Family compound, vintage 1872 cottage water views

Exterior
Interior
Exterior
Exterior
Interior
9.1 / 10.0
Outstanding(7 Ratings)

Cottage in Westbrook, CT

7 guests · 4 bedrooms · 2 baths

Reasons to book

Guests love it hereGuests give this property a top rating
Includes essentialsGarden, Kitchen or Kitchenette, Internet / Wifi and more
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About this cottage rental

A second cottage (see VRBO #394631) is also available at the back of the property if you'd like to rent both. A large lawn connects the two. It is perfect for extended families.

This is one of the best Connecticut shoreline vacation beach rentals available, located four houses away from West Beach. There are views of the Sound from the front. Style is antique with many original features. Think Joanna Gaines on HGTV. I love the way the cottage itself encourages exercise. I'm up and down the steep ship-builder stairs all day, which is really good for lower body but also core strength. Between that, daily swims, outdoor showers, and bedtime walks along the water I feel so much more alive after my time here. Everyone sleeps better at the beach. Bring a yoga mat to spread out on the upstairs front porch and sight Long Island across the Sound as you move through warrior pose.

There are four bedrooms, two with double beds, one 3/4 and one extra long twin bed. One bathroom with stall shower and an outdoor enclosed hot/cold shower. Bring your own linens including sheets, blankets, pillows, dish towels, and bath and beach towels. There is a fully equipped kitchen without a dishwasher. Washer/dryer in the back cottage if renting both. No a/c but we provide plenty of fans. There is no central heat. The large dining room table has extra chairs. Steep shallow narrow stairs ascend to the second floor (built in 1889). Parking is behind with room for a small boat.

West Beach is a great place to stay. Located in Westbrook, CT it's the perfect location for a family vacation. This is a wonderful beach with easy waves and sand flats at low tide for the kids to build sand castles on.

We have a full kitchen and a full dining room that opens through an archway to a full living room. The large kitchen is convenient for preparing those big shore dinners for a crowd. A large marble-top server in the dining room is ready for your serving plates. After the meal, the original sink with a deep set tub easily accommodates a team-building wash-up.

The front two bedrooms have one double and one 3/4 mattress and open onto a sleeping porch. There is a connecting doorway between those rooms allowing sea breezes to flow through to freshen the rooms. There are two back bedrooms, one with a double mattress and a smaller one with an extra-long twin.

The downstairs enclosed front porch provides a protected refuge to enjoy the "outdoors". The upstairs front sleeping porch is screened in with higher walls for privacy. It is a delight for younger kids to camp-out on clement nights. You can check the visibility across Long Island Sound from the upstairs porch.

The enclosed side porch entrance has an indoor line to dry clothes on wet days and room to store beach gear and bikes. A sidewalk loops around the back to an outdoor hot/cold side-enclosed shower, protecting tender feet returning from the beach. Refinished original wood floors upstairs and down are a highlight.

At day's end, enjoy a traditional final evening walk along the beach wall on Seaside Avenue before turning in. Fall asleep to the tolling of the church bells at First Congregational Church of Westbrook marking the hour.

Child safety gates are provided but there is no additional child-proofing. Guests provide their own linens, as well as bed pillows.

Come and experience the West Beach of over 100 years ago. The cottage is vintage circa 1889 with many original features including "for show" knob and tube wiring and original brass pin windows. The modified post and beam cottage was built by shipwrights with pegged mortise and tenon joints at the corners. There are antique beds and furniture throughout. Go back in time to another era when extended families gathered at these summer cottages and enjoyed card games, musical soirees, and conversation. Cards and games provided. Read the September 12, 1895 description of West Beach "cottagers" in this New York Times article:

Additional attractions within walking distance include a unique little museum with a "Replica of David Bushnell's "Turtle" – The First Operational Submarine" located on the walk into town via S. Main St. (check hours):

The Westbrook Annual Drum Corps Tattoo and Muster is a thunderous event occurring in late August. If you don't walk into town to see it, you are going to participate from a distance anyway by hearing it - much better up close:

Attractions within walking distance also include concerts on the town green in Westbrook center, a pleasant walk including a short shady diversion on South Main St. off Rte 1/Boston Post Rd. past the old cemetery (ghost sightings have been reported).

Car trips somewhat further afield take you to the nearby Essex Steam Train Museum offering scenic train/boat tours with dining options. The Historic Griswold Inn in Essex dates back to 1776 and is a lovely place to enjoy fine dining. Down the street from the Inn is the Connecticut River Museum. The Ivoryton Playhouse and the Goodspeed Opera House satisfy your local theatre needs. As Westbrook is located between NYC and Boston, you can even take the train to Broadway or historic Boston. Outlet stores are right off of I-95 in Westbrook and in Clinton. Casinos are a drive away. Boat tours of the not too distant Thimble Islands are pleasant for all and a big hit with the kids (pirates!). For a unique adventure go up to Chester and take the Chester-Hadlyme Ferry to access Gillette Castle in Hadlyme. Minor league baseball available in Norwich, Bridgeport, New Britain, and Hartford.

See VRBO #394631 at the back of the property. If you are planning an event involving multiple families and need additional space. Check availability at the companion cottage.

The cottage is located off of Rte. 1/Boston Post Rd. Waters Edge Resort and it's shops are nearby (1.7 mi). Other close-by accommodations include several bed and breakfasts. The Captain Stannard Country Inn Bed and Breakfast is a half mile down the road, just off of Rte 1 on S Main St. The Shoreline East train station is 1.1 miles away. Tanger Outlets next to I-95 is 2 miles away.

Keywords: You will enjoy the easy access to the best Connecticut shoreline beach. seasonal rental, summer cottage, vacation rental, vacation home, beach getaway, beach cottage, beach home, beach rental.

Amenities

Kitchen or Kitchenette
Internet / Wifi
Parking
Laundry
Garden
Family friendly

Map of Westbrook, CT

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Ratings and reviews

9.1 / 10.0
Outstanding(7 Ratings)
10.0 / 10.0
Aug 2023
It was a great week there. The owner has a very easy process of check in and out. Just steps away from the water and plenty of items to use. Saves you from more packing. Very clean and related atmosphere.
4.0 / 10.0
Aug 2023
While the house was clean and in a good location, it is very old. There is no air conditioning which is problematic on hot days. The attic fan was very old and not working. It would have been difficult to stay there if the weather had not cooled considerably. The electrical wiring is all exposed and some of it looked pretty outdated. The overall decor seemed to be turn of the last century. Other than the beds, Much of the furniture is fragile and uncomfortable. The interior is very dark, including ancient pictures on the walls. the stairs are quite steep and can be tricky in the middle of the night. I have a splinter embedded under a fingernail from holding onto the wall going down the stairs. Ended up in urgent care as a result. The owner seems very nice and tried to be helpful but lives in Cal. Although we enjoyed Westbrook and the neighborhood, would definitely not rent again.
10.0 / 10.0
Jul 2022
It was nice and relaxing...walking, swimming, biking, kayaking and beaching. The house was super cool...150 years old! Nice old fashioned laid back beach vacation! Mary the host was wonderful!
10.0 / 10.0
Jul 2019
Great vacation!
Great vacation!
Very nice property, 4 bedrooms, sleeper couch, fans galore, so close to the water, would absolutely rent again.
10.0 / 10.0
Jul 2018
Super nice owner! Easy to communicate with! Very nice property in a very nice neighborhood! Loved it
Super nice owner! Easy to communicate with! Very nice property in a very nice neighborhood! Loved it
We enjoy every day at this property! Especially the beach that is like a minute walk from the cottage!
10.0 / 10.0
Jul 2013
Our third stay.
Our third stay.
We have stayed at this cottage the past 3yrs. The accommodations are great. The cottage has a special charm. The outdoor shower is wonderful. The best part is the location, just 300 ft from the beach, in a nice neighbor. It is conveniently located near everything
10.0 / 10.0
Sep 2012
WEST BEACH VICTORIAN COTTAGE
WEST BEACH VICTORIAN COTTAGE
This was thoroughly enjoyable. The cottage is very clean & well maintained. You can immediately sense the 100+ years of enjoyment people have experienced there as soon as you enter the cottage. Located under 200 steps from a very nice beach that is visible from the front porch. MANY great restaurants are within short driving distance. The beach community setting is very relaxing for adults, and safe for young children. I would return in the future and would recommend without hesitation to others.

FAQs

How much does this cottage cost compared to others in Westbrook?

The average price for a rental in Westbrook is $617 per night. This rental is $149 less expensive than the average.

Is parking included with this cottage?

Yes, parking is listed as an amenity at Family compound, vintage 1872 cottage water views . For more information, we encourage you to contact the property about where to park.

Is there a pool at this cottage?

We didn’t find pool listed as an amenity for this cottage. It may be worth double checking if a pool is important for your stay.

Is Family compound, vintage 1872 cottage water views pet friendly?

Unfortunately, this cottage is not pet-friendly. Try searching again and filter for "Pets Allowed"

What amenities are available at Family compound, vintage 1872 cottage water views ?

We found 6 amenities for this rental. This includes kitchen or kitchenette, internet / wifi, parking, laundry, and garden.

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