Vacation Rentals by Owner

Comfortable and Relaxing home away from home

Guest: ElleDuMonde (Houston, TX)
Date of Stay: 12/27/11 Review Submitted: 01/10/12

The property was very much as described and truly a lovely place to spend a trip. The owners have thoughtfully provide ample linens, towels, games, and folding chairs for sitting on the beach, not to mention all the kitchen gadgets you might want or need. It was well appointed without feeling stuffy, and we certainly felt right at home and comfortable allowing the kids to play. A better marker for the driveway (my husband missed it every time we went out) and a dust buster near the back door is really my only suggestion, just to help keep some of the sand out of the house.

Recommended for:Families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway.

Bluewater Heaven

Guest: glo (Houston, Texas)
Date of Stay: 11/18/11 Review Submitted: 12/03/11

The description of the house was accurate. It is beautiful and comfortable. My daughter and I have just returned after a week stay. We spent Thanksgiving there with our family joining us for a couple of days at Thanksgiving. The weather was perfect and we had a wonderful time.. The house was very clean and well maintained. Barbara was very helpful with all our questions. I would definitely recommend this property to anyone. We did not want to leave and look forward to a return trip! The dogs had a good time as well.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, pet owners.

A Perfect Vacation Stay

Guest: grannymike (Mineral Wells, TX)
Date of Stay: 10/23/11 Review Submitted: 10/29/11

Our family just returned from a 5-night stay at the Bluewater Star. The weather and all our surroundings were just beautiful. There were eleven of us, ranging in age from 22 months to 68. Everyone had their own place to sleep, and everyone enjoyed it. We were very pleased to find an entire cupboard empty for our food stash as well as an empty refrigerator (with plenty of ice waiting for us from the icemaker). Also, each bedroom had an empty chest/dresser for our clothing. Those touches added a lot of our stay. I cannot recommend the Bluewater Star highly enough. We drove into Galveston one day to ride the ferry, but we all came back glad that we had chosen Surfside Beach for our vacation. It is very quiet, very private, and very peaceful. “Our beach,” though it has public access, was gorgeous, clean, and very private. We seldom saw anyone else, and when we did, they were just walking, running, or driving by. I echo those reviews about the gazebo. It was a wonderful place to sit and watch those on the beach on those times some of us did not choose to be on the beach ourselves. The decks around the house are also all very nice. We took a lot of beach toys for the younger kids, but had we not, there were plenty there already to keep them entertained. There are also a lot of extra plastic chairs for everyone to sit on outside as well as tables and chairs. We would love to be able to return some day. Thanks to the Haney family for sharing their lovely home with us.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway.

A Nebraska Family!

Guest: Loren and Vicki (Lincoln, Nebraska)
Date of Stay: 07/17/11 Review Submitted: 03/12/12

Our family of 13 had a wonderful time in your fantastic beach house! There was plenty of room for all of us to sleep and play. We loved using your gourmet kitchen and grill. It was fun to enjoy the beautiful beach with soft sand. The gazebo at the end of the deck was very unique and great to enjoy at the end of the day! Thanks so much for the use of your beautiful home. We will definitely return!!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway.

Amazingly Beautiful Wedding

Guest: Kim (Sugar Land, TX)
Date of Stay: 04/15/11 Review Submitted: 04/26/11

The house was such a perfect place to get married for us. Other than everything being a-la-carte (which I still enjoyed, since I had such a great time planning the wedding), Barb was very accommodating on dishes and wine glasses. The house is definitely set up for great parties. We had about 65 guests show up and it was the perfect size for us. The photos turned out to be fabulous, there were not a lot of people on the beach so it felt very private. The four stars is because: The heavy clean-up afterwards: trash bags, laundry (towels and bed sheets), sweeping, trash pick up around the perimeter, etc. The extra price for weddings should have covered the basic clean-up. Don't forget to bring toilet paper, hand soap, dish detergent, laundry detergent, paper towels, etc. I understood these were all not included in the price, however, it would have been nice. Overall, it was a GREAT experience!!! A BEAUTIFUL AND FABULOUS lookin' wedding. And Barb was a pleasure to work with every step of the way. We will definitely rent it out again, and the kids really enjoyed it!

