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Beautifully Updated Historical Cottage Retreat with Garage!

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The Cottage Retreat, nestled in one of Balboa Island's best locations, offers an intimate stay with a private entrance and exclusive garage. Just steps from the bay and two blocks from main street's local shops and restaurants, this cozy cottage features a gourmet kitchen, high-speed internet, sun-drenched balcony with BBQ patio.

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire home

1 bedroom1 bathroomSleeps 2760 sq ft

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Dryer
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Outdoor space

Add dates for prices

About this property

Beautifully Updated Historical Cottage Retreat with Garage!

  • Welcome to one of the most artistically rendered homes on Balboa Island—The Cottage Retreat. This upscale, private cottage is separate from the main house and offers its own exclusive entrance, ensuring a serene and intimate stay. Nestled in one of the best locations on the island, this charming retreat comes with a coveted private garage, a rare and essential feature on Balboa Island where parking can be a challenge.

    The Cottage Retreat is the perfect alternative to standard hotels, offering a unique and authentic Balboa Island experience. Ideal for an executive, single traveler, or couple, this cozy getaway comfortably accommodates one to two guests. Immerse yourself in the quaint, historical charm of Balboa Island, just two blocks from the vibrant main street, where you'll find an array of local shops, restaurants, and the iconic Balboa Ice Cream Bars.

    Enjoy the convenience of having the bay just steps away, or take a short, scenic ride on the famous Balboa Island ferry to explore the stunning Southern California beaches. This property provides everything you need for a memorable stay, including a stocked gourmet kitchen, high-speed internet, and a sun-drenched balcony. The large outdoor patio, complete with a BBQ, offers the perfect space for relaxing and dining al fresco.

    The Cottage Retreat is designed with your comfort in mind. It features high-speed wireless internet, a smart TV with cable, and office essentials like a copier and scanner. The cottage boasts new Cape Cod-style windows that invite the cool island breeze, a charming blue Dutch door, and the finest linens. Additional amenities include a private washer and dryer, a ceiling fan, and a well-equipped kitchen perfect for any culinary enthusiast.

    Located just 6 miles from John Wayne Airport and close to Irvine's business district, The Cottage Retreat combines convenience with the allure of island living. Whether you're here for a few days or an extended stay, you'll appreciate the charm, comfort, and unbeatable location of this delightful cottage in Newport Beach.

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in the cottage: Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Car not required
  • Onsite parking options include a garage

Kitchen

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Hob
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Refrigerator
  • Spices
  • Toaster

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • Bedroom
  • Bedsheets provided
  • Pillowtop mattress

Bathroom

  • 1 bathroom
  • Hair dryer
  • Shampoo
  • Shower
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Dining table
  • Living room

Entertainment

  • Smart TV with cable/satellite channels

Outdoor areas

  • Balcony
  • Barbecue grill
  • Fenced yard
  • Garden

Laundry

  • Laundry facilities
  • Washer/dryer

Work spaces

  • Desk
  • Desk chair
  • Printer

Comfort

  • Fan
  • Heating

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoke-free property

Services and conveniences

  • Iron/ironing board

Location highlights

  • Near a hospital
  • Near the bay
  • Near the marina

Things to do

  • Bicycles
  • Boat
  • Golf
  • Kayak
  • Tennis
  • Basketball nearby
  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Cycling nearby
  • Ecotours nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Golfing nearby
  • Jet skiing nearby
  • Sailing nearby
  • Scuba diving nearby
  • Surfing/bodyboarding nearby
  • Swimming nearby
  • Theme park nearby
  • Whale watching nearby
  • Windsurfing nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector)
  • Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • Deadbolt lock

General

  • Bicycles
  • Garden
  • Property does not allow children
  • Unit size: 760 square feet

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Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 2:00 PM
Contactless check-in and check-out are available
Minimum check-in age - 18

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

An adult aged 18 or older must assume all liability for the booking
Guests can access their accommodation through a private entrance
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Rules

A Rental Agreement will be required to be signed via DocuSign. A Guest Information Sheet will be provided as well.

