Reviews for Fox Island Vacation Rental - VRBO 259407 - 2 BR Puget Sound South House in WA, Private Historic Waterfront Home with Dock

Fox Island hideaway

Guest explorer
Date of stay 03/21/13
Review Submitted 04/03/13

Stayed here for a family wedding nearby. The house is roomy and extremely well equipped, including world's best coffee machine; the Owner couldn't have been more accommodating; the views and wildlife were all we could have hoped for (deer, herons, eagles). The pictures don't really convey the setting and privacy. As it says, the house is not brand new, but it is charming. Would love to return when we could just sit and enjoy.

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

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WOW!

Guest Audrey
Date of stay 02/15/13
Review Submitted 02/21/13

We stayed here for a long weekend, we had never been to Fox Island. It was quick to get there and once there, we really felt like we went somewhere. The picture doesn't do it justice. This is a cool house, has a great old school bell our daughter loved ringing on the hour. We ended up just relaxing at the home because it was so cozy and comfortable. We played games, inside and outside, bbq'd, went beachcombing and actually just relaxed. We definately could have brought another family with us. I would definately recommend it to a friend, very family friendly. Nice and clean, everything you need for cooking and baking is there. Beautiful and peaceful view from back deck, yard and hammock. The welcoming hospitality makes us want to return!

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

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Bruce Miller Family ( This is the Graybill's that came with them)

Guest Happy customer!
Date of stay 11/09/12
Review Submitted 11/12/12

We enjoyed the weekend SO much! Thank You! Your little home is just perfect! Just wish it slept more people so we could bring our whole family sometime!! Many Thanks again! We will tell all our friends about this place!

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

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Relaxing and serene experience

Guest Laura R
Date of stay 10/10/12
Review Submitted 10/19/12

I recently stayed at this home, there were a total of 5 of us. This home is in probably the best location on Fox Island. The property is perched in a way that you can view an entire panorama of the water. So picturesque. The deck and kitchen are huge! It had all the amenities we needed and more. You can tell the owners care a great deal about making sure their guests are comfortable. It was extremely clean and well appointed. Lots of travel guides for things to do around town. The bathroom looks practically brand new. The bedrooms are warm and cozy. And the King Bed makes you never want to leave! Our favorite part of the trip was being greeted by two deer when we drove up to the house. It is just a wonderful location with a fantastic view, and a clean and comfortable house with lots of space. Can't ask for anything better! For people with disabilities, there is only one short step to get onto the porch and one step to get into the one level house. The space is very large to maneuver a wheel chair if needed. The deck off the kitchen has no stairs to get onto it (from the kitchen)

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

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Exceptional!!!

Guest Vicki and Hal
Date of stay 07/15/12
Review Submitted 07/25/12

My husband and I are moving to Fox Island, and rented this house while awaiting closing on our own home. Lisa was extremely helpful, and went above and beyond with respect to hospitality (which is particularly notable considering we will never be return customers due to moving to the island). We have stayed in VRBO homes before and I've always been a bit disappointed that they didn't live up to the website description. This home (and owner) well surpassed my expectations. The property and view are amazing (we are admittedly jealous of their prime location), and the house provides all the amenities for a very comfortable stay. We love to cook, and past VRBO homes have merely provided cheap pans, knives, etc. Lisa was a former culinary instructor so the kitchen is amply supplied. We cooked quite a bit during our stay, and found everything we needed. I cannot overstate how wonderful this stay was - quiet, relaxing, comfortable.

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

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Vermont

Guest VT Family
Date of stay 06/16/12
Review Submitted 06/29/12

The home exceeded our expectations as far as the privacy, the view, the comfort and the welcome from the homeowners. The property is absolutely lovely, the beds are very very comfortable, and you can't help but relax here. The warm days allow you to be outside enjoying the view and the property, and the cool rainy days are good for building a fire in the fireplace and taking a nap. Not too far from Gig Harbor for shopping and dining, or across the Narrows Bridge to Tacoma and I-5. The little cottage was perfect for part of our family that wanted a bit more independence. The amenities and the extras that the homeowner provides add to the high level of comfort and care, just what you want when you are far from home. We definitely recommend this home on Fox Island.

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

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Sibling Reunion

Guest Bill
Date of stay 04/18/12
Review Submitted 04/27/12

This property was a perfect location for the four of us to get together and share stories of our growing up years. It is a peaceful oasis with the birds calling and the clouds drifting overhead. The property was very clean and well maintained and the owners were very attentive. Located within a 30 minute drive of many activities it was still easy to forget the rush of the world. I would recommend this property to anyone needing a retreat to gather and renew their energy. Everything was as it was advertised and we only brought food. The history of the property fits well with its current role of teaching you how to relax and learn about yourself. Absolutley top notch.

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

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Perfect vacation rental

Guest Love FI
Date of stay 11/23/11
Review Submitted 11/30/11

The home is clean, comfortable and homey and has spectacular views of the water and tanglewood island. My family and I have been coming to fox island for many years now and it is nice to be able to rent a wonderful home from a great owner who is very accommodating of our needs. I have recommended the home to other family members who also rented the house and they were very happy with their stay also. Although not used on the last stay, the owner also has a back detached room with it's own bathroom if more sleeping accommodations are needed. I would defintely recommend the rental for visiting Gig Harbor or traveling anywhere around Seattle area

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

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Clean, comfortable, relaxing, attentive owner... wonderful!

Guest Dan
Date of stay 08/22/11
Review Submitted 06/11/12

This review has been a long time coming as my family and I actually stayed here in August of 2010, but I need to express the absolutely wonderful experience we had when we stayed. Lisa had excellent communication with me throughout the entire rental process (this was our first VRBO), from the contract on through the stay and also in the followup notes she mailed to me afterwards. The directions from SeaTac were spot on, and the home was spotless when we arrived. Lisa had provided some treats and refreshments for us, and even left a special surprise present for my daughter who was almost three at the time... truly above and beyond in making us feel welcome. Despite being realtively close to other homes in the area, the location was private and quiet. Waking up each morning to the calm of the Sound and drinking coffee on the porch could not have been a better way to begin each of our mornings. We rented the additional guest house for my parents and it was money well spent instead of trying to squeeze into the main house (we had 5 adults and a child total). When the shower (of the guest house) had a small leak, Lisa's husband was over the same day to make some quick repairs. When I couldn't find something in the house, Lisa responded to my text right away. The kitchen was well stocked with all the utensils and cooking gear needed to make any meal we had. I will forever cherish the memories I made with my daughter while walking on the beach during low tide looking for crabs, and picking fresh blackberries just outside the front door of this wonderful home. I hope we'll be able to get back here some day.

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

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Takes our Breath Away!

Guest Audrey
Date of stay 08/11/11
Review Submitted 08/22/11

We are local, so we know how beautiful our waterfront homes can be........... however, this place literally took my breath the way the minute I saw it. The pictures on the website are very nice, and as hard as it is to believe, they really don't capture the absolute tranquility and beauty of the place. I don't think any picture could..........you just have to be there! This was the place our daughter was married. This was the place our daughter spent the night with her bridal attendants prior to her wedding day. This was the place our daughter slept soundly and leisurely relaxed while getting ready for her wedding. This was the place our daughter felt like a princess and married the man of her dreams. This place was perfect! Throughout our entire wedding planning process, Lisa, the owner, was more like a good friend then a caretaker. She did EVERYTHING she could to meet all our expectations, and she exceeded each and every one. I have been in the hospitality industry for my entire career, and I know when someone has that gift of hospitality..........and Lisa has it. Her personal touch and sincere love for the place shows. You can see it and feel it. I not only found a wonderful place to recommend to anyone looking to spend the night in this area, but I also found a new friend.

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

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Fox Island rental

Guest Dave
Date of stay 06/15/11
Review Submitted 07/06/11

We stayed at this rental for 5 nights over Father's Day 2011. The house was very comfortable and well furnished with an excellent view. The owners were terriffic in helping us out and super pleasant to work with. The location was rural, but very close to activities, particularly Gig Harbor. So it's good for activities (we boated, shopped, ate out, hiked, toured, etc) and for just relaxing around the house (reading, fires, horseshoes, games, etc). Wasn't sure I'd ever get my wife out of the hammock. In my wife's words, "it's a do over!".

