Vacation Rentals by Owner

perfect kid friendly home

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 05/03/12 Review Submitted: 05/17/12

My family and several family friends spent a weekend in this home this spring. The home was extremely clean (admittedly I am somewhat of a clean freak and this home held up to all of my standards) and well appointed. The owners are very responsive and helpful. The location right on the canal was perfect and the deck overlooking the canal made for beautiful peaceful evenings. There are many kid friendly perks throughout the home, including a great play set in the backyard. I would recommend this home to any group of families looking for a peaceful vacation.

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

Family with children aged 13 to 8

Guest: Teresa L.
Date of Stay: 04/13/12 Review Submitted: 05/25/12

This home is every bit as lovely as the photos! It has everything you will need and more. The location is outstanding! My family enjoyed fishing from the pier right in the backyard, as well as kayaking! We also biked to the beach, which is a very short ride. The area is full of things to do and the local restaurants are fantastic! If you enjoy cooking, this kitchen is fully stocked with EVERY untensil you need! Appliances are all high end. The gas grill is large too and conveniently located on the deck upstairs. The view from the upper deck is gorgeous! This house has multiple TV's with DVD players and plenty of choices of movies to watch. The bedrooms are very large. The back porch is screened in and a lovely place to sit back and relax. The owners of this house are VERY accomodating and help to make your stay an enjoyable one. I highly recommend this house if you are looking for an awesome vacation rental near the beach that has everything!!

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

A great family vacation home - comfortable with lot's offer.

Guest: MJJ (Downingtown, PA USA)
Date of Stay: 04/06/12 Review Submitted: 04/18/12

This home was very clean, comfortable and well equipped. It was larger than what I expected from the photos. There were 10 of us including (4) toddlers and an 88 year old; the bedrooms and living space configuration were perfect for us. It was a bit of walk to the beach, but we knew that it would be and it was not a problem - the kids enjoyed the ride in the wagon. The play set in the yard was definately the highlight for the toddlers, they spent lot's of time at their "playground". We took advantage of the kayaks, fished from the dock and rode the bikes. It was a great family Easter getaway and the owners were helpful and accomodating. I would recommend this property to a friend and relative. Thanks Elaine & Mark for helping to make our first visit to Sandbridge so memorable.

Recommended for:Families with young children

Great New Years Weekend

Guest: Julie (Alexandria, VA)
Date of Stay: 12/30/11 Review Submitted: 01/10/12

My family gathered together for the New Year weekend at this lovely home in Sandbridge. It could not have met our needs better. Our group consisted of eight adults and two children under 5, plus my elderly mother who visited during the day. The house is stocked with everything one could possibly need and more which made our vacation very easy. The layout of the house was ideal with a large communal area where we could all gather for meals and plenty of private space for sleeping and quiet time. During warmer weather months the huge deck area would expand the living space even more. We were blessed with 60 degree weather in Dec/Jan which meant we could also take advantage of the backyard with playhouse (which my kids loved), the wagon and other outdoor toys. We walked to the beach while the kids rode in the wagon, a healthy walk but one that was easily accomplished. The owners were very easy to deal with and our pre- and post-vacation communication was very good. They offered lots of helpful suggestions to make our stay even better. You will also find most of this information in printed form at the house for use during your stay. This house was so ideal for our family we are already planning to return next year. I would recommend this property without reservation.

Recommended for:Families with teenagers, families with young children.

Wonderful family vacation!

Guest: annewton (Washington, DC)
Date of Stay: 09/03/11 Review Submitted: 09/17/11

We spent the week after Labor Day at this beautiful home with our 18 month old baby, and two other couples (one with a two year old, one with a two and a half year old). It was really a perfect spot for our families to relax and enjoy a family-friendly vacation. The house was well appointed for the kids outside -- great swingset/playground equipment, trikes, playhouse on the deck, sandbox, children's bike seat & helmet, and strollers -- and inside -- nursery with full sized crib, baby gates, high chair, booster seats, and outlet covers. The layout of the house and the spacious decks and porches allowed the adults to enjoy privacy, and having three full bathrooms gave everyone their own space. The kitchen had every gadget we needed, and the two grills were great for cooking out. We were also very appreciative of the owners' helpfulness and responsiveness. We got good suggestions for places to eat and places to go with the kids. They also provide lightening fast WiFi at the house, which we technology addicts appreciated. The beach is about a 12 minute walk from the house, which is not bad at all for the adults. With the kids, were glad to have access to the wagon provided, which we used to haul our gear, and two strollers, which we used to push the kids. We also went to the Little Island Park, a few miles down the road, which was great because we could drive, park the car, and have everything right there. The playground there was really great as well. The only thing that could have made our trip easier was if the house came with linens and towels. The owners were very helpful in suggesting a rental company from which we were able to acquire linens at a reasonable price. We brought our own towels from home, which was fine. Also, due to the recent hurricane and rains, there were TONS of mosquitoes in the back yard. We bought bug spray, which helped, but each time we took the garbage out, etc., we felt that we were bitten alive. I'm not sure there was anything the owners could have done about this, but be forewarned. We would love to return to this wonderful vacation spot, and hope to do so in future years. We hope to return to

