Entire home

BlueDoor Cottage- An Island Favorite!

Photo gallery for BlueDoor Cottage- An Island Favorite!

Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop
Property grounds
Exterior
4 bedrooms, iron/ironing board, free WiFi, bed sheets
Smart TV, fireplace, books

Reviews

10 out of 10

Exceptional

Entire home

4 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 8

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
    Parking available
  • Washer
    Washer
  • Barbecue grill
    Barbecue grill
  • Kitchen
    Kitchen
  • Air conditioning
    Air conditioning
  • Fireplace
    Fireplace

About this property

Entire place

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

BlueDoor Cottage- An Island Favorite!

Classic 1928 Balboa Island cottage, recently restored for your relaxing beach vacation, and featured in Cottages & Bugalow magazine. Located on the Little Island with a very short walk to all the shops & restaurants on Marine Ave, and only a few doors away from the famous Newport Bay. The cottage has Air-conditioning, plus ceiling fans, a coveted garage to park your car, and has 4 beach cruisers, 2 kayaks and 2 standup paddle boards to explore the Island. The Blue Door Cottage has one of the largest patios on the island which gives you plenty of room to enjoy outdoor dining and the sun right outside the blue dutch door. One of the highest rated homes on Balboa Island, the Blue Door Cottage was designed for families to enjoy time together and enjoy the bay.

Sleeps 8 people in 4 bedrooms, with 6 beds, and is not filled with bunk beds, pull out sofa beds or trundles to increase occupancy. The master has an Eastern King w TV, second bedroom has a Queen with a flat screen TV, third has two cute twin beds, and the 4th bedroom - The Little Mariners room, which looks like a ship with two built-in twin cots, for children, teens or smaller adults.

The charming cottage, has a large bright and airy great room downstairs with lots of comfy couches so ample room for everyone to socialize, watch TV and play games with your family and friends.

The dining room has a long solid wood farm house table and seating for 8 to enjoy meals indoors, and the patio has a long rectangle table with umbrella and seating for 8 so you can enjoy meals outside. There is also a round patio table with 4 chairs on back patio right off the brand new kitchen. The commercial range and farm house sink will delight the chef who wants to prepare home cooked meals. The coveted Little Island location is ultra close to the shops and restaurants on Marine Ave so it's very quick walk to go wander down to get a Balboa Bar or Famous Chocolate covered banana for dessert.

The cottage is stocked with beach towels, and all the toys to enjoy the Island, such as two 2person -kayaks, two standup paddle boards, 4 beach cruisers, chairs, and beach toys. Fun to play in the bay or head across the Ferry to the Wedge or Pier.

The little island is coveted for it's quicker and easy access on and off the island, so you can take day trips to Disneyland, Knott's Berry Farm, shop & dine at South Coast Plaza or Fashion Island, and go see the many other Southern California Attractions. The coveted garage allows you to always have a place to park your car, if you decide to leave heaven. But almost everything is Uber close, and no car is necessary, as walking around the Island is the best mode of transportation.

Property manager

Peter

Property amenities

Beach

  • Beach nearby
  • Beach loungers
  • Beach towels

Internet

  • Available in the house: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Electric car charging station on site
  • Car not required
  • Onsite parking options include a garage

Kitchen

  • Blender
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Dishwasher
  • Electric kettle
  • Ice maker
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Paper towels
  • Refrigerator
  • Spices
  • Stovetop
  • Toaster

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 4 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • 1 bathroom
  • Hair dryer
  • Outdoor shower
  • Shampoo
  • Shower
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Dining table
  • Fireplace
  • Living room

Entertainment

  • Books
  • Games
  • Smart TV with cable/satellite channels

Outdoor areas

  • Barbecue grill
  • Fenced yard
  • Garden
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Patio

Laundry

  • Laundromat nearby
  • Washing machine

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoke-free property

Services and conveniences

  • Housekeeping (on request)
  • Iron/ironing board

Location highlights

  • Near a health/beauty spa
  • Near a hospital
  • Near a zoo
  • Near the bay
  • Near the marina
  • On the waterfront

Things to do

  • Bicycles
  • Boat
  • Golf
  • Kayak
  • Water sports equipment
  • Basketball nearby
  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Cycling nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Golfing nearby
  • Hiking/biking trails nearby
  • Kayaking nearby
  • Motor boating nearby
  • Mountain biking nearby
  • Sailing nearby
  • Scuba diving nearby
  • Surfing/bodyboarding nearby
  • Swimming nearby
  • Theme park nearby
  • Whale watching nearby
  • Wildlife walks nearby

Safety features

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

General

  • Bicycles
  • Electric car charging station
  • Garden
  • Housekeeping (on request)

Similar properties

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Minimum check-in age: 26

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM
Contactless check-out available

Special check-in instructions

An adult age 18 or older must assume all liability for the booking
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Pets

Pets not allowed

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
Note from host: All bedrooms are located on the second floor

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
Note from host: There is a city 10:00pm outdoor noise policy
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, a first aid kit, 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
Property Registration Number SLP12875

We should mention

A car is not required for transportation to and from this property

Property is also known as

Blue Door An Favorite Newport
Blue Door Cottage Una Isla Favorita
Blue Door Cottage An Island Favorite
Blue Door Cottage - An Island Favorite Newport Beach
Blue Door Cottage An Island Favorite w Air Conditioning
Blue Door Cottage - An Island Favorite Private vacation home

About the area

Map
Newport Beach, CA

What's nearby

  • Fashion Island - 3 min drive
  • Pelican Hill Golf Course - 6 min drive
  • Balboa Pier - 6 min drive
  • Newport Pier - 8 min drive
  • Corona del Mar State Beach - 11 min drive

Getting around

  • Orange Station - 20 min drive
  • John Wayne Airport (SNA) - 24 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Cabo Cantina - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Sugar n Spice Original Frozen Banana - ‬5 min walk
  • ‪Harborside Restaurant & Grand Ballroom - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Tommy Bahama Restaurant, Bar & Store - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Ruby's Diner - ‬3 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is BlueDoor Cottage- An Island Favorite! pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at BlueDoor Cottage- An Island Favorite! ?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at BlueDoor Cottage- An Island Favorite! ?

Check-out is at 11:00 AM.

Where is BlueDoor Cottage- An Island Favorite! located?

Located in Balboa Island, this vacation home is within 1 mi (2 km) of Balboa Fun Zone and Balboa Pier. Newport Dune and Fashion Island are also within 2 mi (3 km).

BlueDoor Cottage- An Island Favorite! Reviews

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 128 out of 130 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 130 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 130 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 130 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 130 reviews" "

10/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Richard M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Our favorite house!
We have stayed at The Blue Door Cottage several times and it continues to be our favorite vacation. The house is so lovely with a large front patio and perfect location. Thank you Peter for your very special welcome basket! You make us feel right at home!
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Tana C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect!
Wonderful cottage, exactly as shown, very thoughtful host!! Nice to be on the quiet side of the island and be able to find an additional parking space. Couldn’t have been a nicer stay.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Stephanie A.

Liked: Cleanliness
Blue Door Cottage
Our stay with our family at the Blue Door Cottage was amazing! Pete was very available if I had any questions! The house is very comfortable and is on little balboa, amazing location to all the shops and restaurants! The house was furnished with beach cruisers, beach chairs, anything you need to enjoy a vacation just relaxing. No need to drive ever, just bicycle to everything!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Mike R.

Liked: Cleanliness
Relaxing Stay in Balboa
My wife and I were looking for a final summer getaway with our four children, before the school year begins. When we saw all of the positive reviews for the Blue Door Cottage, we couldn't pass it up. The cottage did not disappoint. Actually, it is the best rental we have stayed in. This is likely due to the fact that it doesn't feel like a rental at all, but a second home. Pete went the extra mile to make us feel welcome and comfortable. We were welcomed with snacks and a wonderful cheese tray. He gave us local tips on where to go and how to get around the island. We loved being able to use the bikes to cruise around the island and cross the ferry to Newport. The beach chairs, umbrellas, boards, and other beach equipment made our trips to the beach easy. The house is cool, comfortable, and everyone slept well. Our favorite part of our stay was how peaceful everything was. The house has a relaxing vibe to it. We felt like we stepped away from the world for a few days, and all the stressors of life, and were able to recharge together. Amazing.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Nancy K.

Liked: Cleanliness
Happy Beach House
We had a happy time at the beach with stand-up paddle boards and beach toys, kept the kids all busy and happy. It was a great time for the cousins to bond with each other. We had great meals and chatting around the outdoor dining table. The kids all slept very well and comfortably!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Shelley S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Blue Door Cottage was Awesome!
We recently spent 7 days at the Blue Door Cottage and it was awesome! Pete was great with communication from beginning to end answering all our questions and offering recommendations. He even arranged for my husband to golf at a nearby golf course - over the top kind! We were a family of 5 adults and 2 toddlers (3 and 4). The bedrooms were set up perfect for us and the kiddos loved having their own cute bedroom with port hole nightlights! The hosts had a board of cheese. meats, crackers and cookies in the frig on our arrival as well as a bottle of wine. Since our flight was delayed multiple times it was late when we arrived and we were all hungry so it was just perfect for us! We spent 2 days in the Disney parks which is a short 25 minute drive from the island. We also rented a Duffy boat on the island for a 2 hour tour and brought our own snacks & wine - a delightful way to self tour the area by water. Unfortunately our mini van we rented was too long to fit in the garage at the property but we never had an issue finding parking on the street. The front patio is quaint-we ate dinner out there most nights (take out from near by restaurants). The location of the property is an easy walk to the main street on the island as well as the ferry. The island itself is a very quiet and relaxed place - bummer that construction was happening on both sides of us during the day making it tough to take a nap. The updated furnished house and fresh cut flowers made our stay perfect!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Eddie N.

Liked: Cleanliness
Lovely week
We had a wonderful week at this property. Peter was so very hospitable. We will be back.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

AMIRA I.

Liked: Cleanliness
Very special cottage
We loved our stay at this cottage . It’s on a quiet street and so close to everything on the island and easy in and out. We came to celebrate our daughter’s graduation and brought our family. We found it to be a very special place. Loved that it is almost 100 years old, retaining the cute vintage charming feel, while it has modern touches and everything you need to relax and gather around meals inside or outdoor on the huge patio. owner is a great host and responded very quick to any questions we had. We will definitely recommend it and book it again.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Julianne W.

Liked: Cleanliness
Love the BDC!
Our fourth time staying here and just as amazing as the first!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kate H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Loved the Blue Door Cottage
We loved everything about this house! From the location, to the decor, to the communication with Pete, everything was spectacular. Hope to stay again!
Stayed 4 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Megan R., Denver

Liked: Cleanliness
Great time in Balboa
Perfect weekend on Balboa Island. Great home and hosts. Would stay again.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

jane s.

Liked: Cleanliness
Mothers Day-Birthday
Had a terrific visit to Blue Door Cottage! Pete made sure everything was perfect for our stay. Can’t wait to come back.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Brittainy W.

Liked: Cleanliness
Blue Door Cottage Heaven
The Blue Door Cottage is a dream. Built circa 1928, it oozes character and charm. We absolutely loved our stay and cannot wait to come back!
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Marcella L.

Liked: Cleanliness
The sweetest place
Balboa Island has always been my favorite place to stay, but this was the first time I stayed on the littke island . I loved it !! The Blue Door Cottage was pristine and so cozy . I stayed here for two weeks by myself (my brother came for a few days) after my mom died . It was the perfect place to heal and rest ! I will be back
Stayed 14 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Stephanie J.

Liked: Cleanliness
Charming!
We LOVED staying in this charming cottage - pictures didn't do it justice! Location was great and the host was very responsive & helpful when we were hoping to get in earlier than normal check-in time. Would absolutely stay here again!
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Devon M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Cannot wait to return!
I cannot say enough how amazing our stay was. Not only was the home absolutely beautiful, but it was clean, comfortable, perfectly decorated and had everything we needed and some! Our host Pete could not have been better either. He was so easy to communicate with, very pleasant and welcoming. And the meat and cheese tray, wine and snacks left for us were so appreciated! Our kids were so sad to leave on Sunday. Next time I hope we are able to longer!! Thank you so much for everything!
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Joanne E., Llanblethian

Liked: Cleanliness
Balboa charm
The house is warm and welcoming There was a very generous charcuterie & cheese board with wine for our arrival Communication was excellent Thank you for letting us stay in your lovely Balboa home
Stayed 6 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Lynette S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Best Place to stay on Balboa Island
Second time staying at the the Blue Door Cottage for a girls weekend. We love the house, location and the wonderful neighborhood of Balboa Island. Can't wait to go back next year!
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Nikki S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Wonderful little cottage in a perfect location.
We came for a wedding and wanted something on the island in order to walk around and to the ferry. This house was perfectly located within a minutes walk to the Marine where all of the shops and restaurants are. The island was lit up beautifully for Christmas. Everything was so festive! Peter was an excellent and responsive host. Easily reachable by text and very friendly. He left wine and cheese, which was a nice touch. The only reason I left 4 stars for cleanliness was because there was quite a bit of pet hair- no big deal and I know it’s hard to get all of it, but that might deter someone with allergies or at least they’d be able to prepare with some antihistamine. Minus that small detail, it was a wonderful stay and the cottage is absolutely adorable, cozy and could not be in a better spot. Thank you!!
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2023

8/10 Good

Courtney G.

Disliked: Cleanliness
A Gem in Need of Polishing
Our recent stay at the Balboa Island house had its highlights, particularly the charming location. However, cleanliness issues, like dirty couch covers and bedding, tempered our overall experience. While we didn't expect a 5-star Ritz Carlton experience as we were renting a VRBO beach house, a more thorough cleaning and some updates to furnishings would enhance the house's appeal and justify its premium pricing. With attention to detail, this property could become an exceptional vacation home. We appreciate Pete rectifying the situation, and his prompt and attentive responses to our concerns, but hope these considerations benefit future guests and elevate the property's potential.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Shervin D.

Liked: Cleanliness
We had a great time
It was perfect
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Devon V.

Liked: Cleanliness
Another great week!
Once again, we loved our time at Blue Door Cottage. The 5 of us were so excited to return and hoped we would enjoy it as much as our initial visit in 2021, which we did. Pete’s welcome snacks / treats were appreciated by us all and he was accessible any time we had a question. We can’t wait to come back again, and again.
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Richard M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Blue Door Cottage is the best!
First of all, Peter is such a gracious host! The best! The cottage is absolutely perfect. Our Balboa Island vacation is now a well-loved tradition by our family. We like it so much it is hard to leave!
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Heidi C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Paradise at the beach
This is a 6 star place ! They went above and beyond my expectations . I stayed here with my family. The place is so charming , clean and has all the amenities . We went bicycling ,kayaking and paddle boarding !They also had a charcuterie board of food and wine waiting for us at arrival ! Simply amazing !!! Will come back here again ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Ryan F.

Liked: Cleanliness
Unreal
Blue Door Cottage is THE PLACE to be anytime of year. Peter is the most amazing most, and the home is the cutest home to spend time with family and friends. The location is PRIMO! 5 minute walk to Marine Ave (shopping and food), 30 seconds to the beach, and the front patio/courtyard is the best place to enjoy a cocktail or meal. My family and I will be coming to the Blue Door Cottage to create even more memories!
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2023