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Reviews of Cozy oceanfront home with unique architecture

Cozy oceanfront home with unique architecture
Rockport, MA

Reviews

7.6

Good

Rating 10 - Excellent. 12 out of 31 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 9 out of 31 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 4 out of 31 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 3 out of 31 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 3 out of 31 reviews" "

7.0/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

2/10 Terrible

Amber S.

Disliked: Cleanliness
DO NOT STAY HERE!
There were mice nests in the bookshelves. A very oderifious musty smell coming from the crawl space under the cottage into it from a grate in living room covered by a rug. Green mold on wood paneling. Dead bugs in blankets. Spiders in corners. Lawn was very overgrown. Mold on the books. Find anywhere else but here.
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 5 Nov 2023
Hi Amber, thank you for your review. We sincerely apologize for the issues you experienced during your stay, as well as any personal touch you found lacking. Moving forward, our local staff has taken immediate action and addressed your concerns so that we can prevent any further issues in the future. Thank you again for this valuable information as we always welcome the opportunity to improve. We understand how disappointing it was that the home was in this condition upon your arrival. Please know we strive to provide every guest with a relaxing stay. We hope to have another chance to impress you on a future stay.

6/10 Okay

Carly E.

Disliked: Cleanliness
Charming & Convenient
This home was absolute charm and character - my boyfriend and I will be talking about this stay for years to come. We loved the library, spent our mornings and evenings sipping coffee and looking at the spectacular view, and everything was so convenient to Rockport and nearby. We had more than enough towels, clean linens, and pillows to keep us comfortable. Unfortunately, cleanliness did leave a bit to be desired - we washed each dish before we used it, and dust bunnies had collected behind and around a lot of the furniture. Kitchen organization was haphazard, and more than a few spiders had made themselves home here as well. All in all, we are so happy to have rented this property, but it should be known that the charm comes with more than a few rustic characteristics.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 21 Nov 2023
Hi, thank you for your review, we appreciate you taking the time to provide us with your valuable feedback. We apologize if you felt the home was not on par with our cleanliness standards. We would have been happy to address any areas in need of additional attention during your stay had we been notified. We look forward to hosting you again!

10/10 Excellent

Anika P.

Liked: Cleanliness
Charming
After reading all the reviews, I arrived with weighty wondering at the opportunity to clearly discover - who am I? The grateful admirers or the snooty complainers? I loved it. It felt like stepping back in time to a family property untouched by time and years, it reminded me so much of a family property I grew up going to each summer that so comfortingly stayed the same as life changed. The view of the water and wildflowers surrounding are absolutely breathtaking. Peaceful places to sit indoors and outdoors! Less than a mile walk from the charming town of Rockport and 2 miles to gorgeous Halibut point state park. The parking situation is legit tight and steep, I was so glad I didn’t have my suburban! But all the wood and trees that made it hard to park added to how secluded it felt. At night, we did get pretty creeped out. There was no deadbolt or secondary lock on either door.(think bathroom/bathroom type knob lock on one and rusty hook/eye on the other). It felt pretty vulnerable security-wise for two ladies, and we had some trouble sleeping because of being creeped out. Perhaps it wouldn’t feel this way to someone familiar with the area. Despite our vivid imaginations of terrifying scenarios, we lived to tell!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Victoria A.

Liked: Cleanliness
Cozy seaside oasis
This little gem in the rough was so perfect for my family. LOVED the house, the outdoor space, the books and just the overall uniqueness. The flowers were just blooming and they were obviously tended to with care. The only recommendation I would make is to get new mattresses. It would really make staying there more comfortable
Stayed 3 nights in May 2023

8/10 Good

Joshua M., Grapevine, USA

Liked: Cleanliness
Shabby Cottage
Some reviews say this property is a dump. That’s NOT the case. If you like the Hilton, stay at the Hilton. If you like rustic, quaint, quiet, secluded, antiques, etc. this is the place. No, it doesn’t have a ton of amenities. That’s not a bad thing. It’s “back to basics” and is set in an amazing spot right on the water. Such a cool place. The cons: If you have a hard time walking, etc. DO NOT book. It’s a very steep walkway to the house. Don’t overlook this point. Also, this property has a TOn of potential, but the surrounding areas around the house are unkempt and very messy. Clean this up and the place is an absolute knock out. That’s the only thing keeping it from 5 stars. We’ll be back.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2022

8/10 Good

Lauren R.

lovely setting
Great location. Private yet easy walk into town for 2 sixty year old ladies. Really enjoyed the yard and view overlooking the water. Rockport was a lovely place to stroll around and the restaurants were good. Admittedly, the cottage could use some attention. I love the rustic ambiance but a little upgrading would make this rental even better. Definitely not the place for the resort crowd1
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Margaret R.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great Location, Charming Cottage
This cottage has character, privacy, amazing ocean views, and charm in abundance. We were very content and comfortable here. However, it does have accessibility challenges for those with mobility issues, and people who expect a sanitized, "matchy" environment should probably stick to more conventional places. This is for adventurous folks who appreciate history and character and are able to navigate a steep access path. .
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2022

4/10 Poor

lisa n.

Liked: Cleanliness
If Rustic= Rundown with junk around then description= accurate
My review Arrival: Couldn't get the key out of lockbox. Called and was on the phone for a while. Told that maintenance person would call me right away. I got there to check in at 4pm and didn't get any communication from the maintenance person until 6pm. Luckily I was able to bang the box with my fist and finally get it to open. Very stressful. NO apologies were given for the inconvenience. Bathroom: Tiles missing, the shower is gross as the shower curtain covering the window bellows into the shower space and touches your skin while you take a shower. The shower curtain in the window plus the normal shower curtain make the space so narrow it's not possible to avoid this. When I took a shower, the smoke detector went off (inconveniently located directly outside the bathroom door). This was very stressful and happened every time I took a shower. Windows: probably original from the 40's (most of them), difficult to open and close. Property: Beautiful view however, there is lots of debris around. Parking: An abundance of garbage cans (probably around 40 or so on the property near the parking area which makes it hard to park two cars, multiple wheel barrows, enough chopped wood for a life time, tarps, rotting wood) Kitchen: Light is horrible colored fixture that makes it difficult to see Refrigerator: No light inside Microwave: Cannot use in the kitchen, the outlet wouldn't work, so I had to move it into the living room to use it. Toaster oven: Another pain the neck to use since you had move the microwave to make room so you can plug in and use it. Coffee Cups: Many were chipped Beds: The twin bed in the small bedroom had what looked like an antique bed spring mattress that was brown and falling apart. Furniture: The place lacked comfortable furniture which was frustrating. The couch in the main room is horrible and sink into the middle, the loveseat in the library room is impossible to sit in and looks like it was attacked by a cat. The only comfortable chair has a blanket over it and that was stained. Noise: The house immediately next door had a roof replacement going on and made relaxing impossible at times. Creepy guy: Creepy guy pushing wheel barrow around on property, felt uneasy seeing the guy since he looked homeless but he seemed to be doing something with all the garbage cans and wheelbarrows around Friend & son visited and both were unimpressed but loved the view. High price, high fees. Regret it.
Stayed 5 nights in May 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 11 Aug 2022
Hi Lisa, we are sorry to see that you were disappointed with your visit. We appreciate your review as it helps us to make improvements. We are working with our local team to replace or repair items including the mattress and coffee mugs. We have also added weights to the shower curtain so that it stays put during showers. We hope to have the opportunity to impress you in the future.

6/10 Okay

Dianne L.

Disliked: Cleanliness
Rockport, MA
The view was the most wonderful part. The cottage was more shabby than the pictures on Verbo. Rips in furniture, oven not working, smell of old antique furniture and books dusty. The driveway was narrow and difficult to maneuver. The incline up to the drive was steep for us (over 70). Also, bathroom shower/tub was not as pictured. Very disappointed in the cottage itself.
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2021

8/10 Good

Emily W.

great spot to enjoy the outdoors, the waterview and wildlife
Funky is how we'd describe the house with it's amazing decor from another era. Some of the furniture is worn but adds to the charm in an odd way. The library offers reading (or just checking out the title on the spine) on an incredible number of subjects. The driveway is very steep and demands a wide swing into the opposite lane to get the car aimed between two stone posts that designate the driveway entrance. The distance from parking area is maybe 50 yards downhill on a grassy surface to reach the house. Luggage must be carried from the parking area. The house and yard are very private as is the sitting area overlooking the the water. We spent hours in the lawn chairs enjoying the boats and birds. There appears to be a resident red fox and a pair of Black-crowned Night Herons. The importance of these things far outweighed any slight inconvenience.
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Saumya H.

