Vacation Rentals by Owner

Fantastic House, Fantastic Location

Guest: Danielle W.
Date of Stay: 04/20/12 Review Submitted: 04/24/12

I seriously can not say enough about the property, Donna and Bill really have outdone themselves. From the moment we arrived Donna made us feel like we have been coming here for years. When we first walked into the apartment I thought the pictures do not do it justice, the apartment has such a feeling of home that you were immediately relaxed. Donna provides such an extensive overview of the area that I never once felt like a tourist.They provide all of the comforts of home in an amazing setting, the rooftop hot tub and pool are a great way to relax after a long day out and about in San Diego. We really couldn't have asked for better hosts and a better property .I am already planning my return trip to Villa Donna.

Owner response:Thank you so much for this wonderful review. You were such great guests, and it was so nice of you to take the time to write this review. I will look forward to hearing from you again soon and welcoming you back to Villa Donna.

Recommended for:

Couldn't have been better!

Guest: Patti S. (Edmonton. Alberta, Canada)
Date of Stay: 02/27/12 Review Submitted: 03/10/12

We are a family of four with two young kids (4 and 6) who love to get away from our long, cold Canadian winters. We've stayed in many vacation rentals from Florida to Hawaii and simply put, this is one of the best experiences we've had. The home is beautiful, the city is amazing and the warm and caring hospitality from owners Donna and Bill made our stay very special. The home is beautifully decorated, warm and relaxing and worked great with our two little ones. It is extremely well stocked...everything you could need in the kitchen, a plentiful supply of linens, laundry supplies and even toiletries. There's also everything available for a full day at the beach...including beach toys, which we usually find we need to buy but then leave behind due to lack of suitcase space. The home is very clean and everything is in proper working order. There are two separate, private terraces, both with ocean views. One with a small pool (which we didn't use due to the cooler weather) and jacuzzi (which we used everyday and Bill set the temperature so the kids could enjoy it for as long they wanted without getting overcooked). The other terrace is very spacious with lots of seating, a BBQ and spectacular views. We particularly enjoyed eating breakfast there and that made it hard to get going as it was such a nice place to relax. We have only traveled to San Diego for a one day stay or for business in the past. So this was our first time really getting a chance to explore the city. We stayed for one week and felt as though we just touched the surface. Our favorite places were the coves along Lo Jolla Beach, Coronado Island and Balboa Park. The San Diego Zoo was incredible and of course Sea World is always a fun time. We found the city very easy to navigate and the property seemed quite centrally located. Donna gave us a thorough overview of the place when we arrived and encouraged us to contact her any time if we had concerns. She provides a binder outlining various restaurants, grocery stores and attractions with map printouts and travel times. It really came in handy and we referenced it numerous times. We had a few opportunities to socialize with Donna and Bill and thoroughly enjoyed their company. We hope to return to San Diego in the not too distant future and would definitely stay here again. I would highly recommend this property to our friends and family!

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

Couldn't Have Been Better!

Guest: Patti S. (Edmonton. Alberta, Canada)
Date of Stay: 02/27/12 Review Submitted: 03/10/12

We are a family of four with two young kids (4 and 6) who love to get away from our long, cold Canadian winters. We've stayed in many vacation rentals from Florida to Hawaii and simply put, this is one of the best experiences we've had. The home is beautiful, the city is amazing and the warm and caring hospitality from owners Donna and Bill made our stay very special. The home is beautifully decorated, warm and relaxing and worked great with our two little ones. It is extremely well stocked...everything you could need in the kitchen, a plentiful supply of linens, laundry supplies and even toiletries. There's also everything available for a full day at the beach...including beach toys, which we usually find we need to buy but then leave behind due to lack of suitcase space. The home is very clean and everything is in proper working order. There are two separate, private terraces, both with ocean views. One with a small pool (which we didn't use due to the cooler weather) and jacuzzi (which we used everyday and Bill set the temperature so the kids could enjoy it for as long they wanted without getting overcooked). The other terrace is very spacious with lots of seating, a BBQ and spectacular views. We particularly enjoyed eating breakfast there and that made it hard to get going as it was such a nice place to relax. We have only traveled to San Diego for a one day stay or for business in the past. So this was our first time really getting a chance to explore the city. We stayed for one week and felt as though we just touched the surface. Our favorite places were the coves along Lo Jolla Beach, Coronado Island and Balboa Park. The San Diego Zoo was incredible and of course Sea World is always a fun time. We found the city very easy to navigate and the property seemed quite centrally located. Donna gave us a thorough overview of the place when we arrived and encouraged us to contact her any time if we had concerns. She provides a binder outlining various restaurants, grocery stores and attractions with map printouts and travel times. It really came in handy and we referenced it numerous times. We had a few opportunities to socialize with Donna and Bill and thoroughly enjoyed their company. We hope to return to San Diego in the not too distant future and would definitely stay here again. I would highly recommend this property to our friends and family!

