If you are looking for a simple, old-time, rustic cottage in the quiet part of Fire Island, then this is it. The “Donkey House” is pretty much untouched by time and offered my adult kids a look at what I remember of 60s and 70s vacations with my family in the OBX—albeit with updated kitchen and a new outdoor shower and back deck. The new W/D is a bonus. Bikes, walks, beach and bay swimming, sail/kayaking, puzzles, games, reading, conversation, simple meals, sunrises and sunsets. No TV (thankfully). Stunning architecture next-door and down the lane will impress with all the bells and whistles (definitely walk down the many lanes to see the houses/gardens), but this cottage is not that. It is quaint, small, basic. The back deck is quiet and private. You will see and hear people in the front, especially just before and just after the ferries arrive/depart, as the main “walk” is immediately adjacent. We took great delight in little children biking, playing, enterprising everywhere. Bring small bills for painted shells, bracelets, lemonade. Summer kids also offer wagon service and dog walking if you need. By the end of 2 weeks I’d met a number of the neighbors from forays to the bay beach, the docks at sunset and just walking. Lonelyville/Dunewood is idyllic. Livelier Kismet (and our fave, the Kismet Inn) and Saltaire are a 30-minute walk/10-minute bike ride. The Shack at Atlantique is a 10-minute walk; Ocean Beach is 40 minutes walking on the beach if you really want to see people and shops or if you desperately need something not at the Fair Harbor market/store. The cottage is exactly as described—basic. You wash towels, put the garbage and recycling out yourself per the weekly schedule, for example. I needed to grab ant traps at the FH market the first day (tiny ants are par for the course on FI and the market has traps in generous supply). I’d brought 2 quiet cooling tower fans and procured some Damp Rid at the “Bike” shop in FH. I’m sure the lovely homeowners (who are very near) would have done so had I asked, but it was not a bother to me, not expensive. This and keeping windows open with fans on low definitely helped air things out as the weather was 90s the week prior to our 2-week stay. There is a terrific cleaning crew between renters, of course. We stayed until 11am and had washed sheets, blankets, covers, towels ourselves before they arrived to facilitate. Suggest a mini microwave for reheating. +Chess and Jenga (I’d forgotten to bring).