First, the Pros:
1) When we began having trouble at the Stonington Clearview Cottage, the people at Freshwater Vacation Rentals (we worked with Mark) were wonderful. Our phone calls were answered promptly and we were kept updated on the progress of the repairs to the toilet. We will definitely rent another of their properties in the future.
2) The location is amazing...so beautiful and private. The drive out to the tip of the peninsula to visit the lighthouse is magical, and well worth the drive. And it's so quiet...we only heard two or three cars during our time there.
However, the Cons:
1) The toilet was "slow" when we first arrived, and quit flushing on the first morning we were there. Mark, at Freshwater Vacation Rentals, sent out a plumber within an hour, and the problem was corrected. Until the next morning, when it happened all over again. Our guess is the septic system is overwhelmed by more than one toilet flush per hour. We chose to leave the cottage and rent a room at a hotel, thereby paying double, rather than having to go for a drive to the nearest gas station or rest area when we needed to use the bathroom.
2) Well water is one thing, but water that looks like watery chocolate milk and smells like rotting eggs? Even after priming the filter each morning, as directed. A drinking water dispenser is provided, but we found ourselves using that water to wash up, to rinse dishes, etc., rather then using the tap water. It appears the water quality declines during the year, as the season progresses. We have family nearby who have a point-well, and their water is sparkling clear and tastes fine. We're guessing the well needs repair or replacement.
3) The odor of mildew/mold was overpowering in the main bedroom, the closet and the bathroom. The only way we could sleep in the bedroom was to have the windows open, and run a fan constantly to draw clean air into the room, but even then the smell was really pronounced. This could be a real problem for anyone with allergies or asthma.
Overall:
Great management team and beautiful location, but the place needs work!
Final Note: Freshwater Vacation Rentals refunded two of our three nights, and as already noted, were really professional and pleasant to deal with.