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Reviews of Hood Canal 2 B/R Waterfront Cabin. Sleeps 4.

Hood Canal 2 B/R Waterfront Cabin. Sleeps 4.
Hoodsport, WA

Reviews

9.0

Wonderful

Rating 10 - Excellent. 61 out of 98 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 26 out of 98 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 7 out of 98 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 3 out of 98 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 98 reviews" "

8.2/10

Cleanliness

8.8/10

Amenities

6.0/10

Property conditions & facilities

7.0/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Debbie M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Central location to PNW
About an hour or two drive to anything you want to see or do. Beautiful views. Nothing fancy, but a great cozy place to return to after a day of exploring. Main bedroom is very nice.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2024

2/10 Terrible

Laura S.

Disliked: Cleanliness
Property not safe or clean. Angry, aggressive host.
Weeds growing out of the floor in the kitchen. Ants all over the kitchen. Smoke detector had been covered in foil by previous guests. Linens were dirty. The fireplace is unsafe to use. I did not notice most of this until after I had stayed one night. My husband and friend were to arrive for the second night, but I found other accommodations for us all. I notified host that I was leaving because of the state of the property, did not ask for a refund, and she accused me of trying to scam her. VRBO customer service rep suggested that they would request partial refund, I did not ask. Host then messaged me to say she would take me to small claims court if I disputed the charge on my credit card. Terrible experience overall.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Julia W.

Liked: Cleanliness
Wonderful cabin between Hood Canal & Olympic Park
This was a beautiful location, and the listing was as described. All the essentials were available, including wifi, smart TV, outdoor seating, and a grill. The neighbors were quiet, and the views were unmatched. Thank you!!
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Aurora A.

Liked: Cleanliness
Our favorite cabin
This was our 3rd stay at Sheps and can't recommend it enough. This was the first time visiting at the tail end of summer and we made good use of the propane BBQ and firepit. Fantastic view and well insulated, cozy space.
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Christine S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Quiet weekend away
Enjoyed bringing my paddleboard out from the small beach. Clean and tidy cottage. Enjoyed learning about the history of the place.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

6/10 Okay

Jessica

Traveled with family
Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
First of all, the location is lovely and I can see how the property was cozy in its day. The property is somewhat beyond “rustic”, closer to run down with deferred maintenance. We’re used to camping, so don’t expect or need luxury. Where the concerns came in was the mold and mildew in the bathroom where there was a leak under the sink resulting in warped wood and visible mold and mildew as well as a bad odor that permeated the whole cabin. At some point someone knew about the leak because there were a couple of sponges placed under it. The back of the cabin is completely overgrown by ivy and blackberry, to the extent that some was growing in through the bathroom window and up under the kitchen sink. The carpet in the living room felt moist but we couldn’t locate a source so maybe just general water intrusion from beneath. It was difficult to tell if linens were clean because of the mold/mildew smell. It should also be noted that there are no doors to either sleeping area, not a big deal for us as just two people, but not great if you want a little privacy. The second bedroom is the corner of a storage space off the bathroom and its window is also entirely blocked by overgrown vegetation. There were burned out lightbulbs throughout. The beach does not belong to the property, it is a small park. The neighbors watch you like a hawk to make sure you don’t accidentally step over the park boundary-even in the water.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kimberly, Auburn

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities
It’s all about being on the water to me. Perfect location for a traditional PNW vacation. Bring your oyster worthy beach/water shoes. The master has been updated beautifully while the rest of the cabin is dated but clean.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023

8/10 Good

Emmy A., Seattle

Liked: Cleanliness
Cozy, rustic cottage
This is a nice place for duo or close group of four. Bedrooms are open concept. The master bedroom is the highlight. Nice setting with beautiful views. The kitchen was stocked with what we needed and host was communicative.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023

8/10 Good

Robert S.

