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🦀Waterfront at The Velvet Crab~Amazing Sunsets

Lakefront cottage with kitchen and patio

Photo gallery for 🦀Waterfront at The Velvet Crab~Amazing Sunsets

Breakfast on the pond
Private kitchen
Cozy winter haven
Overlooking the pond
Winter on the pond

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
1 bedroom1 bathroomSleeps 452.7 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Fireplace
  • Kitchen
  • Barbecue grill

Explore the area

View map
  • Place, Nauset Light Beach
  • Place, Nauset Lighthouse
  • Place, Nauset Beach
  • Airport, Hyannis, MA (HYA-Barnstable Municipal)

Rooms & beds

1 bedroom (sleeps 4)

Bedroom 1

2 Single Beds

Living room 1

1 Queen Bed

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Dining area

About this property

🦀Waterfront at The Velvet Crab~Amazing Sunsets

Nestled on the edge of Minister’s Pond, The Velvet Crab is a peaceful two-bedroom retreat made for every season. Enjoy coffee on the deck, paddle out in the canoe, or unwind by the fire pit under the stars. With pond views, a full kitchen, renovated bath, and classic outdoor shower, this cozy cottage blends comfort and Cape Cod charm. From golden autumn reflections to bright summer mornings, it’s a serene escape year-round.


I respect the autonomy of my guests and can easily be reached by facetime, email, text, carrier pigeon, smoke signal, or yodeling. Communication with guests is important to us. Please be sure you have app notifications turned on for your phone as this will be our means of communicating with you before, during, and after your stay. Our digital guidebooks contain directions, instructions, and access information. It is your responsibility to review this information prior to arrival.

Very central to everything. Close to Cape Cod Rail Trail (bike trail), Arnolds, Coast Guard and Nauset Light beach, Salt Pond Visitors Center, Eastham Windmill, and First Encounter beach.

The cottage is located on the waterfront. You must read the directions in the guide provided or else you will go to the wrong place. Do not rely on GPS!!!

Wake up to the gentle shimmer of Minister’s Pond at The Velvet Crab, where every season brings its own kind of Cape Cod magic. In spring, wildflowers line the water’s edge; in summer, the air hums with warmth and laughter; autumn paints the trees in amber reflections; and winter wraps the pond in peaceful stillness. Whether you’re sipping coffee on the deck or paddling out in the canoe, this cottage offers a timeless connection to nature.

Inside, sunlight pours through oversized windows framing serene pond views. The airy living space blends modern comfort with classic Cape charm, and the fully equipped kitchen makes dining in as easy as breathing out. The main bedroom features a queen bed overlooking the water, while the second offers two twin beds—perfect for friends or family. As evening settles, unwind by the fire pit, grill dinner on the deck, or rinse off in the open-air shower under Cape Cod’s endless sky.

The Velvet Crab is designed for slow mornings, spontaneous swims, and peaceful nights by the pond—no matter the season.

**Highlights:**

* An award-winning, custom digital house manual with local recommendations included with each stay (no apps or downloads required)
* 1 Queen bed, 2 Twin beds
* 1 fully renovated bathroom plus a classic outdoor shower
* Luxurious linens, duvets, Turkish towel sets with charcoal-infused bamboo washcloths provided
* Eco-friendly toiletries: shampoo, conditioner, and body wash free of sulfates, phosphates, and microbeads
* Full kitchen with everything you need for relaxed, home-cooked meals
* Coffee bar with drip coffee maker, French press, hot water kettle, regular and decaf coffee, and assorted teas
* Roku streaming TV and strong WiFi throughout
* Gas grill and patio furniture for outdoor dining
* Fire pit on the shared pond beach for evening gatherings under the stars
* 1 canoe and 1 kayak provided for guest use
* Dog-friendly ($100 fee, limit 1 dog over 1 year old). No cats, birds, ferrets, or pet rocks—just one well-behaved woof
* Heating and cooling throughout for year-round comfort
* Prime location on Minister’s Pond near Salt Pond Visitors Center, Cape Cod Rail Trail, Arnold’s, and the Cape Cod National Seashore
* Minimum booking age: 25 years
* Optional add-ons available such as Pack-n-Plays, Farm Fresh Eggs, Romance Packages, Tours, and more (details after booking)
* Professionally cleaned by a VRMA award-winning company using detailed checklists and EPA-approved sanitization products

Because plans can shift like the tides, we always recommend travel insurance for peace of mind during your Cape Cod getaway.

For Airbnb: A quick note on who you are paying for what, because lately everyone asks some version of who am I paying for what and to who. We set two things. One. The nightly rate for the home itself which we keep as fair as possible for this area. Two. The cleaning fee matches what our professional cleaning company charges to clean and reset a home this size. Those are the only amounts we control. Airbnb collects its own platform service fee for using the Airbnb site and support. Airbnb may include that platform fee in the total price you see here instead of showing it as a separate line which can make it look like it is part of what we charge. It is not. That amount goes to Airbnb. You will also see taxes as a separate line. Those taxes are required by state and local rules for this area. We do not set the tax rates, and we do not keep those funds. Airbnb calls this “fee transparency”.


