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James River, VA Retreat - Waterfront - Williamsburg - Jamestown - Yorktown.

Photo gallery for James River, VA Retreat - Waterfront - Williamsburg - Jamestown - Yorktown.

A beach with a wooden pier extending into calm waters, a sandy area with lounge chairs, and a small dock with a table and chairs.
A room with large windows overlooking a beach and water.
A modern kitchen with a central island, a dining table with chairs, a green sofa, and a TV in the background.
A well-maintained garden with various plants and trees, a clear pathway, and a bench in the background.
A modern kitchen with white cabinetry, a central island, pendant lighting, a gas stove, and a microwave.

Reviews

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional

Highlights

  • Scenic water view
    Relax and unwind with top-rated water views, offering a scenic experience.

Popular amenities

  • On beach
  • Porch or lanai
  • Gas barbecue
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Air-conditioning
  • Kitchen

Explore the area

View in a map
Surry, VA
  • Place, Smith's Fort
    ‪4 min drive‬
  • Place, Chippokes Plantation State Park
    ‪11 min drive‬
  • Place, Colonial National Historical Park
    ‪18 min drive‬
  • Airport, Newport News, VA (PHF-Newport News - Williamsburg Intl.)
    ‪62 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 5)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Double Bed

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining area

Add dates for prices

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About the area

Surry

Located in Surry, this cottage is in a rural area and on the beach. Jamestown Settlement and Historic Jamestowne are notable landmarks, and travellers looking to shop may want to visit Merchants Square and Williamsburg Premium Outlets. Looking to enjoy an event or a game while in town? See what's happening at Busch Tennis Courts or Kaplan Arena. With kayaking, power boating and fishing nearby, you'll find plenty of adventures in the water.
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Map
Surry, VA

What's nearby

  • Smith's Fort - 4 min drive - 5.1 km
  • Chippokes Plantation State Park - 11 min drive - 7.8 km
  • Colonial National Historical Park - 18 min drive - 16.2 km
  • Bacons Castle - 20 min drive - 23.6 km
  • Jamestown Settlement - 26 min drive - 6.1 km

Getting around

  • Williamsburg Transportation Center - 33 min drive
  • Newport News, VA (PHF-Newport News - Williamsburg Intl.) - 51 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Starbucks - ‬38 min drive
  • ‪Chick-fil-A - ‬38 min drive
  • ‪Frothy Moon Brewhouse - ‬33 min drive
  • ‪McDonald's - ‬36 min drive
  • ‪Sushiya - ‬35 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is James River, VA Retreat - Waterfront - Williamsburg - Jamestown - Yorktown. pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much is parking at James River, VA Retreat - Waterfront - Williamsburg - Jamestown - Yorktown. ?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at James River, VA Retreat - Waterfront - Williamsburg - Jamestown - Yorktown. ?

Check-in begins at 5:00 PM.

What time is check-out at James River, VA Retreat - Waterfront - Williamsburg - Jamestown - Yorktown. ?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is James River, VA Retreat - Waterfront - Williamsburg - Jamestown - Yorktown. located?

Nestled on the beach, this Surry cottage is 2.6 mi (4.1 km) from Smith's Fort and 3.1 mi (4.9 km) from Jamestown Beach. Chippokes Plantation State Park and Jamestown Settlement are also within 6 miles (10 km).

Reviews

9.6

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 47 out of 57 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 8 out of 57 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 57 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 57 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 57 reviews

9.8/10

Cleanliness

9.6/10

Check-in

9.6/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

9.6/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great little cottage on the river.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 9 Oct, 2026
Thank you for your nice response. We hope you both enjoyed your visit and will return. Deena
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Cottage was cute and cozy, had all necessary accommodations to meet your basic daily needs. Location was a hidden gem. Perfect little getaway for a quiet weekend on the beach! We loved the private beach and the fishing pier. My family and I would consider coming back in the future.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 19 Aug, 2026
Thank you, Ms. L, for your nice review. We are happy to hear that the cottage and its private beachfront location and pier worked well for you and your family. The easy communication with you was welcomed. We would be pleased to welcome you for a return visit.
Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Cleanliness, communication, location
Overall our stay was ok.
Stayed 30 nights in Oct 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Love, love, love this cottage!! This was a perfect place to have Thanksgiving. To be on the James River, the ferry at our doorstep, and to be in this lovely cottage… I would highly recommend!!
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Cottage on the James River

This place was absolutely awesome!!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A Colonial 4th of July

Booked this cottage as a last minute getaway from Fairfax, VA and it did not disappoint. The proximity to the ferry across the James River was so convenient, and the cottage was adorable. We loved the private beach and all the vintage furnishings. Can’t wait to come back!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beachfront

Very nice experience
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Best Lil Cottage

This property is amazing and the location is perfect...hit the ferry to enjoy history of the Jamestown settlement, Colonial Williamsburg and Yorktown and come back and enjoy a private beach with a sunset on the dock! I will be returning!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 2 Aug, 2024
Thank you Kat, for your nice review. We are happy to hear that the cottage met your expectations. Thank you also for leaving the cottage in such good condition. We do appreciate your respect for our property. We would love for you to visit again. Deena, Homeowner
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Well appointed property in a location convenient to the water, Virginia historical sites, and state parks. Lots of comfortable seating for reading, relaxing, and just watching the waves. The kitchen was well stocked with pots, pans, and utensils for cooking, and the view was spectacular. We enjoyed making use of the on site kayaks and sitting on the beach as the sun set. Although very near the ferry landing, there wasn't a lot of noise. We would definitely return!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Comfortable and calming Cottage

Loved this cottage and its location. Can step right off the porch and walk directly to the waters edge without difficultly. It was spotless. The host provided everything you could ever need to enjoy your visit. It was decorated with exquisite good taste. The scenery was delightful inside and out!
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2024
Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Back to school reboot

This property was the perfect place for a quick getaway for our family. It was the perfect balance of educational, excitement and relaxation. Deena has a beautiful property situated perfectly on the James River, it allows for water fun, great history, and a fantastic place to lay your head at night. Thank you for all the great memories Deena, we loved it!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 22 Aug, 2024
Shawn, We are happy to hear that you found our property and the area fit your needs and that you enjoyed your week. Thank you for leaving the cottage in nice condition - always appreciated. Please think of us for future vacations filled with both history and beach fun. We would love to have you return. Deena
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Memorial Day

We had the best time at this river cottage! The location was absolutely beautiful—peaceful water views and quiet mornings. The house was clean, cozy, and had everything we needed for a comfortable stay. We especially loved the beach and pier, the two cushioned loungers, and how easy it was to access the water. It truly felt like an escape, but with all the comforts of home. Communication with the host was smooth and responsive. Highly recommend this gem—we’re already talking about coming back!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Cozy Rivah Home

Loved our stay from arriving to the cute, well decorated and cozy home to the sad moment we had to checkout suntanned and relaxed. It felt like home away from home. We spent a day at the Jamestown Settlement and at night we fished and caught a decent sized catfish. The next day I tanned and floated all day in the James watching the ferry and birds. Everything you need is already there besides food and drinks, literally everything else. Beds were comfy (pillows too!). Linda was lovely to meet and so helpful with our stay.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 21 Jul, 2025
Hello Leigh, Thank you for your nice note. We are happy to hear that you and your daughter enjoyed your stay. It seems that the fishing and relaxing went well! I loved your note about you and your daughter dancing around the beach fire you made. Yes great memories and much fun. Deena
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Great cabin for our family of five for colonial adventures!

