Reviews for Bamboo Bay Vacation Rental - VRBO 259122 - 1 BR Cayman Brac Cottage in Cayman Islands, A Paradise Destination- Featherstone's House of the Rising Sun

Exceeds Expectations!

Guest Mary D
Date of stay 01/26/13
Review Submitted 02/25/13

From the moment we stepped foot onto Cayman Brac for our 14 day honeymoon, it was nothing but warm smiles and warm hearts! When we first pulled up to Featherstone, the cottage was exactly as pictured in the ad. Minnie was the most wonderful and perfect hostess. She really pays attention to the little details. There was a fresh flower on the table when we arrived which I thought was just a really nice touch! She happened to be staying at her home while we were there so once we were settled she came and warmly greeted us and then quietly left us to do our thing. She really gives you the privacy you are seeking and a happy smile when you pass each other by. The cottage was just spectacular! It had everything we needed and then some. Out in the back of the cottage was a hot tub under the almond trees. It was divine! We would make a few cocktails and go sit and soak it all in. The weather was amazing while we were there. It was so nice being able to just open all the windows and doors and let the cool island breeze flow through the cottage. For future guests, if it does get warm, the cottage does have an AC unit downstairs and upstairs which was really nice to have. The private beach you are on is, in my honest opinion, one of the best on the island! We drove to the public beach a few times and decided we really liked laying out better back at the cottage. I highly recommend laying on the beach at Featherstone at night and star gazing…you can see every constellation known to man! It was just breath taking! You will also experience some of the most unbelievable sunsets you will ever see. Each evening we would watch the sky transform into a painted masterpiece and then retire to the cottage for dinner. We cooked ourselves dinner most every evening. The cottage comes equipped with all the accoutrements you need including a wonderful gas grill out back. Again I will just say, I was so impressed by all the little details! The free wi/fi was exceptionally nice to have as well as cable. I believe that Minnie and Featherstone far exceeded our expectations! From the moment I contacted her she was so kind and willing to answer all of my questions. She made our rental car arrangements for us and took that off my plate. She helped me feel really prepared to go stay there for 14 days. We will DEFINITELY be returning to Featherstone. I can’t sing its praises enough. You will not be disappointed in fact you will probably find yourself pleasantly surprised!

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, romantic getaway.

Owner response: This is a couple that has become "family" to me. I will know them as long as I live and will babysit their babies when they come. They were, obviously, on their honeymoon but they shared time with me and on the last night never made it out to dinner we were having so much fun in my kitchen. It all ended with a leftover buffet and a world of laughs. Thank you for this beautiful review, Mary. Can hardly wait to see you and Craig again! Cayman Air now has a direct flight from Dallas with only a stopover and no plane change to Cayman Brac.

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Much Need Quiet Getaway....

Guest Sue & Kev
Date of stay 11/05/12
Review Submitted 01/05/13

My husband & I stayed here the week on November 4th,2012. We were celebrating Our Convalidation Ceremony. What a great place!! The house is exactly the way it appears in all the pictures! The only picture that was not the same as the one pictured here is the one of the beach. Hurricane Sandy had forced people to create a sand barrier which prevented us from having dinner on the beach. However, one of the most enjoyable parts of our stay was sitting on the deck each evening. Sometimes we had dinner out there. We saw a shooting star Every Single Night! We really loved the chairs on the beach to view the ocean and surroundings. The island is wonderful and so are the people...So Friendly! We especially enjoyed meeting Simone and Tenson Scott from NIM Things. We shopped there a few times and even purchased several of the Caymonite necklaces. We also enjoyed getting souvenirs for family and friends at The Treasure Chest. We enjoyed meeting Kathleen Bodden-Harris . We purchased her book and stopped to meditate, reading each stone in the Labyrinth. She was so kind and hospitable! She sent us on our way with fresh papaya and water!! Kevin and I aren't big divers or snorkelers so we had lots of time to explore and enjoy all the Caves. We especially loved the outlook and the light house. We also enjoyed the local flavor, especially Aunt Sha's Kitchen & Tropical Delight!! The hammocks were so inviting and we enjoyed lazing around often!! Thank you so much Mini for all of the info. From the brochures at Featherstone, to the info you emailed us. What a great job you did sharing tidbits about Everything we would ever want to see, or do!! And Hank was at our beckon call if we needed him. He stopped by a few times and even made sure we had fresh Coconut Milk. 3/8's was so Friendly!! We have not stopped talking about this wonderful getaway! Oh, by the way, we also Loved hanging out with our friends from Canada that we met in the house next door. Lastly, the jacuzzi was so relaxing after a long day of walking, exploring and over all enjoying the island! We also have to mention the kitchen which was stocked with anything and everything we needed to cook with. Our last night was spent at The Brac Reef Resort! The food and staff were excellent here too! We loved sitting on the beach and watching the scuba diving boats come and go! Thanks for arranging that too Mini!! God Bless the people of Cayman Brac!!

