Vacation Rentals by Owner

charming

Guest: Donna (arizona)
Date of Stay: 05/15/12 Review Submitted: 05/21/12

The cottage is very cute and charming. The porches are very nice to sit and watch the birds and drink coffee in the morning. The owners provided alot of extras that was not expected. The island is very relaxing and you can do as much or as little as you want. You will always return home and be able to relax in this cottage. Thanks so much for wonderful memories.

Recommended for:

May visit

Guest: Donna (arizona)
Date of Stay: 05/15/12 Review Submitted: 05/21/12

The cottage was very charming. My daughter and I were in the area for four days. The owners are very friendly and helpful. The neighborhood is very clean and safe. The beaches are beautiful. The cottage is very clean and the owners provided more than I thought. They even had two bikes for us to ride. It was very peaceful and relaxing. You could do as much or as little as you wanted. I would definitely stay again. Thank you so much for a very memorable vacation.

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

Love this house!

Guest: Kathy (Michigan)
Date of Stay: 04/01/12 Review Submitted: 04/24/12

We spent two weeks and loved every minute of it. House is great, roomy and with everything you'd need. Location was great, enjoyed all the island has to offer especially the quiet beaches. Highly recommend a stay here, Robert was great and very helpful.

Owner response:Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience. We are so pleased that you enjoyed the house and your stay. Teecie and Robert

Recommended for:Age 55+, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

The Whale House - A Perfect little a get away place

Guest: Elvis (United States)
Date of Stay: 02/17/12 Review Submitted: 03/08/12

Our family of four spent our three day February President's Day Holiday at the Whale House. It was perfectly awesome, and exactly what we were looking for. As described in the ad it has a perfect location, clean & comfortable rooms with all the extras like the large eat-in kitchen, it even has WiFi and deluxe Cable with a DVD player. There was a super Bakery and some of the best Bar-B-Que i have ever eaten, all within walking distance. We went on a bike tour of the island, hiked through the Bird Sanctuary, toured the Estuary, and historic Fort Gains, and even ran a 5K race. One of the things we came for was Mobile's Mardi Gras and the Whale house was the perfect distance from Mobile and all the fun and festivities (lots of beads and moon pies). Robert and Teecie were friendly and helpful hosts and even called to let us know when a storm was on the way. Thanks! and we would absolutely recommend the Whale house and look forward to our next visit. Steve & Susan Solomon /Huntsville, AL.

Owner response:How nice of you to post your review. Thank you so much for your comments and for being our guests.

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

Small Town Charm

Guest: April D.
Date of Stay: 11/07/11 Review Submitted: 11/19/11

We went in the off season, so very quiet for us. The property was loaded with extras that really made it feel like home. We have a 2 year old, so those extra comforts are greatly needed when you have a fussy one, who is not always easy to please. The beds were both comfortable and everything worked and was ready for us. Would recommend to anyone.

Owner response:We enjoyed having you as our guests. Thank you for the nice comments.

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

Awesome Whale house

Guest: T J. (Cutler, Indiana)
Date of Stay: 07/10/11 Review Submitted: 07/21/11

Awesome little cottage, always looking for a place like this when we vacation, who wants to stay in a condo with tons of others when you can stay in a unique little place like the whale house. This house had everything we needed and did not have to bring alot of items that was already provided. The weather was alittle warm ( but that was everywhere at that time). Guys had a great time on island, golfed ( even those the course was not up to par) the guys had a great time and laughted alot about there experence. Then they did some deep sea fishing, brought back some red snapper and trigger fish ( supper was great that night). we took the boat out and saw the light house. went to the fort, the bird sancuary, shop the little shops, spent alittle time on the beach ( was even to hot to sit on beach). But we had an awesome time. Thank you Teece and Robert for opening your little cottage to us.

Owner response:Thank you all for selecting the Whale House for your stay on the Island. We thoroughly enjoyed having you as our guests and chatting with you. Teecie and Robert

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

The highlight of our trip!

