Vacation Rentals by Owner

Favorite Destination

Guest: Craig & Kerri (Louisiana)
Date of Stay: 09/30/11 Review Submitted: 10/05/11

This is not our first visit, nor will it be our last. We came this year in October. What a beautiful time to see the fall colors and enjoy the cooler (not cold) weather. We came all the way from Louisiana to escape the heat. The property is absolutely georgous! There are so many beautiful trees that make the house quiet and secluded. The home is very spacious. It was wonderful to be able to sit outside on the porch and drink a cup of coffee in the mornings. In the evenings, a fire in the fire pit roasting marshmellows and just relaxing! What more can one ask for?

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

children friendly and spacious

Guest: Z&Z (Redmond, WA)
Date of Stay: 09/17/11 Review Submitted: 09/20/11

stayed with 2 nights with a friends family (I have 2 children and they have 3). The place was extremely clean and spacious, loved the dotted theme and the heart stones everywhere. The kids loved looking at the 2 deer that showed themselves occasionally, the treehouse kept them busy also. We enjoyed the bar-b-q and the campfire. The location was ideal with a 7 minute walk to the beach, enjoyed berry picking on our way. Looking forward to another stay already, many thanks to the Taylors for a comfortable stay.

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

Perfect vacation spot

Guest: Family Reunion Vacationers (Lake Forest, CA)
Date of Stay: 08/12/11 Review Submitted: 09/04/11

Island Place is the perfect spot for a great family vacation. House and property are in great shape and are "as-advertised". Saw deer every day (including a buck the first day), and also saw little black fox. Our girls (5 and 8) loved the play-house in back, and we used the fire pit to roast marsmallows one night. Highly recommend Orca-watching at Lime Klin Point State Park (on west side of island, short drive away) -- we saw lots of whales, a few even came within 20 feet of the shoreline. The Lavender Farm and Sculpture Garden are an excellent day trip, and be sure to plan a hike at the "American Camp". For out-of-towners, plan to allow enough time for you to catch the auto ferry from Anacortes (no reservations, so be prepared to wait). Also if you want to see Victoria, you should plan to go there before or after your Friday Harbor stay (doesn't work out so well for a day-trip).

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

Island Place, a family place

Guest: Cindy (Redmond, Washington)
Date of Stay: 08/08/11 Review Submitted: 08/23/11

What a fabulous experience! We had two out-of-state daughters and their families coming for a reunion and we wanted to show our Iowa raised sons-in-laws the glorious Northwest. What better place than the San Juan Islands. Luckily we chose the best week of the summer. The beautiful ferry ride ending in charming Friday Harbor was only out done by the perfect house for our family's needs. We had four families, two with small children and the bedrooms fitted us perfectly. The living spaces were perfect for food prep, dining and an evening movie. The large back deck, hammocks and swings were a delight. For one day we also had our son and family with a 5 year old boy who rated the play house an enthusiastic "awesome". We played golf, toured Roche Harbor, visited the Lavendar Farm and attempted to see whales. We could have done so much more but were limited in time and babies. Judy and Greg were close and attentive when we needed them. All in all it was a perfect Place on the Island.

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

Perfect for our two families!

Guest: J 5 (Seattle)
Date of Stay: 07/31/11 Review Submitted: 08/07/11

We had a terrific time at this home, and I do mean home. The owners built it and take care of like their home which apparently it is at times. We had two families, 9 all together, and were extremely comfortable. Everything was clean and the linens even smelled fresh, including the charming bathrobes in each room. A fox welcomed us the first day and deer greeted us in the morning (cue the deer!) I can't remember a more relaxing vacation. And, San Juan Island is as charming as it gets. A five star vacation for both families. Oh, and the DVD collection is better than having Netflix, we watched one every night of our week there.

Owner response:At Island Place, we pride ourselves on delivering a clean and relaxing atmosphere. It is our goal that each and every guest experience the place and leave with memories of their vacation well spent! The dot robes seem to be a hit, most all the vacationers that have come this season have taken photos of themselves in the dot robes! Simple pleasures are the best! Thank you for your kind words.

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

Great San Juan Island getaway house for families

Guest: HappyFamily (Seattle, WA)
Date of Stay: 07/10/11 Review Submitted: 07/17/11

Very charming and relaxing property! This is a great place for families. The kids have lots of room to run around and play on the large property. Convenient to Friday Harbor, but still very quiet and private. The owners are very friendly and helpful, and took care of all our needs. House was well appointed. Highly recommended! We'll be back for sure.

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

A Place to store up memories

Guest: The Inland Crew (Liberty Lake, Washington)
Date of Stay: 07/03/11 Review Submitted: 07/14/11

We spent a week at Greg and Judy's Island Place and we will always have great memories of our time there. My wife, myself, our four kids and our parents spent days out and about seeing the islands and our morning and evenings at their cozy cabin. It was the perfect place to escape from a busy day, kick up our feet and relax. Our kids felt at home seeing Lyndsey's childhood artwork in the halls and the polka dot beds kept them warm at night. My dad and I enjoyed the morning with our coffee, visiting and watching the deer in the lawn watching us. I would recommend the Island Place if you wish to store such memories for your family.

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

Delightful!

Guest: Cindy (Columbia, MO)
Date of Stay: 06/29/11 Review Submitted: 07/04/11

We had a wonderful stay. The house is roomy, with four large bedrooms, a good sized kitchen, and nice open living/dining area. There are two full baths -- one up and one down -- and an extra sink/mirror/cabinet in the downstairs master bedroom. The beds are very comfortable and the linens, comforters, and towels are top quality. Everything works fine and pretty much everything you need is there (WIFI, flat screen TV, coffee pot, coffee grinder, corkscrew, can opener, plenty of TP, etc). We had 4 families (2 couples and 2 young families of 4 each) and we were completely comfortable. That's the basics. But then -- there's magic here too. Inside, the decor is enchantingly whimsical. And the outdoor space is marvelous. The tree house is superb -- kids aged 2, 4, 5 and 7 played by the hour, enthusiastic (and safe) while parents relaxed in hammocks, watching bald eagles overhead. In the early morning and at dusk we all watched the deer and the foxes. We grilled on the back deck (gas grill) and roasted s'mores in the fire pit. The location is just what we were looking for -- not far from Friday Harbor, not directly on the water, not too hard to find. We spent our 3 days roaming the island, including exploring the beach at False Bay at low tide, enjoying some productive orca-watching at dusk south of Lime Kiln State Park lighthouse, plus visiting the alpaca farm and Roche Harbor & Friday Harbor. Judy was nice to rent from. We needed something for sleeping arrangements for the 2 year old, so she bought a pack'n play, which was great. She greeted us on arrival then we didn't see her again altho if we had needed anything, I'm sure we could have called her. There is a big marker board on a cupboard door with house information on it, which is a good format -- easy for everyone to read over and get the recycling system etc down. We took shoes off at the door as requested -- it took about 5 minutes to get used to this, but then we found it to be a definite advantage -- besides not tracking stuff all over the house, it was easy to find the kids' shoes -- they were in the pile by the door. No hunting all over, looking for sandals under the couch etc. I may institute that request at Grandma's house back home. I would definitely recommend this vacation retreat to others. The San Juans are marvelous, and this is the way to enjoy them!

Owner response:WOW! Never in our history have we gotten such a precise review. We are humbled by your kind words. Many thanks! Island Place.

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

Beautiful home & garden, great owners, 5 min walk to beach, hammock, play house, deer, and peace!

Guest: st (Bellevue, Washington)
Date of Stay: 06/24/11 Review Submitted: 06/29/11

What a lovely house! Full of light, comfortable furniture, cheerful colors, cozy robes, warm blankets, and clean towels : ) Lots of DVDs to choose from, plus PlayStation 2, board games, plenty of dishes, pots, glassware and silverware. Soap, shampoo, hand lotion in bathrooms. Beautiful garden -- we saw a coyote and several deer. Walked to a pebbly beach with great view. Had a couple of nice chats with Greg, the owner, who built most of the furniture and directed us to the nice sandy beach at Eagle Cove. 5 min (or less) drive to the town of Friday Harbor.

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

Everything was absolutely great! The house, the location and the hosts!

Guest: Maria (Redmond, WA)
Date of Stay: 05/27/11 Review Submitted: 06/01/11

I have no words to say how perfect everything was during our stay. All the details in the house were carefully taken care of and all the accomodations were very comfortable. Located a few minutes drive from Friday Harbor's village and easy access to anywhere else in the island. We spent 3 days and 3 nights in the house with 2 other couples and 4 kids, who btw spent the great majority of the time outside playing in the "tree house" and making smores. Did I talk about the beautiful DVD collection? - great for those rainy days or quiet nights. The most difficult thing during our whole stay was to get the kids to say goodbye to the house!

Owner response:It is of great blessing to us, when we get a written review! We have found that many vacationers actually read them! We appreciate the opportunity to give our vacationers a fun-filled family time! It is especially lovely when our guests are respectful of the property and the house, Island Place awaits you!

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

Perfect Vacation for kids

Guest: Mike (Portland, OR)
Date of Stay: 04/28/11 Review Submitted: 05/02/11

The house and the hospitality were fantastic. I would highly recommend to anyone with kids that they consider staying here. The "tacht house", the swings and the big yard provided endless opportunities to play. Cooking smores over the fire pit was icing on the cake. A great house. A wonderful weekend.