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

Owner response: Thank you Susan and Kevin for these kind words about my property. It makes my heart sing when I know that my guests had the trip they envisioned. I hope you will come again - soon and often!

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Absolutely Beautiful!

Guest Jeremiah
Date of stay 10/14/12
Review Submitted 10/26/12

My wife, our 9 month old son, and I just spent a week at Featherstone. We had such a wonderful time. The house was perfect, just how it appears in the pictures. Cayman Brac truly is paradise; an amazing place whether you are just looking to relax or if you are looking for something a bit more adventurous. The people of the island were incredibly friendly, and Minnie went out of her way to be accommodating. We will definitely recommend this house to all our friends and family!

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

Owner response: I regret that I was not on the island to enjoy Jeremiah, his wife and wonderful son but am so pleased that they loved Featherstone's cottage and Cayman Brac. Throughout my communications with him he was such a delight that I knew I was missing meeting great people by not being on the island. Thank you for your kind review!

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Great place

Guest May W.
Date of stay 06/02/12
Review Submitted 06/21/12

We loved the cottage. We were there for two weeks and had a great time. It was just what we expected we were pleased and it looked just like the photos we saw, no surprises. the owner was helpful with what ever came up that I had a question about and she is very easy to talk to. I would recommend this to all my friends that may go to the Brac to vacation and would definitely stay there again.

Recommended for: Romantic getaway

Owner response: Thank you, Mae, for your kind review. I enjoyed getting to know you and Carter and look forward to having you as my neighbor.

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 2/2

Private Seclusion

Guest sprtsnut67
Date of stay 01/01/12
Review Submitted 01/18/12

My wife and I stayed at Featherstone the first week of January and had an absolutely great time. The cottage was private, quiet and had enough amenities to be comfortable and provided everything we needed. The garden out back was totally secluded and we grilled out most nights as night fell. The beach was big, had two gazebos with hammocks, chairs, etc. There was another couple staying at the apartment, but the beach was plenty big and separate to not even really notice them too much, although we did have a nice campfire on the beach one night. The entire property, and island, are a complete throwback to big resorts, cities and crowds. We spent most mornings with a cup of coffee on the deck, then headed out to explore a cave, walk a beach, snorkel, etc. before heading back around lunch to lay in the sun all day. The one drawback was that the beach was indeed rocky entering the water and the urchins are plentiful. If the water is rough it makes it really tough to get into the water (I was worried about getting knocked into the jagged rocks). I love the water, but even this would not make stay away from this destination. We went to the public beach on the south side of the island a couple of times (about a 5 minute drive) and had the entire white sand beach to ourselves. The island is small, there is not much to do, but the people, solitude and beautiful scenery are incredible. Everyone was so nice. We shared drinks down the road at Esperanza, bought fresh bread everyday at the bakery, celebrated the new year down on the pier, talked with Tenson and Hank, and enjoyed everyone's hospitality. If you are looking for bars, shopping areas, nightlife, then I would recommend Grand Cayman. If quiet, peacefulness, relaxation,and tranquility are what you are looking for then Featherstone and Cayman Brac are for you!

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, romantic getaway.

Owner response: You have got to love people from Nebraska and this couple was no exception. Cayman Brac, in general, attracts the most interesting and intelligent people who are drawn to the Caribbean and Featherstone is so fortunate to get such a wonderful group of those people. Thank you, Jeff and Deanna for this fine review. I loved knowing that you were here and hope that you will come again when I am on the island as well.

