Vacation Rentals by Owner

Excellent Location

Guest: California Tourist (Napa, California)
Date of Stay: 04/14/12 Review Submitted: 04/23/12

We stayed a week at the cottage. it was in an excellent location for touring the area. Very pleasant and attractive house, full of books and fine art. The backyard garden was especially attractive. The owner is very accommodating. Close to the Metro, Old Town Alexandria, and the sights of DC. Quiet and peaceful house on a nice residential street. We had a very enjoyable stay here.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with young children, tourists without a car, pet owners, sightseeing.

Perfect Setting and Great Owner

Guest: Kelly (Rancho Santa Margarita, CA)
Date of Stay: 04/07/12 Review Submitted: 04/15/12

My family and I have been planning a trip to Alexandria/DC for many months. When I first emailed Juli, she was very responsive and informative. During the week before the trip, she emailed to let me know that she would have food for us for breakfast since she assumed we would be getting in late with small children. What a relief it was to know how welcome we would be in a new city after traveling all day. When we arrived, we even found Easter baskets for our children since the next day was Easter. We were so touched by Juli's thoughtfulness and attention to detail. In addition, the home is adorable, in a great neighborhood and within walking distance of the Metro, even for our kids. There was plenty of room for the 4 of us in the two bedrooms and even more room in the basement if you have a larger party. The kitchen was well equipped for making all meals. The back garden was beautiful, peaceful and roomy enough for the kids to run around. I had the pleasure of meeting Juli one day when she dropped by to water plants. She was as kind and gracious in person as she was in our correspondence. The home was well cared for and felt very homey with books for all ages and artwork. It was the perfect location for visiting Old Town Alexandria and for catching the Metro into DC. The spring flowers were blooming and everything was so green and lush. It was a wonderful week that we will remember for many years to come. Thank you Juli for allowing us to stay in your lovely home and for making us feel so welcome. We hope to return one day!!!

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

Comfortable base in great location

Guest: Mike (Emsworth, Hampshire, UK)
Date of Stay: 03/24/12 Review Submitted: 04/02/12

We visited from the UK, staying four nights and couldn't have found a better base from which to explore DC. The house is well equipped, very comfortable and feels like a real home. We loved the library and the chance to browse. Juli was great to deal with, responding readily to email queries from our first contact and was always happy to go the extra mile. It really would be difficult to find a better location - 10 minutes to Braddock Road to the metro and 15 minutes to food shops with the restaurants of Alexandria within easy reach (Majestic Cafe at 911 King Street was really good). The neighbourhood is great - we felt safe and secure and it was good to leave our car in the driveway during the day when we took the metro to DC for the sights - we were on the Mall and in our first museum/gallery half an hour from leaving the house. We loved Alexandria itself and its historic properties, which were all very close by and they gave us a real sense of early US history, just as Mount Vernon did, 20 minutes or so to the south. Coming back at the end of the day, it was good to simply relax and sit out on the patio and read a book. We would certainly like to return and follow up on all those places we didn't manage to visit on this trip.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with young children, tourists without a car, sightseeing.

Great location. Pleasant stay except at the end.

Guest: Manny (Peachtree City, GA)
Date of Stay: 02/20/12 Review Submitted: 05/02/12

Juli, the owner, was very attentive throughout the booking process. Answered all of our questions. The booking process was very efficient. It is truly a great location if you don't have the means to stay nearer King/Queen street. Pleasant street. Our only problems with this visit came near the end. We've done many, many VRBO bookings all throughout the world, but haven't been confronted with this type of action from an owner. Just before departing, my daughter broke the bottom window pane of the bathroom window while showering. The window, fortunately, had an adhesive plastic sheet affixed to it both as a means of privacy while in the shower and to provide added support in the event of a break. An inspection afterwards revealed some rather rotted window framework and putty. Seems this had happened before. She wasn't hurt. We drove to the airport and flew back home. The next day, Juli emailed and asked about the window. I had intended on informing her that same day. I admitted fault and said we would incur the cost from our security deposit. She later informed us the bill to replace that 2ft x 1ft (est.) window pane was $300. I told her to keep all the deposit but I wouldn't send any more. Can you imagine charging $300 to replace a pane of glass at a window that doesn't need a ladder or special modification. Furthermore, it was time to replace that dated and rotting window frame years ago. By the way...beds and pillows will ache your back and neck inside three days. Time to probably replace those too. It's too bad Juli, you started so well and ended on what seems like a money grab.

