Vacation Rentals by Owner

What a Great Place!

Guest: The Arkys (Sherwood, Arkansas)
Date of Stay: 05/07/12 Review Submitted: 05/21/12

We had a great time staying with Chuck and Smokey! Our family of four stayed in the small, 2 bedroom cottage and it was perfect for us. We really enjoyed the hospitality from Chuck. The cottage has everything you need, and if it doesn't you can probably borrow it from Chuck. He was always very helpful and there to accommodate whatever we needed. The kids really enjoyed playing with Smokey and I think Smokey enjoyed it too! The view from the house is amazing, looking out over the water. The best part about our trip was the boats! It's not every day that you meet someone who trusts you to take off in their boat. My husband was so happy to be sailing again. When you visit, make sure you go to the Naval Academy Museum. It is close by and has so much history and great things to see. We also drove into DC three times and the drive isn't bad at all. This is the perfect place to stay if you plan to visit DC because you can unwind and relax on the water after running around in the hustle and bustle of the city. We highly recommend this property where you can relax, have a good time, and have your every need met. We will definitely be back to visit again!

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

Bird Haven

Guest: John (Cheshire)
Date of Stay: 05/01/12 Review Submitted: 05/25/12

We found everything about this rental as advertised, we were even contacted by a previous guest with a comprehensive report about his stay at Bird Haven. This is the place to be if you want a relaxing vacation near the water with the added benefit of a most delightful and congenial host. We were met on arrival and, though rather late in the evening, our host, Chuck, insisted we relax after our flight while he went off to the supermarket to buy us some provisions for breakfast. Throughout our stay Chuck was always at hand with helpful advice on local amenities, he soon had us feeling very much at home. The use of the pontoon boat was a real bonus and we were soon scooting about the river like veteran sailors, he even arranged a day out on his 41 ft ketch. I cannot leave out Smokey, Chuck's lovely golden retriever (rather more chestnut than golden). Any children will be as enchanted by Smokey as we were, he's a really smart dog. I would very much like to return to Bird Haven for another" therapeutic" holiday, I know that there will be no shortage of volunteers from my family to accompany me!

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

Peaceful Haven

Guest: WorldTraveler (Baltimore)
Date of Stay: 11/11/11 Review Submitted: 01/07/12

Wow, who could top Tom's review! And it is all true. I spent 10 days in November in the large cottage recovering from an incredibly intense year at work. I had intended to sleep late very day. That didn't work out. Instead I woke most days at the same time that it started getting light, in November that is about 7:00am. I was glad that happened. Every day, it was so quiet and still - just what I needed. Each morning between 8:30 and 9am, a heron flies onto the property. In the one day of pouring rain, he perched on a post on the dock for several hours. Another day, he strutted from the dock to the boat slip and stood in the shallow water fishing. Luckily Smokey was otherwise occupied. Watching boaters, water color-painting the river front, and just letting my mind wander was exactly what was needed. For those who prefer a more active vacation, the proximity of Annapolis, Baltimore and Washington, DC provides more than you could accomplish in a week. Pace yourself and recover in this wonderful cottage. I have rented vacation properties all over the world. This one is worth returning to.

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

Location location location

Guest: Tom (San Diego)
Date of Stay: 10/10/11 Review Submitted: 11/03/11

It was fall, and the temperature was crisp. At sunrise the trees, reflected in the mirror smooth river, glowed gold and red. Mix in the aroma of the wood fire in the fireplace, fresh brewed coffee, and frying bacon and you know what it was like to start an October day at Inverness on the Magothy River. Geese honked as they passed, and the putt-putt of a crab boat headed up the river reminded us that we were just a few miles from the Chesapeake Bay, minutes from historic Annapolis and the Naval Academy, Baltimore's fabulous inner harbor attractions, and all the must-see sights in Washington DC. Surrounded on three sides by water, with kayaks and canoes and sailboats, and close to attractions, the location is marvelous. On a working vacation, we enjoyed all of that and the high-speed wi-fi internet access in the "office" we set up on tray-tables on the sun porch so we could enjoy all the beauty while we worked. When we played, we discovered a fearless resident blue heron who almost literally took us under his wing, at least until Smokey reminded him this was his territory and he was the one that's supposed to entertain guests. Captain of the pontoon boat, Smoke insists on going with you on every voyage, and takes his position on the bow where he can serve as lookout for maurading seagulls,ducks and cormorants. At home, his elaborate game with a tennis ball, wherein he manages to train you to fetch, confirms his pedigree as a retriever, and proves he's a good captain confident enough to delegate. Chuck—concierge, custodian, emergency rescue service, plumber, woodsman, sailor, and raconteur—claims he's married to a beautiful underachiever with two PhDs. But we can't imagine why someone that accomplished would consort with such a ner-do-well as hisself and, besides, we never saw her, so it's up to you discover if that story, and the many others, are true. Congressional page, Latin American real estate mogul, blue water sailor, gourmet cook (if you consider boiled peanuts haut cuisine), aircraft crash survivor...they're endless and enchanting. A freak early winter storm left a trace of ice on the porch, so our last adventure at Inverness was watching Chuck do a reverse twisting half gainer to a belly flop. He insisted the dive was not part of his usual send-off for guests, so don't expect similar treatment. But you can expect a memorable stay in an extraordinarily beautiful place.

