Vacation Rentals by Owner

Briliant caribbean experience

Guest: jon s.
Date of Stay: 03/24/12 Review Submitted: 04/21/12

Very hard to improve on all the previous great comments. We travelled around the Island a lot and enjoyed getting to see different places and the local way of life - if only very briefly. Check out Eli Fuller's blog (antiguaisland blogspot co uk) for a wider picture of the Island. If you like sailing you can rent Hobie cats at Dickenson's Bay - might even see turtles swimming - as we did! Also checkout adventureantigua com We loved some gentle hikes, and seeking out some of the quieter bays - Half Moon bay is great - and enjoying snorkelling and sunshine in a relaxed setting. BTW, as most people figure out, the location of the cottage is in the North of the Island - not as shown on the Google map (as at Mar12).

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Charming slice of Caribbean life

Guest: Ruthie & D (Cornwall,UK)
Date of Stay: 03/06/12 Review Submitted: 03/13/12

What a find! From Sarah's warm welcome to when we left we felt like we were in a dream.Driftwood Cottage is so exquisitely decorated and furnished with real originality. It was spacious and cool and what an experence to be able to sleep at night with all the doors and windows open and wake up to an explosion of colour from the gardens. There were interesting pieces of Sarah's artwork in the form of her sculpture and pottery all around which were beautiful. Everything down to the sumptuous linen on the magnificant bed,amazing felt wallhangings and stunning glasswork were a feast on the eyes. The dogs were so sweet,Riley- soft and dozy character,Lulu-the slightly hormonal shih tzu, Cato-the boss and the most lovable Leo the Ridgeback were such great company that they joined us most mornings for breakfast and greeted us when we got home. Antigua is the most beautiful island and Driftwood Cottage suited us in our desire to see the real culture of the island and not get stuck behind the walls of the all inclusives or cruise ships.This place is a hidden gem that we were so lucky to find! Thank you for sharing Sarah!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Amazing Stay!

Guest: Sue M.
Date of Stay: 02/25/12 Review Submitted: 03/06/12

This cottage each day became more and more welcoming for us. The layout is open air in a very carefully planned botanical garden. The layers of palms, flowers, cactus, trees, and artwork envelope a spacious pool, deck, and central living zone. It was an oasis of calm and peaceful breezes, sun, and wispy clouds. To awake here was a dream, to come home each afternoon like a heaven. The wifi worked perfectly, and although the tv is stocked with channels, we found ourselves disinterested - the stars and breezes were far more. We felt like we were living in a carib treehouse in paradise. No kidding, it was sweet - easily our favorite of many island retreats. Antigua compared to other isles is very populated, but it is mostly in St. Johns and navigating through that town was daunting, as signs are dated or non-existant, but with a little time you eventually find where you are headed. There's an easy parking lot down by the harbor, but you don't want to go in there when there's five cruise ships! Outside the town is tropical and brilliant. The grocery store is large and amazing well stocked and crisply bright and clean - and it's not downtown, but an easy drive from Hodges Bay. One note - buy the local beer, rum, and stuff, american beer is expensive (so you buy the local)! the meats and produce were the best we've seen in the carib. And oh, the beaches! Half Moon, Ffreyes, 4th beach at Hawksbill (go au natural!) is only a short ten minute trek from the lot. If you like beaching it, this place could go on for weeks and you'd never hit the same one. Snorkeling is standard, you'll see the usual carib characters, and I'm sure there are specific spots that are excellent for that. Gas is easy to find, the rental car situation is easy. John and Sarah are excellent hosts and very congenial. The dogs are all sweet and they vamoose quickly if you ask them to, without problems. The neighbors aren't very near, but they have dogs as well and sometime they get talking about nothing, but it doesn't last long. The winds blow a warm breeze at all times, it rains occasionally, but never lasts too long. In all this is a FIRM RECOMMEND. We are actually... sad to be home.

Owner response:So, so pleased that you both had a wonderful holiday - see you next time!!

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Quiet Cottage with Jungle Setting

Guest: Bonnie (Elysburg, PA)
Date of Stay: 02/11/12 Review Submitted: 02/20/12

My husband and I wanted a private place to rent in Antigua for our 24th anniversary and we found that special place at Driftwood Cottage. It was an excellent place to rent, only 10 minutes from the airport. The rental vehicle was brought right to the cottage for our convenience. It is the first time we stayed in an open air cottage and the sounds of the tree frogs and rainfall at night were very relaxing with the doves cooing in the morning. Everything was provided except for fresh groceries which we got directions from Sarah for the large local grocery store and stocked our fridge for the week. We loved eating on the open deck at night. There were so many beaches to explore, we picked different ones each day. They were so beautiful and made the days full of adventure. The large bed was firm, but comfortable with the mosquito netting around it. Lots of hot water pressure in the shower too. There were so many beautiful plants and flower around with lots of humming birds and other exotic birds to watch too. The owners dogs were so friendly. You could let them in or out of the cottage. Sarah was a weatlh of information on the area. She directed us to any place we wanted to visit. We had such a great anniversary and hope to return soon.