Owner response:Thanks so much for your kind words. We were thrilled to host your 40th b-day. Thanks for choosing Island Place!

Recommended for:Families with young children, sightseeing.

great multi-family retreat!

Guest: Mey (Bellevue, Wa)
Date of Stay: 08/28/10 Review Submitted: 09/06/10

The Island Family Place is a wonderful mulit-family vacation rental. The home was very spacious for my extended family (6 adults and 3 small children). It was really nice to have 2 rooms with 2 beds in them so that families with small children could sleep together comfortable. The tree house was a hit among my neices and son! And everyone enjoyed the fire pit at night. I would defnitely come back to stay again! Thanks Island Family Place for a wonderful trip to San Juan Island!!

Recommended for:People with disabilities, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway.

Great Trip!

Guest: Shamu (Maple Valley, WA)
Date of Stay: 08/22/10 Review Submitted: 08/25/10

We just spent 4 wonderful days and 3 peaceful nights at Island Place. It's hard to describe the beauty and serenity of the home in words. Waking up to deer outside the window, letting the kids have their "own" house while the grown ups had their morning coffee, and then to explore the incredible island of San Juan was absolutely the best trip ever! Then to end it with a BBQ and Smores...perfect! We're already looking forward to next year!

Recommended for:Families with young children

San Juans Done Right!

Guest: AyEssDub (Boston, MA)
Date of Stay: 07/14/10 Review Submitted: 07/26/10

The Island Place is a sensational find for a family looking to get some time away from it all. Location--2 miles from the Friday Harbor ferry terminal--is ideal. Easy to get to but far enough away to avoid the noise and hassle. The property itself is wonderful. Relaxing in every sense, with 4 large bedrooms given the right dose of "vacation elegant". Very quiet and private, too, with enough to keep even homebodies interested. Best of all, fellow VRBOers, is that the Taylors are friendly, capable property managers who know how to make a property feel just right for a holiday visit. All questions answered eagerly and with a pleasant touch of humor. I've rented several VRBO places around the country in the past, and this is by far the best I've come across. Great value, superb place and blessedly easy to set up and secure. A delight!

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

We found our dream place!

Guest: Hossiman (Chicago)
Date of Stay: 07/12/10 Review Submitted: 07/19/10

A wondrous representation every vacationer should experience! This is our third time staying here. Always clean, quiet, pristine and has become a magical part among our chosen destinations. Forever in our memories! Hoffman Party

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

We felt as if it were our OWN summer, vacation house!

Guest: Chicago (Maine)
Date of Stay: 07/04/10 Review Submitted: 07/10/10

We have rented several VRBO houses before, by far, yours was thee most inviting, peaceful and welcoming. It was splendid in every sense of the word! So very clean, so very comfortable, spacious, and colorful. We loved it! We feel so blessed to have landed at your spot. During these economic times, and honestly it was a pleasure to part with our "greenbacks" for such a special spot at Island Place. Cheers.

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

Minnesota vacationer

Guest: Wendy (Eagan, MN)
Date of Stay: 06/18/10 Review Submitted: 06/23/10

Our extended family of 9 spent three restful nights at the Island Family Place. We had a wonderful time. The home is spacious and colorful, the beds were very comfortable and the grounds peaceful and filled with wildlife. We spotted deer and foxes in the front and back yards and enjoyed S'mores at the firepit in the backyard. The location was excellent--about 5 minutes to Friday Harbor and 20 minutes to Roche Harbor. The owners promptly responded to any questions I had before we left home and kept the home clean and well maintained. I highly recommend this vacation home!

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

Island Place-San Juan Island Washington

Guest: Smith Party (New Mexico)
Date of Stay: 06/15/10 Review Submitted: 06/18/10

Wow! We are speechless really. Island Place is fun,lively,very colorful, happy and most enjoyable in every way possible. The details around the place are impeccable! The beds are most comfortable and it is so peaceful and quiet. We thoroughly enjoyed our time. We have booked our next san juan vacation with this place-it is a must for everyone! Very family friendly.

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

Island Family Place is charming! Although not water front, the place makes up for it in character.

Guest: Rounds Party (Seattle,Washington)
Date of Stay: 06/07/10 Review Submitted: 06/09/10

Rounds Party...June 2010. This is the place to come to! It is clean, well-maintained. The place is totally loaded with all your needs. The setting is peaceful. It is a GREAT FAMILY spot. We had dreamy sleep, we loved the location. It was an exceptional value, we loved our hosts. We felt at home and at ease the moment we drove unto the property. A very special place indeed.

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

Guest: Castanada Party-New Mexico
Date of Stay: 06/04/10 Review Submitted: 06/06/10

We had an enormously good time here! Thanks for helping us make memories. We saw whales! They jumped, swam close and smiled on their way past us. Thanks for being a great host family.

