A Perfect Winter Getaway at the Ashford Villa in Ellicottville, New York

We all know that winter in Western New York drags on longer than it should. As much as I can’t stand the cold, I am determined to make a conscious effort to find ways to make our winter months pleasant (maybe even enjoyable) for our family. ;) So what better way than to get excited about a winter vacation!! 

We discovered the Ashford Villa, when my friend Emilee from the Sunflower House connected us to Keith and Vera, owners of the villa. We were so excited to learn that the Ashford Villa is right outside Ellicottville and only a 12 minute drive to Holiday Valley Ski Resort, and an even shorter drive to Holiday Tubing. What a great way to enjoy winter sports during our Ellicottville getaway!? 

The Ashford Villa would be perfect for a large group looking to ski at one of the nearby ski resorts.  This extravagant villa not only sleeps 16+ guests with 14 beds, 5 bedrooms & 4 baths; but also includes : a sauna, jacuzzi tub, all kitchen cooking essentials, a plethora of board games & DVDs, 10 acres to hike & explore, lake access, and pets allowed.  You can view the Ashford Villa’s Airbnb site here. 

The 10 acre property was perfect for exploring.  We brought sleds for the kids and pulled them all around the estate.  Due to milder recent temperatures, the lake wasn’t fully frozen over but I bet it would be so fun to use for ice skating.  And in the summertime, you can swim and catch and release fish in the lake; they even put in a little beach at the entrance and supply beach toys in the villa. 

In fact, if I still haven’t convinced you to book this winter, summer is a fantastic time to go as well. Swimming in the pond, playing on the beach, dinner and drinks in the back yard, blueberry picking. Definitely come for the blueberry picking season! It begins around mid-July! 

Our family had so much fun this weekend staying at the Ashford Villa.  The kids enjoyed checking out so many board games while Matt and I watched the Buffalo Bills playoff game in the Villa’s enormous family room. We snuck away to Ellicottville for dinner and took the kids skiing for their first time that next morning!  

Things I heard my family say while staying at the Ashford Villa: 

“I hope we could live here someday”

“Wow, this place is so big I still can’t figure out where I am!”

“It looks like a castle”

“This place is full of surprises”

“This is so fun”

“I wish we could stay longer”

We truly had one of the best winter weekends yet and I’m so thankful we were able to maximize western New York winter at the Ashford Villa!