Vacation Rentals by Owner

Salish house stay

Guest: Ann c. (England)
Date of Stay: 07/07/11 Review Submitted: 07/30/11

A true gem of a property. Beautiful location by the creek, trees everywhere, bald eagles spotted flying past daily or perched on the trees opposite the creek, whilst the great blue heron was a daily visitor at dawn on the exposed river bed. The house was clean and well maintained with all mod cons necessary for an enjoyable and comfortable stay. The housekeeper and owner were both extremely helpful to say the least and gave u s plenty of advice and tips re the area and our arrival as we travelled from the UK. We used the house as a base to visit mt rainier, mt St Helens, Boeing, point defiance zoo, north west trek wildlife park and a whale watching day out via sea plane. We enjoyed using the various ferries to get across or back from Seattle too. Whilst most trips required an hours driving at least they were all manageable as day trips and it was always so lovely to return to this beautiful property and relax there. There was so much more we could have done or visited had we had more days. A truly special stay for us(2 adults and one 6 year old).

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

Blissful

Guest: Ashley (NLR, Arkansas)
Date of Stay: 10/30/10 Review Submitted: 11/07/10

My husband and I stayed here just this past week with our 2 kids (4 & 2) and could not have been more thrilled. We loved the tide rising and falling right off the balcony, the seals we spotted swimming within feet of the property, the fireplaces which kept us cozy, the windows opening up to the beautiful surroundings and MOST of all, the secluded location. It felt like we were in the middle of nowhere, but were within minutes of delightful Gig Harbor and not that far from Seattle. The place was also perfect for our kids - there were toys in the closet and we had not a moment of boredom. It killed us to leave. We have nothing but wonderful things to say and so many happy memories. Thank you!!!

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

Guest: Jim Sipe (St. Petersburg, FL)
Date of Stay: 12/09/09 Review Submitted: 12/09/09

Salish House was the perfect retreat for my wife and I. The house met all of our expectations and more. We spent 2 weeks relaxing and enjoying the peaceful, rural scenery. The location is great - minutes away from Gig Harbor, ferries to Seattle, wonderful restaurants in Gig Harbor and other nearby towns - or just relaxing on the deck and watching the salmon swim by. We look forward to returning for another restful time away.

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Great Nature Get Away

Guest: Sheri C. Batis (Bay Area)
Date of Stay: 08/30/08 Review Submitted: 01/19/09

We stayed in the Salish House and what an amazing escape from our hectic lives in the Bay Area...it was exactly what we were looking for. The house and area were absolutely beautiful and peaceful, and if you needed a bit of noise, there was Gig Harbor where you could find a good restaurant, cool antique shops, and a good spa. Carrie the house manager was very responsive and helpful, always there to answer questions, give us tips on checking out the area, and address any little inconveniences (i.e, BBQ was out of repair). As soon as possible, we will be returning to enjoy another peaceful holiday.

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

Salish House

Guest: LakesideTraveler (Lakeside, Ca)
Date of Stay: 06/14/08 Review Submitted: 07/01/08

The house was nice, the beds were excellent as well as the kitchen. Not enough privacy between bedrooms. We did have a few minor billing issues, but communication did cause some frustration. The Deck need some repair, but overall it was a pleasant stay in a nice area.

Recommended for:Girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 04/01/08 Review Submitted: 04/29/08

My wife and I stayed in the Salish House for her birthday, and it was one of the best birthday gifts I’ve given her. The house and surroundings are gorgeous, and we loved exploring the Key Peninsula. Our dogs had a great time, too - wading and swimming in the creek, watching the ducks and herons, and visiting the nearby state parks. Thank you for making this home available to us. We look forward to returning.

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 11/01/07 Review Submitted: 11/04/07

Ed, Thank you so much for making our first trip to Washington such a memorable and wonderful one. My husband and I actually stayed at your beautiful house in October of 2006, just before we had our second daughter. It was exactly what we were hoping for...beautiful, serene, quiet, peaceful and 100% stress free. You did a wonderful job with the renovations and I can see by all of the other commentaries (which are way more timely than mine), that everyone feels the same way. We will definitely return and take advantage of the surroundings sooner than later. Thank you again for providing us with such a fabulous retreat! We'll see you again.

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 11/01/07 Review Submitted: 11/03/07

Dear Ed: We would like take a minute and let you know what a wonderful time we had during our stay at the Salish House. From the moment we arrived we knew it was going to be great. It was so enjoyable to truly "get away from it all" to this perfect hideaway. The accommodations were very comfortable and cozy and the scenery was SPECTACULAR. From the Majestic setting to the ambiance and Luxury appointments – this vacation home has it all. We slept more soundly than we have for a long time and it was wonderful. Our trip to Gig Harbor and the Salish House was everything we had hoped for and more (as evidenced by us contacting you to extend our stay!) On our next trip, we will book some activity including a Dinner Train ride and a Whale Watching Excursion to see the Orkas. I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND the Salish House to anyone contemplating a trip to the Pacific Northwest - they will not be disappointed! Looking forward to our next trip!

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Thank you for a wonderful vacation!

Guest: Lauren C (Boise, ID)
Date of Stay: 10/01/07 Review Submitted: 01/25/08

Thank you so much for making our first trip to Washington such a memorable and wonderful one. My husband and I actually stayed at your beautiful house in October of 2006, just before we had our second daughter. It was exactly what we were hoping for...beautiful, serene, quiet, peaceful and 100% stress free. You did a wonderful job with the renovations and I can see by all of the other commentaries (which are way more timely than mine), that everyone feels the same way. We will definitely return and take advantage of the surroundings sooner than later. Thank you again for providing us with such a fabulous retreat! We'll see you again.

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

The Salish House was great! Thanks again!

Guest: Catherine Z (Palm Harbor, FL)
Date of Stay: 09/01/07 Review Submitted: 01/25/08

We would like take a minute and let you know what a wonderful time we had during our stay at the Salish House. From the moment we arrived we knew it was going to be great. It was so enjoyable to truly "get away from it all" to this perfect hideaway. The accommodations were very comfortable and cozy and the scenery was spectacular. From the Majestic setting to the ambiance and Luxury appointments – this vacation home has it all. We slept more soundly than we have for a long time and it was wonderful. Our trip to Gig Harbor and the Salish House was everything we had hoped for and more (as evidenced by us contacting you to extend our stay!) On our next trip, we will book some activity including a Dinner Train ride and a Whale Watching Excursion to see the Orkas. I would highly recommend the Salish House to anyone contemplating a trip to the Pacific Northwest - they will not be disappointed! Looking forward to our next trip!

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

Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 09/01/07 Review Submitted: 09/18/07

Ed, What wonderful homes the Salish House and the Minter House are. We rented them both this summer for a family reunion. What a blast we had. We started with breakfast and coffee on the big deck at Minter House. Watching the ebb and flow of the tide from the deck was amazing. When the tides in one set of creatures inhabit the area and when the tide is out a whole new crew moves in! After breakfast we would head out for the days fun. There were more activities than we could do in one week. Everynight we returned to the big deck for drinks, appetizers and a big BBQ (by the way your BBQ is outstanding as were amenities in both houses). Your suggestion to go to the oyster farm was genius! We ate oysters every other night. What a treat that was. I can't tell you how much fun we had just hanging out on the deck, watching the bald eagle, herons and the shore birds. Waking in the morning to all the glorius sounds outside. We had the best family reunion ever! Thanks for all your hospitality. The service we received from your staff was five star. They were always available to do anything from giving directions to whatever was needed up to shipping back to me the suitcase I forgot there. Now that really is full service! Thanks again and see you again, Tom and Debbi Adams

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 04/01/07 Review Submitted: 04/05/07

We live less than an hour from the Salish House but what a wonderful retreat we had last September. We were stressed and needed a retreat and time with each other but didn't want the hassels of travel. So...we packed up the car with our two yellow labs (16 and 7 years old)and headed south. What rejuvination we got from this charming home. Owner Ed Reese and his property manager, Carrie, did everything to make our 5-day stay wonderful. The dogs were as happy as we were...even our old guy, Pilot, made his way down to the water! The home is furnised with care and has all the amenities anyone could need. The wildlife viewing from the deck unsurpased. We'll be back and hope many other folks will enjoy Salish House as we did. Jan and John Thackaberry

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 01/01/07 Review Submitted: 01/02/07

We found the Salish house using the VRBO website and are extremely glad we did. We were coming out to Washington from Montana to do Invitro and knew we would be out here for about 2 weeks. We really wanted to bring our dogs with us and were greatful we found this house. We needed a place that would be close to Seattle but yet far enough away so we could relax and try to be stress free. This place was perfect for us. Our dogs loved being in the water and we took them on long walks around the area. We definitely are coming back here to enjoy this place during the summer months. We were here at the end of December beginning of January and now we want to experience it during the dry months. (HA HA) We have decided that we will try to come here at least once a year. The owner was wonderful to work with and we enjoyed our stay very much!

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 12/01/06 Review Submitted: 12/28/06

Boy, is this comment ever late .. shame on us .. my husband and i used the VRBO site for the first time choosing The Salish House for our August 2006 vacation. An unbelievable experience and one that we would highly recommend to anyone thinking of this "paradise" as their vacation. All of our email interactions with the owner were of the highest quality; from quick responses to answering our many, many questions no matter how silly or how many .. initial directions were easy and we found our "home away from home" without any difficulty. And, what a home it was; just beautiful inside and out .. the accomodations were perfect, the home was clean, the outside was beautiful from the green grass, to the wonderful lake behind the house that is so close you can almost reach out and touch it !! Watching the salmon everyday was delightful as was our surprise at seeing two eagles !! We truly felt extremely comfortable in our surroundings and the mattress .. well .. what we wouldn't give to know the brand so we could purchase one; the best week of sleep ever !! We even initially had a problem with the TV working but the owner immediately responded by having his housekeeper bring in a temporary one and the following day a brand new TV was hooked up and ready to go for us .. this owner definitely knows how to keep his "customers" happy and more than willing to return and recommend others. We met neighbors on the darling lane that the house is on who brought us a homemade blackberry cobbler and visited for two hours; we subsequently took them to dinner and had a wonderful evening. The town of Gig Harbor and other neighboring towns are a must see; gorgeous surroundings, beautiful lake in Gig Harbor, wonderful restaurants, wonderful people, golf was superb and Horseshoe Lake is also a must see; as picturesque as a Norman Rockwell painting..grassy beach area, families picknicking, children frollicking in the lake .. something you just don't see much of these days ! Our weather was perfect; no rain with one cloudy day, otherwise, sunshine, perfect temperatures and true to the word of the owner; there were no mosquitoes !! Don't miss out on this site .. it is just perfect, perfect, perfect from all aspects. And, Ed .. thank you, again, for everything !! Jan and Brad

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 12/01/06 Review Submitted: 12/01/06

We had a wonderful stay over the Thanksgiving holiday at The Salish House. Salmon fishing was available right from the deck and it was great looking at the birds, though except for the ducks I confess I couldn't name them. The other birds were exotic. The well-equipped kitchen was wonderfully and the furniture comfortable and cozy. Ed and Carrie, his house manager, were both available throughout by phone to answer questions and make wonderful suggestions. It is a great house to stay in.

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 11/01/06 Review Submitted: 11/08/06

The Salish House gets our highest praise and recommendation. We had a wonderful long weekend in this serene and peaceful paradise. The beautifully decorated house is so comfortable, and it was a joy to cook in the fully equipped gourmet kitchen. The owner and the site manager couldn’t have been more considerate and helpful. We loved watching the ducks, Canadian geese, blue herons, otters, and other wildlife. Although it seemed like we were in our own private world, shopping and entertainment are within a short drive. We’re looking forward to a longer stay next year with additional family members.

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 10/01/06 Review Submitted: 10/09/06

I could not have picked a better spot for our first vacation to the US. The cabin was great & the flowers & wine on our arrival was a really nice touch & most appreciated. The peace,quiet & terrific surroudings made it the ideal chill-out spot after a day in the hussle & bussle of the city. Sitting on the deck in the evening with a drink was relaxing & the view made it special. I would recommend this spot & would love to return some day.

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 10/01/06 Review Submitted: 10/03/06

We absolutely loved this vacation rental, so peaceful andf serene and Gig Harbor is VERY near for fun. The river and the woods are so appealing and so quiet you could drop a pin. We even enjoyed the rain as we are from Palm Springs, California. The house is totally well equipped, great TV and computer for you to use.Bedding of the best quality and the beds extraordinarily comfortable. We woudl really go back maybe for longer next year. Heavenly place. The reflection of the trees in the water just breath taking.

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 08/01/06 Review Submitted: 08/08/06

Our first trip to Washington State and the Salish House was an excellent choice for us. Very peaceful and quiet away from the city with views of the water and wildlife, just what we were looking for. We saw wild deer, raccoons and eagles. If you like to golf there are great courses in the area. The week of June 8th was perfect golf weather for us, almost like golfing in air conditioning - well compared to Hawaii. The drive to Mt. Rainier was spectacular with beautiful views and waterfalls. There are places to dine at Gig Harbor. We went grocery shopping and made breakfast at the house, the kitchen has everything you need. The stay was relaxing, almost like home.

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 06/01/06 Review Submitted: 05/31/06

We spent a week at Salish House during the week of May 22, and had a great time. The home is located in a perfect area in what appears to be preserve, on the water. The water appears to be a creek or stream that feeds off the sound. The area is quiet, and the setting and views are absolutely stunning. We observed eagles soaring and feeding off the water, numerous Canadian geese and other birds, fish jumping out of the water, and a neighbor's cat that my son fell in love with. The home is has a cabin feel with a 5 star hotel appearance, functioning appliances, a satellite big screen television and is well kept. There are grocery stores, food establishments, coffee houses, and video stores within minutes in Gig Harbor. Our kids loved the zoo in Gig Harbor, and the dinner train in Renton. The people in Washington were also very nice and accomodating. If you're looking for a great place to unwind and re-tool, this is the place.

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 05/01/06 Review Submitted: 05/13/06

Nice house…we really enjoyed our stay. Our 9 year old liked all the birds especially the eagles. He would get the telescope out and watch them. One day we watched 6 of them sitting in a tree and swooping down and getting fish out of the creek. It was like watching the Discovery channel. We would get up in the mornings with the sun coming into the house and we would go out on the deck and drink a cup of coffee and enjoy the beauty of the outdoors. Even the tide in and out changed the scenery daily. We also adventured around the peninsula and visited the hatchery and learned how they tag salmon. Over all we had a nice relaxing spring break. We have already talked about coming back.

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 04/01/06 Review Submitted: 04/11/06

This vacation getaway is the most unique and beautiful of all the rental getaways I have found. The view... ahhhhh! A constantly changing landscape throughout the day as the tide rises and falls over what look like Easter basket grass islands. At one point, even these become submerged and the view is, by anyone who stumbled upon its account, a large serene lake. This is also a bird lovers’ paradise. I literally could not count the species. Oh, and inside the house – let’s not forget that. This is a perfectly designed, warm, impeccably decorated oasis. Just as well suited to a party as it is to a quiet day of self-reflection. I can imagine the next great work of literature might be drafted at the desk in the master bedroom area which looks out to the incredible view. I could go on and on to say the least. Speaking of least, as in last but not least, the owner of this home and his assistant were the two most courteous, appreciative, welcoming and flexible vacation property owners I have ever encountered. Yes, I recommend this place!

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 04/01/06 Review Submitted: 04/11/06

The property was a real discovery for us, and we enjoyed every minute of our stay. The views, nature trails, wildlife, and the cozy feel of the Salish House tucked along Minter Creek were absolutely an amazing experience. This is truly a unique getaway that is guaranteed to recharge and de-stress. Everyone should be so lucky to experience this kind of environment at least once in their lifetime. We will happily recommend it to others and wish you the very best in making Salish House known far and wide. Already looking forward to coming back again soon!

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 04/01/06 Review Submitted: 04/11/06

The Salish House is the perfect place to kick back for a week of R&R. There are lots of great activities in the area and the lodge is full of character. A cup of coffee on the deck overlooking the creek each morning is a must. I loved it!

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 03/01/06 Review Submitted: 03/10/06

WE HAD THE MOST RELAXING TIME THERE MY DAUGHTERS LOVED TO WHATCH THE DUCKS & ALL THE OTHER BIRDS IN THE WATER MY 2 1/2 YEAR OLD LOVED THE ONES INSIDE TO SHE HAD TO PET THEM ALL THE TIME. VERY CALM & PEACEFUL PLACE TO STAY. WE HOPE TO BE STAYING THERE AGAIN!!!! SOON

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 02/01/06 Review Submitted: 02/05/06

Only an hour from the city makes this the IDEAL romantic getaway! I loved staying here and cant get back soon enough! From the fireplace in the bedroom to the eagles and salmon right outside the door I doubt I will ever find a place that is as lovely and romantic as this. Thank you for a wonderful week, we hope to be back soon! P.S. The bed was awsome! So comfortable and lux with those sheets. Wow! I give you guys 5 stars.

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 01/01/06 Review Submitted: 01/12/06

I loved the amenities and ambience of the cabin but the most incredible experience for me was the walk around the property at sunrise. Because I am an early riser, I'm always looking for something to do in the morning. I was enticed outside by mallards quacking in the estuary. Since we had arrived late the night before, I wasn't prepared for the natural beauty of this setting. So, with coffee in hand I explored the trail along the stream through moss covered alder and stands of cedar. It was like walking through my own private park. I looked for salmon in the stream and watched abundant waterfowl, kingfishers and gulls feeding along the shore. The highlight was flyfishing for salmon right in front of the cabin. I could actually fly fish from the deck at high tide! Thanks for a wonderful stay and one of the most relaxing times I've had in the Pacific Northwest.

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 01/01/06 Review Submitted: 01/03/06

Thanks so much for our special Labor Day weekend at your cabin in Gig Harbor Wash. It does not get much better in the beautiful Pacific Northwest!!! When we arrived we were amazed at the quiet and peaceful surroundings. The cozy and beautiful cabin is breathtaking. We enjoyed B-B-Q'ing each and every evening as we watched the sunset and herring as we enjoyed a nice Wash. wine. The most awesome sight for us was watching the salmon spawning each day. It was awesome and we were taking pictures all day. You have to experience this!!!! It was great just to relax, cuddle,watch movies, or head to Gig Harbor for a drink or shopping.(ps. it's hard to leave this beautiful place on earth) thanks again and we will be back. thanks so much, Lynner

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