Vacation Rentals by Owner

Thanks

Guest: Alan and Kathy Staunton VA
Date of Stay: 10/17/11 Review Submitted: 11/24/11

for giving us a lovely place to stay while our grandson was being born. So very quiet and beautiful! Thanks from Kathy, Alan, Laura and baby Louis!

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Thank you for this peaceful getaway...

Guest: Paula, Sean and baby Zachary
Date of Stay: 10/02/11 Review Submitted: 10/06/11

Dear Alec, Thank you for this peaceful getaway - We enjoyed your well stocked and welcoming cottage immensely. Zachary took his first step here so we will always remember this weekend with great fondness. Thank you!

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This is two of the best days...

Guest: Rick and Kris
Date of Stay: 09/24/11 Review Submitted: 09/29/11

This is two of the best days I have spent anywhere. This Cottage is storybook type and it makes me and Kris feel magical. The decor is superb and the host is fantastic. I would love to make this home our home when not in Sacramento.(Rick) Also thanks for the tomatoes, kindness and care, and all of the special touches that made our trip so memorable. Loved Jason Mraz too! With Appreciation, Kristine

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We enjoyed our short stay.

Guest: Andrea & Rene
Date of Stay: 09/20/11 Review Submitted: 09/23/11

You have thought of everything for your guests! We have used VRBO many times and your cottage is by far the loveliest. Should we come this way again I am sure will choose to stay here. Thank you.

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Thanks for a wonderful stay...

Guest: David, Greenwood Village, Colorado
Date of Stay: 09/03/11 Review Submitted: 09/08/11

in the Cottage in the redwoods. It was quiet and relaxing. I had a great time kayaking from Johnson's Beach and hiking in Armstrong Woods State Park.

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Alec,

Guest: Wayne & Chris
Date of Stay: 08/27/11 Review Submitted: 08/27/11

Our return to the Hillside Cottage this week, like our family reunion, was a return to the comfort of being wrapped in loving arms that are even better than you remembered. We will be back. ************************************************************** Alec, We had a wonderful stay. I wrote in the guest book but wanted to say thank you again. We spent so much time with the family that we never drank the champagne, next time! Also, didn't find and couldn't remember the "house rules" so didn't wash linens. Hope that is okay. Take care. Hope to see you next year.

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Guest: Ellen & Bob - Pebble Beach, CA
Date of Stay: 08/08/11 Review Submitted: 08/08/11

Thank you Alec for a wonderful cottage to retire after a busy day of family gatherings. My husband wants to move in permanantly! We honeymooned just up the road from here at the family ranch (Litton) 42 years ago and your little piece of heaven here reminded us of that time.

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Guest: Anja and Mark + Stella (our doggy)
Date of Stay: 08/02/11 Review Submitted: 08/08/11

Dear Alec, As we drove up to your lovely cottage we were amazed by your zen garden. Having read your previous reviews we were aware of the steps up to the road from your cottage. Our six year old cocker spaniel loved the challenge! :) For us your cottage was a home away from our busy downtown San Francisco home. Thank you for your lovely welcome of champagne, chocolates and music as we arrived. Awesome!

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Thank you for the lovely stay

Guest: Kevin and Abbey, Portland OR
Date of Stay: 07/31/11 Review Submitted: 08/02/11

The Cottage is so quiet and secluded. We felt like the only people on the mountainside! The coffee and spices in the kitchen were very much appreciated and the chocolate! Thanks much!

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Guest: John & Rob
Date of Stay: 07/24/11 Review Submitted: 07/26/11

Alec, What a cozy comfortable place. We had a lovely time and will be back - maybe even for a winter getaway. All the personal touches were really appreciated. Best,

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Guest: Josh & Darren
Date of Stay: 07/17/11 Review Submitted: 07/20/11

A perfect weekend. The house is cozy, inviting and peaceful - just what we needed. Thank you for accommodating our dogs - they had a fantastic time as well. We'll definitely be back.

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Guest: Mike & Rebecca
Date of Stay: 06/15/11 Review Submitted: 06/16/11

Alec - You have a truly wonderful home in a beautiful setting. This was the perfect experience. We got in late so we didn't get a chance to borrow the bikes - next time! We will definitely be back, and we're going to recommend your rental to our friends and family. Thank you so much. We couldn't be happier. (Almost forgot - thanks for the champange.)

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Guest: Lisa & Amy
Date of Stay: 05/22/11 Review Submitted: 05/25/11

Such a delightful space! We felt right at home and probably spent more time here than doing all the activities we had planned. Thank you!

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Guest: Katie & Owen
Date of Stay: 05/08/11 Review Submitted: 05/12/11

We had a wonderful stay! The cottage was perfect; beyond comfortable and very welcoming. We will definitely be back!