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

2nd Stay...can't wait to come back!!

Guest: Jodi (Queen Creek, AZ)
Date of Stay: 10/02/11 Review Submitted: 10/30/11

Our family has traveled quite a bit...California, Hawaii, Chicago,etc. Everytime I ask my 3 boys where they want to go on vacation these days, their response "Chuck's place!" Love it. We came for the 1st time last fall and couldn't wait to come back. Rented both cottages for the week. Fishing, crabbing, boating, sightseeing, DC, Navy football game...and of course Smokey. Fires in the giant fireplace every night. Already planning our trip next year.

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

Home away from Home

Guest: Brenda (Flordia)
Date of Stay: 07/23/11 Review Submitted: 08/17/11

My family of 3 stayed in the large cottage for three weeks (7/23/11-8/13/11) and had a great time. The location is only a few hours drive or train ride from many historic and fun destinations. Access to the pontoon boat and location on the water were great. Chuck took our family out tubing a few times and was always available for advice, help, and never at a loss for a good story. Smokey (the resident golden retriever) even made leaving our dogs home less painful. We enjoyed fishing, playing, and boating with him. He brought daily smiles to our daughter. We were very comfortable and found lots to do. We would unreservedly reccommend this property to others (and have)! We hope to stay with you again some time!

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

Great vacation!

Guest: Inspiration (Atlanta,GA)
Date of Stay: 06/25/11 Review Submitted: 07/05/11

This was one of the best vacations we ever had! We are just back from our one week stay. We have rented both homes with my sister. Chuck was very helpful with our every need. He found us crib, high chair and all kinds of toys for our eighteen month old. The location of both homes are marvelous, you can never regret! We can not wait to go back. Highly recommended.

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

Wonderful Respite

Guest: Melanie (Westminster, MD)
Date of Stay: 06/18/11 Review Submitted: 06/25/11

As my husband and I sat with our coffee on the dock early this morning, we couldn't help but feel sad to leave this little piece of heaven on the Magothy River. We stayed in the large cottage this week (6/18) and had plenty of room for us and our two college aged children. With all the comforts of home at our disposal, we wanted for nothing. Our days were filled with crabbing, fishing, canoeing, kayaking and enjoying the pontoon boat that was available to us at anytime. The cottage is in a great location -close to Annapolis, DC, and Baltimore but we chose to make this a week of relaxation and family time. Thank you Chuck and Smokey for your hospitality and for a wonderful respite. We are sure to be back again.

Recommended for:Families with teenagers, families with young children, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Lovely Cottage Retreat Complete with Smokey the Resident Golden Retriever

Guest: DT (Sacramento, CA)
Date of Stay: 04/25/11 Review Submitted: 05/27/11

The cottage was everything that the listing described and more. A peaceful, private, clean and comfortable retreat, close enough to Annapolis and DC for easy day trips. We used the run-about pontoon boat a couple of afternoons it was great fun. The owners are gracious and friendly hosts and Smokey makes you feel right at home as well. We will look forward to spending future vacations at this lovely cottage retreat.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, people with disabilities, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

ABSOLUTELY PERFECT!!

Guest: Jackie R. (Memphis, TN)
Date of Stay: 04/07/11 Review Submitted: 04/14/11

This house was perfect for our vacation, the location was wonderful, the host was very easy and helpful, we had everything we needed for an absolutely perfect getaway and cannot wait to go back! We booked our next vacation before we even left as we cannot wait to get back to the perfect house right on the water! The house was clean and well stocked and the owner kept us in firewood the entire time! Highly recommend this house to anyone wanting to stay right on the water and have their own private getaway!

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

Highly recommended!!

Guest: D (Illinois)
Date of Stay: 10/09/10 Review Submitted: 12/11/10

Stayed a week in the larger cottage, had a great time. The cottage is spacious, well equipped and comfortable. The larger property that the cottage is part of is lovely, with a great location right on the river. It was so nice to have a beautiful, peaceful place to stay with easy access to Annapolis and all it has to offer. Chuck and Ivelisse were excellent hosts, always there if we needed something. Highly recommended.

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

Peaceful Stay

Guest: MG2010 (Orange, California)
Date of Stay: 08/21/10 Review Submitted: 08/31/10

My daughter and I spent a week at the second cottage and truly enjoyed our stay. We could not take advantage of Chuck's sailing paraphernalia as we were getting ready for my daughter's move into MICA (Maryland Institute College of Art) in Baltimore. But we managed to have quality time in the cottage and Chuck was gracious to have us meet with a friend of his that happens to be very familar with MICA. Sleeping to the sound of crickets and toads and waking up to the sound of birds and water was so very peaceful. I wish I had brought my binoculars for birding. We hope to be back when visiting our daughter in Baltimore, traffic from the city is a nightmare, but well worth the extra time to get away from the city. Thank you Chuck!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, people with disabilities, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Great Stay

Guest: Matt (Myrtle Beach, SC)
Date of Stay: 07/31/10 Review Submitted: 08/08/10

We stayed a week at the cottage and had a great time. My son (age 5) had a great time fishing and crabbing everyday while my daughter (age 2) loved feeding the ducks and playing in the sand/hammock area. The cottage was clean and the perfect size for a family of 4. Chuck was a great host while we were there.

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

Great Fun!

Guest: Judy (Washington, DC )
Date of Stay: 06/26/10 Review Submitted: 07/13/10

We rented both cottages for one week, our grandsons had a wonderful time fishing and swimming off the dock. They had a lot of help from Stormy, the popular dog who loves everybody. Stormy went biking with me every morning introducing me to all his "friends" in the neighborhood. chuck was wonderful with so much information on the area. His Morgan 41 was out of service but he managed to commander a "pirate" ship and the boys were delighted with the evening he took us sailing. The pontoon boat was a highlight! The cottages are wonderful, clean, cute and we will be back again. Thanks chuck for a wonderful week.

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

The Perfect Rental

Guest: Eric (Blairstown, NJ)
Date of Stay: 06/19/10 Review Submitted: 08/15/10

We rented the cottage during the last week in June of this year.It was everything promised and more. The accommodations were great, just as pictured, and the views of the river lovely.We brought along our 15 foot Precision sailboat which was easily launched via a ramp alongside the cottage. It was quite hot that week but the central air made the cottage very comfortable. The grounds are well maintained and quite lovely. Chuck is a great host, very knowledgeable and accommodating. Smokey is a delight. He hopped aboard the pontoon boat with us and "showed" us "his" river. The location is great, secluded yet close to shopping, restaurants and the Annapolis sites and attractions. The wifi was an added bonus. Loved being able to bring my laptop and keep in touch with friends and family. All in all, a great rental.

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

Perfect vacation cottage for a young family

Guest: Young Family of 4 (Tega Cay, SC)
Date of Stay: 06/18/10 Review Submitted: 07/01/10

Excellent week away from reality for my husband and twin 3 year olds. The smaller cottage was just the right size for our family. We enjoyed touring Annapolis, swimming in the river, boating, sailing, fishing, catching fireflies, roasting smores, grilling, and playing on the newly created sand area with hammock. Chuck greeted us with kindness and made every effort to accommodate us for the week. It was a vacation to remember forever.

Recommended for:Families with young children

A Dream Cottage!!!!

Guest: ihorizon (Sugar Hill, Georgia)
Date of Stay: 06/05/10 Review Submitted: 06/12/10

We (husband, daughter, and myself) were wowed by the beautiful views inside and outside of the cottage, and the garden landscape and the neat view of the Magothy River is a paradise everyday! We especially enjoyed playing ball with Smokey, the gorgeous dark golden retriever. Occasional days we would find him on the porch after playing in the river or chasing the ball!!! He's so cute!!! The owners (Mr. and Mrs. Beck) are the sweetest people in the world and we hope to meet all of them again someday soon!!! We are truly blessed to have met them and just barely made it to the plane on time as we surely did not want to leave!!! We knew we had to return home to our own doggie (also a light golden retriever) and return life to normal. We will visit again someday!!! AMEN and thank the LORD for people like the Becks!!!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, families with teenagers, families with young children, pet owners, sightseeing.

