House in Grimstead, VA

Gwynn's Island Cottage, Waterfront Cottage w Private Beach on Chesapeake Bay!

Gwynn's Island Cottage, Waterfront Cottage w Private Beach on Chesapeake Bay!

Photo gallery for Gwynn's Island Cottage, Waterfront Cottage w Private Beach on Chesapeake Bay!

View of Hills Bay from the deck
Back of Cottage facing the water and lawn
Cottage and our private beach as seen from Hills Bay
Lawn and beach on Hills Bay
Cottage sign with crab waving at our guests

Overview of Gwynn's Island Cottage, Waterfront Cottage w Private Beach on Chesapeake Bay!

5 out of 5 Exceptional
2 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 4111 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washer
  • Dryer
  • Pet-friendly
  • Free WiFi
  • Air conditioning

Check out the area

Grimstead, VA
  • Popular LocationGwynn's Island Musuem15 min walk
  • Popular LocationDeltaville Maritime Museum28 min drive
  • Popular LocationDeltaville Marina29 min drive
  • AirportRichmond, VA (RIC-Richmond Intl.)73 min drive

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 4)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

2 Single Beds

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Garden
Dining Area

About this property

Gwynn's Island Cottage, Waterfront Cottage w Private Beach on Chesapeake Bay!

Gwynn's Island Cottage is a waterfront cottage with panoramic views including sunsets over the water. The private beach - entirely on our property and not shared with neighbors - is just steps away from the Cottage. The Cottage is located on quaint and historic Gwynn's Island and sleeps 4 guests in 2 bedrooms.

From our private beach, guests can swim, kayak, paddle board, fish and crab, bird watch, float on a raft, lounge or just enjoy a good book or an adult beverage. We provide beach chairs, 2 kayaks, a stand up paddleboard, crab nets, crab pot, floats, rafts, noodles, children's beach toys, and life preservers, all free for our guests. Hills Bay is clean, shallow, and sandy-bottomed, with little current or tow like the ocean, so it's perfect for children and explorers alike. Guests can fish from the beach or from kayaks and catch drum, trout, rockfish, croaker, spot and flounder. The crab pot or the long handled nets allow guests to catch crabs when they are in season.

After a quick rinse in the outdoor shower after your day on the beach, guests can use the Weber kettle charcoal grill for cooking up the day’s catch or fresh seafood from a nearby market. And then that sunset...We also have a Bonfire Solo stove for cooler evenings.

From the Cottage, guests experience bird life such as bald eagles nesting next door, blue herons, osprey, seagulls, white tundra swans and loons, and dolphins, depending on the season. With a yacht club just across from the Cottage, guests can watch sail and motor boats coming in to Hills Bay from the Chesapeake and any scheduled regattas. Or bring their own boat to put in or take out of the water at the public marina just 1/3 mile away on the Island.

The Cottage is pet-friendly! Our pup guests enjoy the beach with its shallow, clean water. We also provide doggie towels. We own the small woods next door where our four legged guests can be walked and "get their sniffs on."

If you plan to bring your pet, please message the manager and let us know the age, breed, gender, and weight of your animal. We do charge a pet fee of $125 per animal for your entire stay (less than kennels or pet sitters and they will enjoy themselves on vacay!).

Between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day weekend, we rent by the week, with Sunday check-in/check-out (less traffic on interstates than Saturdays). Just a two-night minimum the rest of the year.

We have self check-in, so you won't need to coordinate with anyone. Check out is a late 11am and check-in is 4pm or earlier if possible.

The Cottage kitchen is fully equipped with dishwasher, new oven/range, microwave, blender, toaster, and large pots for crabs. A full size workhorse washer and new dryer are available for your use in their own laundry room with space to air dry. Our open outdoor shower has foot spigots. The Cottage has cable TV and wifi.

We have a Frigidaire retro mini-fridge that chills 6 cans of your favorite beverage and doubles as a Bluetooth speaker that you can take outside to have music on the beach or deck and keep you from getting thirsty.

