Vacation Rentals by Owner
Book Now for Nov, Dec & 2013. Designer's Own Beautiful Cottage, Pet Ok [#92730] | View Property
Carmel By the Sea
House, 3 Bedrooms + Library, 2 Baths (Sleeps 6-8)
$6000-$7500/mo
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Traveler Reviews (39)
Relaxing vacation
Guest: Tammy B.
(Rocky Ridge, Maryland)
Date of Stay: 03/24/12
Review Submitted: 04/10/12
We had the most relaxing visit at Sanctuary by the Sea during our March trip. The home was extremely clean and I love clean. Every detail was thought of throughout the home from the kitchen to the wonderful throw blankets. Our yorkie, Sasha, enjoyed her daily walks and the secret garden below the deck. I enjoyed my daily walks through town and along the beach. The instant hot water was perfect as we have tea every night. We have one at our home and I thought I would have to do without for the week, Annie was thoughtful enough to have one in this home. We have stayed at 10-12 different vacation rentals and this was by far the best on the list. We will be coming back again. Don't look at another home rent this one!
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Perfect, beyond compare
Guest: Tammy B.
(Rocky Ridge, Maryland)
Date of Stay: 03/24/12
Review Submitted: 03/29/12
We are leaving day after next, how sad for us. We found the home to be perfect for us. We have rented 10-12 VRBO's and this was by far the best. Annie thought of everything, the home was presented as a 5 Star resort would be. You will find that the home is a close drive to downtown to many wonderful restaurants and shops. Make sure to go to the Lush store downtown Carmel and get a bath bomb or something else for the bath, you can see the ocean as you relax in the claw foot tub, heaven. Our yorkie, Sasha, loved laying on the pillow at the corner of the sofa as well as the hidden garden beyond the gated deck. The neighborhood is very quiet, the ocean is just blocks away. It is a wonderfully long walk/run to downtown and out Scenic Ave to Mission Inn and back, about 6 or so miles, however the hills on the way back are killers. We didn't use the kitchen much, I was on strike, it's my vacation too. We went to Il Fornaio and had wonderful service, Nico's was great from lunch, but the best was driving to Big Sur and eating at one of our favorites, Ventana Inn. It's about 45 minutes but the scenic views and the food are out of this world. So sad to go but we look forward to yet another trip to Carmel.
Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.
Truly a Sanctuary
Guest: Denise W.
(Denver, CO)
Date of Stay: 10/12/11
Review Submitted: 11/26/11
We have rented "pet friendly" homes in the Carmel area for the past nine years and none have been as well appointed as this home! It truly is a "sanctuary" vacation rental. Plus,the staff went out of their way to meet our special request. We look forward to our return. J,D & Pup! Littleton, CO
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Beautiful and well-appointed
Guest: mila h.
Date of Stay: 09/30/11
Review Submitted: 11/03/11
What a wonderful house. It's beautifully done and every detail has been considered for function and ease-of-use. In addition, there was wine and cheese awaiting us upon check-in. The neighborhood is perfect, about a 10 minute walk from down-town Carmel. There is a nice deck out back with potted flowers and herbs. Quiet, pretty, so many thoughtful details! There is one thing we laughed at over the weekend; there are so many signs throughout the home suggesting we RELAX, my son quipped it was making him feel pressured. All in all, seven of us were very comfortable and happy over the course of a long weekend.
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It doesn't get much better!
Guest: Meredith
(Opelika, AL)
Date of Stay: 04/29/11
Review Submitted: 05/17/11
Wow! What can I say?? If you are planning a trip to Carmel, it doesn't get much better than Sanctuary by the Sea!!!! I came to Carmel with my husband, another couple and a girlfriend. All three of us girls were running the Big Sur Marathon. Sactuary by the Sea was the perfect house for us!! Tons of space! An amazing kitchen! A glorious clawfoot tub! And only about a 5 minute walk to Downtown Carmel & the beach! The Sanctuary Vacation staff was so helpful prior to our arrival. Hopefully, we will be back to Carmel and staying at Sactuary by the Sea again soon!
Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.
Best Monterey Peninsula Rental
Guest: Jim
(Sacramento)
Date of Stay: 03/18/11
Review Submitted: 04/28/11
This is the most comfortable, best appointed rental we have had. The two bathrooms downstairs and the one upstairs meant ample facilities and no inconveniences. The kitchen was well supplied with dishes and cookware. The upstairs is esentially a grand room, combining kitchen, living area and a bathroom with shower that allows a large group of people to socialize without disturbing others downstairs in the three bedrooms.
Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.
Fantastic Vacation Home
Guest: jwilliams
(Stockton, CA)
Date of Stay: 03/10/11
Review Submitted: 03/18/11
We truly enjoyed the home. When we arrived everything was clean and a welcome appetizer was in Refer. which was very nice. There was plenty to do. Ping pong, pool, lots of movies to view(didn't expect that) and also books and puzzles. The Master suite was fantastic as well as all of the house. There was a park nearby with a playground and we also found a trail to walk on. The location was not near the beach but we did not mind it as that wasn't the only reason we were there. The house was so wonderful we could of camped out there and been perfectly happy. We will definetly come back again.
Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.
Perfect
Guest: Lilly
(San Leandro, California)
Date of Stay: 02/26/11
Review Submitted: 03/08/11
We were a family of seven adults and two pets. Everything was perfect. The location was just a block from where we spent our honeymoor 50 years ago. Walking distance two shops, gallaries and places to eat. The court yard was great for our two pets and gave us a lot of privacy. We were all very happy with the accommodations.
Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.
A wnderful one month vacation!
Guest: V & A T.
(Richmond, B.C. Canada)
Date of Stay: 01/19/11
Review Submitted: 02/28/11
Our rental of "Sanctuary by the Sea" was very professionally managed. The house was spotless and comfortable, with such great attention to every detail. We especially appreciated the well-equipped kitchen, and also the many shelves of books, magazines and movies. We love to walk, and found the location great --could explore the town and beach easily on foot. (And go home in better shape from climbing Carmel's hills every day) Our weather for January/February was near perfect, with almost every day sunny and warm. Many beautiful sunsets were admired from the deck and windows!
Recommended for:Adventure seekers, people with disabilities, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.
Great house on Ribera
Guest: DRV
(San Jose, CA)
Date of Stay: 01/14/11
Review Submitted: 03/12/11
I picked this place for a leadership retreat for my organization. This place has it all, from a flat-panel TV to a piano, there are a lot of things to keep 20-year olds entertained when not doing work. Thanks for all the help!
Recommended for:Families with teenagers
Guest: Reynolds
Date of Stay: 12/23/10
Review Submitted: 01/23/11
12/23 Love the festive holiday décor! Our group from Oregon and Menlo Park had such a wonderful time here – enjoyed every detail of the care and beauty of this house. So welcoming – We hope to return! The Reynolds and May Families
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Excellent!
Guest: Northwest
(Portland, Oregon)
Date of Stay: 12/19/10
Review Submitted: 01/22/11
We loved the house, the location, and the many thoughtful details that enhanced our stay. Thank you!
Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.
Guest: cardwell
Date of Stay: 11/21/10
Review Submitted: 12/05/10
Nov 21, 2010 Annee and David – You have a beautiful home – cozy and inviting. We had a wonderful tim – great food, great wine and great friends. We hope to stay here agiain next year. Thanks so much. Emily, Jack, Katy and John
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Guest: KK
Date of Stay: 11/15/10
Review Submitted: 12/05/10
Nov 15, 2010 Wonderful house and View. Absolutly wonderful stay. The House is gracious – we had a blast! K.K., California Nov 15, 2010 Wonderful house and View. Absolutly wonderful stay. The House is gracious – we had a blast! K.K., California Nov 15, 2010 Wonderful house and View. Absolutly wonderful stay. The House is gracious – we had a blast! K.K., California
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Guest: Erin and John
Date of Stay: 11/10/10
Review Submitted: 12/05/10
Annee, You named this haven right – a sanctuary for sure. Sanctuary by- the-Sea made our vacation outstanding and we will definitely return. Thank you for the effort you put into every detail of this warm dwelling….. Blessings, Erin and John
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Guest: Chris, Joe, Mayce and Donatella
Date of Stay: 11/07/10
Review Submitted: 11/10/10
We hate to leave this beautiful house and tranquil space – but we will be back for sure! (There is) Nothing like it here @ Sanctuary by the Sea! Chris, Joe, Mayce, and Dontella
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Just Perfect!
Guest: Carmel lovers
(San Francisco, Ca.)
