House of the Week: Hamilton’s Ashling Acres was made to be comfortable for owners and guests
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- Gwenn Werner and her husband "saw an opportunity" in 2016 and started a successful lodging and event venue at the 25-acre property at 2688 Johnnycake Hill Road near Hamilton. Exposed beams and lofts makes "The Lodge" a popular place to stay. Courtesy of Simply Heidi Photography
HAMILTON, N.Y. – When Gwenn Werner and her husband Evan first visited the 25-acre property at 2688 Johnnycake Hill Road near Hamilton, they immediately saw its potential.
“I loved the property,” she said. “I knew we needed to do something.”
The couple were already “very invested” in the Madison County village, owning a local general/hardware store and a lawn maintenance business.
Werner thought that what Hamilton needed was more “high-end lodging” given its convenient location near Colgate University, the Turning Stone Resort and Casino, SUNY Morrisville, and Cornell.
“We saw an opportunity,” she said.
- Gwenn Werner and her husband "saw an opportunity" in 2016 and started a successful lodging and event venue at the 25-acre property at 2688 Johnnycake Hill Road near Hamilton. The bar in the game room of "The Lodge" seats eight people. Courtesy of Simply Heidi Photography
- Gwenn Werner and her husband "saw an opportunity" in 2016 and started a successful lodging and event venue at the 25-acre property at 2688 Johnnycake Hill Road near Hamilton. The main house. Courtesy of Simply Heidi Photography
- Gwenn Werner and her husband "saw an opportunity" in 2016 and started a successful lodging and event venue at the 25-acre property at 2688 Johnnycake Hill Road near Hamilton. The pool and patio area behind the main house. Courtesy of Simply Heidi Photography
- Gwenn Werner and her husband "saw an opportunity" in 2016 and started a successful lodging and event venue at the 25-acre property at 2688 Johnnycake Hill Road near Hamilton. "Hands down," Werner said, the kitchen is her favorite room. The huge island is "where everything happens." Courtesy of Simply Heidi Photography
- Gwenn Werner and her husband "saw an opportunity" in 2016 and started a successful lodging and event venue at the 25-acre property at 2688 Johnnycake Hill Road near Hamilton. The professional kitchen in the main house is her favorite. Courtesy of Simply Heidi Photography
- Gwenn Werner and her husband "saw an opportunity" in 2016 and started a successful lodging and event venue at the 25-acre property at 2688 Johnnycake Hill Road near Hamilton. The main house's kitchen has high-end appliances and plenty of storage. They have even more bar seats for the island. Courtesy of Simply Heidi Photography
- Gwenn Werner and her husband "saw an opportunity" in 2016 and started a successful lodging and event venue at the 25-acre property at 2688 Johnnycake Hill Road near Hamilton. This dining area in the main house is just off the kitchen and living room. The family once hosted 50 people for Thanksgiving. Courtesy of Simply Heidi Photography
- Gwenn Werner and her husband "saw an opportunity" in 2016 and started a successful lodging and event venue at the 25-acre property at 2688 Johnnycake Hill Road near Hamilton. There is a mudroom off the dining room in the main house. Courtesy of Simply Heidi Photography
- Gwenn Werner and her husband "saw an opportunity" in 2016 and started a successful lodging and event venue at the 25-acre property at 2688 Johnnycake Hill Road near Hamilton. This laundry room and pantry is very convenient for running the business. There is another washing machine inside the pantry. Courtesy of Simply Heidi Photography
- Gwenn Werner and her husband "saw an opportunity" in 2016 and started a successful lodging and event venue at the 25-acre property at 2688 Johnnycake Hill Road near Hamilton. The family room is tucked behind the kitchen in the main house. Courtesy of Simply Heidi Photography
- Gwenn Werner and her husband "saw an opportunity" in 2016 and started a successful lodging and event venue at the 25-acre property at 2688 Johnnycake Hill Road near Hamilton. The family room behind the kitchen in the main house. Her husband had all the vintage advertisements. Courtesy of Simply Heidi Photography
