Family-friendly holiday rentals in Essex

We have been staying here over the last 4 years, when we visit UConn, and will miss it now that our daughter has graduated. Keri is wonderful host, welcoming & accommodating. Her home in the woods is a refuge, comfortable, peaceful, and minutes from campus.

We loved staying at this home - it was the perfect place for our group of ten. The outdoor space was definitely the highlight, with the pool & spa being our favorite part of the trip. The only thing to note is that we weren’t supplied quite enough toilet paper or paper towels, though I did not reach out for more - It was the last evening when we ran out and we were leaving early the next morning. The trash requirements were a surprise after booking, but going to the transfer station was easy enough, and it is listed on the house rules. Overall, an excellent stay and would absolutely return!

We had an event nearby and Brian’s place was a great base for us. Lovely and peaceful neighborhood. Brian was super responsive and reached out to us when the house was ready(before the official check-in time). Would def recommend to anyone!

We thoroughly enjoyed our time at the cottage. It was so very peaceful and we loved being literally right around n the water! Slept amazingly well and the cottage was just lovely! Robert was also a great host. 5 stars all around and we hope to return again!

This was just what we needed for our ten year anniversary weekend escape! It was the perfect mix of relaxation and fun with the spa, golf course, and Mohegan Sun only five minutes away with restaurants and shows galore. A gem of a place. Very communicative hosts as well. Highly recommend!

Andreas’s place was everything it described and then some. It was modern, nicely air conditioned and had 4 amazing bedrooms each with a private bathroom. The kitchen was functional and open to the dinning area. It had a lovely wrap around porch in front and patio in back with grill, hot tub and outside seating. As well as two lounge chairs. It was only a short drive into Sag Harbor yet it was in its own little neighborhood were we could walk 6 minutes to a private beach!

We had a fantastic girls weekend in Southampton and loved Anthony's cottage. It was so beautifully decorated and cozy. We throughly enjoyed mornings with coffee and books in the sun room.

Had booked a girls getaway at Tracy and Patrick’s place and it was perfect, even with gloomy weather! The house perfectly matches all pictures and descriptions and has everything you’ll need and more for the perfect relaxing and fun getaway! We even got a cute surprise visit from their furry friends which is always loved!! There are also shops and beaches a short drive away, we just didn’t happen to go visit because we were enjoying our cozy time at the home. Thank you again Tracy and Patrick:) we would totally recommend and want to come back!

We loved our stay here. It was the perfect place for two of us and our dog. The home was just as described, welcoming, cosy and well equipped, and we appreciated all the local recommendations. We enjoyed local walks, the lake, and the great dog park, as well as easy access to Middletown to visit our son. Elisabeth and Daniel were fantastic hosts!

Linda was an absolutely delightful host. She was flexible on our arrival time, didn’t rush us out, and was available and engage for any needs throughout our stay. The accommodations were very clean, comfortable, and centrally located. Linda provided plenty of recommendations and was eager to ensure we had everything we might want. Highly recommend this spot for a dog, as our little guy was perfectly accommodated.

Ashley and Michael were great hosts. Very attentive, clean home, and beautiful location. We were there for an entire week and felt right at home. Looking forward to one day going back!

This was a very comfortable place to stay. Located conveniently close to the North Ferry. It’s above the local bookshop and has a wonderful balcony overlooking the town. Beds were comfortable, showers got nice and hot with good water pressure and couches were comfortable as well. There is also a great coffee shop right across the street. We loved our stay here and we are looking forward to booking again in the future. Highly recommend.

Great stay! Very nice and accommodating host. I loved the fenced in yard and so did my toddler/dogs. The place is actually better then the photos. Will happily return in the future.

This is the cutest Airbnb! Everything you need in a little niche of love, convenience, and comfort! A wonderful location and neighborhood! When visiting family, I will certainly be back to stay here. 💖

Monica's home is quiet, spotless, and oh so serene. It's a really pretty duplex with lush grass and trees all around while being only a short walk to Wesleyan, a short walk to downtown Middletown, a short walk even to the Connecticut river. The house is well ventilated, the kitchen is well stocked with staples and equipment. The shower has great water pressure (stronger than we are allowed to have in parched L.A.) We met our hosts outside and they let us know about the Middletown Pride Fest that was taking place the following day. Monica sent me a link for info. It was a blast with a really wonderful vibe that made the whole town feel welcoming to everybody. Just as our hosts certainly are as well. Highly recommend!

We really enjoyed our time at Elizabeth Jane's place. The home is spacious and quaint, with nice furnishings, a tasteful colonial feel and easy access to downtown Litchfield and the Berkshires. The bucolic setting is lovely - scenic, relaxing and peaceful.

Our stay was peaceful located in a great place , the home its self was perfect if we come back next year we will book this place again

Beautiful home! Thank you for having us!

Marta could not have been more accommodating! She was responsive and provided everything we needed. She even went the extra mile and insta cart-ed garbage bags and paper towels when we ran out. She could not have been a kinder host! We had the best weekend and would HIGHLY recommend staying at Marta’s place! We will definitely be back!

Wendy’s house is immaculate, tastefully decorated, very spacious and extremely comfortable. Her instructions were clear and her responsiveness immediate. We would absolutely consider staying there again.

The pool house is so cute and the outdoor patio is gorgeous and the perfect place to relax. Great place to stay if you want to stay near New Haven but also want to enjoy quiet away from the city. Sue is a responsive and very generous host!

We had an amazing time at Marybeth’s suite—it truly felt like a winter wonderland. Our kids had a blast "swimming" in the snow and "rolling" over the gentle hills. Every moment was filled with joy, whether we were relaxing in the sunroom, playing in the snow, or swinging outside. The time spent together as a family, along with our conversations with Marybeth and her family, was truly precious. We can’t wait to return in the summer!

Great host. Great house. The history was very cool. Mary Beth was super responsive and helpful.

This was our second time staying at Ron’s place, and it was so great! The location is wonderful, the place is super dog friendly, the beach is perfect location. It’s a cute group of cottages down old Montauk highway, so away from the hustle and bustle but close enough for Ubers and driving! Can’t wait to stay again!