The memories they must have
I couldn’t stop thinking about if these walls could talk. Its a really good thing. I feel this is one of the original cabins for settling in the hood canal. It was very cool to sit out front and watch nature. And oh yes! We did see a pod of Orcas. That was very cool. Fun stay for my wife and I, a small cozy house.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2023

4/10 Poor

Verified traveler

Disliked: Cleanliness
Hoodsport Cabin Stay
First, I did send an email to the host or property manager yesterday, May 19th at 6:09 p.m. PDT telling her of our concerns. As of now, 5/21 at noon, PDT I have not had a response from her. When we first arrived we almost turned around and went back home. The exterior of the property is severely neglected with overgrown weeds everywhere. There's a huge tree to the left of the stone path/steps and all of the dead blooms covered the stone area to the point where a first time visitor had difficulty determining where the steps were. Inside was clean and comfortable. We had an emergency with one of our rentals and had to leave the next morning but had that not come up we probably would have left anyway. The tipping point with that decision was when we discovered vegetation growing from under the sink and through the cabinet into the kitchen. This also shows neglect. The property is not as described. There is no beach access like shown in the picture and described in the property description. All of that is now a bulkhead with no beach access.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Anita F., Moreno Valley CA USA

Liked: Cleanliness
Olympic National Park
Just stayed two days to see Olympic National Park. Great location right on the water, very calm and relaxing. Host very responsive. As described, had everything we needed. Drove up the west side of peninsula to Lake Quinault and rain forest. Great one day trip. Beautiful area, had good weather.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Jon H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Staircase
Purpose of our trip hiking staircase, Potlatch Brewery, Coffee House and Tides Cafe a bonus, million dollar view from the cabin, perfect trip!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2022

6/10 Okay

Misty M.

Musty home.
The location was great. Peaceful, right on the water, but the home was very musty and moist. The remodeled bedroom did not feel musty, but the rest of the home was uncomfortably moist.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2022

8/10 Good

tong G., Sebastopol

Liked: Cleanliness
Hoodsport Vacation
The property was wonderful. The view was peaceful and great, especially from the bedroom. I would book the place again. One question I have when staying somewhere is: what do I need to bring. For example, there's a grill which is accurately listed in the description. It's a gas grill - quite excellent - so don't bring charcoal. It's not quite clear on the property rules, but do not cross over the property boundary on the beach. We did so and were served legal papers by the neighbors. The property has two bedrooms, but the second bedroom has no privacy as it's open to the only bathroom. This wasn't an issue with us since there were only two of us. The second bedroom would be fine for a small child, but not fine for two couples. Overall, we enjoyed the place and would return.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Aurora A.

Liked: Cleanliness
Lovely as always.
Our second visit and so lovely. The view steals the show. Eo far wece visited once a year but Im thinking we might need to come back sooner!
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2022

8/10 Good

Lora, Lyons

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2021

8/10 Good

Wanda L.

Liked: Cleanliness
A cabin out of a fairy tale.
Very nice cabin in a beautiful quite location. There were many more pros than cons for this cabin. Pros: The cabin was very clean, check-in was a very easy process and check-out instructions were straightforward. The town of Hoodsport was small, but everything we needed was there. Grocery, coffeeshop, good restaurants. A few cons to our stay: The bedrooms didn't have doors and the windows had see-through window covering if any at all. But, only a couple of vehicles passed by during our 3 night stay. Another con that another reviewer mentioned was the very leaky refrigerator which surprised us with a wet floor. And lastely, my partner and her daughter thought this was "enchanting" - but there were plants growing into the house. I would 100% recommend this VRBO. The location, relaxing sounds of the water and the delicious blackberries were a much need getaway from North Carolina.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2021

8/10 Good

John H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great Hood Canal Getaway!
Nice place with all the needed amenities. Things don’t always go as planned; but Cynthia stepped up and made sure things were taken care of with great communication.

8/10 Good

Jared F.

Decent
The property was nice, the outside could have used some landscaping and the garbage was already full when we arrived. The fridge had a leak which kept getting the floor wet but other than that it was a nice stay.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Linda G.