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 4/4

True tranquility!

Guest KC Honeymooners
Date of stay 08/15/11
Review Submitted 09/16/11

We spent our honeymoon at Featherstone in the cottage. What a wonderful island and great home! The best of being secluded with your own private beach. Far enough away from the 'commercial' zone to be quiet, but close enough to drive back and forth whenever you feel like being around others, or getting a bute to eat at one of the wonderful local restaurants.

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

Owner response: It was a joy to watch this lovely young couple begin their lives at Featherstone. Their enjoyment was contagious. One of the best perks of being the owner of this property is seeing my guests be so happy!

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Garden of Eden...

Guest jlandon01
Date of stay 07/08/11
Review Submitted 08/08/11

Featherstone is one of the most peacefull places I have ever visited, and Minnie is the nicest and most gracious host while you are there (in addition to before and after your visit). The cottage has absolutely everything you will need to enjoy a wonderful relaxing week of peace and quiet. Whether you are looking to get away from everything (like I did), or spend a very intimate time with a special person in an idyllic setting, Featherstone is for you! The little patio area in the back of the cottage at night is what I imagine the Garden of Eden was like. I sat out there in the hot tub under a full moon and it was simply amazing. Thank you so much Minnie for all of your kindness and fellowship during my visit, and for also completely leaving me alone to fully experience the complex texture and beauty of Cayman Brac on my various excursions out on the island. I'll be back!!! Blessings...

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Owner response: Jonathan was one of those rare individuals whose magical spirit surrounded him like a halo. His vision was married to the beauty of Cayman Brac and he saw it for everything that one could speak about or have no words to express. He left behind the memory of a very special guest.

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Perfect for Peace

Guest Katie
Date of stay 06/18/11
Review Submitted 07/14/11

My husband and I rented the cottage for 7 nights. The property was lovely and we really enjoyed hanging out in our own private hammocks! The snorkeling in front of the property was incredible- we saw thousands of tropical fish, barracuda and we even saw a sting ray! The cottage was immaculate and Minnie was great to help us sort out our scuba details! I would definitely recommend this to a friend!

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, girls getaway, romantic getaway.

Owner response: It was wonderful to watch this young couple settle into the best that the Brac has to offer. Their complete understanding of the specialness of this island and of Featherstone was a statement about how remarkable they are. Thank you for these words and please do come to see us again and soon.

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/1

Very Relaxing

Guest Josiah & Amy
Date of stay 05/10/11
Review Submitted 10/19/11

First of all I will say, we enjoyed our time here very much, we had some awesome R&R, and perfect weather! If I can address the reason for our 3 stars, I will say that there were a few things we didn't realize upon arrival, and that we thought were misrepresented. First, that Minnie's home sits directly in front of the rental house, leaving much to be desired for the "ocean view," to put it nicely. Second, that the bottom floor of her house would be occupied with renters as well. Fortunately for us, the other couple was gone the majority of the time, so we were alone on the beach our entire stay. Lastly, that the beachline is ironshore with sea urchins. Not at all what I had pictured in my mind for an afternoon swim. I should have done a lot more research! (The public beach however has a beautiful white sandy beach all the way into the water) Having said that, the high points were: relaxing, reading books, soaking up the sun, going snorkeling, hiking, and exploring. The Brac Reef Resort plays a movie outside one evening a week, which was super! And the Alexander Hotel has some really wonderful buffet menus throughout the week! Minnie was incredibly sweet and very welcoming! I will say however, our next vacation we will go a different route.

Recommended for: Age 55+, romantic getaway.

