Vacation Rentals by Owner

Sooo relaxing

Guest: from Vancouver (Vancouver)
Date of Stay: 01/01/12 Review Submitted: 01/16/12

We spend a week in January at Two Penguins with our 3 daughters (5year old, 3 year old and a baby) and our dog. The cottage was perfect for us: all the amenities that we needed, luxurious with a rustic feel, big enough, beautiful views, ocean, tide pools, ducks in the pond, dog proof floors and 2 themed rooms that were fantastic for the kids.The surroundings are so serene that you can't help but relax (the hot tub did not hurt either!). We had a wonderful time and we will definitevely go back.Good place for families but also for a romantic getaway.

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

Great Family Getaway

Guest: North Vancouver family (North Vancouver, BC)
Date of Stay: 10/07/11 Review Submitted: 10/12/11

We loved our stay at Two Penguins! We had a fantastic Thanksgiving weekend and found everything we needed (and more!) in your lovely vacation home. The only thing missing was the pod of Orcas, but we did see Sea Lions, Seals and Porpoises go past! Very comfortable and had a wonderful time exploring the island. We will be returning...

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

Second Time's a Charm

Guest: GGG (Tsawwassen) (Tsawwassen, BC)
Date of Stay: 09/30/11 Review Submitted: 10/05/11

I was part of a group of 40-something females that returned this past weekend for another stay at the Two Penguins. As before, the property, deck and amazing views (especially from the hot tub) are amazing! Was so happy to see that you had put in a huge new sectional, additional sofa and area rug - which made for a comfortable space to hang out in while indoors. Knowing ahead of time that 4 of the beds were singles, or in a loft, was helpful. The master bedroom is simply divine - we all wished we could sleep there every night. We had a wonderful stay - thank you so much - will recommend this spot to others.

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A fantastic winter holiday!

Guest: Cedar, Mike and August (Thunder Bay, ON)
Date of Stay: 02/16/11 Review Submitted: 03/05/11

What a wonderful vacation we had, thank you! The house was more than we could have ever hoped for. When we arrived it was evening, we watched the sunset through the huge windows that have the most amazing view of Vancouver's lights at night. The house was clean, beautifully set up, and the hot tub was already on. There is lots of space for entertaining, yet the house is cozy. The bedrooms were unbelievably comfortable, and the master bedroom has the best view of all! The waves and wind lulled us to sleep each night. Our son explored the pond and beaches, playing in the tide pools. We are already telling all our friends, and plan on returning next year. It was a perfect holiday. I can't wait to go back!

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

Rustic yes Luxury No

Guest: GGG (Tsawwassen)
Date of Stay: 10/15/10 Review Submitted: 10/18/10

Our group of 40 something females rented this place for a girls weekend away. Upon arriving at the property the view and yard were promising but the first impression of the cottage was a bit disappointing. Trying to organize the sleeping arrangements for 8 women meant that 4 people used the single beds which had hard futon mattresses and were like sleeping on cement. The master bedrooms were more comfortable but could only fit 4 people. The sheets were fine but the covers on the quilts smelt stale and were not freshly laundered. We couldn't find any extra bed quilts anywhere in the cottage. As we visited Galiano in the fall we were forced to spend the evening indoors. It was at this time that we realized there was insufficient seating for 8 adults in the living room. One couch which sat 3 and a chair left 4 of us without anywhere to sit for the entire weekend. There wasn't even a carpet or throw rug in the living room which we could sit on. The plywood painted floors were cold, hard and an extremely uncomfortable option for seating. The chairs around the table were okay for eating but not relaxing for any amount of time. A second couch, carpet and a coffee table would make a huge difference in making the living room more comfortable. The small bathroom was okay but not ideal for 8 people. The inside of the shower curtain was covered in mildew rather disgusting. Most of us chose to wait and shower at home instead of use it there. We felt the nightly rate we paid during low season was grossly overpriced. None of the 8 women in our group said they would ever stay there again or recommend it to anyone. The average rating from our group was 2 out of 5. On a positive note the hot tub was clean, the view from the cabin was nice and the property was private. This place was not really suitable for a group of 8 women that were looking for a great spot to chill out, it just wasn't comfortable enough.

Recommended for:Families with young children, romantic getaway.

Guestbook Comment

Guest: Karin Cummings (Phoenix, AZ)
Date of Stay: 05/01/07 Review Submitted: 05/18/07

We should have left this comment sooner...we stayed here for a week in the summer of 2005. What a wonderful time!! We still talk about how beautiful it was. Keep an eye out for the eagle!! Karin and Fred Cummings

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Guest: Jessica, Gil, Guy and Lily
Date of Stay: 11/03/04 Review Submitted: 11/02/04

Fabulous few days break - we have been so relaxed here. Loved the house, tides and beaches. Have plans to return! Thanks

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Guest: Les and Gary
Date of Stay: 09/11/04 Review Submitted: 09/10/04

Thank you for letting us stay for a few days here to relax after our jet-setting aroud the west of Canada. The window paintings are so beautiful - especially the view to the left of the stereo!

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Guest: S, R, R, C, N, & G
Date of Stay: 08/15/04 Review Submitted: 08/14/04

Great location! Highlights: - "Three Peak Challenge" - Nine & Dine at the golfcourse (Friday's) - Sandstone Beaches Thanks for sharing. Hummingbirds Randall, Carmen, Nelson & Graham Thanks for sharing your wonderful relaxing retreat with us. It was superb and just the right ingredient for a perfect vacation! Shelly and Richard

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Guest: Brian, Nicola, Peter and Holly
Date of Stay: 08/08/04 Review Submitted: 08/07/04

Thank you for allowing us to share your "retreat". The children especially enjoyed "fishing" in the pond - using long sticks to scoop up leaves etc. for fish! We saw deer, seals, an otter, starfish, 2 cats, and 2 tree frogs. The frogs were on your deck! Great tide pools too!!

