Vacation Rentals by Owner

MN Folks Delight!

Guest: Deb (Bemidji, MN)
Date of Stay: 02/18/12 Review Submitted: 03/14/12

In addition to Gus being absolutely super to work with, we found the condo to be absolutely beautiful!! The listing description is truly accurate. Yet, the photos don't fully capture the beauty of the unit or the view of the ocean that is nearby. In addition to being beautiful, the unit was extremely clean and well maintained. I would highly recommend this rental property to anyone. The unit is ideal for 4-5 adults and 2 children. The area is perfect and having the ability to walk to the beach from the ocean made it even that much better (if that is possible)!! We loved it and hope to return at some time in the near future.

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

We didn't want to leave!

Guest: Adele K. (Sheboygan, WI)
Date of Stay: 03/19/11 Review Submitted: 03/26/11

We enjoyed a wonderful stay at Villa Tortuga in March 2011. Gus has thought of everything from shampoo and beach towels to candles and bath robes. We were very comfortable in the meticulously maintained and well decorated condo. The grounds are lush, the hot tub is warm, and the views are breathtaking. We would have liked to stay another week! Thanks, Gus!

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

Beautiful, comfortable, fantastic location

Guest: Michelle (Seattle, WA)
Date of Stay: 02/21/11 Review Submitted: 03/08/11

This wonderful home made a great setting for a sisters getaway. The owners clearly put in extra thought to make sure all the details are taken care with our comfort in mind. We could truly relax because we had everything we needed. Beautifully furnished and so very comfortable! I can't wait to return!

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

Great Property

Guest: mary (Chagrin Falls, Ohio)
Date of Stay: 12/23/10 Review Submitted: 01/19/11

My family and I rented this unit for the Christmas Holiday and had a wonderful experience. The owner was terrific to work with and very accomodating. The unit was festively decorated for the holiday, which was thoughtful and inviting. This is a fabulous condo, completely updated with the highest quality amenities. It looks just as good as the photos! Our two teenage boys also were thirilled with the location of the condo. The pool is steps away and heated. And the beach access is just across the street. We would definitely stay here again and would recommend this unit to families or couples looking for a getaway in the Monarch Beach area.

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

Guest: Kate & Des O., London, England
Date of Stay: 04/03/10 Review Submitted: 05/07/10

Guestbook: Dear Gus. Thank you so much for providing such a warm, home from home, vacation home!!! We don’t want to leave! Also, the earthquake was an added extra to our vacation – amazing! We will be back!!

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Guest: Trey R., Las Vegas, Nevada
Date of Stay: 03/20/10 Review Submitted: 05/07/10

Guestbook: Fantastic time, and beautiful home. Thank you for creating such a beautiful, welcoming place. God bless.

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Guest: Julie & Mark., Vancouver, British Columbia
Date of Stay: 02/27/10 Review Submitted: 05/07/10

Guestbook Gus. Thank you so much, we absolutely loved you place. Just a perfect size for our family! I love the décor! Beach is fabulous, pool, a huge plus+ and being so close to Disney and Legoland - just perfect! We will definitely be back!

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Guest: Moores & Nashes, Glendora, California
Date of Stay: 02/13/10 Review Submitted: 05/07/10

Guestbook What a gorgeous place! Thank you for a great weekend stay!

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Guest: Sunday R., Woodland Hills, California
Date of Stay: 02/06/10 Review Submitted: 05/07/10

Guestbook Gus. Thank you for sharing your condo with us for a beautiful week-end. Great weather and we needed a little beach after a series of rain. Your condo is tastefully decorated. We love it! Well done…

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 11/19/09 Review Submitted: 11/19/09

Villa Tortuga is paradise! Perfect location across from the most beautiful beach! We loved our week at your lovely condo and hope to come back soon. Gus has every detail covered and makes your stay perfect. From shampoo to beach toys and boogie boards to amazing sunsets from the porch, this place has it all!

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Guest: Becky, Tim, Chloe & Jake Wells (New Palestine, IN )
Date of Stay: 07/30/09 Review Submitted: 07/30/09

We absolutely loved our stay at Villa Tortuga! Everything we needed and more was provided - from beach toys to shampoo to condiments. The condo was immaculate and beautiful. The location was perfect. We spent time at all of the beaches, San Diego and Hollywood. Our family was so comfortable we truly did not want to leave. We'll be back next year!