Not fancy, but magical!
We loved it. The cottage is quirky and little cobwebby in the corners, but perfectly comfortable. The gardens and ocean view are absolutely stellar. The price is unbeatable for the location. We did not have any problems with mosquitoes or other bugs in the house (and it was pretty buggy outside). It got hot inside without air-conditioning in mid-August, but we just went to the beach and jumped in the ocean. Highly recommended!
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Cathy C.

Liked: Cleanliness
99 Granite Street Review and Suggestions
We had a lovely stay at the cottage 99 Granite St, Rockport!!! The location, once we found it, was spectacular, and we loved our time there. It was hard for us to leave!!! A couple suggestions: 1. We did have a little trouble finding the entrance to the property; we had to stop at a neighbor's house to for help. It would help if the address was more clearly marked on the mailbox, as it is a busy street on a curve. 2. The one major issue was that the refrigerator is not working properly, it was barely cool at best, and we had to toss some food out, which we had hoped to bring back home. We pushed the temperature setting to high cool, but it didn't respond. The freezer is fine. 3. The windows were filthy, and with such a beautiful view, that is a real shame. 4. The screens were not fixed, as suggested would be done in the review; there were gaps for bugs to come through. But again, we had a wonderful stay and would stay there again in a heartbeat. Thanks so much for asking! Cathy and Joe
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 4 Aug 2021
Hi Cathy, Your feedback is appreciated thank you for submitting it! We're sorry to hear about the refrigerator not working properly during your stay. We would have loved the opportunity to remedy this for you! Please know that our guest services team is available 24 hours a day to assist should any questions or concerns arise. We hope for another opportunity to host you again soon, for a much more enjoyable stay!

4/10 Poor

Vanessa C.

Disliked: Cleanliness
Don’t waste your money
Kitchen is small and ill-equipped for anything other than coffee and take out. Cottage is basically a dilapidation shack with a nice view the only thing going for it. Grounds are chokes with weeds and rotting wood piles. House is smelly and not very clean with lots of insects walking around. There was little furniture that was usable in the house, the main sofa, sunk right to the ground when you sat on it. The beds and pillows were old and hard and I contemplated getting a hotel room so that I could get a good nights sleep. I am a frequent traveler and this is the Worst place I have ever rented.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2020

10/10 Excellent

Deborah M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Charming Cottage with Sea Access
We had a wonderful stay at this beautiful old-style cottage! The library and art pieces transport you to a different time. The garden and sea views are amazing! Great location on Granite Street, not far from Rockport center. A real gem!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2020

6/10 Okay

Chris L.

Cottage with a view
First of all, the location is idea as the photos show: it faces the wide open ocean and is a short walk to a nice little beach and the village of Rockport.  The grounds around the cottage could use a little cleaning up, but a wonderful story-book path leads you down to the cottage.  We sat outside to watch the moon move up the sky and toasted marshmallows on the fire pit. Inside the cottage there's a decent kitchen and ample space for a small family. But it's a bit like entering a dusty museum--filled with books and old furniture. As much as I love being around books, these were old and some of them looked damaged by rodents. And we were a little put off by closets areas, under bed areas and dressers filled with old clothes, linen and things. The whole place could use a cleaning out--there's way too much stuff around to make it 100 percent comfortable. And the cleaning crew should open the windows and turn of the fans before guests arrive.  Wifi worked fine and there's a big room with a desk area that was useful. And while the listing and logistics emails did mention the narrow steps to get down to cottage door, which wasn't a problem, what it failed to mention was that there's one of the tightest driveway entrances I've ever had to pull into off the main road.  You have to go slow in or you'll scrape your car on two small cement markers. There should be a heads-up about that! Also, the driveway and path to the cottage are shared by a man next door and his dog. He is pleasant, but there was no advance warning about how to park the car. He informed us (in a pleasant way) that we were in his way. But I like to know those things in advance.  All in all a charming place in a great location. But with some improvements and improved communication to renters, the experience could be a lot better. 
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2020
Response from VrboOwner on 20 Dec 2020
Hello Chris, thank you for your review. We will be sure to pass the parking information along to our listing team to ensure that we are providing the most accurate detail for future guests. We will also pass your comments regarding the cottage to the homeowners so that future guests may have the most enjoyable stay. Thanks!

