Vacation Rentals by Owner

mendocino delight

Guest: steve (foster city, ca)
Date of Stay: 10/06/11 Review Submitted: 10/25/11

we recently stayed 5 nights at the zama's cottage. mary and peter have created a paradise for anyone wanting peace, privacy and a cottage where everything is perfect and anticipated by the owners. we've rented vrbo's for years and this cottage ranks in the top 5% if not higher. our only regret is that we couldn't stay longer. bravo and cudo's to mary and peter for opening up their cottage to vrbo guests, for attention to every detail, for the ease of the financial transaction and for great conversations with them. steve and judy

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

truly impressive

Guest: travelers (S.F.)
Date of Stay: 09/02/11 Review Submitted: 09/06/11

Mary and Peter have created a beautiful, clean, charming, and peaceful cottage. Some of the highlights include the grounds, with its giant redwoods, beautiful flowers and nice touches such as benches, a heatlamp, and BBQ grill. By the way, the cottage truly is in a clearing in the middle of a redwood forest, it is a stunning setting. The cottage itself is clearly kept very clean- it has a great bathroom with a rain showerhead, a comfortable bed, a wood fireplace and a fully stocked kitchen, where we cooked some memorable meals. However, just as others have mentioned, the best thing about renting this property are the owners, who could not be more generous, understanding, and sweet. If we were not on a romantic getaway, we would have certainly enjoyed spending more time with them. They are there for any needs that one has, but definitely give you privacy as well.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Beautiful serene setting

Guest: Jordan and Lila (Rancho Cordova, CA)
Date of Stay: 08/19/11 Review Submitted: 09/02/11

We have stayed with Peter and Mary a number of times and La Petite Maison is the first place we consider when we are heading to the Mendocino area. The cottage is perfect for the two of us. The gardens are beautiful and the croaking frogs and other wildlife are a great touch. We enjoy the peaceful quiet and the closeness to town if we need something. Full cooking facilities allow for meals in and sitting on the porch (upstairs or downstairs) is so relaxing. Peter and Mary are delightful and go out of their way to attend to our needs and make sure we have everything we could possibly want to make our stay enjoyable.

Recommended for:Sightseeing

Wish we could have stayed longer!

Guest: S&D (Bay area, CA)
Date of Stay: 07/06/11 Review Submitted: 07/09/11

Our few days in this lovely cottage were heavenly. It was quiet, peaceful, immaculately clean, and we felt very well-cared-for! Mary and Peter are the most gracious of hosts, and have equipped the cottage with everything a guest needs. Snacks, all kitchen equipment, toiletries, robes, books, CDs, DVDs, wifi… (and more). Really, just come with your toothbrush and a smile! Our only wish is for a return visit.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

A Calm & Elegant Retreat

Guest: BR (San Francisco)
Date of Stay: 07/02/11 Review Submitted: 08/09/11

For the city dweller, the calmness and quiet made a perfect place to get away from it all. Other reviews have pointed out all the charms, but for us the peace and quiet and a weekend of reading surrounded by the beautiful trees was the highlight. I'll just say thanks to our wonderful hosts, Mary and Peter.

Recommended for:Age 55+, romantic getaway.

A Magical Time in Mendocino

Guest: Susan and Ed (San Francisco. CA)
Date of Stay: 06/01/11 Review Submitted: 06/05/11

We just returned from three wonderful days at the Garden Cottage. The place was enchanting - so many lovely touches that made us feel so comfortable. The owners Mary and Peter was perfect hosts, and it is clear to see in so many ways how much they love the cottage. Mary's gardening skills are unbelievable - there were flowers everywhere, even on the table where we had breakfast each morning. Although the cottage was no more than 10 minutes from Mendocino, we felt miles away because of the beautiful surrounding wooded areas. We would highly recommend this place to anyone wanting the perfect vacation.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Honeymoon Delight

Guest: Steve O (Springdale, Utah (Zion National Park))
Date of Stay: 04/04/11 Review Submitted: 08/22/11

My new beautiful bride and I agree that this is the PERFECT place for a honeymoon. It was as if we were living in a dream. The pine trees outside, and Mary's amazing garden make you feel like you are in a fairytale. Everything was perfect. We even enjoyed the rain as we watched it through the ceiling window. We had the most amazing time. Definitely the best part of our honeymoon tour. Mary and Peter were also the most caring, loving, giving, happiest, wonderful hosts I have ever met. I HIGHLY recommend this beautiful place and hope to return again for a second honeymoon.

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

Lovely cottage in the redwoods!

Guest: Marilee (Reno)
Date of Stay: 11/24/10 Review Submitted: 11/30/10

The garden and redwoods surround this charming cottage which was a great way to spend a long weekend! We loved the skylight over the bed where you can sleep under the stars. There are many thoughtful touches that make this place a delight to visit!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Magical paradise in the most romantic setting!

Guest: Rick (England)
Date of Stay: 07/11/10 Review Submitted: 07/21/10

WOW! A truely wonderful peaceful oasis a fairytail come to life. We stayed for 7 beautiful nights in this amazing cottage, which has your every whim catered for. The bed is the most comfortable we have stayed in on our world tour. Mary and Peter are the host and hostess with the mostess and are attentive, but by no means intrusive. We spotted deer in the woodland garden along with an array of birds, which were even nesting in one of Mary's many birdhouses dotted around the garden and house. We kept discovering little extras which Mary had left us in the cottage such as handmade soaps, freshly ground coffee and a welcome bottle of wine. Mendocino is literally just 5 minutes drive away, with many attractions and beaches close by. We would definately recommend you stay here at La Petite Maison, we'll be returning very soon.

Recommended for:Age 55+, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Guest: Lawrence Nielsen (Browns Valley, California)
Date of Stay: 12/18/09 Review Submitted: 12/18/09

Cozy has a new meaning for my wife and me since we stayed at La Petite Maison. This home in the redwoods is warm and affords the ease that one seeks when on holiday. The Zamas are amazing people who go out of their way to make their visitors welcome, and do so without being intrusive. The redwoods that surround the clearing and garden are beautiful. The garden is elegant. The home is well appointed and comfortable. We definitely hope to stay with the Zamas again and recommend La Petite Maison without any reservations to anyone who seeks beauty, relaxation, and peace.

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Guest: Canadian Birthday crowd (Canada)
Date of Stay: 12/07/09 Review Submitted: 12/07/09

We have just returned from a wonderful stay in marvelous Mendocino, California. Mendocino has it all - sophistication, abundance of nature and wild seas. We travelled the coast highway (1) in Mendocino County and experienced exceptional ocean views along with steep hills and valleys and redwood forests. Our biggest treat in Mendocino was staying at La Petite Maison, a charming cottage in a redwood forest, 5 minutes from the town. Our hosts, Peter and Mary couldn't do enough for us. We felt like family! The two storey cottage is beautifully outfitted with everything needed for a super holiday. There are even skylights over the bed through which you can see the moon and stars. The accommodation is secluded, quiet and very private with excellent outdoor areas for use in good weather. We have stayed in many VRBO rentals and this one is a real find.

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