Reviews for Douglas Vacation Rental - VRBO 368001 - 2 BR Central Massachusetts Cottage in MA, Lakefront Cottage with Private Dock -

A lovely week in June...

Guest Edmond C.
Date of stay 06/23/12
Review Submitted 07/12/12

We stayed at Dan and Tina's Douglas Cottage with our two 27-month old boys for a week in June and had a great time. Dan was very understanding about our need to "toddler-proof" the house and grounds and immediately addressed our safety concerns so that all four of us could securely enjoy our week. And a lovely week it was! There was a small cove for our boys to wade and splash around in that Dan keeps replenished with fresh sand, and we took our meals at a table near the dock looking out over the quiet, beautiful lake. The boys loved the fish and frogs and birds that were all around. The grounds are very well-kept and there are a number of different "mini-terrains" -- from the gazebo to a woodsy area -- for our toddlers to explore and enjoy. We also took the boys across the causeway to the national park right across the lake to walk the trails and see the beaver dam -- all very close and convenient. If we had wanted to go out on the lake (we didn't because the boys are still too small), there were boats and all the necessary gear (including lifejackets) for enjoying the water that way. The cottage itself is very comfortable and clean, and well-stocked with appliances and so forth for making meals and relaxing after the boys were asleep. There's a nice sunroom-style enclosed porch where we spent a lot of time. Stores and farm stands to stock up on supplies are within easy reach by car. Dan and Tina were always available to help but also respected our privacy; they are relaxed folks, and Tina is one the sweetest people you will ever have the good fortune to meet. As you can tell, we enjoyed our stay and hope we can come back and do it again next summer!

Owner response: Thank you for this positive review! As always, Tina and I are constantly striving to improve the experience of staying at our cottage. Please give us the opportunity to help make your next stay in South Central Massachusetts one to remember. Sincerely, Dan & Tina

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

Great fun with little kids!

Guest Emily W.
Date of stay 07/09/11
Review Submitted 08/12/11

We spent a week here with our 1 year old & 3 year old and had a really nice time. It's a small house on a very clean reservoir. Because you are next to the causeway on one side and a little patch of trees on the other, it feels much more private than some other lake houses which are right next to one another. There is a sandy, shallow swimming spot that is nicely shaded; a dock with a ladder into waist-deep water; a canoe and paddles and lifejackets. There is a patio, table and grill, a spot for a fire outside and a gazebo to sit in. We canoed and fished and swam. I have very happy summer memories of this place. The reservoir allows motors, so this would be an especially good spot for a someone looking for a low-key place to dock a boat. You are just steps away from a park with walking trails which is nice. It's also about 10 minutes from grocery stores and KMart, WalMart, etc so it's easy to stock up when you have to. The house itself is exactly as appears in the photos - not fancy, but comfortable. The kitchen is well equipped and the owners provide linens and bath towels. They live one house away and are extremely responsive and pleasant. We had to go to them mid-week for a small house-related problem which they resolved immediately & to our complete satisfaction. They're good people who really want their guests to have a positive experience -- but still stay out of your way. They were very easy to communicate with when setting up the rental, and promptly refunded my security deposit afterward. I truly couldn't ask for better hosts.

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

Owner response: Once again we thank you for your choosing our cottage as your summer get away with the kids. Tina and I hope we can do the same for you and your family, please contact us to answer any questions you may have about our property or the surrounding area. Sincerely, Dan & Tina

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

Great Cozy Cottage

Guest RRose
Date of stay 05/09/11
Review Submitted 05/18/11

Great experience. Definitely recommend. Tina and Dan were delightful. Lake was beautiful and cottage full of charm.

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

Owner response: Thank you for your review! As always, Tina and I do our very best to make your stay at our cottage better than expected, and, we are constantly striving to improve the experience. Please consider staying with us, you will be happy you did. Sincerely, Dan & Tina

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

Relaxing Week on a Lake

Guest Dan & Marie
Date of stay 07/17/10
Review Submitted 07/29/10

This cottage was clean, comfortable and had a lot of character. The lakefront site was great - there was a sturdy metal dock, a nice swimming area, and a small boat launch which was fine for our 14 ft fishing boat. A gazabo near the water was a nice spot to read and be cooled off by the breezes from the water. The lake itself is bigger than one would have expected from the view from the cottage. The hiking trails nearby (across a causeway) were a nice plus. The owners (Tina and Dan) were quite pleasant to deal with and truly wanted our stay to be a good one. We do intend to return to this cottage in future years as our experience was quite positive.

