the summer and maybe for a third Thanksgiving next year :) It's our new tradition!
FAQs
How much does this cottage cost compared to others in Virginia?
The average price for a rental in Virginia is $175 per night. This rental is $212 above the average.
Is parking included with this cottage?
Yes, parking is listed as an amenity at ANALOG - Private Beach & Acres of exclusive sanctuary set in a peaceful forest. For more information, we encourage you to contact the property about where to park.
Is there a pool at this cottage?
Yes, a swimming pool is available for use at ANALOG - Private Beach & Acres of exclusive sanctuary set in a peaceful forest. Enjoy the water!
Is ANALOG - Private Beach & Acres of exclusive sanctuary set in a peaceful forest pet friendly?
Yes! This cottage is pet-friendly. For more information, we recommend contacting the booking provider about animal policies.
What amenities are available at ANALOG - Private Beach & Acres of exclusive sanctuary set in a peaceful forest?
We found 10 amenities for this rental. This includes pool, air conditioner, pets allowed, kitchen / kitchenette, and parking.
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