Access methods

Private entrance

Pets

Pets not allowed

Children and extra beds

This property does not allow children

Events

No events allowed

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

This property is managed by a private host (a party not acting within their trade, business or profession). EU consumer law, including the right of withdrawal, will not apply to your booking. The cancellation policy set by the private host will cover your booking.
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a deadlock
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
Property Registration Number SLP11456

We should mention

A car is not required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Located in Balboa Island, a neighbourhood in Newport Beach, this cottage is near theme parks. Fashion Island and Main Street are worth checking out if shopping is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Crystal Cove State Park and Crystal Cove State Park. Orange County Fair and Events Center and Santa Ana Zoo are not to be missed. Jet skiing and scuba diving offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with cycling and ecotours nearby. Visit our Newport Beach travel guide
View more Cottages in Newport Beach
Map
Newport Beach, CA

What's nearby

  • Balboa Peninsula Beaches
    Balboa Peninsula Beaches
    15 min walk - 0.8 miles
  • Balboa Pier
    Balboa Pier
    17 min walk - 0.9 miles
  • Balboa Island beach with the Pavilion in the background; Shutterstock ID 595732
    Balboa Beach
    17 min walk - 0.9 miles
  • Newport Dune
    Newport Dune
    18 min walk - 1.0 mile
  • Newport Beach Harbor in California city skyline with boats homes and Fashion Island high rise buildings in the background
    Fashion Island
    3 min drive - 1.4 miles

Getting around

  • Laguna Niguel Station
    20 min drive
  • Orange County, CA (SNA-John Wayne)
    21 min drive

Restaurants

  • Harborside Restaurant & Grand
    5 min drive
  • Todos Santos | Kitchen De Mexico
    10 min walk
  • Dad's Original Frozen Banana
    3 min walk
  • The Galley Cafe
    3 min drive
  • Cruisers Pizza Bar Grill
    5 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Beautifully Updated Historical Cottage Retreat with Garage! pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much is parking at Beautifully Updated Historical Cottage Retreat with Garage! ?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Beautifully Updated Historical Cottage Retreat with Garage! ?

Check-in begins at 2:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Beautifully Updated Historical Cottage Retreat with Garage! ?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Beautifully Updated Historical Cottage Retreat with Garage! located?

Located in Balboa Island, this cottage is 0.8 mi (1.3 km) from Newport Harbor Nautical Museum and 2.7 mi (4.3 km) from Pelican Hill Golf Course. Balboa Fun Zone and Balboa Pavilion are also within 1 mile (2 km).

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Beautifully Updated Historical Cottage Retreat with Garage! Reviews

Reviews

Exceptional

All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travellers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
More informationOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 174 out of 190 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 12 out of 190 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 4 out of 190 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 190 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 190 reviews

10

Cleanliness

9.8

Location

9.6

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Balboa Island Beauty

Very clean, well located property. We'll definitely stay there again!
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Traci D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Another great stay

Our second time at the Balboa cottage and it was perfect again! Just the right size for my husband and I. A great little retreat to come back to each day while visiting family in the area.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Bradley D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Balboa Island

Nice clean property.
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2025
Verified

8/10 Good

Neil P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great location

Great location. Great for walking, shopping, eating and dining. Very nice little cottage.
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Traci D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Our Third Stay

This was our third time staying at the cottage to visit family who lives nearby. The location is convenient and the garage is a game changer when staying on the island.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

John J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Stay!

My wife and I have stayed her several times over the past seven years and the Historical Cottage Retreat never disappoints. Fantastic location and really nicely decorated unit, garage parking is the icing on the cake!
Stayed 4 nights in May 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Suzi M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Absolutely Charming’

This location was so perfect. And the cottage was everything we had hoped so lovely.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Enrique M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Cozy and perfect for two people

My wife and I had a great time at the beach cottage! The space was cozy and perfect for two people, and the location near the beach made the stay even more special. The host was incredibly kind and made sure our stay was comfortable from beginning to end. We highly recommend staying here 100%, and we’d love to come back!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Thomas E.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Cozy, bright upstairs spot on Balboa Island

Cozy, bright, clean space ideally located close to Marine Avenue and the restaurants and shops. Very quiet upstairs location. Small but has all the necessities for a couple. Check in with lockbox code very easy. Would definitely book again.
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Ginann M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Cozy Spot

The cozy apartment met our needs. Top of the line home decor. Could use a more sturdy couch. The ned was comfortable.
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Amy A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Charming Cottage