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Guest: Sputney Party
Date of Stay: 05/30/10 Review Submitted: 06/03/10

All we can say is WOW! Exceptional clean home. Lovely setting. Very relaxing. Utterly amazing in every sense of the word. Very comfortable beds, hosts are beyond kind. The art work throughout the home is fascinating, much charm and love. We were thrilled. We will be back! Small family reunion and b-day.

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Guest: peter67 (-)
Date of Stay: 02/20/10 Review Submitted: 02/20/10

As international travelers my family and I are fortunate to stay at some of the best accommodations available. The Taylor's home in the beautiful San Juan Islands is a five star jewel from beginning to end. No detail is overlooked, from crisp linens to the wonderous sun's rays that embrace you over morning tea. We enjoyed a casually elegant stay and feel fortunate to have made such a discovery. PS Our daughter will be staying there for her wedding.

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Guest: Jason Taylor (Seattle Washington)
Date of Stay: 01/10/10 Review Submitted: 01/10/10

New Year 2010 We had a great time- We dug the whimsical deco and enjoyed the setting and the beauty of this house. Thank you very much! The other Taylors

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Enjoy a piece of Gods Country

Guest: Grampa (Northwest Ohio)
Date of Stay: 07/25/09 Review Submitted: 07/12/10

I would recommend staying here to anyone. The home was exactly as the photos showed and more. The home was neet, cozy and clean. Nice kitchen. The place is also children frendly. Truly a place to enjoy and relax. This is the place to visit for anyone interested in enjoying life and what God has created for us to enjoy. I truly enjoyed the wildlife, from eagles, deer, fox. The deer and fox wandered into the yard. One must also go beach combing. The whale tour was well worth the time. Many neat shops to visit in town.

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

Guest: Craig & Kerri (-)
Date of Stay: 06/06/09 Review Submitted: 06/05/09

Nothing better than a few days at the Five Star Island Family Place. Not my first stay and certainly will not be my last. This is a fantastic property in an idealic location with terrific hosts. Superb accomodations. We always enjoy coming here to check-out from the day to day life. Thanks for another wonderful stay!

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Guest: Tiger Mattay (Malibu, CA)
Date of Stay: 04/29/09 Review Submitted: 04/29/09

Tranquil, serene, spiritual,warm and cozy! My highest recommendations for this great vacation getaway! Your soul will thank you and so will your family! The Taylor family is a pleasure to do business with --- always honest and fair, and they make everything so easy! I wish I was there on holiday right now!

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Guest: Johnson Family2 (Santa Cruz,Ca.)
Date of Stay: 04/13/09 Review Submitted: 04/13/09

Our accommodations at the Five Star Family Island Place were divine from start to finish. We so enjoyed our two week stay. The place is absolutely gorgeous, quaint, and really has a "beach-feel" to it! It was very clean, the beds were perfect comfort. The owners are helpful, friendly people. The workmanship throughout the place is awesome. Great island style! We have already booked for next year. We loved it. Fondly, The Johnson Family.

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Guest: Greg Moses (Manila, Philippines)
Date of Stay: 04/13/09 Review Submitted: 04/13/09

Well if you are looking to relax look no further. If you are looking for a great atmosphere look no further. I lived at the Latta house at the end of 2009 for 3 months. It was by far my favorite place to stay. I just felt like I was home. No worries no stress just easy island living. The Taylors are my other family let them pamper you in the truly unique home you will not regret it.

Owner response:Five-Star Family Island Place, formerly known as "The Latta House"

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Guest: Kay Sweets (London UK)
Date of Stay: 04/07/09 Review Submitted: 04/07/09

Bravo! We got married on San Juan Island and stayed here, at the Five-Star Island Place. WOW! Very accomodating. Very clean, very quiet, everything that I expected and beyond. We will be making this our annual family vacation for sure. The interior of the homes is astonishing. Loved the driftwood furniture, beds are very comfortable. Thank you! We will be back!

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Guest: Marilyn Anderson1 (Anchorage, Alaska)
Date of Stay: 04/07/09 Review Submitted: 04/06/09

I have had the opportunity to stay in this guest house on several occasions. It has always been above my expectations as to cleanliness, comfort and warmth. There has been wood for the wood stove or outdoor fire pit, bird feeders which draw many types of birds, especially hummingbirds, beautiful clean linens, quiet surroundings. The last time I stayed in the loft area which had been newly finished (and furnished). There are not words to describe the inviting atmosphere found there. It was absolutely enchanting. Some of my best nights of sleep were spent there. I would highly recommend this vacation spot. You will not be disappointed, you will only be inspired and rested.

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Guest: Jim and Erika Anderson (Anchorage,Alaska)
Date of Stay: 04/05/09 Review Submitted: 04/05/09

Five stars for sure! Very relaxing! Very impressive! Very clean! We stay here, annually.

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