Owner response:Thank you for this wonderful review. You were fantastic guests, and I am so happy that you enjoyed Villa Donna. It is such a pleasure to receive comments like yours, and I am so glad that you mentioned many of the great things to do in San Diego. Hope to see you again soon!

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Perfect central location in a welcoming home

Guest: Kjfhome (Kansas City)
Date of Stay: 01/27/12 Review Submitted: 02/06/12

Just two of us in a lot of apartment, but it was wonderfully set up with a beautiful view (pictures just don't truly capture the beauty). We spent 8 nights here and had a wonderful time with many extras included in the rental. Most condos just barely get you in and you are on your own and Donna provided many extras to make it comfortable. We used the hot tub almost nightly and enjoyed a wonderful private vacation. Even in the midst of a slight emergency while there, Donna was wonderful to deal with. We hope to return some day and enjoy Villa Donna again. Highly recommended for a central location just about a mile from the ocean and out of the hustle bustle of the tourist spots.

Owner response:Thank you so much for taking the time to send such a beautiful review. I am so glad that you enjoyed your time at Villa Donna, and hope that you will return soon.

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

Best place ever!

Guest: Sebastian (Berlin, Germany)
Date of Stay: 12/31/11 Review Submitted: 01/28/12

Best place in San Diego to stay. We had a wonderful stay at Villa Donna. Just blocks from the beach, and readily accessable to San Diego's many destinations, we were able to enjoy many memorable moments during our stay. The house was very clean and roomy. We liked best the relaxed atmosphere, the arrangement of the rooms, the kitchen, the patio with this amazing million dollar view. You're able to see Downtown, Coronado Island, Sea World, Mission Beach and even Mexico! Donna & Bill are gracious hosts, there when we needed to talk to them, but giving us privacy at all other times. Whenever we will come back, we will try to stay there again. Thank you so much!

Owner response:Thank you for choosing Villa Donna and for writing such a great review. You were wonderful guests, and I hope to see you back in San Diego or in Berlin. You have such a terrific family!

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

The views are even better than the pictures!

Guest: Susan (Phoenix, AZ)
Date of Stay: 12/19/11 Review Submitted: 12/23/11

Four members of our family were fortunate enough to find and then stay at Villa Donna for my sister's 70th birthday. The owner warmly greeted us on our arrival, and even had a cold bottle of champagne in the frig! The pictures don't do the views justice. They are absolutely spectacular! We enjoyed opening our bedroom doors to our private patio and sitting under the gazebo taking in the sun and views. We appreciated the little extras like the full size bottles of shampoo in the showers. You really only need to bring your clothes and toothbrush :) Donna and Bill are very gracious hosts. Try Villa Donna...you won't be disappointed!

Owner response:Thank you so much for staying at Villa Donna. I felt fortunate that you found me! I hope to see you again in August.

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

Total Relaxation Vacation

Guest: balpro (Philadelphia PA USA)
Date of Stay: 11/14/11 Review Submitted: 11/24/11

From the time we drove up the driveway i knew this was going to be a great vacation. Our hostess was there to greet us with a smile and all the info we would need to be comfortable in this gorgeous 2 bedroom apartment that totally feels like our own house. When we woke the 1st day, the 1st thing we did was go out onto the terrace to enjoy the view of the expansive Pacific Ocean. This was a perfect location for enjoying all that San Diego has to offer. i can't say enough about our Host and Hostess being very gracious and friendly. It turned out to be one of our best vacations. I would obviously recommend staying here for as long as u can. It was deliteful.

Owner response:Your review really made my day! Thank you so much and please come back. Guests like you make renting this beautiful apartment so enjoyable.

