Reviews by Jenifer B.

It's six months since we were there, and my three kids (ages 4, 4 and 7) haven't yet stopped asking when we're going to back! The charm of the playground adjacent to the Red Roof cottages -- including a 15-foot actual boat turned into the world's most pirate-friendly playhouse, complete with three slides! -- cannot be overstated. We had to drag our kids out of there to get to the beach. Adults were just as enthusiastic about the hammocks and swinging chairs artfully arranged in the trees; perfect spots for finishing a novel. We will be back.

More practically: Paul and Mary make all the logistics easy and are super easy to reach, and they keep their classic old-school Cape cottage stocked with so many things I forgot and then desperate needed, from bug spray to balsamic vinegar. They clearly love the place, and are constantly upgrading; a perfectly adequate grill on the deck was magically replaced by a super-large, shiny, brand-new one the day after we arrived. The lower deck is big enough for a party; the upper deck offers unforgettable sunset views. We were wonderfully happy here, and heartily recommend the Red Roof cottages.show moreshow less

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 moreshow less

We had such a completely lovely time at this beach house! Super easy walk to the BEST bay beach, Campground -- the kids could walk it without complaint, and no stairs to negotiate once we got there! We caught the sunset at the beach almost every day. The house itself is even nicer and larger than it appears in the photos, so welcoming, and it was outfitted with everything we could possibly want -- cooking tools, beach toys, a beach cart for hauling everything, even a few bikes! Also a fantastic base for exploring the National Seashore, Cape Cod Rail Trail, Great Pond and the park, Wellfleet and even Provincetown. Multiple mini golf spots and ice cream parlors in easy driving distance. (Nauset Ice Cream for the win in our book!) Communication with the owner was clear, helpful, prompt and cordial. Really one of our very best rental experiences on the Cape, after MANY years of hopping from house to house. Looking forward to a return trip!show moreshow less

A truly unique and beautiful home, located on a small private island in Buzzard's Bay -- with views of the water from the spacious deck and almost every room, and light pouring in from the windows everywhere. Homeowners Brian and Martha could not be more gracious or attentive. The house holds everything you could need, from laundry facilities to kayaks and life vests to go with them -- oh, and a library of wonderful books about Cape Cod! The kitchen is big enough to cook anything, even for a large family.

But if you have kids, this is why you want to camp out here: The property itself has a lovely, small and entirely private beach right behind the house, with calm, warm waters and plenty of sand for digging, plus tons of tiny crabs and fishes to marvel over. At low tide you can actually walk to the next island over! We could barely drag our kids away from this oasis -- but it was also so easy to run up to the house for lunch, forgotten toys, bathroom breaks, etc. Just a dream scenario for parents!

There's also another beach just down the short road with a dock -- a bit rockier (water shoes are a must) but with a phenomenal number of shells to find and flocks of birds to watch. Fishing off the dock is fun and kid-easy, we caught so many scup, plus sunsets here are breathtaking. You can take a short hike on the road that circles the tiny island, or bike on the nearby (and gorgeous) Shining Sea bike path.

It's such a magical get-away from real life -- but also in a great location for exploring some kid-friendly sites: Plimoth Plantation is about half an hour away, Woods Hole's aquarium is less. (And nearby Pocasset has mini golf and a phenomenal ice cream shop, if that's your thing. It's definitely my 9-yr-olds' thing!)

We had an amazing time at Tobey Island and hope to return!show moreshow less