Entire home

Mermaid's and Mutts Retreat

Photo gallery for Mermaid's and Mutts Retreat

On the beach
Exterior detail
3 bedrooms, free WiFi, bed sheets
Smart TV
Interior

Reviews

9.0 out of 10

Wonderful

Entire home

3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 8

Popular amenities

  • Beach view
    Beach view
  • Parking available
    Parking available
  • Washer
    Washer
  • Barbecue grill
    Barbecue grill
  • Outdoor Space
    Outdoor Space
  • Pet friendly
    Pet friendly

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

Mermaid's and Mutts Retreat

Welcome to our "Mermaid's and Mutts Retreat" - Pet and Child friendly!

Our lovely little Bungalow was built in 1923 and has been upgraded with all the modern conveniences needed to enjoy a wonderful family beach vacation.

We are nestled directly on the beach of the Chesapeake Bay. We have fantastic views of the beach from the decks and the upstairs. We are beach front and your backyard is the beautiful sandy beaches of the Chesapeake Bay.

Mermaid's has central heat and air. We have a dual zone system for both upstairs and down. There are 3 bedrooms; two of which are upstairs - one has a queen-size bed and a twin bed with a locking door, and the other also has a queen and a twin with a full curtain for privacy. The downstairs bedroom features one queen bed.

We have a 65" Smart TV for you to stream your own entertainment services. We also have high speed WiFi for all your devices.

We have a dining area, with a dining table and 6 chairs.

We have two full bathrooms - upstairs has a standup shower and the main bathroom downstairs has a full tub/shower combination.

The full size kitchen features a gas stove. We also have a full size washer/dryer.

We are pet friendly with a pet fee. We do have Off-Street parking right in front of the home that can handle up to 3 larger vehicles, or 4 smaller ones.

Even with a thorough modernization the property is a historical home that is now over 108 years old. It has some eccentricities that reflect building standards and designs from the turn of the last century that lends to its charm as an older beach cottage. But even so, we hope that you will love our older and charming home.

This is a family enterprise and as such we are happy to open our home to families and smaller groups that are traveling or seeking to enjoy our beautiful beaches. No parties are allowed or tolerated. We do have neighbors close by and everyone is entitled (by law) to the "quiet enjoyment" of their homes - including you as our guest. Please respect your neighbors. Any parties will be immediately shut down and evicted with the full forfeiture of all monies paid as well as the security deposit.

Property manager

George

Languages

English

Property amenities

Beach

  • On the beach

Internet

  • Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Onsite parking includes off-street options
  • Onsite parking

Kitchen

  • Refrigerator
  • Stovetop
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Dishwasher
  • Blender
  • Paper towels
  • Cookware/dishes/utensils
  • Ice maker

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 3 bedrooms
  • Bed sheets provided

Bathrooms

  • 2 bathrooms
  • Bathtub or shower
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided
  • Shampoo

Living spaces

  • Living room

Entertainment

  • Smart TV

Outdoor areas

  • Balcony
  • Barbecue grill
  • Garden
  • Outdoor furniture

Laundry

  • Washing machine and dryer

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • Pet friendly
  • 3 total pets

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoke-free property

Location highlights

  • Near the ocean
  • Near the sea
  • On the bay
  • On the waterfront
  • Near the bay

Things to do

  • Marina nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector installed (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
  • Smoke detector installed (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Deadbolt lock

Similar properties

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Contactless check-in available

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 AM
Contactless check-out available

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Pets

Pets allowed
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees
3 total pets
Restrictions apply; for more information contact the property at the number on the booking confirmation

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a deadbolt lock
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation

About the neighborhood

Map
Norfolk, VA

What's nearby

  • Norfolk Beaches - 3 min walk
  • Ocean View Beach - 2 min drive
  • Norfolk Botanical Garden - 7 min drive
  • Naval Station Norfolk - 9 min drive
  • Old Dominion University - 13 min drive

Getting around

  • Norfolk Station - 20 min drive
  • Norfolk Intl. Airport (ORF) - 12 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪McDonald's - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪McDonald's - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Wendy's - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪McDonald's - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Dairy Queen - ‬3 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Mermaid's and Mutts Retreat pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows pets (limit 3 total).

