Thank you for booking a stay at Saltonstall. We look forward to hosting you. We’ve set up this page to provide some basic information so you can acquaint yourself with the facilities and your retreat ahead of time.

COVID update as of November, 2023: please use common sense. Be as vaccinated and boosted as possible. Do not travel if you’re sick. If you test positive before your retreat, we’ll make every effort to reschedule your stay. Thank you!

Please read through the binder in your room when you arrive, even if you’ve been here many times. We have a new protocol this season regarding food and your perishable groceries. Thank you for keeping our retreat program running smoothly!

The Basics

  • Our address: 435 Ellis Hollow Creek Road, Ithaca, NY 14850
  • Check-in: any time after 2:00pm. Check-out: 12:00pm
  • You do not need to check in with us at the office. We’re always happy to meet you, say hello, and answer any questions you might have, but feel free to go up to the residency as soon as you arrive.
  • The front doors to each building will be unlocked when you arrive. Please do not lock them.
  •  In your apartment you will find a key on a lanyard. You are welcome to lock your own door if you wish. Please leave your door unlocked at the end of your stay.
  •  Upon arrival please read through the “welcome binder” in your room even if you’ve stayed with us many times. We’re always adding to it!
  • We are able to keep the rates at Saltonstall affordable in large part because we ask that you clean your space before you leave. We’ve included cleaning protocols in your room’s binder, and cleaning supplies are provided.
  • You are responsible for your own transportation, food and art supplies while here.
  • We now have two shared kitchen: one upstairs in the main house and one in the accessible kitchen for use by those staying in the studio building. See kitchen section below for more info
  • NEW in ’23-’24: please remove ALL perishable food at the end of your stay and take it with you or compost it.
  • Please leave your apartment and studio how you found it and remove any trash, 
recycling, food and supplies that you brought with you.

     

    • Please do not bag up your recycling; throw it all loose into the large blue recycling bins.
    • Please do bag up all your garbage. All garbage in the large black bins must be bagged
  • Sometimes, when we have lots of back-to-back guests in a space, the toilet paper in your bathroom will run low. There are always extra rolls in the Utility Closet downstairs in the main house and in the cabinets to the left of the washer/dryer in the accessible addition.

Laundry do’s and don’ts

  • You are responsible for washing your own towels, sheets, and bathmats. (You do not need to launder blankets or quilts.)
  • We provide TruEarth laundry strips and access to a washer 
and dryer in the main house and in the accessible addition.
  • Please return the clean and folded sheets/ towels to your apartment for the next guest. Be sure to leave at least 1.5-2 hours for this at the end of your stay.
    • NOTE: Please wash/dry only one set of sheets and towels at a time. Towels and bathmats definitely take longer to dry than the sheets. Feel free to hang them on a drying rack or in your bathroom if they remain damp after using the dryer.
    • Main house guests: our dryer is now working well again. We had a very clogged vent, as it turned out. Hooray!
  • To save time, especially for shorter retreats, you are welcome to bring your own linens so that you don’t have to waste precious retreat time doing the laundry before you leave. All of our beds are full size.
  • Please economize and try to run full loads: for example, throw kitchen towels and cloth napkins in with your sheets and towels.
  • As tempting as it may be, please don’t arrive for your retreat with a suitcase full of dirty clothes intending to wash them here.

A couple of “no’s”

In order to maintain a quiet, private, retreat-like environment, we ask that you take great care in how you treat our facilities and your fellow residents. Here are a couple of things to keep in mind:

  • each room is for single occupancy only
  • there are no guests allowed at Saltonstall at any time — this includes the buildings as well as the property (hiking is not available to the public)
  • please leave your pets and your children at home
    • if you are an artist/writer with a disability and travel with a trained service animal, please let us know in advance
  • please wear ear-buds, headphones, etc. when listening to music
  • no smoking in or near the two buildings, no exceptions
  • please do not use sinks or toilets to dispose of any food, paint, or chemicals
  • please remember that the upstairs common areas in the main house (including the kitchen) share a wall with the upstairs writer’s apartment. Sound travels!

The driveway in the snow

Saltonstall is located atop a hill with a winding and steep driveway. While this is lovely for seclusion and natural beauty, it can be challenging in the wintery months. Though we do have a plow service,  and although the entire driveway is now paved, there are still some spots on the driveway that can be quite slippery if you do not have snow tires and/or front-wheel drive.