Owner response:I love what I do. I do this because of my wonderful guests, not the money. I had ignored this guest's final e-mail in response to the invoice for the repair of the shattered bathroom window. But this review left me no choice but to clear this up. First of all, prior to their arrival, he told me that they would be arriving a day late because of the death a close family friend. I then offered them an extra night at the end of their stay at no charge. I had a vacancy the following Friday night. On the Saturday of, what I thought, was their departure, my assistant called to tell me that the bathroom window was shattered. We had exactly 3 hours to get it repaired before the arrival of the next guests at 2:00. My wonderful contractor called his window expert who came immediately. (This was a standard 42" x 30" pane). I was told by this fellow that the charge would be $300 because of the weekend/rush job. So, I warned this guest by e-mail of this charge. He responded with, "OK, thanks, I'll wait for the receipt". When I sent the invoice with reassurance that it looked as good as new & I was grateful his daughter was not hurt (there is privacy film on the pane that keeps the shards from scattering), his position was that he was not going to pay $300 for a pane of glass & that I was ripped off & he wasn't going to get the same treatment. If he had not only informed me of the shattered pane but of their earlier Friday departure instead of Saturday, this charge would have been $200. Not a rush job, not a weekend. I am, needless to say baffled by this & I must make note that the window frame is not rotted but because the window is open a few inches when guests shower, the outside window sill has peeled paint & is bare, wet wood. Because we have back-to-back guests, it has not dried out enough to repair. The inside was replaced with an impenetrable material a while back for just these issues. Future guests can see by the other reviews that I take great pride in the condition & cleanliness of this little bungalow & the happiness of my superlative guests. I don't "money-grab" for $100. I paid the extra charge above his deposit & wished that this very unpleasant experience would merely become a faint memory.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with young children, tourists without a car, pet owners, sightseeing.

Fryes from Urbana, OH

Guest: Fryes (Urbana, Ohio)
Date of Stay: 02/05/12 Review Submitted: 02/18/12

Juli bent over backwards to accept us and our dogs on this spur of the moment trip to Alexandria. The place is better than advertised. Metro and DC museums and monuments are close. Old Town Alex with shopping and eateries are within walking distance. History is just down the road at Mt. Vernon. So much more we couldn't cram in to our 3- day trip. The place was warm. The street was quiet, and we could walk the dogs without any fears. Great place!

Recommended for:Age 55+, tourists without a car, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Home away from Home

Guest: ~KIM (NJ)
Date of Stay: 12/30/11 Review Submitted: 01/13/12

Stayed at this charming house for New Years weekend with another couple. We had a great time. The house is a home and we felt very relaxed. We sat by the wood burning stove and were also able to sit outside in teh back yard since the weather was nice. The backyard is very relaxing and private. The other couple has a pug and she enjoyed herself also! It is in walking distance to Whole Foods, shops, restuarants, pubs, and a marina. We had a wonderful weekend. Juli was great to deal with and very helpful.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, girls getaway, tourists without a car, pet owners, sightseeing.

Lovely home in a great neighborhood.

Guest: Peter (Ponte Vedra Beach, FL)
Date of Stay: 11/05/11 Review Submitted: 11/17/11

This comfortable, well maintained home is located on a lovely, leafy, quiet street. It's a short walk to the King Street metro and both the Old Town and Del Ray neighborhoods are close at hand. We followed Juli's restaurant recommendations and are glad that we did. We will definitely be regular guests in the future. Our stay was an absolute pleasure!

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with young children, tourists without a car, pet owners, sightseeing.

Classy, Cozy & Convenient!!!

Guest: Laura Heard (Smithfield, Virginia)
Date of Stay: 09/23/11 Review Submitted: 10/04/11

This was our second time staying with Juli, whom has become like a close friend! She is so hospitable and concerned that her guest are comfortable and have everything they need. It is such a delight to deal with Juli on a personal level rather than a customer service rep at a local Hotel chain. Juli's home is a precious craftman style bungalow decorated urban/mission style. We love the comfort and uncluttered feel the home offers. It is located in a safe and quiet neighborhood, close to the Metro and Old Town. Great neighborhood for walking especially if you bring along Fido. After a busy day, it is a pleasure to come back "home" and relax with friends over wine and cheese in her quaint garden! When ever we come to the DC area, this is the place we will always stay! Thanks, Juli!

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Why Would You Ever Stay in a Hotel?

Guest: Go Blue (MI)
Date of Stay: 09/03/11 Review Submitted: 09/12/11

We are a family with two toddlers. We are done with hotels. This house was perfect for us. A crib and a high chair were provided. Clean, clean, clean home. My husband was really impressed with how well the kitchen was stocked. We packed light and washed clothes every few days. Plenty of space for a family. For the nature lovers, the backyard is an oasis. Its large enough for two toddlers to release some energy. There was a great park less than three blocks away w sandbox, swings and bike trail. We walked to metro with the kids daily (ten minutes). We would rent this house again, if every in the DC area.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, pet owners, sightseeing.

Relaxing, Peaceful and Perfect!

