2013 Reviews – RiverView Estate By Brophy
October 21, 2016
2016 Reviews – RiverView Estate By Brophy
October 25, 2016
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2014 Reviews – RiverView Estates By Brophy

Beautiful, Clean, Had A Great Time! Highly Recommend.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

We were a group of 17, 8 adults and 9 kids (ages 5-16). We stayed over New Years for about 6 nights. We had a wonderful time. We rented the main house and the entertainment lodge. Everything was clean and spacious. Beds were comfortable. Gail and Kristen were great to work with. They answered our 1000 questions before we checked in. They even drew up a layout of the houses including beds, bathrooms, etc. Our kids had a great time hiking the area next to the river and running around exploring outside. The kitchen has tons of supplies and pots and serving dishes for large parties and dinners. There is a great place to make a fire outside, we roasted marshmallows. It was very cold outside, but the house was nice and warm. Showers were great. There's a great big hot tub both the adults and kids enjoyed. We split the families between the 2 houses but having dinner and lunch is definitely more comfortable in the entertainment lodge where they have double stoves, double dishwashers and tons of tables and seating for large parties. There is also a great pool table and a huge TV in the entertainment lodge so the all the families could hang out w ample space. They have an onsite maintenance guy, Billy, who is great is always there to answer any questions or help with anything you have questions about. The only minor inconvenience was not having a washer/dryer. It wasn't a big deal and we were fine without it, but for some reason we assumed they would have that, so be sure to bring enough underwear! Regardless, Gale said she had people that could run into town and wash your clothes for you if you needed it. You are about 45 minutes from any major town. So we did a lot of day trips. One day we went to Cooperstown (Baseball Hall of Fame), another went to Binghamton, another day Holiday Mountain in Monticello, Hancock has a movie theatre and a bowling alley, etc. We highly recommend LakeView and working with Gale, she was extremely accommodating and a pleasure to rent from. We will be back next year!!

The Mariscal Family

Thanksgiving Weekend

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

We stayed at this house over Thanksgiving Break with our large family and had a great time. Everyone was very helpful and kind. The house was clean and very well furnished along with beautiful. It accommodated all of our needs and more. We all had a great time and we would stay at this property again anytime. We arrived on a very snowy day and the employees went above and beyond to help us with anything we needed. It gave such a comforting feeling and it was overall an amazing experience. We highly recommend this property to large groups looking to get away but still feel at home. We will absolutely be back again for our next trip!

Neil

Beautiful Location, Beautiful Facility!

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Fantastic property, very nicely appointed, spacious, with great hosts and staff to help you have a fantastic event. We brought up 40 people, and everyone could not say enough about how much they enjoyed both the space and the location. It was so comfortable and easy, and we will absolutely be back again.

Eric H.

Our Best Getaway Ever!

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Our group has been going away early fall together now (we're 20+ adults and kids) for the last 7 years and the Riverview Estate was easily the most interesting and enjoyable place we've stayed in. Beautiful wooded surroundings, gorgeous vistas, luxurious rooms, kitchens galore (we cook all our own meals), spacious places to hang out together or separately, and the graciousness of Gale and her staff made our recent long weekend retreat the best ever. We'll certainly be back again.....kudos to all the staff for taking care of our special needs and requests, of course Gale who made sure we always had everything we needed.

Sol. K

What An AMAZING Location !!!

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

We had a group of 20 adults of mixed company, and could have fit a few more. The amount of room was incredible. First off, we were greeted by Michelle and Bobby on our arrival and they were great hosts, taking the time to walk us through all 3 houses and pointing out important details. It was a great way to start, as we immediately felt at home. Bobby also responded immediately to any questions we had during the week, which was really appreciated. As you go through the rooms, all of them are spacious and elegant. Bedrooms are amazing, and all furniture is new and cared for. All three houses were in impeccable condition. The nice thing about this is that the 3 buildings are a stone's throw away from each other, but at the same time give people places to tuck away if they need some personal time. The Entertainment lodge is truly a highlight, and amazing place to congregate. We generally hung out here, when not hiking on a trail, and it easily fit all of us, from the TV area, pool table, and massive dining table, where we often played board games. Usually I like to give constructive feedback, but in this case everything was truly perfect. I can't say enough good things about Riverview Estate. This was our 5th reunion, and was by far the nicest location. This destination is truly 5*, and we are DEFINITELY coming back. June, thank you for having us. It was truly a privilege, and we look forward to seeing you for many years to come!