What time is check-in at Mermaid's and Mutts Retreat?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Mermaid's and Mutts Retreat?

Check-out is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Mermaid's and Mutts Retreat located?

Nestled on the beach, this Cottage Line cottage is within 3 mi (5 km) of Norfolk Beaches, Ocean View Beach, and Oceanview Fishing Pier. Naval Station Norfolk and Nauticus are also within 6 mi (10 km).

Mermaid's and Mutts Retreat Reviews

Reviews

9.0

Wonderful

Rating 10 - Excellent. 20 out of 30 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 6 out of 30 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 3 out of 30 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 30 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 30 reviews" "

9.2/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

6/10 Okay

Nathan M.

Adequate
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2024

8/10 Good

Kelsey W.

Great location but needs some serious updating
Very cute old house right on the beach but it needs some serious work.. if you open certain cabinet doors in the kitchen it hits the ceiling fan, they had the dryer door taped shut but of course it kept popping open so the dryer is unusable, stains on the carpets and wood floors, missing outlet covers, the back deck is seriously unsafe you feel it sway with any small movement and it needs a good deep clean the ac filter covers are caked in dust and they’re Cobb webs in a lot of the corners. They provide towels and wash clothes but I wouldn’t use them they are stained and falling apart. The house is in a great location beautiful quite beach but we definitely overpaid for the condition the house is in.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024

8/10 Good

Mitch M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Debby W.

Liked: Cleanliness
Ladies weekend getaway
Hardworking ladies take we
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2024

6/10 Okay

PATRICIA C.

Over priced for the condition of the house.
The house is in need of repairs. Downstairs bathroom. Dryer. And it needs an exterminator. Over priced for the condition. But a great location to walk to the beach.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Teresa K.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great experience
Excellent location, very clean, host was very responsive and brought a hose so we could rinse the dog and ourselves. Would definitely stay again!
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kimberly J.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great place to stay without the big crowds
This place was a great place to have children and be on beach without the big crowds. It is a little outdated but was good for us for the week. Right on the beach and lots of room, kitchen was nice and most stuff foe cooking needs. Grill outside was a plus. Things that would have made it better and should consider is having a hose hooked up to the side of the house to wash off after beach before going into the house. I also noted that the freezer was leaking water from the bottom so we put a washcloth to keep water from spreading. Also the dryer needs someone to fix the door, we had to use gorilla tape to keep it shut. Would also be nice if there was a tv in the upstairs and the main floor bedroom even if they are small tv’s. Anyway I was very happy with this location and would recommend it.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Larry & Jen L.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great communication, house is as described
We stayed here for a weekend visiting with our Marine son. Location is nice, short drive to nearby attractions.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Denise S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Get away
Clean, nice layout. Close enough to downtown & other sights
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Michelle M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Quaint cottage
Location is easily accessible from Rte 64, a short drive to the Naval base, and is close to shopping and restaurants. The rental is very clean. Part of its charm is that it’s an older home. Which also means we didn’t expect perfection and are pleased by the amount of TLC this gem has received. The little nuances of staying in a historical home in a modern area makes this housing charming. There were only a couple of non-consequence plumbing inconveniences that a good handyman could fix easy. Overall, our stay was pleasant and restful.
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Hugo G.

Liked: Cleanliness
Thumbs up!!
Great place!! Awesome host!!
Stayed 21 nights in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

Wendy W.

Liked: Cleanliness
Family Vacation
Property was as listed. Worked very well for our family of 5 and 2 dogs. Loved the direct access to the beach.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

8/10 Good

Marion B.

Liked: Cleanliness
review
Great location and a new place for us to visit. Amazing beach, and ready access to it. Warm ocean, great for swimming. Disappointing weather but that can’t be controlled!
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2023

6/10 Okay

Jessica P.

Beautiful but could use a handyman’s touch
We booked this property for our anniversary weekend getaway. We had an awesome time the location was perfect. They allowed the dogs which was awesome. The backyard is the beach and exactly what we were looking for. The house is spacious and has loads of potential. It’s an old house and could use a handyman’s touch for a day or two as outside upper deck really isn’t safe and there are a few things that need minor maintenance, outlets needing covers but all and all we had a great time.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Mary W.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful & spacious
We highly enjoyed our stay in this beautiful home. The backyard is the beach & it’s a short distance to Va. Beach & other amazing things. Check in was super easy. The home was very clean & spacious. We had 5 adults & 2 children. I will keep this property in mind for next time.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kara B., Cockeysville

Liked: Cleanliness
Cute home, great location
Short weekend visit with our adult children but. This place is perfect for a family or group. Right off the beach and close to everything. More spacious than it looks in photos.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Pat W.

Liked: Cleanliness
This is a wonderful ocean cottage.
My family of 7 adults and 2 furbabies stayed for a weekend to Celebrate our sister, who lives in VA Beach's 70th birthday. The house was roomy, comfortable, and Kathleen was the ultimate host. We would highly recommend this rental.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Brylee K.

Liked: Cleanliness
Vaca
I loved this property. The owners were so nice. Great little weekend we had!
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2023

8/10 Good

James C., Grant, USA

Liked: Cleanliness
Nice Location - Pet Friendly - Hard to Beat!
Spacious home right on the beach that is pet friendly! Hard to find such a deal! The owners/managers are great!
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2022

8/10 Good

Kenneth B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Needs minor work
Front storm door was missing self closing mechanism and hung up on the top corner. Missing a plug cover, not good with children in the house. Laundry mirror was cracked in top right corner. Extremely low water pressure. Kitchen was great for cooking meals. Plenty of seating and great tv but could have used more upstairs. Plenty of parking.
Stayed 6 nights in Dec 2022

2/10 Terrible

Monique G.

BE AWARE- this property has a rodent issue.
We initially had a good experience with the owner and property up until we had an unexpected visit from a rat or rats! The rat was seen in the sick in the bathroom and running all throughout the home. We even had rats feces in our luggage! When I notified the owner of the issue her only solution was to come set traps however when I told her we would be leaving and checking into a hotel then at that time she offered another property nearby and refused any sort of refund. We left the property and are now out the costs of the rental and the fees to go rent a hotel…..this is totally unprofessional and and shows this is not a very cooperative or understanding property owner. Rent this property at your own risk!
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2022

8/10 Good

Donna H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Quiet getaway
RETRO ECLECTIC There is a fenced area in front and side for our dogs and parking in front. It is a short walk to the water and the bay can be seen from the decks. The kitchen is adequately stocked and Kathleen responded promptly to my messages. This retro eclectic bungalow has been upgraded but still needs some loving renovation.
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Tyeasia D.

Liked: Cleanliness
As pictured
Ok so first the house is exactly like pictures so that's a good thing..its a very old house with ALOT of mirrors therefore I immediately thought to keep negative spirits away. Overall good stay.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

LISAMARIE F.

Liked: Cleanliness
Enjoyed our visit with the dogs.
So we enjoyed our visit with 2 dogs. The property was very clean. A few thoughts- there was supposed to be a hose to rinse off dogs feet but there was no hose. There are 4 chairs outside but if you want more comfortable ones, bring them. The high deck closer to the water, in our opinion, is not safe. It moves, the wood is coming up and is rotted. I got stuck on more than one nail head sticking up. But the balcony on the house is nice to sit on and is safe. Bring paper towels. The kitchen was very roomy and nice to cook in- all the appliances are pretty new. The beach was beautiful. There's a Harris Teeter about 1.7 miles down the road (with a starbucks) if you need it. Dogs had plenty of room inside and there is a nice side yard (make sure 3 gates are latched) for the dogs to go out to before bed. Enjoy!
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Dawn B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Cozy Rustic Cottage
We had a very nice relaxing time at this clean rustic cozy cottage on the bay. We loved being a short walk iver the dunes to get waterfront, as said previously house is being renovated, but very accommodating and Kathleen was an absolutely wonderful host.
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2022