Entire home

Phillips Academy Area – Ideal for Families Visiting Campus & Touring New England

Photo gallery for Phillips Academy Area – Ideal for Families Visiting Campus & Touring New England

Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop
Exterior
4 bedrooms, desk, iron/ironing board, travel crib
TV, fireplace, video games, DVD player
Dining
Reviews
9.6

Exceptional

Entire home

4 bedrooms3 bathroomsSleeps 112750 sq ft

Popular amenities

  • FireplaceFireplaceFireplace
  • Outdoor SpaceOutdoor SpaceOutdoor Space
  • Free WiFiFree WiFiFree WiFi
  • Air conditioningAir conditioningAir conditioning
  • KitchenKitchenKitchen
  • Barbecue grillBarbecue grillBarbecue grill

Explore the area

Map
Andover, MA
  • Popular LocationPhilips Academy2 min drive
  • Popular LocationMerrimack College5 min drive
  • Popular LocationAndover Country Club7 min drive
  • AirportBoston, MA (BNH-Boston Harbor Seaplane Base)35 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.

Phillips Academy Area – Ideal for Families Visiting Campus & Touring New England

“I'm so ready to put my feet up! Thank you for giving me a place to do so with my kids…we are happy to be here at The Rum Runner House again!” -- A returning Phillips Academy parent from afar.

Rum Runner House is a family-oriented property close to Phillips Academy, Brooks School, Pike School and Merrimack College. The home makes it possible to spend quality time with your student and his/her friends during your visit in a very comfortable & flexible manner. Well-stocked with HDTV, classic books & board games to suit a range of tastes, on-site recreational choices also include table tennis, basketball, street hockey, driveway soccer, bocce and Frisbee, baseball & football toss.

Enjoy getting to know your child's friends over a ping pong game, or by sharing nicely grilled steaks out on the fenced-in, brick patio. Have the freedom to spoil them by cooking up favorite family recipes that brings the group as close to your home kitchen as is possible. With the large amount of space, you can arrange with the Academy to welcome your student and friends to spend the night off-campus in 'your home away from home' -- a treat that is especially treasured by students who are themselves a long way from their own families.

In addition, The Rum Runner House has become a favorite venue of corporate managers looking for an excellent extended stay property for their valued employees. Such guests have included the New England headquarters of a Presidential campaign, financial executives and performance artisans.

Property manager

Steve

Languages

English, French

Property amenities

Ski

  • Close to skiing

Internet

  • Available in the house: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Car recommended
  • Onsite parking options include a garage

Kitchen

  • Blender
  • Coffee grinder
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Dishwasher
  • Electric kettle
  • Kitchen island
  • Lobster/crab pot
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Paper towels
  • Refrigerator
  • Stovetop
  • Toaster

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 4 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • 3 bathrooms
  • Bathtub or shower
  • Hair dryer
  • Shampoo
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Dining table
  • Fireplace
  • Living room
  • Separate dining area

Entertainment

  • Books
  • DVD player
  • Games
  • Music library
  • Stereo
  • TV with cable/satellite channels
  • Video games

Outdoor areas

  • Barbecue grill
  • Fenced yard
  • Garden
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Patio

Laundry

  • Washing machine

Work spaces

  • Computer monitor
  • Desk
  • Desk chair
  • Printer

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoke-free property

Services and conveniences

  • Iron/ironing board
  • Phone

Location highlights

  • Near a hospital

Things to do

  • Arcade/game room on site
  • Gym on site
  • Table tennis on site
  • Basketball nearby
  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Cycling nearby
  • Golfing nearby
  • Hiking/biking trails 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 (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • First aid kit
  • Deadbolt lock

General

  • 1 unit
  • Garden
  • Unit size: 2,750 square feet

Similar properties

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 5:00 PM
Minimum check-in age: 25

Check-out

Check-out before 12:00 PM

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Pets

Pets not allowed

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
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
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 indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a first aid kit and a deadbolt lock
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
Property Registration Number C0156050090

We should mention

A car is recommended for transportation to and from this property

About the neighborhood

Andover

This vacation home is located in Andover. Public Health Museum and Methuen Memorial Music Hall are cultural highlights, and some of the area's attractions include Water Park of New England and Collins Bowladrome. Traveling with kids? Consider Cedarland Fun Center and Whip Hill. Practice your golf swing on a nearby course, or enjoy other activities in the great outdoors, such as cycling and hiking in the area.

What's nearby

  • Philips Academy - 2 min drive
  • Merrimack College - 5 min drive
  • Andover Country Club - 7 min drive
  • University of Massachusetts Lowell - 18 min drive
  • Water Park of New England - 23 min drive

Getting around

  • Andover Station - 3 min drive
  • Lawrence, MA (LWM-Lawrence Municipal) - 18 min drive

Restaurants

  • McDonald's - 4 min drive
  • Town Market Andover - 19 min walk
  • Grassfields Food & Spirits - 4 min drive
  • Otto - 3 min drive
  • Andover Deli & Pizza - 4 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Phillips Academy Area – Ideal for Families Visiting Campus & Touring New England pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Phillips Academy Area – Ideal for Families Visiting Campus & Touring New England?