Guest: Bob H. (London,England)
Date of Stay: 08/02/11 Review Submitted: 08/06/11

When we were researching a place to stay while we spent a few days in Washington DC, we were keen to stay in a spacious, quiet property, in a safe neighbourhood, but still convenient for the City and other amenities such as shops and restaurants. We found it in Juli,s bungalow. Our party of three had plenty of space, but this property could easily handle the 5/6 capacity advertised ( not all properties can). This like other features are exactly as described.the cottage is well equipped, with everything you might need for a few days stay, or a much longer rental. Travelling in the heat of summer meant we did need good air conditioning, and this was available here, with some lovely cooling fans to also help out.The great bonus was a lovely backyard where we were pleased to retreat after a footsore day seeing the sights of DC. This was a tranquil oasis, with the calm only broken by the sound of the odd squirrel in the trees. We enjoyed staying in a neighbourhood a little out of town, but we were only a few minutes walk to the Metro and we could be in the City easily within half an hour or sooner. We had also chosen Juli's property because it was close to Old Town Alexandria. in a few minutes we could be in this lovely historical area, with it's many boutique shops and restaurants. We weren't using a rental car, so proximity to facilitates, transport, shopping etc is important. Providing you don' mind a short walk this place is perfect.A convenience store is on your doorstep and the newest restaurants a pleasant stroll away.And as for the owner herself, we found Juli to be helpful and considerate at all times.We had the usual queries about our rental, and all questions were handled promptly. When we arrived we also had a few further questions and Juli was on hand to help. We did not actually meet, but if you like your privacy with an owner who is available but not intrusive then this is a good combination. The key question for us in any rental is does the owner want you to have a great time and are they proud of their property? In our opinion the answer here is an emphatic yes! Of course, older properties don't suit everyone, but if you like your accommodation to be full of character and charm, then this is for you. For our family it was a lovely way to begin our American vacation.We would not hesitate to recommend.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with young children, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Beautiful Home, Beautiful Neighborhood

Guest: Kimberley (Rome, Ga)
Date of Stay: 07/17/11 Review Submitted: 07/25/11

My family and I just returned from 7 wonderfully amazing nights in Juli's Alexandria home. The walk to the Metro was quick, and we felt very comfortable walking in the neighborhood with our young children. The home is full of character and charm, and Juli goes above and beyond to make sure her guests have all they need! We felt right at home. Our children are already planning a return visit to D.C., and when we do make it back, we will certainly be staying at this wonderful home again.

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

Charming Home in a Dog Friendly Neighborhood!

Guest: Leslie E. (Sebastian, Florida)
Date of Stay: 07/13/11 Review Submitted: 09/05/11

My husband, our two dogs, and I stayed with Juli for four days this July, 2011. The house is beautifully comfortable and in an awesome area. Everyday we walked our dogs through the neighborhood. The neighbors in the area are great. Some even put out bowls of water and biscuits for those passing by. Very dog friendly! The house is just a short walk from the Metro which we took everyday into DC. Every evening, we walked downtown Alexandria for dinner and a beer. If you are staying on Saturday, walk to the Alexandria Farmers' Market. It's a good energetic walk, but worth the fresh food and flowers. Several of the vendors have fresh baked goods which is a tasty reward! Juli is a great and accomodating host. Will always try to stay here when in the area.

Owner response:I had the wonderful opportunity to meet this charming couple and their two dogs, also charming, in the garden when I needed to drop by the house. I seldom get the chance to meet, much less spend a bit of time with, the fantastic people who rent my little bungalow. I am always so appreciative when they take the time to write such a nice review.

Recommended for:

Coming Home

Guest: Old Hand (Roswell, GA)
Date of Stay: 06/30/11 Review Submitted: 07/08/11

It was so great to be in the heart of Alexandria particularly in light of our short stay. The house was charming - we particularly appreciated the art work on the walls and the library. We had little time to enjoy the house as we were on the go, but we managed to enjoy the patio for drinks with friends before going out to one of Alexandia's many wonderful restaurants each evening. It is a great spot in a great town!.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with young children, tourists without a car, pet owners, sightseeing.

Vaca Rental w/ Bonus Realtor Skills!

Guest: Donna R. (Chicago, IL, USA)
Date of Stay: 06/20/11 Review Submitted: 06/28/11

Our family of 5 (in addition to the dogs) enjoyed our 5 day stay at Juli's Alexandria bungalow. We immediately felt right at home in her cozy, clean and adorable home. Full of orginal art and loads of books, it a was a delight to poke around the rooms and enjoy both. Located conveniently near the Metro, local stores and other attractions on a friendly, tree-lined street where we felt safe at any hour, all furnishings were clean and comfortable, kitchen well equipped for any culinary endevour, TV with cable, DVD player and stereo for in-home entertainment (after a long day of exploring!) and a relaxing back yard setting to refresh and regroup. I can't thank Juli enough for accomodating our dogs (who are well behaved and trustworthy or they wouldn't have come with us!). I am also forever indebted to Juli for helping us with the reason for our visit to NoVa; house hunting for our impending move to the area. We were so lucky to find out (completely by accident) that in addition to renting vacation homes, Juli is also a realtor very familiar with the areas we were considering and graciously offered to help us with our search. She showed us many properties in the short time we had to look, putting up with the stir crazy kids while maintaining a cool demeanor. She even drove us to the door of Best Buy so we could purchase a GPS to help us keep track of where we were! My family has utilized the HomeAway website for quite a few trips, but we have NEVER felt better taken care of by the homes owner!!! I would not hesitate to recommend this VRBO to friends or family as I am certain they would enjoy their stay as much as we did!! Thanks, Juli! We hope to see you again soon!

