Thoreau is a mirrored glass studio for couples in Hocking Hills, Ohio, with floor-to-ceiling glass on three sides, a queen bed facing the woods, a private hot tub, and a wood-burning fire pit. It sits at the bottom of the hill at Notestone Reserve, our family-owned 14-acre property in Laurelville, about 7 minutes from Rock House and 20 minutes from Old Man's Cave. Sleeps 2.
Quick Facts
• Sleeps 2 in a queen bed facing the glass
• 1 bathroom with frosted glass and a rain shower head
• Private hot tub, fire pit with firewood provided, propane grill
• Small kitchen: apartment-size fridge, portable stovetop, air fryer, coffee maker
• No TV, on purpose
• 5 steps up to the door, everything inside on one level, no loft
• Starlink WiFi
• Shared game room on the property
• Self check-in with keypad
• No smoking, primary renter 21+
Thoreau is built to get you as close to the woods as possible without giving up a comfortable bed. The queen faces the glass, and the trees come right up to it.
Named for Henry David Thoreau, who went to the woods to see what they had to teach.
About the Glass
During the day the mirrored exterior keeps things private: you can see out, but no one can see in. At night that reverses. The bathroom is frosted, so no worries there, but we do ask that you use the curtains near the bed once it gets dark. Other guests are on the property, and it's just good neighboring.
Getting In
Five steps up to the door, then everything is on one level. No loft and no stairs inside.
Check-in and Check-out
Check-in 4:00 PM. Check-out 11:00 AM.
Early check-in and late checkout depend on our schedule. Fees plus tax:
• Late checkout to 2:00 PM: $75
• Early check-in at 2:00 PM: $35
• Early check-in at noon: $50
Send us a message and we'll tell you what's open.
Sleeping
• Queen bed facing floor-to-ceiling glass
• Sleeps 2
Outside
• Private hot tub with dedicated striped hot tub towels
• Propane grill with tools
• Wood-burning fire pit with firewood and a starter log ready on arrival. The wood box is near the parking area. Keep the lid closed so it stays dry.
• Seating for two, with blankets for cooler months
Inside
• Small kitchen: apartment-size fridge, portable stovetop, and air fryer
• Basic pantry items to get you started
• Coffee bar with coffee maker and coffee
• Bathroom with a rain shower head, stocked with shampoo, conditioner, body wash, hand soap, and lotion
• Bath, hand, face, makeup, and hot tub towels
• Bluetooth speaker
• Starter supplies: 2 rolls of toilet paper, paper towels, a sponge, and trash liners. Pack a little extra for longer stays.
• No TV. The view does that job.
Shared Game Room (open to all Notestone guests, a short walk across the property)
• 85" Smart TV
• Pool table and foosball
• Basketball arcade, classic arcade machines, and a racing game
• Legos, card games, board games, and indoor cornhole
• Outdoor playground
Hocking Hills Drive Times
• Rock House: 3.3 miles, 7 min
• Cantwell Cliffs: about 8 miles, 15 min
• Conkle's Hollow: 8.8 miles, 15 min
• Old Man's Cave: 11 miles, 20 min
• Ash Cave: 16 miles, 28 min
Cell signal on the back-country roads can be spotty, so download directions before you leave home.
Thoreau has one of the steepest drives on the property. Most vehicles handle it fine under normal conditions, but in winter, when ice and snow are a factor, we strongly recommend 4WD or AWD.
About the WiFi
We run Starlink. It handles streaming, music, and browsing well. Video calls can drop now and then, especially on overcast days. Remote work is doable with the occasional hiccup. We'd rather tell you now than have you find out mid-Zoom.
The Setting
We're in the woods and keep up with regular pest control. A ladybug or a curious spider is just Hocking Hills being Hocking Hills.
House Rules
• No parties or events, including bachelor/bachelorette groups. And no glitter. It genuinely never goes away.
• Registered guests only on the property
• No smoking or vaping anywhere on the property, indoors or out
• No fireworks, ATVs, hunting, or weapons on the property
• No commercial photography or video without written approval
• Hot tub: striped towels only, keep the cover on between soaks, and please don't set the temperature below 100 degrees. It takes several hours to recover.
• Curtains: please use them near the bed after dark
• Septic system: flush toilet paper only, no garbage disposal at the sink
All guests sign a short renter's agreement after booking. We'll send it over. It's quick, painless, and helps us take good care of you and everyone else on the property.