Guest: John and Barbara (San Francisco Bay Area, California)
Date of Stay: 03/30/11 Review Submitted: 04/20/11

This charming little house was the perfect home away from home for me and my birder husband. Owners, Robert and Teecie could not be more thoughtful and have equipped this house with everything (I do mean everything) you could possibly want. The full kitchen not only has every possible utensil, but is also stocked with spices, coffees, teas, basalmic vinegar (!), and an assortment of baggies, wraps, and foil. The beds are extremely comfortable, there are TVs, and WiFi and a washer and dryer, complete with detergent! Like I said - just like home. Because we are bird watchers, we especially appreciated the location which is just a few blocks from the Shell Mounds and Goat Tree Park. I even walked to the beach - which is a bit farther, but the east end of the island is so pretty and pleasant, that if you like to walk, you are there in no time. The back yard at the Whale House is lovely and expansive and domianted by two huge Oak monarchs, which are a beautiful sight to simply contemplate from the chairs on the back porch, where I sat and read my book, looking up from time to time to take in the peaceful scene. People everywhere were very friendly and tuned in to birds. We had several invitations from islanders to come to their house and look at the birds at their feeders. If you like beachcombing, the west end of the island was covered with wonderful shells, which I enjoyed collecting while John searched for his avian treasures. Altogether we both had a delightful time and are so appreciative of Robert and Teecie for their considerate hospitality.

Recommended for:Age 55+

A MUST DO EXPERIENCE

Guest: Ms Leigh (Memphis TN)
Date of Stay: 12/20/10 Review Submitted: 12/29/10

I've just returned from my third visit to the island, and my third stay at The Whale House. Add this one to your 'bucket list'! It is absolutely a must do experience. The folks on the island make you feel at home! In addition, The Whale House has everything you need. I'm ready to relocate. The owners of the property are near if you have any problems. Warning! If you are bright lights and busy city vacationers, stay away from the island. Dauphin Island and The Whale House are for the laid back, easy going, like to sit on the porch and read a good book people. Oh, there's plenty to do..a visit to the bakery or Skinners for some goodies to prepare yourself. There are several excellent restaurants. There's the sea lab and a historic fort, even a golf course. If you visit Fort Gaines, be sure and stop to get quite the history lesson from the blacksmith. Back to The Whale House, this is your home away from home. Everything you wished you could have found at that last vacation spot is included at the Whale House. The beds are better than any in a five star hotel. The kitchen is fully equipped. You'll even have access to the internet, bring your own laptop. Like to BBQ? The house has a grill and a path to the bakery in case you don't want to prepare your own breakfast. Like to fish? Bring that rod and reel, sit on the pier across from the fort and enjoy! By the way, winter, summer, spring, or fall, sit on one of the house's porches and enjoy the life of an islanders. You'll be within walking distance of a beach, a local grocery, the post office, several quaint shops, some great 'local' eateries, and you'll meet some of the nicest people in the world! If you're a free spirit, easy going, laid back kind of person, The Whale House and Dauphin Island must be added to your vacation planner. Brings a whole new meaning to 'Sittin' On The Dock Of The Bay'.

Owner response:You have definitely become one of the Islanders. You really captured the essence of the Island in your comments, which are really appreciated. You're terrific! Teecie and Robert

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

Dauphin Island experience

Guest: Deb H. (Vidor, Texas)
Date of Stay: 10/10/10 Review Submitted: 10/18/10

Whale House met our expectations--we stayed the whole week here. The island itself was lovely and quaint--woods and beach. The ambiance was tranquil and peaceful. We enjoyed the Bird Sanctuary walking trail and Fort Gaines the most aside from the joy of sitting out near the surf. Be aware that there is a distance to walk for anyone not capable of walking easily through a lot of sand before you reach the surf. The cottage was a neat place to "come home to" and we enjoyed sitting on the back porch listening to the birds and watching the butterflies and such. The bakery is about a block away. The availability of WI-FI was highly appreciated. Makes mapping places to visit and finding good seafood restaurants a lot easier. You save a lot of money being able to buy your groceries and "eat in" at the cottage. We went to Bellingrath Gardens and para-sailed in Orange Beach. Be aware the ferry across to Gulf Shores is expensive. Thank goodness we found the Whale House. Stop in Ocean Springs, MS and eat at McElroy's On the Bayou. It was worth the wait! I would recommend!

