Vacation Rentals by Owner

too many instructions - accusing me of having cat in house (i do not like cats) no refunded deposit

Guest: babe (laguna woods, ca)
Date of Stay: 02/23/12 Review Submitted: 03/15/12

the house was beautiful but the geese were all over outside (dirty on patio and pool) too many instructions ( if they knew we were arriving, they should have had the water turned on by their helper, the decking should have been cleaned of the poop and also the pool) i have been insulted by the owner accusing me of having a cat on premises (this is so far from the truth - i do not like cats) in the contract it stated no animals (i informed my one daughter that if she brought her little puppy i would lose my deposit) in the paperwork upon arriving, the owner tells you to lie and say that you are friends of theirs, rules are that you may not have a rental unless it is monthly. if this were my friend, i would hate to meet my enemy. house is great but watch out for the contract.

Owner response:This is the first time in 5 years and dozens of guests, we have not returned in full the security deposit. As for the water to the house it is off for safety precautions when the home is empty. To turn it on is a simple action of turning a ball valve 90 degrees with very easy access to it, so it does not make sense to hire my helper guy to do something that the guest can do in a few seconds. As for the geese and mess they may have made, I did not know they were there to begin with. When she called me the evening they arrived I called my helper guy and he stopped first thing in the morning to power wash the deck before he went to work. I also called the pool guy to clean the pool. She says “too many instructions”; I have had many guests say they liked my thoroughness of the contract for it is very good allowing for no confusion. She says that she is to “lie” about me being friends of our house guests. I do indeed consider our house guests friends unless they prove to me otherwise. My wife and I were the ones who arrived following her departure prior to the cleaning help arriving. I did not return the damage deposit due to multiple issues: the water main not shut off on her departure, she did not bring in the trash bins in a timely manner per the contract and incurred a citation of $25 from the HOA due to this which she did not inform me of, damaged the boat which has required 8 hours plus for repairs and expense, did not cover the boat with the tarp properly, did not plug the power cord into the boat to charge the batteries, had a cat or dog in our home (I found paw prints on the desk top which I sent her photos of) which is a direct breach of the contract and says if this happens the security or damage deposit shall be forfeited. We do take great care of our home and strive to have all our guests have a wonderful visit. During our stay here we drained the pool acid washed the pool and had the grout redone around all the stones on the side of the pool. I also had a new filter pump installed when I noticed a small leak in the housing of the old pool filter pump. We also bought new dishes since we found many broken ones when we arrived. Over the years we have had wonderful guests in our home with this rare exception. We do not tolerate smoking or pets and shall continue to do so. We simply ask our guests to honor the contract and in doing so treat our home with care and respect as if it were their own. – Cordially, the Owner

Recommended for:Pet owners

January Stay in Paradise!

Guest: Mile High Family (Denver)
Date of Stay: 01/23/12 Review Submitted: 02/04/12

Beautiful property; well appointed--very clean and well maintained. Nice layout with separation of bedrooms for greater privacy. We were three families with kids and 4 young grandkids. We used the separate living room as the "play" room giving the adults a little "space"! Great kitchen with everything we needed to cook for a week. The owner gave detailed instructions on everything including operating the spa/pool which was the center of activities. Even the light switches are labeled which was appreciated! We loved the view of the lake and took the electric boat out daily. It's a bonus that the property is relatively close to shopping.

Owner response:What can I say? We are certainly blessed to have had the wonderful guests we have had. Helen is another example of a purely delightful and thoughtful human being! - Bob (Owner)

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

Multi generation family vacation

Guest: Grandma Carol (Puyallup, WA)
Date of Stay: 12/14/11 Review Submitted: 12/22/11

We just got back home from a wonderful week at this beautiful home. Three generations shared food and fun, the pool and hot tub. And additional family members and friends came over to visit. The kitchen was ample for food preparation for a crowd and we "made do" for our wheelchair guy using the hall bathroom. It was easy for him to get around in the house and enjoy the outside as well. The listing description was accurate and the pictures showed us what the home looked like but it was more beautiful and spacious when we were actually there to see it. Our daughter made all the arrangements with the owners and we would most definately come back to this home again. Thank you so much..

Owner response:We are so glad that you had a wonderful time with your family! Family is all what it is about! We shall look forward to your return! - Owners, Bob and Bonnie

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, girls getaway, sightseeing.

AWESOME HOME!

Guest: Dennis & Lynn (Creswell, OR)
Date of Stay: 06/23/11 Review Submitted: 06/30/11

We stayed in this lovely Lake LaQuinta home for 2 weeks to celebrate our fathers 100th birthday. What a great house for such a party. We had our immediate family in the ample bedrooms and friends & family (26) visited for a party on the patio and pool. We enjoyed the boat and beautiful lake. Dad even caught a fish! We will definately stay in this home again. There was plenty of room - we did not use the formal dining or living rooms, and still had enough room. The kitchen and greatroom are set up for entertainment and the kitchen had everything I needed. The owners were great to work with and I received my damage deposit back promptly. Thanks for a fantastic family memory.

