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Guest: mindalina (NYC)
Date of Stay: 01/01/12 Review Submitted: 02/02/12

My husband and I stayed at Sidari and really loved it. It was the best month we ever spent away from home. What a special,charming place. The instruction booklet was very thorough and the communication between the owners and ourselves was very easy and clear. Dan, the property manager was always available for our questions and needs. He did a walk through with us as soon as we arrived. The appliances and bathroom were very modern and clean. The dining table and chair set is a kick. The original artwork everywhere is fabulous. We would like to come back to Sidari again and again.... Mrs. Goldsmith, Boston Massachusett

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, adventure seekers, girls getaway, age 55+.

Simply fantastic

Guest: Peter B. (Thalwil, Switzerland)
Date of Stay: 09/24/11 Review Submitted: 10/06/11

We liked the boat from the minute we arrived. Weather was on our side and we used the patio and the kajaks a lot. The boat was clean, we had everything we needed (inclusive laundry machine/dryer). Napa is only a one hour drive. Restaurants are nearby and there is a large grocery store about 3 minutes by car. Locations of restaurants, grocery store and things to do were provided in a booklet on the boat, which was very convenient. The boat also had WiFi which was very useful too and if weather would have been bad I had time to zap through the endless list of TV channels too (but I didn't). So while many people here recommend it for older couples, I can say that it is also a perfect place for a honeymoon since it is so romantic and there are a lot of activities around. Next time we will stay longer!

Owner response:Dear Peter, Thank you for the kind review. We love meeting people like you from around the world. Maybe next time we can exchange homes. We love Switzerland. Michele

Recommended for:

Fantastic Houseboat with great hosts

Guest: wirkhard (Castro Valley and Pioneer California)
Date of Stay: 08/23/11 Review Submitted: 09/04/11

We just spent our second week of a second year on Sidari and what a fantastic time we had. Our hosts, Michele and Gabor were absolutely delightful and their quick responses to a couple of questions that we had made our visit even more pleasant. First, the setting is the best, at nearly the end of Liberty Dock which is lined with lots of interesting vegetation, the view off the deck is perfect. You can see the fog draping over the hills to fill the bay in late afternoon and evening, and the fog horns entertain from a distance if you listen carefully. The ride up and down four times a day with the tides is exciting in itself as the sea and shore birds respond accordingly. Two kayaks are provided and a short trip in sheltered waters will bring you sea lions and harbor seals sitting on docks in the warm sun along with cormorants and pelicans. The beautiful yachts and houseboats are a marvel most enjoyed from a kayak or just walking up and down the docks. Bicycles are also provided for visits to town and the ever fascinating waterfront. Sidari is cozy and comfortable with views in every direction from topside where you can watch activity up and down the docks and in the surrounding bay. We spent a week onboard only leaving to shop at the nearby markets. We had planned to go to several of Sausalito’s incredible restaurants and shops, but found it more to our liking to just stay onboard where the sights entertain both night and day. I would highly recommend Sidari for a week or two for anyone wanting to experience a life on the water. Their books selection alone can keep you onboard and riveted.

Owner response:Dear Richard and Barb, Thanks for all of your lovely kind words. We always enjoy you both as our guests. I hope we will see you again when we are in town. Michele and Gabor

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

perfect family vacation

Guest: nadya s.
Date of Stay: 08/16/11 Review Submitted: 08/25/11

This was the perfect way to see San Francisco: close to the city (right across the Golden Gate) but its own calm, beautiful retreat. We loved the houseboat community (and Sidari's own charm) and the amazing scenery. Thank you so much!

Owner response:Dear Nadya, Thank you so much for the kind review. I am happy that your family enjoyed themselves so much. Please come back again soon. Michele

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, pet owners, adventure seekers, girls getaway, age 55+, families with young children, families with teenagers.

Something different and fun !!

Guest: Claire (Manchester UK)
Date of Stay: 07/19/11 Review Submitted: 07/28/11

Stayed w/c 18th july 2011 Cosy, quaint and something different. Great to wake up with nose on a level with the water line and watch the sea birds and kayaks passing by ! Enjoyed using the kayaks, paddled out to look closely at the seals, great photo opportunity ! Made use of the bikes and cycled across Golden Gate Bridge on them. Spent hours sitting on the deck. Property clean and well stocked with essentials...great when you have travelled from the UK ! Owners very helpful answering all our questions, before and during our stay, no matter how trivial !