The property is very large so GPS down to the cottage is not reliable. Specific directions and instructions for arrival are given in the award-winning house manual and recommendations guide provided upon booking (and a provided again a few times thereafter).

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
Outdoor space
Parking available

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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
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

Pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Please respect our home and its contents as we work hard to provide a nice environment for our guests to enjoy.
Minimum Age - The minimum age for booking and being the responsible party for all guests is 25 years old

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 C0292170860

About the area

Eastham

Located in Eastham, this cottage is on the waterfront. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Cape Cod National Seashore and Cape Cod Beaches. Edward Penniman House and Barn and Poit's Lighthouse Mini Golf are also worth visiting.
Map
Eastham, MA

What's nearby

  • Salt Pond Visitor Center - 13 min walk - 1.1 km
  • Nauset Light Beach - 4 min drive - 3.2 km
  • Nauset Lighthouse - 5 min drive - 3.9 km
  • Skaket Beach - 11 min drive - 9.5 km
  • Nauset Beach - 16 min drive - 13.4 km

Getting around

  • Hyannis, MA (HYA-Barnstable Municipal) - 37 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Cumberland Farms - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Wendy's - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪The Knack - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Cooke's Seafood - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Arnold's Lobster & Clam Bar - ‬10 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is 🦀Waterfront at The Velvet Crab~Amazing Sunsets pet-friendly?

Yes, pets are allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at 🦀Waterfront at The Velvet Crab~Amazing Sunsets?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at 🦀Waterfront at The Velvet Crab~Amazing Sunsets?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is 🦀Waterfront at The Velvet Crab~Amazing Sunsets located?

Situated on the waterfront, this cottage is within a 15-minute walk of Salt Pond Visitor Center and Cape Cod National Seashore. Eastham Windmill and Cape Cod Beaches are also within 3 miles (5 km).

Reviews

9.8

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. 20 out of 23 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 3 out of 23 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 23 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 23 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 23 reviews

9.8/10

Cleanliness

9.8/10

Check-in

9.8/10

Communication

10/10

Location

9.6/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Lisa I.

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

Cute clean place

Nice little cottage.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023

8/10 Good

Heather L.

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

Hi

Stay was great. Great pricate spot. The bed and couch very uncomfortable needs to be replaced.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2024

8/10 Good

christian k.

Liked: Cleanliness, location, listing accuracy

Great location sweet cottage!

Had an amazing time. Host never communicated, we did not sure if that‘s expected. Place adorable
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2022

8/10 Good

Mike G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location
Disliked: Listing accuracy

It was cute and cozy

No Thanks
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Deborah L.

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

Mid October on Minister Pond

Wonderful get away, great location right on the pond, quiet and peaceful. The Velvet Crab had everything we were looking for at the Cape. Sparkling clean and spacious with all the comforts of home with a cottage feel. We canoed, fished, relaxed near the water and had morning coffee on the deck. Thank you for hosting us.
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Liz J.

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

Wonderful place to stay

Everything about the house was perfect. Impeccably clean, views of the lake from the living room and master bedroom, complimentary coffee and cookies, treats. Touches like you find in a hotel like soap, shampoo, face mask, toothbrush. Minutes to the National Seashore by car. The host, Tara, communicated completely. She has written a guide about the house, good restaurants nearby and things to do. All in all, a terrific experience.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2024
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Laura W.

great cape cod getaway

Our family of 4 had a great week staying at the Velvet Crab. The house provided all we needed for a great week of rest and relaxation. They don't skimp on anything, the beds were comfy, the linens and pillow were nice quality and the kitchen provided a little bit of everything. The Canoe and Kayak was a nice touch for my boys to keep busy. The outdoor shower is a must for our after beach day sand. I gave 5 stars because we were very happy but would add a couple minor things. I wish there were either more hooks to hang things for drying in the bathroom or outside. And since it was a dog friendly rental, the rug in the living room did have some reminisce of a previous dog (we didn't have a dog) not a big deal to us but just a minor detail. . Over all a great experience. We've rented from Heart of Cape Cod in the past and every time has been top notch and we will always look there first before other sites. Their houses are always well maintained and well thought out for a carefree Cape Cod Vacation. Thanks for a great week and stay!

10/10 Excellent

Lynn B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The Velvet Crab was just as pictured. What a haven. We wanted to do some different exploring on the Cape, since it's been a few years, but it was really hard to leave this sanctuary. We'd go out for a few hours and then couldn't wait to come back and just hang out. Loved the kayak, being on the pond, just everything. We'd love to come back. Tara and her people were very responsive, and we appreciated them letting us check in a few hours early.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Ketrin L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Check-in was super easy. Tara was great to communicate with. This place had everything anyone would ever need. Beds are super comfy. Place is super clean. The pond is gorgeous. The house is setup so cute. The week flew by. One of my favorite places at the cape and we’ve been coming here at different places for the past 25 years. Love this place. Love heart of cape cod. Awesomely dog friendly.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Anna T.

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

Velvet Crab

Everything was great, we really enjoyed our stay!
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

K B.