Owner response: It is heartbreaking for me to hear that any guest who stayed at Featherstone was less than thrilled about their stay. Having said that, however, I feel that I need to clarify some of the comments made in this review. The cottage is not behind my house but is to the left of my house about 50’ further back on the property than my main house. The cottage is built so that it is very private with only limited views of the sea from inside. The best views from the cottage are from the balcony outside the master bedroom upstairs. One of the special aspects of the cottage is that it has a little private garden in back of it with a hot tub where many of my guests relax after a busy day in the sun. The inside of the cottage is well appointed and so, after spending a day on the beach in the sun, it is a pleasant place to be. Featherstone has the most beautiful private beach on the island. It is 1 ½ acres with 2 strategically placed gazebos so that several people can find privacy at any given time on it. The island itself is a rock and so there is a rocky shore on 90% of it. I have built a ramp over the ironshore in front of my property but I also ask my guests to wear swim shoes because when you step off the ramp there are some rocks for about 10’ before you get to a sandy bottom. Some sea urchins live in those rocks but the shoes make it fine to go into the sea in front of the house. Fortunately, for the other guests who have left comments about my property, all giving me a 5 star rating, their experience at Featherstone was what I try my best to provide – a perfect place to have a beautiful, relaxing vacation. Many of my guests are repeat and come year after year to enjoy this special place. Again, I am at a loss to understand anyone who was not happy in every way with this gorgeous property and rental. I wish their experience had been perfect in every way but am happy that most of it was good for them.

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 5/6

Tranquility Found!

Guest Jeannie & Daryl
Date of stay 04/23/11
Review Submitted 05/24/11

Our plan for this vacation was to leave all our troubles behind and completely unwind. We couldn't have asked for a more tranquil and beautiful property to accomplish just that. Feathstone is tucked away in a very lush and remote area. It's situated on your own private, gorgeous white sand/coral beach. There's no better place to lay in a hammock and read a few good books during the day, and star gaze at night. The cottage itself is perfect for two, with all the amenities of home. While the owner's home (Minnie) is in close range to the cottage there is in no way a lack of privacy, she just seems to understand. If you're looking for a quiet island retreat we recommend Featherstone - you will have no regrets! Thanks Minnie for sharing your beautiful property with us!

Recommended for: Age 55+, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Owner response: Proof again that Canada has some of the best people on the planet. This lovely couple was a delight to have at Featherstone. It was wonderful to just observe them relaxing and enjoying all that Featherstone has to offer. This sharing of my special space is a joy because it helps me give back some of what I am so fortunate to enjoy myself. Somehow it triples the enjoyment! Jeannie and Daryl, come again and soon!

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 2/2

Paradise!!

Guest Rich and Chris
Date of stay 03/23/11
Review Submitted 05/15/11

Ideal place to "get away from it all"!! Kick back, relax...amazing snorkelling during the day, bottle of wine while watching the beautiful sunset in the evening. Fantastic hosts! Definately going back.

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

Owner response: It was a special anniversary and so I had a bottle of champagne chilling in the refrigerator when they arrived. To prove the wonderful guests Featherstone attracts, Rich and Chris broke out the bubbles and shared it with my partner and I! That was pretty much over the top as were these charming guests from Canada. It has been wonderful to have so many Canadians stay with us this past year. We are grateful for them and for the fact that their dollar has gained momentum. Hurry back! It is almost sunset time right now.

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 5/5

Perfectly Relaxing...

Guest Annie
Date of stay 01/22/11
Review Submitted 11/08/11

It has taken me a bit of time to write my review of Featherstone and our nearly three week stay there. That is only because of the hectic circumstances that awaited us upon our return home. We arrived at Featherstone after a long night and full day of flights from our Oregon residence. In that exhaustion, I was not certain what I thought of the place. A good nights sleep…changed my apprehension to Joy. We had a spectacular time away from winter at home in this paradise location. Minnie, the owner, was absolutely wonderful…Hank was very accommodating…I fell in love with 3/8’s…and, we met some very wonderful people visiting and staying in the other apartment on the property! We hiked, explored caves, rode bikes, walked beaches, snorkeled, shopped, watched sunsets (from various locations), on and on! We had coffee every morning in the blue chairs on the beach and watched the beautiful colors of the clouds at sunrise! My days were filled with sun, shelling, reading and wonderful afternoons in the hammock! The best description besides beautiful would have to be relaxing! We prepared great food in the little kitchen at the cottage and enjoyed many meals on the upstairs lanai. We especially enjoyed the grouper fish Hank shared with us. Highlights of the trip was getting to watch the Superbowl game, on the beach and under the stars. However, most memorable and delightful was the lobster dinner Minnie prepared for us on our last evening there!! Thousands of photos were taken of all the special things we did during our visit to Paradise! It was difficult leaving the paradise we found in this lovely spot! By the time our plane arrived at Grand Cayman…I was ready to return!

