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Cozy, gracious home. Private ocean beach & pond access. Use 3 kayaks. FERRY RES.

Photo gallery for Cozy, gracious home. Private ocean beach & pond access. Use 3 kayaks. FERRY RES.

Welcome to our peaceful home in Aquinnah, just above Menemsha Pond!
glimpse of Menemsha Pond & ocean beyond
kitchen & island
kitchen, island & dining area
dining table looking into living room

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 8130.1 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Fireplace
  • Barbecue grill
  • Kitchen

Explore the area

Map
Aquinnah, MA
  • Gay Head Lighthouse
    ‪5 min drive‬
  • Aquinnah Cliffs
    ‪5 min drive‬
  • Menemsha Beach
    ‪20 min drive‬
  • Vineyard Haven, MA (MVY-Martha's Vineyard)
    ‪23 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 8)

Bedroom 1 (primary)

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 3

1 Queen Bed

Living room

1 Double Sofa Bed

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Bathroom 2

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Balcony
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Cozy, gracious home. Private ocean beach & pond access. Use 3 kayaks. FERRY RES.

Welcoming Hillside Cottage is a delightfully cosy, custom-built, 3 bedroom family home in a quiet, private, country setting. This sun-drenched house has panoramic views of the surrounding area, as well as enticing glimpses of Menemsha & Squibnocket ponds and the ocean.

Enjoy a stroll to a shared private Menemsha Pond beach (5-7 minutes by foot) or use your own key to a shared private beach on the south shore (5 minute drive & no Philbin town beach parking hassle or expense). Use of 3 sea kayaks (1 double & 2 singles) is included in the rental.

The open concept living area has a wood-burning fireplace. The kitchen is ample, well-equipped and a pleasure to work in.

Two full bathrooms.

Three Bedrooms
•Upstairs Bedroom: The primary bedroom has its own full bath and private balcony with views. Sleeps 2.

•Lower Bedroom: Furnished with lovely antique Danish beds that can be set up as two twins or a queen, depending on your needs. Sleeps 2.

•Main-floor Bedroom: This space has a new queen bed and is conveniently located next to second bathroom. Sleeps 2.

•The living room has a sleeper sofa that can fold out into a bed for 2.

Ample storage throughout the house

Added features include: gas grill, a large screened porch with eating and lounging areas, a spacious upper deck with views, and a great outdoor shower.

Keywords: light & airy house; private (shared) access to ocean beach with a parking spot & walking access to Menemsha Pond beach; kayaks included in rental; water views; quiet & serenity.

Property manager

Gardner or Victoria Brown
Premier Host

Languages

English, French, Romanian

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
Outdoor space

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
Some toys. A couple of young kids' bikes.
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Please do not take bathroom towels to beach. Beach towels are provided for that purpose.
On departure, be sure to leave keys and Resident's Parking Permit on glass dish on the living room desk. The town charges $100 to replace Permit.

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
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit
Property Registration Number C0369251040

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Aquinnah

Located in Aquinnah, this holiday home is in a rural area and by the sea. Gay Head Lighthouse and Grange Hall are local landmarks, and the area's natural beauty can be seen at Middle Road Sanctuary and Wades Field. Travelling with kids? Consider Chilmark Chocolates and Fulling Mill Brook Preserve. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Aquinnah, MA

What's nearby

  • Gay Head Lighthouse - 5 min drive - 4.7 km
  • Aquinnah Cliffs - 5 min drive - 4.7 km
  • Lucy Vincent Beach - 19 min drive - 8.6 km
  • Menemsha Beach - 20 min drive - 9.8 km
  • Woods Hole Ferry Terminal - 87 min drive - 44.9 km

Getting around

  • Vineyard Haven, MA (MVY-Martha's Vineyard) - 23 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Larsen's Fish Market - ‬12 min drive
  • ‪Chilmark Tavern - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Menemsha Galley - ‬11 min drive
  • ‪Outermost Inn - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Home Port Restaurant - ‬11 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Cozy, gracious home. Private ocean beach & pond access. Use 3 kayaks. FERRY RES. pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Cozy, gracious home. Private ocean beach & pond access. Use 3 kayaks. FERRY RES.?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Cozy, gracious home. Private ocean beach & pond access. Use 3 kayaks. FERRY RES.?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Cozy, gracious home. Private ocean beach & pond access. Use 3 kayaks. FERRY RES. located?

This family-friendly Aquinnah holiday home is located by the sea, within 3 mi (5 km) of Squibnocket Pond, Long Beach and Gay Head Lighthouse. Aquinnah Cliffs and Stonewall Beach are also within 3 miles (5 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 52 out of 56 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 4 out of 56 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 56 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 56 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 56 reviews

9.8/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Tony M.

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

The Vineyard in September

We had a wonderful stay in Aquinnah in September 2024! We loved the house, and its design and setting gave us a great base to explore the island. With access to six plus beaches and the use of kayaks, there’s lots to see if you want to, but also lots of great places just to sit and relax. The deck at the house is a wonderful place to watch sunrises, sunsets, and moon rises too! We will be back!
Stayed 9 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Lisa C.

