Perfect setting to enjoy iconic Massachusetts!

Perfect setting to enjoy iconic Massachusetts!

This property has beautiful views. The sunset and sunrise are breathtaking. The colors of the trees and the proximity to Cranes beach made our stay wonderful. The cottage itself is old and furniture could be updated (starting to fall apart). It is cozy and worked well for our family but there are a few things that would be helpful to know prior to staying here... bring your own soap (hand soap), paper towels, tissues, and garbage bags. The 1 shower has extremely low pressure supply. It is important to know that to get into the cottage you have to walk across the lawn probably 50 yards (no walkway for strollers or wheels of any kind). There are some newer windows on the first level but the old ones are full of cobwebs and don’t stay open without support. The lack of window coverings is uncomfortable (but we just hung sheets over the bathroom and bedroom window). There is no privacy in the upstairs loft (2 twin beds). And finally the beeping noise that another renter mentioned last month (September) was still there!!! It went off about every 15/20 mins. Overall we had a good stay, the property manager was easy to communicate with and was there the majority of the time. We had a good trip!

This property has beautiful views. The sunset and sunrise are breathtaking. The colors of the trees and the proximity to Cranes beach made our stay wonderful. The cottage itself is old and furniture could be updated (starting to fall apart). It is cozy and worked well for our family but there are a few things that would be helpful to know prior to staying here... bring your own soap (hand soap), paper towels, tissues, and garbage bags. The 1 shower has extremely low pressure supply. It is important to know that to get into the cottage you have to walk across the lawn probably 50 yards (no walkway for strollers or wheels of any kind). There are some newer windows on the first level but the old ones are full of cobwebs and don’t stay open without support. The lack of window coverings is uncomfortable (but we just hung sheets over the bathroom and bedroom window). There is no privacy in the upstairs loft (2 twin beds). And finally the beeping noise that another renter mentioned last month (September) was still there!!! It went off about every 15/20 mins. Overall we had a good stay, the property manager was easy to communicate with and was there the majority of the time. We had a good trip!

This setting surpasses imagination -- set high above the salt marshes with a lovely breeze and gorgeous views. The house is tastefully decorated with real (albeit tired) furniture and beautiful artwork. I think it may have been a while since the owner/managers have imagined actually living there. While most of the bed and bath linens are high quality and ample in quantity, a couple of the mattresses have clearly seen better days -- for adult use anyway. We are a family (three generations consisting of 6 adults and 1 preschooler) of foodies and cooks and found the kitchen oddly (rather than "fully") equipped. For example, a vast amount of plates, glasses, flatware & cork removers, but few bowls (large or small) or cooking utensils and no measuring spoons/cups. If the kitchen had been more accurately described, we'd simply have brought a bit more equipment (a large pot, for instance) with us and been happier. If we'd know there would be no paper goods (napkins, paper towels, toilet paper), we'd have packed some. The lack of a range hood makes the smoke alarms prone to going off during meal prep -- explaining why several had been taken down (probably by previous guests?). We decided to put them back up and deal with the false alarms rather than go without their protection. Missing light bulbs and outlet covers puzzled us -- was it advisable (safe) to use those fixtures? A battery backup alarm sounded several times a day -- even after being "disabled" by the manager. A week felt like not quite enough time to get used to all the many quirks that would have become routine after a longer stay.. Nonetheless, we had a very enjoyable time. We ate out a bit more than we wanted to, but perhaps only the amount most people would have chosen. It was pure joy to spend a week within a mile of beautiful Crane Beach and wake up everyday in such a heavenly setting.

The view of the Essex River salt marshes from the top of the hill is exquisite. The cottage is thoughtfully decorated with subtle colors, great paintings, soft linens and towels... a dream come true... thank you so much for this experience!

The view of the Essex River salt marshes from the top of the hill is exquisite. The cottage is thoughtfully decorated with subtle colors, great paintings, soft linens and towels... a dream come true... thank you so much for this experience!

the view was great. Also loved the skylight in the master bedroom. It let the full moon shine in. The location was nice for our day trips and the place was comfortable and relaxing.

the view was great. Also loved the skylight in the master bedroom. It let the full moon shine in. The location was nice for our day trips and the place was comfortable and relaxing.

My stay at "The Orchard Cottage" was magical. The views of the marsh and wet lands is breath taking! The cottage is charming with all of its' old history. It is nicely furnished. We had a wonderful time and plan to rent again next summer.

We enjoyed the sun-drenched deck, thanks to wonderful weather and the owners were very cordial. The cottage was clean, but there was no attention to details such as no working smoke detectors, only child-size coat hangers, stained towels (some thread bare), and no window shades in most bedrooms. The description gave no indication that the cottage was over 150 years old, but the bathroom tub and sinks, with their stains and a calcified faucet, gave testament to it's age. The approach to the cottage and parking of cars required much ingenuity and was difficult for one of us requiring a cane. We did enjoy the Apple Orchard and all it's delights, and eating at the Village, Periwinkles, and Woodman's and visiting surrounding towns.

My stay at "The Orchard Cottage" was magical. The views of the marsh and wet lands is breath taking! The cottage is charming with all of its' old history. It is nicely furnished. We had a wonderful time and plan to rent again next summer.

My stay at The Orchard Cottage was magical. The views of the marsh and wet lands is breath taking! The cottage is charming with all of its old history. It is nicely furnished. We had a wonderful time and plan to rent again next summer.

We enjoyed the sun-drenched deck, thanks to wonderful weather and the owners were very cordial. The cottage was clean, but there was no attention to details such as no working smoke detectors, only child-size coat hangers, stained towels (some thread bare), and no window shades in most bedrooms. The description gave no indication that the cottage was over 150 years old, but the bathroom tub and sinks, with their stains and a calcified faucet, gave testament to it's age. The approach to the cottage and parking of cars required much ingenuity and was difficult for one of us requiring a cane. We did enjoy the Apple Orchard and all it's delights, and eating at the Village, Periwinkles, and Woodman's and visiting surrounding towns.

This property is very historical. It has a low ceiling and is very bright and sunny inside. The bedrooms and bathroom situation is a little tricky. The one bath on the bottom floor is in the master bedroom, and is shared by the bedroom in the back of the house. The upstairs has a loft type bedroom up very steep stairs and there is no shower. We had our parents stay downstairs and put the rest of the family upstairs. The owner is really nice and is very close by. The property is up a very steep hill. We loved the town of Ipswich, the apple winery close by - we enjoyed a wonderful apple pie from there! There is no air conditioning, so it can get a little warm. It met our needs being that we wanted our whole family to be together during our sons wedding.

This property is very historical. It has a low ceiling and is very bright and sunny inside. The bedrooms and bathroom situation is a little tricky. The one bath on the bottom floor is in the master bedroom, and is shared by the bedroom in the back of the house. The upstairs has a loft type bedroom up very steep stairs and there is no shower. We had our parents stay downstairs and put the rest of the family upstairs. The owner is really nice and is very close by. The property is up a very steep hill. We loved the town of Ipswich, the apple winery close by - we enjoyed a wonderful apple pie from there! There is no air conditioning, so it can get a little warm. It met our needs being that we wanted our whole family to be together during our sons wedding.