Vacation Rentals by Owner

a perfect Thanksgiving

Guest: Sue
Date of Stay: 11/22/11 Review Submitted: 12/28/11

We wanted to thank you and the family for a perfect Thanksgiving. It couldn't have been better for our entire family. The house was gorgeous and the layout was outstanding. I hope they will be renting next year!

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some can go off to daydream on one of the porches

Guest: Susan
Date of Stay: 08/18/11 Review Submitted: 02/02/12

Our family so enjoyed this home. 13 can be a challenge. Not so, here. It is big & comfortable enough for all! What a grand time we had at the beach, steps from the house! We left our 14ft boat there at night, a true bonus for my dear husband! That’s how safe it is. When our week was up, NO ONE wanted to leave! Our children & their spouses treated us to this for our 80th Birthdays, now that is our own special memory. But I promise you, it will take no effort & you will have your own when you come

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A perfect 80th birthday celebration in Annapolis

Guest: Beverly (Morgantown, WV)
Date of Stay: 07/30/11 Review Submitted: 02/03/12

Our family have chosen me to tell about the stay last August tour entire family enjoyed at this wonderful home on the lovely Chesapeake Bay. To go from the 2 of us to 13 people is always a challenge! All in the kitchen at the same time has always been difficult --"too many cooks" or just too crowded!! Not so here..it not only was big enuff for all to gather over morning coffee, it was COMFORTABLE in the doing!! AND the pool right there so we could keep an eye on the swimmers.."yes, we know you are a champ but you are 10 and what YOU do the 3 year old will copy". Even better, you are so close to the pool you can HEAR them from the house/kitchen -- wonderful!! We trailed our Boston Whaler what a grand time the children and all of us had at the beach (a few steps from the house)!!! AND!!! we could leave the boat right there at night..now that, for my dear husband, was a true added bonus!! Of course when our wonderful week was up NO ONE wanted to leave! I would like to mention also the "extra treat" that you never find in a rental property that we had here: The kind, efficient major domo, "Christine" (she lives near and gives her phone number upon arrival). No matter WHAT the situation Christine fixes any problems, questions and ideas that any of us had, and made them "all better," just like your Mom would do! She is a keeper! Christine even knows where the BEST ICE CREAM IN ALL OF MARYLAND IS -- and it is 10 minutes from the house!! If you want a glorious rest AWAY from all the wildness of our world..have a semi big family (we even used the cottage for the naptaking little ones ) and want a lovely, refined home for a family where 2,3 or 4 can separately go off to daydream on one of the lovely porches , take a snooze on a chaise at poolside where the sun is shaded from the great trees or read that book you've been saving for this holiday..oohh my..this is the place! AND I did'nt even mention the handsome bedrooms, family rooms (we all watched a Disney movie and had seats to spare), or computer (if you must peek at the outside world). One thing my husband and I had that you wont have is it was FREE for us! You see our 3 children and their spouses treated us on our 80th Birthday celebration here. Now that is our own special memory. But I promise you it will take no effort and you will have your own when you come.

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

Great Vacation

Guest: Patty (Bernville, PA)
Date of Stay: 07/16/11 Review Submitted: 11/18/11

Our stay in Annapolis was fabulous. We have rented for thirty years and we all agreed this was one of the best, if not the very best, houses we've had for our family vacation. It is the only time during the year when we are all together, so it has to suit all of our needs, from 10 to 65! The house was spotless and the amenities are amazing. The kitchen is perfectly suited for all around gathering, and multiple dishwashers, dryers, etc. just perfect for large families. We happened to be there during the heat wave of 2011, and we lived in the pool. Watching the sailboats from the deck during cocktails was great fun. Simply situated directly on the bay was wonderful. And of course accessibility to grocery stores, shopping, the outdoor market. We just can't say enough about our experience. We had dinner at Harry Brown's, directly across from the capital, and loved it. Though pricey, it was well worth it. A great experience, and a vacation we'll not soon forget.

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

A Beautiful Location for Entertaining Friends

Guest: Diane and Ron (Upstate, South Carolina)
Date of Stay: 10/10/10 Review Submitted: 10/27/10

We had a wonderful time with our business friends. There were five couples altogether, and we had plenty of room in this spacious home. We loved the kitchen and tended to stay in there much of the time. We loved all the different conversation areas in the house. We worked, cooked, napped, went sightseeing and shopping. Several couples went into Washington which is just about 30 miles away. We even had a baby shower one night with 16 in attendance. There is plenty of parking on the property. The pictures online don't do the house justice. It is a beautiful home with a phenomenal view of the Chesapeake Bay. I definitely recommend this home. The young lady caretaker was very helpful. She promptly answered all my questions before we arrived.

