Sunshine Cottage w/ Bay-View Deck & 3 Kings Just Steps From Downtown!
Sunshine Cottage – The Yellow House That Books Itself Permit USE2025-0020
Picture the perfect Bellingham postcard: a butter-yellow 1897 cottage hugged by a white picket fence, a porch to watch the world pass by, and a private balcony that hangs over Bellingham Bay. That’s not a dream – that’s your weekend.
THREE REAL KING BEDS – NO AIR-MATTRESS LIES Top-Floor Bay King – black-out curtains, a TV, and direct balcony access Top-Floor Front King – street views that feel like a Wes Anderson film 1st-Floor Front King – garden-facing with easy access Six adults sleep like royalty. Zero arguments over who gets the good bed.
LOCATION THAT MAKES UBER DRIVERS SAD You’ll use your car exactly twice: arrival and departure. Walking distance (real minutes, not “Airbnb minutes”):
FARMERS’ MARKET (5 min walk) Saturday magic: fresh flowers, hot tamales, pottery, live fiddle music. Check the calendar and thank me later.
COFFEE (all < 6 min walk) Otherside – 3 min (best bagels in the PNW, fight me) Hammer Coffee – 4 min (oat-milk lattes that actually slap) Mt. Bakery – 5 min (croissant the size of your head, trust)
BREAKFAST / BRUNCH Little Cheerful – 10 min (scrambles worth the hype) The Daisy Cafe – 15 min (Swedish pancakes = childhood reborn)
LUNCH / DINNER Leaf & Ladle – 4 min (salads so good you’ll forget burgers exist) Cafe Rumba – 4 min (Choripollo sandwich = life changing) Rock & Rye Oyster House – 5 min ($1.50 happy-hour oysters 3-5 PM) Aslan Brewing – 7 min (organic beers + truffle fries that haunt dreams)
DATE NIGHT Starla’s – 5 min (natural wine + pizza that causes marriage proposals) D’Anna’s – 9 min (Italian comfort food, bring stretchy pants) Roe – 5 min drive (counter seats = chef’s table vibes, reserve or show up at 5)
SWEETS Pure Bliss Desserts – 15 min (lemon bars that should be illegal) Saltadena Bakery – 10 min (morning buns gone by 10 AM – set an alarm)
GROCERIES Community Food Co-op – 4 min walk (organic everything + hot-bar lunch) Grocery Outlet – 3 min drive (where $2 wine tastes like $20)
GALBRAITH MOUNTAIN 10 min drive → Park at the Birch Street trailhead and have at it!
LAKE WHATCOM 15 min drive → Bloedel Donovan (free parking + boat launch) or Hertz Trail (easy 5-mile waterfront stroll).
THE HOUSE ITSELF – EVERY DETAIL OBSESSED OVER Living room A large couch with room for all 55” Fire Smart TV with every app known to humankind
Kitchen Gas range + full size fridge Keurig + Hot Chocolate! Graza Olive Oil
Bathrooms (1.5) Top floor: Tub/Shower Combo with towels to spare Main floor: powder room so nobody ever waits
Laundry Full-size washer/dryer + free detergent
Tech 300 Mbps Wi-Fi that actually reaches the rooftop Smart locks (your code works 4 PM day-of, dies 11 AM checkout – no key drama)
PARKING – THE BELLINGHAM UNICORN Free, unlimited street parking directly in front. Back your bumper to the fenced area off alley and unload in 30 seconds. No permits, no 2-hour zones, no passive-aggressive notes.
THE VIBE This isn’t a cookie-cutter Airbnb. It’s the house your friends think you own when you post the balcony pics. You’ll hear seagulls and the occasional train whistle that feels nostalgic instead of annoying. Quiet enough to sleep with the balcony door cracked, close enough to stumble home from Aslan after one too many Depot IPAs.
Perfect for WWU family weekends that feel like a vacation Galbraith crews who want plush beds instead of camper vans Three couples splitting a weekend without the “who gets the master” fight Remote workers who need strong WiFi and zero distractions Anyone who believes life is too short for queen beds
RULES (because grown-ups need them too) No parties (the cottage is 127 years old and prefers book clubs) No smoking/vaping inside (patio & rooftop are fine) Max 6 guests (we count shoes at the door)
THE BORING BUT IMPORTANT STUFF City of Bellingham Short-Term Rental Permit: USE2025-0020 Check-in 4 PM / Check-out 11 AM We live 7 minutes away and answer texts faster than you can say “where’s the corkscrew” Cleaning fee covers professional service between every stay – you just live your best life
Book now. Cancel your backup options. Tell your group chat “I found the place.” Because once you watch one sunset from that balcony, every other rental will feel like a downgrade.
The yellow cottage is waiting to become your new favorite place on earth.
See you on the balcony! The Sunshine Cottage crew
Add dates for prices
Amenities
Washing machine
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Parking available
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The host requires you to complete the following before checking out:
Load and start the dishwasher
Gather used towels
Remove personal items, remove leftover food and drinks and take out the rubbish
Turn off the lights and lock the doors
CHECK-OUT (11 AM)
1. Load + start dishwasher
2. Trash/recycling to bins in alley
3. Thermostats to 60°F
4. Windows closed, balcony door locked
5. Pull front door shut and lock
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.
