Private Beachfront House on Exclusive Windermere Island

This review is both dishonest and misleading. Ho-Hum is super comfortable and a perfectly safe home; it is a wonderful beach house that is especially great for guests of all kinds, including young children and older adults. It may not be up to everyone’s taste or standards, and it is not in perfect, new/mint condition, but it is lovely and far nicer than many island properties expressly because of its pretty decor, extremely comfortable living spaces, easy-inside/outside access, and layout…with spacious airy rooms, and an unbeatable direct beachfront location (offering ocean views from every room). But, because it is so very close to beach/ocean…and is older, it does have some exterior wear (weather worn spots outside mainly) which need painting and woodworking improvements. A few doors need to be replaced (that are totally unnecessary anyway…as there’s easy access to beach, patios, yard, and driveway from the multiple sliders on all sides). Most guests could care less about these items (and they are clearly stated in the listing description). But, that said, I do also have additional photos available, taken in April 2025, for anyone wishing to see more of property, supplies, etc. And I am happy to text/email them in advance of booking any time. Please reach me through my property management company, Eleuthera Vacation Rentals (easily found online). In short, I did try to work with these guests to be nice, offering compensation very fairly for a few issues but they instead changed their story (only after they completed a 10-day stay) and flatly tried to extort me (specifically threatening to leave a horrible review if I did not meet their exact demands). Anyway, it’s hard to understand without full backstory, but I do also suspect these guests had other issues going on that were influencing their experience and issues. So please see below for my explanations of specific items cited…most of which are misleading at best, and blatant lies at worse. Oven issue: was the result of their user error on the 1st night of stay, and serious lack of common sense. It is 2 & 1/2 years old, cooks very well, is clearly marked, and works fine…no other guests staying have ever had trouble using or lighting it (nor have I). And most folks understand what happens when you turn GAS on for many minutes….and then impatiently and carelessly try to lite the pilot without airing out first. Water issue: from 10pm to 8am (primarily during sleeping hours) the main house water supply ran out. This was due to a brief outage and temporary limitations imposed by the Island’s water company (which was making a repair to our area’s infrastructure and pipes). We immediately minimized the inconvenience by hooking up house to our back up tank. Guests had water as usual for the entire rest of the stay. And possibly contributed to temporary loss, from their own excessive or careless usage. The Island has been making repairs this year, and late last year, which is why we added back up tank (to resolve any temporary issues). Most homes do not offer that. Pests: they have dishonestly described in review post what was previously reported to me by the guests themselves, as a little stray cat that came in through an improperly closed sliding door left ajar by wall. Additionally, I explained to them, (while they were there) that they should double check the sliders to be sure they were closing them properly (not an issue for most people and no other “pests” were reported). Kitchen supplies: The kitchen is extremely well stocked with many plates and bowls and abundant cookware and service ware: multiple sets of pots and pans, glass baking dishes, tons of cooking and eating utensils, (not rusty), a blender, microwave, toaster oven, coffee maker… plus 2 French presses, gelato makers, pitchers etc. etc. This claim is so false it is beyond absurd. Refrigerator: The house has a perfectly good Frigidaire refrigerator/freezer; it cools perfectly but does have a bit of wear on the metal exterior from humidity. It can also drip inside…from condensation (especially when the door is left open too long or frequently in humidity). But it cools and works very well and is perfectly usable and sanitary. Screws/Door handles/screens: after they left, we found one slider handle that had a loose screw, so we tightened it with a screwdriver. It took about 5 seconds. The screwdriver was easily accessible to the guests (in kitchen drawers and laundry room). And Note: the handle was still working fine either way…tightened easily with a simple turn of screw. Or they could have asked my caretaker to fix it. Screens occasionally need repair, usually from guests/kids pushing on them…but all are presently fine, plus all big sliders in house offer no-see-um screening too, which is great to have on island…keeping bugs out while still allowing ocean breezes (but obviously only if u close them properly). Bathrooms: main house has 2 large full baths with separate sinks/vanity areas, and separate toilet areas. They are both very nice. Yes, the bidet in the master toilet room no longer works and we haven’t removed it but all else, including faucets, works fine. The 3rd Bathroom in the art studio is small but also works fine (has sink, shower & toilet). Floors/structural-safety issues: a blatant weird lie in the post. The floors are even and beautifully tiled throughout the house. What these guests are referring to, is their ridiculous complaint about the small step down from the living room to the breezeway. This step is easily negotiated by young children and older adults. We have been renting the house for many years and no one else has ever complained or had any problem with this perfectly normal step-down. Lastly, please refer to listing images to clearly see small step and other areas of house (or as I mentioned up top) I can offer/send additional new photos, taken in April 2025 with my cell, and I am happy to chat anytime about all house specifics prior to booking.

While we were very sorry to hear these guests were not happy with their stay, their account of our response and the ample discounts and refunds given to them is a gross misrepresentation of facts. First, they were offered to leave with full refund for unused nights right away after seeing the rodent. Instead they elected to stay on while I tried to fix the issue. We did have trouble finding the spot where the rodent was getting in from the outside (and we did also call an exterminator who was unable to come right away. Response time is not always so fast in the islands). In the end, they decided to leave and I gave them a full refund for all the unused nights, PLUS a free night, plus the discount they had negotiated for a three week stay, even though they stayed just a week. Hardly the type of response and compensation that their review suggested. Unfortunately I have since learned that this group, Keith and Colleen Suddaby and Geri Harper, have a reputation on the island for beating down owners on the price of houses. They negotiated aggressively for a discount when they booked, and then tried but failed to get money back for the week they stayed in the house. I believe that is why they posted this negative review. Since then I did have an exterminator in and the problem has been eliminated. There was no infestation, just a small hole deep in the slider tracks (inside the wall and hard to find) where a rodent was coming in. Since then, we have had many more guests stay and they have had no complaints. We also have many guests return year-after-year to enjoy our simple home. We have never billed the property as anything grander than it is and without question, the location is unbeatable. Ho-Hum Has a lovely vintage architecture and shabby-chic interior. Ocean views and tropical breezes are everywhere. Most guests appreciate its unique charm and rare beauty despite some age and wear here and there. Contact me any time w/questions, Alexa P

The owner has replaced the sheets and provided hangers for the closet of the guest bedroom. All kitchen appliances are working. There is an outdoor shower off the master bedroom, as advertised, and it works well.