- Gwenn Werner and her husband "saw an opportunity" in 2016 and started a successful lodging and event venue at the 25-acre property at 2688 Johnnycake Hill Road near Hamilton. The sitting room in the main house has a propane fireplace. Courtesy of Simply Heidi Photography
- Gwenn Werner and her husband "saw an opportunity" in 2016 and started a successful lodging and event venue at the 25-acre property at 2688 Johnnycake Hill Road near Hamilton. Sitting room in the main house. Courtesy of Simply Heidi Photography
- Gwenn Werner and her husband "saw an opportunity" in 2016 and started a successful lodging and event venue at the 25-acre property at 2688 Johnnycake Hill Road near Hamilton. This home office is the main house. Courtesy of Simply Heidi Photography
- Gwenn Werner and her husband "saw an opportunity" in 2016 and started a successful lodging and event venue at the 25-acre property at 2688 Johnnycake Hill Road near Hamilton. First floor bedroom in the main house has a private bathroom. Courtesy of Simply Heidi Photography
- Gwenn Werner and her husband "saw an opportunity" in 2016 and started a successful lodging and event venue at the 25-acre property at 2688 Johnnycake Hill Road near Hamilton. The first floor bedroom at the main house. Courtesy of Simply Heidi Photography
- Gwenn Werner and her husband "saw an opportunity" in 2016 and started a successful lodging and event venue at the 25-acre property at 2688 Johnnycake Hill Road near Hamilton. This is the full bathroom on the first floor of the main house. Courtesy of Simply Heidi Photography
- Gwenn Werner and her husband "saw an opportunity" in 2016 and started a successful lodging and event venue at the 25-acre property at 2688 Johnnycake Hill Road near Hamilton. Looking down the stairs of the main house looking into the sitting room. Courtesy of Simply Heidi Photography
- Gwenn Werner and her husband "saw an opportunity" in 2016 and started a successful lodging and event venue at the 25-acre property at 2688 Johnnycake Hill Road near Hamilton. At the top of the stairs of the main house. There are three bedrooms up there. Courtesy of Simply Heidi Photography
- Gwenn Werner and her husband "saw an opportunity" in 2016 and started a successful lodging and event venue at the 25-acre property at 2688 Johnnycake Hill Road near Hamilton. This is the owners' bedroom of the main house. Courtesy of Simply Heidi Photography
- Gwenn Werner and her husband "saw an opportunity" in 2016 and started a successful lodging and event venue at the 25-acre property at 2688 Johnnycake Hill Road near Hamilton. The owners' bedroom on the second floor of the main house. Courtesy of Simply Heidi Photography
- Gwenn Werner and her husband "saw an opportunity" in 2016 and started a successful lodging and event venue at the 25-acre property at 2688 Johnnycake Hill Road near Hamilton. The private owners' bathroom on the second floor of the main house. Courtesy of Simply Heidi Photography
- Gwenn Werner and her husband "saw an opportunity" in 2016 and started a successful lodging and event venue at the 25-acre property at 2688 Johnnycake Hill Road near Hamilton. The vanity in the owners' bathroom on the second floor of the main house. The room has in-floor heating. Courtesy of Simply Heidi Photography
- Gwenn Werner and her husband "saw an opportunity" in 2016 and started a successful lodging and event venue at the 25-acre property at 2688 Johnnycake Hill Road near Hamilton. One of the three bedrooms on the second floor of the main house. Courtesy of Simply Heidi Photography
- Gwenn Werner and her husband "saw an opportunity" in 2016 and started a successful lodging and event venue at the 25-acre property at 2688 Johnnycake Hill Road near Hamilton. A second floor bedroom at the main house. Courtesy of Simply Heidi Photography
- Gwenn Werner and her husband "saw an opportunity" in 2016 and started a successful lodging and event venue at the 25-acre property at 2688 Johnnycake Hill Road near Hamilton. Second floor bathroom at the main house. Courtesy of Simply Heidi Photography
- Gwenn Werner and her husband "saw an opportunity" in 2016 and started a successful lodging and event venue at the 25-acre property at 2688 Johnnycake Hill Road near Hamilton. This entertainment and family area is in the finished basement of the main house. Courtesy of Simply Heidi Photography