Liked: Cleanliness
Funky Waterfront Cabin
I loved our three night stay at Shep's Castle! Cynthia is a former antiques store owner and it shows--such fun and eclectic decor that I just love! The cabin is old and funky, and right on the water! We spent hours sitting in our camp chairs just staring at the view. My daughter went paddle boarding several times on her new inflatable SUP. The beach isn't really great for walking and the tide comes way up when it's high, and I wasn't able to find another place for beach walks. So many oysters and the shells are sharp--make sure to have good shoes! Many people collect the oysters and eat them, but we weren't brave enough--haha! I would definitely stay again, this is a unique find!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2021

10/10 Excellent

Virginia H.

Beautiful water views!
This property had beautiful views of the canal, any closer and you'd need waders! Very quaint little place, quiet too, eclectic decor, comfortable bed. Just a few minutes drive from Hoodsport. The owner was very responsive to my questions, which was helpful when the door lock was a bit fussy. Only downgrade was the dining table hadn't been wiped off, and the coffee pot left with old coffee and grounds in it. Bring your own hair dryer, I forgot and regretted it!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2021

10/10 Excellent

Gayle S.

Great cabin.
This was just what we were looking for. It is funky and fun. Perfect for a weekend away with our two dogs.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2021

8/10 Good

Matthew B.

Liked: Cleanliness
great place to catch sunrises, play guitar, and eat oysters
We had a relaxing stay at this comfortable and bright cabin. It's across the lane from a small stretch of public beach access maintained by the county, which was a good place to put in our paddleboards and forage for oysters. It had just about everything we needed; the kitchen is well stocked with utensils and there are plenty of diversions on hand (games, DVDs, a guitar).
Stayed 4 nights in May 2021

8/10 Good

Aurora A.

Liked: Cleanliness
Packed with charm and amazing views
This place felt less like a sterile vacation rental and more like your eccentric aunt left you the keys to her beach house with a note to keep the old girl clean. The inside is a mishmash of well chosen antiques, comfy chairs, adorable knick nacks and all the kitchen utensils you'll need to go all out gourmet if you'd like. It's very quiet indoors, with only a bit of highway traffic to be heard if you're sitting outside. The view completely stole the show. Each evening I found myself alternating between staring out on the sound and staring at the fire. Leave you'd books at home because you'll be completely entranced.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2021

10/10 Excellent

J. Sean L.

Liked: Cleanliness
Short get away
My wife and I just went for a quick get away, then our two daughters joined us and celebrated our youngest daughters 18th Birthday! Beautiful view in a rainy weekend, just what we needed!
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2021

10/10 Excellent

Katherine Y.

Liked: Cleanliness
Excellent, cozy.
Easy.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2020

10/10 Excellent

Jim H., Friday Harbor, WA

Liked: Cleanliness
Snug stay at Shep’s Castle
My wife and I and our adult son thoroughly enjoyed our snug stay at Shep’s Castle. A book on the coffee table includes a description of Shep and that was fun to read. We barbecued steaks in the grill and had a fun quiet evening with a board game. The cabin was clean, the outside air was fresh and clean from a rain that came through. Description was very accurate and we made some family memories for a lifetime.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2020

4/10 Poor

Alice C.

Disliked: Cleanliness
Pros and cons
Pros: shore is in front of house with an abundance of oysters and a beautiful view. House has lots of movies, games and soft sheets. The town is close and meals were great. Cons: I use rental properties about 5 times a year. This house was a disappointment. First, there was a lot of conflicting information prior to entering the house. Emails state no internet but owner confirmed that was old info. I was emailed a code for the lock box which did not work instead the owner told me to use a different code on a different code box. These conflicts have never happened to me before in any rental. It seems the owner has not updated their info with vrbo. I had to contact the owner again to get the WiFi password. Not sure why it wasn’t on the check in sheet. Not as thoroughly cleaned as we would have hoped especially during covid. We found trash out of the can under the sink and pretzels in the couch. Most concerning were at least 3 separate plants growing their way from outside to inside the house! (Front door and under the kitchen sink) The floors are VERY uneven In living room - sloping and lumps that have been Unsuccessfully hidden by an area rug. Several deck boards were loose as well as a board on the outside table. We tried to eat outside only to discover that the Plastic tablecloth had been put away wet and was moldy. The front door has a cracked window. Overall, this house is not just rustic, it’s neglected. We LOVED Hoodsport and will definitely return but we will rent a different house.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2020
Response from VrboOwner on Oct 28, 2020
I'm so sorry you didn't thoroughly enjoy your stay. I try to describe Shep's Castle and it's rustic charm very clearly in my property description. I did my best to let you know about the updated check in instructions for the new lock and the internet and am sorry you didn't open the email. Communication is key and I'm glad I was able to immediately take your call to help you check in. All my best, Cynthia