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

Owner response: Thanks for your review! Tina and I hope we will have the chance to provide the same quality experience for your trip to Central Massachusetts as we did for these guests.

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

Relaxation

Guest Bama Folks
Date of stay 05/01/10
Review Submitted 06/14/10

We enjoyed the entire month of May at this cozy cottage. Dan and Tina were wonderful hosts, warm and gracious while attending to our every need. We enjoyed long walks in the adjacent state forest and we especially enjoyed the waterfront view and the gazebo. A perfect place for a short or long-term getaway!

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

Owner response: As always, Tina and I attempt to make guests feel at home while not infringing on their privacy. We treat every guest with the same respect that we would want for ourselves. We hope to have the opportunity to do the same for you. Dan & Tina

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

lake house vacation

Guest John m.
Date of stay 02/07/10
Review Submitted 02/16/10

we have been to the cottage in douglas many times.we are never dissapointed.it is beautiful no matter what time of year well taken care of dan and tina are always nice to see and always helpfull.this cottage has a beautiful yard with plenty of seating also you are close to everything even though you feel far away from it all.what a great place to escape without having to travel.we recomend this cottage to anyone who needs to get away and relax.this is the place!

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

Owner response: Thank you Worcester Folks! We will continue to do everything we can to make you and our other future guests comfortable and happy you decided to stay at our cottage on the Whitin Reservoir. We look forward to your next visit. Dan & Tina

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

Late summer stay

Guest Tom & Pat
Date of stay 08/24/09
Review Submitted 08/29/09

My wife and I were planning on VA Beach until Hurricane Bill came through and we ended up at Dan and Tina's cottage. Great surroundings and weather. The water was clear and warm. The cottage is a rustic lake cottage with all amenities. Property was well kept and clean. Dan and Tina were great and if they couldn't answer a question about something or somewhere they would get you the answer. Great, relaxing time.

Owner response: Thanks for your review! As always, we try our very best to make our guests feel at home. The cottage is constantly being improved to make your next stay even better! Give us the chance to make your vacation or short stay a pleasant and relaxing one to remember. We hope to see you soon, Dan & Tina

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

Great family get away!

Guest soccerfeismom
Date of stay 07/11/09
Review Submitted 08/23/09

My family stayed at the cottage for a week in July. We could not have been more pleased. Dan and Tina are wonderful; Tina was always around to help out or supply odds and ends when needed. We fished nightly, had a campfire, went out in the canoe several times and just relaxed. My girls were at a camp in Sturbridge for the week and this was a great place to come home to every night. We hope to be able to come back next summer!

Recommended for: Families with young children, pet owners.

Owner response: Thank you for your review! Tina is still talking about how much she enjoyed visiting with your girls; please do come back next year. We attempt to make all our guests feel comfortable and at home. Tina and I hope you will give us a chance to do the same for you. Sincerely, Dan & Tina

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 7/7

Awesome property with lake access

Guest BastienAndYalonda
Date of stay 05/23/09
Review Submitted 05/26/09

This property is extremely well located, with direct access to the lake and close to Webster. The neighborhood is quiet and nice. The owners are extremely helpful and live right across the property, which is helpful for dealing with the keys and other practical details. The house itself sleeps 3 couples (2 bedrooms and 1 sofa bed, there is also 1 small bed in the veranda that can sleep 1 person), is very comfy, well maintained and clean. This property is definitely a clear winner, especially because of its location and price.

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

Owner response: Thank you so much for your review! Tina and I will continue to make improvements to the cottage and grounds to make future stays with us even better. Please come again soon. Sincerely, Dan & Tina

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

A Nice family get away

Guest northerncrew
Date of stay 11/26/08
Review Submitted 12/09/08

My boys and I found ourselves wanting somewhere to go for Thanksgiving as my husband is deployed to the Persian Gulf for the holidays. We found the cottage to be just what we were looking for. A place to take our minds off of our everyday troubles. The kids and I loved exploring down by the lake and hiking at the nearby state forest. Dan and Tina were so nice to us and helpful even when I tripped a fuse on Thanksgiving!!! I can't wait to bring my husband there for a family vacation in the future. Thanks again for everything and have a safe and happy holiday season.

