TRANQUILITY BY THE SEA

Our family of 4 just spent a week at 'Tranquility by the Sea'. The cottage suited our family perfectly as our adult children stayed in the bedrooms in the main cottage while my husband and I stated in the private casita. The cottage amenities, cleanliness and security exceeded our expectations. We ate most of our meals on the spacious veranda facing the Atlantic. It was nice to have access to a charcoal grill for our cooking. We enjoyed visits from geckos, egrets, the occasional stray dog and meandering horses. Most mornings, we would take a walk to the nearby beach, (a 5 minute walk including stops for photos). The landscaped yard had several flowers and shrubs in bloom, including bougainvillea, hibiscus and water lilies, which made for a nice background for family pictures. We live in a rather remote area (we also raise chickens), so it was nice to be outside of town with the sound of the surf, the roosters and the occasional barking dog making us feel at home. We visited most of the beaches on Vieques, several more than once, snorkeled/swam and did a lot of sightseeing. Kayaking the biobay is a must...absolutely breathtaking. Some days it seemed like we drove back and forth across the island several times but there was always something new to discover. We ate at several restaurants in Esperanza and did all of our grocery shopping in Isabel, including the farmers market. The locals were very helpful. The weather was gorgeous with highs in the 80's and lows in the upper 70's and no rain to speak of. We would love to return someday. Thank you.

My family and I have returned from a fabulous week at this cottage only 10 days ago. When we were leaving, I promised Gloria, the owner, that I would write a review for her. I am almost sorry I did because I am in complete agreement with the previous reviewer from New York - I hate to tell how great this place is for fear of it booking up and not being available! I can ditto everything that reviewer said. The cottage is clean, roomy and is equipped with everything one needs to enjoy a week's vacation. We were a party of 7 - my husband and I and our 4 kids plus one significant othe,r ranging in age from 26 down to 11. There was an inflatable mattress for our 11 year old but honestly the futon in the living room would serve as a more comfortable bed for a bigger person. We had plenty of space and everything we needed. One caveat - there is no oven in the kitchen (there is a large toaster oven) but that made no difference to us. We preferred to use the grill to cook dinner and did not miss the oven at all. We loved the beautiful grounds, the wildlife,and the night time sounds of the frogs and the surf.

We also loved Vieques as a vacation spot. The beaches are some of the most beautiful we have ever seen and, despite it being a huge vacation week (the week between Christmas and New Years), never crowded. In fact, one day we found a beach where we were the only people on it. Anyone considering it, however, should know up front that Vieques is not a highly developed tourist destination. There is one big, fancy resort on the island if that is what you are looking for. Otherwise, your sense of adventure will take you down dirt roads, stopping for iquanas and wild horses, to the grocery store where you will purchase for dinner whatever is available that day, and to the line at one of the 2 gas stations on the island. You will be rewarded by wonderful, friendly residents always willing to help, fabulous beaches, fantastic weather and a feeling that you have truly left your hectic life behind. We sincerely hope to return next year.

My first impression of Tranquility by the Sea, was of meeting the owner at the ferry dock, she was lovely and kind. The location of the cottage was a bit of a drive from town, but we knew this and had rented an appropriate vehicle. The cottage itself is more than charming, with horses all round and sweeping fields and a glimpse of the sea from the patio. Very nice and relaxing. The decor is clean and well kept, the casita is adorable and the BBQ area is great after a long day of hiking, beaching and exploring. A must is to take the trail through the neighboring field down to the little beach with more sea glass and gorgeous shells than you can imagine. It is located near the local dog shelter, but we were never bothered by this, if you are then there is A/C in each room to drown out any noise. Vieques is a wonderful place to explore with great beaches and cool restaurant, especially in Esperanza. Overall a great stay at a sweet place and a very available and attentive owner.