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Great location!

Guest: Chris (MN)
Date of Stay: 04/23/11 Review Submitted: 05/09/11

The house is exactly as pictured and the owner goes out of her way to ensure that you have everything you need during your stay. We celebrated Easter at the house and she went out and bought a roasting pan and made sure we had additional chairs. And then when it got unseasonably hot, I was about to call her to discuss the air conditioning, when she called me first and came and installed the two bedroom units. The house is really a "home", very cozy, well-stocked pantry, lots of wonderful books, great backyard, and the list goes on. I would not hesitate to stay here again. Oh yes, didn't need a car at all. Close to two metro stations and downtown Alexandria. Wonderful neighborhood.

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

Wonderful!

Guest: Joy (Tacoma, WA)
Date of Stay: 04/01/11 Review Submitted: 04/17/11

Charming house and perfect for our trip to D.C! As we left from the Metro to reach the house only 3 blocks away, we were delighted to walk down a tree-lined street in a real neighborhood. We were only happier when we unlocked the door to reveal a treasure of a home full of books, art, and coziness. Juli had bagels and cheese waiting for us due to a late arrival which made the next morning much nicer. But the kitchen had even more items so you didn't have to rush around to buy the essentials. We were initially concerned that the house might be a tad far from D.C. but as it turns out, the Metro makes everything seem close and convenient. We even rented a car for a day from the airport to explore Annapolis. There was so much to do locally in Old Town including a wonderful farmer's market early on Sat. a.m. and our daughter ran every day through the local neighborhoods before we did our college exploring. We enjoyed sitting on the back deck early in the morning while listening to the birds. It wasn't easy to leave but the vacation felt like we had been guests in a warm home, rather than renting a sterile hotel room. All in all, lovely indeed!

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

Excellent character home in quiet neighborhood

Guest: Jonathan N. (St Kitts)
Date of Stay: 03/09/11 Review Submitted: 03/17/11

We stayed in March, Julie was very helpful, everything as described. The neighborhood is great, character homes, the kids loved the squirrels and we felt very safe. I walked around the nieghborhood both ealry in the morning and late at night and had no problems. Short walk to the metro with a direct line to the Smithsonian, Whitehouse etc. House was cozy, the kids liked it and so did we. We will rent again on future trips. Jon and Lonnie

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, tourists without a car, sightseeing.

Great House for small family!

Guest: Danielle (Port Jefferson Station, NY)
Date of Stay: 02/07/11 Review Submitted: 02/16/11

My husband, myself and our 2 daughters felt right at home here! Thank you for the wonderful accomodations, a great location and for having such a well stocked pantry! The short walk to either braddock road metro or king street metro made this a really ideal rental spot. We'll look forward to renting again! Danielle, Waylon, Riley and Madeline

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Great place, convenient, well-kept, everything you need

Guest: ds (CT)
Date of Stay: 12/08/10 Review Submitted: 12/19/10

My wife, little daughter and I had a great time. Great area and location; easy access to everything you need. Well-appointed, comfortable. Def recommend it!

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

Cozy Alexandria House

Guest: Nancy (Calgary, Alberta, Canada)
Date of Stay: 11/08/10 Review Submitted: 11/21/10

We loved our stay at Juli's Alexandria house. It was nice to have only a 10 minute walk to the metro and then only 20 minutes to downtown Washington. After busy days of touring the Capital and the Smithsoniam Museums, we could relax in her cosy house full of wonderful art and books.

Recommended for:Age 55+, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Fiona and Peter Samson, Sydney Australia

Guest: Fiona and Peter (Sydney Australia)
Date of Stay: 10/30/10 Review Submitted: 11/22/10

It was truly a delight to stay at 23 E Walnut Street. A short under 10 minute walk to Braddock Rd Metro station, which in turn took 15 minutes to get us into downtown Washington. The pleasure of returning home each evening to residential Alexandria and wandering down the tree lined street in Fall, to our own little home away from home was pure bliss. Supermarkets and convenience stores were a short walk away and the free trolley on King Street that took us down to Old Town Alexandria was definitely a bonus. As we did not have a car whilst in Washington, it was so convenient to all amenities. The house itself was a delight. The kitchen had everything we could have asked for. Two lovely bedrooms and nice clean bathroom with more than enough towels etc for the week. The lounge dining room were a decent size and although there were only two of us, it would definitely suit having two couples or a family of 4+. The backyard was also a delight with lots of squirrels to keep me amused. As we don't have any squirrels in Australia, it was such a novelty for me to see them in our own backyard. Juli was the perfect hostess and was available to answer any questions we might have regarding the property. I will definitely be staying there again and will be recommending this cute little house to any of my friends and family who may be heading to Washington in the future. Thanks again Juli for letting us share your special little house. Kind regards, Fiona and Peter Samson

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

Lovely Home, Great Location!