The Cottage is perfect for special occasions or gatherings (with approval of management) because photos with the view will turn out to be ah-mazing.

Please read our reviews to learn more directly from the Cottage's guests, many of whom are repeat. Our positive reviews reflect the guest-centered experience that we try to provide, continually using our guests' suggestions to improve amenities.

We are sorry but smoking is not permitted in the house or anywhere on our property.

Gwynn's Island is dedicated to hosting all people regardless of their race, color, religion, ethnicity, national origin or gender orientation.

Property manager

CLewis
Premier Host
Premier Host

Languages

English

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi
Air conditioning

House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 11:00 AM

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
Small beach and shallow water are great for kids

Events

Events allowed: family gatherings, birthday parties, weddings
Special events and parties with okay of management

Pets

Pets allowed: dogs and cats (limit 2 total)
With advance ok of management and pet fee of $150

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Please do not drive or park in the woods in back of the Shed. Our septic system is located there and it will cause serious damage.
Guests' use of the kayaks, SUP, rafts, grill, solo stove, beach and the water is at your own risk. Use life vests or protective footwear.

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: 25
Note from host: Special events and parties with okay of management
Safety features at this property include a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, a first aid kit and a deadlock

We should mention

A car is recommended for transport to and from this property

About the area

Gwynn

Located in Gwynn, this cottage is in the city centre and on the beach. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Bethel Beach Natural Area Preserve and Bethel Beach, while Gloucester Museum of History and Deltaville Maritime Museum are cultural highlights. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.

What's nearby

  • Gwynn's Island Musuem - 15 min walk
  • Deltaville Maritime Museum - 28 min drive
  • Holly Point Nature Park - 29 min drive
  • Deltaville Marina - 29 min drive
  • Busch Gardens Williamsburg - 56 min drive

Getting around

  • Newport News, VA (PHF-Newport News - Williamsburg Intl.) - 55 min drive

Restaurants

  • Mi Casa Azteca Mexican Restaurant & Cantina - 9 min drive
  • Hole In The Wall - 13 min walk
  • Southwind Pizza - 9 min drive
  • Hardee's - 8 min drive
  • Subway - 8 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Gwynn's Island Cottage, Waterfront Cottage w Private Beach on Chesapeake Bay! pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows cats and dogs (limit 2 total).

What time is check-in at Gwynn's Island Cottage, Waterfront Cottage w Private Beach on Chesapeake Bay! ?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Gwynn's Island Cottage, Waterfront Cottage w Private Beach on Chesapeake Bay! ?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Gwynn's Island Cottage, Waterfront Cottage w Private Beach on Chesapeake Bay! located?

Located in Gwynn, this beachfront cottage is in the city centre, 0.7 mi (1.2 km) from Gwynn's Island Musuem, and 11.9 mi (19.2 km) from Bethel Beach Natural Area Preserve. Bethel Beach and Deltaville Marina are also within 20 miles (32 km).

Reviews

5

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 5 - Excellent. 166 out of 174 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Good. 6 out of 174 reviews" "
Rating 3 - Okay. 2 out of 174 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Poor. 0 out of 174 reviews" "
Rating 1 - Terrible. 0 out of 174 reviews" "

5/5

Cleanliness

5/5

Check-in

5/5

Communication

5/5

Location

5/5

Listing accuracy

Reviews

5/5 Excellent

Kathryn P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Perfect for our needs
Place was perfect for what we needed. Clean, comfy, close to water, convenient location, and wealth of information & amenities provided by owner. Our only issue was the numerous fees added by VRBO over the initial rental cost.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2023

5/5 Excellent

Teri R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Charming and Immaculate!
Gwynns Island Cottage is a charming and immaculately clean rental! It is cozy and tastefully decorated and furnished. The entire cottage is well stocked with everything you could possibly need or want during your stay. The views and water and beach access are phenomenal! Cheri is a wonderful host and very easy to access and quick to reply.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2023

5/5 Excellent

Bekky M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Gwynn's Island Cottage Retreat
This was our third visit and we have never been disappointed in this cozy cottage with its awe-inspiring view of Hill's Bay. We love the solitude of this spot, especially since we bring along our two dogs. The woods adjoining the yard are a perfect place for the dogs to sniff and explore. Unfortunately, we didn't have the best weather, but this gave us time to unwind and relax. Area food is always a bonus and gave us a chance to poke around town. We got seafood to-go from The Seafood Shack and it was terrific. Sadly, the recent storm took out access to three of our favorite public beaches. Haven Beach was the only one we could walk. If restorations are made, Aaron's Beach, Bethel Beach, and the dock at White's Creek Lane are great places to visit around the town of Moon. As usual, the cottage was stocked with everything we needed - all of the necessities that make traveling lighter. Communications were great with Cheri, who is the best host of all time. Check in was a breeze and I can't say enough about the decor of the cottage. Thank you, Cheri, for making this our home away from home!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

5/5 Excellent

Janis G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Gwynn’s island cottage
This year was our 3rd year for the cottage and it was perfect in every way- nicely equipped, very clean and just the right size for us.
Stayed 14 nights in Sep 2023

5/5 Excellent

Joan S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Exactly the vacation we hoped it would be.
Gwynn’s cottage is exactly as shown, no false advertising at all! We felt very much at home right away, and loved the expansive water and sunset views. We were visited by herons, eagles, dolphins, cormorants and lots of fish jumping out of the water. We enjoyed the kayak, the grill, and the sound of the lapping waves, otherwise very very quiet. The AC works very well, even in super hot weather. We cooked quite a bit and the kitchen had everything we needed. The hostess is exceptionally gracious and helpful. We discovered the Mariner’s Museum in Newport News, about an hour away which is incredible. We went twice and still didn’t see it all. Impressive place and only $1 fee! It also has a nice five mile woodsy trail around the lake at the museum. We enjoyed a private cruise with a working oyster man who showed us the sites and was fascinating to see them farming more And more of the bays with oysters which also helps clean up the many bays nearby. We will be back!
Stayed 8 nights in Sep 2023

About the host

Hosted by CLewis

Host profile image
I'm the lucky manager of Gwynn's Island Cottage who enjoys introducing friends, family, and guests to Gwynn's Island, Mathews County, and the surrounding areas on Virginia's spectacular Chesapeake Bay.

Why they chose this property

People like family introduced me to Mathews County decades ago.

Friends introduced me to Gwynn's Island, a true slice of heaven.

What makes this property unique

The Cottage's private beach is the perfect place lounge, launch a kayak or paddleboard, enjoy adult beverages, swim, crab, fish, or start a sand pit fire. It is located on our property and is not shared with any other properties.

The water views from the Cottage make guests feel like they are on a houseboat. From inside or on the deck or beach, guests enjoy spectacular sunsets over the water. Depending on the time of year, guests see blue herons, bald eagles, dolphins, swans, osprey, ducks, loons, seagulls and sandpipers. With a Coast Guard station on the Island and a yacht club across the water, guests enjoy lots of boating activity.

Our Shed which has bikes to explore the island, 2 kayaks, a stand up paddleboard, crab pots and nets, beach chairs, rafts, life vests, a croquet set, pup tent, grilling supplies, and more, free of cost.

Gwynn's Island, the location of the Revolutionary War battle which ousted the last British governor, is rich in history. There is also a wonderful restaurant 1/3 of a mile from the Cottage and Gwynn's Island Museum is great to visit on a rainy day. Guests step back in time and sloooow doowwnn their pace as soon as they get get across the bridge.

Mathews County has more shoreline than any other County in Virginia although it's the 2nd smallest geographically.

From the Cottage, guests can visit the idyllic water towns of Urbanna, Kilmarnock, Irvington, historic Gloucester and Yorktown including the Battlefield where our country's freedom was gained. Jamestown and Colonial Williamsburg including Busch Gardens are an hour away.

Languages:

English

Premier Host

Premier Host
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