Recommended for: Families with young children, girls getaway.

Owner response: Thanks for your review! We wish you and your family a safe and happy holiday season too! And, we look forward you meeting your husband back safe and sound from the Persian Gulf. Dan & Tina

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 7/7

Do your homework before renting .

Guest Swede
Date of stay 09/01/08
Review Submitted 10/08/08

We spend a month in New England every year to see our Kids and Grandkids. We were not at all pleased with this cottage. It is full of old musty smelling furniture. I don't like living with mice and cob webs on the lights. The bureau's were full of bedding so that there was no place for our clothing. There was way too much old furniture, knick knacks and old silk flowers. We were not very happy with the accomodations..

Owner response: The least you could have done is given us a chance to correct some of the issues you outlined during your stay here. I could have removed some of the furniture, bedding or art work that was kept in the cottage for you to use/view, if they were in your way. Also, your rental was for one full month. As such, it is the responsibility of the tenant to perform light housekeeping unless weekly housekeeping is requested for an extra fee. I.E.; we cannot control the potential action of a spider that decides it is time to make a web. Tina and I asked you and your wife many times if the cottage was to your liking; you both responded every thing was fine. We made every effort to see to your needs including a faster internet connection. I even purchased a new router so the signal would be better for you. The cottage is on the water, as such, there will always be a slight amount of dampness. We place moisture removing products and air fresheners in the cottage to help but they only work up to a point. And, I do not know of any house in the country that has not had a field mouse come inside from time to time. We place sonic devices to keep them out as we do not want to use poison. We have two cats next door and do not want them to eat a poisoned mouse. The bottom line here is that the cottage is on a lake and is not lived in all the time. We do our very best to keep it clean and if you read our other reviews you will see that we have many happy customers. We have been renting this cottage for over six years now and have had many repeat guests. I am sure that they would not be returning to stay in our cottage if it was as bad as this review is making it out to be.

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 11/20

Relaxing Vacation!

Guest Traveler Polly
Date of stay 08/15/08
Review Submitted 12/01/08

A friend and I spend 10 nights in August 2008 at the Douglas cottage. It was perfect weather....warm days, cools nights. It is a cottage set beautifully beside the lake....we had fires over near the dock and watched the sun set. The cottage is not exactly a modern home...but it does have all the modern convenineces...cable TV, internet access, washer and dryer. We were comfortable and had a great time. Dan and Tina were available to answer questions and help whenever we needed anything! The only drawback is the area does not have a lot of dining options...we found few restaurants in Douglas or the surronding area.....so we found ourselves grilling or cooking out at the firepit.

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, sightseeing.

Owner response: Thank you for your review! Tina and I will continue to offer the best we can in comfort and relaxation by the lake. We hope you will return to stay with us again soon. Dan & Tina

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 9/9

Great place to get away from it all!

Guest Volleyballguy
Date of stay 07/18/08
Review Submitted 11/23/08

My wife, my twelve-year old son and I stayed here for two weeks. It was a very enjoyable experience. The cottage has all the amenities you would want; including wireless internet, cable TV, microwave, washer & dryer, etc. The decor was quaint. The outside of the house was fantastic. Several sitting areas. Most importanlty is the lake. Fresh, cool and clear water with great fisihing opportuinties. We found ourselves eating in about half the time and the other half of the time we tried many of the great restaurants in that part of Massachussetts. Convenient location for commuting and gusts as well. Overall, a positive experience.

Recommended for: Age 55+, families with teenagers.

Owner response: Thanks for you review! Your comments are right on target. These reasons are why I came back to live in this area. I tried Cape Cod, NYC, California and many other areas around our beautiful country but none was a peaceful or relaxing as my own home town. And, as you say, it is so centrally located. You can get to Boston in less than one hour & Hartford about the same. We hope to see you again soon. Dan & Tina

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 5/11

The definition of a New England lake cottage...