Owner response:Thanks so much and I hope we will see you both again soon.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Rachel & Rafael

Guest: Rachel (London UK)
Date of Stay: 10/29/11 Review Submitted: 11/22/11

We had the most amazing 2 weeks recently at Driftwood Cottage - John & Sarah were so welcoming and gave great recommendations on where to visit. Staying in the cottage was, to us, so much nicer than a hotel and was a great base for exploring the island. It was a home away from home and things like the very comfortable bed and fresh cotton sheets (changed regularly!) made it a lovely holiday. Thank you John for the wonderful fish that you gave us (freshly caught) - it was incredible. We can't leave a review without mentioning the dogs - they really are lovely and were always very appreciative of any food going!! All in all a lovely holiday and we would definitely recommend it as the best place to stay in Antigua for the independent traveller. Thank you so much John & Sarah - we hope to come back soon!

Recommended for:Romantic getaway

Wow!!! What a find Driftwood Cottage is!!!

Guest: Rick and Kim (Fort Worth TX)
Date of Stay: 08/03/11 Review Submitted: 08/11/11

My husband and I had an amazing time in Antigua. Staying at the beautiful cottage with it's lush gardens, welcoming pool, well stocked kitchen, comfy king size bed and wonderful hosts...Sarah and John was such a treat. They were so helpful and provided us with lots of information about the island. The cottage is a 2 minute walk to the beach and a short drive to the Epicurean grocery store and the university AUA. We look forward to staying at the cottage again soon. We really felt like we had the Caribbean experience! We highly recommend staying at "Driftwood Cottage".

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Best. Honeymoon. EVER.

Guest: Jenny (Colorado)
Date of Stay: 07/24/11 Review Submitted: 08/23/11

We were lucky enough to enjoy 9 days at the cottage and it exceeded our expectations. The cottage is charming, peaceful, and calming. Our sheets were changed 3 times in the 9 days we were there and fresh towels were dropped off as well. Although the pool is shared with the main house, our stay felt very private. However, if we felt like socializing or asking questions of any kind, Sarah and John were more than hospitable and friendly. Many times we just popped up to their house and had questions answered, a cocktail in hand, or a friendly and interesting conversation. Anyone who is considering a more authentic island experience, this is the place to stay. We rented a car and had a great time getting to know the island and all it's intricacies. You are close to many beaches, restaurants and a supermarket. Fresh fish is easy to get a hold of and eating in the seclusion of the cottage can be quiet romantic. There were excellent wildlife encounters and beautiful grounds to explore. We really can't say enough good things about Driftwood or Sarah and John. Beautiful island, beautiful cottage, beautiful hosts. Thank you!

Owner response:Wishing you both every happiness in your life together, and hope to see you back for an anniversary!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Didn't want to return home

Guest: Tony & Val (Syracuse, NY )
Date of Stay: 05/28/11 Review Submitted: 06/07/11

Sarah & John, Thank you so much for letting us stay at your beautiful cottage. The pool was great to unwind after a long day on the beach, the gardens made us feel so relaxed, the dogs (Leo, Riley, Cato and Lulu) were great companions during breakfast and the both of you were wonderful hosts. The cottage provided us with everything we needed for the week. Sarah, thank you for helping us navigate the island and providing us with insight on what beaches and restaurants to visit. As for the island itself, we absolutely fell in love with it. The people are all very friendly, the 6 different beaches that we visited we pretty much had to ourselves, the seafood was fantastic, the rum punches were great and Epicurian (grocery store) had everything that you could possibly need, which by the way was 5 minutes away from the Fullers house. The driving did take some getting used to coming from the states, but by the 3rd day I felt like a local...just watch out for the potholes, dogs and random animals in the streets! All in all...an unbelievable experience. I boarded the plane back to the states and was upset with myself that I didn't do 10 nights instead of 7. Thanks again to the Fullers for making this one of the most memorable trips we've ever taken. We're already planning our trip to come back next year! Tony & Val

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

Wonderful Stay!