10/10 Excellent

Anna B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Nice and serene, a cabin by the Hood Canal
We spent five days at Shep's Castle. These were hot summer days, and we were very happy that the house is located next to the water - we had our own microclimate. The house is old, unique, and very authentic. There is a nice deck in front, with tables, wooded benches, beach chairs, and a great view of the Hood Canal. We ate all our meals there, watching the Canal and enjoying nature. At night, we were sitting on the deck chatting, and watching movies. The hut has access to the beach, down the low rockery. We were collecting oysters there and were cooking them on a barbeque. Also, during low tide, it was very nice to walk along the beach. Daytime we were mostly spending on lake Cushman and on the Staircase area hikes (Olympic National Forest). The park and campground on Lake Cushman are closed this summer; however, there are plenty of spots on the north side of the lake that have water access. The lake is warm, and the water is very clean. The house is very nice to stay at. It is not a fancy modern place; it is an old cabin with its own history. We could not stop thinking about the family that was spending their summers there 100 years ago. (The history of the past owner is documented, there are pictures and stories.) Hoodsport is a tiny town, but it has a store, great ice cream, and coffee place, and a couple of food joins that we have not tried. Cynthia the cabin's owner, is very nice and helpful. Overall, we had a very unique and memorable vacation at the Cabin, and I would be happy to repeat it.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2020

10/10 Excellent

Steve M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Love Shep’s!
Great property with an unbeatable view and great location. I have stayed here multiple times now and each time has been wonderful. Cynthia is a delight to work with. Clear expectations and a great property.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2019

10/10 Excellent

Sandra W.

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect Getaway Spot for Some R & R
Shep’s Castle was exactly as described. Cute and well stocked! The view of the Hood Canal is beautiful and the owner is great to work with!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2019

8/10 Good

Chuck L.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great Stay
Right on the water. Nice deck for eating breakfast at sunrise & evening dinner.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2019

10/10 Excellent

Susan L., Toledo, WA

Liked: Cleanliness
Good time
Great views, and Cynthia is awesome.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2019

8/10 Good

JoAnne R.

Charming retreat
The beach home is charming and the owner is very responsive.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2019

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer P.

Liked: Cleanliness
Charming Cottage on the Hood Canal
Shep's castle is small and cozy. It's decently outfitted with kitchen gear and appliances. The closest town, Hoodsport, has a grocery store and a few restaurants. Cottage has one good bedroom and a tiny second one. It's not walking distance to trails or walking paths. Guests will need to drive to shop or visit area destinations. Bring all your own F&B; it's minimally equipped with staples. Lovely porch shaded by flowering tree.

10/10 Excellent

jennifer w.,

Liked: Cleanliness
The "Family Cabin" you would like to have
This is a charming rustic cabin which is sparkling clean and sits a few steps from the water. Plenty of towels and bedding is supplied. The kitchen is stocked with decent quality cooking pots and pans and the appliances are serviceable. It you want to cook, you can do it here. My sister-in-law and I had a marvelous three days here. There is so much to do close by. We went for a great hike in the national forest and kayaked on nearby Lake Cushman. I highly recommend Shep's Castle (and if you go, be sure to read the story about Shep).
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2019

8/10 Good

Audrey E.

