Vacation Rentals by Owner

Everything you need for a large group getaway!

Guest: Chris (Venice, CA)
Date of Stay: 12/26/11 Review Submitted: 01/04/12

My close friends and I have been coming to Tahoe for the past eleven years for a week-long winter getaway and this was the first cabin that fully accommodated our needs -- even more so since this year, there was no snow, and we ended up spending much more time in the cabin than we would have otherwise. As the years have gone on, our group has become larger, and we were at maximum capacity for most of the week. The kitchen had plenty of space to prepare meals for our large group, and overall, between the large upstairs kitchen/dining/living area and the downstairs entertainment room, there was plenty of space for all our people to hang out, even if we had everyone in one place. Many of us particularly enjoyed the fact that the television is kept separate in the downstairs entertainment room so therefore the entire upstairs area is a social space. I would recommend to anyone else who stays that they check the water heaters as soon as they arrive. We didn't, and the first morning we ran out of hot water quickly. However, once the main water heater was set to its higher level and the secondary water heater was switched on, we were then able to have plenty of hot water for both showers, dishes, laundry, etc. The only other tip is to any chefs -- that they should consider bringing their own knives, but this is probably to be expected with any cabin rental. The hot tub worked out great and we were also able to take advantage of the backyard fire pit -- an unexpected bonus. Heat inside the cabin was adequate during our entire stay. With the large driveway we had plenty of parking for all our cars (of which we had plenty, with many couples/small groups arriving at different times). There is only one garage space since half the garage is taken up by a boat. This might have been an issue if there'd actually been snow, but at the time of our rental, there wasn't. Overall, if you're looking to entertain, or even if you're just doing a trip with two or three families, this seems to be an excellent place at a reasonable price. The owner was very easy to deal with, was quick to respond to emails and never missed a phone call. If you are looking for an uber-modern high-tech cabin, there are far more expensive options that may offer more, but at this price point, we have not found anywhere else that comes close to what this cabin provides. Most others in this range are much smaller, and not built with large groups or entertaining in mind. I would absolutely recommend.

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

Disappointed

Guest: AS (Folsom, CA)
Date of Stay: 08/20/11 Review Submitted: 01/26/12

Two families and a grandma stayed for a week last summer and were somewhat disappointed by deferred maintenance issues and a generally tired, if not shabby, condition. First, despite being advertised as having large lawns where kids could play, there is NO LAWN -- just dry, brown, dead grass and dirt. Second, one of the upstairs toilets was broken, which left only the master bath toilet functioning properly upstairs where the living room & kitchen are. Third, the two bunk beds were broken and held together with duct tape and rope. Since it was the rails on the top bunks which were either cracked or completely broken, this was a children's safety issue. One of the top bunks seemed decently repaired by duct tape/rope but the other one was clearly dangerous. When brought to his attention, the owner (Mal) seemed genuinely surprised and said he would fix these issues -- I don't know if he followed through. I did not receive a refund but, to be fair, I didn't request one.

Owner response:I am disappointed that this renter elected to write a negative assessment. He called me and expressed surprise that the grass was dried out.It was the first I'd heard of the issue. I thanked him for informing me and called my caretaker. It turns out the automatic sprinkler system had been unplugged from the garage wall. A couple weeks without water will cause a lawn to turn brown. The house is surrounded by acres of open space...covered by a forest floor of mountain dirt and sand, as well as large lawns in the front... bocce ball court and a trampoline to the southern side of the house. I am afraid he is inaccurate about the toilets: during his occupancy they all worked. With a large number of people in the house, occasionally a plumber must be called to unplug a clogged toilet. This is always done within a couple hours of notification of a problem. It was not this case here. During this renter's stay the chrome flush handle to the downstairs toilet was broken, and a special part had to be ordered. The toilet was still operable by pushing the button inside the tank where the sealed flushing canister mechanism is enclosed. The handle has been replaced. The bunk bed complaint is inaccurate and unfair...it refers not to the bed frames, only to the optional sliding safety rails which the beds have to prevent kids from falling (or jumping) out of upper bunk. Someone (previous renter's kids?) broke them and "repaired" them with duct tape. New rails were ordered and installed. As the more recent reviews here indicate, there is no other complaint of "shabby" or "tired". The current renter is occupying the house through May. She wrote one of the favorable reviews from a year ago. Interested parties can contact me to arrange to communicate with her directly to inquire about the condition of the house.

Recommended for:

Beautiful house

Guest: Sara (Santa Cruz, CA)
Date of Stay: 01/14/11 Review Submitted: 03/01/11

Gorgeous house, close to the lake, nice kitchen, rooms, bathrooms, etc. We had a wonderful trip and certainly would recommend the house to others.

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.

Wondrousness Awaits!