Owner response:Thank you for your helpful comments, Deb. We enjoyed having you and are glad that you enjoyed your stay. Teecie and Robert

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

A comfortable place with good owners

Guest: Jim & Sharon (Highland, IL USA)
Date of Stay: 09/19/10 Review Submitted: 11/04/10

Whale House is nicely appointed and decorated. The owners thought of everything. The beds are comfortable. Teecie and Robert are accommodating and quick to respond. We appreciated the literature left for guests and the location. We visited Bellingrath Gardens and home and took the ferry at the east end of the island. We also walked some of the bird nature walk and visited the bakery. The owners have thoughtfully mowed a path in back of the house for a nice walk over. The house has an odor -- not real bad, not good. Something different. I found it unpleasant. Perhaps the source of that has been found and fixed. The kitchen is very spacious. We were smitten with the large map there and the one in the living room. One needs to plan meals while on the island as the restaurants have varying hours and days of operation and there aren't many. The weather was still incredibly hot and humid in September during our visit, which limited our time outdoors dramatically. We aren't used to that kind of humidity and it was miserable. The beaches do have oil on them, though we didn't see many globs of it. The oil is mixed with the sand finely and there's little sand clear of it. The public beach on Dauphin seemed good except near the water, and it's a long walk from parking to the water. Sunsets are spectacular. We drove the Mississippi coast, too, as far as Pass Christian, and BP oil crews were everywhere working to clean up the beaches. Oil sheens were visible in the calmer areas of bays and inlets. There is much to do off the island, depending on one's interest. We might have spent most of our time on the island in cooler weather, relaxing more. Since it was too humid to enjoy the outdoors, we explored the east side of Mobile Bay, which is charming, with quaint towns like Fairhope and many unique shops. If you like to shop, that area is the place to go. We saw some of old downtown Mobile, too, with large, aristocratic homes and moss hanging from majestic trees. The Whale House was a good home base, with a rather scenic drive across the 3-mile bridge. Pelicans like to roost on anything protruding from the water. In good weather, the house has nice places to sit outside and soak in the tropical nature of the area. Enjoy your stay.

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

What a charming get-away

Guest: Bobbie (Brandon, MS)
Date of Stay: 08/01/10 Review Submitted: 08/23/10

Stayed at the Whale house with my grandson as a get-away for the two of us before he went away to college. The cottage is even more charming than the internet portrays. It has everything you could possibly need in a vacation rental with a price that is so very reasonable. Would recommend very highly to everyone, regardless of age.

Owner response:Thank you so much for your kind remarks. We enjoyed having you and your grandson. Teecie and Robert

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.

Sleeping On A Cloud

Guest: Ms Leigh (Memphis TN)
Date of Stay: 05/27/10 Review Submitted: 06/17/10

I was at Dauphin Island the end of May. This was my second stay at the Whale House. The cottage is fully equipped. The amenities excel my stays at other beach or lake cottages. The beds are comfy. I can only restate, it is like sleeping on a cloud. It is clean, well maintained, and simply charming. You'll have easy access to service stations, gift shops, excellent restaurants, even a post office. I enjoy cooking and Skinner's Seafood store is within walking distance. I enjoyed visiting the estuary, the fort, and strolling the beaches. The majority of the beaches I walked were not impacted by the spill. I plan to return!