Owner response:Hi Kim - thanks for your comments. As mentioned, all of the terms were discussed prior to commitment as to avoid any surprises. I would like to clarify that basic cleanup is included in our wedding rate, but it's true, we do ask that the bride and groom be responsible for clean up of their party and removal of all trash and rental items that have been brought in. Following everyone's departure a full cleaning crew arrives to make the home ready for our next guests. I apologize that we are unable to be an all-inclusive wedding destination. We simply do not have the infrastructure in place or manpower for that, however, our prices also reflect that. What we do offer is an excellent value for those who are on a budget and who do not mind doing some of the work themselves to create a setting that is just as beautiful and elegant as those all-inclusive - and significantly more expensive - wedding locales. I wish you and your husband a wonderful and long life together. Sincerely, Barbara Haney owner

Recommended for:People with disabilities, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway.

Three Generations of us loved the Beach House in Texas!

Guest: G&G (USA)
Date of Stay: 12/26/10 Review Submitted: 01/21/11

We had so much fun, there were 11 of us and everyone had plenty of room, the house is made for entertaining...Barb, who is so considerate and a joy to work with, has thought of everything you could possibly need to cook or serve with...there was a crock pot for us and even Santa dishes for our holiday! We are all foody-s so we loved Barb's kitchen and have many happy memories cooking together! But...then there is the beach! You see it the minute you walk in the door, and it is beautiful...the decks are fantastic and you can even spot a crab from the deck as our son-in-law found...we were there in December and still had a fun day in the sun and waves, again lots of fun memories for the grandkids. We took a day to visit NASA and one is pretty close to Galveston for lots of interesting things to do. But, our favorite thing to do was just walk the beach together and relax at the Beach House. New Years Eve is lots of fun with fireworks on the beach, another memory for us cold mountain state folks! We would love to return to the Beach House, it will be a lasting memory for all of us forever.

Recommended for:Families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, sightseeing.

EVEN BETTER IN THE WINTER!!!!!

Guest: Susan Lott (Houston, Texas)
Date of Stay: 12/06/10 Review Submitted: 12/14/10

This was our second visit to the Bluewater Star and we were amazed that anything could be better than our first family visit last year for my Daddy's 90 birthday. Daddy died this year and this trip was part of my healing process. My husband and I spent the first part of the week with a couple of close friends and then the last part alone. The walks on the beach, seeing and hearing the beautiful ocean, were music for our souls. When it was cold and overcast, we enjoyed the fireplace and gorgeous kitchen. We recommend this home for all occasions and at all times of the year!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, pet owners, romantic getaway.

A Great Getaway!

Guest: Lisa (Houston)
Date of Stay: 09/09/10 Review Submitted: 09/15/10

This house was the perfect house for us and our toddlers. We shared this house with another family. Four adults and five kids total. There was plenty of room and so many extras for the kiddos. We'll definitely be back!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Holiday in Paradise

Guest: lindsay (scotland, UK)
Date of Stay: 08/06/10 Review Submitted: 08/20/10

What an incredible holiday we had staying at the Bluewater Star - we travelled from Scotland, UK, and it was well worth the journey. The house is stunning with every amenity you could need or want. The house was spotlessly clean and lived up to and excelled all of our expectations. The views are incredible - our favourite place to sit was the gazebo at the end of the walkway, we'd sit there in the mornign with coffee and watch the dolphins swim by. We barely left the house except to stock up - the fish market was fabulous. It was an absolute pleasure to book through Barbara and we can't wait to return to Bluewater Star and Surfside one day - it now holds very special memories for us. Without a doubt would recommend this for a fabulous holiday - Bluewater is definitely the best house on the beach! Love, love loved ever second! The MacCallums, Lawsons, and Herbertsons, Scotland UK

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway.