Guest: Amelia (Chico, Ca)
Date of Stay: 12/03/10 Review Submitted: 05/26/11

This is my favorite home to stay at when in Tahoe! I have stayed at this home with my girlfriends for our annual getaway and many times on romantic retreats with Mr. Marvelous. ALL times have been dreamy! For girls weekend there is plenty of room for all of us to sprawl out amongst the gorgeous bedrooms, while enjoying the hot tub, having group dinners in the dinning room or on the deck! Most days/nights we did not even leave the home because it was so relaxing for us all to be there! Although the house is large enough for a big group it is still maintains the coziness for a couple. There are two different fireplaces perfect for cuddling up to with someone special and a glass of wine. Perfect for a peaceful weekend where you can relax and take lovely strolls to the lake or hit the slopes during the winter! I love this house, would recommend it to anyone, and appreciate the owners willingness to share this dream destination with us! He is very easy to work with and gracious with sharing the local "hot spots" not to miss! Can't wait to come back this summer for another getaway with my Mr. Marvelous!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Fantastic location, large, spacious and a quick walk to the lake....great for kids

Guest: MarinCountyMan (Marin County)
Date of Stay: 09/18/10 Review Submitted: 05/26/11

Beautiful home...well kept. We particularly enjoyed how much space inside and out the cabin had...a perfect safe haven for kids (we loved the trampoline in the summer). The beach is literally a few hundred yards away from the driveway....so one gets the best of both worlds. The amenities are many and decor perfect for family or friend dinners or parties either on the large deck or inside the kitchen/dining area. Five Stars.

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

Perfect Getaway!!!!!

Guest: Keira (Bay Area, Alameda)
Date of Stay: 08/21/10 Review Submitted: 10/27/10

This home is gorgeous and spacious and easily accommodated 2 families with 8 children total. We were there in August and had perfect, beautiful weather -- Meeks Bay Beach was actually within walking distance of the property. The owner generously offered to let us take his rafts, etc.to the beach and the kids had a blast; the water was warm and this beach is now our favorite in Tahoe, with easy parking, picnic tables and shady areas.The house has a very open and inviting floor plan and the kitchen is beautifully done, spacious and spotless, as are all of the bathrooms. Another nice feature of the house is the separate downstairs family room which provided a nice space for the kids to hang out in when the adults wanted to relax (in peace!) after dinner. There were also plenty of board games and videos for the children which were very much appreciated The property is in a secluded, private area and is of a much higher quality than other homes we've rented in the area. The hammock on the outside deck is definitely a very nice touch and made the trip even more relaxing. This was a perfect getaway and we will definitely be 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.

Perfect Getaway!!!!!

Guest: Keira (Bay Area, Alameda)
Date of Stay: 08/21/10 Review Submitted: 10/25/10

Title: Perfect getaway!! This home is gorgeous and spacious and easily accommodated 2 families with 8 children total. We were there in August and had perfect, beautiful weather -- Meeks Bay Beach was actually within walking distance of the property. The owner generously offered to let us take his rafts, etc.to the beach and the kids had a blast; the water was warm and this beach is now our favorite in Tahoe, with easy parking, picnic tables and shady areas. The house has a very open and inviting floor plan and the kitchen is beautifully done, spacious and spotless, as are all of the bathrooms. Another nice feature of the house is the separate downstairs family room which provided a nice space for the kids to hang out in when the adults wanted to relax (in peace!) after dinner. There were also plenty of board games and videos for the children which were very much appreciated The property is in a secluded, private area and is of a much higher quality than other homes we've rented in the area. The hammock on the outside deck is definitely a very nice touch and made the trip even more relaxing. This was a perfect getaway and we will definitely be back!

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.

Amazing vacation home at a great price!

Guest: Julie (SF Bay Area)
Date of Stay: 07/03/10 Review Submitted: 09/09/10

This Meeks Bay luxury home exceeded our expectations in every regard when we stayed there over the 4th of July weekend this summer. The floor plan is perfect for those traveling with families and children as it has two separate living areas and provides plenty of activities and games for the kids. Not only is there a hot tub, but but also plenty of lawn space and a large trampoline on which the kids loved to congregate. The gourmet kitchen is tastefully appointed while also being easy to work in. There are several seating options for meals, including a dining room table, bar stools and an outdoor deck with gas grill. The home is both comfortable and classy; it has some lovely antiques along with cozy sofas and chairs. The upstairs has two master suites (complete with private bathrooms) and the downstairs has three additional bedrooms including a bunkroom with 4 generously sized beds, another bedroom with two twin beds plus a gorgeous crib, and an additional room with a queen bed near the back of the house which provides more privacy for those who may prefer some distance from the kids! The downstairs family room also has a pull-out couch to sleep even more people. The home is walking distance to beautiful Meeks Bay beach, and the owner generously provides rafts for use at the Lake. This beach is far more private, expansive and less crowded than Chambers Landing and other nearby beaches - once you've been, there's no going back! In the winter, it is only about a 5 minute drive to Homewood, which now has shared ownership with Alpine for more skiing options. All in all, a beautiful vacation home a great value.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway.

