Vacation Rentals by Owner

Couldn't have been happier with our stay!

Guest: Heather M.
Date of Stay: 04/28/12 Review Submitted: 05/22/12

My family and my sister's family (4 adults and 4 children ages 10 months to 11) stayed in this lovely villa in April 2012. As we sat in the villa the morning we were leaving we all said "we wouldn't change a thing!". The house is beautiful and well kept by the amazing and friendly staff; the beach is literally steps away (one of the nicest beaches along the way to the town of Playa Del Carmen); and the pool was amazing: large and shaded at times. The rooftop deck gives a perfect view to the beach and surrounding area. The neighborhood of Playacar is full of beautiful homes and was lots of fun to explore. There are even ruins right in this neighborhood that our children enjoyed exploring and climbing on warm nights. The walk in to town is about 15 minutes. We liked to walk along the beach to get there. The breeze and scenery were unbelievable. Before our trip the owner of the villa contacted us personally by phone to answer our questions and help set up any day trips we might wish to take (which we did, to Coba, highly recommended!). She was very helpful and made us feel very comfortable that all our needs would be met, which they were! Our whole family agrees that a return trip is a must. I can't see myself traveling to any other Caribbean destination after finding this gem.

Owner response:Thank you so much for your many kind words regarding VLG, your home away from home, and the enthusiastic expression describing your excellent holiday experience. Playa is a delightful spot for family vacations, and of course the Caribbean waters are some of the most beautiful in the world. I'm sincerely pleased you had such a lovely time, and I look forward to a return visit in the future, perhaps. Gloria Kelso, Owner

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Couldn't have been more pleased with our stay!

Guest: Heather M.
Date of Stay: 04/28/12 Review Submitted: 05/22/12

My family and my sister's family (4 adults and 4 children ages 10 months to 11) stayed in this lovely villa in April 2012. As we sat in the villa the morning we were leaving we all said "we wouldn't change a thing!". The house is beautiful and well kept by the amazing and friendly staff; the beach is literally steps away (one of the nicest beaches along the way to the town of Playa Del Carmen); and the pool was amazing: large and shaded at times. The rooftop deck gives a perfect view to the beach and surrounding area. The neighborhood of Playacar is full of beautiful homes and was lots of fun to explore. There are even ruins right in this neighborhood that our children enjoyed exploring and climbing on warm nights. The walk in to town is about 15 minutes. We liked to walk along the beach to get there. The breeze and scenery were unbelievable. Before our trip the owner of the villa contacted us personally by phone to answer our questions and help set up any day trips we might wish to take (which we did, to Coba, highly recommended!). She was very helpful and made us feel very comfortable that all our needs would be met, which they were! Our whole family agrees that a return trip is a must. I can't see myself traveling to any other Caribbean destination after finding this gem.

Recommended for:People with disabilities, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Wonderful Vacation!

Guest: 4ugadogs (Bristol, Tennessee)
Date of Stay: 01/21/12 Review Submitted: 01/29/12

Would recommend the villa for the perfect vacation. This is our third trip and by far our favorite house. The beach is just across the street, town is a 15 minute walk, the pool is huge and the house decor is lovely, especially the beautiful tilework throughout. Working with Gloria has been a pleasure and we hope to stay here again next year.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Villa Golondrina--We miss you already!

Guest: Emily B.
Date of Stay: 07/26/11 Review Submitted: 07/31/11

We returned from our stay at Villa Golondrina today.....like other reviews, I have to say that this house has it all. It's beautiful, perfect location, brilliant pool and the staff is amazing. The owners are easy to reach to answer any questions and have great restaurant recs--you can tell they love this little slice of heaven. It really shows! We cannot wait to return next year!! Thank you for providing a beautiful backdrop to our much needed vacation. We will be back ASAP!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, people with disabilities, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Villa Golondrina, we miss you already!

Guest: Emily (Austin, TX)
Date of Stay: 07/26/11 Review Submitted: 07/31/11

We returned from our stay at Villa Golondrina today. Like other reviews, I have to say that this house has it all. It's beautiful, perfect location, brilliant pool and the staff is amazing. The owners are easy to reach to answer any questions and have great restaurant recs--you can tell they love this little slice of heaven. It really shows! We cannot wait to return next year!! Thank you for providing a beautiful backdrop to our much needed vacation.

Owner response:Thank you millions, Emily, for your kind words. You were a delightful group with which to work. I'm looking forward to your return. And remember............you receive a 10% discount on your next visit so schedule that next vacation as soon as possible! Warm regards, Gloria, Stirling, and Josh

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Amazing property

Guest: Lina (Bogota, Colombia)
Date of Stay: 04/21/11 Review Submitted: 05/11/11

Steps away from the ocean and within walking distance from the town, I loved every minute at this house. Will definitely stay here again! (hopefully soon!)

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

Unbelievable, Unforgettable, Unmatched

Guest: Lisa D (Henderson NV)
Date of Stay: 03/27/11 Review Submitted: 05/12/11

I have visited La Golondrina on numerous occasions and have never been let down. The owner, Gloria, LOVES Mexico and is always excited to share her favorite restaurants, cheap eats, sights, shops, etc. She is very caring, kind, and most of all wants her guests to have their best vacation ever. The house is spacious and has loads of character - authentic Mexican tile and artwork but with modern conveniences. We LOVE the roof terrace - it is large enough to accommodate many guests and the view at sunset is extraordinary. In the mornings we like to enjoy coffee by the pool then grab some chairs and walk 50 steps to the beautiful white sandy beach. Evening brings a 15 minute walk to town for cocktails then dinner and dancing. We have walked home more nights than I care to remember at 3am with absolutely no problems. Security is tight and we have never had any issues. (Playacar I is the most upscale neighborhood in Playa.) The house staff is hardworking and as nice as they can be. They are there to make your stay as enjoyable as possible and take it very seriously. I rate La Golondrina a 10 - If I were independently wealthy Gloria would not be able to get rid of me! Enjoy!

Owner response:Your glowing review is greatly appreciated. I'm thrilled that you not only continue to enjoy yourselves in Playa del Carmen, but that you also love to return to VILLA LA GOLONDRINA. I too, look forward to your next visit. AND REMEMBER, retuning guests receive a 10% discount off that year's rates! And make points with your friends, also: if your friend books and mentions your name as a reference, I will be happy to reduce their weekly rate by 10%.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Loved it!

Guest: Frank F.
Date of Stay: 03/22/11 Review Submitted: 08/02/11

Villa la Golondrina was the perfect getaway. The location was definitely one of our highlights. The beach just steps from the Villa entrance was incredibly relaxing and significantly more private than the beaches other properties use in either direction. To have this beach paired with such a short walk to 5th Ave's restaurants and shops (a much shorter walk than many other Playa properties I noticed) makes for a great balance. The villa layout and bedrooms are very comfortable and you can tell the owner pays alot of attention to detail in the decor and the amenities she provides. The villa has a high quality feel to it that is often missing in rentals. Some of the amenities I especially appreciated were the wifi and phone. The wireless internet was always reliable and the voice over IP line worked great. Both helped me stay connected to the real world with very little hassle. If you have any experience with vacation rental properties you probably know this sort of reliability should not be taken for granted. Another can't miss feature at Villa la Golondrina is the rooftop with its amazing views of the Caribbean. It is the perfect spot to take in the incredible Playa sunsets which we did with pre-dinner snacks and drinks any chance we got. It really was everything we were looking for. Thank you Gloria for a great stay!

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

Beautiful, Authentic, Safe and Personalized, Excellent Staff

Guest: TravelFan! (Austin, Texas)
Date of Stay: 02/01/11 Review Submitted: 04/27/11

I'm a return visitor to Villa La Golondrina and I've always had a fantastic stay. This last time my husband and I went with friends, three other couples, and all fit very comfortably. The house has four air conditioned bedrooms, each with its own bathroom, and a huge kitchen, living room, and dining room. It was very well kept and clean. If you can snag it, I highly recommend the master bedroom on the second floor. It has a private balcony with great views and a very big bathroom and closet. The house also has a beautiful garden will lush green hedges, so it feels very private, and a nicely sized plunge pool in the front yard. Oh! THere is also roof access, and it's so fun to take a bucket of beer up there to the roof and watch the sunset. That spot has the best ocean views. The house is just one block off of the beach and at the end of a cul-de-sac, so its very peaceful and safe. It's also in one of the oldest and nicest neighborhoods in Playa del Carmen. Playa del Carmen is very fun and lively. It continues to grow, but it retains its old charms, especially La Quinta, or 5th Avenue, a pedestrian street lined with shops, boutique hotels, and restaurants right in town. If you didn't rent a car, you can can walk from the house into town (about 15 min), or call a taxi (about $5). We also discovered a lot of local, inexpensive restaurants off 5th Avenue, that were fun, fast, and delicious. The beach in Playa del Carmen is beautiful as well. The water is clear and blue, and is usually pretty calm. The house also has beach chairs, beach towels, and sand toys (if you have kids). The staff at the house was also really great. The housekeeper came everyday except Sunday and Senor Abel, the house manager was also there if we needed anything. We also hired the cook for a few nights. The food was very good and affordable (there is a whole menu to choose from) and allowed us to stay in a few nights at home. If I have to make a few criticisms, I would say that the cushions in the living room could be updated (they look a little tired) as could the DVD collection, unless you like 90s classics! Ha! (We never turned on the TV though...why would you at the beach? ). Finally, since safety concerns about Mexico are always on the news right now, it's worth saying that we felt completely safe and at ease, durning the day and night. I also felt that way on a previous girls trip. Thank you for a great stay, I feel like its my home away from home! We can't wait to go back!

Owner response:Delighted to read my most recent review. I'm so pleased my guests had such a good time and look forward to their returning soon. When they do return, they will find new and fresh cushions - I'm going to the villa in June to do a complete make-over of the living room furniture. But in the mean time, the villa is comfy and homey, and all amenities guests might need or want are there in the villa for the guests' pleasure. Also remember that returning guests receive a 10% discount on their next holiday week at VILLA LA GOLONDRINA! I'm also happy to hear that my guests felt safe. The problems experienced in the central part of Mexico are not affecting the Yucatan Peninsula. Playa del Carmen is the heart of the Maya Riviera: it continues to be the most entertaining, fun, and safe sea side resort on the Caribbean and in Mexico.

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

Stunning Property

Guest: Travis W.
Date of Stay: 09/16/10 Review Submitted: 08/16/11

Steps from the beach in one of the nicest neighborhoods in Playa del Carmen, Villa La Golondrina provides an experience that you won't ever forget. The interior is expertly and comfortably furnished, and the pool in the front yard provides a nice oasis close to home. In addition, downtown is just a short walk away. It would be a mistake to stay anywhere else in Playa. I can't wait to get back.

Owner response:Your comments of appreciation are greatly valued. Thank you. It's gratifying to know you had a wonderful holiday and enjoyed your stay in VILLA LA GOLONDRINA. I'm looking forward to working with you and your group when you return. Remember, you receive a discount on price when you are a returning guest. Gloria Kelso Owner of villa

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Magical getaway

Guest: Jeremy (Palo Alto)
Date of Stay: 09/10/10 Review Submitted: 04/27/11

The location can't be beat--right on the beach, just a short walk from downtown--and the house itself is absolutely gorgeous. Major bonus points for an incredible cook who whipped together some of the most memorable meals of my diverse travel history.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Villa La Golondrina - our #1 choice everytime!

Guest: Candace (Dallas, Texas)
Date of Stay: 04/16/09 Review Submitted: 04/28/11

Villa La Golondrina is beautiful. If you are looking for a property that feels like home and its steps from the beach, this is it. Decor in the home makes you appreciate the culture around you. Beautiful Mexican tiles and classic native architecture is beautiful. I love the master suite upstairs, it is a very calming vibe. The pool and hammock also make relaxing at the property very easy. We also loved the rooftop patio to watch the sunset and get an amazing view of the ocean. If food is your passion then you will have a blast in this kitchen with your fun finds from the nearby market. Playacar is a friendly stroll away from the downtown area and the property itself feels very safe. We will stay at this property again and again.

Owner response:Thank you so much for your kind remarks. I'm always very happy when my guests enjoy themselves in VILLA LA GOLONDRINA. I make every effort to create a "home away from home" environment, so I especially am grateful for your enjoyment of the villa and your holiday in Mexico. Look forward to your return. Gloria Kelso, owner

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

Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 01/01/07 Review Submitted: 01/14/07

Our family of 8 plus a baby had a very special Christmas holiday at Villa la Golondrina. The home is beautiful and spacious and very relaxing. For this type of private lodging in this area, it is a great value. We enjoyed the Mexican culture, and the recommendations and advice that Gloria Kelso provided for us were invaluable to our stay.

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 01/01/07 Review Submitted: 01/13/07

We just returned home and were greeted with ice and snow! How we miss La Gondolarine. For 15 years our extended family has vacationed during the holiday season. We have been across the Caribbean as well as up and down the coasts of Mexico. Villa Gondolarina was voted BEST place we have ever stayed. As others have noted, the house is equipped with every amenity. The staff is there to help in any way they can. The privacy of the house and grounds is an added plus. The house is beyond perfect...it is paradise.

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 08/01/06 Review Submitted: 08/10/06

My family of 6 stayed at the beautiful Villa Gondolarina for one week and had a wonderful vacation.The Villa is furnished very nicely and was very confortable. As one guest mentioned, the pool was the highlight of the trip. My children spent more time in the pool than they did on the beach!! The Villa is only a 10 minute walk to all the shops and nightlife and only 30 meters from the beach. The security was 24/7 and the pool is cleaned every morning and the house is maintained every day by a wonderful girl while we relaxed. The benefits of staying at a furnished villa are many fold as compared to a hotel and especially one of those 'all-inclusive' deals we all hear about. I highly recommend that you visit the Villa for your next vacation. Gloria was a wonderful hostess and provided us with many emails regarding resturants, shopping etc. Thanks again Gloris for such a wonderful, secure and comfortable place to spend quality time with my family. Viva Mexico!!

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 08/01/06 Review Submitted: 08/10/06

We truly had a wonderful time at your home in Playa del Carmen. We made a trip to Cozumel for snorkeling which was delightful even though the reefs had been severely damaged by last years hurricane. One day, Hanlon and I took a day trip to the ruins at Coba and went on to another town (can't remember name) for a meal and a little shopping. Hanlon remembers visiting the town 30 years ago and thinking it had not changed much. Lee took the boys deep sea fishing twice and they caught allot of snapper which we enjoyed for two dinner meals. Kathy and I each had part of a day with a spa service that came to the house and gave us a facial, massage, and seaweed wrap. Very self indulgent. The pool was a big hit. The teenagers seemed to turn into young children again and spent hours playing around in the pool. The boys, ages 19 and 17,loved their independence as they walked most evenings to La Quinta,bought drinks,danced and met people from all over the world. One evening they told us about going swimming with some French girls. The people we met were wonderful. Very friendly and helpful...and tolerant of our tex mex Spanish.

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 08/01/06 Review Submitted: 08/09/06

I could not take my eyes off the Villa la Golondrina.It is the first home that I have ever seen that is truly a living, breathing piece of art and architechture.The owner, Gloria Kelso, makes sure that all your vacation needs are attended to.The beach, pool,the rooftop tiled deck -with the most incredible view.The staff is 1st class.All the details are excellently appointed.It is a very, very good price.Quiet,breezes,swallows; it is both a family setting and a romantic getaway.We cooked the fish we caught in the beautiful kitchen nightly.The restaurants in town are excellent and very affordable.Take a day trip to the interior-Vallolodid.See Coba.Fall in love all over again.Thanks, Gloria , for an incredible experience. I'll be back soon.

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 08/01/06 Review Submitted: 08/07/06

The Villa Gondolarina is an excellent place to enjoy luxury living in Mexico. The Villa is furnished very nicely with all the neccesities and is very comfortable. It is a short walk to the beach and downtown and all the nightlife and the security is excellent. Our children had a blast in the pool which is maintained on a daily basis. The cleaning lady maintained the house in perfect order while we relaxed. I highly recommend the Villa to all who desire to enjoy thier vaction in luxury.

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Guestbook Comment

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

I am 19 years old.My mom and dad took me to Senora Kelso's Villa la Golondrina last week.It was the best week of my life.You don't have to drive-you can walk everywhere.My friends and I hung out in the town most of the nights-it is great.We swam in her pool,used the private beach,snorkeled, caught a bunch of fish,went to the ruins,watched movies,and on and on.We slept well in her A/C bedrooms.My dad was right-the girls there are beautiful.

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 08/01/06 Review Submitted: 08/05/06

This is a wonderful place that really feels like your own home away from home. The location is beautiful, just a short walk to the closest beach with swimming access. The walk to 5th Ave takes about 10 minutes. Gloria was a very friendly host and made certain that the amenities were up to our standards. The pool truly made the trip. We all swam morning and night, before and after the beach and trips in to town. The Casa was kept clean every day and the location was very peaceful at night. Gloria, thank you again for the opportunity to stay in your lovely home.

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