Elegant Mansion with Private Swimming Pool

• Perfect Weekend Retreat

  Perfect Weekend Retreat

  • Guest Steve B.
  • Date of stay 04/25/13
  • Review Submitted 05/01/13
  I rented the Stern Estate with a big group of friends for a long 40th birthday celebration. There were ten of us in the house for three nights, and we all agree that we'd like to return as soon as possible. The house was clean and tidy, the furnishings were comfortable, and outdoor space was a pleasure to enjoy. We swam in the pool, played games in the dining room, cooked big meals together in the well-appointed kitchen, and took walks around the beautiful, historic neighborhood. We also enjoyed the home's great Wi-Fi and A/C. When we had a couple of small questions, they were answered promptly with no problems.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0

• Charming Wedding

  Charming Wedding

  • Guest Motherofthebride
  • Date of stay 04/03/13
  • Review Submitted 04/30/13
  My daughter's intimate wedding, and reception was held at the Stern Mansion. We could not have asked for a more elegant, comfortable setting. Relatives from different coasts came in and reunited with loved ones not seen for many years. Everyone loved the warmth, and historic vibe of the house. It had charm and modern conveniences at the same time. We sat by the pool, every night talking til 2am. Then gathered at 7am for coffee and breakfast in the large kitchen. Of course we over-packed bringing things we thought we'd need, but were provided in the house. The ceremony was held in the front of the house. A white runner down the stairs, a beautiful tuile arch that was framed by the regal columns and cathedral-like gable. The pictures are amazing. The elegant living and dining rooms were perfect for the reception. Of course, the bar area was a favorite too. Our experience is one that we wish we could do it all over again. We felt at home and in a different era. It was wonderful. Thanks to the woner and staff who were so easy to work with. Couldn't have been friendlier and sweet.

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

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0

• Wedding perfection

  Wedding perfection

  • Guest Motherofthebride
  • Date of stay 04/03/13
  • Review Submitted 04/27/13
  What can I say? Family from all corners of the country converged 3 days before the wedding. Many hadn't seen each other in a while. Everyone was blown away by the grandeur and lovlliness of the home. Such a sense of history and modern conveniences all at the same time. Up until 2 am talking. Up at 7 and gathered in the roomy kitchen for coffee and breakfast. Of course we overpacked and brought things we thought we'd need, but were already in the house. The weeding was held in the front of the house. The pictures (to be posted) look like an outdoor cathedral, with the grand columns and ornate gable and entryway. It was wonderful. Did I say we had so much fun? It couldn't have been any better. Everyone who had to stay at hotels were so jealous! I want to live there. In that house. I am from Galveston, and our family usually gets a beach house out on the west end, for Thanksgiving. We thought of it fo the wedding. But I am so glad we got the Stern House instead. The owner and assistant are great to work with and couldn't be nicer and more attentive. If you are looking for ease, and elegance, and history, look no further. I wish we could do it all over again.

  Recommended for: Sightseeing, tourists without a car, families with teenagers, romantic getaway, families with young children, girls getaway.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0

• Wonderful Home

  Wonderful Home

  • Guest Steve
  • Date of stay 03/01/13
  • Review Submitted 03/22/13
  Perfection! The home is clean and very well kept. We loved our stay even though the weather wasn't perfect. We plan to go back this Summer and take the rest of the family. The home is roomy enough for a large family and all of their friends. We have absolutely no complaints, and loved every minute of our stay. Everyone loved having their own rooms. The kids really enjoyed the rooms on the third floor. The kitchen is equipped with anything you need and everything was clean and ready to use. The pool house is amazing. The pool was crisp and clean and the little pool house, which is actually another full house, came in so handy. The kids had their games and music out there and enjoyed their time just hanging out! It was a great trip mostly due to the house and its amenities, the Galveston weather was not in our favor this trip.

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

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

• Beautiful Estate, Elegant, Peaceful, Perfect Getaway

  Beautiful Estate, Elegant, Peaceful, Perfect Getaway

  • Guest molly t.
  • Date of stay 03/01/13
  • Review Submitted 03/22/13
  My family and I have stayed at this home on many occasions. We love it and will rent it again and again. The owner is an absolute delight to work with and cares for the home with all of her heart. However, as sad as it was, the home had been maintained by someone else for the past year. That being said, she is back and the home has once again been restored to its original state. (All dusting has been completed...lol) It is superbly maintained inside and out. The grounds are gorgeous, including the pool house. It is a wonderful addition where the kids can hang out long after the adults have gone to bed. The home is a very private retreat right in the heart of Galveston. We love riding our bikes to the seawall to shop and spend the day on the beach. Then head back to the house to relax by your own pool. The kitchen has everything a gourmet chef could want and everything was in perfect working order. We love our stay in Galveston mostly due to getting to spend time in this elegant home. I would recommend it to family, friends, weddings and anyone wanting a relaxing getaway in Galveston.

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

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

• disappointed

  disappointed

  • Guest sherry
  • Date of stay 11/20/12
  • Review Submitted 01/23/13
  We arrived with our family for a 6 day stay and found the house dirty with many items in disrepair. The bathrooms tubs were dirty and one would not drain so we were left to use one for all six of us.The pool house was smelly and dirty and the shower not usable. The house has so much potential but our disappointment outweighed that potential. As the owner states the linens and towels were new but some I did not find until I looked in the dryer the day we left. I talked with the manager immediately after we left with a long list of problems. The only positive remark I can make is that in the photos of our daughter before the wedding the house photographed beautifully. I hated to have to apologize for the accommodations to all of our family. Closet space is not available (locked) in 2 of the major bedrooms including the master.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 3/5

• Redefine Clean

  Guest comment entered by owner

  Redefine Clean

  • Guest The Morris Stern Estate
  • Date of stay 08/01/12
  • Review Submitted 08/01/12
  We would like everyone to know that has had interest in renting our home but has had second thoughts because of the lack of cleanliness listed in the reviews.... We have a NEW CLEANING CREW!! We also have NEW kitchen and bath towels and NEW fresh bed linens! There will not be an issue with cleanliness anymore!

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 11/11

• NEEDS SOME TLC

  NEEDS SOME TLC

  • Guest Julie
  • Date of stay 06/14/12
  • Review Submitted 07/06/12
  We enjoyed several days in this beautiful house but...well, to be quite honest it needed some TLC or someone checking on it more often. The ceiling fans and many other places had an inch of dirt on it. We had to clean before we could turn them on. I have terrible allergies and this frankly was not good. We had to buy a filter for the airconditioner. It was black and probably not changed for months. The beds were clean but our comforter was dirty/stained. The pool area was beautiful but again needed some TLC. We thought it such a shame that this grand house was not kept better. We could invision what it was and how it could be. I believe it could be that again if it was cared for better. We did enjoy Galveston even though it did rain a day. Beautiful homes and nice people, easy to get around. But for us midwesterners, we had so saved and planned for this house, staying with relatives and friends...we were just so dissappointed with it especially for the cost and arriving with the cleanliness issue. Location-great; photos-great; recommend to a friend-not unless improvements made/better housekeeping, etc.; close to sea wall and Strand-great!!!! Light fixtures were a problem and several electrical issues. Suggestion: have a represntative there when party arrives and go over things. We had to figure it all out on our own. We never would have figured the pool, pump, vac if we didn't have one person with us that knew about it. Thankfully we got use out of that. Understandably that we had to continually clean the pool. That was no problem and understandable. Pool house was not clean and unusuable. We did see a rat come out of the pool house and giant cockroaches throughout the house and property. Needs some pest issues addressed. Regretfully we may not do a rental next time, probably just do a resort. Too much work and again what a shame!

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/3

• Family and Friends Week

  Family and Friends Week

  • Guest Cornhusker
  • Date of stay 06/14/12
  • Review Submitted 06/30/12
  My family and I arrived at Stern Estate on June 14th. Driving up the front drive the house was very impressive. Going in the side door to the pool area was quite refreshing and we could all hardly wait to get in the pool. The inside of the house was also quite impressive with all of the wood trim. Kitchen was nicely done and stocked with all the untensils you would need. History of the home was also quite interesting. It was also centrally located and easy to get to other areas of the island. Visited the Bishop's Palace, the Strand, the Seawall, Shrimp and Stuff (good seafood) and went on several of the tours. The only problem was some cleaning issues. We found all the ceiling fans and floor fans were caked with dust. They had to be cleaned before we could use them. We also put in a new furnace filter because the one that was there was black. We did have some issues with the pool cleaner (we called him Fred). Good thing there were some men along who were mechanical and could figure out how to run the pump and Fred (no instructions). Overall our stay was quite pleasant but if the owner is paying for a cleaning service they are not getting their money's worth.

  Recommended for: Sightseeing, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 3/4

• Best way to live like the Great Gatsby!

  Best way to live like the Great Gatsby!

  • Guest Lalo
  • Date of stay 05/19/12
  • Review Submitted 05/21/12
  Stern Mansion rental was about as perfect a vacation rental as one could ask for. Easy access to the beach and seawall, and a quick bike ride to the strand. The rooms are incredibly spacious, with incredible history and period touches that make you want to stay in galveston much longer, or move at once all together. The pool is a great feature, and the surrounding area is a thrill to explore on foot, with the Bishop's Palace within a block. The garage has bikes ready to go, and even easier to ride. The house was extremely clean and in immaculate shape. A night if you did not want the fresh air and sea breeze effect, the AC and cooling works outstandingly well for a house designed before AC existed. We were able to cook out by the pool. The area is completely safe, and the neighbors friendly. I am already planning my next trip down to the Stern Mansion, and this trip will definitely become an annual tradition. We were in town for the Galveston Island Bathing Girl Review, and the house has original photos from the competition from the 1920s and before. I have enjoyed the rich culture of New Orleans, but this area rivals some of the best examples I have experienced in the Garden District. Don't hesitate on this house!

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

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

Fees:

• Taxes Not included

Cancellation policy:

If you have any questions please contact the owner.