Nice house but many difficulties with owner

Guest: Michael (Apple Valley, CA)
Date of Stay: 06/26/10 Review Submitted: 10/15/10

The house itself was nice, big, pretty, though we didn't find it to be as clean as we would have liked (unidentifiable sticky substance in kitchen, some definitely dirty dishes put away as clean). Not enough dishes for a big group - we only had 6 adults and were constantly handwashing glasses and plates. Mostly though the house was fine and as described, but dealing with the owner was a real hassle. We had to contact him multiple times to get the contract, then sent him 2 checks, both of which his office lost (though they got our signed contract out of one of the envelopes) and finally had to put the money directly into his bank account. Then it took forever to get our deposit back - I had to call him several times (he kept forgetting to send it) until finally the check arrived 3 months after we stayed here. The location is nice, but we couldn't recommend this property due to our overall experience -- vacation should be relaxing. The owner needs to hire someone to organize the business end of renting this property for him.

Owner response:I regret to say I believe this review is unfair and inaccurate. The house has been rented since 2002 and cleaned by the same people for those 8 years. There has never been a prior complaint regarding cleanliness, the condition of the house, the amount of dishes, glasses, cooking or utensils. The kitchen is fully stocked and provisioned with all the cookware and utensils to be "your own second home". There are place settings for 12, children settings for 6, 16 wine glasses and even more beverage glasses. The claim: "we were were constantly hand washing glasses and plates" confounds me because they had only 6 people. The Bosch dishwasher works perfectly, and a cleaning cycle takes less than 40 minutes. I was not called by the renters upon their check-in or at any time during the week (nor was the local contact person / cleaner), who I believe should have called immediately, to remedy any unsatisfactory condition they found. I respond immediately to any calls and the renters had my cell #, and the # of the local contact person. I don't understand the claim of a "hassle". I was frustrated in waiting weeks to receive a signed contract, with no check. I opened the envelope myself, my "office" didn't lose anything. The house was booked by a person in the Bay Area and then later handed over another person for contract details and payment. I had other prospective renters ask for their requested dates, and even though there was a delay in receiving the signed contract and no payment, I held their reservation in good faith. I finally required them to direct deposit the $ in my bank account, as their "checks in the mail" never arrived. Somehow the check wasn't mailed with the contract, cannot be responsible for that error / omission. Their deposit was returned in a timely manner. I strive to make the experience enjoyable, and there is actually nothing in this review that reflects negatively on the house, or its furnishings.

Recommended for:

Nothing Else Necessary!

Guest: Douglas (San Francisco, California, USA)
Date of Stay: 06/09/10 Review Submitted: 06/06/11

This property is wonderful! Located on the West Shore of Lake Tahoe across the highway from Meeks Bay. It is situated in a very quiet and somewhat secluded residential neighborhood and has plenty of land for young and old to roam and explore. The home is recently built, has great amenities, beautifully decorated (casual enough to relax and kick your feet up), has a very large jacuzzi, and has a bright and open floor-plan. I have stayed at this home on numerous occasions (both winter and summer) and have never had a problem with the property and have found the owner to be very responsive, accommodating and helpful. I, without reservation, highly recommend this amazing rental property. It truly feels more like 'home' than a 'vacation rental'. One unique aspect of the property is the entertainment room is downstairs allowing for some 'adult' peace and quiet upstairs when the kids are downstairs watching tv/videos.

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

Wonderful House -- We will be back!!

Guest: Katie (San Francisco)
Date of Stay: 02/12/10 Review Submitted: 10/26/10

Wonderful house! We went for a long ski weekend last February (property is 5 min from Homewood) and just booked another weekend for this coming winter. Our experience couldn't be more different from the negative review posted. The kitchen is one of the nicest we've seen compared to other rental properties--immaculate and completely stocked with everything we needed for our group dinners. In addition, we found the owner to be very easy to work with and responsive! My boyfriend and I stayed with 2 other couples and could easily have had a few more friends join us. We got the master bedroom which has a gorgeous, luxurious bed, walk in shower and jacuzzi tub which helped ease our aches and pains after a long day of skiing. We had fun hanging out in the large great room over cocktails and enjoyed memorable dinners (and late night card games) with our friends. Our friends were very appreciative that we found such an amazing place and are planning to join us again this year. This is a property we would HIGHLY recommend to anyone. All in all, it exceeded our expectations at a very fair price.

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