Vacation Rentals by Owner

Perfect Race/Mother's Day Weekend Base

Guest: Rusty Skier (California)
Date of Stay: 05/11/12 Review Submitted: 05/23/12

This was a fabulous location for celebrating the SY Half Marathon and Mother's Day. Lovely backyard setting, convenient to town, and big enough to comfortably be enjoyed by the whole family. Absolutely perfect weekend - thanks!

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

Country Garden Cottage March 2012 Stay

Guest: Joan (San Francisco)
Date of Stay: 03/13/12 Review Submitted: 03/18/12

Two couples, lifelong friends, met in Santa Ynez for a 2-day rendezvous, stayed at this VRBO property. Wow! Beyond my high expectations. Robin's home was so well-appointed, so comfortable, and so beautiful. The photos and amenities exactly matched the description. It was perfect. Of course, Santa Ynez wine country, and the towns of Santa Ynez and Los Olivos were top notch. Wish we could have stayed longer. I highly recommend the Country Garden Cottage. Thank you Robin for creating this little paradise for us.

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

Family of 7

Guest: Dawn (Hawaii)
Date of Stay: 03/01/12 Review Submitted: 03/19/12

Robin's home was absolutely delightful! It felt like home from the moment we walked in. It is tastefully decorated with warmth and provided everything we needed. It was spacious, comfortable, and quiet. I can't say enough about how much we enjoyed it. Thank you Robin, we loved it and hope to return one day soon.

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

Charming and Peaceful

Guest: Nancy (Wisconsin)
Date of Stay: 02/25/12 Review Submitted: 04/12/12

Robin, your house is a dream come true! Peaceful. Serene. Charmed with positive vibes. I love the interior designs of your house, and the back courtyards are varied and so relaxing. The house has a real indoor-outdoor feel. A gift that I have enjoyed every second here, and I will be back!!

Recommended for:

Anniversary girls weekend

Guest: Teidi (San Diego)
Date of Stay: 09/08/11 Review Submitted: 05/17/12

Robin, my friends and I stayed at your cottage in September of 2011. We were on a misson to commemorate a trip we took in college. Your home was the perfect place. We stopped at the Trader Joe's in Santa Barbara and stocked up. We wanted to take advantage of the wonderful kitchen, great patio and time to just talk. We had an absolutely great time. Your home is so beautiful, private and welcoming. We spent many hours laughing in front of the fireplace and took advantage of the hot tub at night. Fig was a joy to have around and you are right, my friend who is allergic to cats had no reaction to him at all. You couldn't tell he had been in the house. Wow, I hope we are able to visit Santa Ynez again. We will certainly come back to the Country Garden Cottage.

Owner response:Awww! 7 months later you send your review; how sweet of you to remember! This home is such a pleasure to share. I stay as often as possible myself. - Robin

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

Santa Ynez retreat

Guest: dk (Orange County)
Date of Stay: 06/23/11 Review Submitted: 06/27/11

We had a wedding in Santa Ynez, so this was the perfect place for my family. Robin's home is so comfortable and perfect for that weekend getaway. We had a great time! I would highly recommend it!

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

Clean, Quiet, Cool Hideaway

Guest: Happy Camper (Central Coast)
Date of Stay: 06/11/11 Review Submitted: 06/17/11

This place exudes the good karma of its owners. It is well appointed, well cared for and feels like a home that somebody loves and does not feel like a rental property. The location is on a secluded street, but is conveniently located close to town. Beds are comfortable, the sound system allows you to enjoy your ipod music throughout the house, there is a great hot tub in the very private back yard. What more can I say? It was awesome!.

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

Santa Ynez country garden cottage

Guest: Mark and Linda (Scottsdale AZ )
Date of Stay: 06/05/11 Review Submitted: 06/21/11

Robin has done a wonderful job putting the finishing touches on her beautiful home and surrounding garden. The house was clean and the kitchen well stocked. The location is perfect on a quiet street across from a school and near many wonderful wineries, the Santa Ynez Spanish Mission, and amazing countryside. Robin was very accommodating and even met us at the property to give us a key. Our large family had plenty of room and the laundry came in handy after a day trip to the beach. We hope to come back soon.

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

You would be CRAZY not to stay here!

Guest: Karie (Torrance, CA)
Date of Stay: 02/18/11 Review Submitted: 04/01/11

I had the pleasure to stay at this home for the second time. When we got there, it was raining, so we showed up a little early. Thank goodness for small favors because we got to meet Robin. She already felt like a friend because of how great communication was both times that we booked the house. She welcomed our soaking selves with open arms and a friendly smile. It makes so much sense now why the house feels so good to be in. You can tell the love she has for the town and the home and that is portrayed in every detail from start to finish. The home feels like a little piece of luxury, with the amazing feel of being home. This was our second visit (it would have been our third if the house had not been booked a previous date this past Spring). We will be back for sure and can’t thank Robin enough for her generosity and her warm being. She is a magnet of good. Thank you so much.

Owner response:I am very honored by this review. Last year I began renting my home to pay it off and a deeper blessing is being realized. Everytime I return the joyful entries in the guest book enrich my life. Both Fig Newman (resident cat) and I receive a lot more than financial gain from your visits. - Robin

Recommended for:People with disabilities, age 55+, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Warm and cosy Christmas week with the rain.

Guest: Christine (Beverly Hills)
Date of Stay: 12/17/10 Review Submitted: 03/21/11

Thanks for the warm and cosy stay in your beautiful home. We spent lot of fireside/movie time due to the weather, but it was absolutely perfect. Your kitchen is terrific and we were able to cook great food rather than venture out into the rain and local stores had whatever we needed. Your cottage is so pretty and you cat Fig is adorable. We enjoyed his company very much when he would come in to say hi. Also the spa was great even on a rainy night and the beds were cosy. Our boys loved the area and we all got in a few great walks. We will return soon for another stay. Molly sends her very best. Thanks, Christine Martin. Beverly Hills CA December 18-23, 2010

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.

Wonderful time!

Guest: Daria (Los Angeles)
Date of Stay: 10/01/10 Review Submitted: 10/13/10

We came here to celebrate my father's 80th birthday and had a wonderful time! The house and gardens were really lovely and the home is so comfortable. We really did feel "at home" here, as the house is so warm and relaxing, and also had everything we could need. It was the perfect location for our family to come together, as some of us came from Southern California, and others from Northern California, and some of us wanted to go wine tasting and others to the casino! Great for the younger ones in our family as well; my 8 month old had lots of room to crawl around. Also, thank you Robin for recommending the Chef's Touch. They catered my father's birthday dinner and were fantastic. They set everything up for us and the food was delicious. I would highly recommend them as well. My father had such a great time. Your helped make our special occasion even more special!

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

Labor Day Weekend 2010

Guest: Marsh (MN, and AZ)
Date of Stay: 09/03/10 Review Submitted: 09/08/10

My family and I attended a wedding in the Santa Ynez area. We couldn't have found better accommodations. The cottage afforded comfortable sleeping, dressing, cooking, dining, conversation and quiet areas inside and out. The home is beautifully appointed and completely equipped. We are 3 generations with ages from 67 to 1 year and all loved being there. Our visit was wonderful and we thank you! I would do it again it a second!

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

Wonderful Home & Getaway Wine Country to Enjoy

Guest: Luna (Los Angeles)
Date of Stay: 08/13/10 Review Submitted: 08/24/10

House was a warm welcome with bright flowers and wonderful garden and jacuzzi. Couldn't have asked for a nicer place to enjoy meals and time with friends or family. Many areas to enjoy together or have private time as well! Wine countries in area and host made it easy to find them. Worth your stay!

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

Beautiful Gardens!

Guest: Mother of the Groom (Cardiff by the Sea, CA)
Date of Stay: 08/06/10 Review Submitted: 08/12/10

We stayed at the house for our son's wedding weekend. It was a great place to relax and enjoy friends and relatives. It provided a great place for relatives coming up for just the wedding day to relax and change clothes. We enjoyed the jacuzzi in the evenings after our long days away. The stars were amazing. Though there are only two parking spots at the house, it was easy to park completely off the road a half block away. FYI - our cat allergies were not a problem. The place was very clean with no cat hair/dander issues.

