Cozy and Cute

Guest: Giovanni (San Francisco, California)
Date of Stay: 09/30/11 Review Submitted: 10/05/11

My wife and I and one other couple stayed for three days in this charming house. We have stayed on the island before but never rented a house. We have always stayed in one of the many hotels. If you know anything about Catalina you know that most of the hotels and homes are old. One of the many tours we took told us about a fire that destroyed the entire town in 1915 and had to be rebuilt. Most of the homes date back to the late 1915's or early 1920's which gives the town its charm. This house was most likely built around that same time frame. It is in a terrific location and the price is better than most hotels in town which are much, much smaller. A very short walk will take you into the downtown area where the beach is located along with all of the shops and restaurants. We had stayed at one hotel that required us to either hike up a huge hill or take a taxi. You won't be sorry renting this house at all. It was fresh and clean. We shopped at the local store and ate our breakfast and lunch at the house and went out to dinner at night. By Sunday afternoon our feet were tired the men ended up watching football and having a beer or two. It was very relaxing for all of us and we had a great time. We will no doubt rent again when we visit the island. Everything went smooth, from the initial renting of the house to our arrival on the island. You can't go wrong. If you go with one other couple you can split the cost which will be terrific savings over staying at one of the many expensive hotels in town. It is truly a good bargain for the price.

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

Gigi (Santa Barbara, CA)

Guest: Gigi (Santa Barbara County)
Date of Stay: 09/16/11 Review Submitted: 10/03/11

My wife and I have stayed on Catalina Island many times over the years. We have stayed in hotels and other rental properties. This property not only has island charm, it also has a price that is well below what it should be for such a great location. The house is only one and a half very short blocks to the beach, shopping, tours, and restaurants. It couldn't be any more centrally located unless the house was sitting on the beach itself. You won't need any transportation at all if you decide to rent this house. I read the comments made by a visitor from New Zealand and wondered if I was reviewing the same location. We did not find anything mis-represented at all. The house appeared to have a good coat of paint, and nothing was peeling. The kitchen seemed to be a full kitchen from our standpoint. Refrigerator, Stove, Microwave oven, Toaster which all seemed to be in very good working condition. The kitchen also had what appeared to be a fairly new floor and there was no sign of duct tape or tackiness about the flooring. The lighting fixtures had light bulbs in place and the overall lighting did not seem to be a problem at all. Also, we did not notice anything odd about the electrical wiring of the house, but since I am not an electrician or a handyman for that matter, all we can really say is that the lighting was more than sufficient. Oh, and by the way, the DVD player was also present and in good working condition. The bottom line is that you can spend a lot more money somewhere else and be much further away from the action, or you can rent this charming house and be right in the hub of downtown Avalon! I would definitely recommend this house to all of my family and friends. And I also recommend it to you!

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

Wonderful vacation

Guest: max (san diego)
Date of Stay: 08/12/11 Review Submitted: 09/30/11

We found the home to be an adorable cottage. It was very close to the beach and shop which made getting around very comfortable and easy. The home was very clean and we liked the new flooring, drapes, and bedding. The rental procedure was easy and the owner was very friendly and helpful. I would recommend this property to my family and friends.

Owner response:Always glad when guests have an enjoyable vacation.

Recommended for:Girls getaway, families with teenagers, adventure seekers, romantic getaway, age 55+, tourists without a car, people with disabilities, pet owners, sightseeing, families with young children.

Catalina Island - property #211679

Guest: kj (Gisborne, New Zealand)
Date of Stay: 07/26/09 Review Submitted: 07/26/10

The owner was quick to respond to inquiries and made the transaction easy. The location of the house to the main centre of Avalon made it easy to access the beaches and the shops which we enjoyed. We also enjoyed the washer and dryer and the rental cart. However overall the rental property is mis-represented on the website and the condition of the property was sub-standard. Specifically: •There was no deck/patio (as stated on the website)/ •The windows in the front of the house do not lock or close properly; the house was not able to be secured. •Electricity is very old and did not provide sufficient lighting: unsure that the wiring is to code. Many of the light fittings did not have light bulbs; Housekeeping was not helpful in getting replacement bulbs. •The kitchen has only the basics and this was not a full kitchen as advertised. •The BBQ grill was dirty and the cover did not have a handle which made the BBQ difficult to use. •There is no DVD player as stated - the radio has only one volume – loud. •The duct tape used to repair a part of the kitchen floor is a potential risk (for people falling) and a little tacky. •The 3rd smaller bedroom is no more than a closet with a bunk bed on the floor and the top bunk so close to the ceiling it was almost impossible to use without hitting your head. •The pictures posted on the web do not correctly convey the reality of the interior or the exterior of the house and the place is well used/run down with paint peeling from surfaces. The rotted wood in parts of the house is not appealing.

Owner response:The house is a very charming Catalina cottage and consistently receives positive responses from guests. The inside electrical wiring was completely replaced 3/2011. The kitchen is a full kitchen per the VRBO description. There is a DVD player and the volume control on the radio continues to work well. Most of the interior has been recently painted, there is new kitchen and bathroom flooring, and new window coverings throughout as well.

Recommended for: