Vacation Rentals by Owner

Beautiful and Clean

Guest: J&J (High Level Alberta Canada)
Date of Stay: 04/23/12 Review Submitted: 05/25/12

A beautiful and relaxing place to stay. My husband and I spent 6 days of our honeymoon here. We really enjoyed our time spent in the cottage as well as the many places around Fort Bragg to sight see. It was very clean and had all that we needed. I would defintely reccomend staying at this cottage.

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing.

T and P (Wisconsin)

Guest: T and P (Washburn, WI., on the shores of Lake Superior.)
Date of Stay: 03/24/12 Review Submitted: 04/07/12

This has been a most wonderful visit for us. The cottage and garden are even more lovely, inviting, and comfortable in person, than the photos and description impart. We felt completely comfortable and at ease to do or not do at our own pace and in our own time. Though Lindsay lives nearby, she was very respectful of our time and privacy, and we felt for the most part like we had the whole place to ourselves every day of the 8 days we spent. We have visited the Ft. Bragg area twice before, and even though it rained for most of our visit this time, it was the best visit yet, because of having stayed at the Zen Jewel Sanctuary. Return trips will definitely be on our agenda. Thank you for this wonderful place to stay and visit!

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

Peace and serenity in a well-designed setting

Guest: Naropa grad (Davis, CA)
Date of Stay: 02/18/12 Review Submitted: 02/21/12

My husband and I have been users of VRBO properties for over 10 years and this was by far the most beautiful, clean and peaceful place we've rented. The cottage was obviously designed by someone who wanted her guests to enjoy their stay. The owner's presence was completely unobtrusive and the serenity was unbroken even as we strolled the gardens and enjoyed our morning coffee on the deck. Thank you fro providing a respite from our stressful lives.

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

Zen Jewel Santuary

Guest: Sheree (Windsor, CA)
Date of Stay: 02/09/12 Review Submitted: 02/25/12

My husband and I stayed at your property, and we had a wonderful visit. The grounds were beautiful even in early February. We are already looking forward to returning and seeing the gardens in different seasons. Our stay was comfortable and very relaxing. Your beautiful getaway location, Zen Jewel Santuary, is very aptly named. We highly recommend this vacation rental.

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

A Place of Beauty and Peace

Guest: Valy (Oakland California)
Date of Stay: 11/16/11 Review Submitted: 12/15/11

Zen Jewel Sanctuary is truly a place of beauty and peace. It was perfect.My husband and I spent four days here and we could not have been happier. The owner of the property is an inspiration! She did an amazing and perfect job creating this gorgeous, dreamlike, ethereal, exquisite garden setting and cottage. She made our stay truly comfortable and pleasant. The cottage has everything you need: awesome stereo system, wi-fi, dvd player, cable tv, satellite radio, complete equipped kitchen, comfortable bed, fine furnishings, spa-like shower/bath, heated floors, and very very clean. Not only were the cottage, plants and flowers incredibly beautiful, but the location was perfect as well. Very quiet and private, and only a few minutes walk to the beach and the awesome sand dunes. We will definitely come back. This place is mint!!! Highly recommend it. We had a wonderful time. Thank you Lindsay!

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

Perfect romantic getaway!

Guest: Kaylene (Oregon)
Date of Stay: 09/18/11 Review Submitted: 09/29/11

The cottage is situated in a beautiful garden so close to the ocean that you can hear the waves. It's comfortable and well appointed, and is the perfect balance between seclusion and easy access to Fort Bragg. Lindsay is helpful and very easy to work with - her sincerity makes her a great host and resource and a pleasure to work with. During our two week stay we had a terrific time.

Recommended for:Romantic getaway

A Great Escape

Guest: Modoc (Cottonwood, CA, USA)
Date of Stay: 09/16/11 Review Submitted: 09/19/11

A beautiful setting with all you need for a great vacation. We have stayed in several places in the Fort Bragg area and this was a pleasant surprise. A very serene, quiet setting that made a perfectly romantic weekend.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

beauty and care

Guest: KB (Arcata CA)
Date of Stay: 06/20/11 Review Submitted: 04/25/12

wonderful job with the architecture, cabinetry, and finish work. Great place to head off to the dunes from for a stroll at sunset - clean and well maintained everything was as presented here. I did not see the owner during my stay and wish could have stayed longer to thank her in person. I highly recommend this property to mature travelers that appreciate quality.