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
Property Registration Number 605-950-687
About the area
Bellingham
Sehome, a neighbourhood in Bellingham, is home to this holiday home. The Upfront Theatre and Mindport are cultural highlights, and some of the area's attractions include Spark Museum of Electrical Invention and Marine Life Center. Sehome Hill Arboretum and The Labyrinth are also worth visiting.
Western Washington University - 6 min walk - 0.5 km
Cornwall Beach - 9 min walk - 0.8 km
Mount Baker Theatre - 10 min walk - 0.9 km
Getting around
Bellingham, WA (BLI-Bellingham Intl.) - 18 min drive
Restaurants
Community Food Co-op - 5 min walk
Gruff Brewing - 5 min walk
Elk St Tavern - 2 min walk
Flatstick Pub - 5 min walk
Makeworth Market - 5 min walk
Frequently asked questions
Is Sunshine Cottage w/ Bay-View Deck & 3 Kings Just Steps From Downtown! pet-friendly?
Yes, this property allows pets (limit 2 total).
How much does it cost to stay at Sunshine Cottage w/ Bay-View Deck & 3 Kings Just Steps From Downtown!?
As of 21 April 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Sunshine Cottage w/ Bay-View Deck & 3 Kings Just Steps From Downtown! on 23 May 2026 start from NZ$884, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.
How much is parking at Sunshine Cottage w/ Bay-View Deck & 3 Kings Just Steps From Downtown!?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at Sunshine Cottage w/ Bay-View Deck & 3 Kings Just Steps From Downtown!?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Sunshine Cottage w/ Bay-View Deck & 3 Kings Just Steps From Downtown!?
Checkout is at 11:00 AM.
Where is Sunshine Cottage w/ Bay-View Deck & 3 Kings Just Steps From Downtown! located?
Located in Sehome, this holiday home is within a 10-minute walk of South Bay Trail, Depot Market Square and Western Washington University. The Upfront Theatre and Mindport are also within 15 minutes.
Reviews
9.4
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
10/10 and if we ever have the need, we wld love to stay, again. Torrey was a stellar host. The space is clean, modern, and is central to everything a guest might need: gym, grocery, entertainment. It’s all there. Thank you for having us.
Matthew P.
Stayed 22 nights in Jan 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 17 February 2026
Thank you so much for the kind words, Matthew! We are SO glad that you enjoyed your stay. Hope to have you again in the future.
Very clean house, host was very friendly and attentive! Everything was as described in listing.
Amber F.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 25 February 2026
Thank you so much, Amber. Hope to see you again.
Verified
6/10 Okay
Catherine H.
23 March 2026
Disliked: Listing accuracy
Ouse was just okay. Listed hairdryer as available but none there so had to go purchase one. Bathtub didn't drain when using and difficult to use. Parking explanation is inadequate..is parking out back? Fence in front is not unit parking but public.
Catherine H.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 24 March 2026
I’m sorry to hear your stay fell short of expectations.
To clarify: the hairdryer was in fact there and available in the upstairs bathroom when I checked immediately after your departure. I still issued the $50 refund right away as a courtesy for the inconvenience you experienced.
The bathtub drains properly once the diverter lever is pushed all the way down into full “drain” mode. I’ve added a clear label and updated instructions to prevent any future confusion.
Parking for the unit is clearly described in the welcome message and check-in instructions as “off the alley” behind the house, with a dedicated sign marking the exact spot (separate from the public parking in front).
I also wish the shower questions had been sent through the VRBO app or text first, as your calls came through at 1 AM my time while I was on the East Coast.
Thank you for the feedback. I’ve made the above improvements based on it to help future guests have a smoother stay.
Torrey
Host and owner of The Sunshine Cottage
The cottage is on a busier street than we expected, and parking instructions were unclear (host will be correcting this). Parking is in the alley behind the property. Bedrooms on the Forest St. side were too loud with traffic at night, but those on the alley side were much quieter. House is generally clean and pleasant, with a distant view out over the bay, but it is minimalist. Furniture is comfy and good quality, but there were no games/puzzles/toys/books when we stayed, and the kitchen lacked some basic items. That said, the hosts were VERY open to feedback and I'm certain they will addressing these issues. The place was spacious for entertaining, centrally located (close to the food co-op!), and we would definitely stay there again.
Teresa H.
Stayed 6 nights in Mar 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 8 April 2026
Thank you for your thoughtful and detailed review! We really appreciate your feedback and are glad to hear you enjoyed the cottage’s comfort, spacious layout, and convenient central location.
One of the benefits of being so close to downtown is easy access to shops and restaurants, though the tradeoff can be a bit more street noise than some guests expect. While no previous guests have mentioned this as a concern, we understand that sensitivity to noise can vary, and we’re happy the alley-side bedroom worked better for you.
Regarding parking, we do outline in our welcome message that parking is located behind the house off the alley, with a sign marked “Unit A Parking.” That said, we want to ensure it’s crystal clear for all guests, so we’re reviewing our instructions to make them even easier to follow.
We’ve also taken your suggestions to heart: additional kitchen items like a peeler have already been ordered, and we’ve added some games for future guests to enjoy. While games and toys weren’t listed in our amenities, we hope they’ll be a fun bonus for others.
Thank you again for staying with us and for sharing your experience. We’re so glad you’d return, and we look forward to hosting you again!