Reviews of Property: Great Exuma Beachfront Vacation Rental - The Sunny Gecko House on Tar Bay

Description House, 1300 sq. ft.,
3 Bedrooms, Sleeps 8, 2 Bathrooms
Amenities beach, waterfront, air-conditioning, satellite or cable, TV, DVD
Rates per property (USD)
$280 - $300/night 
$1,800 - $2,000/week 
Chris
+1 321-243-2107
Speaks: English

10 Reviews of Property 219044 in Great Exuma, Bahamas

Rating
5 out of 5

Awesome place!

Sheri P. Huntington Beach, California
Review Submitted: August 17, 2009 Date of Stay: August 2009
Sunny Gecko House was awesome! Chris was wonderful to rent from and very flexible and understanding of our "standy-by" flight status, not knowing when we'd actually make it there. We were a couple families traveling together so splitting the cost of the house made it very affordable and fun to stay together rather than at a hotel. Since the Four Seasons closed a month ago the economic climate has really been impacted and things are very expensive, i.e. scuba diving, food, etc. but we were able to cook mostly at the house (and there is now a BBQ grill) The beach right out in front of the house is amazing and we rarely saw anyone else around. The weather was fantastic and very few bugs for this time of year. Renting a boat at Minn's Water Sports in George Town was our best day, snokeling and relaxing at ChatNChill is a must. Tropic of Cancer Beach is the most amazing beach with little islands that you can swim to and it's a short drive south. We found taxi rides to be very expensive ($70 2.5 miles from the airport to the house) so I'd highly recommend renting a car right from the airport. Everyone is very friendly, nice and helpful, including Antonio, the manager. I'd highly recommend the Sunny Gecko House.
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Rating
5 out of 5

Perfect Vacation Experience

MelindaS Houston, TX
Review Submitted: August 6, 2009 Date of Stay: July 2009
My husband, 3-year-old son, and I stayed at the Sunny Gecko house for our vacation this year and it was absolutely perfect! The house is convenienty located between the airport and George Town, far enough away from each (only a couple of miles) to feel secluded. We saw maybe 3 people on the beach the week we were there, it was very quiet and we enjoyed being right on the water. We took advantage of the house's kayaks and my son was thrilled to paddle with us on the bay in front of the home. We rented a car to get back and forth into town and also a whaler from Minn's Water Sports. We enjoyed island hopping by boat, spent lots of time at the Chat-n-Chill on Stocking Island, snorkeled the underwater cave areas, and took a short walk to the Atlantic side of Stocking Island to explore the rocky coast and look for shells. We also enjoyed dinner at the Peace and Plenty as well as the Fish Fry. My son especially enjoyed the three rays that came around frequently at the Chat-n-Chill looking for food hand outs.

For about the same price as a hotel, you get more space, amenities, and convenience for your dollar. Chris, the owner, was very helpful in answering my many questions prior to my rental of the property and before we left for our trip. Antonio, the property manager on the island, was friendly and just a phone call away. Having a full kitchen, grill, washer and dryer was wonderful since we were traveling with our young child. I highly recommend the Sunny Gecko for the perfect vacation experience for your family.

My son is still saying, "I want to go back to the other house on the tropical island!" We will definitely be going back and I highly recommend this spot for families looking for a beautiful place to get away and relax.
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Rating
5 out of 5

Picture perfect

Kaliker Reno, NV USA
Review Submitted: June 18, 2009 Date of Stay: June 2009
The house and location could not have been better. Crystal blue waters 20 steps from the back deck. Traveled in June so had the beach to ourselves, saw a total of 6 people on the beach and no one directly next to us. The house was nicely appointed and very clean, great set up for folks who want to get away from it all. Air conditioning was nice since it was hot and there were some bugs outside in the evening. Chat and Chill on nearby Stocking Island was great fun and the newly renovated Beach Inn was good for lunch and only about a 5 minute drive away. Traveled with wife and 9 year old daughter, both loved the house and the island. Local contact/manager was helpful and checked in to make sure we were all set. Figuring out when to come back next year!
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Rating
5 out of 5

Our winter getaway!

Nel, Bob, Penny & Linda Cape Cod and Western Massachusetts
Review Submitted: March 31, 2009 Date of Stay: March 2009
Four of us (all adults) So enjoyed our two weeks at your beautiful house. We saw other houses and knew that we had one of the best on the Island. Bone fishing was the norm this time, but we girls lapped up the sunny deck and wonderful beach for walking. Hamberger Beach is a real winner along with snorkling and beach walking down island. the grocery stores were a bit expensive, but well stocked. The people were so helpful and friendly. our favoite restaurant was Coco Plums up island and a visit to the 4 Seasons for lunch was a very nice treat.( I hope more restaruants open and stay open.) Even driving on the other side of the road wasn't a problem. This year was very windy, but Stocking Island is in the lee, so we never missed a day of sunny fun. The house was very clean, well appointed, and we were spoiled with a dishwasher and washing machine. We really hope to return next year! Thank you for keeping this property well maintained! There was no grill but we made one with concrete blocks on property. Antonio checked in with us and we knew he was close by if needed. We would very much recommend this property!
Owner's Response: We have since added an outdoor gas grill. The grill runs on the small propane tanks which can be purchased at many of the stores on the island.
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Rating
5 out of 5

Sunny Gecko - What a 'GREAT' Holiday!

Jackie Anne England S/W
Review Submitted: February 8, 2009 Date of Stay: January 2009
Firstly i'd like to say....what a beautiful part of the World!
Staying at The Sunny Gecko was everything and more than i'd expected... It's location was perfect for us to explore Great Exuma, and the smaller Islands on organised trips. The facilities provided were excellent and made our stay complete! As for the locaton...i don't think there's anything that could top, walking out of the lounge every morning with the beautiful beach of Tar Bay under my feet (my 4 yr old was in his glory). Our trip on the fly'n' fish was brill and that also goes for the food at the Chat n Chill. Can't wait to return!!!
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Rating
5 out of 5

Take me back to the Sunny Gecko!

Review Submitted: January 21, 2009 Date of Stay: December 2008
The Sunny Gecko is absolute paradise! I really don't think there is a better way to go when visiting Exuma! You would never get these sort of accomodiations and convienience at a hotel. The house has it all- from an AMAZING private beach - with coral reefs in swimming distance - a fully equipped house with everything you will need - and an easy ride downtown or to the airport!! We could go on and ON! Exuma is FABULOUS! By far the best vacation we have ever been on. The Sunny Gecko really gives you the option of laying low and laying by the beach all day - not seeing another soul - or taking a short ride downtown to rent a boat and head out to some snorkeling hot spots and having a drink on Stocking Island. We miss and talk about Exuma everyday - and hope to get back soon to the most amazing place on earth.
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Rating
5 out of 5

A taste of paradise

Review Submitted: November 24, 2008 Date of Stay: May 2008
The sunny gecko is a vacationer's dream. Its only a short drive from the airport and easy to find. The house is truly a home away from home. We felt as if we were in our own house, only with crystal-clear blue water feet away from the back porch. Everything we needed was inside the house, from cooking utensils to sheets and bedding. The kayaks were a great addition, allowing us to get some exercise and not feel guilty for eating and drinking so much. We found ourselves in the water first-thing in the morning till the sunset. Chat-n-chill is a must visit, fresh conch salad you wont find anywhere else. It was a pleasure to stay at the Sunny Gecko and hopefully we will find our way back soon!
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Rating
5 out of 5

10 out of 5

JaredK Columbus, OH
Review Submitted: November 23, 2008 Date of Stay: September 2008
I wish I could give it a 10! Sunny Gecko is a perfect place to find privacy. It is also well located to provide easy access to everything that Georgetown has to offer. The house itself is immaculately maintained and has the kind of Caribbean charm that you won’t find in a hotel. Looking out the many sliding glass doors all you can see is beautiful Tar Bay. The water is just a few short steps from the back porch. The only activity this house may not be ideal for is people watching. There is almost no traffic on the beach. Take the kayaks out to the many small islands and coral heads that make for excellent snorkeling. There are many opportunities for a memorable fishing experience. as well. There is the shallow water fishing that the Bahamas are famous for as well as deep water just a short boat ride away. The Sunny Gecko is also well located to enjoy all that Georgetown has to offer on dry land. Everything in the area is a 10 minute drive, most things won’t even take that long. The airport, restaurants, the marina, water-taxi, shops, are all a breeze to get to. After a long hard day of snorkeling or sunning on the beach it is nice to enjoy a drink and some local fare at The Shacks or the Peace and Plenty Bar. You are also sure to meet some of the nicest and most welcoming people I’ve ever come across. I’m always planning my return to this beautiful spot.
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Rating
5 out of 5

Perfect place to get away

Christopher W Stuart, FL USA
Review Submitted: November 21, 2008 Date of Stay: August 2007
I stayed in the Sunny Gecko House in the fall of 2007 and it was amazing. The living room has a beautiful view of Exuma Sound and is located on a nice, quiet beach. The house and property are clean and kept up very well. I would recommend this house to everyone and plan on trying to go back myself sometime soon.
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Rating
5 out of 5

Vacation desitination that is truly an escape.

Dave&Diana Upstate New York
Review Submitted: November 18, 2008 Date of Stay: February 2007
First, Grand Exuma is truly an escape from the daily grind. It offers friendly people, beautiful venues and as much or as little that you want to fit in if you are lucky enough to visit. Second, the Sunny Gecko is only steps from the sliding glass doors to the white sand beach. It is surprising how close this house is to the crystal blue-green waters. The views are theraputic. Above all, privacy, rarely do you see someone walking by. Our family really did not want to leave the house once we arrived, but we had to venture out to see the Island end to end and all that it offered in between. Even after two visits, there is more that we hoped to see. We took out the sea kayaks to "shipwreck island" as we named it. The island is within view and provides some fun exploration. That was a practice day for the full day excursion to Stocking Island. It turned out to be quite adventurous but we had an exhilarting adventure. We had the winds against us all the way there and very little wind on the way home, we were extremely glad David brought the Hobie Cat sail so we could relax on the way home. Before we left the island, our reward for the day was a beer and a burger at the Peace and Plenty burger shack. Stocking Island offers a full day of exploration with hiking up to the salt monument for great views and exploring the ocean side with unique formations on the beach that cause "geiser" like shows. A short paddle away offers a bay, and with some fins and a mask, you can swim over some underwater caves. Dave took the kids on a bone fishing excursion. Owen caught a bone fish, but before he could pull it in, a lemon shark took half of it. Sarah skipped the bone fish and hooked a hungry lemon shark. A drive to Little Exuma with a stop at Santana's for a tropical drink and some great food is a must. Ask and she will show you her photo album with Johnny Depp and other actors during the filming of The Pirates of the Caribean. The home is very comfortable, offers large clean rooms and the house is well maintained. The owners are really nice and could not do more for us. We can't wait for our next visit.
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