A Heavenly Visit!

Guest: Smokey's Biggest Fan (Houston, TX)
Date of Stay: 05/29/10 Review Submitted: 06/04/10

We had an absolutely wonderful visit at Birdhaven. Chuck, his son, Christian, and dog, Smokey (the most beautiful, smart, and affectionate Golden Retriever in the world), are wonderful hosts. We were treated as longtime friends even though we had never met before. They are gracious and accommodating beyond belief - sailing on the river and bay, restaurant suggestions, even an invitation to share burgers on the grill. We were visiting the area for a family wedding at the Naval Academy, and had a wonderful time entertaining family at the cottage which is charming and extremely comfortable. I only wish the weather had been cool enough to allow us to use the large stone fireplace in the living room. The cottage is convenient to all the attractions in the area, but the grounds are very private and beautiful so you feel as if you are far away from the hustle and bustle. We are looking forward to the chance to visit again.

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

Guest: Wiebke Theodore (Arrowsic, Maine)
Date of Stay: 03/12/10 Review Submitted: 03/12/10

Though we unfortunately couldn’t make the trip the owners were very understanding and accommodating with reservation changes – We look forward to spending a vacation there soon! Thanks again to the owners for being so helpful.

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Great family vacation!!

Guest: Jodi (Queen Creek, AZ)
Date of Stay: 10/17/09 Review Submitted: 11/01/10

My family stayed at this property for 8 days and returned with great memories. Perfectly weather!! Chuck and Smokey made us feel right at home. Close enough to Annapolis and DC for day trips. Visited the Naval Academy, The Capital, White House, Pentagon, saw a Skins/Colts football game at FedEx Field, along with musuems and memorials. My husband and our boys (ages 12 and 10) spent hours fishing off the docks, pulling up crab pots and playing fetch with Smokey. This should sum up our time there....when I ask my boys what they liked best about the vacation (with everything we did), their response...the place we stayed!! Priceless! We are already thinking about coming back next fall. Thanks Chuck!!

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

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 09/13/09 Review Submitted: 09/13/09

Thanks to Chuck and Ivelisse (and especially Smokey, their Golden Retriever) for making our vacation so pleasant. The cottage was cute and wonderfully located on great piece of land on the Magothy River. Chuck was available when needed -- we never had any problems -- and also to swap stories, share a drink or a meal, or play with Smokey. We would highly recommend a stay here; between the views, the pontoon boat and kayaks, and Chuck's gracious hospitality, we were as relaxed and entertained as we could have hoped.

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Guest: Ingrid + Willy (Stuttgart, Germany)
Date of Stay: 09/10/09 Review Submitted: 09/10/09

I have just returned to Europe and this time, leaving the US was very sad. We had found the perfect vacation home: every bit as lovely as advertised, cozy, beautiful garden and good kayaking! And the cutest dog - Smokey, a handsome Golden Retriever- came by to say "Good Morning" every day. Chuck and Ivelisse are very nice and helpful hosts, they looked after us very well, yet in an entirely non-intrusive way, and they even entertained our 17-year old son, when we went away for two days. Thank you Chuck and Ivelisse, again for this! This cottage was the perfect home for three weeks of holidays and we consider coming back!

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Guest: Amy Beal (Hilliard, OH)
Date of Stay: 07/22/09 Review Submitted: 07/22/09

What a great experience!! This was our first time renting a vacation home from a private owner and it couldn't have gone better. The owners were so easy to work with, very responsive and thorough in all correspondence prior to our stay. The accommodations are exceptional, every bit as good as advertised, and the location was ideal for us having small children. Baltimore and Annapolis were close enough to take morning trips and be back in the afternoon for naptime. Plenty to do on the property too. Beautifully landscaped and cared for with great attention to detail, they even have fresh vegetables for your use growing in gardens around the property (if you are fortunate enough to stay at the proper time of year as we were). Additionally, it was really nice to have use of the various boats at our leisure, to run and grab dinner or just to explore the local waterways. We definitely will return to Bird Haven.

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Guest: Terri Nihiser (Rockbridge, OH)
Date of Stay: 06/19/09 Review Submitted: 06/19/09

Three generations of our family enjoyed a wonderful week at Bird Haven! We rented both cottages and they were well appointed and very clean. Chuck did a great job of checking on us, providing us good advice and suggestions for the area, and taking care of all of our needs. We especially enjoyed the tour of the Magothy River and the bay area aboard the sailboat with Chuck and Smokey. We would love to visit again in the future.

