Top 10% of guest reviews in this areaTop 10% of guest reviews in this area
1 bedroom1 bathroomSleeps 4
Popular amenities
Kitchen
Air conditioning
Outdoor Space
Parking available
Explore the area
Eastham, MA
Schoolhouse Museum
Place, Schoolhouse Museum
10 min walk
Cape Cod National Seashore
Place, Cape Cod National Seashore
13 min walk
Salt Pond Visitor Center
Place, Salt Pond Visitor Center
13 min walk
Hyannis, MA (HYA-Barnstable Municipal)
Airport, Hyannis, MA (HYA-Barnstable Municipal)
44 min drive
Rooms & beds
1 bedroom (sleeps 4)
Bedroom 1
2 Twin Beds
Living room 1
1 Queen Bed
1 bathroom
Bathroom 1
Spaces
Deck or patio
Kitchen
Dining area
About this property
🦀Waterfront at The Velvet Crab~Amazing Sunsets
Brought to you by the Heart of Cape Cod, The Velvet Crab is a serene, dog-friendly waterfront escape on Minister’s Pond, where every season brings its own beauty. Wake to golden light on the water, paddle through calm reflections, or gather around the firepit under the stars. With pond views, an outdoor shower, and cozy charm inside and out, this one-of-a-kind cottage invites you to slow down, breathe deep, and savor the magic of the Cape.
I respect the autonomy of my guests and can easily be reached by facetime, email, text, carrier pigeon, smoke signal, or yodeling. Communication with guests is important to us. Please be sure you have app notifications turned on for your phone as this will be our means of communicating with you before, during, and after your stay. Our digital guidebooks contain directions, instructions, and access information. It is your responsibility to review this information prior to arrival.
Very central to everything. Close to Cape Cod Rail Trail (bike trail), Arnolds, Coast Guard and Nauset Light beach, Salt Pond Visitors Center, Eastham Windmill, and First Encounter beach.
The cottage is located on the waterfront. You must read the directions in the guide provided or else you will go to the wrong place. Do not rely on GPS!!!
Brought to you by the Heart of Cape Cod, The Velvet Crab is a timeless waterfront cottage perched on peaceful Minister’s Pond—where every season unfolds its own magic. In spring, wildflowers hug the water’s edge; summer hums with sunlit swims and paddle days; autumn lights the trees in amber and gold; and winter’s hush wraps the pond in peaceful stillness. Whether you’re sipping morning coffee on the deck, drifting across mirrored water in a kayak, or unwinding beside the fire pit under a blanket of stars, this special retreat invites you to slow down and savor Cape Cod’s gentle rhythm.
Inside, sunlight pours through oversized windows framing serene pond views. The airy living space blends classic coastal charm with modern comfort, while the fully equipped kitchen makes meals — from casual breakfasts to relaxed dinners — feel effortless. The main bedroom overlooks the water, and the second bedroom offers two twin beds — perfect for friends or family. As evening falls, stroll to the shared pond beach to gather around the firepit, grill a feast on the deck, or rinse off in the open air shower under Cape Cod’s endless sky.
Sleeping Arrangements • 1 Queen bed — bright, restful, and overlooking the pond • 2 Twin beds — charming and comfortable for friends or family
Bathrooms • 1 Full bathroom — thoughtfully appointed and convenient • Classic outdoor shower — seasonal, refreshing, and quintessentially Cape Cod
Outdoor Highlights • Gas grill & patio dining furniture — for leisurely meals with water views • Fire pit on the shared pond beach — perfect for s’mores and starlit evenings • Spacious deck overlooking the pond — sunrise coffees or sunset toasts • Canoe and kayak provided — gentle paddles and quiet water exploration
Indoor Amenities • Fully equipped kitchen — ready for relaxed, home cooked meals • Coffee bar with drip coffee maker, French press, kettle, and a selection of teas and regular/decaf coffee — always complimentary • Large streaming TV and strong WiFi throughout — easy streaming or cozy nights in
Comfort & Essentials • Luxurious linens, duvets, and Turkish towel sets with charcoal infused bamboo washcloths for a serene stay • Beach towels provided in the summer • Eco friendly bath amenities — sulfate free shampoo, conditioner, and body wash with no phosphates or microbeads • Heating and cooling throughout for year round comfort • Award winning custom digital house manual with local recommendations • Minimum booking age: 25
Location Perks • Prime waterfront setting on Minister’s Pond — serenity and seasonal beauty • Close to Salt Pond Visitors Center and scenic bike trails like the Cape Cod Rail Trail • Minutes from the Cape Cod National Seashore beaches, Arnold’s, and local favorites
Dog Friendly • One well behaved dog over 1 year old welcome ($100 fee). No cats, birds, ferrets, hamsters, or pet rocks — just a pup that says “woof”
Extras Available • Optional add ons like Pack n Plays, Farm Fresh Eggs, Beach Gear, Romance Packages, Tours, and more — full details provided after booking
Booking Notes Because plans can shift like the tides, we always recommend purchasing travel insurance for peace of mind during your Cape Cod getaway. For Airbnb: We set only two charges — a fair nightly rate and a cleaning fee based on what our professional team charges to reset the home. Airbnb adds its own platform service fee and collects local/state taxes separately. These are not controlled or retained by us.
The property is very large so GPS down to the cottage is not reliable. Specific directions and instructions for arrival are given in the award-winning house manual and recommendations guide provided upon booking (and a provided again a few times thereafter).
Our prices include all fees. No hidden fees.
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Please respect our home and its contents as we work hard to provide a nice environment for our guests to enjoy.
Minimum Age - The minimum age for booking and being the responsible party for all guests is 25 years old
Important information
You need to know
Property Registration Number C0292170860
Property # 2381482
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit
About the neighborhood
Eastham
Located in Eastham, this cottage is on the waterfront. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Cape Cod National Seashore and Cape Cod Beaches. Edward Penniman House and Barn and Cape Escape Adventure Golf are also worth visiting.
Hyannis, MA (HYA-Barnstable Municipal) - 37 min drive
Restaurants
Cumberland Farms - 3 min drive
Wendy's - 7 min drive
Town Cove Tap House - 9 min drive
Hot Chocolate Sparrow - 9 min drive
Wellfleet Shellfish Company - 3 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Is 🦀Waterfront at The Velvet Crab~Amazing Sunsets pet-friendly?
Yes, pets are allowed at this property.
How much does it cost to stay at 🦀Waterfront at The Velvet Crab~Amazing Sunsets?
As of May 12, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at 🦀Waterfront at The Velvet Crab~Amazing Sunsets on May 13, 2026 start from $433, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.
How much is parking?
Onsite parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at 🦀Waterfront at The Velvet Crab~Amazing Sunsets?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at 🦀Waterfront at The Velvet Crab~Amazing Sunsets?
Check-out is at 10:00 AM.
Where is 🦀Waterfront at The Velvet Crab~Amazing Sunsets located?
Situated on the waterfront, this cottage is within a 15-minute walk of Salt Pond Visitor Center and Cape Cod National Seashore. Cape Cod Beaches is 1.9 mi (3 km) away.
Reviews
9.8
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labeled.
Perfect size home for a family of 4, welcoming and cozy! Having -All towels and linens and shampoo, body wash and conditioner all included made for a much easier stay! Highly recommend.
The Velvet Crab was just as pictured. What a haven. We wanted to do some different exploring on the Cape, since it's been a few years, but it was really hard to leave this sanctuary. We'd go out for a few hours and then couldn't wait to come back and just hang out. Loved the kayak, being on the pond, just everything. We'd love to come back. Tara and her people were very responsive, and we appreciated them letting us check in a few hours early.
Lynn B.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2025
Verified
8/10 Good
christian k.
Jun 24, 2022
Liked: Cleanliness, location, listing accuracy
Great location sweet cottage!
Had an amazing time. Host never communicated, we did not sure if that‘s expected. Place adorable
Check-in was super easy. Tara was great to communicate with. This place had everything anyone would ever need. Beds are super comfy. Place is super clean. The pond is gorgeous. The house is setup so cute. The week flew by. One of my favorite places at the cape and we’ve been coming here at different places for the past 25 years. Love this place. Love heart of cape cod. Awesomely dog friendly.
Stay was great. Great pricate spot.
The bed and couch very uncomfortable needs to be replaced.
Heather L.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2024
Response from VrboOwner on Apr 1, 2025
I’m so glad to hear you enjoyed your stay and the privacy of the home! It’s always our goal to provide a seamless experience, which is why we make the booking process crystal clear—including pet disclosures and payment timelines—to ensure everything is squared away before arrival without us having to following up. While communication is a two-way street, we completely understand that some guests prefer the ‘silent retreat’ experience and choose not to respond to our check-ins. As for the bed and couch, comfort is certainly subjective, but I do appreciate the feedback! Most guests find them quite cozy, but I’ll be sure to give them a thorough evaluation.
Wonderful get away, great location right on the pond, quiet and peaceful. The Velvet Crab had everything we were looking for at the Cape. Sparkling clean and spacious with all the comforts of home with a cottage feel. We canoed, fished, relaxed near the water and had morning coffee on the deck. Thank you for hosting us.
Everything about the house was perfect. Impeccably clean, views of the lake from the living room and master bedroom, complimentary coffee and cookies, treats. Touches like you find in a hotel like soap, shampoo, face mask, toothbrush. Minutes to the National Seashore by car. The host, Tara, communicated completely. She has written a guide about the house, good restaurants nearby and things to do. All in all, a terrific experience.
We had a lovely weekend. The cottage was perfect for a couple or small family. The kitchen was well-stocked and the place had all amenities! We enjoyed canoeing on a warm day. Communication with Tara is excellent and appreciated, and she will go out of her way to ensure you have all necessary info and that all is well. The cottage is conveniently located to Orleans, P-town, the shore, and the Nauset Light is something else! We cannot wait to return. Five Stars!
This is a beautiful and cozy cottage to relax and rejuvenate in. Lovely decorations, comfortable furniture and an amazing super comfy bed! Made it hard to get up in the morning! The view from the bed of the water is so calm, peaceful and beautiful. We were welcomed with treats and made to feel very welcomed and pampered. The sunset!! The sunset, breathtaking. We enjoyed our stay and were able to catch our breaths after some challenging times in our lives. It was heavenly.
Traveling around New England would not be complete without a visit to Cape Cod. Our party was looking for some down time during our 10 day trip of visiting the NE area. The Velvet Crab was the perfect place for us to relax.
The property faces a tranquil pond and there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy this view---- from the front window, front porch, chairs on the shore, beach fire pit, and a canoe.
The inside of the cottage was clean with a well-supplied kitchen. Information regarding our stay was readily made available to us.
Communication with the property manager was excellent and prompt. We highly recommend checking out this little gem of a place.
Carol S.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2023
From a partner site
10/10 Excellent
Nov 30, 2022
Lovely Cottage
I really love staying at the Velvet Crab. This was my third stay. Waking up to views of a nearby lake. Minutes from beaches. Dog friendly.
The the Heart of Cape Cod team provides all the amenities- WiFi and Roku. Fully equipped kitchen. Kayak on the lake. Outdoor grill. Dog crate on request. Even dog bowls and treats. Tara brought a blender right over when I requested one. Everything you need for a wonderful vacation.
My pup and I will definitely be coming back.
We really enjoyed our stay at the velvet crab earlier this month. The cabin was perfect for us. Isolated enough where we had quiet but well situated at about a 5 minute drive to coast guard beach. The kitchen setup was perfect for us. We had cooked some light dinners (pasta,. burgers, and quesadillas) and the kitchen even had a pasta strainer something that I frequently find missing in rentals. The coffee was also provided. Beds were comfortable and the TV was as advertised and we were able.to.watch local channels or setup our Netflix account easily. The outdoor shower was also a hit and helped us keep.down the sand in the cabin. In summary, the house was designed for our family of 4.
Verified traveler
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2023
From a partner site
10/10 Excellent
Laura W.
Jul 18, 2024
great cape cod getaway
Our family of 4 had a great week staying at the Velvet Crab. The house provided all we needed for a great week of rest and relaxation. They don't skimp on anything, the beds were comfy, the linens and pillow were nice quality and the kitchen provided a little bit of everything. The Canoe and Kayak was a nice touch for my boys to keep busy. The outdoor shower is a must for our after beach day sand. I gave 5 stars because we were very happy but would add a couple minor things. I wish there were either more hooks to hang things for drying in the bathroom or outside. And since it was a dog friendly rental, the rug in the living room did have some reminisce of a previous dog (we didn't have a dog) not a big deal to us but just a minor detail. . Over all a great experience. We've rented from Heart of Cape Cod in the past and every time has been top notch and we will always look there first before other sites. Their houses are always well maintained and well thought out for a carefree Cape Cod Vacation. Thanks for a great week and stay!
We greatly enjoyed the beach at the pond, particuarly since there was a heat wave and the place was n a wooded area with a small private pond just feet away. The place was clean and well-equipped with a pleasant walk around neighborhood and easy access to route 6. Any time we reached out to Tara, we got a prompt response. Would definitely stay there again
Clean and pretty little cottage— was lovely for a couples’ weekend away. We enjoyed the outdoor shower, doggie accessories, bikes to borrow and easy access to the bike path (rail trail).
Our stay was delightful. The place was clean, cozy, and the view of the pond was perfect! The amenities were spot-on too. The place is very close to great restaurants, bike trails, and short hiking trails (1-2 miles). The host, Tara, was exceptionally helpful and responded to all inquiries right away. Don’t miss out on this gem.
The welcome message on the bag of homemade cookies, with my name on it was a lovely touch. The accommodation was the same as advertised, perfect online manual to help with all manner of questions from heating, WiFi to local shops, things to do. Messaging to owner was brilliant as response was very quick. Thank you for the stay.
The cottage was lovely and had such special extra touches, and the view of the pond couldn't have been more beautiful. We'd love to return for another winter week (though any season would be wonderful). Tara was so thorough and so nice to work with. Perfect.
Perfect location, right on the east end of pond (sunset). Super clean and very comfortable.
Perfect for a short get away.
Arch H.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2021
About the host
Hosted by Tara Goss
At The Heart of Cape Cod & InsideOut Properties, our intention is to create a memorable “experience” more than just a “stay”. The goal is to have our guests want to return to our properties year after year because we provide what their emotional centers (memories/insides) tie to the comfortable and clean surroundings we provide (properties/outside). We also understand that homeowners are emotionally tied to their properties as well. We treat each property as if it were our own, caring for it, and the homeowner, inside and out. Welcome to a Heart of Cape Cod property!
Languages:
English
Premier Host
They consistently provide great experiences for their guests