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Guest: Adam, Joanna and Pete
Date of Stay: 08/01/04 Review Submitted: 07/31/04

I had an awesome week here at the cabin, and enjoyed the many great features of this wonderful island, such as the wildlife (frogs), market (glass blowing) and the great walks we had along the ocean, just to name a few. I hope the next people that come to this cabin enjoy it as much as we did. Adam - age 12 We had a great time. Sunsets and sundown were truely amazing. We are now fully re-charged to go back to the "city life". Pete

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Guest: Tom, Ania and Pauline
Date of Stay: 08/01/04 Review Submitted: 07/31/04

This week here was PURE paradise. The loft beds were AMAZING! My cousin and I enjoyed them A LOT. The deck has a wonderful view and there was once two (tree) frogs on the railing! It was so exiting. I love the beach and we had many soccer and badminton games. It was awesome. The seals, starfish, frogs,, ALL the nature was touching. I never felt so close to nature as I did this week. Thank you for a week of paradise, Pauline - age 12 We echo our daughter's words. Tom and Ania

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Guest: Judith, Brad, Francis and Rachel
Date of Stay: 04/12/04 Review Submitted: 04/11/04

According to Frances, age 9, the best thing that happened all weekend was the discovery, within 10 minutes of arrival, of fire-bellied newts in the pond. There was no other activity that compred with catching, handling, and racing them. During the weekend we cought and named Fire-Belly, Flame, Pregnant, Bertie, Oreo, Firelfy, and Strider. We also cought a whopper of a water beetle. Other amazing discoveries included finding blennies and nudibranches in the rock pools. We also loved watching the otter swim by at 7:10 am each day from our observation post in bed! Last of all, our final highlight, was the discovery that the Easter Bunny does know his way to Galiano Island and comes laden with goodies. We have had a WONDERFUL time here and fabulous weather - we think we're in another country.

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Guest: Mark, MJ, Liz, Liam and Katie
Date of Stay: 11/30/03 Review Submitted: 11/29/03

I was very pleased, especially with the loft beds. Liam - age 8 Thanks for a great Thanksgiving vacation. Your house was very comfortable and cozy with the fireplace. We enjoyed the views over the churning waves as it was often stormy in the morning. It brightened up in the afternoon and then sun looked beautiful shining on the trees. We enjoyed several hikes with awesome views to the ocean and the other islands. My brother and I really liked the loft beds. They were so cozy and it was fun to climb up and down the ladders. All in all this has been a great stay and we hope to return sometime in the future. Thanks Katie - age 10 Thanks, we had fun!

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Guest: Bob, Sherry and Juliet
Date of Stay: 09/17/03 Review Submitted: 09/16/03

Dearest Joanne and Geoff, What a wonderful treat to be back at "Two Penguins". Last summer was so very difficult for us as I lost both my parents just six weeks apart. Being here has helped the healing. We laughed and hiked and dreamed... Thank You - Until we return... PS. We hope you enjoy Juliet's "Fairie Village"

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Guest: Roger and Susan
Date of Stay: 08/24/03 Review Submitted: 08/23/03

Just what the Smith family needed! I felt the stress drain out of me with the sounds of the water lapping on the shore. Each day I found myself to be more and more relaxed. Hightlights (among the many) -extended eye contact with harbour seals just offshore -starfish in profusion -the magnificent weather -sunrises and sunsets -the view of Mt. Baker -your kitchen knives -the comfortableness of this wonderful house - what planning and attention to detail Thank you for making this week possible. RS Joanne And Geoff, I echo my husband's sentiments and merely add: what a lovely outhouse! Our time kayaking out on the water aquainted us with more aspects of this beautiful island. Thanks so much. SS

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Guest: Mindy, Steve, Anna, Elana
Date of Stay: 08/03/03 Review Submitted: 08/02/03

The vision of those who have designed and built this house has allowed us to experience a rare and expressive conjoining of landscape and water. Thank you for allowing us the privelege of restoring ourselves for a week here. We leave not only restored, but moved by the expressive power of architecture and the vision of letting the site speak..... Our gratitude to you for allowing us the use of the house. we enjoyed the sunsets, sunrises, seals, sea, woods, eagles...and may furious games of scrabble. The poetry of this place, this home, speaks clearly. Again, our Thanks

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Guest: Bill, Donna, geoge and Moelle
Date of Stay: 07/18/03 Review Submitted: 07/17/03

Thanks for letting us stay in this wonderful house! We all had lots of fun.

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Guest: Martha
Date of Stay: 10/25/02 Review Submitted: 10/24/02

A great time as usual. Will be back.

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Guest: Bill and Alina
Date of Stay: 10/25/02 Review Submitted: 10/24/02

Marvelous!!

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Guest: I & M
Date of Stay: 10/25/02 Review Submitted: 10/24/02

Thank you for letting us live in your nice place, we had a great weekend.

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Guest: Lee and Linda
Date of Stay: 10/25/02 Review Submitted: 10/24/02

It was a wonderful time, what a great place.

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Guest: James and Sonja
Date of Stay: 10/15/02 Review Submitted: 10/14/02

Sonja had a fantastic birthday weekend making my pesent very special. This is truely a place of tranquility and beauty. So much so , we feel we could stay forever. Thanks Kindly.

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Guest: B.V.
Date of Stay: 09/01/02 Review Submitted: 08/31/02

Thank you so much for letting us share this gorgeous house. The experience was truly sacred for our family. Anna's favouite was looking for starfish and visiting the beach, while andrew enjoyed digging for crabs. Hope to come again.

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