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

Lovely stay in Aquinnah

We loved Victoria's sweet home, and the lovely spot in Aquinnah. Everything was perfect in this comfortable, well-supplies home. We loved the house and love Aquinnah. Victoria was great, and we hope to come back again.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Aisha Dumi L.

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

Spacious Slice of Paradise

10 out of 10! Thank you Victoria and family for an outstanding vacation! Their beautiful home is well situated, close to multiple bodies of water. You can reach Menemsha pond in a 4-5 minute walk, you can drive or bike 5-10 minutes to the ocean, you can kayak, or you can take a short drive to the public beach or the Aquinnah-resident beach. The first few days of our vacation, it was quite rainy and cold. However the Brown family’s well-appointed and beautifully designed house made it a delight to simply enjoy the home. I cannot say enough about how well-stocked, comfortable and beautiful this house is. I kept up my yoga practice in the screened-off front room while facing bucolic greenery ahead of the pond. When the rain ceased, a charm of hummingbirds flocked to the hibiscus bush beside the entrance. On a warmer day during our stay, I noticed 5 distinct types of butterflies and colorful moths delighting in the many pollinator flowers behind the house. Since my sister is very allergic to mosquitoes, yet loves the outdoors, we all brought plenty of protection that we never even needed to use. The nature-forward treatment of the grounds somehow repelled mosquitoes yet invited pollinating butterflies. Every kitchen tool I could imagine, was already stocked, from a rolling pin, baking dishes, pots and pans and the like. The cross breeze regulated the temperature so well, on our hottest day there, we didn’t break a sweat. I cannot wait to return. Thank you!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Maxanne R.

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

Wonderful!

A lovely home, well located in Aquinnah. The owner was available for any questions. I would highly recommend this property. The description captures its essence well.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

William S.

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

MV Stay

To celebrate a birthday Party.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Lesley O.

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

Aquinna vacation

Loved this house and the location. It's wonderfully private but close to everything we wanted to do. The owner was extremely helpful and accommodating. We had an absolutely fabulous vacation in Martha's Vineyard!
Stayed 8 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Maureen W.

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

Beautiful home in peaceful setting

This home was perfect for our long weekend stay to celebrate Father's Day. It is well appointed, clean, and the kitchen was great to prepare family dinners together. The roof deck has gorgeous views and amazing breezes. We took advantage of all the special perks that came with the house, including a lovely stroll down to Menemsha Pond, a swim at Key Beach, and kayaking at Red Beach. Victoria was very quick to respond and extremely helpful throughout our stay. We would absolutely recommend this home and we hope to return for another family gathering!
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Courtney G.

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

Perfect for our family of 5

Victoria's home was just right for our family of five, with kids aged 1, 5, and 7. Tucked away in a private spot, it felt very secluded. It was a short walk to a pond and quick drive to a private beach, both of which we had all to ourselves. The kids had a blast at the pond, even on rainy days. We spent a lot of time on the screened porch, playing games and lounging in the rocking chairs. My husband and I are thinking of returning for a quieter getaway, just the two of us. Victoria and Mara were both a pleasure.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

kathryn l.

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

Aquinnah

This home is very comfortable. We visited in the off season so some of its amenities were unavailable to us but the setting and location on the island did not disappoint. Victoria was a very responsive host and kept us informed before and during our stay.
Stayed 5 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Teresa F., Andover MA

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

Wonderful stay!

Victoria was a responsive and an accommodating host. Mara was kind and informative. The cottage is exactly as described, quiet, quaint with all necessities and excellent wifi. The accesses to the beaches (plural) were amazing which we took full advantage of. Wonderful stay!
Stayed 6 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jenni H., Needham, MA

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

Beautiful, comfortable home in Aquinnah

We had a wonderful, relaxing time at this comfortable house in Aquinnah. It was so quiet and peaceful, the deck and screen porch were perfect places to relax. We would highly recommend renting this house.
Stayed 10 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kate R.

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

Up Island Paradise

We have visited MV for over 30 years and almost always stay in Chilmark. We decided to venture further up island and I’m so glad we did! The property is so beautiful and the house is very well equipped. It was the perfect set up for myself, husband, and sister and her 18 month old (parents: there is a tub!) Victoria provides a binder with a lot of helpful tips about the house and the area. We took advantage of the beach access and the kayaks - highly recommend! There are two balconies which is just lovely! Also a gas grill. If you’re looking to disconnect (don’t worry, there’s still wifi) and relax, this is the place for you. You definitely need a car so make sure to book a ferry reservation.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Elizabeth T.

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

We wanted to stay longer!

Our party of eight included 2 seniors, 4 millennials and 1 toddler and 1 baby, and everyone loved their stay. When asked, folks gave high rankings to the screened in porch (fun playing with toys and eating), the upstairs porch (quiet place for reading and talking and star gazing), the kitchen (plenty of space and everything needed for cooking), a clean house, a beach within walking distance with a shallow area for small children, and a parking pass to beautiful local beaches. And a very responsive landlady!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Holmes J.