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

Perfect for Families with Young Children

Guest: NoVA (Burke, VA)
Date of Stay: 08/13/11 Review Submitted: 10/10/11

We were travelling with a 2-year-old and a 2-month-old and the house fit our needs perfectly. I especially appreciated the bikes (one complete with child seat), tricycle, and the kayaks, all in excellent condition. The bay is a short paddle away via the canal, and is breathtaking. The bike trip to the beach took me and my 2-year-old 9 minutes (total time, driveway to toes touching the ocean). A walk with strollers and/or the wagon provided only tacks on a few minutes. Even with 2 small children, the distance to the beach was very manageable for us. Many baby/child items are available in the house. We corresponded with the owners beforehand so I knew I could leave many items at home. We used the crib, booster seat, jogging stroller, umbrella stroller, and step stools. All were in excellent condition and it was so nice not to have to pack these things. The great room/kitchen/Florida room makes up a huge open area that is much more spacious than we were anticipating from the pictures. This spacious area has lots of comfy couches and chairs and a big TV, so there is a very comfortable area to cook, eat, and unwind at the end of a long day outside. Only 2 tiny negatives: 1) It would have been more convenient if towels and linens were provided. We don't have a king size bed at home so we had to go to Walmart the first day to buy a set of sheets for the master bed. (We had anticipated doing this.) We brought all other linens and towels from home, which added a suitcase. This was not a huge deal for us since we were driving, but something to consider when you're packing or if you're flying. 2) The dryer was making a high pitched squeaking noise when we were there. The owners warned us about this the day we arrived and apologized profusely - they were genuinely upset that we would be exposed to this inconvenience. We had to do laundry while we were there so we were exposed to several hours of dryer squeals over the course of the week. We just tried to plan laundry while we were outside hanging out on the deck or at the swingset, so it was manageable. I do believe the owners were looking into getting this fixed. We've rented many vacation homes, and the owners of this home are hands down the most helpful and accommodating that we've experienced. They are personable, responsive, and their recommendations are thorough. It saved me hours of planning to have a list of restaurants, grocery stores, and attractions sent to me weeks in advance of our trip. So thoughtful!

Recommended for:Families with young children

Great Beach Vacation

Guest: Mary (Chantilly, VA)
Date of Stay: 07/30/11 Review Submitted: 09/21/11

We stayed for a week in July-August for a special family week and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. We found the home as lovely as described and very comfortable, clean, and well maintained. Many extras that normally aren't available in a vacation rental - bikes, kayaks, chairs - made it extra nice. The distance from the beach was not a problem - one member of our group chauffuered the others there and then rode back on one of the bikes - great fun kayaking and spending time on the lovely decks and porches. The owners were wonderful to work with, very accommodating and helpful in all ways. It all worked together for a very pleasant and relaxing beach vacation.

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

Fantastic Time!

Guest: NewJersey,NJ (NJ)
Date of Stay: 07/01/11 Review Submitted: 09/22/11

House is great ! Rooms were bigger than we expected from the photos especially two master bed rooms and the family room! The house was very clean and well kept . Felt like "home" away from home. We loved our stay and wish to come back! It was a 10 minutes walk to the beautiful private beach and kayaking in the back of the house was amazing. Kitchen and kitchen utensils are clean and good. We look forward to staying here again ! .Thanks Mark & Elaine for letting us enjoy your house.

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

Our summer stay

Guest: Scott (Richmond)
Date of Stay: 06/10/11 Review Submitted: 06/28/11

My family of five along with my parents very much enjoyed our stay at this lovely Sandbridge home. Of note were the availability of the kayaks and bikes, which were a big hit for our boys. We took the kayaks and meandered through the nearby marshlands, which was absolutely beautiful. We also very much enjoyed the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge - only a few minutes down the road - where we walked the trials. Our oldest son got some great photos of frogs, dragonflies and red-winged blackbirds. We all played in the ocean, which was neither crowded nor populated with raucous folks. The home is clean and spacious. Because it is not immediately on the beach, we had to take my elderly parents there in the car, though the rest of us could walk or take the bikes. Overall, a lovely spot with friendly and helpful hosts.

