I just recently checked to see if the lovely cottage in Delray that we stayed in 6 years ago was still listed for rent. My wife, dog, and myself saw the cottage during a trip to visit my father. At the time it was not on the VRBO. I am writing this review now because I was shocked to see the terrible review left by a former renter. Our experience was anything BUT what they claim.
We rented the cottage for three months starting January 1. When the three months were up and it was time to leave, we were quite sad to say goodbye to both the cottage and to Delray Beach. At that time, the owner had done an extensive remake of the cottage, and we found the entire place to our liking. I can see from the pictures that the interior looks as lovely as we remember it, and the outside has been enhanced by new plantings.
We found everything at the cottage to be to our liking. Indeed, the bedroom is a converted former porch, but it has been totally enclosed and is a true bedroom. The backyard has a wonderful wooden deck and barbecue, and it leads out onto a true tropical landscape. The air conditioner is also a heater and being centrally located in this cottage is absolutely sufficient for the entire interior. We also appreciated the full size washer and dryer, and yes, it was in the bathroom - no problem there.
The heart of downtown Delray is literally a few city blocks west, and is a great and vibrant downtown which I wouldn't mind calling my home town. However the street that the cottage is on is absolutely quiet and populated by private homes. There is a Publix and Walgreens not more than two short blocks north and the intracoastal is two blocks east. The Atlantic Ocean is accessible only a few minutes walk away and it is a beautiful stretch of beach with a handful of restaurants (Luna Rosa was our go-to place) within feet of the beach.
The owner was very accommodating, providing an additional desk because at the time that we stayed my wife was still working, telecommuting, and she had a magnificent place to call her office - that desk next to the kitchen and facing out onto the backyard. We would take walks along the beach early in the morning as she was working her west coast hours and our mornings were free.
In summary, I cannot express more strongly how pleasant the stay and the cottage and life there was. I am still quite dismayed that some recent renters found so much fault, that I doubt that there is much truth to their story.