Guest Kestrelgrey
Date of stay 06/28/08
Review Submitted 11/23/08

This cottage offers what a "weekend at the lake" should be, at least in my memories of growing up in New England. Cool, clear lake water with small fish nibbling at your toes. Quiet paddling in a wooden canoe at twilight. A quiet trail meandering through a state forest just up the road in one direction, a farm with horses and a small family park with waterslides in the other. A place to toast marshmallows by the fireside in the cool evening air or to laze on a hammock in the warm morning sunshine. The cottage is rustic and cozy - making you feel equally comfortable sipping wine over a home-cooked meal or padding through the living room barefoot, wrapped in a towel with hair still wet from a swim in the lake. Dan and Tina are the final warming touch, offering a perfect balance of welcoming hospitality (which included a birthday card and wish for my wife) and availability (Dan repaired a canoe seat for us upon request) while still maintaining the private tranquility of the cottage. It was a joy to find a getaway that was close enough to allow evening forays into Boston.

Recommended for: Romantic getaway

Owner response: Thank you for your review! I agree, this is the type of cottage I wish my family owned when I was a kid. As it was, I could only look from a far at camps like this while swimming on this same lake. We hope you return to stay with us again soon. Dan & Tina

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 6/13

'08 Summer Vacation

Guest Bob, Rita, and Winston
Date of stay 06/14/08
Review Submitted 07/08/08

Our stay at the Douglas Cottage was both refreshing and relaxing. We really enjoyed our daily walks across the causeway, and spent some time exploring the nearby walking trails. The waterfront setting was gorgeous, and we loved the numerous seating areas. The convenient location of the cottage was perfect for us, as we have relatives in CT, MA, and RI. We found the property met our needs, and appreciated the onsite laundry. Our hosts were quite friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable about the area. We enjoyed the time spent at the Douglas Cottage and made two new friends along the way.

Recommended for: Age 55+, pet owners, sightseeing.

Owner response: Thank you Bob & Rita for your positive feedback on our cottage! We always do our best to make our guests feel at home and see to as many of their needs as we can. Please come back soon. Sincerely, Dan & Tina

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 7/11

Fishing for the weekend

Guest Steve R
Date of stay 06/06/08
Review Submitted 11/24/08

We did some grilling and fishing for a weekend in June. Great weather, nice big yard with plenty of seating. The cottage was clean, and well equipped. Everything was as advertised. I hope to return next year.

Owner response: Thank you for your review! We hope you return to stay with us again soon. Dan & Tina

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 7/16

Brimfield Trip

Guest Brimfield
Date of stay 05/20/08
Review Submitted 11/24/08

Hello. Three of us stayed at this beautiful cottage for the Brimfield Antique Show. This place was fantastic. Great atmosphere, location and an unbelievable setting. Super location and we will stay here again next year! Thanks Tina for your wonderful hospitality. Mike

Owner response: Thanks for you review! We sure hope to see you again soon. Dan & Tina

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 6/14

my week at the cottage.

Guest John.
Date of stay 05/17/08
Review Submitted 05/24/08

I was at the cottage the week of may 17th.along with my mother and dog,the cottage was a nice suprise well kept nicely decorated and with all the comforts of home exept no noise it was a peacefull enjoyable experiance!the grounds are beautiful the outside seating is above average,you can tell they take pride in there property.we met the owners who are very nice people ! the weather was not so great but it was a great week and just what I needed.also enjoyed the country setting and long walks. if you want peace and Quite you will love this!

Recommended for: Age 55+, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 10/15

Vacation Rentals by Owner

Lakefront Cottage with Private Dock - [#368001] | View Property

Traveler Reviews (18)

A lovely week in June...

A lovely week in June...

Great fun with little kids!

Great fun with little kids!

Great Cozy Cottage

Great Cozy Cottage

Relaxing Week on a Lake

Relaxing Week on a Lake

Relaxation

Relaxation

lake house vacation

lake house vacation

Late summer stay

Late summer stay

Great family get away!

Great family get away!

Awesome property with lake access

Awesome property with lake access

A Nice family get away

A Nice family get away

Do your homework before renting .

Do your homework before renting .

Relaxing Vacation!

Relaxing Vacation!

Great place to get away from it all!

Great place to get away from it all!

The definition of a New England lake cottage...

The definition of a New England lake cottage...

'08 Summer Vacation

'08 Summer Vacation

Fishing for the weekend

Fishing for the weekend

Brimfield Trip

Brimfield Trip

my week at the cottage.

my week at the cottage.