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

Couldn't ask for more

Guest: Eight is fun (Chesapeake, VA)
Date of Stay: 06/03/11 Review Submitted: 06/24/11

We had a wonderful time. The home is unique and beautiful; large, yet cozy. All the extras made our stay more than we could have hoped: kayaks; bikes; play areas for the kids; places to gather and places to relax in solitude; little things like salt, sugar, oil, dish soap, laundry detergent (you know -- the stuff you always need but forget to bring). My favorite part was sitting on the upper deck at night listening to the roar of the ocean. We would definitely stay again and recommend this house to our family and friends. The owners couldn't have been nicer, easier to work with, or more welcoming.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway.

Perfect Family Home!

Guest: In town for the Shamrock Marathon (Newark, Delaware)
Date of Stay: 03/18/11 Review Submitted: 05/09/11

My husband and I stayed at this wonderful vacation home with our 2.5 year old son. He was so excited by all of the kid-friendly amenties, he actually squealed when he saw the sandbox, wagons, and outdoor playset and couldn't believe his eyes to find the "surprise" playhouse on the deck as well. The home was very well equipped and spotless-a true home away from home. The owners Mark and Elaine were super helpful with restaurant and activity suggestions and made us feel like out of town family in for a visit rather than strangers. The beach was a short walk away and there was plenty to do and see nearby. We especially enjoyed the aquarium and the beautiful wide clean beaches. We would definitely recommend this property to our family and friends and plan to return ourselves in the future!

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

Great family getaway

Guest: Chris (Dallas, TX)
Date of Stay: 09/25/10 Review Submitted: 10/02/10

This home was perfect for our family of five (mom, dad, grandparents and 10-month old). The home was simply beautiful and looked just as portrayed in the pictures here. We had everything we needed to vacation for a week with one very curious baby. Mark and Elaine were accommodating, providing us with all the baby gear as listed here. The kitchen is well stocked with all sorts of cooking and eating utensils and appliances. This place was a home away from home. Though it rained for 4 of the 7 days we were there, we were able to find much to do around the house (fishing, movies, games, crabbing, making quick runs to the beach, etc). We visited the Virginia Beach Aquarium and actually saw dolphins while walking on the beach one day! The She Crab soup at Margie and Rays is a must have!! All in all, a very relaxing, memorable vacation.

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

Bad Experience!

Guest: Disappointed (Silver Spring, MD)
Date of Stay: 09/03/10 Review Submitted: 10/15/10

After staying at this home for 3 nights we were informed afterwards they were keeping *all* of our security deposit. It is shocking - we certainly treated the home with the same respect we treat our own home. We did everything on their clean-up list as requested and did not damage the home in any way or leave a mess. The owners sent us a long list of infractions that we refuted point by point. For example they said we scratched their teflon pots and pans yet I always bring my own cast-iron pans! We did not even use their pans! they said we did not take out the trash when we were careful to remove all of it. The list goes on with unfounded statements. We wish we would have taken pictures before we left to show that we left the place in as good condition as it was when we came. If you stay here, and want your deposit back - I recommend you document everything carefully!

Owner response:We strive to make our Rental Agreement and Check-Out Procedures posted in the home as clear as possible. We ask that you simply clean up all spills, debris, and sand as you would in your own home and return all furniture to its original location. To further clarify that point, we provide a detailed list to avoid the possibility for ambiguity. We even provide a full assortment of cleaning supplies and equipment to alleviate the need for extra expenses and extra trips to the store during your stay. It is important, however, to check each room before departure and not just the kitchen and living area. Food debris, wrappers, spills, and sand should be removed from every room, not just the kitchen. We recommend that food be confined to the eating areas as much as possible to prevent the responsible party for the rental from having to clean up spills and debris from every bedroom. Cleaning fees included in weekly rental rates and those charged for shorter stays are based on normal wear and tear for the number of people in the party and the length of stay. We clearly state that any excessive cleaning and maintenance fees incurred to return the home to its original rental condition will be deducted from the Damage Deposit. In addition, lost and missing items, such as kitchen equipment, must also be replaced in order to provide accommodations as advertised to subsequent renters and will be deducted from the Damage Deposit. In order to avoid disputes, we personally inspect the home prior to Check-In and immediately upon Check-Out prior to cleaning and take pictures of any discrepancies so that all disputes can be handled in the appropriate forum in a professional and timely manner. Damage Deposits are not withheld for small infractions nor are they calculated arbitrarily. We participate extensively in the cleaning process to keep the costs to a minimum and do not charge for our time and labor. We deduct only the actual documented out-of-pocket expenses incurred. In the two years that we have provided weekly and weekend rentals, we have been quite blessed with wonderful families who have chosen our home, treated it as their own, and maintained open communications before, during, and after their stays. Also in our two years of rentals we have found the need to withhold only a portion from 2 Damage Deposits and the full amount from only this 1 Damage Deposit.