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

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Spectacular View, Tranquil Spot, Comfy Home

Guest Stacy
Date of stay 06/08/11
Review Submitted 06/25/11

Just spent three nights at Fox Island, and what a place! The waterfront view was truly spectacular, and the grassy area around the home is perfect for relaxing with a book and a glass of wine, plus a great and safe area for kids to play. The home is lovely and very comfortable to stay in, super comfy bedding, and very, very clean. Fox Island is close to Seattle and we drove in every day to enjoy the hustle and bustle and attractions of downtown, yet it was so nice to come back to Fox Island's quiet beauty. I can highly recommend this vacation home, and hope to go back next year.

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

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Mike & Gaye

Guest Mike and Gaye
Date of stay 03/30/11
Review Submitted 04/09/11

What a wonderful experience staying in the school house! The hospitality that Lisa showed us was greatly appreciated. This home has a fantastic feel to it. It is welcoming and comfortable. Our stay was very relaxing with great views of the water. the house has everything you need for your stay. Wonderful coffee maker, plenty of utinsils for cooking and the most comfortable beds we have ever slept in! If you are looking for a house that you can relax in, this is it. Only 15 min from Gig Harbor. We were there for our grandsons birth in Tacoma, a very easy short drive.

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

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Fantastic, relaxing, amazing "schoolhouse" vacation home

Guest Leif and Michelle
Date of stay 02/14/11
Review Submitted 02/18/11

This is a Fox Island dream of a house. The history of the house alone makes it such a fun place for vacation. The school bell is still in working order, the original rope windows still exist in the back of the home (they have updated with new outside windows but have preserved the homes history and the back doors are still the the original doors dated from 1906. The view of the bay is breathtaking with huge picture windows throughout the dining and living room. This home is incredibly fun for a family with kids or extremely peaceful and relaxing for a quiet relaxing romantic weekend alone. The hospitality was fantastic, on arrival we had a very nice fruit basket along with snacks in the pantry and beverages in the fridge. The bathroom was stocked with everything from cotton balls to shampoo & conditioner. The wood burning stove was all stocked with kindling all we had to do was light a match. Lisa, thank you so much for everything. You went above and beyond to make sure we had all the comforts and we are greatly appreciative. We had a very quiet romantic few days but are already planning our next family vacation and can't wait to bring the kids. We have stayed at a few homes through the VRBO website and this is most definatley our favorite place.

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

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Great Vacation at the Schoolhouse

Guest E & J & Gang
Date of stay 07/26/10
Review Submitted 08/10/10

Lisa; Thank you so much we had a fabulous time! Your home was even nicer than the pictures. Beautiful decor, lots of windows, gorgeous views, stocked with just about everything you could want or need. The cool mornings, warm afternoons and cool nights were very relaxing and made for great sleeping; in fact we slept in almost every day! Very good location to get to lots of places, easy access to Pikes Market, Olympic Penninsula and Mount Rainier to name a few. Our boys enjoyed the privacy of the "guest house" with excellent wireless access (almost too much we had to drag them out of the man cave for excursions!) Our girls loved ringing the schoolbell, lazing in the hammock and playing with the doll-house! Everyday was an adventure as we discovered something new off the dock or on the beach -- jellyfish, crabs, otters to name a few. The changes in the tides were endlessly fascinating as we had never experienced them before. We would have enjoyed learning more about them but never got time to do any research. Thank you for all the treats, tips and information; all were used and appreciated. The maps and guidebooks were especially helpful. Our drive up to Dungeness Spit was a big hit, everyone loved the crashing surf and piles of driftwood. We also enjoyed a day of badminton, how nice of you to provide those extras. For future reference we highly recommend the seafood at Cutter's, the pizza at Fondi's and the Mexican food at Mocteczuma's (although we ate seafood just about everywhere and it was always excellent). We only have a couple of suggestions: we missed having a toaster for our bagels (Although I showed the kids how it was done in the old days under the broiler) and we needed instructions for using the DVD player. (Near the end of our week we wanted to relax together and watch a family movie but couldn't get it to work. By the time we realized we needed help it was too late to call you.) We'd definitely recommend your place to others, in fact we did recommend it to someone from Wisconsin who we met in Gig Harbor. They are having a family reunion next summer and we encouraged them to check out your place! Overall it was a wonderful vacation and since we only managed to do about half of the things on our list we really hope to come back! Thank you again for helping make our first experience of Puget Sound a great one! E & J & Gang

