Vacation Rentals by Owner

A Perfect Beach Vacation

Guest: Roly
Date of Stay: 08/01/11 Review Submitted: 08/24/11

We stayed at Frankel House for 2 weeks. The house, which is located in a very quiet and peaceful area, has extraordinary views and is just steps from the beach. Frankel House is really comfortable, beautiful and in perfect condition, it is decorated in great taste and is fully equipped with everything that one needs for a perfect beach vacation. We loved every minute of our stay.

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A Perfect Beach Vacation

Guest: Roly
Date of Stay: 08/01/11 Review Submitted: 08/24/11

We stayed at Frankel House for 2 weeks. The house, which is located in a very quiet and peaceful area, has extraordinary views and is just steps from the beach. Frankel House is really comfortable, beautiful and in perfect condition, it is decorated in great taste and is fully equipped with everything that one needs for a perfect beach vacation. We loved every minute of our stay.

Owner response:There is great satisfaction in knowing that others appreciate the beauty of the location and the comfort of my house as I do. Thanks. Ellen

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The perfect Fire Island House

Guest: Max H.
Date of Stay: 07/20/11 Review Submitted: 09/18/11

We spent 10 days at the Frankel house this July 2011. The house location is truly unique with near 360 degree view of the ocean and the bay boasting amazing sunsets every nights. Ellen was an amazing host, very organized and easy to deal with. The house is truly special, spacious and with beautiful views. The beach is perfect - Fire Island beauty without the crowds, yet a 10 minute walk to the amenities in Ocean Beach.

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

Great family vacation

Guest: sun 4073 (New York)
Date of Stay: 07/31/10 Review Submitted: 08/30/10

Rented in August 2010 and had a great 2 week family vacation. House well situated about 10 yards from beach stairs overlooking beach and wildlife preserve so great views. House is welcoming and very functional with comfortable beds and couches. Has the necessary equipment including grill, child gates for stairs, cribs, high chairs, beach toys and bikes. Nice deck overlooking ocean. Beach is quiet and uncrowded even in August. Is a 10-15 minute walk from Ocean Beach.

Recommended for:Families with teenagers, families with young children.

Not your typical rental house

Guest: Kim L. (Lowell, MA)
Date of Stay: 06/25/10 Review Submitted: 07/30/10

This beachouse has everything you could need. When you think beachouse rental, you usually think of dark panelled walls, tiny bedrooms, outdated furniture, etc. We actually thought this place looked better in person than in the pictures. We had bright, cheery rooms, lots of light, and modern amenities. The ocean is just steps away, and you can see both the bay and ocean from the back deck of the house. The front also has a deck. The outdoor h/c shower is perfect for washing off after a day at the beach. The house was so tastefully decorated, and it's like being at your own home, rather than a rental house.

Owner response:I always love to read about how much people enjoy my house. I try hard to make it comfortable and welcoming to everyone who lives there for even just a short while. Thanks very much.

Recommended for:Families with young children, tourists without a car, romantic getaway.

Perfect Family Getaway

Guest: Janetmocko (Dallas, Texas)
Date of Stay: 05/21/10 Review Submitted: 05/28/10

Our family converged from Texas, PA, and MA to celebrate our son's college graduation at Ellen's wonderful house! Never having been to Fire Island, Ellen was the perfect host - even met us at the ferry for our delayed nighttime arrival and walked us with flashlights to find our way. She was always available by phone for anything we needed during our stay. With the large open living/dining/kitchen - this was a wonderful gathering place when it was too cool to be outside on one of the decks or the fabulous screened porch. We used the bikes, boogie boards, beach chairs, grill - everything that made it feel like you were in your own home... even played some of the games and listened to the great world music cd collection. Loved the unobstructed ocean view and the pounding sound of the surf. The wagons made it easy to schlep stuff over the sand roads. Would definitely stay here again.

Recommended for:Families with teenagers, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway.

Ellen Frankel Home

Guest: MatthewMcCue (Natick, Massachusetts)
Date of Stay: 09/25/09 Review Submitted: 10/15/09

We have enjoyed a family vacation at Ellen's home for the past two years. We rent towards the end of September when the island is almost vacant. The home is very comfortable. The views are incredible and the ocean is literally a baseball toss away. Ellen is a wonderful host and makes the rental process very easy. She even provides the wagons to use at the ferry dock! Matthew and Paula

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

Fantastic house!

Guest: PSbklyn (Berlin, Germany)
Date of Stay: 09/14/09 Review Submitted: 10/13/09

I rated my overall experience as good rather than excellent only because there were a few items missing or not in order--things that I expected to be at the house or in working order. Otherwise, we had a fantastic time at this house. The location is fantastic--secluded enough to enjoy quiet time and the outdoors but not too far away from shops, etc, when needed. The view from the top deck is probably the best I've seen on fire island! I liked that the house wasn't directly on the beach, but set back (one house in front.). The house is spacious and perfectly laid out. Overall a wonderful retreat and my 2 year old son loved it. I would recommend this house to anyone. One word of caution, however, to anyone who rents this house for a large group: Like most wooden houses, you hear everything, including the septic system and water tank!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway.

Thanking you from Montreal, Quebec!

Guest: Dominique and Pierre (Montreal, Quebec, Canada)
Date of Stay: 07/18/09 Review Submitted: 08/24/09

We have been in Ellen's house twice, in july this year and also 3 years ago. And again it was a delight to stay in this magnificent house for two weeks, comfortable and "homy". The beach is great, you can feel in a wild place even if it's so close to New York and easy to get there. Quiet, beautiful mornings and dinners on the deck, looking at the sun setting on one side and the moon coming on the other! I don't know if you can find something better! We hope that life will bring us there again. Thank you!

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

We're beginning to make this an annual event.

Guest: Another Ellen (Vermont)
Date of Stay: 06/22/09 Review Submitted: 08/07/09

Our first stay at Ellen's house was perfect; we had to go back again this year. We love being able to see both the ocean and the bay right from the great room and the deck. It's a perfect location ... walking distance of Ocean Beach but far enough away that it's quiet and private. We'll be back again next year, ready to do nothing except read, walk, swim, eat good food (what a great kitchen.)

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

Guestbook Comment

Guest: Another Ellen (Vermont)
Date of Stay: 08/01/08 Review Submitted: 08/11/08

No need to decide whether you want an ocean or bay view; at this wonderful home, you have both. Everything was perfect ... the view, the layout and furnishings of the house, all the equipment, distance to Ocean Beach ... even the weather. We're coming back.

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Fabulous!!

Guest: JGP (Long Island, NY)
Date of Stay: 07/11/08 Review Submitted: 08/16/08

We stayed at the Frankel house in July of this year, 2008. What a memorable vacation. The house is spacious, very private and has incredible views of the sunset, moon rise, the ocean and bay. Practically oceanfront and the walk to the water is about 1 minute. Close enough to run back to the house if you need to. BEAUTIFUL beach. Great outdoor shower under the stars and a kitchen with fab views as well- great to cook in. We loved it. Ideal for people who enjoy a walk into town but have no desire to be in town. Jen, Marc, Sadie and Amelia

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway.

Wonderful get away

Guest: Another Ellen (Vermont)
Date of Stay: 06/16/08 Review Submitted: 08/12/08

No need to decide whether you want an ocean or bay view; at this wonderful home, you have both. Everything was perfect ... the view, the layout and furnishings of the house, all the equipment, distance to Ocean Beach ... even the weather. We're coming back.

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

Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 10/01/07 Review Submitted: 10/28/07

My mother and I rented this house for 2 weeks in September and had a fantastic and restorative vacation. The setting is truly spectacular. We fell asleep each night to the sound of waves and woke up each morning to the brilliant sunshine from the porch. The house is very well designed, modern yet comfortable. The owner has thought of everything, including a fully equipped kitchen, bikes and boogy boards! It was the perfect house to host family and friends from the city on the weekends. Everyone had a bang-up time! This property comes highly recommended.

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 08/01/07 Review Submitted: 08/21/07

A relocated East Coaster, my favorite summers have always been on Fire Island. Having rented houses for everything from one-week stays to summer-long respites, we have experienced Fire Island at its best -- and this was at its best. It takes a lot for a now comfortable Californian to move from a perfect climate and idyllic beaches to the East Coast but with great and lifelong friends still on the East Coast, we look for opportunities to bring our families together and leave life behind for a week or so. When we gave our teenage girls the choice of the Mayan Riviera or Fire Island for our vacation, the decision was unanimous -- Fire Island. And there was no better place than the Frankel house. Perfect views; safe for kids of all ages; no crowds; gorgeous sunsets and sunrises; plenty of places to hide for an hour or two; comfortable without pretense....Just thinking about it makes us want to go right back...

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 08/01/07 Review Submitted: 08/20/07

Great house. The view from the deck is phenomenal - our days revolved around getting dinner ready 15 minutes before sunset - and they were all spectacular. The house is a full 15 minute walk from the ferry, but this means the beach (50 feet from the house) is practically deserted. The outdoor shower is sublime - and the whole experience truly, truly, relaxing. We had a great time.

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 08/01/07 Review Submitted: 08/20/07

Thank you for the wonderful house by the ocean. The views were spectacular - we saw deer every night and had several amazing sunsets. Being so close to the ocean was great with our small children - easy to go home for naps and head right back out to the beach afterwards. The kitchen was very nicely equipped. All in all we had a truly wonderful, relaxing time and hope to be back soon.

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 09/01/06 Review Submitted: 09/12/06

Dear Ellen, We had a great time at your house. Actually, a great time isn't really the right way to describe it. It was idyllic. It was exactly the kind of experience I always imagined for the kids--the freedom to run around and explore without visible parental interference. They made sand castles; they had water fights; they collected shells; they painted shells; they rode back and forth to the bay. They exhausted themselves in the surf. It was beyond my greatest expectations. How often in life does that happen? Unfortunately, I'm already back into the very busy fall schedule and Robbins Rest is just a beautiful memory. Really, thanks for sharing that incredible place with us. Marie, NYC

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Guestbook Comment

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

Dear Ellen, Just wanted you to know how much your home means to us. I miss it now, the sounds of the ocean, the birds and the silence, and the view from the deck is simply the best. All these elements create the most perfect setting for our family to share precious time together...memories made forever. Thanks, and keep us on reserve for the same time next year. Take care, and my very best regards, Matos family

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 07/01/05 Review Submitted: 07/11/05

This house is amazing. It's peaceful and calm and very relaxing. The views are breath-taking and the best part is the beach is your backyard. Even when the weather isn't great there's plenty to do; relaxing, playing board games, and listening to music. There was never a dull moment. We will definitely be back!!

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 05/01/04 Review Submitted: 05/22/04

Great getaway spot with incredible wraparound ocean and bay views.Sense of privacy since home is adjacent to a nature preserve. Clean and simple; new appliances; nice size bedrooms all with sliders to decks/porch.20 steps max to the ocean beach. Will be back!

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 05/01/04 Review Submitted: 05/16/04

The truly unique location of this house makes for a very peaceful and relaxing vacation. We didn't turn the CD player or TV on, just enjoyed listening to the surf from every room in the house. What a welcome change from the city! thanks for sharing this special place with us.

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