- Gwenn Werner and her husband "saw an opportunity" in 2016 and started a successful lodging and event venue at the 25-acre property at 2688 Johnnycake Hill Road near Hamilton. Family room and exercise space in the finished basement of the main house. Courtesy of Simply Heidi Photography
- Gwenn Werner and her husband "saw an opportunity" in 2016 and started a successful lodging and event venue at the 25-acre property at 2688 Johnnycake Hill Road near Hamilton. Looking towards the back of the main house from the patio. Courtesy of Simply Heidi Photography
- Gwenn Werner and her husband "saw an opportunity" in 2016 and started a successful lodging and event venue at the 25-acre property at 2688 Johnnycake Hill Road near Hamilton. The swimming pool is heated. Courtesy of Simply Heidi Photography
- Gwenn Werner and her husband "saw an opportunity" in 2016 and started a successful lodging and event venue at the 25-acre property at 2688 Johnnycake Hill Road near Hamilton. The patio area behind the main house. "The Lodge" is seen in the background. The stone fireplace is "great for s'mores." Courtesy of Simply Heidi Photography
- Gwenn Werner and her husband "saw an opportunity" in 2016 and started a successful lodging and event venue at the 25-acre property at 2688 Johnnycake Hill Road near Hamilton. This private driveway takes guests to the guest house and "Lodge." Courtesy of Simply Heidi Photography
- Gwenn Werner and her husband "saw an opportunity" in 2016 and started a successful lodging and event venue at the 25-acre property at 2688 Johnnycake Hill Road near Hamilton. A private driveway takes guests to "The Lodge." Courtesy of Simply Heidi Photography
- Gwenn Werner and her husband "saw an opportunity" in 2016 and started a successful lodging and event venue at the 25-acre property at 2688 Johnnycake Hill Road near Hamilton. "The Lodge." Courtesy of Simply Heidi Photography
- Gwenn Werner and her husband "saw an opportunity" in 2016 and started a successful lodging and event venue at the 25-acre property at 2688 Johnnycake Hill Road near Hamilton. Through the front door of "The Lodge." Exposed beams and modern decor can be found there. Courtesy of Simply Heidi Photography
- Gwenn Werner and her husband "saw an opportunity" in 2016 and started a successful lodging and event venue at the 25-acre property at 2688 Johnnycake Hill Road near Hamilton. Living areas in "The Lodge." Courtesy of Simply Heidi Photography
- Gwenn Werner and her husband "saw an opportunity" in 2016 and started a successful lodging and event venue at the 25-acre property at 2688 Johnnycake Hill Road near Hamilton. Another look inside "The Lodge." Courtesy of Simply Heidi Photography
- Gwenn Werner and her husband "saw an opportunity" in 2016 and started a successful lodging and event venue at the 25-acre property at 2688 Johnnycake Hill Road near Hamilton. Exposed beams and lofts makes "The Lodge" a popular place to stay. Courtesy of Simply Heidi Photography
- Gwenn Werner and her husband "saw an opportunity" in 2016 and started a successful lodging and event venue at the 25-acre property at 2688 Johnnycake Hill Road near Hamilton. This bathroom in "The Lodge" has heated floors. Courtesy of Simply Heidi Photography
- Gwenn Werner and her husband "saw an opportunity" in 2016 and started a successful lodging and event venue at the 25-acre property at 2688 Johnnycake Hill Road near Hamilton. Looking down the stairs inside "The Lodge." Courtesy of Simply Heidi Photography
- Gwenn Werner and her husband "saw an opportunity" in 2016 and started a successful lodging and event venue at the 25-acre property at 2688 Johnnycake Hill Road near Hamilton. Loft-style lodging on the second floor of "The Lodge" has two full beds and a Queen. Courtesy of Simply Heidi Photography
- Gwenn Werner and her husband "saw an opportunity" in 2016 and started a successful lodging and event venue at the 25-acre property at 2688 Johnnycake Hill Road near Hamilton. Inside the game room at "The Lodge." Courtesy of Simply Heidi Photography
- Gwenn Werner and her husband "saw an opportunity" in 2016 and started a successful lodging and event venue at the 25-acre property at 2688 Johnnycake Hill Road near Hamilton. The game room and bar in "The Lodge." Courtesy of Simply Heidi Photography
- Gwenn Werner and her husband "saw an opportunity" in 2016 and started a successful lodging and event venue at the 25-acre property at 2688 Johnnycake Hill Road near Hamilton. There is a game room and bar in "The Lodge." Courtesy of Simply Heidi Photography