Guest: Nina (Lafayette CA)
Date of Stay: 10/09/10 Review Submitted: 11/11/10

My husband and two boys LOVED staying at this charming little house in Alexandria. It's like an artists cottage, with a lovely updated kitchen and an amazing selection of books! We walked to the Metro to go into DC and had several delicious dinners in Alexandria. Juli made us feel incredibly welcome and comfortable, even checking on us after my son got sick. The neighborhood is charming and family oriented. We loved strolling through it. I would stay there again in a split second, and hope to do so soon! Thanks, Juli, for EVERYTHING!!!

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

Charming and so comfortable to come home to after a sweltering day of sightseeing!

Guest: Jennifer (Arizona)
Date of Stay: 07/12/10 Review Submitted: 07/28/10

My family of 4 had the privilege of staying here for 5 nights in July; we were very comfortable and found that the house had everything that we needed. I can attest that the A/C works very well even when it's well into the high 90s outside. We enjoyed walking around the peaceful and friendly neighborhood and exploring Old Town, where we found so many good restaurants that we only used the well-appointed kitchen for breakfast. I have to mention the incredible collection of books in the living and dining rooms. We had to drag my daughter out of the house each day, as she would have been content to stay home and read for hours on end. Juli, the owner, is incredibly attentive and is very concerned with making sure that her guests feel welcome and satisfied. We look forward to staying here on a future trip, but at a cooler time of the year!

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

Absolutely perfect ..

Guest: Chris & Elaine Heissner (Canada)
Date of Stay: 06/02/10 Review Submitted: 06/13/10

Our family of four recently had an extremely pleasant trip to sightsee in Washington, made all the better by our stay in this delightful home. It was perfectly situated, a 10 minute walk from the metro, and 20 - 25 minutes into Washington from there. The bungalow was tastefully decorated, very well equipped, air-conditioned, with a charming and private garden/patio area in the back. We lacked for nothing. The owner, Juli, was helpful and so gracious in assisting us with some minor snags we managed to create for ourselves. This home is extremely good value and I highly recommend it to anyone wishing a comfortable "home base" from which to enjoy this fascinating area. Thank you so much Juli, we enjoyed your gem of a home ....

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

Great Location

Guest: Ed & Ronnie (Meridian, ID)
Date of Stay: 05/16/10 Review Submitted: 05/30/10

We stayed for a week during May 2010. The location of this charming home is fantastic. Easy access to The Metro made for a great week of sight-seeing in our nation's capitol. If you are a senior, discount metro tickets are available at The Giant Grocery....take advantage of this savings!

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

Convenience, charm--a perfect stay

Guest: Sandy & George (Denver and Brisbane, Australia)
Date of Stay: 05/09/10 Review Submitted: 06/21/10

We are two seniors who emjoyed our too brief stay at Juli's house in Alexandria, and would recommend it highly. The short walk to the metro was enjoyable, and we appreciated not having a car for a change. We were able to visit DC as well as several friends, and to walk to Old Town Alexandria for their wonderful restaurants.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with young children, tourists without a car, sightseeing.

Pleasant and Comfortable Cottage

Guest: Sue B. and Friends (Buffalo, NY)
Date of Stay: 04/22/10 Review Submitted: 05/04/10

I recently spent 3 nights with my 3 college friends from 30 years ago in Juli's adorable cottage. The kitchen is very well appointed, the dining room table large and inviting for meals, and the back yard would be beautiful to relax in during the summer months. It's so much better than staying in a hotel - especially in the DC area! The walk from the metro isn't difficult and it is an easy walk into Old Town Alexandria. We had a wonderful Italian meal at Monroe's, a nearby restaurant that Juli recommended. Juli is very easy to work with and very accommodating. I highly recommend this property!

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Pleasant and Comfortable Cottage

Guest: Sue B. and Friends (Buffalo, NY)
Date of Stay: 04/22/10 Review Submitted: 05/04/10

I recently spent 3 nights with my 3 college friends from 30 years ago in Juli's adorable cottage. The kitchen is very well appointed, the dining room table large and inviting for meals, and the back yard would be beautiful to relax in during the summer months. It's so much better than staying in a hotel - especially in the DC area! The walk from the metro isn't difficult and it is an easy walk into Old Town Alexandria. We had a wonderful Italian meal at Monroe's, a nearby restaurant that Juli recommended. Juli is very easy to work with and very accommodating. I highly recommend this property!