Date of Stay: 10/31/10
Review Submitted: 01/11/11
This is a wonderful cottage with a really great, close to town location. The beautiful and spacious Master suite and bathroom have nice ocean views. The house is spotless clean and very well appointed. We spent a wonderful week there in November and immediately re-booked for June. We have rented vacation homes before and this is by far the nicest. You won't be disappointed. Highly recommended
Recommended for:Age 55+, families with young children, tourists without a car, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.
Thank you
Guest: Alvarado
Date of Stay: 07/31/10
Review Submitted: 11/22/10
David and Annee, Thank you so much for sharing your home with us. We felt right at home from the minute we walked in. We really appreciate all your attention to detail. We lacked nothing. The firewood was a hit. We had left the 100 degree weather in Fresno and were excited that it was cool enough to have a fire every evening as we played "Catch Phrase". The competition over that game was fierce. Our parents had a wonderful 50th wedding anniversary and the time we spent here as a family will be remembered for a life time! Thank you!
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Thank you for sharing
Guest: Caroll and Newell
Date of Stay: 07/23/10
Review Submitted: 11/22/10
Annee and David, Thank you for sharing your lovely home with our family of five. There was plenty of space for our three young adult children and my husband and me. From the moment we arrived to find your welcoming note and wine and cheese tray, we realized how fortunate we are to be staying here. Your attention to detail in the kitchen enabled us to make the most of our meals together. We will always remember eating the grilled salmon my son had caught in the pacific. It was a treat to pursue your books. I especially enjoyed the Carmel architecture and your Recipes and Reflection. We enjoyed watching Grapes of Wrath and playing Scrabble. Your home is perfectly situated for a great vacation. Our guys were able to play golf at Pebble and Cypress Point. We had a thrilling walk around Point Lobos and a thrilling drive down Big Sur. We also enjoyed our visit to the Steinbeck Museum and the Chateau Julien Winery. It has been so much fun to be able to walk into the downtown area of Carmel to shop and dine. My daughter and I greatly enjoyed the "Carmel walks". Our dining experiences have been superb and the people we have met have been so friendly. Thank you again for a memorable vacation.
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We had a wonderful 4th of July holiday!
Guest: Adam & Jenn
Date of Stay: 07/09/10
Review Submitted: 11/21/10
We had a wonderful 4th of July holiday at the Sanctuary by the Sea; grilling on the deck, sipping wine by the fireplace, cooking up a storm in the well-appointed kitchen and watching movies in the media room. The proximity to downtown is perfect-not too close, not too far. Also, and perhaps more importantly, the distance to great golfing was short (maybe a long driver at most). But don't take our word for it. Even our little pug , Clementine, gives the place two paws up!
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Lovely
Guest: The Pellefies
Date of Stay: 07/05/10
Review Submitted: 11/22/10
Our stay in your cottage was lovely! The decor of the home was just our taste. The amenities were appreciated, especially the firewood! Our only disappointment was waking up every morning to barging and noise from nearby construction, however we realize this is out of your control. We loved hiking through Point Lobos and highly recommend it to all guests. We also did 17 mile drive and found that to be quite enjoyable. Thank you for creating a space for us less-fortunate(living in LA) to come and enjoy God's beauty.
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Every detail was perfect
Guest: The McFauls and Lothrops
Date of Stay: 06/10/10
Review Submitted: 11/21/10
"Her majesty" loved spending her 90th birthday week with her family in your wonderful home! Every detail was perfect. We never imagined going to "someone else's" house and being able to instantly settle in as if it was our own. This is a home filled with the happiness and love of families who have stayed here. We are so happy we could add our joy to the mix! Thank you!
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Thank you
Guest: The Donovans
Date of Stay: 04/01/10
Review Submitted: 11/21/10
Dear Annee and David, Thank you for your wonderful cottage-so serene and beautifully appointed. We truly enjoyed your attention to detail, your decorating. It will help us to organize our life when home. We had a great birthday celebration-many thanks.
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Wish we could have stayed longer
Guest: The Aval Family
Date of Stay: 04/01/10
Review Submitted: 11/21/10
We stayed here for 4 days and it was not enough. We wish we could have stayed much longer. Beautiful house, city and area. We will be back. Our children also loved the open space feel environment of the house.
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A PERFECT SANCTUARY
Guest: Pete & Judy
(Sisters,Or.)