Owner response:Thank you so much for your return trip and your wonderful comments. We enjoyed having you both so much and look forward to your return. Thanks also for letting everyone know that the beaches are still beautiful. Teecie and Robert

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

Return Trip

Guest: Leigha nd Michael (Memphis, TN)
Date of Stay: 05/26/10 Review Submitted: 06/15/10

I worry about giving the Whale House and Robert and Teecie the glowing superlatives that they deserve. We have stayed there twice--in 6 months. If I say all the great stuff, then I'll have trouble booking again!! (Does that tell you all that prospective renters need to know???) The house is clean, cozy, and charming. A short drive to either end of the island, and all the D I has to offer a visitor. If you are looking for "hustle and bustle" don't come to the Island. It is for lounging, relaxing, and breathing. The Whale House is a haven for those who truly want to "get away" and enjoy, and Robert and Teecie have created the perfect environs for such an escape. You really MUST take advantage of this unique opportunity---just don't pick the days of my next visit!!!

Owner response:You are both too sweet and we love having you stay with us. You've become honorary Islanders! Teecie and Robert

Recommended for:People with disabilities, age 55+, girls getaway, pet owners, romantic getaway.

Great family holiday!

Guest: paradoxie (Northwest Arkansas)
Date of Stay: 05/01/10 Review Submitted: 05/15/10

Our long weekend visit to Dauphin Island was made a lot more pleasurable by staying at the Whale House. The house was everything promised in the ads and more...Owners Teecie and Robert really go that extra step to make guest comfortable and provide everything needed for a pack and go vacation. The house was immaculately clean and stocked with all sorts of unexpected little extras. It is well located for walking to nearly everything needed, a store, seafood shop, restaurants, parks (which abound on this lovely little island) and every other attraction on the island is easy to get to. We have recommended the house to all our traveling friends and we will be back!

Owner response:It was such a pleasure to have you as our guests. Your feedback definitely makes it worth the "little extra" effort to exceed your expectations. That's our goal. Thanks again for staying with us for your Dauphin Island vacation.

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

Execellent

Guest: Connie F (Lees Summit, MO)
Date of Stay: 10/09/09 Review Submitted: 10/26/09

My stay at the Whale House was wonderful. The house is very charming, clean, and well stocked. I loved it that I could walk to the bakery and S&S. The house is located in a very nice neighborhood. I enjoyed taking evening walks around the neighborhood and sitting on the porch listening to the quite. I highly recommend this rental.

Owner response:Thank you for staying with us. We enjoyed having you as our guests. Best, Teecie and Robert

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

Whale House

Guest: J D. (St. Louis, MO)
Date of Stay: 08/07/09 Review Submitted: 08/11/09

We had a wonderful time at the Whale House! The house is clean and comfortable, plus very cool in the middle of August. We had six in our party and had enough room for everyone. Teecie and Robert were super helpful and easy to get a hold of. We loved the large back porch (and lines to dry our towels and suits on), big kitchen, and bakery out the back door. As far as the Island goes, we ate at The Oar House (okay food, bad service), Barnacle Bill's (amazing seafood, slow service) and The Topless Oyster Bar (over the bridge, good food, good service). We spent a lot of time at the West End Beach, which was a blast. They have wonderful waves and sand, plus lots of activities and a Tiki Bar. We also took the ferry over to Gulf Shores and ate at The Hangout. The ferry was fun (great views) and The Hangout is a must if you end up in Gulf Shores at all! Overall, wonderful trip. Thank you!

Owner response:What a nice review! Thank you so much. It was a pleasure to have you as our guests. Teecie and Robert

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

delightful neighborhood beach is close enough!