Recommended for:Age 55+, sightseeing.

Great Space

Guest: Eli (San Francisco)
Date of Stay: 05/30/11 Review Submitted: 06/07/11

Everything worked out so nicely in this cottage. There was room to move and pleasing views of the garden. The owner's house is very nearby, but it is part of the pleasing views, and the owner was very respectful of my privacy, as I tried to be of hers. No problem for either of us. All the necessities and amenities of the cottage surpassed my expectations. There is a nearby path to the dunes, then a ten minute walk to the ocean over the strange landscape of the dunes. The beach is miles long and, in this area, pretty much unfrequented. I stayed for four nights and left looking forward to doing this again.

Recommended for:Age 55+, romantic getaway.

Don,t get tricked

Guest: Scott (Chico, Ca)
Date of Stay: 05/18/11 Review Submitted: 05/24/11

This cottage has all the good feeling decor you could need, EXCEPT, the owner forgets to mention that she is a marriage and family therapist that works from home! Oh, her home is the other dwelling on this property and is connected by a deck to the "private" Zen jewel... My girlfriend and I were already disappointed the night we got in, however, when I went out for a seven a.m. coffee on the deck the next morning, the owner was playing fetch with her dog into the "serene" pond.... That was enough to ask for my remaining money back to find another place. If your not a senior citizen that enjoys staying inside, rent another place!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I live in a more private area at home. She also kept an extra night of rent, "for her troubles"..

Owner response:It is unfortunate that this guest had a disappointing stay. Most guests, however, experience the quiet and solitude of the property. On occasion a client may visit me at the main house but I make every effort to provide privacy for everyone, including myself. In this case, this guest reserved last minute for 3 nights and paid for two. Giving a free night was my attempt to ameliorate the situation.

Recommended for:Age 55+

Beautiful North Coast Sanctuary

Guest: Phoenix (Mill Valley)
Date of Stay: 04/28/11 Review Submitted: 05/31/11

My three nights in this lovely cottage were perfect. Much of the time, I was content to sit on the deck and gaze at the Japanese-inspired landscaping. The furnishings are stylish, handcrafted, and elegant. I especially loved the beautiful heated bamboo floors -- such a nice touch! There's good satellite TV reception and a great sound system. This place is beautifully designed with unusual materials down to the smallest detail. It's immaculate, fairly new construction, and well maintained. Most of all, I enjoyed the privacy and solitude. One can hike on the sand dunes nearby. I'd recommend this place if you're looking for luxury in a stylish retreat just a short drive from Fort Bragg and Mendocino.

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

Serene Scene II

Guest: P&T (Merced, CA)
Date of Stay: 12/22/10 Review Submitted: 01/04/11

I cannot improve on the last reviewer's (Serene Scene) comments except to say: stay there, stay there, stay there. There is nothing to disappoint and much to enjoy. Our 2 week visit has placed this simple yet elegant (and very serene) locale at the top of our VRBO list. We would definitely return.

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

Serene Scene

Guest: George (Los Gatos, CA)
Date of Stay: 12/03/10 Review Submitted: 12/07/10

Few places have the design integrity, interior comforts, landscape interest and foliage diversity so completely integrated into a curiously serene whole. This place is very special, subtle and satisfying. No, it's not on a bluff with crashing waves below. No, there's no hot tub. No, you're not in Mendocino. But I have to say, though those items were on my original list, it didn't matter one whit. My eye was always entertained with perfect geometric intersections, vertical needles on the pines, weird exotic succulents and reflections in the pond. Contemplations everywhere. Plus, Ft. Bragg and environs is every bit as Mendo as Mendocino is. THIS place is VERY special.