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Guest: HomeAway Website Owned by VRBO
Date of Stay: 04/03/10 Review Submitted: 04/03/10

Dear Future Guests, I was under the mistaken impression that all HomeAway.com reviews would appear on VRBO, too. I was told by them that guests should access www.HomeAway.com and write a review for my property number 180833 &, voila, they'd appear on both sites. WRONG! I know that VRBO comments/reviews seem sparse and that is the reason. Please go to HomeAway #180833 and you'll see the most recent comments. I hope this will help you to decide.

Recommended for:

Guest: Fred & Family
Date of Stay: 03/20/10 Review Submitted: 04/15/10

"Home sweet home" [POSTED ON HOMEAWAY.COM] "Four of us enjoyed a week at this great home. It is TOPS for a quiet place. It was easy to relax with comfy furniture nice beds. Most surprising was the number of walkers out at 10 pm each night - a very safe feeling. Thanks Juli for everything. This was a memorable trip!"

Recommended for:

Home sweet home

Guest: Fred B (Sacramento, CA)
Date of Stay: 03/20/10 Review Submitted: 04/12/10

Four of us enjoyed a week at this great home. It is TOPS for a quiet place. It was easy to relax with comfy furniture nice beds. Most surprising was the number of walkers out at 10 pm each night - a very safe feeling. Thanks Juli for everything. This was a memorable trip!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Such a nice place and so close to everything!

Guest: Christy D (Santee, CA)
Date of Stay: 02/15/10 Review Submitted: 02/23/10

The street was quiet, the neighbors friendly, and the house was gorgeous! It was spacious and would be good for a family. Only a few blocks from a train stop...I went a whole week without a car! I could walk to the grocery store (whole foods) and to lots of shops. I am female and was staying alone but I felt very safe in this house. The back yard was nice, too and I would love to come back when it's not winter so I can sit out there. The owner, Juli, is wonderful and really helpful. I would definitely stay here again as it really felt like home.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Artistic little house

Guest: MelindaMD (Boston)
Date of Stay: 01/06/10 Review Submitted: 01/29/10

We stayed at this property in January 2010 for 10 days while working in the DC area. Most importantly to emphasize: Juli is a delight to work with, amazingly responsive and truly understands what customer service is all about. Her house is exactly as advertised - a very hip variation of Arts&Crafts architecture and decoration. It is clean, comfortable and has everything you could want. The kitchen is up to date, well stocked and easy to use, unlike many rental properties. Internet access was seamless and a small table in the kitchen provides a sunny comfortable area for work. The back yard was lovely even in the dead of January and provides quite a bit of privacy. The house is in a quiet and safe area and with easy walks to metro and old town. There is parking at the house. This property exceeded our rigorous requirements and for people looking for a place to stay with an easy commute into the city, this is an excellent choice.

Recommended for:Age 55+, girls getaway, tourists without a car, pet owners, sightseeing.

Great house in a great neighbourhood

Guest: MattM (Ottawa)
Date of Stay: 11/01/09 Review Submitted: 12/02/09

We have spent a week in this house with our two young children each of the past two years. The house is every bit as charming as the description says, and perfectly located in a great neighbourhood adjacent to Old Town Alexandria. The shops, restaurants and other amenities of Old Town are a short walk away, as are two stations on DC's excellent public transportation system that will take you to the Mall in 15-20 minutes. You can easily park the car for a week ane explore Alexandria and DC by foot and metro. This house truly feels like home. Juli has equipped the kitchen with everything you could possibly need, and has meticulously maintained the house. She is accommodating and a pleasure to deal with. I would not hesitate to recommend this house to anyone visiting DC.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with young children, tourists without a car.

Great house in a great neighbourhood

Guest: MattM (Ottawa)
Date of Stay: 11/01/09 Review Submitted: 12/02/09

We have spent a week in this house with our two young children each of the past two years. The house is every bit as charming as the description says, and perfectly located in a great neighbourhood adjacent to Old Town Alexandria. The shops, restaurants and other amenities of Old Town are a short walk away, as are two stations on DC's excellent public transportation system that will take you to the Mall in 15-20 minutes. You can easily park the car for a week ane explore Alexandria and DC by foot and metro. This house truly feels like home. Juli has equipped the kitchen with everything you could possibly need, and has meticulously maintained the house. She is accommodating and a pleasure to deal with. I would not hesitate to recommend this house to anyone visiting DC.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with young children, tourists without a car.

How wonderful!