8/10 Good

Richard R.

Great hideaway but could use some updating
This location was sweet, beautiful and very secluded despite being 100 yards from a fairly busy road. My critique would be that the house needs to be cleaned a little better and could use some new furniture. In particular, new mattresses as the ones on the full size beds are absolutely aged and very hard. I appreciate what the property owners are going for (very old timey cottage) but this could still be accomplished by updating the comforts and spending a little on new furniture.
Response from VrboOwner on 18 Dec 2020
Hello Richard, Thank you for taking the time to leave a review. We apologize the home was not up to our high standard of cleanliness and that the mattresses were not comfortable. We have sent your valuable feedback to the local manager to look into further. We apologize for the inconvenience and do hope we can host you again.

10/10 Excellent

James R.

Liked: Cleanliness
Lovely Little Cottage by the Sea
We loved our social distance mini vacation in this cute cottage, as this is the perfect place to be away from other people due to it's seclusion from other homes in the area. We were able to do some light cooking, and pick up food at local restaurants to enjoy while watching the waves crashing the shore. The yard is also the perfect place to enjoy coffee while viewing the sunrises.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2020

10/10 Excellent

Sabrina c.

Liked: Cleanliness
Everything we wanted in a quaint New England cottage
This property is exactly what we wanted for a short weekend getaway. It’s got an amazing bay window for sipping tea and watching the ocean. It’s got a fire pit and chairs on the seaside that are perfect for sunrise views. The entry is a bit tricky, not a good idea for those with mobility issues. But overall, we loved our weekend home away from home.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2019

10/10 Excellent

Samuel G.

Rockport Waterfront
Thoroughly enjoyed our stay here. Perfect views, architecturally interesting interior, great literature on shelves, rustic/simple nature. The way life should be.....especially on vacation. Perhaps the best VRBO stay we've ever had....
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2019

10/10 Excellent

Sarah L.

Liked: Cleanliness
Sit by the fire next to the ocean
Beautiful location on the rocky shore. There are close neighbors, but many trees/plants block the view between, and with the house set far from the road it had a very private feel. Older cabin filled with books. We didn't find the beds super comfortable, but the couches were and we slept well with the windows open to hear the ocean, plenty of pillows and blankets to keep us comfy and warm. Our favorite part was the little yard with plenty of wood available for us to have a nice fire in the outdoor firepit and sit and relax by the ocean. I wish I was back there now. Saw a couple of shooting stars at night and a gorgeous sunrise over the ocean the next morning. Short drive to the beach and cute shopping area with restaurants. Very pretty town. Finding the driveway was tricky- keep an eye out for the mailbox with the house number on it. It is a steep drop from the road- if your car is very low to the ground you may have trouble. Also the little path down to the house is beautiful with pretty flowers, but it isn't lit, so if you think you will arrive after dark, bring a flashlight with you to help navigate your way down the hill. It was a great relaxing weekend away, I would definitely stay there again.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2019

4/10 Poor

Jeffrey L.

Hard Times
The property is sweetly located, but not well maintained. House was not aired out prior to arrival -- so immensely hot and musty -- took 24 hours to cool down, even with one, useless air conditioner. Mainly, however, shower hasn't been maintained. The double sliding glass doors and support bar failed while I was in the shower, smashing both ankles and toes, fracturing both feet. We had to leave a day early. There has been no response from the property owner to our request (two weeks ago) to make good on a lost day, or the painful injury. Shameful.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2019