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

Girls' Weekend

Guest: n/a (Chicago)
Date of Stay: 09/09/10 Review Submitted: 09/26/10

Stayed at the house for a girls' weekend and it was fabulous! Lots of room for everyone to be comfortable and everywhere you looked there were the wonderful bay views...great kitchen for cooking and really comfortable beds and baths. Overall a wonderful house which I would highly recommend to anyone staying in the Annapolis area.

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

wonderful home and location

Guest: Mike & Colleen & Family (San Diego Ca)
Date of Stay: 06/15/10 Review Submitted: 08/15/10

We had a wonderful time visiting Annapolis and the home was so relaxing and comfortable. The views from the front porch watching the sailboats were fabulous. kids enjoyed the beach, pool and crabbing maryland style. Easy access to visit DC and see all the sites but also on the water to get the best of the summer weather. thanks again for allowing us to enjoy your home. we will have great memories of our east coast summer stay.

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

Guest: Annette and George
Date of Stay: 04/09/10 Review Submitted: 04/26/10

I can't begin to tell you how perfect this experience was. We rented this house for three days for a family reunion. We had a lot of family coming into town so this house was perfect for accommodating everyone that needed sleeping quarters. We rented the main house and the guest house which accommodated 16 people. Everyone commented the next morning how comfortable the beds were and everyone had a great nights sleep. On Friday night we had our family gathering with 39 people and this beautiful spacious home was not crowded at all. The house was very clean, tastefully decorated and the view of the bay was stunning. This home has a very open floor plan with beautiful views and offers a very relaxing atmosphere. On Sunday we had a wonderful breakfast out on the front deck with lots of sunshine and a view of the bay. The grounds of this property were immaculate and the gardens were in bloom with all the spring flowers. If you like to cook the kitchen in this home is to die for. There was not one thing we needed that was not there. Annapolis is an area where there is much to do and see but we did not leave the house the whole weekend other then to take a walk. Everyone just enjoyed sitting around enjoying the beautiful views and talking. The rental process was easy and was handled very professionally. Our full deposit was returned without a glitch and refunded promptly. Negin handled the rental process, she was pleasant, accommodating and quick to find out the answers to my many questions. My entire family was so sad to leave this beautiful home. My mom and sister were actually crying when they left. Everyone wants to come back and hopefully in the near future we can have another gathering there soon. The only regrettable thing that happened all weekend is that my funny husband put on the Masters Golf and watched it in regular TV not realizing HD was available. How could he think the house that had it all would have this great big flat screen and not have HD!!! I would like to thank the owners of this home for sharing such a beautiful place with us!!! If you are looking for a special place for that special occasion, this is the place you want!!! Gracious Living on the Bay in Annapolis, Maryland gets a 10 out of 10. Thanks again for all those involved for making this such a perfect weekend. Annette & George

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Great Weekend On The Bay

Guest: Annette & George (Columbia, MD)
Date of Stay: 04/09/10 Review Submitted: 04/26/10

I can't begin to tell you how perfect this experience was. We rented this house for three days for a family reunion. We had a lot of family coming into town so this house was perfect for accommodating everyone that needed sleeping quarters. We rented the main house and the guest house which accommodated 16 people. Everyone commented the next morning how comfortable the beds were and everyone had a great nights sleep. On Friday night we had our family gathering with 39 people and this beautiful spacious home was not crowded at all. The house was very clean, tastefully decorated and the view of the bay was stunning. This home has a very open floor plan with beautiful views and offers a very relaxing atmosphere. On Sunday we had a wonderful breakfast out on the front deck with lots of sunshine and a view of the bay. The grounds of this property were immaculate and the gardens were in bloom with all the spring flowers. If you like to cook the kitchen in this home is to die for. There was not one thing we needed that was not there. Annapolis is an area where there is much to do and see but we did not leave the house the whole weekend other then to take a walk. Everyone just enjoyed sitting around enjoying the beautiful views and talking. The rental process was easy and was handled very professionally. Our full deposit was returned without a glitch and refunded promptly. Negin handled the rental process, she was pleasant, accommodating and quick to find out the answers to my many questions. My entire family was so sad to leave this beautiful home. My mom and sister were actually crying when they left. Everyone wants to come back and hopefully in the near future we can have another gathering there soon. The only regrettable thing that happened all weekend is that my funny husband put on the Masters Golf and watched it in regular TV not realizing HD was available. How could he think the house that had it all would have this great big flat screen and not have HD!!! I would like to thank the owners of this home for sharing such a beautiful place with us!!! If you are looking for a special place for that special occasion, this is the place you want!!! Gracious Living on the Bay in Annapolis, Maryland gets a 10 out of 10. Thanks again for all those involved for making this such a perfect weedkend. Annette & George

