We needed a big house for our vacation this year, as our family of five was traveling with grandparents, aunts and uncles in tow. Everyone had plenty of room in this Pinterest-perfect, immaculate, super-comfortable home, with beachy accents everywhere, deliciously comfy chairs and three big decks, one big enough to comfortably seat 10 for dinner!

Oh, and the fire pit is a great touch -- some of my best vacation memories are of watching my kids whooping it up around the fire after a grand roasting of marshmallows!

We've rented all over the Cape, but we fell in love with this fantastic little corner of bay-side Dennis, right between Bayview and Mayflower beaches -- it's quiet, leafy-green, and walking to the beach involves wandering down little paths through the woods as bunnies, turtles and turkeys wander by! Meanwhile, the Dennis Public Market, Chapin's and Smuggler's Ice Cream are all just a two-minute drive away! And Mayflower Beach lives up to its rep -- absolutely one of the most beautiful beaches anywhere, with crystal clear, seaweed- and pebble-free water at high tide, and miles of sandbars and tidal pools to explore when the tide rolls out. (Bayview is closer to this house -- it's practically across the street -- but Mayflower is an easy walk too. My five-year-old had no trouble getting there on her own two feet.)

In general, Dennis is a fantastic spot for exploring the Cape; it's right in the middle, so you're in easy daytripping distance from whalewatching in Ptown, historic sites in Sandwich, several gorgeous stretches of the Rail Trail, and, of course, the mini golf and ice cream emporiums of Yarmouth!

John was an excellent host; he responded quickly and helpfully to all questions. AND he provided sheets and towels at a purely nominal fee, which made our packing SO much easier. We also really enjoyed, and came to rely upon, his and his wife's restaurant recommendations; there was a stack of annotated menus on the desk in the house, and we never went wrong following their advice.

If you're looking for a vacation spot for a big family, or a couple families, you really couldn't do better. show more show less