Vacation Rentals by Owner

Peace, Tranquility, Quiet Joy!

Guest: W&W's (Lakeside, Montana)
Date of Stay: 04/20/11 Review Submitted: 04/28/11

The Boathouse is everything and more of what you see on the website. Harvey and Jean provide and maintain a little slice of heaven for their "guests". My husband and I had a most memorable anniversary in this magical boathouse. All our needs and wants were met by the special touches provided. The minute you arrive you feel a sense of calm and closeness to nature with comforts unmatched. The queen bed with its bedding was like falling into a cloud and we slept better than anywhere we have ever stayed. It turly is a one of a kind special place!

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

Guest: Mike and Patty, Wilton, CA
Date of Stay: 10/19/10 Review Submitted: 04/25/11

This was the perfect place to celebrate 25 years of marriage. We loved rowing to Butchart Gardens, watching the jellyfish, and listening to the seagulls. We danced to Nat King Cole, relaxed and read. Thank you for staying open the month of October. I bet there's not many places like this by the waterfront. I feel so blessed. Over the past 25 years you've given people a precious gift...the gift of wonderful memories. Thank you for your hospitality and all the extras that made us feel so special.

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Guest: Sue and Warren (Bristol, U.K.)
Date of Stay: 09/22/10 Review Submitted: 04/25/11

The Boathouse, the reason we came to Vancouver Island! Unique and so, so beautiful. A truly wonderful experience, which we hope to return to one day. Thank you, Jean and Harvey.

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Guest: Pam and John (Seattle, WA)
Date of Stay: 08/23/10 Review Submitted: 04/25/11

We would echo everything your previous guests have said about the Boathouse. We particularly appreciated the complimentary "shuttle" to and from downtown, the congratulations banner, card, and champagne, and all your help with making our travel plans. We had a great time and would love to come back sometime in the future. Thank you!

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Guest: Felicity and Philip (Perth, W. Australia)
Date of Stay: 08/05/10 Review Submitted: 04/25/11

Thank you, Jean and Harvey, for your wonderful hospitality. This is truly a beautiful place and we have been privileged to have enjoyed it for the last four days.

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Beautiful, peaceful, Heaven on Earth

Guest: Shellie (Dayton, WA)
Date of Stay: 06/14/10 Review Submitted: 06/18/10

We stayed 2 nights in The Boathouse in June of 2010. Jean and Harvey were the most gracious hosts, and the cottage was charming in every way. There is a small basket of tapes and cds, and I was so pleased to find a tape that my grandma played everytime we were together at her house for holidays when I was a child (Roger Whittaker) along with several more of our favorites. Our stay was the perfect combination of something new & exciting and something familiar & comforting. We Loved taking the dinghy to Butchart Gardens and taking an evening stroll to dinner. This is a fantastic place to visit! Everyone should experience it!!

Recommended for:Romantic getaway

Small untroubled world

Guest: Colorado Couple (Durango, colorado)
Date of Stay: 10/05/09 Review Submitted: 05/15/11

Review from Joe and Rita 5 stars For us, there really are no words to capture our sense of love and appreciation for the Boathouse. Our good fortune and fate led us there over 25 years ago! We have returned eight times, the last trip in the fall of 2009. We do not travel frequently, so we save and dream and anticipate our return to the Boathouse because there are few other places we choose to be. It is a long journey from land locked Colorado back to our little sanctuary on the water. We are drawn back to the “spirit of place”. The subtle glow of light reflecting off of the water and stained glass, the sense of peace, the solace of water gently lapping all around, & the heavenly sunsets bring us back time after time. It is a place of romance and quiet reflection. A small untroubled place in a troubled world. We have never really been B&B sort of people. We like quiet, solitude and privacy. For this Jean and Harvey are the best of hosts. They take care of the comforting details and are absolutely sensitive to their guests’ space and privacy. We never tire of rowing the dingy the short distance to Butchart Gardens, or up Todd inlet for a private picnic or of the short walk into Brentwood Bay for lunch and a brew or glass of wine (or two). We feel honored when the seals and otters slide by the dock or the dingy and have a look at us. We love to walk and hike and there is just no better way to spend a quiet romantic day than to take a short drive out to Mt. Work and hike out to Mackenzie Bight to picnic, watch the seals and just reflect. Sigh…. It all comes gently back into focus and we are saving for our return. We have found the Boathouse to be a sanctuary and a gift beyond words. The Boathouse has become, and always will be a part of us. Some of the best days of our lives have been our days and nights at The Boathouse. Thank you Jean and Harvey for the gift of The Boathouse and for your friendship. Life is short, so here’s to more time at the Boathouse!!! Rita and Joe

Recommended for:Girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Guest: Donald Olson
Date of Stay: 02/09/09 Review Submitted: 02/09/09

From FROMMER'S Vancouver & Victoria 2008. "Best Alternative Accommodation": The Boathouse is a real (converted) boathouse with a private dock and rowing dinghy. Vancouver Island has nothing else like it and I can almost guarantee you'll fall in love with this tiny, secluded cottage...a former boathouse...set on pilings over Saanich Inlet on Brentwood Bay.