Please check the Ithaca forecast in advance. If we are under an active winter weather advisory when you are slated to arrive or depart, you might consider delaying your travel until the storm has passed. We also keep a close eye on the weather and might reach out to you if we’re concerned.

Feel free to contact us with any questions regarding the driveway. If you are a relatively experienced winter driver and have good all-season tires, you’ll be fine!

The buildings / your apartment

Saltonstall is comprised of two contemporary residential buildings and a new accessible addition:

  • The main house includes three private one-bedroom suites and the common areas (kitchen, dining/living room).  A washer and dryer are located in the pantry next to the kitchen.
  • The upstairs of the studio building has not changed. It includes a private one-bedroom suite and an adjoining private art studio.
  • The downstairs of the studio building now includes two separate living spaces: one private one-bedroom suite for a writer and one private accessible suite with an accessible bathroom. This accessible living space connects with a pocket door to the new accessible addition. The addition includes:
    –  an accessible studio
    –  an accessible kitchen shared by those staying in the studio building (upstairs or downstairs)
    –  an accessible utility room with a front-loading washer and dryer

Visual artists using the accessible studio: please use the provided drop cloths (even if you think your art-making is very neat!) We appreciate your help in keeping our cement floor paint-free.

Power outage protocol

In the unlikely event of a power outage, there are a few things to keep in mind.

  • The water at Saltonstall is on a well system, which functions with an electric powered pump. If there is a power outage please DO NOT use the water, flush the toilet, run the washer or dishwasher etc.
  • The landline in the office will still work during a power outage. You can call NYSEG at 1-800-572-1131 and get a quick automated answer about outages in the area, they will also give you an estimated restoration time. There is no need to call Dave (our property maintenance guy), because there is really nothing he can do for you.
  • Each room is equipped with a battery powered flashlight.
  • When an outage does occur, power is generally restored quickly (within 1-2 hours).

Internet / computers / phones

Yes, we have internet, and yes, we have wireless! There is one router in the main house and one in the studio building. However, please understand that you will all be sharing a single wireless signal with (potentially) two other people. We have the best internet package offered in our area, but it has very modest download speeds: just 3mps.

Average browsing, checking of email, social media, etc. is generally not a problem. However, if you’re bringing your streaming addiction with you, please do some downloading before you arrive.

Cell phone service will either be great for you or nonexistent. There doesn’t seem to be much middle ground. For safety reasons, there are two landlines: one in the main house (607-539-9917) and a shared line in the studio building (607-539-9918). These lines are on an unlimited long-distance plan so you can call anyone at anytime.

The property & immediate neighborhood

The Foundation’s property is comprised of about 200 acres. Most of this is wooded land behind the two buildings. But it also includes a variety of other habitats including wild fields and two small ponds.

There are two marked hiking trails and paths you can walk, so bring appropriate footwear. Animal life is abundant. We have a lot of deer which you will very likely see in the early morning and early evening.

A final note: Although we’re just eight miles from the center of downtown Ithaca, there is no easy way to get anywhere without a car. Public transportation does not serve this neighborhood, although both Uber and Lyft are available.

Transportation to Saltonstall

Saltonstall is located about eight miles east of downtown Ithaca in a rural community that does not have public transportation.

There are two main ways to get to Ithaca: by car or bus. (There is no train service to Ithaca.)

  • Cornell University offers “campus-to-campus” – a luxurious, direct, non-stop bus service between Manhattan and Ithaca. If you choose this option, would disembark in the parking lot of the Cornell Veterinarian School, noted as “Southeast B Lot” on their schedule. (This is just a 10-minute drive to the Saltonstall.)
  • Ourbus is now offering buses between New York City and Ithaca.
  • ShortLine (or CoachUSA) also serves Ithaca from the Port Authority station. You would disembark at the Green Street stop downtown. (This is the only stop downtown.)
  • Greyhound serves Ithaca as well. If you travel by Greyhound, you will disembark at the Green Street stop downtown.