Check-in begins at 5:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Phillips Academy Area – Ideal for Families Visiting Campus & Touring New England?

Check-out is at 12:00 PM.

Where is Phillips Academy Area – Ideal for Families Visiting Campus & Touring New England located?

This family-friendly Andover vacation home is within 2 mi (3 km) of Philips Academy, Moncrieff Cochran Sanctuary, and Ward Reservation. Robert S. Peabody Museum and Merrimack College are also within 3 mi (5 km).

Reviews

9.6

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 46 out of 55 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 6 out of 55 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 3 out of 55 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 55 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 55 reviews" "

9.6/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

6/10 Okay

Katherine K.

Family reunion
Shades were ripped and towels were all stained. Host graciously met us at start of stay and left snacks for us. Comfortable beds.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Mary Ann H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Our home away from home
In 2015, my family stayed at the Rum Runner House for my oldest son's wedding. This time my youngest son got married and imagine my joy when the Rum Runner House was available to rent this weekend since we had such a good time the first time we stayed here. My family thoroughly enjoyed EVERYTHING this house had to offer. The kitchen was well stocked, the full bathrooms and bedrooms were spacious and the game room entertained the younger and older generations alike. We have relatives living within 2-3 minutes from the Rum Runner House. It was very convenient to gather here and have dinner at times up to 16 adults and 5 children. Steve was the most gracious host with his prompt replies to my questions and went above and beyond his call of duty to make sure we got the lobsters we forgot in the house after we checked out. He also had snacks and drinks available upon arrival which we appreciated. All my children are married now but the Rum Runner House will be our first choice for the next family event.
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2023

6/10 Okay

Beverly H.

Not what was expected
Unfortunately, the property did not live up to the five star rating. I realized the home was older with older furniture but the condition of some of it was disappointing. The size of the property was good for a larger group. Beds not what stated. Bunk is a full bottom not queen. The two extra beds/cots were not usable for an adult size person. The space has a lot of potential but feels very unorganized. There were random old things in cabinets, for example, the laundry room had old socks and shoes. Kitchen cabinet doors loose as were drawers, dishwasher falling out when door was opened. The owner met us at the house to check in, tho I’m sure well intentioned, was not necessary and made some in our party uncomfortable. The checkout process was easy. The neighborhood nice, plenty or parking on the grounds
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2023

8/10 Good

Marcia P., Bismarck, ND

Liked: Cleanliness
Our son got married
House is a long rambler with dated furniture that has almost come back into style. It worked for us totally. I communicated with the host on day we were to arrive through app and via email but never heard from him. I was only informing him we would be coming in the next day due to plane connection complications. He never responded back with even an ok so we felt if we did need something he would not be available. The host had left some beverages in fridge and snacks for our arrival so that was very kind. Overall good home for our purposes.
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Ryan A.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great weekend away
Siblings, cousins, and I needed a place to stay while attending a baby shower in Bedford. We probably could’ve Hosted the baby shower in this house there was so much space and seating, even more than we expected. But we had fun playing ping pong and catching up when we got home from our family event and all slept great. Thanks for the comfy lodging!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kathryn L.

Liked: Cleanliness
Fabulous Stay
My stay at the Rum Runner was very special. The check in process was easy and friendly - Steve was lovely and showed me the lay of the land. He left snacks to get us started which won the hearts of my kids. ;-). The house is minutes away from the center of Phillips Academy. It is the perfect place for a family... great equipped kitchen, ping pong table, outdoor space, several generous bedrooms and the bathrooms were large. The house is very warm and has an interesting history. It was a treat to stay there - I will definitely be back with my full crew! Thank you Steve for making my kids drop off experience so much more enjoyable.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Raphael G.

Liked: Cleanliness
Spacious with a lot of character
My family enjoyed the space of the property & its surroundings. Proximity to places was not difficult & food delivery was easy as well. We enjoyed our time spent there & Steve was a great host professional, attentive & hospitable. We would love to visit & stay there again. This property definitely has everything you need & more!!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kevin D.

Liked: Cleanliness
Nerdy Game Weekend
It was a good spot for what my group was wanting, which was a clean, spacious area to play some games together. Host was very communicative and accommodating. Also left us some unopened chips and juice, which was very kind!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2023

6/10 Okay

Stella P.

Liked: Cleanliness
Quiet, comfortable, and FUN
Owners were very accommodating, beds comfortable, ping pong table was so much fun, and the house was extremely quiet. Great layout and interesting history. We did have a minor issue with earwig insects so if bugs are a big problem for you, you may be unhappy. They are harmless and we just disposed of them.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Laura R.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great property and home!
My family and I stayed here while in town for a funeral. The house is wonderful, and although it’s on a Main Street it was really quiet. Steve is very thoughtful and provided drinks and snacks and the communication was wonderful. We will definitely stay here again.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Margaret D.

