We Had a Wonderful Time!

Guest: Steph3 (Aztec, NM)
Date of Stay: 10/16/11 Review Submitted: 10/27/11

Casa Azul was such a wonderful place. My family spends a week in San Clemente each year and this was one of our favorite places to stay. The view of and access to the beach are wonderful - really just a few short steps down a hillside path and you're in a park that ajoins the beach - splendid. I can't say enough about Vicki the owner - Really a wonderful person to work with. She made our visit so easy and pleasant. Thanks Vicki!

Recommended for:Girls getaway, families with teenagers, adventure seekers, romantic getaway, age 55+, tourists without a car, people with disabilities, sightseeing, families with young children.

Amazing.. We will be back

Guest: Shawn (Gilbert, AZ)
Date of Stay: 10/08/11 Review Submitted: 10/18/11

I almost don't want to give a review because I know it'll become popular. :( This place is a wonderful secret. We stayed here for one week over the kids October break. Honestly, one of our best vacation. It felt like this was our house on the beach and we had it during very nice weather. The things I like best about this place: View and location are the biggest thing here. RIGHT off the I5 and on the beach. HUGE! Full kitchen /Fridge / Microwave Awesome BBQ Washer/dryer Full Satellite - keep the kids entertained Internet was perfect - had to do a few meeting much to the dislike of the wife. I also download a movie for the kids on the laptop, so perfect. WAY faster then hotel. Jack/Jill bathroom which worked well for us. Kids loved running around in circle - the little things, right? San Clemente - Town is amazing.. lots of things to do if you just want to hang out.. but Disney is 30 mins - even in traffic. VERY practical place. Kid's Park - nice park right there with swing set and place to play ball. Nice parking for the car - always a problem for the beach.. this place was nice. Something we learn, don't forget to leave the windows open as it can get warm if they are closed. Plus, you can hear the ocean.. awesome. Wonderful place. We'll be back.

Recommended for:Families with teenagers, adventure seekers, romantic getaway, sightseeing, families with young children.

Beautiful views! Nice layout!

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 07/15/11 Review Submitted: 09/12/11

I am the mom and daughter with the 2 'gigantic' dogs mentioned in the one-star review. (They are medium-sized by any standard). As mentioned by the owner, there was a family below us for several days before this other couple came and we had no problems between us, chatted, and were friendly with each other. Our unit was clean. Why would the other unit not be clean? I just want to note that this property has all great reviews except from this one couple. 'Nuf said. This property was really great for us!

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

An Ocean-lovers Dream!

Guest: Gina (Washington, DC)
Date of Stay: 08/20/11 Review Submitted: 08/25/11

Just returned from a dream-come-true stay at Casa Azul and I'm already missing the breathtaking views from the huge windows and the sound of the waves. My adult daughter and I stayed in the upper unit and reveled in the views and shore breezes. The beach was close and perfect for the long morning walks that I was looking forward too. The beach trail--dog friendly--was an added bonus and gave us a second long and gorgeous walk each day. Great dinners in town and at the pier restaurant watching the sunset. The spacious unit was all we could have wanted, including a fully equipped kitchen, 2 bathrooms, free WiFi, cable, and washer and dryer. I arm-wrestled my daughter for the master bedroom and was lulled to sleep by the sound of the waves. Each morning I enjoyed the luxury of lying in bed and watching the waves--a dream come true! The owner, Victoria, was a joy to work with: she went out of her way to make our mother-daughter getaway a reality. She could not have been nicer or more helpful. I'm already scheming for a way to return for a longer visit in future--highly recommended!

Owner response:Thank you Regina. I'm so glad you and your daughter enjoyed your stay at the casa. It warms my heart. Victoria

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

Great location great place!

Guest: Alan and Erica (Pasadena ca)
Date of Stay: 08/21/10 Review Submitted: 08/15/11

My wife and I enjoyed staying at the Casa. We loved the patio that overlooked the ocean. We could see the waves and beautiful sunsets. Walking to the beach took only a minute and you can also walk to the main st. In 5 min. It's so great not to have to take the car out! We stayed in the downstairs unit as we have for the past 3 yrs and loved it just as much as ever! The owner is always updating and improving which keeps us coming back.

Owner response:Thank you Alan! I'm looking forward to seeing next year!

