Entire home

Family compound, vintage 1872 cottage water views

Family compound, vintage 1872 cottage water views

Photo gallery for Family compound, vintage 1872 cottage water views

Exterior
Exterior
View of Long Island Sound from upstairs front porch
Beach
Living room

Overview of Family compound, vintage 1872 cottage water views

Reviews
9.2 out of 10 Wonderful
4 bedroomsSleeps 792.9 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Free WiFiFree WiFiFree WiFi
  • WasherWasherWasher
  • DryerDryerDryer
  • Outdoor spaceOutdoor spaceOutdoor space
  • KitchenKitchenKitchen
  • Barbecue grillBarbecue grillBarbecue grill

Explore the area

Map
Westbrook, CT
  • Popular LocationWestbrook Town Beach2 min walk
  • Popular LocationTanger Outlets5 min drive
  • Popular LocationHammonasset Beach State Park11 min drive
  • AirportNew Haven, CT (HVN-Tweed - New Haven Regional)32 min drive

Rooms & beds

4 bedrooms (sleeps 7)

Bedroom 1

Bedroom 2

Bedroom 3

Bedroom 4

Bathroom 2

Outdoor shower

Bathroom indoor

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Garden
Dining Area

About this property

Family compound, vintage 1872 cottage water views

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.

Property manager

Mary DuQuette

Languages

English, French

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Free WiFi
Outdoor space
Ocean view

House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 30
Check out before 10:00 AM

Children

Children allowed: ages 0-17

Events

Events allowed: family gatherings, birthday parties, weddings

Pets

No pets allowed

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Narrow nonstandard staircase. No open flames of any kind in the house and on the porches, including candles. No fire pits as they burn the lawn.

Damage and incidentals

You will be responsible for any damage to the rental property caused by you or your party during your stay.

Important information

You need to know

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
Parties and events (including family gatherings, birthday parties and weddings) are allowed on site; maximum attendees: 50
Long-term renters welcome
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 there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock

We should mention

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

About the area

Westbrook

This cottage is located in Westbrook Center, a neighborhood in Westbrook, and is near theme parks. Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center and Mashantucket Pequot Museum & Research Center are cultural highlights, and travelers looking to shop may want to visit Tanger Outlets and Clinton Plaza Shopping Center. Traveling with kids? Consider Stay and Play LLC and Saybrook Country Barn. Be sure to check out the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Westbrook, CT

What's nearby

  • Westbrook Town Beach - 2 min walk
  • Tanger Outlets - 5 min drive
  • Clinton Crossing Premium Outlets - 9 min drive
  • Hammonasset Beach State Park - 11 min drive
  • Harvey's Beach - 13 min drive

Getting around

  • Old Saybrook Station - 12 min drive
  • New London, CT (GON-Groton - New London) - 34 min drive

Restaurants

  • Dunkin' - 3 min drive
  • Bill's Seafood Restaurant - 16 min walk
  • Dairy Queen - 3 min drive
  • Cuckoo's Nest - 5 min drive
  • Lenny & Joe's Fish Tale - 3 min drive

Reviews

9.2

Wonderful

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
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Rating 10 - Excellent. 6 out of 7 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 7 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 7 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 7 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 7 reviews" "

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

8.6/10

Communication

10/10

Location

9.0/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

john S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great Cottage near the water
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.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023

4/10 Poor

Laura C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, location
Antique and worn
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.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

NOELLE B., Durham

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Westbrook 1872 Victorian Beach House
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!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

mike c.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great vacation!
Very nice property, 4 bedrooms, sleeper couch, fans galore, so close to the water, would absolutely rent again.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2019

10/10 Excellent

Malbelis T.

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!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2018

About the host

Hosted by Mary DuQuette

Host profile image
I am a third generation owner of this property, now living in San Diego, CA. I return to Westbrook every summer to unwind and regroup. It's my place of renewal.

Why they chose this property

Purchased by my grandparents in 1915 when 'venturesome cottagers' began to populate the CT shoreline to escape the industrial atmosphere of the cities and it's associated ailments. It remains my favorite escape, full of childhood memories of family and fun.

There is a unique history of this cottage and the one adjacent and the former cottage across from that. Those two were mirror images of mine, with some variation in the placement of the kitchens. They were all moved from possibly Quotonset Beach at the turn of the 20th Century, floated on barges and then pulled up from West Beach on horse-drawn sledges.

A unique historical neighborhood with many of the original families still present. Read the September 12, 1895 description of West Beach "cottagers" in this New York Times article:

What makes this property unique

My grandmother visited beaches all along the CT shore in the early 20th century and settled on West Beach as the best beach. It is a lovely sand beach nestled into a crescent of the CT shoreline with a view of Long Island across the Sound. Great for swimming and for children to play on the sand bars.

Languages:

English, French
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