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Guest: Rob & Mitzi
Date of Stay: 07/21/08 Review Submitted: 07/20/08

We used to think the stairway to heaven was an upward climb. The Boathouse proved us wrong. Jean and Harvey, your little slice of heaven will always be a favorite place in our hearts. We have fond memories of past visits and hope to create more in the future. Your very gracious hospitality makes every stay a joy. Thanks for all the little extras that made our 25th anniversary extra special. Rob & Mitzi, Bothell, WA

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Guest: Cheryl and Jim
Date of Stay: 07/18/08 Review Submitted: 07/17/08

Few things remain constant; fewer still are as wonderful as one's memories of them but year after year, the Boathouse is the exception. We look forward all year to our time here, thinking of it in snatches - the quiet nights, the lapping of the water against the rocks, the sight of a family of geese making their way across the Bay at sunset. Then we're here and it isn't just (just!) as wonderful as we've remembered. It's better. Because no memory encapsulates it all, expresses adequately the sheer joy of being here. For as long as you continue to make it possible for us to share this place, we will be back. Thank you, Jean and Harvey! With warm affection Cheryl and Jim, Portland, OR

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Guest: N/A
Date of Stay: 07/08/08 Review Submitted: 07/07/08

Today marks our 30th wedding anniversary. (Melanie picked our wedding date 7-8-7-8 so maybe I wouldn't forget it!) We discovered you somewhat by accident due to my misreading the guidebook. Best mistake I ever made! As the world's best musicians playing poorly together would not make for joyful music, a perfect vacation is when everything plays in concert. Your home and your hospitality made magical music in our lives. We are blessed to have been here and been treated so very well. Frank and Melanie, Woodland, CA

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Guest: Richard & Kathleen
Date of Stay: 07/01/08 Review Submitted: 06/30/08

Looking out from the "library room" at sunset on Canada Day. Purples/oranges/blues all there. What a sight! We've gone through 2 sets of batteries in 2 days. Spectacular is the only worthy description. Learning to relax takes time and this is the place to do it. It's hard to add what has already been written...I'm just thankful for the time spent here. Thankful that our hosts are willing to provide an experience opportunity laced with quality attention to detail. A silly but true way to sum it all up: *price of gas from Whistler to here = $70 *price of ferry from Horseshoe Bay = $67 *price of 2 nights at the Boathouse = you know because you're staying here *being at the Boathouse for 2 nights = PRICELESS! Richard & Kathleen, Jacksonville, FL

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Guest: Betsy & Tom
Date of Stay: 06/25/08 Review Submitted: 06/24/08

Jean and Harvey Thank you for sharing your space (and rowboat!) with us. The Boathouse is such a unique and lovely space, an astonishing paradise in a suburban setting. Somehow that combination makes the traveling experience into a "home" experience as well. We've enjoyed our stay immensely. Betsy and Tom, Boulder, CO

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Guest: Jennifer & Craig
Date of Stay: 06/16/08 Review Submitted: 06/15/08

Jean and Harvey, We are so happy we found the Boathouse. It is truely a magical place to be. We loved seeing the Butchart Gardens but left early because we couldn't wait to get back and enjoy this very special place. We sat on the deck and watched the beautiful sunset. The Boathouse reeks with charm - you did a wondeerful job decorating. We loved being able to row to the Butchart Gardens! This is so peaceful here - we will definitely be back! Thank you so much for your hospitality! Jennifer and Craig, Rocklin, CA

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Guest: Roger & Sandra
Date of Stay: 06/12/08 Review Submitted: 06/11/08

It doesn't get much better than this!! Relaxation comes so easily here! I wish we could take it home with us! Everything you have created here is just perfect and your attention to detail is just unbelievable! I love all the little vases filled with cheerful flowers! Thank you so much for your wonderful hospitality and making our "20th" unforgettable! We hope to be able to come back for many more... See you next year... Roger & Sandra, Lafayette, CO

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Treat yourselves to a marvelous stay

Guest: Melanie (Ohio)
Date of Stay: 09/15/07 Review Submitted: 07/05/11

The Boat House excells! The host and hostess know how to make guests feel not only welcome, but pampered. Great little accomodation for two. The steps will keep you in shape, but worth the trek. The cottage is just what we were looking for in a quiet get-away. The Blues Cafe just across the small bay is excellent food. You can take the dingy, but it is not for the feint of heart...sort of wobbly. It is a short walk for those of us not into rowing.

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing.