A wonderful stay!!

Guest: Españolesporelmundo (Murcia ( Spain))
Date of Stay: 10/04/11 Review Submitted: 01/13/12

We are a couple of spanish people who went to Boston on holidays in October'11,and the days in Cape Cod were the best of the trip.The cottage is the perfect place to stay if you want to spend a few days in Cape Cod.It is not only a beautiful house but also very confortable,with interesting sorroundings like a private beach, terrace, barbecue.Its really near to Boston and perfect located to visit the islands, and the rest of the Cape.We enjoy very much unless it wasn't summer time.The owner is really such a kind person,( it is always pleasant to find good people when you are traveling) and we encourage everyone to visit the cottage and Cape Cod.Pablo (33) &Gloria( 31)

Owner response:Gloria and Pablo, it was a pleasure having you stay at my home this fall. I am pleased to say that now I have two more friends in Spain. I hope that one day you will be able to experience a summer holiday here; you are welcome at any time!

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

Comfortable and charming

Guest: Anne (Acton Ma)
Date of Stay: 07/26/10 Review Submitted: 10/04/10

Very cute cape cod house. Nicely decorated with lots of "beachy" charm. Quiet neighborhood and short walk to a private beach. Rooftop deck has a beautiful view of the bay and sunsets ! Great puzzle tables in case of inclement weather!

Recommended for:Girls getaway, romantic getaway, age 55+, pet owners, families with young children.

Lucky last minute getaway!!

Guest: Dawn & Mario (Burlington, CT)
Date of Stay: 08/27/09 Review Submitted: 09/27/09

We were extremely fortunate to find the 'Starboard Cottage' for the last weekend in August 2009. Our family dynamics do not allow us to plan a getaway much in advance, that said I vigorously searched for a place that would be comfortable, spacious, and close to the water. Having grown children who live in Boston, narrowed my search to the upper Cape area, so they could easily join us. Never having stayed in Mashpee, we were pleasantly surprised to have every amenity possible at our fingertips. Janet has thought of everything to make the stay so comfortable. She assured us that all we needed to bring were our food and clothes. Everything else, she provided....what a relief not to have to pack anything else! Sure makes for a lovely getaway! We had a delightful expirience with this rental and would love to revisit in the future!!

Recommended for:Girls getaway, families with teenagers, romantic getaway, age 55+, pet owners, sightseeing, families with young children.

Quaint Cape Cottage

Guest: TEAM FARKEL (Torrington, CT 06790)
Date of Stay: 05/22/09 Review Submitted: 05/27/09

I would like to say to begin the cottage is a bit smaller than the pictures so be aware of that. However, there were 6 of us and we were able function remarkably well in the kitchen and all areas of the cottage. This is definately a place to rest and relax. Perfect for adult getaways. Janet definately thinks of every detail known to man. She is a pleasure to work with and very patient. I would reccommend this cottage to anyone who just needs to get away from all that day-to-day drama of life. Would not reccommend this cottage to anyone with very small children though. The stairs to rooftop could be dangerous but otherwise, awsome!!!!!!!!

Owner response:As any parent of young children knows, all stairs are dangerous to children. In fact, my website has listed in the amenities that "a gate is provided for the spiral staircase" (this statement has been there since 2003). In addition, I meet all of my guests at check-in and those with children are instructed how to attach and advised to use the gate for the safety of the children. If my cottage had a regular staircase, I would provide a gate for that as well. Safety comes first. I also believe in warning parents about the locks on the gates to the road and the beach, and have installed a lock on the screen door to keep escaping children (and/or pets!) in. I provide the protective measures for safety at my cottage but it is ultimately the responsibility of the parents. A picture is worth a thousand words! Fortunately, my renters usually come in to the cottage saying, "It looks exactly like the pictures!", so I imagine this is all in the perception and intent. While this renter first requested a weekend for 3, possibly 4, in fact 6 adults arrived, and on a damp, chilly spring weekend, any home would feel small! I have a family that comes back each year with 8 adults and 1 child who love staying here. As a photographer of fine homes, it is my job to ensure that the photos are a true representation of the properties I shoot, and I stand behind my work. Had I known that this party was to be larger and an actual "party", (complete with a request for finding a local party boat), I would have suggested they rent my other cottage next door which is larger and more suited to this purpose. All in all, "Team Farkel" was delightful, respectful, a pleasure to have in my home and I would welcome them back in the future.

Recommended for:Girls getaway, adventure seekers, pet owners, sightseeing.

Rooftop escape

Guest: Pearson (Boston, MA)
Date of Stay: 04/21/08 Review Submitted: 02/03/09

Janet's little blue cottage reminds me of the James Taylor song Up on the Rooftop. Simply climb the spiral staircase onto the roof deck and enjoy the fresh, clean air and serenity where all your troubles will float away. We've stayed at Janet's cottage for over 4 years and always are welcomed with a nice basket with a bottle of wine. The place is always stacked and clean. She has thought of everything and then some. You'll even find laundry detergent and fabric softner! Our little Bassett Hound, Liberty knows 3miles away that we are soon approaching her little retreat from the city life. Recently, recovering from medical issues, our week away at this place has helped tremendously. Janet has alwasy been kind and generous...knowing it may take us a little longer to get ready, she has allowed us to stay an extra day -- that is if the next guests weren't coming for a few days. If you're looking for an escape in a cozy cottage this is the place.

Recommended for:Girls getaway, romantic getaway, age 55+, tourists without a car, people with disabilities, pet owners.

Best cottage ever!!!!

Guest: sister 1 (Boston, Ma.)
Date of Stay: 05/03/08 Review Submitted: 10/29/08

My sisters and I have a "sisters" weekend to catch up and relax. We found this property by chance the first year it was available to the public. We go back every year without looking elsewhere because the cottage is clean, well maintained and stocked with essentials, just add food.The owners are friendly and considerate. As a plus the neighbors are also laid back and friendly. The cottage is easy to reach but off the main roads. Close to shopping and dining. I tell everyone about this place and highly recommend a visit.

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

Blue Hydrangea Cottage

Guest: Cape Gem (Massachusetts)
Date of Stay: 08/02/08 Review Submitted: 10/28/08

My family and I had an enjoyable stay in this quaint cottage last summer. I was impressed at how the owner provided all the necessities for us to live comfortably for the week from the linens, to paper products, and all of the kitchen supplies and staples that one needs to cook were provided! I decided to cook one night and needed a drop of olive oil. When I opened the cabinet, there it was! It's so nice to go away and not have to think of every little detail. I highly recommend this bright, clean, and comfortable cottage.

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

Can't wait to come back!!

Guest: Pyper (Boston, MA)
Date of Stay: 05/25/08 Review Submitted: 10/20/08

This cottage is perfect for whatever haven you may be seeking. The owners keep the cottage impeccable inside and out. The amenities are outstanding. And the locale is perfect. Close to everything you need, dining, shopping, beach, boating, etc. My sisters and I make an effort to get away at least once a year. This time is precious and goes by very fast. So we appreciate all the extra effort & care the owners put into making the cottage comfortable and special. Every year that we visit, it's like an old friend welcoming you back.

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.

A lovely vacation home on the cape

Guest: Terrill (Madison, WI)
Date of Stay: 09/03/08 Review Submitted: 10/19/08

We enjoyed a peaceful four-day stay at Blue Hydrangea in September. We had our two daughters (ages 2 and 10 months) with us, and it was a great place for them. My older daughter played in the fenced-in yard, and there were no breakable items to move out of my baby's reach. There was a supply of beach toys and beach chairs in the shed, which we used several times. We enjoyed walking around Seaconsett Island, especially the boatyard. . . we got to see a boat being lifted up to its third-story bunker. My husband and I enjoyed sitting up on the roof deck after the kids had gone to bed and gazing at the stars. Everything was clean, and we enjoyed the supply of books and coloring books. This location is close to the Cape Cod Children's Museum and a lovely beach (both about a ten minute drive) and only twenty minutes from Falmouth.

Recommended for:Families with young children.

Location, location ... continues to bring us back!

Guest: Pat & Donna (CT, RI, Canada)
Date of Stay: 08/09/08 Review Submitted: 10/19/08

We’ve been staying at one of the two cottages owned by Janet Gary for the past four years. During this time, we’ve grown in the number of family members and their families joining us … so has our move from the “Starboard” cottage to the larger next door cottage being a “no brainer”. What brings us back each year has to do with the closeness to “kid friendly beaches”, great seafood restaurants, and even those deep sea fishing excursions about which we still get excited! To get a sense of this past summer’s events, we had our three children (now young adults), their families, and grandchildren. The location allows us to split up at times for those who want to visit Silver Beach. As a group we traveled to the nearby Cape Cod Brewery, the local winery and Cape Cod Chip Factory. Our bottom fishing excursion out of Falmouth was the highlight for those adults and grandchildren who were so inclined while a shopping trip for the others to the nearby malls and outlets met their collective interests. Leaving is very difficult, but the memories each year bring us back. With so many of us, we leave in stages. One family leaves the night before and for one family living in Canada, they leave at the crack of dawn. Our youngest helps with the final cleaning while we flip a coin to see who is going to go a local laundry with the five or so washes we’ve accumulated. Despite a washer and dryer on sight, with our group, it is good to get everything “good as new” within two hours. If you’re thinking about the cottage, come for a visit. Janet is quite a host in identifying local amusements, beaches, and things to do. We’ve come to think of the cottage as “our own” and always don’t mind leaving it the same, if not better than we found it! Pat & Donna and all Enfield and Simsbury, CT; Providence, RI; and Lévis, Québec

Recommended for:Pet owners, sightseeing, families with young children.