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

Charming!

Cozy and clean. Well appointed. Private, surrounded by trees and sparkling lake views. A lovely getaway.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Michele P.

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

Simply Lovely

This is a beautiful and cozy cottage to relax and rejuvenate in. Lovely decorations, comfortable furniture and an amazing super comfy bed! Made it hard to get up in the morning! The view from the bed of the water is so calm, peaceful and beautiful. We were welcomed with treats and made to feel very welcomed and pampered. The sunset!! The sunset, breathtaking. We enjoyed our stay and were able to catch our breaths after some challenging times in our lives. It was heavenly.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Krista P.

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

Weekend away

My husband and i had an amazing time. Perfect for a secluded getaway with the pup!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

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

Velvet crab

We really enjoyed our stay at the velvet crab earlier this month. The cabin was perfect for us. Isolated enough where we had quiet but well situated at about a 5 minute drive to coast guard beach. The kitchen setup was perfect for us. We had cooked some light dinners (pasta,. burgers, and quesadillas) and the kitchen even had a pasta strainer something that I frequently find missing in rentals. The coffee was also provided. Beds were comfortable and the TV was as advertised and we were able.to.watch local channels or setup our Netflix account easily. The outdoor shower was also a hit and helped us keep.down the sand in the cabin. In summary, the house was designed for our family of 4.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Carol S.

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

Charming Cottage

Traveling around New England would not be complete without a visit to Cape Cod. Our party was looking for some down time during our 10 day trip of visiting the NE area. The Velvet Crab was the perfect place for us to relax. The property faces a tranquil pond and there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy this view---- from the front window, front porch, chairs on the shore, beach fire pit, and a canoe. The inside of the cottage was clean with a well-supplied kitchen. Information regarding our stay was readily made available to us. Communication with the property manager was excellent and prompt. We highly recommend checking out this little gem of a place.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Andrew W.

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

Great New Year’s Retreat on the Cape

We had a lovely weekend. The cottage was perfect for a couple or small family. The kitchen was well-stocked and the place had all amenities! We enjoyed canoeing on a warm day. Communication with Tara is excellent and appreciated, and she will go out of her way to ensure you have all necessary info and that all is well. The cottage is conveniently located to Orleans, P-town, the shore, and the Nauset Light is something else! We cannot wait to return. Five Stars!
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2022
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Lovely Cottage

I really love staying at the Velvet Crab. This was my third stay. Waking up to views of a nearby lake. Minutes from beaches. Dog friendly. The the Heart of Cape Cod team provides all the amenities- WiFi and Roku. Fully equipped kitchen. Kayak on the lake. Outdoor grill. Dog crate on request. Even dog bowls and treats. Tara brought a blender right over when I requested one. Everything you need for a wonderful vacation. My pup and I will definitely be coming back.

10/10 Excellent

Elizabeth T.

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

Ideal spot for relaxation and coolness

We greatly enjoyed the beach at the pond, particuarly since there was a heat wave and the place was n a wooded area with a small private pond just feet away. The place was clean and well-equipped with a pleasant walk around neighborhood and easy access to route 6. Any time we reached out to Tara, we got a prompt response. Would definitely stay there again
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Emily B.

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

Cute Cottage

Clean and pretty little cottage— was lovely for a couples’ weekend away. We enjoyed the outdoor shower, doggie accessories, bikes to borrow and easy access to the bike path (rail trail).
Stayed 2 nights in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

Jarrett L.

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

Don’t miss out!

Our stay was delightful. The place was clean, cozy, and the view of the pond was perfect! The amenities were spot-on too. The place is very close to great restaurants, bike trails, and short hiking trails (1-2 miles). The host, Tara, was exceptionally helpful and responded to all inquiries right away. Don’t miss out on this gem.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2022

10/10 Excellent

Gareth V.

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

Lovely Location and Spot on accommodation

The welcome message on the bag of homemade cookies, with my name on it was a lovely touch. The accommodation was the same as advertised, perfect online manual to help with all manner of questions from heating, WiFi to local shops, things to do. Messaging to owner was brilliant as response was very quick. Thank you for the stay.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2022

10/10 Excellent

Gail C., Cranston ri

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

beautiful setting

The cottage was lovely and had such special extra touches, and the view of the pond couldn't have been more beautiful. We'd love to return for another winter week (though any season would be wonderful). Tara was so thorough and so nice to work with. Perfect.
Stayed 7 nights in Feb 2022

10/10 Excellent

Arch H.

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

Perfect location, right on the east end of pond (sunset). Super clean and very comfortable.

Perfect for a short get away.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2021

About the host

Hosted by Tara Goss

Host profile image
At The Heart of Cape Cod & InsideOut Properties, our intention is to create a memorable “experience” more than just a “stay”. The goal is to have our guests want to return to our properties year after year because we provide what their emotional centers (memories/insides) tie to the comfortable and clean surroundings we provide (properties/outside). We also understand that homeowners are emotionally tied to their properties as well. We treat each property as if it were our own, caring for it, and the homeowner, inside and out. Welcome to a Heart of Cape Cod property!

Languages:

English

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests