Middlesex Beach. An excellent vacation beach house

Guest: Jack (Troy, MI)
Date of Stay: 07/02/11 Review Submitted: 01/27/12

We have been vacationing at the DE shore for 30+ years, mostly in the South Bethany area. For the last 13 Summers my family and I have rented this property, because as grandparents vacationing with young children and as people who love looking at and being on the beach, we feel it is the ideal beach house. The property is comfortable and accommodating for all our needs without being too fussy---very relaxing! Since we have been renting here for 13 years, we’ve enjoyed the many improvements and upgrades the owner has made through the years, especially the contemporary, efficient kitchen. The walk to the beach is a short one, making it so easy to get back and forth. Being on Middlesex Beach is great for us, as it is a private community and is protected by an excellent lifeguard patrol. We love relaxing on this property’s screened porch. It is so close the shore that we feel part of the beach scene. And the view! Waking to the ocean view from this house and falling asleep to the sound of the waves has made this beach home very special to us. We’re looking forward to summer #14! Four and a Half Stars!!

Recommended for:Families with young children.

Disappointed

Guest: disappointed beach vacationer (San Francisco)
Date of Stay: 07/23/11 Review Submitted: 07/27/11

We got here and the "fifth" bedroom is an unfinished basement with two mattresses and a futon in it. There is an odor of dampness in the basement. It is more appropriate for storage than for sleeping. Also, it is not consistent with the photos of the rest of the house. The owner told me he did not include a photo of the fifth bedroom on the listing and I now know why. I wouldn't sleep her and I wouldn't put my children in this room. If you are counting on a "five" bedroom house, this is not your house.

Owner response:On receiving complaints about the fifth bedroom from a number of tenants, we decided to relist the property as a four bedroom. Currently, we are affecting renovations to the fifth bedroom and plan to complete the renovations to the area in advance of the 2012 season.

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THIS is the best vacation spot...

Guest: Amber (Abingdon)
Date of Stay: 05/27/11 Review Submitted: 07/21/11

We are repeat renters, and this is the rental for us. Nothing quite compares to having waterfront property, but Middlesex is the only beach in Delaware that is private. You have to have a pass to be on the beach, which means you are not fighting for space on the sand. We have rented beach houses in many different locations in Bethany, but this is my absolute favorite spot. The accomadations are beautiful, spacious, clean, new, and Greg is the most pleasant, easy person to work with. I don't give good reviews lightly, and I'm not joking when I say that this vacation rental has turned us into beach snobs.

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

Very Dissapointed

Guest: Joe (Alexandria, Virginia)
Date of Stay: 07/09/11 Review Submitted: 07/15/11

Very disappointed in this property. It is NOT a 5 bedroom unless you consider beds thrown in an unfinished musty cinderblock basement with no ceiling, exposed wires, old stained curtains and the owner’s junk in boxes piled up to the rafters a bedroom. See pics http://imgur.com/a/xbg9M#4P0TN . The property description says it is designed for up to 10 people but there are only 4 seats in the small living room and only 4 dining chairs. The carpets are really stained and dirty. We called the onsite management company who said they only had it listed as a 4 bedrooms and tried to find us another place but this owner would not negotiate anything. Nice screened in porch but only a picnic table and 2 chairs. Renter beware!

Owner response:On the complaints of a number of tenants that have large parties, I have relisted the property as a four bedroom. Currently, we are affecting renovations to the fifth bedroom and plan to complete the renovations in advance of the 2012 season. Regarding the dining table, the table is designed to normally accommodate four individuals, however, the table can be extended to accommodate six. There are spare chairs in the property to accommodate six individuals at the dining table. Regarding the living room capacity, the property has a couch that can accommodate three, and three end chairs. The property has spare chairs to accommodate larger groups. Regarding the condition of the carpet on the main floor, over the course of the Summer season, carpets can become soiled and/or dirty. On the event that the carpet becomes stained or dirty, the real estate agent is authorized to have the carpet professionally cleaned. Regarding the patio furniture, the property has five chairs, including two Adirondack chairs and three plastic chairs. (see attached) A true photograph of the enclosed patio is provided.

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Exquisite

Guest: Amber (Abingdon)
Date of Stay: 08/29/10 Review Submitted: 09/07/10

I have rented a few beach houses in the past, but this visit surpassed any other that I have had... the beach house itself was directly on the water with easy access right out to the beach. We were up first thing every morning drinking our coffee right on the beach. Because it was a private beach there were no crowds, even though you could see the crowds way down the beach towards bethany boardwalk, and to the other direction. the house was immaculate, very well taken care of, clean, and comfortable. We spent a lot of time on the screened in porch that jetted out towards the ocean. Greg was an extremely pleasant and easy owner to rent from, extremely accomodating and considerate. there were no cons to this visit. I brought my two young children, parents and inlaws, and we were all very comfortably situated in our own rooms. the house is extremely spacious and open, and the kitchen seemed to be brand new. We will be back again, no doubt about it,

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

Guest: Anne and Stewart (-)
Date of Stay: 07/26/08 Review Submitted: 08/24/10

Dear Greg, We loved our time last week at your 20 Dune beach front house! The house is wonderful---comfortable yet unpretentious, just as you described on the phone to me a couple of months ago. We had dinner each night on the screened deck...lovely! We were so grateful for the prompt replacement of the rusted out charcoal grill with the great gas grill that we Christened for you. Our family times also included working a few jigsaw puzzles we found in the laundry room, and of course, the beach, a convenient hop skip and jump away from the house. When most of us arrived on Saturday, July 26, none of our cell phones had service. Before I remembered that I had a calling card in my purse, my daughter (who was panicking without having constant communication with her boyfriend who was on his way) used your house phone to call him. I think he has an Ohio exchange, so please forward charges to us for them and any other calls that may have been made. We signed up for the last two weeks in July '09....we'll know by November if we'll be able to afford it! Thanks again! Cheers, Anne and Stew

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Guest: James (-)
Date of Stay: 10/10/08 Review Submitted: 08/24/10

Gregory, I just wanted to send a note to thank you for the use of the beach house. The family had a great time and enjoyed the house & beach very much. We had great weather for October … Sunny in the mid 70’s. Thanks Again. We would certainly consider renting 20 Dune Road again. Jim

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