I want to start out by saying the owner was a very nice guy and did seem concerned as to whether or not we were comfortable in the cottage. We didn't bother him about a lot of the shortcomings because there were so many, we could deal with them, and we knew he wasn't nearby at the time. We camp often, have lived in rustic accommodations, but Redfish Cottage didn't meet the level of maintenance, cleanliness, and comfort that we desire for a vacation, or anytime for that matter.

The yard is lovely with mature trees and Spanish moss and of course the amazing view and dock. The location is great if you enjoy exploring the outdoors. We enjoyed many parks and beaches nearby and a fabulous little aquarium.

The first evening we were tired from a long day of driving, arrived around sunset and weren't wowed when we stepped in, but all seemed okay. The T.V. wasn't working properly, but that was no biggie, the owner got it straightened out a couple days later. The pillows on the beds were so worn and flat and the linens were either old or didn't fit the beds properly so the sheet fell completely off in the middle of the night. A bedding update would go a long way.

The next morning we began to notice other things that were not up to par. The counter top was severely cut up, to the point it could not be properly cleaned. There really wasn't anywhere to store or prep food, and even if there was, key utensils were missing such as a functional can opener and a couple burners weren't working properly. I am not sure the dishwasher was working either and it smelled of sewage when we washed clothes.

The cottage needed more lighting in a few places and it didn't help that the windows were quite dingy.

There was nothing for outdoor seating, aside from a few broken chairs. The screen porch had at least 5 roach carcasses and was unswept and cluttered.

The final thing I will get down on is a pretty big safety concern. One of the kayaks had a huge leak. We thought we inspected it properly, but apparently not. I was out in the middle of the bay when I realized I had taken on a ton of water and was losing stability quickly. We had to pull over and dump it before we even got back to the dock. Later I read the guest book and realized this had been going on for awhile.

All in all I have to say if these things don't bother you, by all means go for it. Redfish Cottage has some nice features, but I can't say I'd recommend it, despite the very kind owner and fabulous location