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 07/28/09 Review Submitted: 07/28/09

We loved our stay! The condo is so convenient to the beach, restaurants and shopping - and it's a beautiful unit! We're already talking about when we can come back. The kids especially just loved it. Griffin Family, Eden Prairie, MN

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 07/23/09 Review Submitted: 07/23/09

Wow! What an amazing find! After scouring the Internet for weeks, we found Villa Tortuga. Look no further. You will appreciate every comfort and luxury detail. We even visited other beaches and found the condo situated on the best stretch. Gus has thought of everything. We look forward to visiting again.

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Guest: Katrina3 (Hertfordshire, England)
Date of Stay: 05/06/09 Review Submitted: 05/06/09

Our family enjoyed a week at Villa Tortuga in April. There was plenty of room for the four of us and it was a good base for touring the local area from. The view of the ocean was amazing and Dana Point is definiely a place we wish to visit again one day.

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Guest: Dee (Dublin, Ireland)
Date of Stay: 09/04/08 Review Submitted: 09/04/08

We stayed in Villa Tortuga for two weeks in July/Aug 2008. It is a wonderful place. We are already working out how we get back. Gus provides everything that you could possibly need for an up-market, beach front holiday in a spotless and chic apartment. We loved the 2 terraces, particularly the one overlooking the pool - perfect for an early evening glass of wine while the kids stayed in the pool! as to the master bedroom, if I could I would quite happily transport it back here to Dublin- simply lovely. Great touches- a fanstastic sound system, loads of DVD's for kids and adults, all the beach furniture you could need (or transport)...I could go on........

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Guest: Derek Devlin (Texas)
Date of Stay: 08/12/08 Review Submitted: 08/12/08

This is certainly a luxurious condo with excellent facilities. With the swimming pool next to the condo and the beach across the road driving can also be kept to a minimum if desired. I would definitely recommend this accomodation, you will not be disappointed.

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Guest: Kimberly8 (Arizona)
Date of Stay: 08/10/08 Review Submitted: 08/10/08

We stayed at Villa Tortuga at the end of May 2008. We had a wonderful time and really appreciated all of the amenities. My favorite beach in the area is located within walking distance of the condo. The condo itself had everything we needed. The kitchen was fully stocked with appliances and cookware, the rooms were beautifully decorated (my daughter loved the kids' room), and the master was beautiful with a large bathroom w/multi-head shower (great for cleaning the kids after the beach). We would love to come back next summer!

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 07/16/08 Review Submitted: 07/16/08

We had the pleasure of staying at Villa Tortuga, the place is beautiful decorated, has absolutely everything you need!(you feel like your at home) Centrally located, you can hit the beach everyday or go 35 min to Disneyland, 10 min. to Lagunal Nigel. There is no doubt we will be returning. Thanks for a great vacation. Anne & Bob, and Family

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Guest: Lauren16 (San Diego, CA)
Date of Stay: 06/09/08 Review Submitted: 06/09/08

Thank you so much for creating such a great getaway! The location was absolutely perfect and the condo was beautiful and very comfortable. We had everything we could possibly need.

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Guest: Reachel (Anchorage, Alaska)
Date of Stay: 03/06/08 Review Submitted: 03/06/08

Thank you Gus for a Delightful stay in Dana Point. Your condo is exceptionally beautiful and perfect for my family (with 3 young boys!) to enjoy themselves in. A short walk to the beach and even shorter to the pool! We did not lack for any amenity and availed ourselves of your "concierge". Thank you again, Reachel

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Guest: Bill Campbell (Cleveland, Tn)
Date of Stay: 02/25/08 Review Submitted: 02/25/08

Absolutely top-notch! Every amenity we could have asked for - AND - an ocean view from the porch. Very comfortable mattresses and elegant decor. Well supplied for cooking in. Housed five adults very comfortably!

