10/10 Excellent
Phil C., Brooklyn, NY
23 Aug 2019
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Spacious and kid-friendly
We stayed here for a glorious August beach week with 6 adults (3 couples) and 3 kids. We would definitely return.
The Koyens keep a beautiful house, recently renovated and appointed thoughtfully. We found everything we needed in the kitchen: every appliance or utensil for baking, cooking, grilling.
Our August week was a hot and somewhat humid one-- high 80s-- but with so many windows in every room downstairs, the cross-breeze kept the space comfortable. The designers of these Victorians knew what they were doing. We only used the AC in the dining room when we gathered there midday for lunch. Upstairs, each bedroom had an air conditioner which we did use to keep cool at night.
The downstairs space is sprawling: there's room for everybody to gather together, or to do their own thing. At times we spread out in the living room, TV room, kitchen, dining room, and porch with separate activities (while somebody was napping upstairs). The wraparound porch was glorious for reading and naps, and we even took in a big rainstorm without getting wet.
The art room was a real boon for our children, with generous paper and art supplies to keep them crafting. This room is situated so somebody can keep an eye on the kids while working in the kitchen. We also appreciated all the beach toys shared with renters, and kids’ dishes in the kitchen.
A note about layout: the attic stairs are contained within the master bedroom, meaning attic occupants have to walk past the master bed to come and go. It worked best for us to put the 3 kids in the attic with their parents in the master. This way the three couples in our group could have privacy, and worked really well for the parents/kids in the master-attic "suite," though it meant we had adults sleeping in the bunk beds in the 2nd floor "kids room.”
The beach is a 10 minute walk away (8 blocks/.5 mile). We appreciated the use of the family beach gear: 2 chairs, an umbrella, boogie boards, and a beach wagon to get it all down the street with ease. Jeff also provided beach towels and 4 beach passes. For us, the 10-minute stroll was no big deal. Perfect outdoor shower.
The yard feels plenty private from the street, behind a wall of thriving hydrangeas and other greenery. We enjoyed our ice cream cones and watermelon at the picnic table.
Jeff was very kind and, to the few questions that arose, very responsive. We hope to stay at the Koyen's house again!
Phil C.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2019