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

Home away from home again!

Guest: Claudine M (University Place, WA)
Date of Stay: 04/01/11 Review Submitted: 04/18/11

We stayed for a wonderful 9 days at this exceptional home. This was our second time staying here and we may have even enjoyed it more. The house is beautiful, spacious, well kept up and really well stocked. We loved being on the lake and the use of the boat is quite a nice perk. Thank you Bob for sharing your beautiful home with us once again! I'm sure we will be back!

Owner response:Thanks Claudia, we look forward to having you and Scott return! Bob

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

Paradise In The Desert

Guest: Michele (Bellevue, WA)
Date of Stay: 11/20/10 Review Submitted: 12/26/10

Our family stayed at this wonderful property Thanksgiving week of 2010. The home was spacious, immaculate, extremely comfortable, and nicely furnished..Beds and linens were top quality.The unique setting (on a lake) was an added bonus, as was the boat that was available for our use. The owners were extremely pleasant and very professional in the handling of the rental. The nicest property we have stayed at in the Palm Springs area by far! Would definitely return again.

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

Home away from home

Guest: Claudine M (University Place, WA)
Date of Stay: 04/03/10 Review Submitted: 04/22/10

We spent a week in this lovely home and really enjoyed everything about it! The home was very clean, spacious, well organized and well maintained. It was very easy to make our reservation and Bob has been extremely helpful and nice to work with. We really loved taking the boat out on the lake and having a pool and hot tub of our very own. We would definately come back and in fact have already booked for next year. Thank you for making your vacation home our home away from home in the desert!

Owner response:Claudine was so nice and great to work with! My wife and I feel blessed to have had such wonderful renters as we have had including Claudine! We look forward to welcoming them back for their next year's vacation in our home! Since our home in not just a property that we bought for rental income but in fact where we will retire one day, my wife and I keep up our home there so it stays nice. That is why we are so appreciative to welcome Claudine back as well as other past renters, since they treated our home respectfully and left it in very good condition. Thanks again Claudine! - Bob and Bonnie (Owners)

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

Guest: Ellen (West Vancouver B.C.)
Date of Stay: 02/26/10 Review Submitted: 02/26/10

Just returned from our FANTASTIC two week stay at this beautiful home! The location on the lake is spectacular. We have been to the Palm Desert area many times over the years and have never had a more comfortable and lovely holiday. Waking up to the beauty of the lake and having little boat rides with our morning coffee was so special. This home is spacious, extremely comfortable and well equipped. We loved Old La Quinta with all the restaurants. Fantastic golf near by and watching Polo in Indio. Can't wait to return and wouldn't dream of staying anywhere else. Thank-you to Bob and his family for a very special holiday!

Recommended for:

Guest: adrian bertens (danville,ca.)
Date of Stay: 02/12/10 Review Submitted: 02/12/10

Although I had to cancel the trip to La Quinta at the last minute, my golfing buddies loved this wonderful residence and would return without question. It is close to all the main golf courses, the residence is in immaculate shape and Bob is a great person to deal with.

Recommended for:

Guest: Garth & Christine Johnson (White Rock, BC)
Date of Stay: 11/22/09 Review Submitted: 11/22/09

We stayed here for two weeks and had a wonderful time. The house is spacious, and so relaxing. The kids had a great time in the pool and spa and loved going on the boat. It's peaceful and quiet, we loved having coffee over looking the lake.

Recommended for:

Guest: Ryan Berrett (Calgary, Alberta)
Date of Stay: 11/11/09 Review Submitted: 11/11/09

We just returned from a fabulous stay at this wonderful home. I would absolutely recommend this place to anyone wanting to vacation in luxury. The home had every ammenity we could have wanted! Bob was a pleasure to deal with and very well organized. We definately look forward to our next stay!

Recommended for:

Guest: Lynette Lombardi (Petaluma, CA)
Date of Stay: 10/26/09 Review Submitted: 10/26/09

Just returned from our 10 day visit to this lovely home. As future Palm Desert retirees, we rent homes here at least twice a year and check out all the neighborhoods. This home however is quite unique (lakefront/desert). We loved this location. It is close to all of our little vacation traditions (morning Starbucks, shopping at Lumpy's Golf and all the wonderful restaurants and theatre at The River). The home itself is very comfortable, and is equipped as well as our own home. While on vacation we cook about half the time and the kitchen had every possible thing we needed. The bedrooms are seperated from each other for nice privacy and the mattresses are very comfortable. The patio boat is an unexpected treat. We loved our sunset cruises around the lake with a glass of wine. The pool and patio area are where we spend the majority of our time so we really got to appreciate the lake. I recommend this home to anyone. I know we will be staying here again.