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

Awful Experience

Guest: Carolyn & Bruce Pomeroy (Valencia, CA)
Date of Stay: 06/25/11 Review Submitted: 08/04/11

This was the worst vacation that I ever didn't have. My husband and I rented "Casa Azul" for 7 nights in late June and were so looking forward to the trip. We left after the first night because the situation was unbearable. We rented the downstairs unit and were told that a retired couple would be above us. Instead, there were several people above us and two gigantic dogs. The floor was so thin that all we heard all day and late into the night was stomping, thumping, and creaking. We tried to sit out on the balcony, but the giant dogs barked out the window the entire time. The place was filthy and the bathroom smelled horrible. I acutally bought some cleaner and cleaned it myself because I could not handle the smell. There was thick dust on everyhting and the tub was peeling so bad it must have been 60 years old. The couch was so filthy that I did not even want to sit on it. We called the owner right away and told her we had to leave because we could not even sleep at night due to all the thumping from above us. Her response was for us to drive 100 miles back home and come back later in the week when the retired couple would be there. We told her that this was not an acceptable solution. She said she would give us a refund the night we left and never sent a dime. This was an absolutely horrible experience!

Owner response:I was very saddended by the behavior and percieved problems these guests were exhibiting. We all know there are two sides to every story. These guests were hoping for a luxury experience at a family priced place. How is it that no one else during the past seven years has ever had anything bad to say about the Casa? It's all about expectations. Many guests have said the casa was much better than they expected! There is an ambiance that can not be conveyed through the photos. You really can see and hear the waves. Many guests who return year after year prefer the downstairs because of the nice patio just outside the sliding glass door that faces the ocean and beautiful sunsets. Look at my calendar to see that many weeks are reserved by returning guests year after year. During the the previous 6 days there were other guests in the downstairs unit experiencing the exact same things the these guests were and they wrote an excellent comment in my guest book when they departed on Saturday. Then these new "guests" moved in. They went upstairs to confront the mom and daughter who were staying there without letting me know anything about a problem! The daughter was brought to tears by the behavior of these "guests" who arrived downstairs. The problem guests decided to leave. There was nothing I could do or say to please them. I would suggest they try a more exclusive area next time they book a vacation rental and always stay in the upper floor if hearing a few footsteps is unacceptable. I have been renting out the Casa for more than 20 yrs and have never encountered people such as this. It makes my heart sink...I do have guests that love the Casa and come back year after year. I'll have them write some reviews to let everyone know that these people are the exception and out of the normal range of human experience! Saddened vacation owner, Victoria

Recommended for:

Guest: Cindy and Dick (-)
Date of Stay: 01/01/10 Review Submitted: 08/31/10

Paradise!! What a beautiful house with breathtaking views, ocean waves to lull you to sleep and a great walking trail. It is so nice to be able to walk everywhere. San Clemente is a jewel... We look forward to returning. Thanks Vicki for providing us with a lovely winter retreat! Dick and Cindy Cheboygan Michigan

Recommended for:

Guest: Cyndi and David (-)
Date of Stay: 07/11/10 Review Submitted: 08/31/10

We had a wonderful week here at "Casa Azul". We thoroughly enjoyed the view from inside and out on the patio! It was even better than expected. The kids enjoyed the park and our everyday jaunt to the beach. It was just what our family needed. The farmers market was great too. It's a vacation none of us will forget!

Recommended for:

Guest: Johnsons (-)
Date of Stay: 06/14/10 Review Submitted: 08/31/10

You have a wonderful place in a beautiful beach side community. Thanks for your hospitality and allowing us to stay at this incredible villa with a beautiful view!

Recommended for:

Guest: J Leis (New Hamburg, On)
Date of Stay: 10/29/09 Review Submitted: 10/29/09

We stayed here for 4 nights in Oct-sharing the cost for 2 couples was similar to a hotel stay but the experience was so much better. We had the lower unit which has a lovely patio to enjoy a flass of wine while overlooking the park and the ocean. We could walk to dinner, walk to the pier it was a great spot to tour San Diego from. The master bedroom mattress was a bit soft for our liking but everything else was great. The owner was very easy to work with. Lots to see and do in the area.

Owner response:Thank you Janet! I'm so glad you enjoyed your stay. The mattress is a Tempurpedic which is the best for backs! Hopefully you will enjoy it more the next time you try one! Victoria

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