Mike N.

The Very Best

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

This review is a 2-parter, first half for the owner and second half for the property. The Owner - Gale Brophy writes the book on running a luxury rental property. She is engaged and available enough to make sure you have everything you need at any given time, yet provides enough privacy and distance to make you feel like you own the property throughout your stay. Her only concern is that you enjoy your time at Riverview, and works with you before and during your stay to match her property best for your needs. Every group is different, and Gale understands that better than anyone. It's rare to encounter a property like this where you really feel like a friend gave you the keys for the weekend. I really can't say enough about what a pleasure she was to rent from. A+ The Property - Being the organizer of my group I had studied the pictures of Riverview multiple times before arriving. When I arrived I noticed two things: 1 IT'S HUGE, the pictures can't really capture how large this property is. 2. The set up and floor plans are perfect. Large spaces for when you want everyone together flowing into pockets of seclusion for when you want to escape and relax. I had a max capacity group and many times I felt like there were only a couple of us there. The only difficult part of the weekend was trying to enjoy every amenity of this property is just 3 days; Steam shower, pool table, sauna, hot tub, fire pit, the list goes on and on. The views are beautiful from the house, especially while sitting on one of the 5 balconies/porches with coffee in the morning. Needless to say, this was the perfect vacation with the best owner and best property I've ever encountered. Only rent this property if you want to raise the bar on your vacations. Thanks Gale! - JP

Josh P.

Annual Family Reunion - 2nd at Riverview

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

My family which consists of about 18 adults and 4 babies just completed our second annual family reunion vacation week at RiverView Estates. Next year we’ll spend our third year in a row there because we unanimously agree the amenities are perfect for our needs. With three buildings each with ample bedrooms, bathrooms, living space, kitchens and patios, we found we could enjoy sufficient private time but also have large enough areas in which we could congregate. We’ve been taking annual family reunion week long vacations for 25 years so we have plenty of comparisons and RiverView stacks right up there at the top. During the day we all like to follow our individual preferences for activities such as swimming, hiking, biking, kayaking, reading, billiards, working out, hot tubing or golf so we all were content in our endeavors and not stepping on one another’s toes. At night we take turns cooking feasts to share so all three kitchens hosted at least one dinner. Each of the three building has a fire pit and folding lawn chairs are plentiful so nightly bonfires can be enjoyed. Gale has provided all the comforts of home including plenty of cookware, dishware, exercise equipment, books, TVs and games. She was always there to answer questions and ensure our comfort. She’s a delightful and charming person so I’m glad to have been able to meet her this year and look forward to seeing her again next year.

Patty P.

The Perfect Vacation

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Our week at RiverView could not have been better. All 21 one of us, ages 75 down to 1 had a wonderful time. The wide beautiful porches kept us dry even in wild thunderstorms. The grandchildren(and the adults) had a great time in the pool, and swimming in the river across the way. The Main House master bedroom had the most comfortable mattress we've ever slept on. It was especially helpful having three houses, giving all ages a sense of privacy, and the pool table provided hours of fabulous indoor entertainment for teenagers and adults. I suspect all 21 of us would hope to return next year.