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers.

Marvelous Mystery Trip

Guest: Carol (Santa Cruz)
Date of Stay: 06/24/11 Review Submitted: 07/10/11

I spent a long weekend with three friends on the houseboat and we had a wonderful time. There is easy access to San Francisco and to all the cultural events. I especially liked watching lights twinkle on the water at night. The listing description was accurate and the owners responded quickly when we had a question about the stove. The houseboat is decorated delightfully. We travel yearly to a new destinations and this trip exceeded our expectations.

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, girls getaway.

We LOVED it!

Guest: S-B Family (Sacramento, CA)
Date of Stay: 07/01/11 Review Submitted: 07/07/11

Where do we begin? We absolutely LOVED it! We had such a great time that we are already looking at our calendars to find a date to come and stay again. As a family, we do a lot of traveling and take many weekend trips. This has officially moved up to one of our favorites! We went into Sausalito, explored the Marin Headlands, ate at a great local restaurant called Fish, and we spent time just simply relaxing. The boat was just how you described in the VRBO listing and we felt very much at "home". We spent a lot of time enjoying the deck. My husband and I still can't decide which was better...starting the day on the deck with a cup of coffee or ending the day on the deck with a good glass of wine! The weather was perfect too. In the 80's everyday and no fog. We felt so lucky on the 4th. Not only could we see the Sausalito fireworks from the deck, it was so clear that we could see the fireworks from Pier 39 in SF as well. Of course our daughter thought that was simply the best! Thank you again so much for allowing us to share your home. We are "sold" and we'll definitely be in touch to book again.

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

Wonderful family vacation

Guest: emily (Louisville, KY)
Date of Stay: 06/11/11 Review Submitted: 07/05/11

My husband and I and our two children recently rented Sidari for a two week stay. We used to live in Sausalito but have since moved out of the Bay Area, and were going back to visit friends and family. The houseboat was a wonderful unique vacation experience, and Sidari was extremely comfortable and well-equipped. The protected back deck was a nice area for the children to play outside safely. We also loved having the bikes and kayaks. We did lots of entertaining because all of our friends wanted to come to the houseboat, it was such a lovely relaxing place! We plan to rent Sidari again for our next visit to Sausalito and would highly recommend it.

Recommended for:Sightseeing, adventure seekers, families with young children, families with teenagers.

Great Time in Sausalito.

Guest: Papersolutions (Southern, CA)
Date of Stay: 05/14/11 Review Submitted: 05/18/11

We went to the House boat for my wifes 54th birthday and had a fantastic time. The Boat is comfrtable and a little wild on the decorations but they fit the place perfectly. The bed rooms were comfortable and the upstaires living area was great with great views and good amenities. For less than the cost of getting 2 rooms at a hotel we had a wonderful time and was able to have my son and freind with us also. All around wonderful time and we will do it again.

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, age 55+, families with teenagers.

Enchanting Vacation

Guest: Karen (Danville, NH)
Date of Stay: 05/10/11 Review Submitted: 05/18/11

My husband had an emergency apendectomy just before we left on vacation and we thought we would have to cancel. However, we flew to San Francisco anyway and found the houseboat to be the perfect place for him to recuperate. It was so quiet and peaceful and the water was relaxing. When we arrived, I left a message for Dann, the manager, that we had arrived and he returned the call promptly and asked if there was anything we needed. Michele was in touch before, during and after our stay which we greatly appreciated. Sausalito was a beautiful little village that we also enjoyed very much. This had to have been one of our best vacations. Just bring a lot of money, San Francisco is an expensive city if you want to do things. If you just want to relax, enjoy the houseboat.

Owner response:Dear Karen, Thanks for the sweet review. I am glad that your hubby is feeling better and that he had a chance to heal on Sidari. She is a very healing place. Michele

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, adventure seekers, girls getaway, age 55+.