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

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 09/05/09 Review Submitted: 09/05/09

We had the most wonderful vacation in this incredible home. Where to start? Well, the location is the best in greater Annapolis. An easy fifteen minute drive to town where there is lots to see, shop and eat. But, when you turn onto River Drive, you are instantly enchanted - the Chesapeake Bay on one side and lovely, well-tended homes on the other. The view of the bay from the front porch is unbeatable. Even the landscaping and the mesmerizing flower sculpture were lovely to look at. The front porch is wonderful itself. Two levels, two dining areas, rocking chairs - you could have spent the entire time there and some of us did! It was a great place to read, rock the baby, gather everyone for dinner and catch up with family and friends after the kids had gone to bed. The house is tastefully furnished yet manages to be kid friendly. The beautiful pool and hot tub is where the kids spent most of their time and we could easily see them from the huge kitchen windows.The guest house which is fully furnished was great when we had a full house. I think the fact that after three weeks there, I was so NOT ready to go home says it all.

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 06/16/09 Review Submitted: 06/16/09

On May 2, 2009, this house was the perfect center of activity for my daughter's Naval Academy wedding. We hosted a destination Black Tie reception at the Annapolis Waterfront Marriott but opted not to stay there. Instead, to make sure that our immediate family could feel more relaxed and at home, we rented this incredible waterfront home four miles from the Annapolis Town Dock. Of all the enormous number of decisions we made to create the perfect wedding, this was by far, the best! The house became the center of all activity! The house was lined with walls of windows offering amazing views of the pool surrounded by magnificent perennial gardens and white fencing along with expansive views of the Chesapeake Bay. Umbrella tables, lounges, and patio benches offered welcoming places for large groups to relax and to look across the water to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. We could even see the Naval Academy Chapel from the front porch! Each day, sailboats of all sizes slipped by with sails furled. On Thursday night, we hosted a dinner for the Groom’s Texas family and friends. Friday we held our rehearsal luncheon for 45 guests on the front patios. After lunch, the bridal party and families were taken from the house by bus to the Chapel and back. Bridesmaids gathered at our home on Saturday for a relaxing "beauty morning" with plenty of space in the kitchen for two professional hairdressers and two makeup artists. Great wedding photos were taken at the house inside and out, even one with the bride in her wedding dress swinging on the swing! On Sunday, we held a brunch for over 100 guests. We hired “The Omelet Man” and he worked his magic in the enormous kitchen on four omelet stations while wearing a white chef’s coat and a tall chef’s hat. Even though it rained on Sunday, there was plenty of room for everyone to be comfortable. My husband, a great cook, was amazed at the fully equiped kitchen with a full array of pots, pans, kitchen equipment, dinnerware and glasses. All in all, 118 River Drive put the “icing” on the wedding weekend! Our only dilemma is that everyone is calling now for us to repeat this amazing weekend experience for the newlyweds' 1st anniversary!

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Guest: John & Lenae Duran (Atlanta Georgia)
Date of Stay: 06/08/09 Review Submitted: 06/08/09

We had a fantastic time staying in this beautiful home by the Chesapeake Bay. The house was amazing, the folks supporting the house were timely and great to deal with, the neighborhood was friendly and engaging. We stayed here for commissioning week 2009 at the Naval Academy and the house made the week an even more amazing event. After graduation we had over 30 people come to a crab and ribs party and the house was set up ideally for entertaining, never felt crowded nor did you have to talk over the noise of others. Thanks to Johnny and Po and of course Negin for making this trip a lifetime memory for my entire family. John

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