'Brookside' Waterfront Home w/ Kayaks & Deck!

Reviews

• CAUTION

  1/5

  Caution: this rental had (and might still have) health and safety issues. We booked 21 nights from March 6 – March 27, 2024, but only stayed there for four hours! As we were bringing in our personal items, we decided to open the living room door wall to access the deck and look at the water. The door wall door would not open. We called the host who sent his handyman to repair the door, but he could not fix it. Since this door wall is the only exit door on the north side of the property, it is considered a fire exit and did (does?) not meet Florida Building Codes: 2020 FLORIDA BUILDING CODE, BUILDING, 7TH EDITION | ICC DIGITAL CODES (iccsafe.org) – Chapter 10. We disputed the total cost of this rental which the Credit Card Company investigated and agreed to and refunded all of our money. During the dispute communications between the property host and the Credit Card Investigators, the property host continually provided untrue statements regarding the ordeal. We provided proof that his statements were not true. Therefore, we would suggest believing the comments of the other renter’s reviews and not the host when deciding to rent this VRBO. If you rent this VRBO – GOOD LUCK – you will need it!

  *This review was originally posted on Vrbo

  Manager's Response:

  Owner's Response: "Tom and Lupe, our exterior security cameras, and photographs taken before your stay demonstrate a different story of your stay. Brookside is on 125 ft of water, on the Pottsburg Creek, with a view of 450 ft of water. There are two decks: 1 unscreened deck, with 2 doors, and 1 screened patio, with a fully functioning wood door. Additionally, we provide complimentary mosquito lotion for mosquitoes.
  
  We take photographs of Brookside before any guest checks in and the 2 sliding glass doors to the unscreened deck opened and shut as normal. Before your arrival, the property was expertly cleaned and the many linens and towels were washed, fresh, and fluffy. We sent the handyman over to photograph and verify the state of the doors and home, and there were none of the issues you claimed.
  
  The Florida statute you've tried to quote is for multi-story condominiums. Brookside is a single-floor home, with 2 doors, 2 decks, and 5 first-floor windows. Hence, there is no requirement for a fire exit because Brookside is a single-family, one-story home, with essentially 9 exits, all on the first floor.
  
  Brookside features wonderful waterfront views, revealing Florida wildlife and birds such as flamingos, storks, manatees, and beavers. Kayaks, safety gear, and fishing equipment are provided at no additional charge. The fishing is spectacular, especially within two hours of high tide, featuring largemouth bass, red drum, spotted seatrout, and black drum. While kayaking is easy on the Pottsburg Creek and Arlington River, guests should avoid the St. John River, where the currents are strong. We look forward to many guests enjoying wonderful waterfront views, kayaking, and fishing at Brookside."

• Great property but home needs updating

  3/5

  The property was great but entire home needs to be updated. It is also extremely dark around the home at night without any flood lights or even a front porch light.

  *This review was originally posted on Vrbo

  Manager's Response:

  Hi Shane, thank you for saying Brookside is "great" because Brookside is on more than 100 feet of shoreline, with a view of 400 feet of water on the Pottsburg Creek. Also, Brookside is on navigable water, ideal for kayaking and fishing. We look forward to providing vacations for families that want to enjoy water sports and the beautiful waterfront views of Brookside.
  - All Brookside has been updated including all new luxury vinyl planking in all rooms, which replaced the carpeting. The photographs that are on the website are exactly what you find at Brookside. Nearly, the entire side of Brookside facing the water comprises glass windows, and light is everywhere. Also, the current flood lights work very well. Did you turn on the light switches in the waterfront bedroom? In addition, you did not have any complaints during your entire time at Brookside. We look forward to providing an excellent time for families to enjoy the Jacksonville waterways.

• Our stay at Brookside

  2/5

  Communication with the owner was pleasant. The first morning we were there we noticed the coffee maker was leaking. We later found out that there was a crack in it so we were unable to have coffee during our stay. We ended up going out for coffee. The comforter in the master bedroom was not clean. There was evidence left on the comforter. We did find water bugs in the shower. The house needs a lot of attention. The pictures on the website Were different from what we expected. The view from the back glass doors was very nice, however, the glass door was very difficult to open. Overall, we probably would never stay in this particular home. Again, the owner was very pleasant and easy to contact.

  Manager's Response:

  Hi James, your review is incorrect. We take photographs before each vacation stay moves in. The coffee maker was not broken before you moved in. But we replaced the coffee maker you broke, with a brand new one. Also, there were no bugs of any kind before you moved in, especially in the bathtub. In addition, all comforters, linen, and towels are always washed before each renter moves in. And the photographs show no dirt of any kind on any comforter. Our cleaner is excellent, very conscientious, and a perfectionist when it comes to cleaning. Further, the pictures that are on the website are exactly what you find at Brookside.
  
  Brookside is on more than 100 feet of shoreline, with a view of 400 feet of water on the Pottsburg Creek. Also, Brookside is on navigable water, ideal for kayaking and fishing. We look forward to providing vacations for families that want to enjoy water sports and the beautiful waterfront views of Brookside.

• Best Vacation!!!!

  5/5

  We had the best time staying here. We stayed for the Christmas holiday and didn’t miss home one bit! We could’ve kayaked for hours and it was close to everything in town. Joel was easy to connect with and promptly answered any questions we had. We couldn’t recommend this property enough. It was very dog friendly, and my disabled brother was also able to get around with ease. Thank you so much for a great holiday!!!!

  *This review was originally posted on Vrbo

• Family visit

  4/5

  Beautiful view and enjoyed watching birds and 6foot gator. The house is a strange layout, the bathrooms are in hallway by each other, then the two bedrooms. Master bedroom light and fan did not work. Light above shower did not work. The house was hot From the sun shining in the windows all day, blinds do not roll down. We bought another fan to help with circulation. Luckily we were gone during the day. Light in refrigerator didn’t work.. Grass wasn’t mowed, We didn’t go out on the deck, as the only way on it was from the living room, which the door didn’t open, and other glass door was broke, so we decided not to chance it. Dishwasher was broke when we got there.

  *This review was originally posted on Vrbo