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

Owner response: There is a toaster in the pantry cabinet. Good suggestion about the DVD player -- we will provide instructions.

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Simply - Amazing & Memorable

Guest SoCal Four
Date of stay 07/18/10
Review Submitted 04/14/11

All of the great things you read in the reviews for this property are absolutely accurate, but they still fall far short of describing the wonderful experience of staying in this home on Fox Island. The pictures give you only a small glimpse of the amazing panoramic view of the beautiful scenery that surrounds the house from it's perch above the water. (Having morning coffee on the deck, wrapped in a blanket and watching the morning fog roll around the harbor - it felt just like a commercial!) The house is fully stocked with anything you might need, but if you're missing something - Gig Harbor is so convenient for shopping and dining only 10 - 15min away. We were concerned about the seeming distance into Seattle, but even with traffic we easily did the typical tourist day trips everyday (baseball, soccer, museums, a day at Mt. Ranier, shopping, boat tours, etc.). But the house was the best part of the vacation. With two very busy teenagers and a husband who doesn't like to "sit" on vacation we are always on the go. On our second day there, they all agreed they weren't in any hurry to go anywhere, wanted to stay at the house, play volleyball and badminton, board games (also well stocked), just hang out on the dock or in the hammock and go into Gig Harbor for a movie. Our stay was almost a year ago and as we plan our next vacation, we find ourselves comparing every place we consider to "the Fox Island house". It will be one of our favorite and most memorable family vacations for years to come. Thank you Phillips family for making your vacation home available for other families to share and enjoy.

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

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Amazing Rental Home and Vacation over the 4th of July

Guest Kurt & Pam
Date of stay 06/30/10
Review Submitted 09/04/10

Our first impression was WOW! So much better then expected! Lisa was a most friendly and helpful host. Even meeting us in Gig Harbor so she could personally drive us to the house so we didn't waste time getting lost. She wrote down and looked up all kinds of information and was just a phone call away if we needed anything, and I mean anything. We loved the two seals we watched every evening in the harbor. My husband enjoyed taking pictures of the Osprey nest which was very active while we were there. The view of Mt. Rainier from the bridge was gorgeous, you can also see the Cascades on a clear day. We grilled out on the deck and ate the most amazing fresh fruit from most every evening. I do have one complaint though, the beds were so comfortable and we slept so well, we had a hard time getting up to go sight seeing! Thanks Lisa for sharing your home and making our trip to Washington one of the most memorable trips we've experienced, we will be back!

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

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We will return!

Guest Kristine
Date of stay 06/21/10
Review Submitted 06/29/10

Restful, peaceful, and beautiful! We have two teenaged girls who love nothing better than to go to shopping malls. What a lovely escape from their normal activities. They ventured outside on bicycles, sunbathed on the dock, read outside on the lawn, walked by the waterfront, and even jumped in at one point! Hubby & I took a bike ride up to the very charming Fox Island museum. We loved, loved, loved the coffee machine. Our last evening, we had a BBQ on the deck, all of us sad that we had to leave.