- Gwenn Werner and her husband "saw an opportunity" in 2016 and started a successful lodging and event venue at the 25-acre property at 2688 Johnnycake Hill Road near Hamilton. Another view of the Ashling Suite. Courtesy of Nicki Donlin
- Gwenn Werner and her husband "saw an opportunity" in 2016 and started a successful lodging and event venue at the 25-acre property at 2688 Johnnycake Hill Road near Hamilton. The Ashling Suite has a small kitchenette, dining, and living area. The space has a king-sized and two full beds. Courtesy of Nicki Donlin
- Gwenn Werner and her husband "saw an opportunity" in 2016 and started a successful lodging and event venue at the 25-acre property at 2688 Johnnycake Hill Road near Hamilton. "The Lodge" has this spacious workshop and garage areas for storage. Courtesy of Simply Heidi Photography
- Gwenn Werner and her husband "saw an opportunity" in 2016 and started a successful lodging and event venue at the 25-acre property at 2688 Johnnycake Hill Road near Hamilton. There are 26 raised garden beds near the guest house. The family has perennial flowers, tomatoes, peppers, and goji berries growing there. Courtesy of Simply Heidi Photography
- Gwenn Werner and her husband "saw an opportunity" in 2016 and started a successful lodging and event venue at the 25-acre property at 2688 Johnnycake Hill Road near Hamilton. Courtesy of Simply Heidi Photography
- Gwenn Werner and her husband "saw an opportunity" in 2016 and started a successful lodging and event venue at the 25-acre property at 2688 Johnnycake Hill Road near Hamilton. The front porch of the guest house is a favorite place to sit and relax. Courtesy of Simply Heidi Photography
- Gwenn Werner and her husband "saw an opportunity" in 2016 and started a successful lodging and event venue at the 25-acre property at 2688 Johnnycake Hill Road near Hamilton. Kitchenette and living areas in the guest house. Courtesy of Simply Heidi Photography
- Gwenn Werner and her husband "saw an opportunity" in 2016 and started a successful lodging and event venue at the 25-acre property at 2688 Johnnycake Hill Road near Hamilton. Living room in the guest house. Courtesy of Simply Heidi Photography
- Gwenn Werner and her husband "saw an opportunity" in 2016 and started a successful lodging and event venue at the 25-acre property at 2688 Johnnycake Hill Road near Hamilton. The guest house's bedroom. Courtesy of Simply Heidi Photography
- Gwenn Werner and her husband "saw an opportunity" in 2016 and started a successful lodging and event venue at the 25-acre property at 2688 Johnnycake Hill Road near Hamilton. Bathroom in the guest house. Courtesy of Simply Heidi Photography
- Gwenn Werner and her husband "saw an opportunity" in 2016 and started a successful lodging and event venue at the 25-acre property at 2688 Johnnycake Hill Road near Hamilton. Another view of the property. Courtesy of Simply Heidi Photography
- Gwenn Werner and her husband "saw an opportunity" in 2016 and started a successful lodging and event venue at the 25-acre property at 2688 Johnnycake Hill Road near Hamilton. The property provides penty of space for wedding parties and reunions. Courtesy of Simply Heidi Photography
The property at Johnnycake Hill Road was perfect for lodging a lot of guests for commencement weekends and reunions.
There was the four-bedroom, three-bathroom main house, built in 1986, with a beautiful patio featuring a heated swimming pool, hot tub, and a stone fireplace, which is “good for s’mores.”
A guest house was the previous owner’s office. It has a large living area and kitchenette, plus one large bedroom and a full bathroom.
A barn had been primarily used as storage but there was already a game room with a beautiful bar.
Werner and her husband believed that the buildings each had “good bones” but were “slightly outdated.”
“We made it pretty,” she said.
They brought in a professional designer to tailor the buildings to what they thought “our guests would like.”
“Every piece was touched. We painted everything,” she said. “We wanted it make it economical, efficient, and comfortable.”
In-floor heating was installed throughout, and the “mechanicals” were updated. Each of the structures has unique, private outdoor spaces.