Guest: MObeaches (Missouri)
Date of Stay: 08/03/09 Review Submitted: 08/11/09

Our short stay at The Whale House was delightful! The rooms were perfect - the master bedroom, king bed comfortable, furnishing a perfect beach theme, lovely. The house was very clean, fully contained appliances; refrigerator, stove, microwave, blender, toaster, 2 t.v.'s w/ direct t.v., all cleaning supplies. Other than personal items & clothing, everything necessary was provided. The owner was able to get the property to us earlier than our agreed-upon time, due to early departure (which we did, as well). It is just around the corner for The Lighthouse Bakery - delicious, and close enough to all attractions. Don't miss the Tram that will take you on a complete island tour, or just drop you where necessary. The Crusty Crab was our favorite restaurant, with the Oar House 2nd. Don't miss the Estuarium, and the Audobon birding trail - watch for the alligator in the lake! We used the public beach and golf course the most, and left the beaches nicer than we found them by taking trash bags with us to pick up trash. We estimated 60# in our 3 days of beaching, over 3 different beaches - the one behind Fort Gaines, the public beach, and the golf course beach. Leave footprints, take pictures! The neighbor was delightful, too. We have recommended the property already!

Owner response:Thank you for your wonderful comments and especially for being good citizens of our planet. We join you and applaud you in your efforts to keep our beaches and waterways clean. Teecie and Robert

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

Wonderful rental for a great price!

Guest: tiffspiff (Tennessee)
Date of Stay: 07/20/09 Review Submitted: 08/04/09

My family stayed at the Whale House a couple of weeks ago, and we were so pleased with the entire experience. The owners are very nice and accommodating, and they did a wonderful job updating this charming home. The home is small, but feels so spacious with the front & back porches and huge eat-in kitchen, so there is more than enough room for your whole family to relax. We had small children with us, and they loved swinging on the front porch swing and loved playing in the very spacious back-yard. Dauphin Island is great; quiet and the beaches are not at all crowded. The town itself is charming and allows you to discover the Island easily by car, bike, or on foot. I highly recommend checking out the cute coffee shop/bakery that sits directly behind the Whale House. Thank you again for providing such a lovely home for our family to enjoy!

Owner response:It was a pleasure to have you as our guests. Thanks for the lovely note. Teecie and Robert

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

Perfect Whale House

Guest: Julie K. (Monett, MO)
Date of Stay: 06/25/09 Review Submitted: 07/14/09

Absolutely perfect! The house was fabulous, the island is beautiful, we enjoyed the West end beach. Would have liked to have a grocery store closer. Learned after we arrived that we would have to drive about 45 min for a Walmart. So stock up before going to the island. Going out to eat was a little expensive for my family of 5. Opted to cooking at the wonderfully stocked Whale House kitchen. Loved the satelite TV. The house was beautiful and clean. One evening we had a problem trying to get a movie to play, called the owner and he came right over to help. Would definitely recommend this property.

Owner response:Thank you. You are right that grocery shopping before getting to the Island is best. The grocery selection on the Island is limited and fairly expensive. There is a grocery store about 15 miles north that is pretty well stocked and competitively priced, but the superstore is about 25 miles north. Thanks for posting such a helpful message. Teecie and Robert

Recommended for:Families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway.

The Whale House

Guest: RockyB (Potosi, MO)
Date of Stay: 06/22/09 Review Submitted: 06/30/09

We enjoyed our stay at the Whale House SO MUCH! The house was clean, up to date, cool in 100º and above temps, and had many of the necessities needed for a vacation, without having to bring them all yourself. The owner was very easy to work with. He was always reachable by phone when we had a question. I would highly recommend this house to anyone wanting an affordable, but nice vacation spot!

Owner response:Thanks for taking the time to comment. We really enjoyed having you as our guests. Teecie and Robert

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

Quiet Getaway

Guest: Roadstar (Missouri)
Date of Stay: 06/13/09 Review Submitted: 07/02/09

We really enjoyed our stay on Dauphin Island. The Whale House is a neat house with an interesting history. It's out of the way, quiet nejghborhood, has all the amenities. We really enjoyed the stocked and well equipped kitchen, we like to cook and it fit the bill perfectly. The gas grill fit right in also. Good restaraunts we ate at: Barnacle Bill's -- The shrimp AND the service was excellent. The Oar House -- great place, good food, good drink, the locals hang out there so it's got to be good. Public Beach was excellent, my wife and I walked for miles. West End Beach was good for facilities, bar, bathrooms, night activities, but no room for walking. I'd highly recommend the Whale House, the price was right and the acommodations were excellent.

