Entire home

What makes you happy?

Photo gallery for What makes you happy?

Exterior
Exterior
3 bedrooms, free WiFi, bed sheets
Combined shower/bathtub, hair dryer, towels, soap
TV, fireplace, DVD player, books

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire home

3 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 784 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Dryer
  • Parking available
  • Washer

Explore the area

View map
Bethel, PA
  • Place, Pat Garrett Amphitheater
    ‪3 min drive‬
  • Place, Strausstown Lions Park
    ‪4 min drive‬
  • Place, Roadside America
    ‪6 min drive‬
  • Airport, Lancaster, PA (LNS)
    ‪47 min drive‬

Room options

Similar properties

About the area

Bethel

Located in Bethel, this cottage is in the mountains, a 5-minute drive from Pat Garrett Amphitheater and 6 minutes from Strausstown Lions Park. .This family-friendly cottage is 10 mi (16.1 km) from Koziar's Christmas Village and 4.4 mi (7.1 km) from Golden Age Air Museum.

What's nearby

  • Pat Garrett Amphitheater - 3 min drive - 4.6 km
  • Strausstown Lions Park - 4 min drive - 5.6 km
  • Roadside America - 6 min drive - 11.6 km
  • Ghost Town Gulch - 6 min drive - 12.0 km
  • Vraj Temple - 8 min drive - 9.5 km

Getting around

  • Reading, PA (RDG-Reading Regional) - 27 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Love's Travel Stop - ‬12 min drive
  • ‪McDonald's - ‬12 min drive
  • ‪Dunkin' - ‬12 min drive
  • ‪Lake Wynonah Lodge - ‬17 min drive
  • ‪E&Z Diner - ‬21 min drive

About this property

Entire place

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

What makes you happy?

Looking for a tranquil place in the woods? Located on the Blue Mountain in rural pennsylvania a short walk downhill from the Appalachian Trail, this cozy little cottage invites you to sit down on the porch and listen to the creek burble. There's hiking, biking, fishing, canoeing, bird-watching, sight-seeing, but maybe you just want to relax and do nothing other than lie around chatting or reading. Either way, this is the place for you. All the amenities of home are here so you can drive up and instantly make yourself very much at home.

*Smoking is not permitted on or around the property.*

Note: GPS will get you only as far as the mailbox. The cottage is 3/4 of a mile down a winding single-lane dirt road and across a creek from Route 183.

Your vacation is more than an investment of money; it's an investment of your time and hopes. We take your investment very seriously. We want you to be delighted.

The cottage has a stone fireplace in the living room with firewood and kindling provided, AM/FM tuner, DVD/BluRay/CD player with iPod port, 22” flat screen TV, basic cable, and wifi. There are plenty of board games and a wonderfully eclectic library.

The kitchen is fully equipped with everything you need: electric stove, microwave, toaster, drip coffee maker, crockpot, full fridge, cooking utensils, pots and pans, flatware, dishes, glasses, and cups.  Basic staples like ketchup, mustard, mayo, butter, sugar, flour, olive oil, vinegar and spices are all onhand; not enough to make 17 dozen cookies or roast a horse, but enough to get you by for a week that you don't need to worry about the little stuff. A vintage, hand-cranked coffee grinder is just the thing for a home-brewed coffee to greet everyone if you're the first one up in the morning. Alas, there is no dishwasher. On the shelf to the right of the fireplace is a 3-ring binder of instructions on how to work basic home utilities (TV, cable, wifi password, thermostats, trash, etc) along with a long list of local attractions and activities, and map to the Secret Swing.

There are two bedrooms, each with a queen bed. The low-ceiling loft has a queen and a single bed. Bed linens, blankets, and an army troop of bath towels provided. There’s both a full size washer and clothes dryer.

The cottage is fully insulated, is warmed and cooled by a heat pump, and has individually controlled electric baseboard heat in every room.

Cabella's Sporting Goods is just 12 miles away.

Lancaster County Amish country is 40 miles or less.

Cottage is 163 miles from Washington DC, 130 miles from NYC, and 92 miles from Philadelphia. 82 miles from Gettysburg is 82 miles away, Knoebel's Amusement Resort is 30 miles away, and Hershey Park is 35 miles away.

Maps, brochures, and a custom-made notebook list hundreds of local activities, adventures, and amusements.

Much of the furniture was made by local craftspeople. The slab for the live-edge kitchen table, for example, is from a pin oak that was felled in Tulpehocken Twp by a pair of sibling sawyers, then kiln-dried for many months, planed, and finished by a furniture maker in Myerstown.