Guest: PJ (Putnam, CT)
Date of Stay: 03/12/11 Review Submitted: 03/21/11

The cottage was everything we could have hoped for and then some. Sarah was the perfect hostess, always there to lend a hand with directions and/or recommendations. (We didn't get to actually meet John until Saturday as he was very busy during the week). Having Leo and Riley and Cato and Lulu meet us and greet us every time we returned, (or every time we opened the refrigerator I think), was just like being at home and it actually helped us not miss our 2 dogs quite as much. They are NOT, in any way, a nuisance if you like dogs and we love dogs so........ Driftwood is a perfect 'base' to have to explore this wonderful island. There is a minor mosquito issue in the evening, but, there are plenty of ways to keep them at bay and the mosquito net for the bed worked extremely well. They weren't anywhere near as bad as we get in CT in the summer. A mild annoyance at worst, but that is the case all over the island. I really believe that the ONLY way this cottage could have been better is if the beach was right next to the pool. However, Jabberwock beach is less than a 2 min. drive down the street and the island has SOOOO many stunning beaches to explore that you wouldn't want to just 'stay' at your location anyway so.......... To sum up, Sarah and John's Driftwood Cottage was a wonderful way to stay on a wonderful island. We were sad to leave and we would recommend this location to anyone who wants a relaxing stay on a wonderful, friendly island.

Owner response:Thank you both, and I am so glad you enjoyed your stay and our island. Sarah

Recommended for:Pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

A Real Getaway

Guest: Odette (Boulder, CO)
Date of Stay: 12/18/10 Review Submitted: 01/02/11

My husband and I stayed here for our honeymoon - one that was several months delayed - and it was a delightful and private place. The accomodations are nice, Sarah and John are so friendly, and it's nice to come after a day of sight-seeing to a secluded cottage, instead of your typical touristy resorts. And the dogs are WONDERFUL!!!! Thanks Sarah and John for everything!

Owner response:Thank Todd and Odette, I hope you will be back sometime soon. Sarah

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, romantic getaway.

Fantastic second honeymoon

Guest: Nikki (Milford, New Jersey)
Date of Stay: 10/10/10 Review Submitted: 10/26/10

My husband and I spent our second honeymoon at Driftwood Cottage, Antigua. The first real vacation since our first honeymoon 12 years ago! We had great expectations for a restful, romantic holiday where we would have the freedom to tour the island or sit by the pool and relax. The cottage was our home away from home, a private paradise where we enjoyed relaxing days by the pool surrounded by beautiful gardens and followed with romantic dinners. We were able to explore the island at our liesure and benefit from the advice of our gracious hosts who helped us with our every need, from car rental to grocery store. This trip was everything that we had hoped for and more, we will deffinately remember it forever and think of returning soon.

Owner response:Thanks Nikki, We enjoyed your visit and hope it won't be another 12 years before we see you again! Sarah & John

Recommended for:Romantic getaway

Driftwood Cottage for our Honeymoon!

Guest: U & C (Bonfield, Ontario, Canada)
Date of Stay: 09/21/10 Review Submitted: 10/05/10

My husband and I spent our honeymoon at the wonderful Driftwood Cottage. 10 great days filled with sunshine, adventure and relaxation. We rented a car and Sarah made sure we knew how to get to the important places but following the signs and road maps was pretty easy after the first couple times out. We mostly visited beaches all over the island, returning to our little oasis where we'd jump in the pool to get the salt off and then lounge in the beach chairs either in the sun or on the deck. The dogs were nice company and well behaved - although watch out for Lulu, she likes flip-flops! Too cute. September was a great time to visit - good weather (hot but not too hot, sunny with some very brief periods of rain), quiet (had most of the beaches completely to ourselves!), and reasonably priced. We ate out a few times, but also made lunches and dinner at the cottage. The only place we ate at twice was Cloggy's at Falmouth Harbour. We had lunch there twice and didn't need dinner after! Sarah recommended lunch there. So if you're looking for a quiet place to base your daily excursions out of, Driftwood Cottage is the perfect place! Thank you Sarah and John! Our honeymoon in Antigua was a great place to start our lives together.

Owner response:Thanks C & U, Enjoy married life together and we hope to see you back here one day. Anniversary?? Sarah & John

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Beautiful gardens and gracious hosts!

Guest: Andrew and Mary (New Jersey)
Date of Stay: 07/10/10 Review Submitted: 07/20/10

Our 8 night stay in Antigua at the Fuller's guesthouse was wonderful. The garden is really amazing - beautiful flowers and colorful birds literally everywhere you look! We rented a car and spent our days exploring the island and the Fuller's guesthouse was a great place to come home to each evening for a dip in the pool and a drink on the veranda. John and Sarah are lovely people and gracious hosts - always friendly and helpful with suggestions and advice for exploring the island.

Recommended for:Romantic getaway

A corner of paradise

Guest: Edoardo P. (ITALY)
Date of Stay: 03/28/10 Review Submitted: 04/14/10

We stayed in driftwood cottage for 2 weeks. It has been wonderful. The cottage is beautiful, and the ideal place to relax without going out, or the perfect base to explore the island. John and Sarah were fantastic. You don't even see them, if you want your privacy, but if you need their help they'll do everything is possible and even something more. In my last days I injured myself with an exotic plant, and they helped me in all the ways. they called the doctor, they did all what was possible to make me feel more confortable. My girlfreind and I were delighted. They really made me feel part of their family. I would suggest this property to everybody who wants a romantic escape or just a very nice base from which explore the nice island of Antigua. I think we'll come back for sure. Thank you again Edoardo & Sara

Owner response:Thanks Edoardo & Sara, We look forward to your next visit! Sarah

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, romantic getaway.

Guest: Alison Bell-Irving (Gabriola Island, BC. Canada)
Date of Stay: 01/08/10 Review Submitted: 01/08/10

We're still here, but I know that when we get home we have so much ahead of us that I may procrastinate on leaving a review comment for one of the loveliest places we have ever stayed. Driftwood Cottage, once a historical schoolhouse, is a pretty, rustic, paradise haven on a stunning caribbean island. From the moment we arrived, we were treated to a warm welcome from John and Sarah, who are well-known and long-time residents of Antigua. If you're the kind of travellers who want pristine condo sophistication with 7-day maid service, this is not the place for you. But if, like us, you just want a peaceful break in an informal and comfortable environment then it is. (There is a maid who comes twice a week, by the way, to change the sheets and clean the cottage). The private cottage is located in their garden with the swimming pool and barbecue right in front of the wrap around deck. The gorgeous, antique, four-poster bed is both huge and comfortable. The kitchen is basic, but has everything necessary to fix elaborate cocktails and full meals without the expense of nightly restaurants. Their five affectionate dogs are optional companions and an efficient security measure, although they will want to make friends immediately. We're dog lovers so they quickly became a part of our daily life, but the deck is gated to discourage them from bothering guests who are not. We never worried about leaving our valuables lying around outside when we were out, nor ever felt the need to lock our rental car on the property. Evidence of Sarah's artistic talent, in the form of beautiful pottery and driftwood hangings, adds to the Hemingway cabin-style decor; and John is never hesitant to share the rewards of his own passion - fishing. The cottage is surrounded by lush tropical plants and trees; located 10 minutes drive from St. John's and 2 minutes from Jabberwock Beach - a popular stop for kite boarders and a lovely beach for swimming and sunbathing. We have had the most MARVELLOUS holiday and cannot thank John and Sarah enough for all their island tips, hospitality and friendship during our stay. GREAT value for money for a visit to paradise. We hope to come back one day.

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Guest: Rick Macias (Alton,Il.)
Date of Stay: 10/09/09 Review Submitted: 10/09/09

My wife and I spent two weeks in this gorgeous ,secluded,paradise oasis.The Fullers are two of the most inspirational individuals we've ever met.Kind as it gets and more accomadating than any resort we could have stayed .I am on peritonial dialysis and my doctors sent two weeks worth of dialysis equipment to John and Sarah.They made sure all my gear was in place before I arrived.I left a necassary medication at home and the Fullers made sure I had a replacement prescription.We traveled one side of the island to the other.Becoming very familiar with the city of St.Johns.Shirley Heights is a must on Sundays.We swam with stingrays and snorkeled.Met some great people from all over the world all the while enjoying a tropical average 85 degrees and breezy everyday.The cottage is something from a dream.Waking up every morning to an island oasis was breath taking.Every morning I awoke to coffee and peaceful serenity as I looked out at the pool,which is surrounded by palm trees and tropical plants and flowers.Nothing but wind and tree frogs for a mesmorizing soundtrack beginning to 14 glorious days.If there was anything we needed,the Fullers would make sure we had it right away.We could not have met two better people and we could'nt have experienced two more adventurous weeks.If your looking to clear your mind,step back and and take a breath and put your entire life in perspective,there is no better place than Antigua.Clear waters,clean beaches,and to stay with the quality of people like John and Sarah is truly a blessing everyone should experience at least once.One more thing.Must love dogs.The Fullers have 5 dogs that are only around if you let them.Never bothersome or overbearing but if you love dogs like we do it was a joy to be around these animals.We miss you Leo,Riley,Dini,Kato and of course our little lady Lulu.

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Guest: Amanda and Ben (Kansas City, MO)
Date of Stay: 02/11/09 Review Submitted: 02/11/09

A review of Driftwood Cottage and vacation in Antigua: We had a wonderful 8-night stay and honeymoon at the Driftwood Cottage in Jan 2009. We had considered staying at Sandals, but knew we’d feel guilty if we left the all-inclusive expensive resort to tour the island. We stumbled upon this vacation rental home online, and we’re glad we did. Sarah and John (and other members of their family that came by) were great hosts and were fantastic in helping us find where to go and how to get there. The cottage (or pool house) is a great place to relax. There are many plants and trees to make you feel secluded. And the hosts have several really sweet dogs as pets, which we liked (they’ll stay away though, if you don’t like dogs). The veranda wraps around 2 sides of the cottage. The pool is nice and well kept, with plenty of lounge chairs and just a few steps from the cottage entrance. There are tons of books and games stocked in the cottage, along with towels, cooking utensils, etc. The window and doors at the cottage stay open, which gives a nice breeze at night - they can be closed though, if you want. We had a rental car, which we recommend. Sarah helped us review Antigua maps to see the best ways to navigate the island. Driving is a little crazy at first, as the roads are narrow. But it’s worth it to see the island. Our vacation suggestions: buy groceries at the Epicurian and make some meals at the cottage (to save some money, as the restaurants are a bit pricey). Walk to Jabberwock Beach to watch kite surfers, watch the sun set at Russell’s, hang out in English Harbor during the day, take Eli's circumnavigation tour with Adventure Antigua, do the zip line tour through Rainforest Adventures. Shirley Heights on Sunday night is fun, and Half Moon Bay is a great, quiet beach – both worth the drive. Restaurants to try: The Beach for pizza, Cecilia’s at lunch, Le Bistro for a nicer night out, Cloggy’s, The Waterfront for fresh fish. As with anywhere in Antigua (not specific to the cottage), apply bug screen and SPF often, if you are susceptible to bug bites or sunburns. We noticed more bug bites at dusk, and were too focused on our rum punch to reapply. As you can tell, we had a great time in Antigua, with lots to do and see! The cottage was a great place to come back to after a day of exploring, or just to hang out there all day soaking in some sun. We’d recommend Driftwood Cottage to anyone considering a vacation in Antigua.

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 04/02/08 Review Submitted: 04/02/08

It is hard to imagine a better 10 days. The Fullers were gracious and welcoming hosts. The cottage afforded ample privacy. The pool was a delight and the location was great. A simple island treat. Thanks, Sarah and John.

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Guest: Stephanie17 (Pennsylvania, USA)
Date of Stay: 06/23/07 Review Submitted: 06/23/07

My husband and I had a wonderful honeymoon at the cottage. Everything was perfect about our stay in Antigua!

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Guest: Jill4 (Devon, England)
Date of Stay: 03/10/06 Review Submitted: 03/10/06

If you're looking for own little private piece of paradise, look no further! Tucked away in a quiet corner of Hodges Bay, you'd never guess you were only 5 mins from the airport and about 15 mins from St. Johns. This intimate and comfortable little cottage has everything you need for the perfect get-away-from-it-all holiday, with the added bonus of having the friendliest and most helpful hosts ever. It was just amazing to sleep almost in the open, and to be awoken by the sun coming up, the birds singing and the breeze blowing in from the sea. You only have to relax and enjoy, and you'll never want to leave!

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Guest: Naomi and Gareth
Date of Stay: 09/16/05 Review Submitted: 09/15/05

" This has been a magical, memorable holiday/honeymoon. Driftwood Cottage surpassed our expectations. It was exactly what we hoped for and more, with a beautiful beach nearby for our wedding in paradise."

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Guest: Ginny and Alistair
Date of Stay: 05/14/05 Review Submitted: 05/13/05

" Beautiful and relaxing - a little piece of paradise."

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Guest: Paul and Ewa
Date of Stay: 04/02/05 Review Submitted: 04/01/05

" Months of anticipation for a dream holiday realised at last - and exceeded expectation. Idyllic setting, everything you could wish for and more...we loved the birds, the pool, the beautiful plants, the places everyone suggested we visited. Couldn't do them all, we'll have to come back!"

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Guest: Tom and Jane
Date of Stay: 04/04/02 Review Submitted: 04/03/02

" Quite the most superb "shack" that we've ever stayed in. Well stocked bar, pool, fridge etc... just the best holiday for 10 years."

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Guest: Tim
Date of Stay: 09/15/00 Review Submitted: 09/14/00

" The best place in the world"

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