Tidy and happy cabin on the James River beach. Our 13 yr old boy and 11 yr old girl had to be pried out of the kayaks in order to visit Williamsburg, Jamestown, and Yorktown. Deena provides extensive recommendations for great places to eat and things to see. Almost like having a personal guide. I am still working on a wonderful chicken pot pie from her recommendation from the nearby Jamestown Pie Company. Will definitely come back.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2018
Response from VrboOwner on 13 Sept, 2023
David, Happy to hear that the kayaks were a big hit with your children but equally glad to hear that you did get them to some of the historic sites. Yes, those pot pies can feed a few people. We appreciated the nice condition in which you left the cottage. Thank you for your business and for being such great guests. Deena
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Location to Explore the Historical Triangle

We thoroughly enjoyed our stay as we visited Jamestown, Yorktown and Colonial Williamsburg. The location was perfect and the proximity of the ferry was phenomenal. We were back at the cottage before all the rest of the cars were off the ferry! The kitchen was well equipped and there were plenty of clean towels. The beds were comfy and the back porch area was amazing to sit, watch the water, and relax. One thing to note is that there is not really anything close in terms of food/stores. If you plan to cook, you may want to stock up before arriving. Thanks again Deena for a great stay.
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Absolutely Perfect!

Deena was amazingly helpful and easy to reach at all times. She took the time to get to know my family and made suggestions during our stay (that we loved and enjoyed doing). The cottage was exactly as expected and very well equipped. We all wanted to stay longer and will certainly be back soon. The privacy and comfort that this cottage offers is exactly what we want and need. Thank you Deena! We will be back.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

The Greatest

The cottage is located in a very quiet area. Everything you need to cook, grill, kayak and fish are there at your disposal. Just bring your food and fishing essentials and your set. The owner is extremely communicative and response very quickly. This was my second time renting at both properties next to each other. We will be back!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023
Verified review

6/10 Okay

Liked: Cleanliness, location, listing accuracy
Disliked: Communication
The property itself was in a nice location and had comfortable beds, which worked well for our crew’s short stay. However, the booking process and communication with the host were not ideal. Since we booked last minute, we expected to provide some information, but the amount requested felt excessive and intrusive. The host also continued sending messages after 10:30 p.m., which made the experience stressful rather than relaxing. Overall, while the accommodations were fine, the communication style was off-putting, and we would not book again.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2025
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Awesome Host and House

We stayed July 29-Aug 5. Deena is a great host! Answered ALL of our questions. The house is loaded with all of the essentials from q-tips to a salad spinner to beach towels, which is not a very common thing for rentals. Deena even bought a coffeemaker before we arrived because of some questions I was asking about the Keurig (very nice)! The kids swam everyday in the river. There were plenty of catfish to catch, too! The 4 of us stayed comfortably in this house. We would recommend this house to anyone!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2017
Response from VrboOwner on 13 Sept, 2023
Heather, Thank you for your nice comments about our James River beach cottage. I appreciated your organized approach to your vacation!! I like to get questions ........... then I know you are thinking about the cottage, the trip and the excursions. There are so many places to visit in the area, that only a well planned trip can cover even some of them. We were happy to hear that the children liked swimming and playing in the river. For years and years, children (me, my sister, our friends, our children, etc) have been swimming here, and it is nice to see the experience continue. We hope you will return to either of our beachfront cottages in the future. . Deena
Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Ok, but a few unexpected things

The host felt over communicative, as mentiomed on some other reviews. She owns three homes all in a row and was staying at the one next to us at the time. She commented late one evening after watching my husband fish on the pier and sent us a photo of a fish caught the prior weekend by another family. It did feel, after a while and several messages, like we were being watched.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

The Best Hostess and Cottage !

My wife and I celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary by taking a vacation to Williamsburg, Jamestown, and Yorktown triangle. We reserved Deena’s cottage without hesitation. The condition of the cottage was superlative! It was extremely clean and well appointed. Everything we needed was there and entirely in “like-new” condition. There were pots, pans, silverware, and cutlery with matching dishware. The pillows and beds were cozy and comfy. The central air was quiet and responsive. The private beach and dock were fantastic. The free ferry rides were awesome. Deena’s attention to detail is first-class. She supplied us with fantastic information about the cottage and the nearby attractions. She was exceptionally prompt and exceedingly friendly. A bottle of wine and an anniversary card were waiting for us on the kitchen counter. Her hospitality surpassed our wildest expectations. We highly recommend this family-friendly cottage and its impeccable owner. Spending time at her place “on the James” River was AMAZING.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful Cottage

This cottage is beautiful...The love and care that Deena and her daughter showered upon this home when outfitting it for renters is obvious..This was our 2nd time in this cottage and both times we were completely satisfied.We were late arriving and what a joy to be welcomed with fresh flowers everywhere...My 9 year old granddaughter couldnt stop pointing out all of the unique objects that were used in the decorating of the cottage..Deena has made sure that both of her cottages have only the top of the line linens and kitchen supplies..We chose to stay at the cottage and cook our meals..Everything we needed was provided. The views are wonderful..the water is shallow for a long way off shore which is great for young children and even Nana that wants to just float in the wonderful James...wonderful memories were made at this cottage for my family..my only wish would be to have enough money to rent it all summer..but I will settle for a long weekend..Thank you Deena for offering such a beautiful place for us to spend such a special time together. I would also add that Deena is always available if there were ever any problems to arise and always goes above and beyond to make sure all of your needs are met...
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 19 Aug, 2024
Dear Phyllis, Thank you for your very nice review of our cottage. We are so happy to hear that you and your family enjoyed your visit. We hope to see you again in the future. Best regards, Deena
Verified review

2/10 Terrible

Liked: Location
Disliked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, listing accuracy

Great vacation until...

The owner is over communicative and apparently has recorded footage of her guests. This makes it difficult to relax on vacation when their are signs dictating every move make and recording you and your minor children. Our child fell through the pier due to unsafe boards. Our child was bruised for several days after. When this was brought to the attention of the owner, she stated she had to review their security camera recordings to see what happened. She was more concerned regarding the roots of her Cypress tree and our children being kids, rather than our child's health and well being. When her misdirection of concern was brought to her attention there was silence. There was also a dead frog in one of the rooms upon our check-in. Also, the lawn care man came onto the property while we were trying to relax to water flowers. Also, Deena has a need for a greeter to let us into the home and check on us without warning during our stay. We go on vacation frequently and have never had so many signs telling us to wipe fingerprints off of items, being recorded during a private rental, and having people stop and interrupt our family vacation. We do not recommend renting from Deena.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Just What We Were Looking For!

Bottom line up front: Would we stay here again? ABSOLUTELY! My wife and I wanted to treat my in-laws to a long weekend at a waterfront property, and this cottage was perfect. Before we could even unload the car, my mother-in-law had her shoes off and was blissfully strolling along the private beach and in the water. This cottage is so well sited. It's level with the beach and pier, and you literally walk out the back 4-seasons room and a couple of paces to the beach and pier. This was very ideal for an older couple to enjoy. They were out every sunrise for coffee and duck watching. The cottage itself: very clean, updated and cute. Pretty much anything we needed or wanted (outside our own personal food) was in place when we arrived. For four adults the accommodations were very comfortable. You will not be bored and please don't let the lack of Wi-Fi deter you. Take this time to "unplug" and enjoy the stay. The cottage location is another advantage. The 24-hour, free ferry to cross the James River is just around the corner--literally within walking distance, so getting across the river to the historical Colonial Williamsburg-Jamestown-Yorktown tourist sites was really easy. I only wish we had more time to better explore everything. We could've easily used a full week. The host: Deena is absolutely a joy and made this stay very easy for us! She makes sure you have as much information as possible beforehand to plan and prepare before arrival. She answered questions I didn't think to ask, spot-on recommendation and was always very responsive. OVERALL: great value and a very enjoyable stay. Looking forward to another visit!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2018
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We have stayed at this property several times. Love everything about it. Looking forward to returning.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 13 Nov, 2026
Thank you for your nice comments. We hope you will visit again.
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