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Guest: Derek Mackenzie-Hook (Scotland, UK)
Date of Stay: 02/18/08 Review Submitted: 02/18/08

This is the ideal place to stay for families. I’m a travel writer specializing in family holidays and always looking for family-friendly places to write about and recommend, and they don’t come much better than Villa Tortuga! So much thought and care has gone into providing not only a beautiful and well maintained property, but the facilities and amenities were perfect with everything you and your family could possible require provided.The location of the property is also perfect for either spending time in the pool located just outside your window, at the beach just a short walk down a well maintained walkway, or to visit any of the many family attractions in the area. If you can drag yourself away from the Condo, it’s just a short drive to get to Disney, the Queen Mary and Aquarium of the Pacific, Legoland, Knott’s Berry Farm and Theme Park, San Diego Zoo and Seaworld Adventure Park. Don’t overlook Dana Point itself, it’s a beautiful place down at the harbor and the shops and restaurants are amazing. Gus thinks of everything; you will even find a list of menus in the Condo for many of the restaurants in town, and there’s plenty of them! Your biggest problem will be leaving this paradise, so plan ahead for your next visit!

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Guest: Carrie Lynch (Chicago, IL.)
Date of Stay: 01/18/08 Review Submitted: 01/18/08

Gus We truly enjoyed staying at Villa Tortuga!! Your condo was just perfect from the beautiful ocean view, to the spectacular decor....(now I know how I want to do my bathrooms). Can't wait to come back.

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Guest: Carrie L. Chicago, Illinois
Date of Stay: 12/22/07 Review Submitted: 05/06/10

We had a fantastic stay – love the place and the sunsets.

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Guest: Cindy24 (Laguna Niguel, CA)
Date of Stay: 11/13/07 Review Submitted: 11/13/07

Gus, Thank you for a wonderful getaway. The house is beautiful (my daughter loved the turtles). It is obvious that you have considered every last detail and we thank you for making our stay so comfortable. Thank you again, Cindy

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 09/10/07 Review Submitted: 09/10/07

Our family really enjoyed our stay in August--the weather was beautiful, the ocean was awesome, and we loved the condo. It was not only beautifully decorated, but had so many amenities you don't normally find in a rental unit, including a DVD collection the kids really enjoyed, boogie boards, beach chairs and beach toys. Even the little touches were nice, like coffee and sugar packets and shampoo and conditioner. We loved the Dana Point area as well. It is beautiful and not as congested and crowded as other areas in Southern California. Thanks for a wonderful stay! Joan & Peter & family, Michigan

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Guest: Martha S. (Westlake, OH)
Date of Stay: 08/10/07 Review Submitted: 08/10/07

Villa Tortuga was paradise. The pictures on the website really sold us on the place, and it was even more beautiful in person. My husband, kids and I were thrilled. The place was immaculate, the location was perfect--and relatively quiet amongst the hustle and bustle of the rest of Southern California. Our only regret was that we had to leave so soon! Thank you, Gus--this truly was a memorable vacation. We appreciate that you really cared about our comfort!

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Guest: Michael Kalish (Illinois)
Date of Stay: 08/02/07 Review Submitted: 08/01/07

Thanks Gus, we found it...... the place is amazing you certainly paid alot of attention to detail. We arrived around 6:00 last night got all the TV's and stereos running with ease. Thanks for the directions in the welcome book. We grabbed a pizza from stuffedt Pizza found Ralphs grabbed some margaritas and pina coladas then and took a stroll to the beach late night. The kids went crazy, it was the first time they put their feet in an ocean. Megan our 8 year old filled up the tub and threw in some bubbles in and kept on saying this is so cool. Then my wife and I jumped in and relaxed for the night. There is one problem ..... My wife now wants to remodel our house back in chicago after seeing what you did to your place, she is already spending money on the bathrooms and kitchen. It's great having access to the PC and the view of the pool and ocean is awesome. Well were going to jump in the pool right now and then head down to the beach for some fun in the sun. Thanks again, Mike

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Guest: richard tattersall (illinois)
Date of Stay: 07/27/07 Review Submitted: 07/27/07

Beutifully furnished, a real home from home. Attention to detail fantastic, little touches in decor and provisions make huge difference. Having stayed in vacation Condo's all around the US....this is as good as they come.

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