The cottage is 2½ miles north of the intersection of Routes 78 and 183 and about a mile from the Berks/Schuylkill County border.
Make yourself comfortable in this air-conditioned cottage, which features a fireplace. There's a private balcony or patio. A kitchen is outfitted with a refrigerator, an oven, and a stovetop. Cable programming and a DVD player are provided for your entertainment, while complimentary wireless internet access keeps you connected.
Enjoy the recreation opportunities such as a water park or make use of other amenities including barbecue grills.
Guests will find features like wireless internet access and onsite parking.

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in the cottage: Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Car required
  • Parking on site

Kitchen

  • Blender
  • Coffee grinder
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Electric kettle
  • Hob
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Refrigerator
  • Spices
  • Toaster

Bedrooms

  • 3 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • 1 bathroom
  • Bathtub or shower
  • Hair dryer
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Fireplace
  • Living room

Entertainment

  • Books
  • DVD player
  • Games
  • Stereo
  • TV with cable channels

Outdoor areas

  • Barbecue grill
  • Firepit
  • Porch/lanai

Laundry

  • Laundry facilities
  • Washer/dryer

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • Pet friendly
  • 3 pets total

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoke-free property

Services and conveniences

  • Phone

Location highlights

  • In the mountains
  • Near a hospital
  • Near an outlet shopping centre

Things to do

  • Water park
  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Casino nearby
  • Ecotours nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Golfing nearby
  • Hiking/biking trails nearby
  • Horseback riding nearby
  • Hunting nearby
  • Mountain biking nearby
  • Mountain climbing nearby
  • Rafting nearby
  • Sailing nearby
  • Swimming nearby
  • Theme park nearby
  • Water tubing nearby
  • Winery tours nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector)
  • Smoke detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property)

General

  • Unit size: 900 square feet

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 9:00 AM
Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before 7:00 PM

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Pets

Pets allowed
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees
3 total pets

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: 10
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property
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 transportation to and from this property

Property is also known as

What Makes you Happy? Bethel
What Makes you Happy? Cottage
What Makes you Happy? Cottage Bethel

What makes you happy? Reviews

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 141 out of 145 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 3 out of 145 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 145 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 145 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 145 reviews

9.8/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Bob Z.

Liked: Cleanliness
We had very good time.. mike was always available wen we needed some thing... Scenery is awesome... Cabin is clean stocked
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2025

10/10 Excellent

Annette L.

Liked: Cleanliness
We've stayed at many rentals over the years and our experience at this property was one of the best. It was excellent from the moment I requested to book. Mike was so friendly and provided all kinds of resources about the area and the cabin, answering any questions quickly. We had some confusion finding the place but were able to sort it out and it was our fault for not reading the detailed directions very well. The cabin itself is so much nicer than the photos do justice and is packed with amenities. Some were special fun ones too - like the ice cream spaghetti, smores fixings (I loved the marshmallow roasting sticks and was sad we didn't have time to have a fire while we were there), and "emergency chili" in the freezer (thankfully we didn't lose power or visit when it was cold enough to need that but it was such a cool thing to have available). The cabin felt a lot larger than it was and we had plenty of room for three adults and two small dogs. I enjoyed reading the story of how Mike came to have the property and the adjacent other rentals and am looking forward to returning to try them all out someday!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jim W.

Liked: Cleanliness

I am sure we will be back.

This was a wonderful little cabin about an hour from where we live in Lititz, PA. So it was a perfect getaway location for my wife and I, while our adult children had the run of the house with some friends from out of town. I cannot think of a single detail that was not thought out. Anything that I would say that wasn’t good, would truly be nitpicking. I highly recommend this place for other people.There are some steps to get up into the cabin. The last four steps are rather steep. However, the owner has recently installed some very sturdy handrails, so it was not an issue for my wife who recently had a hip replacement.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Matthew G.

Liked: Cleanliness

Workation

We could not have picked a more perfect place. Thanks for everything. We had a great stay.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Holly T.

Liked: Cleanliness

Welcoming cabin in the woods.

The cabin was comfortable and a perfect location for day hikes. So many suggestions for trails and places to eat. It was a great getaway and we can't wait to return.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Karen V., Chester Springs, PA

Liked: Cleanliness

Another Wonderful, Relaxing Stay

We always have so much fun at this cabin, and Mike is extremely responsive. Great family get away!!! Thank you!
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Monique M.

Liked: Cleanliness

Peaceful and relaxing

Girls weekend! Loved all the details of the home ! The kitchen was adorable and comfy table with gorgeous views . Living room had fireplace that was gorgeous. Great instructions throughout to help with fire , lock door, etc . Beds were incredibly comfortable . Bathroom had extra supplies if needed and loads of towels . Would definitely stay again ! Mike was so easy to communicate with .thank you Mike !
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Wendell W.

Liked: Cleanliness

Alsom

It was great
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Sean M.