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

Owner response: #1 I can't believe I overlooked your comments, Ray, except that this past year was a really hectic one and I fell behind where emails were concerned. Thank you for your dear and glorious comments about Featherstone. You must come again soon because I have learned how to make a lobster pie that, as they say in the South, "will make you slap your grandmother"!

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 5/5

Beyond my expectations!

Guest Katie
Date of stay 09/20/10
Review Submitted 10/25/10

After looking at HUNDREDS of potential honeymoon destinations, we decided to think "out of the box" and go to Cayman Brac (as opposed to a cruise or an all-inclusive resort). We were very nervous and skeptical at first. We decided on Featherstone as our place to stay because after a chaotic wedding week, we wanted to go to a quiet place away from the typical way of life. The people are so incredibly nice on the island, and extremely accomodating to the tourists. Featherstone was BEAUTIFUL, and was a slice of pure heaven for our honeymoon week. We layed in the hammocks overlooking the ocean every morning drinking our coffee. During the day we went hiking, cave exploring, and experienced the locally-cooked food and went to the lighthouse and had a picnic. I can't wait to come back! Minnie was so incredibly nice to us. She wiped away any possible doubts we had about our get-away week!!! I can't wait to visit Featherstone again in the future.

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Owner response: Thank you, Katie and Brian, for choosing Featherstone and for taking the time to write such a beautiful response to VRBO about your stay on our special little island. You are among the amazing guests that Featherstone always seems to attract every single time it is rented. Having you at Featherstone was a joy for me and you join the hundreds of other wonderful people who have graced my property over the past 7 years I have offered it for rental.. I look forward to seeing you again and soon! Minnie

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 4/4

Our perfect honeymoon location

Guest Katie and Brian
Date of stay 08/30/10
Review Submitted 09/22/10

My husband and I traveled to Featherstone from Seattle, WA and we were so happy with our entire trip. Cayman Brac is a very small island with not much to do except relax, lay by the beach, snorkel, and enjoy exploring the island. When we first arrived we were a little taken back by how small the island was and thought we might leave early and spend more time in Miami. But by the 2nd day we knew we had to stay our entire trip's length because we would never get to be alone like this again in our lives. It was unbelieveable, with the sun sets right off our own beach in Featherstone. The beach that Minnie has is the best on the island! We stayed in the guest cottage and it was just the perfect size for the two of us! It is decorated so cute and had all the amenities we needed. Thank you Minnie and Hank for a great start to our lives together! We will always remember you!!!

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

Owner response: Thank you, Katie and Brian, for your great review. I remember you well and hope that you will come visit again soon. It is so funny to me that VRBO has elected to show that this property is good for people 55+. It is, of course, but 25% of my rentals are honeymooners in their 20's and at least 50% are renters under 50. All ages are welcome here and all ages have a wonderful time since Cayman Brac offers something for everybody and Featherstone's beach is a joy for all ages. Thanks again. I loved having you here.

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 10/10

Vacation Rentals by Owner

A Paradise Destination- Featherstone's House of the Rising Sun [#259122] | View Property

Traveler Reviews (14)

Exceeds Expectations!

Exceeds Expectations!

Much Need Quiet Getaway....

Much Need Quiet Getaway....

Absolutely Beautiful!

Absolutely Beautiful!

Great place

Great place

Private Seclusion

Private Seclusion

True tranquility!

True tranquility!

Garden of Eden...

Garden of Eden...

Perfect for Peace

Perfect for Peace

Very Relaxing

Very Relaxing

Tranquility Found!

Tranquility Found!

Paradise!!

Paradise!!

Perfectly Relaxing...

Perfectly Relaxing...

Beyond my expectations!

Beyond my expectations!

Our perfect honeymoon location

Our perfect honeymoon location