An historic family place, which is clearly dear to the family. While we appreciated the century of memories documented throughout, family attachment has led to overlooking comforts for normal rental experiences: broken “original” pull-chain toilet, no A/C, mildewed basement bedrooms, 1-person galley kitchen, 2 broken refrigerators, myriad “rules” notes, spotty Internet, glitchy electrical fuse, broken window and door, zero open surfaces. Worked around owner’s toiletries, clothes in drawers. Despite paying a high rental fee for what this cottage turned out to be, it felt like we were hesitantly admitted guests.
During our stay, owner explained the property is rented to pay taxes: It is not our responsibility to politely excuse price-gouging for what this property is, to ensure family legacy. Nor must we be patient with the kind older owner’s defensiveness about property quirks when top dollar is paid for expectation of fully functional lodging.
Dirty: During this pandemic year, the most exigent concern is lack of professional cleaners. We found out too late that cleaning is on an “honors system.” So, there is no accountability for cleanliness or rearranged possessions. Our family spent the entire afternoon upon arrival deep-cleaning between indescribable volumes of clutter, collectibles, literal mountains of unwashed throw pillows, and disposing of left-behind groceries and wet bars of soap from previous renters before we felt safe to touch surfaces, use the kitchen, or prepare bedding. We found using the outside shower all week to be preferable to inside shower options.
Accessibility: 20-foot drop on steep stairs to beach. High tide makes beach blocked for 4+ hrs.
Bonus: If you enjoy the thrill of a swarm of shorebirds overhead, the owner mixes special mayonnaise-tuna seagull food in a jar and leaves it in the fridge for your use.
Summary: Our regionally-experienced beach rental group can roll with discomforts (outdoor shower, window nooks in lieu of beds) or lack of perfection (fridge leak floor-mopping, “friendly” muskrats in shed). But we struggled to relax or find a single comfortable chair. Tiny property sleeps 3 adult guests, max. We cannot condone use of ancient pullout sofas or dank basement beds.
Positives: Bikes, kayaks, hammocks, toys. Pets OK. No road noises. Wild deer, minke whales. Clean and beautiful beach, quiet place to ramble and explore.