Best beach vacation EVER!!!

Guest: Summer Fun (McKinney, TX)
Date of Stay: 06/18/10 Review Submitted: 06/30/10

We loved the beautiful home. The owners have thought of everything! Our favorite spot was the gazebo right by the beach with a small refrigerator for convenience. The kiddos were enthralled with the little room under the stairs, with the older children wishing they were small enough for the little bed there. The beach was lovely. We have already planned our trip back next year.

Recommended for:Families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway.

The Best Beach House In Surfside Texas !!!!

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 05/27/10 Review Submitted: 02/28/11

We stayed here during last Memorial Day vacation and we had an amazing stay. This home is truly the best beach house in Surfside, TX. We have stayed at other rentals in Surfside, but trust me, nothing compares to this stylish, well equited home and the amazing location on the beach. You simply walk out to the deck, onto the beautiful gazebo, and there is your pristine beach. The furnishings, the location, the great sound system, the multiple decks-I wish I was there right now. We cannot wait to return for our next beach trip. Thank You for sharing your wonderful dream home :)

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Family and friends get together in Surfside

Guest: Midwest vacationers (Pleasant Hill Missouri)
Date of Stay: 05/20/10 Review Submitted: 05/29/10

We stayed at the Bluewater Star last week and had a great vacation. The home is beautiful as the pictures show and had all of the amenities you need for a fantastic get away. The indirect lighting throughout the house makes for a glowing atmosphere at night. We drove from the Kansas City area and it was worth every minute of drive time. The view of the ocean is everywhere in the house and the gazebo and walkway were a nice way to get to the beach and hang out. The kids caught crabs and we played volleyball and enjoyed the waves and sunshine. Barbara was very nice and easy to work with. We have already discussed coming back to this same place again after having such a good experience.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, people with disabilities, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, pet owners, romantic getaway.

Our Beach Vacation Spot

Guest: LJo (Alvin, TX)
Date of Stay: 04/01/10 Review Submitted: 04/18/10

We just returned home from an Easter weekend trip to the Bluewater Star. What can I say about this beautiful beach home that hasn't been said in the other reviews - except that we keep coming back because we ALWAYS have a fabulous time. Our first time staying in the BlueWater Star was for my 40th birthday in April 2007. And now we return every April to celebrate my birthday - and we stayed one time in November and saw the most magnificant sunsets. Everyone in my family would be sooo disappointed if we didn't make our annual trip. We only live an hour away and could make Surfside a day trip but the house adds so much ambiance to the beach experience. We love cooking in the kitchen which has 2 sinks and everything you could possibly need. And then to eat at the table with that magnificent view - there is nothing like it. Plenty of bathrooms and bedrooms so that everyone has their space (and everything is so clean). The memories we have made there are priceless!!! We will be back next year as well as for many years to come.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Guest: Susan Lott (Houston, Texas)
Date of Stay: 10/12/09 Review Submitted: 10/12/09

As most everyone mentions, the kitchen IS fabulous! But our favorite amenity was the gorgeous covered gazebo on the beach, where we could watch the kids play in the ocean while we enjoyed the beautiful view and the cool breeze. We were also there each morning at first light with our coffee and dog, ready to walk the beach after watching the sunrise. Thank you Barbara for a perfect memorable family trip.

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Guest: Judy33 (Winona, Texas)
Date of Stay: 03/23/09 Review Submitted: 03/23/09

Comment Text: Amazing, phenomenal, magnificent,incredible, gorgeous - WOW. All words are inadequate in fully describing this home. We took a truckload of 'stuff' with us and only needed the wedding decorations - EVERYTHING else was there. I have never stayed anywhere that offered so much. My son married the love of his life on the beach and we had the reception under the house. It was perfect in every way. Barbara is one of the nicest people I have ever dealt with and she and Mike have created the most wonderful beach vacation home imaginable. Our friends and family expressed amazement at our luck in finding such a beautiful place that offered everything we could possibly need. We will definitely be returning to this magnificent home. Thank you, so much, Barbara and Mike, for everything! Judy & Mark Wilcox, Kevin & Angela Stryker, Donnie & Trisha Raburn and Betty & James Wilcox, plus Kelcy, Amelia and Kasi stayed in pure luxury and comfort. In fact, when we were leaving, Kelcy (6 yrs. old) sat on the couch, looking sad and said, "I don't want to leave!" That's how we all felt

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Guest: Laura73 (Houston, Texas)
Date of Stay: 03/23/09 Review Submitted: 03/23/09

Thank you for a wonderful time at Bluewater Star. The house was fully equipped with everything! Clean, comfortable, and relaxing is the standard with this house. We love it and will book it again and again.

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Guest: J. Grissom (Houston, TX)
Date of Stay: 03/17/09 Review Submitted: 03/17/09

My family spent last Thanksgiving week at this wonderful home. We took advantage of almost every amenity available and, trust me, they are numerous....including the ice cream maker and margarita blender. The house is spacious, especially the kitchen and the furnishings comfy. We enjoyed our week so much, we are going back for a week in the summer.

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Guest: Judy Wilcox (Winona, Texas)
Date of Stay: 03/11/09 Review Submitted: 03/11/09

Amazing, phenomenal, magnificent,incredible, gorgeous - WOW. All words are inadequate in fully describing this home. We took a truckload of 'stuff' with us and only needed the wedding decorations - EVERYTHING else was there. I have never stayed anywhere that offered so much. My son married the love of his life on the beach and we had the reception under the house. It was perfect in every way. Barbara is one of the nicest people I have ever dealt with and she and Mike have created the most wonderful beach vacation home imaginable. Our friends and family expressed amazement at our luck in finding such a beautiful place that offered everything we could possibly need. We will definitely be returning to this magnificent home. Thank you, so much, Barbara and Mike, for everything! Judy & Mark Wilcox, Kevin & Angela Stryker, Donnie & Trisha Raburn and Betty & James Wilcox, plus Kelcy, Amelia and Kasi stayed in pure luxury and comfort. In fact, when we were leaving, Kelcy (6 yrs. old) sat on the couch, looking sad and said, "I don't want to leave!" That's how we all felt.

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Guest: Christie 1 (Lake Jackson, TX)
Date of Stay: 01/28/09 Review Submitted: 01/28/09

Our Family had the wonderful opportunity to stay at the Bluewater Star this past December. Although there was much damage to the area this beach house stood firm and strong!! I looked at many houses (being that I was local) and this was the ONLY one that had the "feel" of a home and not a hotel. Our entire family (3 adults and 2 children) were very comfortable and even enjoyed the treat of snow at the beach! Barbara was so easy going and helpful. I really appreciate her!

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Guest: Sherry in Houston (Houston, TX)
Date of Stay: 01/28/08 Review Submitted: 01/28/08

We stayed at this beautiful home over Christmas Holidays. Our family came from Georgia, New York, and Memphis to join us. Everyone was delighted with how wonderfully beautiful this home is - not to mention the attention to detail that was awaiting our arrival. The beach was quiet, the view of the ocean amazing, and the amenities in the home were beyond expecations. We would recommend this home to anyone with small children or anyone wanting to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life.

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Guest: MeganH (Weatherford, Tx)
Date of Stay: 11/28/07 Review Submitted: 11/28/07

Thank you so much for an amazing Thanksgiving! There were 5 adults and two children in the house and we were all more than comfortable. There was no competing for bathrooms or hot water or space! The kitchen was one of the best equipped that I have had the pleasure of cooking in and the rest of the house was so relaxing and the beach so inviting that it was all we could do to rouse ourselves to make the 30 minute drive into Galveston(but you should at least once!) Surfside is such a quaint town and the Red Snapper Inn is as good as anything that you can find in Galveston- you will NOT leave hungry!! Barbara went out of her way to be sure that we had a great stay- we are looking forward to going back very soon!!