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Guest: Wes
Date of Stay: 04/27/11 Review Submitted: 05/06/11

Alec, I appreciat5e the time I spent in your cabin. Ain't no Holiday Inn in Tulsa that's for darn sure.

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Guest: Mark & Julie
Date of Stay: 04/26/11 Review Submitted: 05/06/11

Thanks for a lovely place to stay. You are a terrific host. Sorry we didn't get to use the bikes. Next time!

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Guest: Melissa and Kevin
Date of Stay: 04/11/11 Review Submitted: 05/06/11

Thanks so much Alec...We had a wonderful few days in your cozy cottage! It was the perfect adult getaway for my husband's 30th birthday. We loved the champagne and the classsical music upon arrival. We hope to return very soon. Best Wishes,

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Guest: Paul & Debbie
Date of Stay: 02/15/11 Review Submitted: 02/18/11

Alec, Thank you so much for letting us stay in your cabin. The effort and love you so clearly put into making this such a comfortable and well-appointed place to stay really makes it a special place and we really enjoyed our brief stay immensely. Hope to see you again soon.

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Guest: Fred & Heather
Date of Stay: 02/13/11 Review Submitted: 02/13/11

What a wonderful relaxing getaway for my girlfriend's birthday. Arriving was like a fairytale. Got here in the evening, opened the gate to see this adorable cottage amongst the redwoods. Absolutely brilliant. We would definitely recommend to friends. Thank you so much. Best, (and thank you for the champagne and chocolates ready for us upon arrival - very romantic touch :) the bday girl)

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Guest: Joel, Holly, Dumpy and Ziggy
Date of Stay: 01/17/11 Review Submitted: 01/18/11

Alec, We had a fun weekend celebrating our 2nd Anniversary. Thanks for accomodating our two dogs. We took them to the beach at Goat Rock where they got to run around. The only problem is now they are so tired that we will have to carry them up the steps. We also liked Cork's in Forestville and hiking in Armstrong Woods. Tomorrow is wine tasting in Headsburg before heading back home. Thanks again and we hope to return.

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Guest: Mdghan and Dejan
Date of Stay: 01/13/11 Review Submitted: 01/18/11

Had a fabulous time. Love it here and wish we could have stayed longer but alas, our schedule won't allow it. Best.

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Private Oasis in the woods

Guest: DaLMuTi (Northern California, USA)
Date of Stay: 01/09/11 Review Submitted: 07/15/11

I know you entered our review, but I wanted to write a personal one for you. Thank you for the wonderful stay. We were greeted by classical music, local champagne and chocolates on the coffee table. This place had everything we needed for our weekend away. Our dog had a great time sleeping next to the fire and we were close enough to drive around and see the redwoods, and other local sights. There were treats for our dog which we thought was great and our dog liked even more. Thanks again for all the thoughtful touches.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Guest: Trevor and Andrea
Date of Stay: 01/09/11 Review Submitted: 01/18/11

Alec, Thanks for everthing. We had a great time.

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Guest: Robert & Carolyn, DelrayBeach FL
Date of Stay: 11/04/10 Review Submitted: 12/17/10

Alec, Farewell and thanks for fond memories. This was our first trip to wine country. So much to see and do. Scenery, redwoods, vineyards and lifestyle - amazing! This cottage was perfect for our needs. We enjoyed your company and chatting about myriad topics, politics, education, music, backgrounds for fun. We sincerely hope we will see you soon when you come to Florida.

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Guest: D & M
Date of Stay: 10/17/10 Review Submitted: 11/01/10

Don and I love your cozy little getaway. You have done a great job of creating a warm, inviting place to retreat. It felt like home! We are especially impressed with the attention to detail - all the condiments, champagne, chocolates, coffee, etc. Your home is also kept very clean, which we especially appreciate. This has been the perfect place to catch our breath. Thank you!

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Well appointed, cozy

Guest: D & M (Paso Robles, CA)
Date of Stay: 10/15/10 Review Submitted: 10/17/10

This cottage is in a beautiful wooded setting. The owner has provided everything you could possibly need from the surprise bottle of bubbly to coffee, tea and spices. We needed a retreat to just relax and this fit the bill!. The cottage is comfortable and very clean. He doesn't skimp. We would recommend this place to anyone desiring a quiet get away, but probably not for young children or elderly.. Don and Mary

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, girls getaway, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Guest: H & S San Francisco
Date of Stay: 10/04/10 Review Submitted: 10/07/10

Alec, Your cottage is so cozy that we just felt at home as soon as we came in. Thank you for the champagne which we really enjoyed. Everything was wonderful here and we really enjoyed our stay. Our dog is here as well. Thank you for everything, we will definitely come back again. Thank you

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Guest: Janet & Arnie, Minneapolis, MN
Date of Stay: 09/27/10 Review Submitted: 10/01/10

Alec, An enchanting cottage in the woods of the Russian River! So comfy, cozy and beautifully decorated with everything here to make you feel "at home." We wish we had another day to just hang out and enjoy this paradise. Thanks for all your help. Benny and Sarah are beautiful and so sweet! If we return it will be here. We'll spread the word to Minnesota friends! Best Wishes.

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Guest: David & Rita, Dublin, Ireland
Date of Stay: 09/19/10 Review Submitted: 09/19/10

This was our last stopover of a wonderful holiday in California after stays at Yosemite, Santa Cruz, Monterey, and San Francisco. Your magical cottage with its innate friendliness and welcoming atmosphere was just perfect. We enjoyed a great few hours in Jenner kayaking in the Russian River estuary then stopped off at the Blue Heron for a lovely lunch. We were looked after well by a great waitress, Louise. The welcoming champagne and music at the Hillside Cottage is a great touch - well done - class! Thanks

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Guest: D & D
Date of Stay: 08/24/10 Review Submitted: 08/26/10

Alec, The cottage was fantastic! Thank your for being such a gracious host. Dan and I enjoyed unwinding in the middle of these majestic redwoods. The bottle of champagne was such a nice touch. Best regards!

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Guest: The "T" Family
Date of Stay: 08/21/10 Review Submitted: 08/26/10

Our family of four and two dogs only got to stay here for one night, but it was wonderfu! We stayed here because my cousin's wedding took place nearby in Healdsburg. Sunday we are going canoeing down the Russian River and are so excited. Thanks to Alec for being a gracious host!

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Guest: Cheryl & John
Date of Stay: 08/20/10 Review Submitted: 08/26/10

Alec, After spending almost a week here I can truly say it was wonderful. At first we opened the gate and thought "oh no, how is our 11year year, 110lbs, girl dog going to make it down" We did and had a great time. We also walked to Armstrong Woods from the Cottage, had a little picnic, stopped by the BBQ place for a drink on the patio, (the dog was welcome), and mossied on "home." What a day. Then we went Monte Rio Beach where dogs are welcome. We went for a drive in the country, found that Raymond Burr is dog friendly and also Porter Creek. We walked the roads around the here - be very cautious walking west on this road past the mobile home on the left. A vicious dog attacked our dog. We were told that he had no teeth and our dog is very furry, so she came away fine. The golf course is beautiful and the homes there look great. It was nice having the computer so we were not "out of touch" but truly enjoyed our time. So many special thoughts were given to us as guests, champagne, tea, coffee, spices, beautiful music, was our warm welcoming. My husband would love to live in the area - thanks for the special memories.

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Guest: Wayne and Chirs
Date of Stay: 07/19/10 Review Submitted: 07/19/10

We enjoyed our stay in your Hidden Cottage. You are a generous and gracious host. The setting is beautiful and we hope to see you again next summer.

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Guest: Romela
Date of Stay: 07/10/10 Review Submitted: 07/19/10

Alec, Thanks so much for a great stay and being such a great host. Loved waking up wiht the trees all around me. Be well.

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An Excellent Getaway!

Guest: Connie & Tony (Milpitas, CA)
Date of Stay: 06/17/10 Review Submitted: 06/26/10

Dear Alec, Thanks for hosting us in your cottage. It is a most pleasant and cozy place! We felt very welcomed upon arrival with the music playing and champagne waiting. This place was perfect for us and had everything we were looking for. We especially liked all the windows and skylights which allow the surrounding woods to be enjoyed from the inside. The furniture and décor at once put us at ease and at home. We're having a weekend getaway before our first baby arrives in August. We enjoyed everything in the cozy cottage from your board games to the shampoo and conditioner! Alec, you’re an awesome host – thanks for accommodating us despite the short notice, giving us all the privacy needed and allowing us great flexibility for a late check-out. You rock! Connie & Tony

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Relax, Relate, Release

Guest: Dion & Pat (Dallas, TX)
Date of Stay: 05/31/10 Review Submitted: 06/10/10

Thanks so much for the time spent at Hillside Cottage. It was truly amazing and relaxing! I was not sure if I was going to like the isolation but boy did I. Not only was the cottage enjoyable but the quaint town and rafting on the Russian River was a relaxing treat as well. Honestly, for a minute I thought I was Samantha Brown from the Travel Channel on a weekend getaway! I cannot thank you enough for sharing your personal piece of heaven. Please believe Patrick and I will be back for R&R!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, girls getaway, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Guest: Kathy and Greg
Date of Stay: 03/01/10 Review Submitted: 06/24/10

Obviously you take great pride in this darling little cottage and we appreciate your attending to every need. We had a wonderful month and thank you sincerely.

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Guest: Kris & Doug (San Leandro, CA)
Date of Stay: 06/20/09 Review Submitted: 06/20/09

We had such a wonderful time here last 4th of July for our anniversary & it was so great that you let us stay for one night so we could get home to our sick cat. Sad (for us) to see that the cottage is booked til next Feb (but great for you). Hopefully we can book again next year. This is the nicest place we have stayed.

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Guest: Sue and Al
Date of Stay: 03/29/09 Review Submitted: 06/24/10

We've had a wonderful week. Your cottage is peaceful and homey. Every night slept deeply within the quiet of your redwood trees. Thank you for sharing a special place.

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Guest: Rolf and Susan
Date of Stay: 03/01/09 Review Submitted: 06/24/10

Escaping the New England winter to this dreamy cottage in the woods was such a wonderful time! We'll be back!

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Guest: Jane and Matthew
Date of Stay: 01/26/09 Review Submitted: 01/25/09

Hi Alec,This trip was planned my son, so I left without knowing where we were going. Our time here was too short but it was a wonderful opportunity to relax.From the moment I stepped into the Cottage,the warmth, soft music, chilled champagne and the clean linens... it all made me feel so welcome and at home.Alec, you've an excellant host!P.S. I love all the Asian themed artwork in and around the house.(Translated from Korean by Matthew)

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Guest: Nicki & Christopher
Date of Stay: 11/30/08 Review Submitted: 11/29/08

Dear Alec, It makes me sad to think this is the end of a lovely Thanksgiving tradition. The idea of leaving Northern California for New York City fills me with both sadness and excitement. Well, we are comforted knowing we will take the pleasant memories of the Hillside Cottage with us. Thank you for your thoughtfulnes and hospitality. This is a special place and you are a wonderful host. If our potential move to the East Coast doesn't happen we'll be back. If it does, we'll keep dreaming of the day we can return. All our best,

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Guest: Zoe and Rick
Date of Stay: 11/16/08 Review Submitted: 11/15/08

Dear Alec, Thank you for allowing us to stay in your cottage. This place clean, comfortable and very quiet! It is a perfect location for hiking at Salt Point, Fort Ross and Armstrong Woods. Our busy lives came to a much needed rest. Thank you again. We will be back.P.S. California continues to amaze me! It is so beautiful!

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Guest: Louie, Emily & Hades
Date of Stay: 11/11/08 Review Submitted: 11/10/08

Once upon a time a country girl from Oregon a Mexican boy from South Central Los Angeles, and a (formerly) abandoned cat from a snotty beach town found themselves at the perfect vacation cottage!

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Guest: Christina & Rob
Date of Stay: 10/31/08 Review Submitted: 10/30/08

Alec, Thank you for your hospitality! It's really a lovely place and a wonderful setting. Even though we were here just a couple of days it was wonderful! Thanks again.P.S. It was really great to have a kitchen and laundry area - this is towards the end of our total trip in CA and it was great to have these amenities.

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Guest: Colleen & Chad
Date of Stay: 10/25/08 Review Submitted: 10/24/08

Thank you for the wonderful stay. You are an excellant host and we really enjoyed ourselves. Thank you for everything!

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Guest: Nancy K
Date of Stay: 10/18/08 Review Submitted: 10/17/08

Alec,I enjoyed staying in this lovely cottage nestled in the redwoods! Thank you for making it so comfortable and cozy. The "sunflower" in the livingroom was a big hit! We went for dinner at the Village Inn - what delicious food! This morning we plan to have a nice walk at Armstrong Woods. Thanks again for a most enjoyable "get-away" and for making our stay most enjoyable with the coziness jof your place. I'll be back.

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Guest: Dan & Gail
Date of Stay: 10/17/08 Review Submitted: 10/16/08

Alec,What a perfect cottage and you are the perfect host! Thanks so much for the chilled champagne. We thoroughly enjoyed it plus our tour of Korbel Champagne Cellars. Your cottage is so quiet and the bed was very comfortable. We also appreciate the cleanliness of everythihg here We will definitely stay with you again when we are back in this lovely area of California. Thanks again for everything.

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Guest: Alicia and Daniel
Date of Stay: 10/06/08 Review Submitted: 10/05/08

Alec, We had a fabulous weekend. We love the Buddha statues outside. :) Thank you for letting us stay at your cozy cottage.

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Guest: Andrew and Tanya
Date of Stay: 10/02/08 Review Submitted: 10/01/08

What a perfect spot for our anniversary. Cozy home, chilled champagne. Winetasting was wonderful. Dinner at Applewood Inn was stellar! Thank you so much. Your home is beautiful, quiet and serene.

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