Liked: Cleanliness

Happiness

Peaceful, nature, critters, clean and beautiful cabin.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Rita W.

Liked: Cleanliness
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Tory H., Delaware, USA

Liked: Cleanliness

Secluded cabin in the woods

We enjoyed our stay at What Makes You Happy? The host was so flexible, friendly, and accommodating. The generous check in and check out times made this experience a step above others. The wifi in the cabin was strong enough for us to work remotely with zero issues. The cabin is small and cozy. The porch is a spectacular place to sit, listen to the creek, and relax. There was a firefly show every night! We are so thankful this property is pet friendly. Our two dogs loved sitting on the porch and lounging inside when it got too hot. There are thoughtful extras like flashlights, walking sticks, binoculars, s'mores ingredients, and dog bags. Thank you for a great stay!
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Emmanuel P.

Liked: Cleanliness

Cozy cabin getaway

The cabin is as described in the listing. Mike, has everything organized and super clean. This is a great location to spend the weekend either for getting away from the city or to visit some of the small quaint local towns. West reading has tons of restaurants and if you’re a fan of Yuengling, the nearby museum has a great 1 hour tour. My wife and I enjoyed our stay and left relaxed with good memories.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Linda R.

Liked: Cleanliness

Magical cabin in the woods

Another great few days at this lovely cabin. Bedding is divine. Games, books, puzzles, and a good sound system made our rainy days a cozy and fun family getaway. A true gem.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Karen V., Chester Springs, PA

Liked: Cleanliness

Our Happy Place

Another awesome stay…cozy cabin with everything you need right there! 4th time roasting marshmallows in the best fireplace! Wonderful family get away!!! Thanks Mike!
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Lori V.

Liked: Cleanliness

The perfect woodland retreat!

I knew as soon as we walked into this cabin that we were going to have the best week, and I was not wrong! The host made this property so incredibly inviting and covered every little detail that you could possibly imagine. I’m going to miss waking up to an amazing mountain sunrise every morning but I will not hesitate to book this property again.
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jo S.

Liked: Cleanliness

Wonderful cabin on Blue Mountain

Very relaxing stay with a fully equipped cabin. Mike is an exceptional host. We are coming back next year to the place at the top of the hill. Can't wait! We all relaxed and enjoyed ourselves.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Heidi C.

Liked: Cleanliness

A beautiful and quiet cabin stay

We had a lovely weekend at the cabin! From the beautiful views to the crackling fireplace and fire pit to the cozy beds and antiques decor, we had a fantastic time! Everything was perfect and there were so many personal additions that really made our stay memorable!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Christina B.

Liked: Cleanliness

Cabin in the woods

Must pay attention to his directions. Sits off the road about .8th of a mile. The dirt road was tight also turns. You had to look on the tree’s for the maple left there was two !! House was up on the hill. So let’s talk about the two bedroom/ loft . It was so cute it felt like home away from home they had EVERYTHING you can think of. They have a notebook giving you your do’s and don’t and if the power goes out. Plenty of towels and blankets full kitchen! Has a fire pit ! We have been looking around didn’t see any bears lol. They had a lot of books and games . We only stayed two day wish it was longer. Everything was great didn’t have to call the whole weekend!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness

Has everything

What a wonderful place to stay and relax. Mike seems to have thought of everything in stocking the cabin. We will be coming back.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Joanne T.

Liked: Cleanliness

Escape from Reality

This was our second stay at this property, and we absolutely loved it. Fire pit, hiking, chilling. Had so much fun we didn’t want to leave. Can’t wait for our next visit!!!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Andrew M.

Liked: Cleanliness

Perfect!

Everything was excellent! Second time here and I’m sure I’ll be back. Book with confidence, you won’t be disappointed. Thank you !!
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Mary R.

Liked: Cleanliness

Rustic Cabin Getaway

This cabin exceeded our expectations, secluded but not too secluded. We took our dog with us, and we were all to settle in nicely. It is a great location for hiking and has some wonderful wineries nearby. Mike is a great host and was quick to get back to us on a few questions we had. This is one place we wouldn't hesitate to rent again.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Thomas B.

Liked: Cleanliness

Nice and peaceful

This was a nice cozy place to spend the weekend. Even though it rained most of the time we were there we had a good time. It cleared up enough to walk some of the property and the Appalachian Trail. Then warm up and relax at night with a fire going in the fireplace.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Mark C.

Liked: Cleanliness

Attention to the Details

We had a great stay. The hosts attention to the little things was obvious as soon as we walked in the door. Would definitely return to stay.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Linda R.

Liked: Cleanliness

Everything we could as for

Lovely property nestled in the woods with all kids of charm and fun finds. Couldn’t have asked for a better stay and communication with the host as we found our way around. Thank you and we will be back!
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2023