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

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Guest Roger & Sheryll Shimata
Date of stay 01/20/10
Review Submitted 01/20/10

Lisa, Thank you Thank you. Wow! What a suprise this gem of the North Pacific was. One you must see to appreciate. Nestle on quint Fox Island this home has unparalled views of the Puget Sound. We felt instantly at home with a thoughtful gift basket upon entering. Thank you for the sundries, laundry soap and the beautiful linens. Lisa, an aspiring chef had all the necessities to create a fabulous Christmas dinner and the Phillips made us feel as though we had been friend for years. We will visit time again and will hope one day that Lisa and Keith Phillips will come to Hawaii and allow us to reciprocate. Roger & Sheryll Shimata Waikoloa Hawaii

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Guest Sarah86
Date of stay 10/20/09
Review Submitted 10/20/09

Our family needed to get away because our floors were being restained! What a blessing we found this beautiful vacation rental to enjoy while we were displaced! The view took my breath away each and every morning! The old school house had so much charm and made the week so fun for all of us! We rang the school bell to lots! The kitchen and nook were so spacious! The kitchen had everything we needed and it felt like we were home...but with an amazing view of Tanglewood Island. I hope to spend another week here soon :) Very family friendly, but also romantic.... We lit a fire each night and were sorry for the day we had to go home! Thats right, we loved our stay so much we didn't want to go back home!

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Guest Joe51
Date of stay 09/29/09
Review Submitted 09/29/09

Stayed here with some friends last weekend of September 2009. Great (school) house that feels like an old cabin with a nice modern kitchen area. The water really comes right into the house through the big windows. The big front lawn seems to sit right on top of the water. We were glad we brought a canoe to row around the small, private "Tanglewood" island just off shore. Lisa, the owner, was very gracious and acomodating, and also keeps a kitchen well supplied with basic cooking needs. Only negatives: the driveway down to the dock is very steep, house could have used a few comfy deck chairs for relaxing outdoors (though there's a great hammock) and the TV only gets 13 channels (but who needs it?). Overall, a great place to relax.

Owner response: We have since purchased 6 deck chairs. We have also added enhanced cable and Wi-Fi access.

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Guest Ryan and Candice
Date of stay 09/28/09
Review Submitted 09/28/09

Lisa, Thank you once again for sharing your beautiful home. The big little things: Great fluffy bed. Comfortable with higher end linens. Spices in the kitchen. Generally when you rent, the kitchens are completely bare. The Coffee Machine. (Although having 12 cups a day is probably excessive.) It was a treat to have a cup at any time. Laundry soap. The little drawer with toothpaste and sundries. The selection of dvd's. The hammock between the huge trees. They all made the house so comfortable and user friendly. The area, which we had never been to before, was ideal. We spent a good part of our time trying to decide if it was a seal in the bay in front of the house or an otter. Ryan found a different golf course to play almost ever day. Driving in and around was a pleasure. We never got tired of how beautiful and wooded the area was. Gig Harbor was fantastic, and we never had a bad meal at any of the places we stopped. But most importantly-the view. I never got over coming down the hallway and having the entire house open up to that view. It stopped me every time for the entire two weeks we were there. I could not recommend, both yourself as a hostess-or the house, more highly. Thanks again-Candice

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Vacation Rentals by Owner

Private Historic Waterfront Home with Dock [#259407] | View Property

Traveler Reviews (22)

Fox Island hideaway

Fox Island hideaway

WOW!

WOW!

Bruce Miller Family ( This is the Graybill's that came with them)

Bruce Miller Family ( This is the Graybill's that came with them)

Relaxing and serene experience

Relaxing and serene experience

Exceptional!!!

Exceptional!!!

Vermont

Vermont

Sibling Reunion

Sibling Reunion

Perfect vacation rental

Perfect vacation rental

Clean, comfortable, relaxing, attentive owner... wonderful!

Clean, comfortable, relaxing, attentive owner... wonderful!

Takes our Breath Away!

Takes our Breath Away!

Fox Island rental

Fox Island rental

Spectacular View, Tranquil Spot, Comfy Home

Spectacular View, Tranquil Spot, Comfy Home

Mike & Gaye

Mike & Gaye

Fantastic, relaxing, amazing "schoolhouse" vacation home

Fantastic, relaxing, amazing "schoolhouse" vacation home

Great Vacation at the Schoolhouse

Great Vacation at the Schoolhouse

Simply - Amazing & Memorable

Simply - Amazing & Memorable

Amazing Rental Home and Vacation over the 4th of July

Amazing Rental Home and Vacation over the 4th of July

We will return!

We will return!