Recommended for:

Property #253895

Guest: Paula (Chesapeake Beach, MD 20732)
Date of Stay: 08/28/10 Review Submitted: 09/17/10

Our three families (three couples, an infant and a thrre year-old) throroughly enjoyed the spacious, modern house designed and equiopped for families with children. Sleeping arrangements were quite comfortable with current furnishings and cable TV in each of the bedrooms. Kithchen, decks, and dining areas accomodated us easily along with a large lawn in the backyard with a wooden "jungle gym" that extended to the dock, canal and kayaks. Convenient access to the beach (5min) and Back Bay (5min via kayak), the immaculate condition of the house and yard, and the congeniality of the owners contributed to a woderful Sandbridge week. We would not hesitate to rent this property again!

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

Satisfied Families

Guest: Family with young kids (Alpharetta, Georgia)
Date of Stay: 08/14/10 Review Submitted: 10/13/10

The house was perfect for us with young kids. Short walk to the beach. The free use of kayaks was great, especially for us how have never gone kayaking before...without the hassle of renting one. We enjoyed biking around the neighborhood..again with the bikes provided. The kids were thrilled when they caught some crabs. The house had everything you could ever need for a hassle and stress free family vacation. Lastly, the house was very clean, which, was very important to us. Thank You!

Recommended for:Families with teenagers, families with young children.

Too far from beach

Guest: Thomas w. (Richmond, VA)
Date of Stay: 07/31/10 Review Submitted: 10/12/10

Not at all a "short" walk to beach. It's a very long walk to beach and no place to park there. Therefore, not good for small kids or old folks. I feel the owners were not candid about that. Lack of ladder at dock makes it extremely difficult to use kayaks. Kitchen very difficult to use by two or more people at a time because refrigerator is so close to counter at entrance to kitchen. If someone at refrigerator, no one can enter or exit kitchen. Photo of kitchen is misleading.

Owner response:The comfort and enjoyment of our guests during their stay is deeply important to us. We strive to work with our guests to plan and provide a memorable experience. In an email following this guest’s departure he wrote, “We loved having your house for two weeks. Thanks to your care and attention, it is beautiful, very comfortable, and we had a great time there. The kayaks and bikes were big hits. I trust you found everything in order after we left. Best regards.” We would therefore like to further clarify any areas of concern. There is no street parking at Sandbridge Beach unless your home is actually on the beach. Public parking lots are located at the entrance to Sandbridge and at Little Island Park at the southern tip of Sandbridge. Little Island Park has ample parking, a fishing pier, a snack stand, covered picnic tables, restrooms, outdoor rinse-off showers, and a fantastic playground. We clearly state that we are not on the beach and that we are a leisurely 10 minute walk down our residential/cul-de-sac street to the beach. We provide 4 adult bikes, 3 child bikes, and a wagon to make the trip to the beach even easier. Many homes in Sandbridge are located on the main thoroughfare where it can be difficult to navigate down the street to the beach. Because of the ease of walking down our street, it is quite popular for walkers, runners, strollers, bikers & beach-goers of all ages. Although we recommend Little Island Park to families with a large number of small children and/or the elderly, we have found that most families find the walk quite enjoyable and choose that option as other reviews indicate. The kayaks were not advertised prior to this renter’s stay. When they inquired about them, we began providing kayaks as an amenity for our guests the week of this renter’s stay. We have a dock on the canal behind our house. Wind creates fluctuations in the depth of the water just as tides do. When the water is low, the ladder built into the dock can be seen & used to climb down into the kayak. When the water rises, the ladder may not be visible but it is also not needed to step into the kayak. The kitchen is accurately depicted in the pictures. I will add an additional angle to further clarify that its lay-out does afford ample space for multiple users and is considered to be quite large for a rental home. As with any other entrance/doorway, only two people can fit through the entrance to the kitchen. We unfortunately cannot change that.