Date of Stay: 03/01/10
Review Submitted: 04/05/11
We enjoyed every aspect of this cozy cottage for our one month stay. Sparkling clean and well appointed. Very light and bright. The master bedroom and bath upstairs are a real feature. A lovely view thorugh the cypress trees to the ocean a mile away either from bed or while having a bath. The openess of the kitchen, dining and living room areas with a real wood burning fireplace add to the ambience. The kitchen is stocked with every tool, dish and glass you will ever need. We feel the second bedroom is fine for kids or guests staying a few days. Just a bit small and dark, and the bathroom is part of the laundry room. This is ok...but not on par with the master quarters The deck off the media room is a very special spot on a nice day. Well protected from wind and private. Also a narrow view of the ocean. Good off street parking for two cars...(not so plentiful in Carmel). During our month there, the garden was tended on a regular weekly schedule as was the housekeeping. I called for more firewood and a new load was delivered that day. We plan to return.
Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.
Sanctuary By The Sea
Guest: Chandy
(Seattle, WA, USA)
Date of Stay: 01/19/10
Review Submitted: 02/02/10
Everything was exactly as promised. Beautifully furnished and lovingly appointed. Lovely home with everything you could want including a great location...close to town. Thank you so much for allowing us to bring "Maggie", she had a wonderful time as well.
Recommended for:Adventure seekers, people with disabilities, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.
Guest: Gregg Family
Date of Stay: 09/12/09
Review Submitted: 09/11/09
Words can't express just how thankful we feel at being able to stay at Sanctuary by the Sea! We came here to refuel our souls and our spirits. The house is so serene & quiet. Our youngest son, is a chef and he felt right at home in your gourmet kitchen! Having dinner here with the roaring fire in the living room or a nice quiet lunch outside on the patio was the perfect setting for a relaxing time. Thanks for sharing your beautiful oasis by the sea underneath these towering pines! I looked at many homes on the website and felt Sanctuary was the most tastefully decorated.
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Pictures Speak a Thousand Words
Guest: CV Girl
(Southern California)
Date of Stay: 07/05/09
Review Submitted: 12/07/09
Our stay at 'Sanctury by the Sea' will be remembered for years to come as one of the best vacations we've ever taken. As beautiful as the photos of the house are, it's even more stunning in person. The home was immaculate, and beautifully decorated. Straight out of a magazine! All the little attentions to detail did not go unnoticed, and the 'welcome' appetizer and bottle of wine were definitely appreciated. We loved everything about the house. The master suite upstairs was incredible, especially the large bathroom with claw foot tub and separate shower. What a treat to see the ocean from the tub! The outdoor patio was the perfect spot to gather for breakfast and plan our day in Carmel. Many naps were taken on the wooden bench! Every night after dinner on the town, we would make a roaring wood fire and fall asleep immediately on the comfy couches in the living room. Although we didn't cook at home during our stay, the kitchen had an incredible gourmet stove and everything you could possibly need. What a luxury to have brand new beautiful matching sets of dishes, glasses, silverware etc., something you don't often see in vacation rental homes. The house is located in a very quiet residential neighborhood, and we often walked to town for breakfast in the mornings. Steep hill on the way back, but we needed to burn off those huge breakfasts we were eating! Convenient and close to town, and we quickly learned our way around. The garage was full of everything we could possibly need for the days at the beach, and boy did we appreciate it, as it would have been impossible for us to pack all of that for our trip! Each day we would park along Scenic Road and climb down one of the staircases to Carmel Beach, which is unbelievably uncrowded, and enjoy the magnificent view of Pebble Beach from the sand. We had fun choosing different restaurants for dinner every night, and Clint Eastwood's Mission Ranch was one of our favorites (we went back twice!), with its incredible view and cozy stone fireplaces indoors and out. We also enjoyed the sophisticated crowd at Il Fornaio, the unique atmosphere at Forge in the Forest, and the festively Italian Little Napoli. It has been months since our stay, and my husband just remarked last night: our vacation in Carmel was one of my all-time favorites. What more can we say? Annee and David, it couldn't have been more perfect...thank you!
Recommended for:People with disabilities, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.
Relaxing, beautiful vacation spot
Guest: SLOG
(Ann Arbor, MI)
Date of Stay: 06/30/09
Review Submitted: 07/18/09
Our family enjoyed a wonderful vacation staying at Sanctuary by the Sea in Carmel. The cottage is located a few blocks from the beach and town, so it’s a perfect location from which to take long walks. The house was very clean and well-maintained. Loved the master bedroom and roomy, sunny master bathroom. Linens were very fine quality, as were the appliances in the updated kitchen. House was well stocked with kitchen supplies and linens. Nice back deck for grilling, eating, and relaxing. The owner provided a new toaster and bathtub plug upon our request. Would definitely recommend to a friend. Ideal for 2 couples and 1 young daughter, but an additional adult couple could use the girl's bedroom, and a child or teenager could sleep on the couch in the TV room.
Recommended for:Age 55+, families with young children, romantic getaway, sightseeing.
Guest: Zgradich Family
Date of Stay: 04/15/09
Review Submitted: 04/14/09
Apreciamos la hospitalidad de Annee y Karla les agradecemos la bien venida y la preocupacion para que todo este bien Esperamos volver pronto. Thanks, Carlos y Marcela and Family
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Guestbook Comment
Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 03/01/09
Review Submitted: 03/02/09
As we near the end of the month, I want you both to know how much we have enjoyed our days at Sanctuary. What a wonderful home away from home it has become for Suzie, Kodiak and me. We love the layout of the home, the light that streams through the windows, the furnishings and all the little extras. Kodi loves the back deck where he spends most of his time (when he's not running on the beach with his new friends)! You have thought of everything to make our days and nights quiet, comfortable and cozy. Our guests were very impressed with how lovely and charming the home is. Even for several days when we had five adults and one dog here (and it was raining), we never felt crowded or cramped. Plus this has to be one of the best-equipped kitchens we've ever seen. We've taken notes and will be making several improvements in our own kitchen as soon as we get back to Denver! We appreciate having Eufemia each week change linens and towels, vacuum and make everything fresh and tidy again. Sadly, we are nearing the end of our month and already know we will miss this special place. Thanks again for providing such a wonderful home for us in such a beautiful part of the world. Steve & Suzie Clemens--Kodiak too! Denver, CO
Owner response:Thanks so much for leaving our Sanctuary in such beautiful condition. Thanks for your kind words........
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Guestbook Comment
Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 01/01/09
Review Submitted: 01/01/09
Becky and I obviously enjoy our month at Sanctuary since we are eagerly anticipating returning this March for the third time. We avail ourselves of all aspects of this charming home, from the comfortable flower-filled deck to the extremely well designed and equipped kitchen. One of our great pleasures after the depths of a Wyoming winter is to visit the Monterey farmer's market and indulge ourselves in the wonders of garden-fresh produce, knowing we have the perfect kitchen to bring it home to. All that, and a leisurely soak in the luxuriously outfitted master bath makes for an ideal relaxing day. At this writing, we can only wish that March were a little closer.
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Guest: Lentz
Date of Stay: 12/22/08
Review Submitted: 12/21/08
Favorite moments: Everyday - we kept in mind what is over the fireplace, "It's a Wonderful Life". Since you are here, you know that. To just be here, to explore, to sit and read the abundant magazines is heaven on earth.
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Guestbook Comment
Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 10/01/06
Review Submitted: 10/08/06
My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed our month at Sanctuary by the Sea! We've been home just a little over a week now and a day doesn't go by that I don't think about this charming cottage! Felt very at home there and did not want to leave. Loved the sound of the ocean from the master bedroom and also from the patio. Its in such a nice quiet neighborhood too! When our 2 year old lab wasn't running the beach with all the other dogs then she was relaxing on the cozy patio. She also liked going down to the garden below as I did too! The hydrangea plant was gorgeous! We felt so at home with the daily delivery of the newspaper, the outdoor grill and even a washer and dryer. The owners truly did not miss anything in providing everything you could possibly want for the month! It was a great month filled with lots of golf and fun beach time with our family and friends! We hope to come back again sometime! In the past 10 years we have rented 4 different vacation homes in Carmel and this one is by far our favorite! We even have rented an older home on the 17 mile drive by the Lone Cypress but this one beats that and also this location is better, we feel anyway. We highly recommend this vacation rental and cannot say enough good things about this lovely cottage so appropriately named "Sanctuary!" Sincerely Mike and Linda McNevin
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