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Guest: reunion10 (New Jersey)
Date of Stay: 06/17/09 Review Submitted: 06/17/09

My family and I stayed in the smaller of the two guess houses on the property. We had a fantastic time. The owners are friendly and helpful and the views are beautiful and relaxing. A short drive into Annapolis makes this a great location.

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Guest: Jon & Sarah Wry (Chappaqua, NY)
Date of Stay: 05/28/09 Review Submitted: 05/28/09

We loved this house and the property -- it was just the right size for us and our two young boys. The features here made it a perfect family vacation house -- open layout inside, use of the pontoon boat and grill outside, beautiful property for our boys to explore, bald eagles on the tree across the river! And the owners couldn't have been more welcoming and warm -- it was a real pleasure to have them nearby. We're looking forward to coming back again.

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Guest: Mary Boland (Lakemont, GA)
Date of Stay: 01/15/09 Review Submitted: 01/15/09

***** My family spent the week of Thanksgiving in the larger cottage. The owners are on-site and wonderful hosts, taking care of our every request. Although it was cool weather and we could not enjoy sailing and watersports, we thoroughly enjoyed the blazing fireplace, amazing setting and quiet strolls around the property. We plan to stay here again and again when we visit our son at USNA, which is an easy 15 min drive. I highly recommend this cottage.

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Guest: Cheryl 3 (York, PA)
Date of Stay: 06/22/08 Review Submitted: 06/22/08

The owners not only have provided charming, clean, comfortable cottages but also hospitality that is second to none. Having boats to use whenever and sailing on the owners' sailboat were just two of the many amenities provided. Smokey, the resident golden retriever and sailboat "captain," entertains his guests with kisses and tricks. I would go back in a heartbeat.

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Guest: Sheila Roth (Pittsburgh, PA)
Date of Stay: 01/27/08 Review Submitted: 01/27/08

My family and I stayed in the larger of the two guest houses. We enjoyed the property very much. The owners were wonderful and Smokey (our daily visitor) was great!!! We hope to return this year. 30 min. drive to D.C. and many opportunities for relaxation at the cottage.

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Guest: John and Lynn Kraizel (Solon, Ohio)
Date of Stay: 03/05/07 Review Submitted: 03/05/07

Our family stayed here in July, 2006 and we had a GREAT time! The kids enjoyed using the boats, swimming in the river, and being close to both Annapolis and Washington, D.C. The cottage was clean, welcoming, and comfortable. Going out for a sail with the owner was a highlight of the trip. We went to Dobbins Island, the kids swam from the boat to the island (with Smokey the dog (first mate)), and enjoyed the afternoon. We would highly recommend this property for your vacation.

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Guest: Jeff6 (Indiana, PA)
Date of Stay: 04/16/06 Review Submitted: 04/16/06

Everything you read on the web site and more. Not like other rentals that mislead you into thinking the place is better than it really is. The owners are most accomodating and do their best to make your time spent there everything you wish. Conveniently located for privacy when wanted and close enough to several touristy areas to explore easily. Give Chuck a call!

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Guest: Michele 4514 (Greenville, SC)
Date of Stay: 11/09/05 Review Submitted: 11/09/05

We rented these cute cottages for a long weekend and had a fabulous experience! The owners could not have been nicer or more accomadating. The view was beautiful and the cottages had everything we needed. We plan to return next year!

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Guest: Will1 (Johannesburg, South Africa)
Date of Stay: 07/22/05 Review Submitted: 07/22/05

Had the most wonderful stay. Spectacular location and really on the water's edge. Pictures are a true indication of what is offered. The cottage is very well appointed and very comfortable. Great to have had use of boats and got offered first class hospitality.

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Guest: Colleen Wheeler (Mesa, Arizona)
Date of Stay: 07/03/05 Review Submitted: 07/03/05

We just got back from spending a month at this property and would go back in a heartbeat. It's comfortable, quiet, and clean and sits on two most beautifully treed acres. A morning did not go by when we didn't look out on the yard or water and see a flock of geese or ducks, an osprey or heron. Twice we saw a cardinal just outside our window. You will be well taken care of by the proprietors, who are both generous and kind. We recommend Bird Haven without reservation and hope our family will be able to visit again soon.

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