Liked: Cleanliness
limited beach access
The house was nice but there weren't doors on the bedrooms. The view was beautiful but the actual access to the beach is very limited and requires climbing down rocks. The rest of the beach is privately owned so others are not supposed to walk on it. Also, it is not a swimming beach. The shore is strewn with rocks covered with barnacles. The good thing is that it attracted an otter who came to eat the muscles early in the morning.

8/10 Good

S D., Dundee, Oregon

Liked: Cleanliness
Cabin on Hood Canal
Pleasant spot with water views of the Hood Canal. Nice proximity to explore Olympic National Park and surrounding communities.
Stayed 5 nights in May 2019

10/10 Excellent

Linda V., Sacramento

Liked: Cleanliness
Hoodsport
Property is right on the water! It is well maintained and very clean! Owner was pleasant and very attentive!

8/10 Good

Matt G., malaga ,WA.

cute
although this little place was neat and well stocked,The exterior was overgrown.Blackberries and English Ivy were very overgrown.So much so that they were coming through the foundation and into the house.(Little shop of horrors,or Jumonji)
Stayed 2 nights in May 2019

8/10 Good

WILLIAM H.

Beautiful view
Nice old cabin
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2019

10/10 Excellent

Douglas M.

Great place and great owner
Cynthia was really great- she drove all the way from Seattle to take care of a small issue, and was very kind and easy to get along with. We loved the place and enjoyed our father-daughter trip. We ate some oysters from the beach and enjoyed skipping stones and playing cards by the wood stove. Great place! We will come back again. :)
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2019

10/10 Excellent

Tim P.

Great weekend retreat
Super. Secluded, on the beach
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2019

10/10 Excellent

Sam C.

Very cozy and homelike
I enjoyed the peace and quiet and especially the view. I can’t wait to go back.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2018

10/10 Excellent

Priscilla O.

Can’t wait to come back!
This was my friend’s and my vacation. Shep’s has become our favorite escape from everyday stresses at home. (This was our third visit.) Even just a few days rejuvenates us, letting us come back to our families with better outlooks on life. The place looks fresh with new upgrades and we always enjoy the wonderful views of Hood Canal. We can’t wait to come back. Hopefully this coming Spring!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2018

8/10 Good

Susan W.

Relaxing, Great view & location. Look forward to coming back!!
The house was quiet, clean & had everything we needed. The bed was very comfortable - Loved the view & deck off the bedroom. The views from decks, living room & kitchen were beautiful. It's hard to find a beachfront place that allows dogs, so we really appreciated being able to bring our dog. We enjoyed our stay & we are looking forward to coming back.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2018

10/10 Excellent

Shelly M.

Best little getaway with perfect views
We went for a quick vacation. Four days three nights. The cabin was super cute very clean with a great view. Cynthia was amazing and answered any questions I had very promptly !!! we brought kayaks, paddle boards and our fishing boat. Which was super nice because there was a buoy in front of the house for us to anchor to every night. Thank you so much for sharing your cabin with us !!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2018

10/10 Excellent

Ann A.

Time away from home
Because of water damage to our home we needed a place to stay with our dog. Shep's cabin was perfect. The cabin was rustic but comfortable. The master was off in a newer addition with a beautiful view of the canal including a full moon each evening. Cynthia provided games, cards and DVR movies for our entertainment. The Internet worked well and town was very close by for local dining and grocery shopping. Thank you again Cynthia for your hospitality. Ann
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2018

10/10 Excellent

Kenneth S.

Cute cottage and beautiful view.
We had a great time staying at the castle. It was pup season and the seals were right outside! Awesome experience. Bald eagles, shellfish, elk, clear water, and close to great places to kayak and eat. Who needs wifi or large TVs? The water access was a bit confusing but still available.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2018

10/10 Excellent

Stacy B.

Spectacular view.......
When you awaken in the morning, there it is, the most beautiful, wonderful, scenic grandeur one could imagine.......very comfortable and adorable cabin....equipped with everything.....close to town, another plus.... Thank you, Stacy
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2018