We had the best time staying here!!! First off, this is, hands down, the cleanest VRBO we have ever experienced. Completely spotless. The cottage is charming, perfectly located on the island, and having a garage is a major bonus. Plus, communication with the owner was top notch. We can’t wait to stay here again!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Chris s.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Just right

Clean and comfortable
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

TIm K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Comfy retreat

We greatly enjoyed our time at this property. It was exactly as presented in VRBO.probably the best well kep CRBO we have ever had. A great location. We really appreciated having a garage on Balboa. We had an issue with the oven the first evening and the owner responded very quickly and graciously and helped resolve it for us. We would happily stay there again.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Rikke M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

We will be back

The perfect location. Very good overall standards. We will definitely come back
Stayed 6 nights in Nov 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Sharon V.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Best time on Balboa Island!!

Cute cottage. Nicely appointed. It was the right price with great location. The ONLY downside was it was a bit noisy at night on the weekend with the windows open. Comfy sheets and bed. Fabulous Things to Do List and we did most of the activities since everything was walkable. Highly recommend!
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jacqui B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

I just wish I never had to leave

This spot is perfect. I think this is my 4th or 5th time spending long weekends at this spot and I love it everytime. Basillic is a block away and the best Swiss restaurent outside of Zurich. I sleep better here than anywhere else in the world. The parking is a major bonus and always encourages me to walk. The roses were in bloom all over the Big and Little Islands. I look forward to my next visit!
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2024
Verified

8/10 Good

Scott

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
Cozy place situated over a garage with steps leading up to the cottage. Cute design and decor. Close to restaurants and a great walking area in an upscale neighborhood with plenty of boating. The place airs out nicely on warm summer days. Full kitchen for cooking if you so desire. Patio, BBQ and washer/dryer also there. Some street noise, but bearable.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Peter W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect Stay at Cottage Retreat

Our stay at this location was perfect, This was obviously recently renovated. Everything shined. The size was great for a couple. The kitchen was equipped with everything you need, even coffee. The bed and pillows were comfortable. The towels and face clothes were soft. The location to everything on Balboa Island couldn't have been better. Detailed instructions were provided ahead of time to cover everything. The garage was a huge plus since on street parking is limited. This was our first experience with VRBO and we loved it.
Stayed 7 nights in Feb 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Cute Cottage

The location is great and the space is perfect for 1-2 people. It’s a small, fully furnished apartment over the garage, sharing an outdoor patio with the main house. There is no air conditioning, so if the house is closed up in the summer months it can get quite hot, but once you open up the windows and the adorable Dutch door, a nice sea breeze keeps it very comfortable. We had a few issues with the stove and electric water kettle and the owner took care of both of those things right away.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

peggy s.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A little slice of heaven

Where to start…the apartment unit was exactly as expected. It is very clean and had everything we needed for the week. The unit is extremely charming and maintains a wonderful vintage feel. The queen bed was comfortable. There is wonderful light coming in from all directions. The location is fantastic…only 2 short blocks from the Marine Ave. shops and restaurants. Balboa Island is very close to SNA so you might notice jets taking off starting at 7AM…part of the charm. Also, working people start their day around this time so you might also hear vehicles on Balboa Ave. Otherwise, it’s very quiet overnight. We are so happy to have discovered this little gem and hope to come back soon!
Stayed 6 nights in Oct 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Kacey R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect Little Spot

The cottage was the perfect little spot for a solo trip to SoCal! I was in town visiting friends, and really appreciated the cottage as a chill spot to come back to at the end of the day. The garage was wonderful to have, BUT just be aware that it's a typical island garage and if you have a car much bigger than mine (a newer model rav4) it probably will not fit and you will have to find street parking. My car juuuust barely fit. The unit itself was just what I needed as one person, but it'd be very tight for any more than a couple. Quiet, peaceful, easy access, and close to restaurants/nice evening walking spots. Definitely give this place a look if you're in the area!
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Daniel F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The apartment was as advertised, super clean and well outfitted. Location location location near the Main Street. The garage parking is a definite plus.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

gregg t.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Very good
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Regina S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We enjoyed staying here at this apartment. Walking distance to downtown area. Had our own garage to park in which was wonderful. Perfect size for the two of us.
Stayed 14 nights in Nov 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

David L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Very nice clean spot in a perfect location on Balboa.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2025