Owner response:Thanks for your comments about the Whale House and the Island's amenities. Teecie and Robert

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

Great Vacation

Guest: Bowler812 (Paxton, Il USA)
Date of Stay: 06/07/09 Review Submitted: 07/14/09

What a wonderful experience the Whale House was. We spent more time there than if we would of had a hotel room. Clean and quiet. Would stay again. Dauphin island is also a great place. The west end beach was awesome for us to kick back and enjoy the sun. Met many wonderful people there. All very nice and ready to help the vacationers.

Owner response:We're so glad you enjoyed the Whale House and the Island. We agree - the west end beach is great! Teecie and Robert

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

Wonderful vacation House!

Guest: DaGe (Missouri)
Date of Stay: 05/09/09 Review Submitted: 05/24/09

We stayed at the Whale House and absolutely loved it and the Island. Perfectly pictured and wonderful!! Loved the king bed, wanted to take it home with me! It was so homey and comfortable! I will be returning in the future!

Owner response:Excellent! So happy you enjoyed your stay. Teecie & Robert

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

GREAT PLACE TO STAY!!!

Guest: Candy3034 (Mobile, AL)
Date of Stay: 04/10/09 Review Submitted: 04/15/09

We enjoyed our stay very much. The house is so cute and wonderfully decorated. It has everything you need. The beds are very comfortable with great linens. Would recommend to anyone.

Owner response:It was our pleasure to have you as our guests. We were delighted that you brought your boat and were able to take advantage of the boat slip on Indian Bay. Thank you for your post.

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Cozy and comfortable

Guest: GreatJourney (Seattle, Washington, USA)
Date of Stay: 02/09/09 Review Submitted: 05/14/09

We are a family of four traveling around the country and booked in a week at the charming Whale House to get off the road and re-group. We all felt very relaxed and at-home there. We enjoyed our stay greatly. The landlords were very accommodating when we needed a few extra items. Our favorite things: the big bed, the bakery out the back and hanging out on the front porch.

Owner response:We are delighted to have had you as our guests. We strive to keep the Whale House at the top of the list for value, comfort and relaxation.

Recommended for:Families with young children, romantic getaway.

Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 11/01/08 Review Submitted: 11/28/08

My family had a wonderful time on Dauphin Island and it was in no small part do to our excellent accomidations. The Whale House is conveniently located and the boat slip that comes with the house is also within walking distance. The house is adorably decorated. The beds are extemely comfortable with luxurious linens. It has two porches to relax on and a huge kitchen that has all the necessities you could want. You won't be disappointed.

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 10/01/08 Review Submitted: 10/04/08

my husband and i are members of a dinner group that meets every three months for a "dine-around" at eachother's houses. however, we are the only couple in the group who does not live on the Island, so we stay in the Whale House for that weekend. we always enjoy our stay! everything we need for a weekend getaway with the grown-ups!

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 07/01/08 Review Submitted: 07/24/08

MY boyfriend and I stayed at the Whale House for a weekend. It was very clean and had everything we needed. The beds were super comfortable. It was in a perfect location for everywhere we need to go on the island. I would recommend this house to anyone who is interested.

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 07/01/08 Review Submitted: 07/22/08

My husband and I stayed at The Whale House over the 4th of July weekend. The house was great, very nice and clean with everything we needed (except food). It is the perfect location for everything on island. Very comfortable and cozy without being so super sophisticated that you fear messing up any furnishings. GREAT BEDS with LOTS of pillows ..always a PLUS for us! We recommend Whale House for any vacation.

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