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

Wonderful home & spot

Our family of four had a wonderful stay at this quint, yet spacious home. Beautiful spot. Wonderful kitchen and awesome roof-top deck. Victoria and Mara were very helpful and kind. You’ll fall in love with this home!
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Karin M.

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

Quiet escape

This house was so secluded and quiet. We loved the beautiful wood and unique design. The upstairs deck was my go to spot! ❤️
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jessica D.

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

Beautiful and Quiet

This is indeed a "calm and charming" home, and we enjoyed our stay! Aquinnah itself is beautiful (loved the ride to the house from Vineyard Haven), although if you're bringing along teens, you might want to emphasize ahead of time the quiet (and the beauty of the beaches and other natural areas) as opposed to anything they might experience in town. That being said, the wifi worked perfectly, so nobody felt too isolated. ; ) My only suggestions are: making sure to update the binder of information in the house so access to the private beach and kayaks is accurate, and maybe adding a broom and dustpan to the (otherwise well appointed!) kitchen just to make daily clean-ups easier. That being said, the owner was extraordinarily responsive, so these little "issues" weren't really problems at all. Bottom line: If you enjoy the beauty of the ocean and the wooded areas of MV, as well as peace and quiet, this is the spot for you!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Micheal O., Oklahoma City

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

Family vacation

Location was perfect for getting away and disconnecting for a bit. Home had all the necessary amenities and the view was great. Downstairs patio was the perfect place to enjoy meals.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

margaret m.

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

great place and very quiet!!!

had a lovely time - house was great and it was very quiet. the view from the deck and bedroom is wonderful. beware of the bumps in the road if you have a small car -other than that - great place
Stayed 6 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Brooke M.

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

Comfortable up-island cottage

House is a nice rural vineyard house up island in Aquinnah for four adults. Location is relaxing and private beach wonderful. Upper deck enjoyable for star gazing. It is a bit of a drive to other towns if that is where you intend to spend your time. Beds are on the smaller size but main living/kitchen area is comfortable. Outdoor shower has noteworthy high water pressure. Perhaps once weekly garbage pick up with overflow stored in basement not ideal for avoiding wildlife in the house.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2022

8/10 Good

Jennika T.

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

Amazing cottage in Aquinnah

Easy rental experience, Victoria was great to communicate with. Easy check in/out and spacious cottage with large kitchen. We enjoyed the kayaks on red beach! Highly recommend this location to enjoy the beauty of the island away from the hustle/bustle of Oak Bluffs.
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Trish L.

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

Peaceful Hillside Cottage

This sweet hillside cottage had a lovely screened in porch for breakfast and a rooftop deck for evening sunsets. The property owner was so kind and accommodating. We look forward to renting again next year!!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

John L.

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

Nice house in a quiet location

Rented this property for our young family to stay for a week in June 2022. The open kitchen and screened in porch make meals very enjoyable. The location is away from all the hustle and bustle of the larger towns, but still a short drive to places like Gay Head Light and Meneshma Harbor. Speed bumps are quite large and require careful navigating. Roof deck is nice, as is the outdoor shower. Great place to get away from it all.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Deb W.

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

Wonderful stay!

Wonderful stay at Victoria's lovely and comfortable home in peaceful Acquinnah. Thanks so much for your hospitality.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2022

8/10 Good

Sergio M.

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

Great place!

Great place to stay - great owners! Highly recommend!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Karen M.

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

Wonderful house and setting

We enjoyed a wonderful week at this hidden gem in Aquinnah! The house was perfect, with great space inside and out to relax and enjoy the peaceful setting. The open kitchen was well stocked and we made lots of great meals. We love the screened in porch and the roof deck; also wonderful view from the bedroom that was great for watching the sunrise. Victoria was incredibly responsive both before and during our visit. This is the best home we have ever rented on the island and wish we had found it earlier! Highly recommend.
Stayed 9 nights in Sep 2021

About the host

Hosted by Gardner or Victoria Brown

Host profile image
I am a writer of fiction and blogger for Whim W'Him contemporary dance company in Seattle, where I live when not in Martha's Vineyard.

My husband Gardner, who passed away in August 2021, came to the island all his life, as have our sons. I first visited Martha's Vineyard in 1964. While in Aquinnah in the summer, I stay in our old cottage or 'camp,' built in 1954, which is 60 yards away from the Hillside Cottage (built in 2007) and well-screened by trees and shrubs.

In other seasons, when I visit the island, I stay in Hillside Cottage. Other family members use the new house in summer too, so rental dates need to work around their schedules. That is why summer dates are blocked until mid-January or so each year, when they are opened in time for summer ferry reservations.

Why they chose this property

We built Hillside Cottage because our family was growing, we wanted to be able to visit Aquinnah off-season when our old summer cottage is not habitable, and we had always wanted to participate in the design of a house, as well as to sample life on the island year-round.

What makes this property unique

Quiet, seclusion and natural beauty.
Swimming, surfing, and body surfing, in the ocean and Menemsha pond.
Great area for biking and kayaking—use of 3 kayaks comes with rental.
Eating fresh seafood and farm produce.
Enjoying the joys, amenities and quirks of island life.
Being part of the unique community life of Aquinnah.

Languages:

English, French, Romanian

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests
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