Ocean View Cottage with Private Miramar Beach Access.

• Miramar Beach Access Condo

  Miramar Beach Access Condo

  • Guest John M.
  • Date of stay 01/17/13
  • Review Submitted 03/26/13
  I was upset that part of my Security Deposit was withheld in a unilateral manner. I would expect that if a security deposit was going to be impacted it would be discussed by the parties and hopefully agreed upon, not done in a unilateral manner. I agree with the above reviewer (Rob from Chicago) That the condo is very nice and in a very good location. One thing I would point out is the condo is located very close to the railroad tract that goes along the ocean. The trains blow their horns to alert people that they are coming. I found that ok (white noise by Rob) .What I think future renters should be aware of is the 3:30 am multi minute freight trains with horns blowing. This seemed to occur approximately twice per week

  Owner response: We residents of Montecito have become so used to the train here that we rarely think of it. The renter does make a good point, however, in that I should include that in the listing as people from other areas of the country may not be aware of this. All Montecito beach property is near the train tracks and so is within ear shot of passing trains; I will update my listing to reflect that. My lease agreement with renters is that they use my cleaning people once a week and pay them directly. Not only does this ensure the cottage is maintained, but it also provides an opportunity for them to check to see if everything is in working order. John M. negotiated a different arrangement with me and we agreed to one cleaning during the month rental. My cleaning people left another job to clean the cottage and (they tell me) were told by John that it did not need to be cleaned and that he was very insistent about it. English is not their first language and they felt they were in no position to insist and so left. I guarantee my cleaning people a certain amount of money each month so that they may predict their take home pay. They have families to support, live very modestly, and work hard. In addition, the cottage does need a good cleaning every week, no matter how tidy the renter. There is an outdoor balcony and furniture to scrub down and the salt air is hard on both if not scrubbed down every week. I felt it was not John's place to negotiate a different arrangement with my cleaning people than the one he agreed to in the lease agreement and so deducted $60 from his security deposit to pay my cleaning people, which I did. I sent a letter with the return of his security deposit check (minus the $60) explaining the reason for the deduction. He sent me an email to me after he received my letter and check indicating that he was going to write a bad review if I did not return the $60. And it appears this is what he has done. No one wants an unhappy renter; this is my first in four years and I am sorry John feels as he does. But sometimes renters and properties do not match up well. He did tell me he and his wife enjoyed their stay in Montecito, and I do hope they return and find a property more in line with their preferences.

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

• Perfect.

  Perfect.

  • Guest Rob
  • Date of stay 06/24/11
  • Review Submitted 07/13/11
  From the moment we arrived our stay at this ocean front property was perfect. The owner was amazingly helpful and unobtrusive. The house is spotless, bright, airy..a beach house out of a Crate and Barrel catalog (literally; I think most of the furniture is from there). The balcony is large so we spent hours out there reading and watching the surfers catching the waves of the Pacific. The large new Weber Gas Grill was great for cooking fresh halibut on one night. The fully equipped Viking kitchen with skylights was also wonderful for cooking other meals. The location is great; it's not a mystery why some of the wealthiest people on the planet make Montecito one of their homes. There is an old time grocery/deli 5 minutes drive away. Santa Barbara is maybe 10 minutes. We are city dwellers so a little white noise from an occasional passing train went unnoticed. It has always been a dream of mine to rent a California beach house...this place fulfilled every aspect of that dream.

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

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

$5,000 - $6000 per month
Rates subject to seasonal change.
A $200 cleaning fee, refundable security deposit payable, and rental deposit 
confirm the reservation.

Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.