Liked: Cleanliness
This home was perfect for our family.
Having four bedrooms and two and a half bathrooms was wonderful. We also had a washer and dryer. For us, the location was. perfect. We were near our extended family. I would stay at the Rum Runner again.
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Mollie S., Honolulu

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect Fit
We had a sister reunion in our hometown! For part of the stay we four sisters were joined by 4 adult children and an infant. We had a small gathering after a memorial service for 17. We were comfortably accommodated. The house was a perfect fit and perfect configuration for our needs! We heartily thanked the host!
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Nancy L.

Liked: Cleanliness
Awesome!!
Wonderful time at The Rum Runner House! Steve was fabulous and even left us snacks and drinks! House is huge and very comfortable ! Thank you!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Kevin G.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great stay
Great host….nice location
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Christopher D.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great place for families to stay.
This house was perfect for 5 adults and an infant. Good location not far from good dining, and stores for essentials. All our questions were answed in a timely manner, and host was very hospitable. We would definitely stay there again if in the area.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Eric E.

Liked: Cleanliness
Fantastic house as pictured/described
We had a wonderful stay and absolutely loved this house! It was pleasant, spacious, has high ceilings throughout, and has many separate areas. Some beds seemed a bit more comfortable than others but I think everyone was comfortable enough. Having two full baths plus a half bath was quite a luxury. And the bedroom with two built-in desks is a great place to do work! The outside patio area with the large table was super pleasant! The kitchen worked great for us! While the house is on a corner, we didn't notice any road noise inside at all, and even on the patio, while you can hear cars going by, it wasn't bothersome or constant, plus there's a fence! Having a printer wasn't something we'd thought about but turned out to be useful. Our only regret was that we couldn't have stayed longer :). Communication leading up to our stay was great as well!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

James C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Andover Stopover
Great place. Roomy enough to accommodate 10 of us...6 adults and 4 children. Enjoyed the recreation options in the house. Host was helpful and engaging.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Chelvi R.

Liked: Cleanliness
Awesome place
Excellent.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2022

8/10 Good

Carol S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great property for a group
The property was well stocked and very nice. The host greeted us and stocked a few things in the kitchen. Lots of room for a large group of family or friends.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Nancy G.

Liked: Cleanliness
Highly recommend
My family and I enjoyed our stay. Steve is a wonderful host and made us feel very comfortable. He took his time to orient us to the house and provided us with drinks and snacks. It was easy to communicate with him. I would definitely stay here again if visiting the area.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

Melissa S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great location for our son’s graduation from Merrimack College!
Rum Runner was big enough to accommodate our large family of 9 for our son’s college graduation. We had plenty of room to spread out and not feel like we were on top of each other. The X-box was fun for family competitions. We highly recommend this property!
Stayed 7 nights in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

Debra L., Whitefield NH

Liked: Cleanliness
Graduation
Our family met at the Rum Runner house to celebrate a graduation. It was super convenient to my family that was flying into Boston for the event. We were all adults, but this house is conveniently set up for family members of all ages, and we enjoyed a big bbq with a few additional guests that did include two children. There are plenty of games available for all to enjoy but the biggest hit was the ping pong table! Hopefully we will be back as it was a perfect location for us when we are expecting out of town visitors and much more fun than a hotel.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

Theodore L.

Liked: Cleanliness
Friends in town for a birthday
The house was a perfect spot close to our home and gave our out of town friends a place to stay .
Stayed 4 nights in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

Amy R.

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect Andover Home with Terrific Host
If you're visiting Boston, Phillips Academy (Andover,) or touring surrounding New England areas -- especially with a larger family or group -- Steve's RumRunner home (definitely ask him about the home's unique name and history) is phenomenal. Extremely clean and well-appointed, the house is the perfect basecamp for families or a traveling group -- complete with ping pong, outdoor BBQ, lots of games, books, high-speed internet (perfect for remote workers,) cable tv, etc. What's really great about the house is that it is simultaneously sprawling giving everyone a chance to spread out (all on a single floor which makes it super and safely navigable for older guests!) -- but also, the home has plenty of very cozy living spaces (den, living room, formal dining, breakfast/casual dining) that are perfect for everyone to gather in. While definitely an older house -- it is ***very clean and comfortable*** with quality bedding and linen. Finally and perhaps most importantly, the homeowner/host is local, responsive, and deeply cares -- he proactively checked in (in no way obtrusively) to make sure our stay was going well and to see if we needed anything. Highly recommended without reservation!
Stayed 12 nights in Apr 2022

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness
Andover MA stay
We had a wonderful stay! Thank you!
Stayed 6 nights in Apr 2022