Recommended for:

Guest: Deb & Blair Chisan (Calgary, AB)
Date of Stay: 05/06/09 Review Submitted: 05/06/09

We stayed at this home in late April and absolutely loved it. It is a fantastic home in a beautiful location on the lake and close to amenities. The home is well appointed and provides a wonderful location to relax in. We traveled with another couple and we all found the home very comfortable, I look forward to our next opportunity to stay there.

Owner response:The Chisan's also were a joy to work with, everything went as smooth as silk!

Recommended for:

Guest: The Bourdons (Haverhill, Massachusetts)
Date of Stay: 04/15/09 Review Submitted: 04/15/09

This was our "home-away-from-home" for our daughter's wedding in Indian Wells. The home is spacious, beautiful, and immaculate. The setting is "picture-book" perfect. The homeowner was an absolute pleasure to work with. There was really no downside of any kind to our experience. On a scale of 1-to-10, with 10 being perfect, our stay rates a 10.

Owner response:Actually the Bourdon's were great and a "pure pleasure" to work with! I believe I was simply a "mirror" reflecting their positive and wonderful human nature! - Bob (Owner)

Recommended for:

Guest: Howard & Deirdre (Minnesota )
Date of Stay: 02/23/09 Review Submitted: 02/23/09

We stayed in this house with some of our family in February. My husband and I especially enjoyed the gorgeous setting and view of the lake with the mountain backdrop. Our 3 young grandchildren loved swimming in the pool and going for boat rides. The house has an excellent floor plan with sleeping areas that would work well for couples or families. Everything was clean and comfortable and the owners are very nice to work with. We have been coming to this area for over 20 years and this house is now at the top of our best places to stay list. We would love to stay here again!

Recommended for:

Guest: Al Schill (Vancouver, BC)
Date of Stay: 08/22/08 Review Submitted: 08/22/08

This home is perfect and Lake La Quinta is a beautiful spot that's close to everything. The home is roomy, clean and has all you will need to enjoy your stay. We would definitely say here again.

Recommended for:

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 08/11/08 Review Submitted: 08/11/08

7/08 - Stayed at this beautiful & comfortable home with my daughters and grandchildren. The house had everything we needed & was close to shopping & restaurants. We enjoyed the fresh limes from the trees. My grandchildren enjoyed swimming & going out on the boat fishing. They all caught fish so they were very excited. Would definitely stay here again.

Recommended for:

Guest: Cathy Morand (Avalon, Ca.)
Date of Stay: 03/13/08 Review Submitted: 03/12/08

I stayed at your place with a lot a girl cousins for my aunts birthday. I was so surprised that it was so beautiful! I would have been happy just to stay in and not go shopping or out to dinner. I hope to be back soon!

Recommended for:

Guest: Cynde Cruz (Pleasanton, CA)
Date of Stay: 02/28/08 Review Submitted: 02/28/08

I was one of the female cousin that stayed here and we could not be more comfortable and feel at home. Dealing with the owners was so pleasant and professional. I will be back...........

Recommended for:

Guest: Pat21 (Newport Beach)
Date of Stay: 02/20/08 Review Submitted: 02/20/08

My cousins and sister spended a great weekend at your place. It was delightful. I would love to stay again and spend more time at the house. Thank you for helping us have a great Birthday celebration for my cousin!

Recommended for:

Guest: Lee Jennings (Agua Dulce, CA)
Date of Stay: 02/03/08 Review Submitted: 02/03/08

A group of female cousins stayed at this gorgeous home for a birthday weekend, what a treat. The house is beautifully decorated with all the amenities you normally have in your own home. Sitting out in the jacuzzi overlooking the lake or going out on the duffy boat was pure joy. The beds were comfortable and there is enough room to afford privacy to any couples who would like to share the home. The shopping is great and you can find wonderful restuarants in the area as well. I definitely plan on returning to this oasis in the dessert.

Recommended for:

Guest: The Kleinmeyers (Southern California)
Date of Stay: 01/07/08 Review Submitted: 01/07/08

We have stayed here on several occasions and had a wonderful time. The house is spacious, welcoming, relaxing and very well appointed. It is private in a guarded community. The area is gorgeous with lots of things to do and shopping to be enjoyed. We LOVE the pool & jacuzzi (overlooking the beautiful lake)and tooling around in the boat. It's peaceful and quiet! 5-Stars

Recommended for:

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 01/07/08 Review Submitted: 01/07/08

My husband and I have stayed at this lovely, spacious house with our daughter and her 4 children. It has a great floorplan which can accomodate a large group. House was immaculate, and kitchen well stocked with dishes, cookware, etc. It has a beautiful pool, with a very comfortable and shaded patio.

Recommended for: