2 mins/350 ft walk to West Beach 4-BR cottage in Westbrook, CT with large yard

Thank you for the 4-star review! We are so glad you found our shoreline cottage cozy. It was originally built as an 1880 boarding house, so providing a warm, welcoming space for travelers is literally in its bones! We would love to host you again the next time you need a relaxing seaside getaway

I love that you appreciated the historical feel of my circa 1880 cottage. There is a lot of history there, and I think you felt it. Thank you for this wonderful review, how you highlighted the historic charm, the ocean views from the porch, and the peaceful small-town vibe. Thank you so much for your kind words! . Glad you enjoyed the porch views and quiet spaces. We would love to host you again anytime!

Thank you Noelle! You were the ideal cottage guests, ready to explore and enjoy.

It was a pleasure to rent to you. I'm so pleased you all had a good stay. I love it when families enjoy time together at my cottage.

Marcia thank you so much for your heartfelt review. I was deeply saddened to hear about your brother's passing, and I am so glad my home could provide a comforting place for your family during such a difficult time. I especially appreciate you noting the unique features of our circa 1880 home—from the vintage charm and ocean-breeze porches to the beach's close proximity. Your feedback regarding the narrow stairs, bathroom size, and downstairs laundry access is incredibly helpful for future guests, and we are so glad we could get that A/C unit installed for you during your stay. I have a family member with mobility issues, hence the high-end queen sofa bed on the first floor. It was a true pleasure hosting you and your family, and we are wishing you peace and comfort in the days ahead.

Thank you for your feedback. The description of this property addresses many of the concerns you reference in your review: No air conditioning: a/c is not listed as an amenity in the VRBO listing. The cottage is uninsulated, as originally built, and cannot have air conditioning. The attic fan was installed in 2017, to maximize ways to cool the cottage on hot days. I am sorry you did not have more time to problem solve with me over the phone to get it started when you arrived. I know you were anxious to get on with plans when you told me you thought a family member could solve it. Apparently, by the next day the weather had changed and you didn't feel the need to have my neighbor help you. He did come by after you left and, as I suspected, the switches in the attic and in the kitchen were not in sync. Lesson learned: I need to tell renters to only use the kitchen switch. As we discussed, the windows and doors line up to allow breezes to pass straight through the house and there are numerous fans throughout. Exposed knob and tube wiring in the stairway is probably 100 years old and is non-functional. I left it in place for historical accuracy and sentimentality. All live electrical wiring has been inspected and is deemed safe. You may have noticed if you tried to turn those switches that nothing happened; the light didn't go on. The cottage is well over 100 years old, vintage 1872. Reference the historical society photo in the listing showing the cottage at its first location, attached to an observation tower and an adjacent cottage. These were boarding house cottages and were moved to the current location. Style is antique with many original features in description - Marble top server in dining room (19th century) - additionally, and not in description - the queen sized sleeper sofa on the first floor is top of the line and less than two years old additionally, and not in description - the Morris chairs offer adjustable seating with updated cushions covered with quality fabric. There are numerous throw pillows to get comfy with. - dining room chairs and porch chairs all have updated seat cushions and backs for comfort - the "ancient pictures" are in keeping with the 19th century. Some are original from the cottage's early years in the first part of the 20th century - the interior has been largely left as built, with exposed wood, which darkens over time. The stairs are described as steep in the listing. I'm very sorry to hear of your splinter and regret that you didn't contact me at the time rather than informing me of it via this review. Though I am on the other side of the continent, I have friends and family nearby in CT who help out. It is clear that the caption for this property, "Family compound, vintage 1872 cottage water views", and the description that followed may not have been read thoroughly before deciding to rent. For future VRBO property rentals you may consider, I urge you to read about the property in its entirety to ensure an enjoyable stay.

I'm so glad you enjoyed yourselves and appreciated our cottage. Hope to see you again!

It is especially gratifying when guests enjoy it so much they come back. I love to see family traditions of gathering together in Westbrook. There have been so many over the many years. Maybe that's the charm.

It always pleases me when vacationers enter into the historical spirit of my cottage and relax back in time. I hope that they come away feeling rejuvenated and uplifted. It's the "gift of the sea" to paraphrase Anne Morrow Lindbergh or, in this case, the "gift of West Beach". I appreciate the lovely review and apt description of the area. I look forward to many more people enjoying similar experiences over the years.