Thoreau sits at the bottom of the hill, tucked into the woods â the kind of place where the trees feel close enough to be part of the room. Built around a single idea: get you as close to the woods as possible without asking you to give up a comfortable bed.
Inside, a queen bed sits directly in front of floor-to-ceiling glass with nothing but forest in view.
Named for Henry David Thoreau â who went to the woods deliberately, to see what they had to teach â it's a room that earns the reference.
Perfect for anyone who wants to feel genuinely surrounded by nature without giving up comfort.
The Space
Thoreau is one of two glass homes at Notestone Reserve, our family-owned 14-acre property in Laurelville. The two glass homes sit near each other on the property. The shared game room is a short walk across the property when you want it.
About the Glass
During the day the mirrored exterior keeps things completely private â you can see out, no one can see in. At night that reverses. The bathroom is frosted, so no worries there â but we do ask that you use the curtains near the bed once it gets dark. Other guests are on the property, and it's just good neighboring.
Sleeping
âą Queen bed facing floor-to-ceiling glass
âą Sleeps 2
Outside
âą Personal hot tub â striped towels provided, hot tub and bath towels kept separate
âą Propane grill with tools
âą Woodburning fire pit â firewood and a starter log ready when you arrive. You'll find the wood box near the parking area. Keep the lid closed so it stays dry.
âą Seating for two with blankets for the cooler months
âą Mirrored exterior that reflects the forest during the day
Inside
âą Queen bed facing floor-to-ceiling glass â wake up to unobstructed forest views
âą Small kitchen: apartment-size fridge, portable stovetop, and air fryer
âą Kitchen stocked with basic pantry items to get you started
âą Coffee bar: coffee maker and coffee
âą Spa-style bathroom with rain shower head, stocked with shampoo, conditioner, body wash, hand soap, and lotion
âą Towel sets for every use: bath, hand, face, makeup, and dedicated hot tub towels
âą Smart TV with streaming capabilities
âą Bluetooth speaker
âą Starter kit on arrival: 2 rolls of toilet paper, paper towels, a kitchen sponge, and trash liners. Worth packing a little extra for longer stays.
The Shared Game Room (open to all Notestone guests â a short walk across the property)
âą 85" Smart TV with streaming capabilities
âą Pool table and foosball
âą Basketball arcade, classic arcade machines, and a racing game
âą Legos, card games, board games, indoor cornhole
âą Outdoor playground
Getting Here and Getting Around
Notestone Reserve sits in the heart of the Hocking Hills â close enough to hit two or three trails in a day and still be back in time for the fire.
âą Rock House â 3.3 miles / 7 min
âą Conkle's Hollow â 8.8 miles / 15 min
âą Old Man's Cave â 11 miles / 20 min
âą Ash Cave â 16 miles / 26-28 min
Cedar Falls, Cantwell Cliffs, and the rest of the state park system are all within a short drive. Cell signal on the back-country roads can be spotty â download your directions before you leave home.
Thoreau has a steeper approach. Under normal conditions it's accessible in most vehicles â but during winter months when ice and snow are a factor, 4WD or AWD is strongly recommended.
About the WiFi
We run Starlink satellite internet. It holds up well for most things â streaming, music, casual browsing. Video calls and long phone calls can cut out occasionally, especially on overcast days. If you're planning to work remotely, it can work, but plan for the occasional hiccup. We'd rather tell you upfront than have you find out mid-Zoom.
A Note on the Setting
We're in a wooded area and stay on top of regular pest control. That said, a ladybug or a curious spider showing up is just Hocking Hills being Hocking Hills.
House Rules
âą No parties or events, including bachelor/bachelorette groups. And no glitter â it genuinely never goes away.
âą Registered guests only on the property
âą No smoking or vaping anywhere on the property, indoors or out
âą No fireworks, ATVs, hunting, or weapons on the property
âą No commercial photography or video without written approval
âą Hot tub: striped towels only, keep the cover on between soaks, and please don't adjust the temperature below 100 degrees â it takes several hours to recover
âą Curtains: please use them near the bed after dark
âą Septic system: flush toilet paper only, no garbage disposal at the sink
Check-in: 4:00 PM / Check-out: 11:00 AM
All guests sign a short renter's agreement after booking. We'll send it over â quick, painless, and it helps us take good care of you and everyone else on the property.