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Reviews of Private Nature Getaway for Couple or Small Family

Private Nature Getaway for Couple or Small Family
Salt Spring Island, BC

Reviews

7.4

Good

Rating 10 - Excellent. 12 out of 31 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 7 out of 31 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 4 out of 31 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 4 out of 31 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 4 out of 31 reviews" "

6.2/10

Cleanliness

2.0/10

Staff & service

4.0/10

Amenities

3.6/10

Property conditions & facilities

6.0/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

4/10 Poor

Shawn

Travelled with family, Travelled with family and small children
Disliked: Amenities, property conditions & facilities
This property was way over priced for what you get. We paid over $400 a night and had to take our own garbage from the property. It says there are 3 beds and all there is is one giant king size bed that takes up the whole place and a side bench thing that you can’t call a bed. There was this make shift curtain thing put up that my wife just went to open and the metal bar came down and hit her in the head. I would recommend this place if it was $75 a night not $400. Really shotty workmanship and things do not feel safe.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023

8/10 Good

Colby C.

rustic
very cute, rustic fro sure. cabana for instance has no doors, the cabin is enclosed but really only has the one very large bed. my one major note is the cabin doorknob locked us out multiple times, we made a rule to keep the key outside for our stay but could cause a large issues if they don’t have a spare on the property.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2023

4/10 Poor

Ryan N.

Disliked: Cleanliness
Table saw and sheet metal in bedroom
Overall fine experience. We knew the rental is a bit more “roughing it” than most BNB’s or vacation rentals. The “roughing it” element still doesn’t excuse a table saw in one of the cabana bedrooms with sheet metal propped up against the table saw. Inflatable mattresses didn’t hold through the air so one pair of guests woke up on the floor. Fine for a group of 20-something’s. Not safe for younger kids.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2023

4/10 Poor

Jessie W.

Disliked: Cleanliness
Cute tiny house
This property accommodates two adults and one small child. It is a tiny house. There are no beds in the second property which is a game room. Location with lake view and deer is very charming. The cabin was not cleaned properly, and the beds were not made up. Big downside to this rental is that, unless you have a four-wheel drive vehicle, you must park on the road and haul your possessions up and down a steep switch back dirt drive.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 5 Sept 2023
My Private Paradise Retreat is thoroughly described in my VRBO property description, including details about the TWO adjacent buildings a 200 sq.ft Sleeping Cabin with beds for up to 2 Adults and 2 children/1 teenager sharing Plus a 400 sq.ft Studio Cabana for all-season lounging / dining and camp style sleeping beds during the summer (June to September), to accommodate additional 2 Adults and 2 children/ teenagers. Both buildings, adjacent to each other, are on the same property - there is no 'second' property. The property is professionally cleaned to industry standards with disinfectant cleaner. Sleeping Cabin beds are fully made with linens and pillows, and in Japanese style, with rolled up comforters to keep the beds dust free for sleeping and to allow for lounging during the day. Thank you. Penelope

2/10 Terrible

Grace Anne D.

Disliked: Cleanliness
Most Inconvinient Place/Terrible Host Service
The place is unsafe, not suitable for family with kids. Cottage is not fully fence, open to wild animals (we have seen deer walking around the property). The rooms were dusty, some of the beds were not made. Very demanding checkout instructions, totally not worth the price you pay. Going to the cottage was not easy, you have to leave the car by the road side which is up hill, and walk your way down to the cottage. Terrible Host service, ignoring our calls and emails. We end up not staying there and went to some other place. HIGHLY NOT RECOMMENDED!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

8/10 Good

JC D.

Great getaway with pets
I had a conference to attend in Victoria, had my pet with me, and absolutely loathe Victoria, so I decided to go to Saltspring Island to get a more secluded rental. Pros - Relatively secluded (around 1 acre property) - Plenty of space for pets to run around - Quaint little shack - Plenty of pans/dishes/cups, a fridge and a stove and a toaster oven - A functioning BBQ - No annoying owner/operator nosing around your business - Decent checkout time of 12:00 Cons - Not a lot of hot water - Saltspring Island ferries are unreliable at best and operate infrequently. Leave at least 6 hours before your final ferry to the mainland - There is a demanding checkout process (remove ALL linens and place in tub, take ALL garbage with you when you leave) - It's not much cheaper than a 5 star hotel even though you don't have many of the services
Stayed 3 nights in May 2023

8/10 Good

Shannon R.

Disliked: Cleanliness
Micro Cabin by the lake
Very small & cozy in the trees
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Sharon W.

Liked: Cleanliness
Lovely Stay!
A rustic, simple, lovely accommodations! Enjoyed it!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2022

6/10 Okay

Anne Q.

