Successful family reunion ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Having searched extensively for a house that could easily accommodate a group of 22 in real beds and with enough space that we would not be tripping over each other, we were extremely pleased to stumble on the Quintessa. Realizing it was on an island and that we would have to plan for additional driving time between Seatac airport and the house in order to account for possible ferry delays, we booked both the Main House and the Cottage. As others have written, the home and gardens are clean, well-maintained and well-equipped. And if any problems or requests surface before or after arrival, Carrie and Tessa are responsive, generous with their time and resources, and take care of situations immediately.
Having the multi-level house plus the Cottage meant our 90-year old family member could be on the ground floor (Level 2) with a bathroom right outside her door so she didn’t have to climb any stairs. It also allowed the young family with the 14-month old to have their own realm in the Cottage so they didn’t have to worry about disturbing anyone at 5:30 AM when the baby woke up.
A highlight of our August visit were the blackberries that grow along the road across from the house. We went out many times to pick them fresh for breakfast as well as once to bake a pie and once a cake (for which Carrie and Tessa so kindly lent us the 2 eggs we didn’t have).
At the house, the toys for young children and board as well as lawn games (stored in the lower level closet next to the laundry room) were a hit with various family members. And activities farther afield that were not mentioned on the Whidbey Island activity website that we enjoyed immensely were a private clam digging excursion to Double Bluff Beach with June Davis of Sound Water Stewards and a visit at the house from the Island Mexican Taco food truck (from Freeland) for dinner. Carrie and Tessa can provide contact information for those activities.
Looking back on our week, all 22 of us could unequivocally say that the Quintessa helped make our reunion a great success!
Having the multi-level house plus the Cottage meant our 90-year old family member could be on the ground floor (Level 2) with a bathroom right outside her door so she didn’t have to climb any stairs. It also allowed the young family with the 14-month old to have their own realm in the Cottage so they didn’t have to worry about disturbing anyone at 5:30 AM when the baby woke up.
A highlight of our August visit were the blackberries that grow along the road across from the house. We went out many times to pick them fresh for breakfast as well as once to bake a pie and once a cake (for which Carrie and Tessa so kindly lent us the 2 eggs we didn’t have).
At the house, the toys for young children and board as well as lawn games (stored in the lower level closet next to the laundry room) were a hit with various family members. And activities farther afield that were not mentioned on the Whidbey Island activity website that we enjoyed immensely were a private clam digging excursion to Double Bluff Beach with June Davis of Sound Water Stewards and a visit at the house from the Island Mexican Taco food truck (from Freeland) for dinner. Carrie and Tessa can provide contact information for those activities.
Looking back on our week, all 22 of us could unequivocally say that the Quintessa helped make our reunion a great success!