The Tenwood Lodge is located just south of Ithaca, New York. The six-bedroom home is constructed with thirteen different types of wood and has windows on all sides of the home overlooking the 120 acres of land surrounding the lodge. A large kitchen, three living spaces, and a dining room are common spaces in the home suited for large families and groups. Breakfast is served fresh by the owner of the property, Kim Nitchman, every morning for guests to the establishment. Those who reserve the entire home are welcome to use the large kitchen. Tenwood Lodge is located near many national forests and lakes.
Located in a secluded valley outside of Ithaca, New York, the Tenwood Lodge is a two-part home made with ten different types of recycled wood. The modified timber frame construction is surrounded by over 120 acres of land that guests can explore. Several acres surrounding the cabin consist of green mowed lawns and landscaping of trees, shrubbery, and flower gardens. Down the hill from the lodge is the Sugar Shack, where the owners of the property, Rus and Kim Nitchman, make their own maple syrup in early spring.
A pond just a few acres long is located at the back of the property. Surrounded by trees, this pond is home to some fish. However, great blue herons often spend time on the pond feeding on the fish. A large gravel driveway and parking area allow room for up to ten vehicles, and a turnaround spot near the property's garage apartment makes it possible for larger vehicles and trailers to maneuver safely. Three large picnic tables sit out on the lawn for outdoor dining, and a fire pit is located at the center of the yard on a flat plot of land with plenty of room for seating. Three firewood bundles are offered to each group that uses the firepit. A fee is charged for additional bundles used.
Inside the home, there are knotty pine ceilings on the upper floors, and windows bring natural light into each of the rooms offering sprawling views of the surrounding land. Rustic natural décor fills the lodge with polished wood fixtures, nature-oriented paintings, and thick rugs. Russ, the property owner, is an avid hunter and has hung many of his trophies in the trophy room with taxidermy deer, elk, geese, and even fish on its walls. Antler sheds are hung in almost every room. Lighter woods were used inside of the home than would be used in a traditional cabin because the Nitchmans wanted to create a bright interior that magnifies the light shining through the windows.
Wood stoves are located in two of the three sitting areas inside the home, and an air conditioning system was recently installed throughout the home with personal controls for each room. A sizeable recycled kitchen is located on the main floor of the lodge. This kitchen is where the breakfast meals are cooked for bed and breakfast guests, and a dining area just off the large kitchen can seat up to nine visitors with additional seating at the kitchen bar as well. For those who reserve the entire home for their stay, full access to the kitchen is offered. The kitchen includes a fully stocked pantry and cooking essentials, dishwashing supplies, and garbage bags.
Breakfast is offered every morning to guests staying in the lodge as a bed and breakfast. Kim serves the full breakfast at 8:30 every morning. The breakfast often includes an egg dish, French toast, pancakes, waffles, sausage, bacon, fruit, yogurt, toast, or granola. Every meal is served with maple syrup made right at the Tenwood Lodge. Guests who sleep in past 8:30 AM can make their way down to the kitchen before ten and eat a danish or fresh muffin with the lodge's specialty roast coffee.
Additional amenities offered inside the cabin include a stroller, high chair, multiple pack-n-play cribs, specialty roasted coffee, and homemade maple syrup. Every one of the bathrooms is fully stocked with soaps and lotions. The laundry room in the lodge has detergents and ironing supplies. Three large patios look out over the surrounding land with barbecues and seating where guests can drink their morning coffee or watch the sunset with a glass of wine. Each room is outfitted differently with colorful wallpaper, antique furnishings, and hand-crafted quilts on each bed. Those who rent out the bunkhouse have access to three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a large den. The bunkhouse can be closed off from the rest of the lodge for privacy.
The Master Spa Suite is the most popular of the rooms in the Tenwood Lodge. This bedroom has a queen-sized bed with a private bath featuring a two-person Sanijet tub and a separate shower. The Pasture Room is horse-themed with splatted maple hardwood flooring and shares a full bath with the Family Room bedroom next door. The Family Room was designed for families with young children. A king-sized bed and twin bunk beds are fit into this room right off of the main den area. The Bunkhouse Mini-Master shares a full bathroom with the Blue Room and is ventilated with eco-friendly solar-powered air sources. The Blue Room was fashioned for children providing them with two twin beds, both with trundle options.
When guests are not spending time exploring the 120-acre property of the Tenwood Lodge, they can venture out to visit any of the nearby wineries and breweries in the area. The Seneca Lake and Cayuga Lake are within a thirty-minute drive of the property for guests who wish to fish or take a boat for watersports. The Danby State Forest and Shindagin Hollow State Forest border the property and are covered in hundreds of ATV, hiking, and mountain biking trails. Fifteen minutes from the lodge, the Ithaca Commons is filled with cafes and live music. Cornell University and Ithaca College are within an hour's drive of the Tenwood Lodge as well. The Tenwood Lodge is open year-round, with the most guests visiting from mid-May to mid-October.
The Tenwood Lodge was built with the intent of creating a family-friendly space where those who visit can remove themselves from their busy everyday lives and enjoy the solitude of the New York countryside. Russ and Kim Nitchman, the owners, first built the lodge as a family home for them and their five children. It is a space they enjoy and wanted to share with others. In order to give guests an experience of comfort and relaxation, the couple strive to always be available to answer questions and address any concerns. "Our goal is to provide a place for people to enjoy the area around them even with a large family," says Kim.
Having a large family and finding a sufficiently large space that accommodates children can be difficult in the lodging industry, and the Nitchmans have created the Tenwood Lodge as a means of solving that problem. With six bedrooms, three living spaces, a dining area, and a large kitchen, the cabin can be described as spacious and accommodating. The Tenwood Lodge hosts many family reunions every year, and housing families for weddings in the area is also common. The Bunk House section of the home can be locked off from the rest of the home for groups who desire more privacy, such as the bride and groom, event hostesses, or separate families.
In addition to being a family-focused bed and breakfast, pets are also allowed at the lodge. A variety of positive reviews come from the guests who stay at the Tenwood Lodge. Most include descriptions regarding how large and accommodating the space is for families with small children, an appreciation for the modern amenities at such a rural location, and the acreage of farmland around the property they can explore. One guest in specific said, "we stayed at Tenwood Lodge for Ithaca College's graduation weekend. Located near the school, it was easy for us to come and go from campus events. The house is roomy and comfortable. All three generations of the family slept well. The kitchen is well equipped and spacious. Wildlife is abundant and inches away from the house."
Russ and Kim Nitchman purchased the 120 acres of the Tenwood Lodge later on in 2000. They originally bought the land to build a family home. However, soon after completing the first side of the home—the Bunk House—in 2004, the couple's children all moved out. They continued to add onto the home in 2012, adding the large kitchen, multiple rooms, and Russ' trophy room. Russ retired, and after adding onto the lodge the second time, they realized it was more space than they needed. In 2013 they decided to open the home as a bed and breakfast and vacation rental.
Over the years, air conditioning, solar paneling, upgraded furniture, and larger beds were added to the home. In the future, the couple intends to build a selection of their own yard games guests can use, such as corn hole, a volleyball court, and croquet. Other improvements scheduled to be added to the property include an outdoor kitchen and dining area. The couple thoroughly enjoys being the hosts of the Tenwood Lodge. Without their own children living with them anymore, it is their pleasure to open their home to other families.
986 Steam Mill Rd
Ithaca, New York
United States
Bed and Breakfast
Russ & Kim Nitchman