Disliked: Cleanliness
Not too clean, especially in outside covered rooms (dusty and unswept) and grounds unkempt and in ne
Rustic but we got used to it. Very cramped. Can fit 3 at most. cobwebs inside and unkempt outside, but it has potential. Very close to the lake beach and in a very peaceful neighborhood. Overall we had a good stay. It could definitely have been cleaner though.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2022

2/10 Terrible

Janet

Travelled with partner
Disliked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This property is highly unsafe. The driveway was straight downwards with a couple s-curves.We didn't park our vehicle at bottom of driveway because we were afraid we wouldn't get out.The beds not made and beetles in the bed.Eatting area very dirty. No customer service at all when I tried to call the property manager. We left after one night because we felt unsafe.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Kelly O.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great stay!
Stayed here with a few friends over Easter long weekend. Great stay in a very cute cabin. Host even set up the sleeping cabana for us to use for spring camping which was wonderful. Thanks Penelope!
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2022

10/10 Excellent

Sue B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful Little Cabin in the Woods
Very much enjoyed our stay at the cabin. Great use of such a small space; everything we needed was provided. Would definitely recommend this place and hope to be back.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2022

6/10 Okay

Tia S.

Lovely for Summer
This place is not recommended for winter as the heat could not keep up and the pipes froze due to sub zero temperatures. The owner did give me a discount. Being that said, it was a lovely place. Pretty tiny, but functional for a couple or 1 person. This would be a great place for summer.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2021

2/10 Terrible

Chris G.

Disliked: Cleanliness
Extremely Disappointed
This was an extremely disappointing stay, I have used vrbo/other similar sites countless times and this is easily the worst experience I've ever had. We arrived later in the evening and were shocked to find that the beds were not made up at all, which after a long journey to get there was extremely frustrating. The next thing we noticed is that the sleeping cabin had clearly not been cleaned recently, dirt on most surfaces, the glassware and most kitchen items were filthy and clearly unwashed. Then when we open the fridge to load groceries we find it is full of mold and also dirty and not clean. Moving to the bathroom, the claw foot tub was absolutely disgusting, again clearly not cleaned recently, which was a huge let down. Lastly the most concerning thing was an open electrical box with exposed wires sticking out on the wall directly above the bed, a shocking fire hazard for an all wood cabin. Upon messaging the host to bring up our concerns and to try and remedy the situation they ignored me completely and have not tried to make things right. Terrible experience all around, would definitely not recommend booking this property.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2021

10/10 Excellent

Tyler S., Vancouver, BC, Canada

Liked: Cleanliness
Lovely cozy cedar cottage getaway
We took our 2 kids and tiny dog with us for a 3-night family getaway filled with board games, exploring Saltspring, and home cooked meals, and this was the perfect place for that. Make no mistake, it's very small but that's also part of the charm. The cabin walls have that lovely cedar smell, the bathroom has a large deep tub with a bright skylight, the kitchen is extremely well stocked and the BBQ is large and brand new. We slept on the large bed area with our son (who prefers to cuddle so he was happy) and our daughter was happy to have the small single bed to herself. If you want a large roomy place, this isn't for you, but if you want to have a cozy space with plenty of character, then this is the place for you. It was also nice having plenty of extra outdoor space for eating outside and sitting on the covered halogen-lit porch. We'd love to come back again!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2021

10/10 Excellent

Lisa Jean H., Vancouver, B.C., Canada

Liked: Cleanliness
Wow! What a lovely place!
Beautiful, very small home - I would not rent this for more than a couple and a very small child. Clean, well organized and lovely, this is a perfect getaway if you love quiet and cozy. Highly recommend. The bed is a bit hard - tatami like pad instead of mattress - and there is no access to the lake in summer from the property, but these are the only downsides (and you can drive to the lake in under 5 mins). Heed the warning about the driveway!
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2021

8/10 Good

Merrill L.

Rustic, great location
We enjoyed our stay. It was cozy and quaint and I f you didn’t look too hard in the corners it was lovely. Not too impressed that I had to make the bed, but it was a great location, just a five minute walk to a little swimming lake and nice and quiet too,
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2021

8/10 Good

Deanna B.

Crazy drive way
This is a great place for extended family stays, lots of room for every one. Drive way says 4 wheel drive and they say this for good reason. Very clean laundry and lots of linen. There are cob webs under all the tables and beds so keep out of there. ….. otherwise clean rooms.lots of lights and hot water. No shower but the bath tub is bigger size. We had a great swim 5 minors walk to the lake. Clean lovely lake, stay clear of the weeds I think there could be leech's there.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2021

4/10 Poor

Verified traveller

Travelled with pets, Travelled with group
Disliked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2020

6/10 Okay

Alexandra H.

