It's Magic!

Guest: Vam and Dave (Los Angeles, CA)
Date of Stay: 12/19/11 Review Submitted: 01/21/12

We have stayed at the Castle House several times over the years and each time is absolutely magical! Where else can you sleep in a castle right on the sand? I must admit it can be a little freaky when at high tide the waves lap up under the bedroom, but that is part of the magic. As for the accommodations, they are everything you would want for a vacation getaway. Comfortable and cozy. You can isolate yourself from the world, or walk 10 minutes to downtown Stinson with all it has to offer. Breakfast on the deck when the sun climbs over the mountains behind you, or cocktails as the sun sets over the Pacific - it's Magic! We can't wait to go back!

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, girls getaway, age 55+, families with young children.

Great Location. An owner to avoid.

Guest: baba (san fransicso, ca)
Date of Stay: 12/16/11 Review Submitted: 12/28/11

This house could not be situated in a better location. It is furnished nicely, but nothing too fancy. The bathrooms could use a serious update, and when using the toilet, I had to sit part way into the shower. However, the owner of this property is so uptight about everything, that you felt totally unwelcome in the house. Only at the last moment (the night before) did she send the details of getting the key, etc, and there was a laundry list of don's. dont take my pillows, don't take my pots, don't dirty my deck, and on and on. I can understand her concern about water, as all water goes into a holding tank, but really. To make the two days totally unpleasant, after we left we were accused of putting a hole in her rather ratty rice paper shades, and had to fork up $75 of the deposit. I say: STAY AWAY!!!

Recommended for:

Spectacular Beach Stay

Guest: Soulwhisperer (San Anselmo, CA USA)
Date of Stay: 08/26/11 Review Submitted: 09/07/11

I just returned from a 10-day stay at the Oceanfront Castle House at Stinson Beach where I went to celebrate my 50th birthday as well as to work on a book I am writing. The house was perfect for my purposes. I LOVED going to bed every night and waking up every morning to the sounds of the ocean; looking outside virtually every window and seeing the ocean, sunrise, and sunset. The house is comfortable with a well appointed kitchen, ideal for a small family, and particularly ideal for providing inspiration for a creative endeavor. The solitude, peacefulness, and sounds of ocean and birds provided the perfect sanctuary I needed for my writing, as well as the perfect beautiful space for celebrating my 50th. I can't wait to go back!!! I highly recommend it!!!

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, people with disabilities, sightseeing, pet owners, girls getaway, age 55+, families with young children, families with teenagers.

Lovely Location ... but beware

Guest: Ivy (San Francisco)
Date of Stay: 06/30/11 Review Submitted: 09/02/11

The location is great! However, this is a lovely old beach house with some idiosyncracies; cell phone dead zone; kitchen sink plumbing failed; and the new glass electric stove top is extremely high maintenance. And, the landlady withheld a significant portion of the security deposit for some wear and tear to the unsealed exposed deck and plastic chairs. If you plan to rent, take "before" pictures to get your entire deposit refunded.

Recommended for:

Perfection!

Guest: Chris and Catherine (Idyllwild, CA)
Date of Stay: 03/18/11 Review Submitted: 05/05/11

Our family has stayed in the castle 5 times in the last three years. It is the most magical home on earth. Where else can you experience an ocean setting from a home that sits literally ON the beach? The attention to detail is clearly that of designer/architect owner. Everything in it's place, and impossible to improve on. When the sea and clouds decide it is not the best of beach weather, we are always warm and comfortable, curled up on the turrets sofa, camera at the ready. We cannot thank the owner enough for letting us share this very special home, and making it feel like our own. It's perfect in every way.

Owner response:Thank you Chris and Catherine for you comments and for all the thank you cards and notes you left after each one of your stays. The Castle House is a magical place and it is different each time, even for me, after all the seasons I've owned it and care for it.

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, adventure seekers, girls getaway, age 55+, families with young children, families with teenagers.

What an experience!

Guest: Mark n Jen (Lincoln)
Date of Stay: 03/26/10 Review Submitted: 03/31/10

My husband and I had the opportunity stay at the Castle for our Honeymoon and we enjoyed every minute of it. The house is neat and tidy, cute, quirky (as all beach houses should be) and well appointed. We both appreciated the effort that went into stocking the kitchen with utensils and pots and pans...the pans were even decent pans. Both of us are chefs and we appreciated being able to cook lovely meals to enjoy during our stay. Thanks owners for that!! The most amazing thing of all is the views! The house is right on the beach and the views can be enjoyed from every room in the house, except the bathrooms but I'm ok with that. Lying in bed at night watching the surf by moonlight, waking up to the blue ocean waves there within sight the second I opened my eyes, sitting on the couch with a good book and the waves visible in ever direction, and sitting next to my hubby eating dinner, drinking a glass of bubbly at the large dining room table facing the ocean was bliss. NOW, lets talk about the deck!! What a fabulous treat. We enjoyed this luxury to the fullest. It wraps around the side of the house, so you can escape the breeze if you need to. There are chairs, a table and a BBQ. The deck has alot of bench seating built in. We spent so much time out there enjoying the beach atmosphere that I think our imprints may still be in the chairs! sorry bout that. The house is also a quick walk to the cafe's in town and the market...and we spent hours strolling up and down the beach. You are close to other areas to explore, but honestly, aside from a quick trip to Tomales for some Oysters, we never felt like we needed to go anywhere. My son stayed with us for a couple of days and he was in little boy heaven. The beach is a great playground and with the deck, we were able to feel relaxed while he dug and rolled around in the sand. All in all, this is the first but definately not last time we will stay here. Honestly, I have never been able to feel so relaxed on vacation and my husband, a constant 'do-er' was actually relaxed! First time ever!! I can't wait to return and wish to thank the owner for sharing this magical place with us. I hope to find many future excuses to visit the Castle House. Till next time.

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