Guest: Elton and Carol (St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada)
Date of Stay: 10/17/09 Review Submitted: 11/21/09

My husband and I spent a week recently at your vacation rental and could not have been more pleased. Ruby and Cooper, our 2 precious cats also fit right in. Ruby's favourite perch was on the window sill to the left of the fireplace....she spent nearly the entire week "guarding" our home away from home. Everything was so convenient for travelling about ....proximity to the Metro and great neighbourhood strolls. We really appreciated the supply of staple supplies to get us started before going to Whole Foods the day after we arrived. And Juli offered such great hospitality.....how often do you receive a thank you letter with a return deposit? We will certainly be looking to stay again on returning to DC and will recommend your beautiful, art-filled home to our fellow travellers. Thanks again, Juli, for a wonderful week! Elton and Carol and huge "meows" from Ruby and Cooper

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, tourists without a car, pet owners, sightseeing.

A great place to stay...

Guest: Bob57 (Diamond Springs, CA)
Date of Stay: 10/08/09 Review Submitted: 10/15/09

This is a fine place to stay for two, the location can't be beat. The house stays warm, it's clean and has everything you would need for a week or two getaway. If we come back to DC, I would like to stay here again. It's a very nice neighborhood with a lot of young couples. The metro is only a few blocks away.

Recommended for:Age 55+, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Wonderful!

Guest: Jennifer C. (Charlotte, NC)
Date of Stay: 09/10/09 Review Submitted: 09/15/09

My husband and I came back to visit my hometown of DC after 11 years away. This house is the perfect place to stay! It's a beautiful cozy little bungalow in a really nice friendly neighborhood. The house has everything you could need on vacation. We invited old friends over for a visit. They all loved it too! The backyard is great. Our dog had a blast sniffing around and we were able to relax knowing the yard is fenced in. We took her for long walks around the neighborhood too. There are cute houses all around. The house is convenient to everything. We could get to Old Town in just a few blocks, we rode the Metro to DC in just a few minutes, and we were close to all the major roads so we could drive to see our old friends all over the DC area. It is really easy to get around from this spot. We loved it and we'll certainly visit again!

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

Great find

Guest: Stuart M. Rothman (Pine Brook)
Date of Stay: 08/31/09 Review Submitted: 09/21/09

We found the house to be clean, comfortable and filled with all sorts of interesting art work and wonderful books. The beds were very comfortable and the outside fenced in garden in the back was perfect for sitting and relaxing. The house is an easy walk to the metro and that made it a perfect place to take in the sights of Washington D.C. Old town Alexandria is walking distance and has great shopping and dining. We brought our small dog and found the house and the city extremely dog friendly. We even found a hotel in town with a doggie happy hour! We would highly recommend this house to anybody visiting the area. We have fond memories of it despite our short stay.

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

Cozy and convenient

Guest: Travelers from MA (Chelmsford, MA)
Date of Stay: 08/21/09 Review Submitted: 09/27/09

Our family really enjoyed staying in this bungalow. It was very convenient to DC and comfortable. The neighborhood is very pretty and quiet.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with young children, tourists without a car, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Quiet, beautiful, and convenient

Guest: PNW_John (Battle Ground, Washington)
Date of Stay: 08/19/09 Review Submitted: 09/15/09

Had a wonderful stay here in August 2009. This house is located in a picturesque and quiet, and safe neighborhood in Alexandria and has easy access to the Braddock Road Metro station. The house itself is very well taken care of and has a beautiful back yard perfect for morning coffee. The kitchen is well-stocked with dishes and utensils for dining in, and in although the main air conditioning unit is more than adequate, there is an additional air conditioner in the master bedroom for warm weather. It is also incredibly convenient. The nearby Metro station provides easy access to the entire D.C. area, and is just a few miles from Reagan National airport (The airport is only one metro stop down the line from the house - mere minutes). Old Town Alexandria is within walking distance and outshines much of D.C. in terms of charm, activity and history. Everything about this house feels comfortable and homey. It is clean, convenient, and in an excellent location. We didn't have a car and never felt like we needed one. The owner (Juli) is friendly, charming, and easy to work with. She gave us some great pointers on restaurants and activities during our stay. We will certainly come back.

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

Overpriced

Guest: Retiring in 2011 (Lake Stevens, WA)
Date of Stay: 08/13/09 Review Submitted: 09/07/09

We rented this place for 5 nights based on the reviews we read. Instead, we found grimy area rugs, upholstery and windows--not a great value and a very high price. No hotel would survive with that kind of maintenance.

Owner response:Dear Future Guests, I am very concerned with this negative review. I received a private e-mail from this guest last week expressing these concerns & after giving her my appreciation for bringing them to my attention, with pictures, & my reassurance that the items she found unacceptable would be corrected, I see that she has written a public review. Let me take the opportunity to address these items. The small area rugs in front of the kitchen sink & the door to the garden were spotted & after many attempts to clean them, have been replaced. There have been small children from time to time who have unwittingly soiled the upohlstery on my dining room chairs. My assistant always cleans them before the arrival of the next group but they were stubborn stains. With no time between back-to-back guests I could not have them reupohlstered. But she just discovered a splendid stain remover & they now look great! Between rain storms, the windows have, again, been washed. I am very grateful that this is my only negative review in over two years of offering my bungalow as a vacation home. My goal is to make certain that my guests are happy & have a holiday to remember!

