Wonderful Place on Plum Island

Guest: Pat (Skaneateles, New York)
Date of Stay: 10/14/10 Review Submitted: 10/28/10

"Maura's Way" was very clean and had all the conveniences of home: a washer, dryer, and dishwasher. It was well supplied with extra towels, bed linens, and blankets. We were fortunate to find a home that allowed us to bring our dogs. The back yard is fenced in, so that young children and dogs are able to play safely. The owner has also added all the needed safeguards to protect young children, such as child-proof door handles and safety plugs. The home was equipped with Y-Fi and a beautiful flat screen T.V. The location was ideal with easy access to the sandy beach (less than two blocks away) and easy access to Newburyport and surrounding areas, such as Portsmouth. My husband and I have recommended "Maura's Way to friends and we look forward to returning there ourselves in the future .

Recommended for:Pet owners, adventure seekers, families with young children.

Great Spot on Plum Island

Guest: A Happy First Time Renter (Eastern Massachusetts)
Date of Stay: 08/30/10 Review Submitted: 09/07/10

My family and I (several adults and pre-school child) spent a week during summer 2010 at Maura & Brad's and everyone had a wonderful time. The cottage is immaculately clean and incredibly well-stocked: ample bath and beach towels, extra bed linens, beach chairs, all the pots, pans, dishes and utensils you'll need, even a well rounded spice cabinet. The little touches really showed the care that went into making the cottage comfortable for renters - there's a binder of recommended things to do and places to eat, dvds and books for all ages, a stock of beach shovels and toys as well as hot/cold bags for picking up groceries. We've already booked for next year.

Recommended for:Pet owners, girls getaway, age 55+, families with young children, families with teenagers.

Highly recommended property and location

Guest: rowlandw (Newburyport MA USA)
Date of Stay: 10/02/09 Review Submitted: 04/10/10

We (an empty-nester couple) took this cottage as a winter rental for the period of October through April 2010 until we could find a house in Newburyport, so my comments may not be directly relevant to the summer weekly vacationer. That said, I will convey my highly favorable observations below: Cottage - The cottage is more like a real house of modern construction and modern conveniences, including a dishwasher, laundry center and full basement. The kitchen includes a full-size fridge, microwave, disposal and gas range. The first floor is a kind of “great room” consisting of kitchen, dining area and living room opening onto a private sun-washed deck. The master B/R is on this level. The basement includes two additional bedrooms which would probably stay cool on the rare Plum Island hot day. The bedrooms have ample closet space. There is a walk-out exit from the basement level. Water and sewer are public. Appointments - The cottage is pleasingly decorated in a summery, nautical theme, and the furniture is first rate and comfortable. The master mattress is extremely comfortable. In other words it is set up like a primary residence. A delightful feature is the roof deck with commanding views, although it being winter we didn't spend much time up there. There are a flat-screen TV, WiFi, board games and a library for rainy day activities. There are two side driveways and more parking in the front. While not applicable to us I did note certain safety features available for small children. Location - The cottage is a short walk to a general store and the beach, but not so close that you have to worry about your small children running out onto it all the time. The surrounding neighborhood is aesthetic. However, the greatest asset of the area is the Parker River National Wildlife Reservation, a pristine 7-mile stretch of wild beach, dunes and marsh that starts about a half-mile south of the cottage. It costs $5 per car to drive in there but $20 will purchase a year-round pass good for unlimited visits. Or you can just walk there. Additionally, the festive delights of downtown Newburyport lie 4 miles inland along the Merrimack River. What we particularly liked: 1) Plum Island! 2) The rent payment covered heat/utilities, cable and broadband internet. 3) The kitchen is completely stocked if you want to cook in. Even though I now live in Newburyport I would be tempted to go for a summer week at this cottage someday.

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

Guest: melrag (Santa Cruz, CA)
Date of Stay: 05/14/09 Review Submitted: 05/14/09

My husband and I had a great time at the beach house. For us, the location was perfect, as we used it as a starting point for day trips to explore the whole area. The house was very clean, nicely furnished, and well-stocked. There wasn't anything that we needed that wasn't available. And Maura was very pleasant and thorough, ensuring that everything was in place for us to have a great time.

Recommended for:

Guest: kimballandbean (Woodstock, IL)
Date of Stay: 08/16/08 Review Submitted: 08/16/08

It's everything you hope a beach rental will be, but never is. So clean you could eat off of the floor, appointed with furniture and furnishings that are both attractive and useful (not the usual family castoffs) and perfectly located on a quiet side street an easy walk to the beach. When Maura says it has everything a group of six would need, believe it. From beach chairs and boogie boards to zip-loc bags and laundry detergent - it is complete. When you're so close to such a great beach it is tempting to just take that short walk to the same spot each day, but don't miss a trip down to the end of the island and the fabulous Sandy Point State Reservation. It is a mostly deserted spot that wraps around the end of the island in into the mouth of the Ipswich River. Wow, what a beach! At low tide in grows from a few hundred feet to more than a quarter mile wide in some spots - exposing magical tidal pools sheltering snails and crabs and shallow salt ponds filled with trapped minnows. When it rains, be sure to visit the c.1690 Spencer-Peirce-Little farm just off island to get an amazing picture of the complete history of the Newbury area as illustrated by one amazing home and farm.

Recommended for:

Guest: betsey 1 (Cambridge, MA/ Tucson, AZ)
Date of Stay: 07/03/08 Review Submitted: 07/03/08

I spent the winter (Oct.'07-May '08) with my two dogs at this charming little cottage and it turned out to be everything I imagined winter on the beach to be. It was great to be able to take my dogs out on the beach whenever the weather permitted and, if we needed to stay inside, that was fine too because the house itself is very bright and cozy and the dogs could go out in the yard when ever they felt like it. (I installed a temporary dog door in the sliders to the back.) The kitchen is well equipped as are all the rooms (plenty of towels; linens for all 3 bedrooms and the living room futon; books to read; great T.Vs and cable for internet use. The only negative aspect for me was that the trash collection proved to be both expensive and inconvenient (the location and hrs. of the Landfill.) Otherwise, it is a wonderful little place that I would return to in a heart beat.

Recommended for:

Guest: R, D, & Z (-)
Date of Stay: 09/18/07 Review Submitted: 09/18/07

The three of us (husband, wife, and dog) had a nice week relaxing in your home and shopping and dining in Newburyport. The house is on the more quiet--and we think--prettier side of the island. Being just off-season, there were only two other people on the beach, and we were able to sneak up with the dog so he could dip his paws in (not officially allowed until after Oct. 15). The house was very clean and well-equipped. A good deal all around. If you've never been to the island or Newburyport, they are definitely an ideal pairing.

Recommended for:

Guest: N/A (-)
Date of Stay: 09/04/07 Review Submitted: 09/04/07

This e-mail comment was received by a repeat renter: We had a great time at your house again this year. The weather was perfect. What I loved the most is that the street is so quiet at night that you can hear the waves crashing. The addition of the LCD TV was great too it was nice watching the Red Sox in HD! All of the other baby-proofing worked out great as well. The Barker Family

Recommended for:

Guest: N/A (-)
Date of Stay: 08/26/07 Review Submitted: 08/26/07

A recent renter sent me this note: "I would absolutely love to return to your house next year. The weather was perfect, and the rooftop deck is just a wonderful place to be! You've thought of everything. The house is a perfect combination of cozy comfort and real-people "usability". From the plentiful towels in the linen closet, to the beach chairs and pails to bring to the beach, to the privacy of the outside shower, there wasn't a thing we needed that you didn't provide. Even the dining table was a great size for sitting around playing board games (that again - you provided) in the evening. For many years, we've stayed at various lovely houses on the Island. But for me, yours is a perfect fit, and I am so pleased to be invited back, thank you." Brenda

Recommended for:

Guest: Martin and Maria (Hopkinton MA)
Date of Stay: 08/06/07 Review Submitted: 08/06/07

A wonderful house in a great location, with views from the roof deck that are truely spectacular! We look forward to our next visit

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