Communal Kitchens

These are some of the basic items that are available for use in each kitchen:

  • Drip coffee maker
, French press
  • Coffee grinder
, electric hot water kettle, blender
  • Kitchen Aid mixer (main house)
  • Basic cooking and eating utensils
  • Plates, glassware, mugs etc
.
  • Can opener
, cork screws and bottle openers.
  • Pots and pans
  • Cutting boards
, knives and serving utensils
  • Dishtowels and cloth napkins
  • Microwave
, electric stove with oven (main house), accessible cook top and side-opening oven (accessible addition), 
dishwasher
, refrigerator and freezer
  • Washer, dryer and laundry soap
  • There may be tea and coffee left by previous off-season guest as well as basic pantry stock and seasonings. However, Saltonstall does not provide these items, so be prepared to bring whatever you may need to be comfortable.

Notes on sharing a kitchen

  • Please respect your fellow guests and clean up after each use. This includes: wiping counters, stovetops, and sinks, washing all dishes, emptying the dishwashers and dish drainers, keeping the refrigerators clean, sweeping as needed.
  • Garbage, recycling and compost should be emptied at the end of your stay and whenever they are full.
  • There is no cleaning service, it is your job to keep this space clean.
  • Fridge policy: Please do not leave anything that you brought with you in the fridge or freezer—this includes condiments, salad dressing, ice cream, butter, or anything else you think we might want; we don’t want it, although we appreciate the gesture. It’s important that our fridges are clean for guests and the only way to keep them that way are to have a “pack it in, pack it out” policy. Thanks for understanding!
  • NEW in ’23-’24: please remove ALL perishable food at the end of your stay and take it with you or compost it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have a private bathroom? Each apartment space includes a private bathroom with a shower and bathtub, cleaning supplies, and toilet paper. The accessible living space has an accessible bathroom with a tiled, roll-in shower.

Do I have access to a kitchen? Yes, there is one in the main house and one in the accessible addition. Easch kitchen has all the equipment you will need to prepare meals, but we do not stock the pantry. While there might be some items (spices, oils) left behind by others, Saltonstall does not provide these items, so be prepared to bring whatever you may need to be comfortable.

What type of heat will I have? The main house is now all-electric! We no longer use gas to heat our buildings. The house has two new heat-pump units that heat (and cool) the entire house. There is one thermostat per floor. The studio building is also heated with electric heat-pumps per-room. When you arrive, you will find a binder of information in your residence which has more info about how to control the heat should you have questions.

How is the cell phone service? Most people (including us!) do not have cell reception. Often you can send and receive text messages, but don’t count on great reception while you are here. There is a landline for your use with unlimited long distance. The phone in the main house is in the little office located to the left of the front door. Each of the studio building apartments has a phone. Be aware this is a shared line!

Where is the closest grocery store? Saltonstall is five miles from East Hill Plaza, which has a P&C grocery store, East Hill Wine and Spirits, a gas station, Collegetown Bagels , Subway, Rite Aid, Dunkin Donuts, and a locally owned bar and restaurant called Agava. If you want to venture into town, Ithaca has big Wegmans grocery store and a great natural grocery store and co-op called Greenstar, both are located on the west end of town.

What is the neighborhood like? Saltonstall is in a pretty rural and remote neighborhood. There are no stores or restaurants within walking distance. You can expect peace and quiet while you are here.

I am taking the bus; how do I get to the Saltonstall? If you’re taking a bus to Ithaca you can take a cab/Uber/ Lyft to Saltonstall. We are located eight miles, or 15 – 20 minutes from the Green Street bus stop in downtown Ithaca.

Winter Weather If you are coming in the retreat season that means it’s also likely winter, which can mean snow and icy roads. In extreme cases it would be preferable to try and reschedule your trip, as opposed to have you drive in risky conditions. We recommend that you keep an eye on the forecast as your trip approaches and plan accordingly. We do have someone that plows the driveway if we get over 3”.

Driveway Saltonstall’s buildings are located at the top of a long and winding driveway and cannot be seen from the road.
You will see a sign at the road indicating that you are here (see attached directions.) Follow the driveway to the top of a small hill. The driveway will fork, but continue on, bearing left. The first building you will see is the office building. Continue up the driveway, around a bend to the left and just over the next rise you will see two structures. One is the studio building (to the left) the other is the main house (to the right). You have arrived!