Nice Reunion Property
Review Submitted: August 27, 2008
Date of Stay: August 2008
We had a large family reunion at Manor-by-the-Sea in August '08. The house is well set up for family reunions with terrific community spaces, a large lawn, and an idyllic location on Pleasant Bay. The private beach is just a few steps from the door and the lack of surf makes it ideal for small kids (it's a few degrees warmer than the ocean as well).
The house itself is older and shows some wear, but is not without its charms. The 12 beds in the 6 bedrooms in the main part of the house were fine. The rooms are large, light, and airy. The remaining 7 beds are in the former servants' quarters and are a step down from the other rooms. The result is two-tiered accommodations, which can play into the group dynamic. There's a large outdoor covered porch, great for eating or hanging out.
Amenities-wise, I'd give the house just a "Fair" rating. The BBQ was large and modern, but the kitchen could use a makeover. The game room had a passable ping-pong table, but the pool table was so out-of-level and the cue sticks and balls so trashed as to make it unusable. There's a large projection TV in the living room with cable and a VCR, but no DVD player. Perhaps my biggest gripe was the lack of internet access in the house. In 2008, at the premium prices charged, the house should have a high-speed wireless network! Several of us had caches of family photos stored online that we couldn't access.
The plumbing is a little funky and dated, as is the electrical system (most outlets are ungrounded, so bring adapters for your 3-prong devices). The laundry machines were very welcome.
Would I stay at Manor-by-the-Sea again? Probably, though I'd be much more likely to be unequivocal about it if the place had high-speed wireless internet, a DVD player, and if the kitchen and game-room were a bit nicer.
Owner's Response: Manor by the Sea is the circa 1910 summer home of Sidney W. Winslow, one of Cape Cod's first resident millionaires, and is filled with architectural features unmatched anywhere on the Cape. We have strived since 1975 to continually maintain and improve the appointments while preserving the elegant atmosphere of the original estate.
Many of our renters are repeat visitors whose families have met here for many years, and we have always responded to their comments and feedback. For the 2009 season, we have replaced the pool table with a high quality full-sized model, and added a DVD player to our big-screen entertainment center. The property also now features high-speed cable internet with wireless access.
As always, we welcome your comments, and hope you enjoy your visit to beautiful Cape Cod.
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Helpful votes: 15/15
marks the location of the property in Cape Cod