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

what a fantastic place!!!

Guest: Deb (Newcastle, England)
Date of Stay: 10/14/11 Review Submitted: 11/12/11

We stayed for 8 nights at this fabulous apartment, after travelling for 2 weeks this was a welcome retreat, the apartment was out of this world, every little detail attented to, some very personal touches by the owners which made it even more enjoyable, a true home from home. Bill and Donna were fantastic hosts, they took us for breakfast at the marina in mission bay and then had a fabulous BBQ in there home, what a treat, the accommodation was central and we were only a short drive away from everything that San Diego has to offer. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this lovely apartment if a little bit of luxury is what you're after

Owner response:Thank you so much for this lovely review. You were wonderful guests. I feel very fortunate to have guests like you, and I hope to see you next year!

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

Sie werden weinen, unglaublich schön

Guest: Uwe H. (Berlin)
Date of Stay: 10/07/11 Review Submitted: 11/21/11

Sie werden es beim ersten Anblick glauben zu träumen. Das Appartement ist sehr grosszügig, die Aussicht vermutlich die beste in ganz San Diego. Sie brauchen absolut nichts mitzubringen. Es ist wirklich alles da. Der eigene Pool, nur für die Ferienwohnung ist dann das Sahnehäubchen. Besonders hat uns gefallen, dass die Eigentümer so ein Faible für Besucher aus Deutschland haben und sehr am Kontakt zu ihren Gästen interessiert sind. Wir waren mehrmals zum Essen eingeladen und haben es genossen uns über den einen oder anderen Hintergrund des amerikanischen Lebens zu unterhalten. Beide haben die ganze Welt bereist und rechnen sie damit, dass sie auch einmal ihre Stadt besuchen. Bei uns war es so. Unsere beiden Kinder werden wohl noch ewig von der Vorzugsbehandlung schwärmen. Die beiden kümmern sich sehr gern um Kinder. California dreaming on such winters day...............oh wie wahr

Owner response:Thank you so much for this wonderful review. I cannot tell you how happy I am that you found Villa Donna and enjoyed the apartment so much. You and your family were dream guests, and I hope to se you again either in San Diego or Berlin.

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Best Place to Stay in San Diego

Guest: nancy b.
Date of Stay: 08/17/11 Review Submitted: 08/22/11

After two weeks of traveling in the Southwest, we arrived for our stay at Villa Donna and were ecstatic with our choice to wrap up our trip. The apartment is in impeccable condition and is beautifully decorated. Donna and Bill are very hospitable and Donna has thought of everything you could possibly need while in San Diego. You are so close to everything -- the beach, downtown, LaJolla, Seaworld -- could not be better! The house also has a number of wonderful little touches and extras that make you feel right at home. Our three kids loved the pool and hot tub, and my husband and I loved the views from the HUGE patio -- the pictures don't do it justice. We are looking for an excuse to return because three days was not enough. Thanks for a wonderful end to our vacation!

Owner response:Thank you so much for such a wonderful review, Nancy. I loved having you at Villa Donna, and I do hope that you stay longer next time!

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

Super condo - great location!

Guest: Bob d.
Date of Stay: 07/25/11 Review Submitted: 08/17/11

We stayed for 1 week with our 2 teenage daughters in July 2011. Much too short! Wonderful modern condo, fully equipped kitchen, warmly decorated with great taste. Kids loved the pool/jacuzzi and we enjoyed long evenings with BBQ and just taking in the spectacular views from the terrace. In fact the house is even nicer than the pictures currently on internet. House is on the hills of La Jolla, one of the nicest area's of San Diego and very close to all main attractions and city. Very private and quiet! So nice to wake up, open your bedroom doors and overlook the Pacific, Mission Bay (including Sea World), downtown San Diego and even the inland mountains. We also very much enjoyed the warm hospitaliy of the owners Donna and Bill, who were nice enough to invite us for a wonderful -American- breakfast in their home. This is really the best place to stay for us in 'the finest city of America' and we will certainly stay there again next time we visit San Diego! PS: very clean and no bugs!

Owner response:Thank you so much! You were wonderful guests, and I look forward to seeing you again.

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

Great stay in San Diego

Guest: Pete & Karen (Canberra, Australia)
Date of Stay: 07/19/11 Review Submitted: 12/19/11

A perfect stay in San Diego. The condo was comfortable and clean. There was plenty of space for my wife and I and two teenagers. The view from the condo was spectacular. Easy walking to restaurants and the beach. Our hosts were fantastic, providing excellent advice and assistance. Would recommend them highly.

Owner response:Thank you so much for taking the time to write a review. I am very glad that you found Villa Donna. You were wonderful guests, and I hope that you will return to San Diego from Canberra. We so enjoyed meeting you.

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

Fabulous!

Guest: Judi R. (Edmond, OK)
Date of Stay: 05/28/11 Review Submitted: 06/05/11

Our stay at the VillaDonna was so great. The hospitality of Bill and Donna could not have been nicer and the condo had absolutely everything we needed and then some. And the views from the patio were absolutely stunning. We had a great time cooking out and enjoying the fabulous San Diego weather, even if a bit chilly in late May. The condo was situated just 10-20 minutes from most activities and we had no problem getting to and from everywhere we wanted to go.

Recommended for:Age 55+, tourists without a car.

Great Family Holiday Home

Guest: dk19 (Melbourne, Australia)
Date of Stay: 04/17/11 Review Submitted: 05/19/11

We had the pleasure of staying here in April 2011. The owner Donna was very helpful in the build up and available to answer any questions we had. The furnishing and condition of the house were excellent and would have no hesitation in recommending Villa Donna to others. We are a family of 4 with 2 young children and it was perfect for us, Thanks Donna and we hope to return soon!

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

Great little hideway

Guest: pauliina (London)
Date of Stay: 02/25/11 Review Submitted: 03/24/11

The apartment was both beautifully decorated & maintained. The kitchen was brilliantly equipped and there was even a good selection of toys to keep our 3 year old son occupied. The location was great, only a short drive away from both La Jolla and Seaworld. The large outside deck gave you a lovely view across La Jolla and San Diego. Our son loved the little pool & jacuzzi and so did we. The owners Bill and Donna live in the house above and could not have been nicer! They had compiled a great book telling you about the local area & restaurants. They had left flowers & a bottle of wine for us on arrival, both of which were very much appreciated. They even invited us to join them for a lovely home cooked breakfast, which was well beyond the call of duty! All in all, a great little place! I highly recommend it!

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

Perfect in every way

Guest: JKB (Scotland)
Date of Stay: 09/11/10 Review Submitted: 09/21/10

I stayed at Villa Donna for 5 fabulous nights with my wife and two sons. Our hosts were generous and welcoming in the extreme, and the accommodation was excellent in every way. The location was ideal, and the views of San Diego simply outstanding. We loved the pool and the hot tub, and the hammock on the large patio. Perfect in every way!

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

Fantastic views and a lovely place to stay

Guest: Phil (England)
Date of Stay: 08/21/10 Review Submitted: 09/02/10

Myself and my family ( boys 8 and 10) have just returned from a holiday in California and spent 5 nights at this excellent accomodation in San Diego. The accomodation is very well specified and laid out. The view from the terrace is fantastic. The property is an ideal place to head to the beaches, Sea World, down down, golf and beautiful La Jolla. It also has many restaurants, a bakery and a super market in 10-15 mins walking distance or a short drive. We also made good use of the heated Hot tub and pool. The owners made us very welcome and we would not hesitate to return again in the future.

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

Honeymoon Getaway

Guest: Hamzah (Peachtree City, GA 30269)
Date of Stay: 04/08/10 Review Submitted: 01/26/11

Donna, I apologize for such a late review My wife and I had the pleasure of staying at Villa Donna for our honeymoon April 8-12 2010 and we LOVED it! Nine months on and we still talk about how fortunate we were to have such an awesome experience so early in our marriage. Donna is an incredibly gracious host and went out of her way to make our stay extra enjoyable. For any guests not familiar with the area, Donna provides a folder with all the local restaurants and attractions. There is free WIFI internet. Cable Tv. It's a home away from home. A more personal feel than any hotel. The deck offers amazing views! Bring a camera as those sunsets are picturesque! My wife and I have made a promise to each other that we need to return to Villa Donna on our next visit to San Diego

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Guest: Jenny & Joe
Date of Stay: 03/23/10 Review Submitted: 03/26/10

After a busy day out and about in San Diego, it was so relaxing to come home to your peaceful, comfortable villa. We loved our dinners out on the terrace with the fabulous view. We appreciate all your hospitality and help with planning the trip. We will remember it for a long time and hope to return.