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

Perfect Location

Guest: Anthony & Christine (Los Angeles, CA)
Date of Stay: 07/30/10 Review Submitted: 08/09/10

Both my wife and I sought a location to function both as a 'hub' for our wedding party guests and also as a private inimate space for a smal close family reunion. Robin's home was a blessing! It was spacious enough to hold 20-30 people for an evening gathering and secluded enough to provide the sense of being in your own home. The house was impeccably clean and all the utilities worked perfectly. We will definately seek to rent the house again in the future when our event warrants it... Thank you so much for a wonderful stay! :-)

Owner response:Yes my home is great for a larger party, yet guests must park a block away on a main street. Only two cars allowed at house, and in the driveway. The neighbors cannot cope as they also use my driveway to access their home. This is to ensure years of happy renting, with happy neighbors.

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

Incredible Stay

Guest: Sue (Gilbert, AZ)
Date of Stay: 07/24/10 Review Submitted: 08/02/10

My family and I thoroughly enjoyed our time at the Country Garden Cottage in Santa Ynez. The home is beautifully furnished and extremely comfortable. The gardens that surround the cottage are serene and inviting. The location of the cottage is perfect for wine tasting, shopping, and great dining. We'll definitely visit again and would highly recommend it!

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

Relaxing time!

Guest: Bev & Stan (lorida)
Date of Stay: 06/19/10 Review Submitted: 07/12/10

We had a very relaxing time. Enjoyed your beautiful yard and esp. the hot tub. Loved the fact you could find a quiet place to sit and read - your bed was so comfortable. We had everything we needed. Love to coma back to this beautiful spot. The only surprise was the TV is not in the living room, but we made it work. Everything else was GREAT!

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.

Great Place!

Guest: Bobby (Houston, TX)
Date of Stay: 06/13/10 Review Submitted: 06/22/10

My wife, three kids and I really enjoyed this place. It was perfect for us: well-kept, beautifully landscaped, well-equipped kitchen and outdoor gas grill, outstanding living spaces both outside and inside. Can't say enough good things about it, except that our trip was too short. Thanks!

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

Stars and more

Guest: Heather (hunington beach)
Date of Stay: 06/04/10 Review Submitted: 07/12/10

We had an amazing time with family and friends. The house was beautiful and we spent as much time in the hot tub as possible.(you are right, the starts are amazing from the tub) Went to several wineries. Our favorite was Sunstone not far from the house. We will definately come back. Thank you so miuch.

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.

girls weekend :-)

Guest: Pam (LA)
Date of Stay: 05/29/10 Review Submitted: 07/12/10

We had an incredible weekend at your country cottage. The stay was extremely comfortable. We grilled a fabulous steak dinner outside, and took your suggestion for a meal at Grappalos the following. Amazing! You have created a wonderful environment here. We will be back! PS We loved the cat.

Owner response:Good ol' Fig Newman, the cat. When he decides to welcome you, he does it in style. I have had several renters tell me they are highly allergic to cats. I have done extra cleaning and vacuuming and locked Fig out. They all have said there was no problem, they did not need their allergy medicatons.

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

Wedding retreat

Guest: Nancy (minnesota)
Date of Stay: 05/19/10 Review Submitted: 07/12/10

It was a perfect choice for our family to get together for my son's wedding. From the welcoming song by Buck to the beautiful decor and GARGENS, it was so wonderful to be here. Good location to the wedding site, site seeing and just the vineyards and quaint little towns. We took advantage of the hot tub and relaxing in the sun. even though a bit windy, your yard was protected. Thanks again for making my first house rental so pleasant. PS Almost forgot to mention Fig Newman (cat) made us feel so at home too!

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

More than expected

Guest: GinaS. (Boulder Colorado)
Date of Stay: 06/18/09 Review Submitted: 07/08/09

I must say this home does not feel like a rental. The owner created it for herself and every detail is finished with a great eye to balance, color, and with a peaceful spa like atmosphere. Yet it does not feel like someone elses home either...totally comfortable. An honor bar, hilarious singing karaoke mounted deer head, flowers eye high and everywhere, hot tub steaming under the stars. Oh yes, we came for all the fine wine tasting and country vistas the area offers, yet stayed home a lot because it was enough. Everything from our first contact has been simple, trustworthy and EASY, just how vacations should be.

Owner response: These comments from Gina are what I strive to offer my guests; a first class environment, and hassle free, trustworthy rental arrangements. - Robin, home owner

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.