Barkinghorse

Great Group Getaway

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Back in 1994, a group of ten guys became close friends in high school and formed a squad. We've all reunited at weddings and our annual Christmas party since then, but for our twentieth anniversary we were looking to do something big. Most of us are married now, some with kids. Where could we go that'll suit us all? A place where the guys can grill and goof off, the wives can drink wine and roll their eyes at us, and the kids can run around and play together? The moment we saw this RiverView Estate page, we were hooked: this looked like our ideal vacation spot. (The entertainment lodge was the biggest selling point!) It worked out great. 17 "adults" in our mid 30s with 7 kids under 5. There was enough room to spread out (families with kids slept in the main house, child-free couples in the other two.) People would go off on their own excursions during the days (hiking, biking, excursions into town) and we’d all gather for dinner in the entertainment lodge every night. Grilling, drinking, playing pool and poker, having fun in a relaxed and comfortable environment. Gale was very attentive and helpful. There happened to be an issue with the pool liner, which meant the pool would be closed for half of our stay. She went ahead and purchased an above ground pool, just for us and basically just for a weekend. It was above and beyond anything we would’ve expected. We all had a great time, and would be excited to return at some point. It was a vacation of extra-ordinary magnitude.

Steve K.

Outstanding!

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Gale and her team do an outstanding job of making you feel welcome as guests at her RiverView Estate. They go the extra mile to make sure your every request is addressed promptly. On a personal note, Gale Brophy is a charming, bright minded entrepreneur who conducts business with the highest moral standard. I look forward to maintaining a relationship with her in the years to come… Steve Pakutka Director of Finance Blue Ridge Capital

Christina S.

Wonderful Escape From The City

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

This was such a beautiful estate I just can't wait to go back! With all the space you could desire and beautiful views all around I can't recommend it enough. It makes me want to leave the city forever. Five stars for sure!

Eric W.

Absolutely Fantastic Home

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

We are a group of 7 couples who are 30 years old but have been renting homes together in the Catskills, Poconos and Vermont for nearly 10 years. The property was exactly as advertised and the whole group loved the home. The staff was really helpful and truly wants your stay to be worry-free. The best part of the home is the entertainment lodge - a large open room with a big kitchen, a pool table, big screen TV and ample seating. It is rare to find a home where our whole group can hang out together rather than being segmented in multiple smaller homes like we have had to do in previous homes. We like cooking all our meals and because the kitchen was in the entertainment lodge the folks who volunteered for cooking duty were not isolated while preparing all the food but instead able to hang out with the rest of the group the entire time. The bedrooms were ample and spacious. In years past we always had a tough time finding a home that fits our group size and this place really fits the bill. I would absolutely recommend it to other families or groups - just don't steal it from us next President's day weekend!

Gabriel E.

Awesome Experience!

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

It takes me a long time to select a rental property for my group trips. RiverView Estate By Brophy was a definite payoff for my labor. The property is amazing. All three houses are in excellent shape and boast more beauty than the pictures can show. The entire staff is extremely helpful and timely. I had a group of young professionals, ages 21-36 attend. Most did not know each other but the space allowed for friendships to grow during our weekend. I will definitely recommend the space and would love to return! Thank you guys, Reggie

Reginald W.

Luxurious Getaway Close To Metro-Area

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

We had a lovely weekend retreat at this estate. We had high expectations which were exceeded. You cross a charming one lane bridge just prior to arrival. The owner Gale was fabulous and welcoming. She really made us feel at home. Her staff was readily accessible and nearby 24/7 to address any concerns. We choose to come on a cold and icy weekend, and their concern for our safety was very genuine and I appreciated that. They carefully plowed the driveways and left us large bags of salt should we have needed. We chose to rent all three houses since we had a large group. We could easily have gone on an adventurous winter outing but we opted to spend our entire time on the estate playing roulette and billiards, sitting in the Jacuzzi, and sipping warm drinks on the amazing deck while enjoying the beautiful view. The bed in the master suite was very comfortable. The kitchens were all large and usable. We made use of the grill outside to cook a feast on the last day. It was a perfect getaway from NYC. Upon my return to the concrete jungle I totally missed the high ceilings, fireplaces, clean air and breathtaking surroundings.

Noe

Beautiful And Unique, Fully-equipped Retreat!

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

The three guest houses were exactly like how they are in the pictures - beautiful, woodsy, unique and full of character. The place was fully equipped for all bbq-ing, fun-filled activities and needs. We stayed with 15 friends for a weekend retreat away from the big city and had enough room and activities to thoroughly enjoy the weekend. The property is absolutely clean and well-maintained. The owner was quick to respond to all questions and concerns. I would definitely recommend this place to friends and relatives.

CS