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Guest: PERFECT (Richardson, TX)
Date of Stay: 11/02/07 Review Submitted: 11/02/07

We rented the house for a week-end in October for my daughter's wedding. It was so perfect, the house, the deck, the perfect clouds in the back ground. It was more than we expected. Barbara went above and beyond helping with the little details that go into a wedding and the kitchen was so well stocked that everything we needed was there. We especially loved the hammock on the deck, and looking at the stars at night with the sound of the surf in the back ground, it was so incredible. No one wanted the vacation to end and before it had we were trying to figure out when we could schedule to come back. Thanks so much for a perfect memory that will last forever.

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Guest: Sarah Wideman (Victoria, TX)
Date of Stay: 08/21/07 Review Submitted: 08/21/07

We had a wonderful time during our one-week stay at your beach house in Surfside. The house is so beautiful that at first we didn't think we were at the right house! We thought there was no way this house could be a rental. The house was very kid friendly for our 5 kids. The kitchen is beautiful and VERY well stocked, and we loved all the decks. The walk across to the beach was also very convenient. We are already looking into staying again next year. Thanks again! The Wideman and Graham Families

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Guest: angie williamson (the woodlands, texas)
Date of Stay: 03/15/07 Review Submitted: 03/15/07

Barbara and Mike, You have the most beautiful beach house in surfside! The view is spectacular and your home is so beautiful! We, all 15 of us, had such a great time in your home. All the amentities were put to good use, we especially loved the kitchen,family room and your deck- the hammock was relaxing. It was great being so close to the beach. You did a beautiful job building your home, it is and feels like a dream home! Thanks for allowing us to share it with you!! The Williamson and Tibb's Family

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Guest: Debbie Krall
Date of Stay: 02/01/07 Review Submitted: 01/31/07

Your home was a wonderful place to "come in from the cold" both physically and mentally. The decorating was pleasant and comfortable. The view is so inspiring and calming. While not made by you, the design of your windows framed the view perfectly. The thoughtful and very considerate amenities are the best we have found in numerous other rentals. We look forward to future stays. It was a pleasure to stay in your home and Taylor's 16th birthday will be a most wonderful memory. - Mark and Debbie Krall

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Guest: The Moores
Date of Stay: 01/15/07 Review Submitted: 01/14/07

We had a wonderful time, staying at your gorgeous beach home! The kitchen had absolutely everything we needed to prepare meals and the view was exceptional. We especially enjoyed the lighting throughout the house. The kids had a blast on the beach digging holes in the sand and splashing in the ocean. We definitely can't do that at home. The Johnson family What a beautiful home. We felt so spoiled Great view, very comfortable, fully stocked kitchen, just had everything we needed to have a great vacation. Thank you so much - the Moores

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Guest: Lovin" Every Minute in Austin (Houston)
Date of Stay: 01/08/07 Review Submitted: 01/08/07

We enjoyed staying in your beautiful beach home. Our families had a wonderful time. With three families we certainly appreciated the well-furnished and large kitchen. And we enjoyed the Gulf view! We appreciated the thoughtfulness of having a Christmas tree. It really made us feel welcome. Your home is close enough to Galveston to take advantage of its activities and yet we like the privacy it provides. The four granddaughters enjoyed all the tv and especially the one in the master tub. We would love to come back again. Pat and Tom Tipping

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Guest: Ben & Kim (Texas)
Date of Stay: 12/04/06 Review Submitted: 12/04/06

Barbara and Mike, Thank you for allowing us to be the first guests in your beautiful new beach house. Our Thanksgiving vacation was wonderful. Who would believe the great beach weather we had in late November. We enjoyed long walks, fishing and finding seashells. Your home is so nicely furnished with luxurious amenities. The kitchen exceeds that of any other beach house we have experienced. It was perfect for preparing our holiday feast. I will recommend your house to our friends and we hope to return sometime in the future.

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