Liked: Cleanliness
possible base camp for day trips
The house was a cute tiny house, but was very cluttered with stuff so it was a bit claustrophobic. We spent most of our time on the front porch as there was no room in the actual house to hang out. We didn't use the cabana part at all as it was unfenced and we have a little dog that needs that. The yard was the best feature, really, and we spent quite a bit of time there. The worst part was the beds. They were so uncomfortable that I could never consider staying here again - and we tried all the beds. The main platform bed has a plywood base and is topped with what I think is an old futon couch cushion. There was a tiny daybed type bed that would be okay for a very small person and an air mattress in the cabana, but the mosquitos quickly chased us back into the house. I was really hoping to spend time at the lake, but it was very crowded and with social distancing it didn't happen. Also, getting there was challenging. We could either walk along a very busy roadway or hike down a hill of overgrown thistles or grass and scramble over a ditch before getting to the road. I'm not sure why others said it "was just across the road." As for the driveway, our honda fit handled it just fine.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2020

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

We enjoyed our stay. The cabin and cabana are quite rustic and cute
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2020

10/10 Excellent

Greg B.

Liked: Cleanliness
True get-Away
Lovely place and a true rustic and beautifully decorated getaway... would definitely like to stay again sometime! Cheers
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2020

8/10 Good

Abby H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great stay
The property was beautiful! Ample outdoor space to comfortably have dinner or gather. Quick walk to a public doc on the lake. Upon arrival the buildings had no power and with no instructions from host, it took a little while to troubleshoot. Not enough blankets for all of the guests so be sure to request extras if you have guests sleeping outside!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2020

10/10 Excellent

Darrin E.

Liked: Cleanliness
Charming and delightful cabin
What an amazing property. Looking for a quiet and private spot to read and relax among trees and found it! The cabin was clean and well presented . Even the small kitchen had everything I needed for simple meals. I’m looking forward to staying here with my girlfriend and maybe her kids too who would love the camping cabana! Thank you for a wonderful stay.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2020

2/10 Terrible

jennifer a.

Disliked: Cleanliness
Mold in the fridge and “walk in” camp style
Luckily we have a 4x4 vehicle , otherwise, plan to walk down a steep switchback with your luggage and food. The property is on a steep embankment. This was only revealed AFTER we paid and a few days before our arrival (would not have rented if this was correctly advertised). There is multiplying MOLD in the freezer which we did not notice because there really is no room to bend down in front of the fridge. Overall very disappointing because our food was contaminated and driving up and down the switch back is brutal on your car and your serenity. What a rip off.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2020

10/10 Excellent

Steve B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Cusheon Lake Hideaway
We loved staying here. Couple of minutes away from public swimming dock on Cusheon Lake. Cozy cabin with lots of hot water, which made for a very nice tub. Lots of nice gathering spots for playing games, hanging a hammock, etc. Will be back!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2019
Response from VrboOwner on 5 Sept 2023
Thank you Steve for such a great review! Appreciate it. Would love welcome you and your family back for another wonderful island holiday! Warmly Penelope

10/10 Excellent

Holly B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Camp Cusheon
We loved this little camp out! Great location near the dock on Cusheon Lake, close to Ganges but still feeling like you’re out in nature. Our kids loved spotting dear and hummingbirds. The adults loved the cabana for lounging. Would recommend for those who like something different. It’s a unique experience.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2019

6/10 Okay

Alyssa, Vancouver

Travelled with group
Liked: Amenities
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service
I really liked the privacy and setting of the cabin. It had a magical quality. However, the bathtub was disgusting and I was very upset that I had to put the sheets on the bed myself.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2019

10/10 Excellent

Christina G., Ottawa

Liked: Cleanliness
Truly Special
Just wanted to send a note to say how lovely Penelope's place was. We were *truly* blown away all weekend with the tranquility of the spot and all the beautiful touches she had provided on the property. We can't wait to come back!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2019
Response from VrboOwner on 5 Sept 2023
Thank you Christina! I'm thrilled you and your family had such a lovely time. Happy to welcome you all back soon! All best, Penelope

10/10 Excellent

james g.

great cottage close to the lake!
Our family had a wonderful time at this cabin! So close to a beautiful, clean and warm lake. Will definitely come back.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2018
Response from VrboOwner on 5 Sept 2023
Hi James! I'm so glad you and your family had such a nice time on my property and swimming in our lovely Cusheon Lake! Would love to welcome you and your family back soon! Cheers, Penelope