Recommended for:

Fun In The Sun

Guest: Bill & Lesley and the gang (Ancaster, Ontario Canada)
Date of Stay: 07/18/10 Review Submitted: 10/17/10

Our vacation included three couples, two teenage boys and two children under 6 years of age. The house and property were immaculate and the size of the house meant that there was sufficient privacy for everyone in our party. As luck would have it our visit coincided with a heat wave that hit the region the week of our stay. It hit 104F a couple of days but that's summer weather for you. We went to Sandbridge beach several times during our stay and saw dolphins each and every time. We even went one evening and watched them school a bunch of fish that they would take turns diving through to eat. Talk about excitement in the water. When we ate out we went to Margie and Ray's and Primo's Pizza, both were excellent. We found the owners to be very hands on in ensuring that our trip was a pleasant one. This included pre-trip communications, visits at the house while we were there and even post visit communication. Thanks Mark and Elaine. We would not hesitate to recommend this property to others as a great family get away for a summer vacation.

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

Amazing Home for a Family Vacation

Guest: Boomer Sooner (Arvada, Colorado USA)
Date of Stay: 07/09/10 Review Submitted: 07/22/10

Perfect fit for my family of my wife, son, daughter-in-law, daughter, and grandchildren (ages 3&1). The home is definitely as advertised as a haven for kids. We enjoyed the remote, neighborhood location away from the action but yet close by to many activities.Sandbridge ia a quaint beach community but restaurants, shopping, groceries, and a movie theatre are just 12 minute drive away. The Virginia Beach Boardwalk is about 30 minutes away. You can easily walk to the beach or ride the bikes provided. We also visited Little Island Park with a playground and snack bar about 4 miles away (we drove sometimes and rode bikes there a couple times). Attractions we visited included the Aquarium, the Boardwalk (rode bikes, jet skied, took sunset cruise), movie theatre, and Williamsburg. More about the home - the multi-level decks are awesome to enjoy as is the screened porch. The kids loved the swingset/playground and the playhouse on the deck level was a pleasant surprise! So much fun for the kids to explore. The canal gives you a sense of peace and the kayaks allow you to enjoy it as well. We especially enjoyed a sunset kayak trip to the back bay just around the corner. The home is well stocked with kids toys and all the baby stuff your little heart desires. The washer/dryer are modern and especially handy to get your sandy/wet clothes clean for the trip home. The kitchen had everything we needed and the big screen HDTV was great! The outdoor shower is a must have when returning from a day at the beach. The home was clean and the owners were a pleasure to deal with. They provided us website links for area attractions, great directions from the airport, and were a phone call away to answer our questions. The only negatives were the dishwasher quit while we were there, but I know the owners are addressing that issue promptly. Also, we rent a lot of homes and this is the first time I ran into a requirement to provide your own linens and towels. A local company, Moneysworth, rents them and they were very efficient. Just be prepared to add $100-$125 to your cost for a week. I would recommend this home for an awesome family beach vacation with no hesitation. You will love the location, the home, the bikes and kayaks, the canal, easy beach access, the plethora of kid stuff, and the Lazy Boy chair might be the most comfortable I've ever experienced.

Recommended for:Families with teenagers, families with young children.

Great Escape for both adult and kids

Guest: Melissa (Carthage, NC)
Date of Stay: 06/26/10 Review Submitted: 07/27/10

This was the perfect beach house for my extended family. I looked at many houses and kept returning to this beautiful home. I am so glad that we were able to stay here, it was exactly as described. We were a fair size group and there was plenty of space for everyone whether they wanted to watch TV, visit, or have a little bit of peace and quiet. The kids loved the backyard with the great playset and even enough room for a couple crazy games of T-ball. It is especially wonderful for families with small children - we walked to the beach in the morning, came back for lunch, and the older kids could play outside while the younger ones took a nap inside. The location was perfect - Sandbridge's beaches were clean and uncrowded - there were wonderful restaurants like Margie and Rays and Primo's Pizza (thank you to the owners for the recommendations) right in the area - and an easy drive to both the Aquarium and the Boardwalk. I just wanted to take a second to address the fact that there are no linens provided - we have stayed at other rental homes and were never given a choice to bring our own linens they just tacked on the added charge. We were able to save this expense by simply providing our own sheets and towels. I would not hesitate to recommend this house to any of my friends or family. I also want to take this opportunity thank the owners for all of their help both once we got there and leading up to our vacation - they definitely added to our wonderful stay - Thank you!

Recommended for:Families with young children

Beautiful Place

Guest: vacfamily (Baldwin, MD)
Date of Stay: 04/20/10 Review Submitted: 05/22/11

Our family very much enjoyed this home. It was very clean and we had lots of space. There were many extras that made our stay that much more enjoyable. We loved the location. The kayaks and bikes were great and we used them almost every day. The owners were very helpful if we had any questions and helped us quickly learn our way around the area. We would recommend this to any family looking for a quiet comfortable vacation.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, families with teenagers, families with young children.