Recommended for:

Guest: Jennifer 18 (Smyrna, Georgia)
Date of Stay: 06/26/09 Review Submitted: 06/26/09

LOCATION!LOCATION!LOCATION! This house was perfect for a family with a pet. We were able to walk to the Metro for easy access to just about anywhere in DC. Once we arrived we even found that we could walk to Whole Foods and Trader Joes!! Juli's house has everything you could ever need and then some. Our family was able to cook family dinners at the house and then enjoy a even walk with our pet in the neighborhood. This is a great neighborhood with local shops, restaurants and playgrounds. Juli not only welcomed us to her home she welcomed us to DC. We look forward to our next DC trip and to Juli's house!

Recommended for:

Guest: Christine & John Robertson
Date of Stay: 05/03/09 Review Submitted: 05/02/09

I had asked these guests to write a review in this guestbook. Christine submitted this in the comment section of the reservation request after they had returned home and I thank her for it. " Juli, Just wanted to let you know what a great time we all had in DC and how much we enjoyed staying in your house. We especially enjoyed your backyard, it is absolutely lovely and was so relaxing. The commute into DC was so easy and convenient. We hope to come back one day, as there just wasn't enough time to do everything and was sorry we couldn't spend more time exploring Alexandria. It is a lovely town! Thanks for ensuring we were cool on those very hot days last week!"

Recommended for:

Spring Break 2010

Guest: Charlotte, NC (Charlotte, NC)
Date of Stay: 03/13/09 Review Submitted: 11/11/10

What a great resting spot after long days of sightseeing in DC and the surrounding area! The house is a short walk to metro - and the metro ride in to the city also very short. The kids loved having 'camp outs' in the main room as part of their vacation even though there was plenty of bedroom space! Thank you for a wonderful home base during our week touring the sites.

Recommended for:Families with young children, tourists without a car, pet owners, sightseeing.

Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 03/01/09 Review Submitted: 03/19/09

Charming house in an ideal location. Close to all the best Old Town has to offer, but quiet enough to really relax. The house was very clean, and comfortable. Wonderful backyard/patio, perfect for reading one of the many books in the house. Great alternative to a stuffy hotel. Glad I found this site.

Recommended for:

Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 03/01/09 Review Submitted: 03/19/09

We would like to rate this as much more than 'generally positive'. My family greatly enjoyed our stay at this charming, quiet and convenient location - everything we needed.

Recommended for:

Better late than never..Visit 10-08..

Guest: Honor45 (Sacramento,CA,USA)
Date of Stay: 10/10/08 Review Submitted: 11/03/09

We stayed a wonderful week in this warm and cozy home away from home..So,conveint to Metro and Amtrak..We toured D.C.,Mount Vernon,and Philidelphia. Alexandria is delightful and easy to get around. We spent a wonderful evening enjoying a dinner and dance ,cruising the Potomac River. The view of D.C. lit at night is a great memory..The home has everything you'd need..And owner could not have been more accomodating when we arrived early AM..this is a can't miss accomodation.

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

Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 10/01/08 Review Submitted: 10/27/08

This truly felt like a "home away from home". The fantastic location, great neighborhood, cozy furnishings, fully stocked home made our lives so easy. No need for a car because the two Metro stations are nearby and there is a free King St. trolley in Old Town. Great restaurants nearby, plenty of info about DC and the surrounding area. Thanks for making our annual "girlfriend getaway" so great!

Recommended for:

Our best family vacation!

Guest: MikeNikkiLaurenceJames (Orlando, FL)
Date of Stay: 06/30/08 Review Submitted: 07/09/08

This home exceeded my expectations. We brought our two young boys (1 and 4) and everyone was comfortable. We packed light and used the washer to keep our clothes fresh. The walk was very easy to the Metro, and the free trolley made a trip into Old Town a breeze as well. The home was clean and had everything you could need for a long visit. The homeowner was extremely helpful in providing area information for our use. We found a crib on Craig's List and left it at the home for future use by small families. There is also a small public playground at the end of Sunset (forks off of Commonwealth as you head toward the King St. Metro). There is a convenience store not a 1/2 block away for sundries and a Whole Foods was only a 15 minute walk at most. It was easy getting the kids breakfast and dinner each day. It was great not having to deal with a car rental! A 7-day metro pass worked great for us. I would recommend this home to anyone, and I will definitely seek it out on future trips to the DC area.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, families with teenagers, families with young children, tourists without a car, sightseeing.