The finished product was Ashling Acres. The property can sleep 20 people at a time and is fully booked for Colgate graduation weekends through 2024.
“We stopped taking reservations after we decided to sell,” she said. “We could take them through 2026 if we wanted.”
The Werner’s live in the main house full-time except during the summer. They enjoy the same comforts which has made the property so popular among their guests.
They have hosted Thanksgiving parties as large as 50 people.
Her kitchen is her favorite room. The oversized island is where “everything happens.”
“It is so warm and comfortable,” she said.
Another favorite place for her is the front porch of the guest house.
The area faces 26 raised garden beds with perennial flowers. They also grow blueberries and raspberries and peppers, tomatoes, and basil for their own salsa and tomato sauce.
The property’s 25 acres provides plenty of space for recreation. The couple have an annual tradition to hike or snowshoe around it on New Year’s Day.
“It is fun to own your own property,” Werner said.
Owning three business has kept her family busy the last six years.
“Our kids will appreciate not having to fold sheets,” she jokes.
Their decision to sell gives someone a chance to take over a successful business.
The buildings, high-end appliances, furnishings, website, social media accounts, and bookings all come with the purchase.
“It is being sold as a turn-key,” Werner said. “You can swoop in and take over.”
For more information on this property, please contact Realtor Nicki Donlin of Howard Hanna Real Estate Services. Her contact info is below.
THE DETAILS
Address: 2688 Johnnycake Hill Road, Madison, N.Y. 13346
Price: $1,550,000
Size: 2,800 square feet (main house)
Acreage: 25.41 acres
Monthly Mortgage: $7,667 (based on the national average rate of 6.29%, according to Freddie Mac on September 22, for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage with a 20% down payment. Fees and points not included.)
Taxes: $13,735 (Based on assessed value of $311,000)
Built: 1986
School District: Hamilton
Kitchen: Gwenn Werner says that the kitchen in the main house is “hands down” her favorite room on the property. “It is really warm and comfortable,” she said. The oversized island is “where everything happens.” She says she is going to miss the kitchen’s two dishwashers. The kitchen also features a six-burner stove, griddle, and grill. A commercial vent hood removes food odors from the space. A convenient laundry room and pantry are just off the kitchen.
Living areas: Every piece of this property has “been touched” and been updated over the last six years or so. Rooms were made “pretty” and comfortable for guests and for the host family alike. The main house has a cozy sitting room with a propane fireplace, surrounded by brick and a large open living area off the kitchen. There is a first floor home office. The basement is finished and has an exercise and entertainment space.
Bedrooms: There are four bedrooms in the main house, three on the second floor and one on the first. The owners’ bedroom has a private bathroom. Overall, the entire property can sleep 20 people at a time.
Bathrooms: There are three bathrooms in the main house. The beautiful owners’ bathroom has a Jacuzzi tub and a glass-enclosed shower. There is in-floor heating.
Guest house: The property’s guest house provides “the home away from home” feel in a “peaceful and relaxing” setting. A master suite has a king-sized bed. There is also a full kitchenette, a dining table for two, and a living area with comfortable furniture. Werner loves sitting on this building’s front porch.
The Lodge: The two-story Lodge provides a comfortable experience for guests with exposed wooden beams and modern décor. The second story has two full beds, and a queen. There is a kitchenette and dining area. The Ashling Suite overlooks the back of the property. The fun Game Room is open to all and has a large-screen television, eight-seat bar, board games, and billiards table. The building also has a large workshop.
Outdoors: Set on 25 quiet acres, this property is conveniently located to Colgate and Cornell Universities, SUNY Morrisville, and Turning Stone Casino. It has been successfully run has a lodging and event venue for the past few years. There are two driveways, providing private access to both the main house and to the guest house and Lodge. There is a heated swimming pool, hot tub, and stone fireplace on a patio behind the main house. Each of the structures have private outdoor seating areas. The property has 26 raised garden beds, where the owners have grown tomatoes, peppers, basil, and goji berries. There are also blueberry and raspberry bushes and apple and pear trees. The grounds are great for outdoor weddings, family reunions, and more.
If you know of a beautiful or interesting house currently up for sale, please consider sending a nomination for it to be featured as a future House of the Week. Send an email with the listing to home@syracuse.com.
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