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

Peaceful Retreat

Guest: ALAN (SAN JOSE, CA)
Date of Stay: 11/04/10 Review Submitted: 11/08/10

I would like to express our enjoyment of your cottage in Fort Bragg. We felt we were back in Kyoto, Japan. The serenity and the decor were without compromise. You have created a marvelous sanctuary for others to enjoy. The Yukata Kimonos were a very nice touch! I would definitely recommend the accommodations Thank you.

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

Perfect romantic, peaceful getaway

Guest: Sujatha (east bay, ca)
Date of Stay: 09/24/10 Review Submitted: 09/27/10

We spent our 10 year anniversary here and it was simply perfection. It may be hard to believe, but the pictures don't do this spot justice. And the description fails to mention that a two minute walk from the cottage lands you in spectacular sand dunes which lead directly to the ocean. Breathtaking. Owner = lovely, helpful, there when you needed her, never intrusive. Property even better than she describes it. Totally spotlessly clean and classy. The cottage itself is so lovely -- every detail was perfect. It was simply peaceful, serene, classy. And the views of the pond, the landscaping, everything, just gorgeous. Can't say enough good stuff about it.

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

3 weeks of rest and relaxation!

Guest: Shari (Corvallis, OR)
Date of Stay: 07/10/10 Review Submitted: 08/03/10

My husband and I have just returned from our 3 week stay at this restful and serene cottage just north of Fort Bragg and Mendocino. My husband was taking a woodworking course at the College of the Redwoods and I planned to stay at the cottage with my easel to do some painting. The cottage was an ideal retreat. It was quiet and private, close to the beach and set in an amazing Japanese garden landscape. The owner was generous and responsive to our needs - she had set up a lovely home for us. The few times I wanted to be on-line or make a call I found the connection was faster if I drove the 15 minutes to town where there were a number of free internet spots available. That's also where I did my laundry and picked up groceries. Otherwise there was no reason to leave the cottage! Between the beautiful decor - the bathroom felt like a spa - the great tv and sound system, and the well-equipped kitchen, we were perfectly cocooned in our own private sanctuary. We will definitely be back and would recommend it to anyone who needs a quiet get-away.

Recommended for:Romantic getaway

Pleasant surprise

Guest: none (grass valley ca)
Date of Stay: 05/31/10 Review Submitted: 07/11/10

We rented the place for 2 weeks w/o much information about it because we needed a place to stay during a class. We were both pleasantly surprised because the setting is quiet and lovely, and the cottage is a gem. It is very close to, and can access, remote parts of Maccherricer (sp?) state park, the surrounding landscaping is beautiful and serene, and the cottage was extremely thoughtfully laid out and furnished. We both enjoyed the stay very much. If I could make any suggestions for improvements after two weeks of familiarity, they would be to provide access to a telephone since cell service is basically nil at the site, to provide a privacy/lighting screen on the round architectural window (while beautiful, it left me uncomfortable undressing, especially after dark, because there are neighbors, plus it let in enough light in the morning to wake me up), and to provide an interim cleaning service if people are there for a while (we had to take out our own garbage, and I wished we could have cleaned the shower mid visit). These criticisms are very very minor however, compared to how well done the place is and how much we enjoyed it.

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

Peaceful perfection

Guest: Brushdancer (Portsmouth, RI)
Date of Stay: 01/27/10 Review Submitted: 02/07/11

Details are the difference between mediocrity and excellence and without a doubt, this guest cottage is exceptional. I delighted in the superbly comfortable bed and linens, the fabulous sound system, the soft lighting all on dimmers, the radiant heat, the stone, wood and glass shower, and the gardens, beautiful even in winter. Private and peaceful, simple and uncluttered, yet with all the amenities/necessities I could have wanted. The owner was respectful, helpful and accessible.I was traveling alone and felt secure knowing that she would be completely responsive should I need anything during my stay. Internet access was intermittent so just be aware of that if you need to be connected to cyberspace. I came to the area to study and paint with a local artist and cannot imagine a more perfect accommodation. I would whole heartedly recommend this cottage to adult travelers of all ages.

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