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Guest: Tommy
Date of Stay: 03/11/10 Review Submitted: 03/26/10

We all enjoyed a great view and jacuzzi at night. This was a wonderful vacation and a good change from busy days in Japan. We wish we could come and stay here more often. Thank you for your friendly hospitality. We are looking forward to coming back again.

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Guest: Angela
Date of Stay: 02/13/10 Review Submitted: 03/26/10

Thank you so much for your hospitality and welcoming us to San Diego. We had a fabulous holiday. We enjoyed the hot tub daily - nice change from the snow in Canada. The villa had everything we needed and more. The view is spectacular - we never tired of it. We look forward to returning some day soon.

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Guest: Kelly
Date of Stay: 01/12/10 Review Submitted: 03/26/10

Thank you for being so hospitable and letting us stay in your beautiful villa. We felt like we were at home from the moment we pulled in the driveway. The view is spectacular and the villa is so comfortable. Because we stayed here we feel our vacation was 100 times better than it would have been. We can't wait to come back real soon.

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Guest: Merritt
Date of Stay: 11/30/09 Review Submitted: 03/26/10

Thank you very much for your hospitality, we enjoyed our stay in San Diego and your place is fantastic. We hope to be back soon.

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Guest: Carol
Date of Stay: 10/27/09 Review Submitted: 03/26/10

The Villa Donna was the most beautiful staging area for a beautiful Wedding. My daughter enjoyed a very peaceful week before her wedding staying here. I was able to be with my daughter and support her. I cannot wait to come back. Thank you for everything.

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Guest: Diana
Date of Stay: 10/17/09 Review Submitted: 03/26/10

Our honeymoon was extra special in San Diego thanks to the Villa Donna! It was like home but much more romantic. We know where to go when it is time to celebrate our anniversaries, and you were both so accommodating for us. Thanks again for everything. We will definitely recommend the Villa Donna to all of our friends.

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Guest: Lois
Date of Stay: 10/10/09 Review Submitted: 03/26/10

Staying at Villa Donna made our trip to San Diego perfect. We had an excellent vacation - could not have made it better. With luck, we hope to see you again next year.

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Bericht auf deutsch, einfach perfekt

Guest: Uwe H. (Berlin)
Date of Stay: 10/09/09 Review Submitted: 11/21/11

Sie moechten mehr über Land und Leute erfahren? Dann sind Sie hier richtig. Die Eigentuemer Donna und Bill wohnen in den oberen Etagen des Gebaeudes und kuemmern sich unaufdringlich um das Wohlergehen ihrer Gaeste und deren Kinder. Die beiden kennen Europa gut und sind große Fans des deutschen Sprachraums. Wenn sie das Appartement das erste mal sehen, werden Sie sich in den Arm zwicken und fragen, träume ich? OK, in den USA ist alles etwas groesser, aber das Appartement ist sehr grosszuegig und die Terrasse erst, unglaublich. Der eigene, nur für die Gaeste vorgesehene Pool toppt dann alles. Das einzige Minus war, dass wir nur 6 Tage dort waren. Wir wuerden jederzeit wiederkommen und unsere Kinder wuerden dann wieder Kuerbisse mit Bill schnitzen. Vielen Dank fuer die schoenen Tage dort sagt eine Berliner Familie

Recommended for:People with disabilities, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Guest: Rainer
Date of Stay: 09/10/09 Review Submitted: 03/26/10

We enjoyed our stay in your beautiful apartment very much. The view from the patio is so great and everything is perfect. Relaxing in the pool - that is exactly what we needed after our strenuous trip from San Francisco, LA, Grand Canyon, Lake Powell and Las Vegas to San Diego. Thank you very much for your hospitality.

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Guest: Yvonne
Date of Stay: 08/31/09 Review Submitted: 03/26/10

We have been coming to San Diego for about 10 years now. Villa Donna has been our favorite place to stay. The apartment was more than we expected. The view was gorgeous! We hope to come back again next year. Many thanks.

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